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Innovation and skills: implications for the agri-food sector	[ "Northern Ireland", "Innovation", "Agri-food sector", "Education and skills" ]	[ { "content": "Summarize the following paper into structured abstract.\n\n1. Introduction: The expansion of global markets has created many business opportunities for a wide range of manufacturing companies, including the agri-food processing sector (Government Office for Science, 2011; Department for Environment Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA), 2012a). The agri-food processing sector is often characterised by automated production processes, standardised products, squeezed margins and firms operating in an environment of very competitive markets driven by large food retail multiples (James and Lloyd, 2008). However, the recent growth in emerging economies has presented possibilities in terms of the demand for new and existing food products. Globalisation also creates challenges for firms as it increases competition particularly from emerging economies competing on a low-cost basis. In response firms, in order to maintain competitive advantage, are identifying new markets, products and services through the process of product, business and service innovation.\n2. The food and drinks sector within the Northern Ireland economy: The food and drinks sector, defined as those businesses that are involved in processing activities that change the nature of a raw material destined for human consumption, is very important to the Northern Ireland economy. It is estimated that the sector accounts for 21 per cent of Northern Ireland manufacturing and is worth PS552.3 million to the Northern Ireland economy (Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (DARD), 2010). The sector provides an important link between suppliers of primary and intermediate inputs (agricultural sector) and the domestic retail sector and is also an important supplier itself to other sectors within the local economy. The food and drinks sector has always made an important contribution to the Northern Ireland economy in terms of exports. In 2008, approximately two-thirds of the sector's output was sold outside of Northern Ireland, with over PS1.2 bn in sales to the Great Britain market, PS516 m to the Republic of Ireland and PS360 m to markets outside the UK and Ireland (DARD, 2010).\n3. A survey of food and drinks companies in Northern Ireland: A survey of Northern Ireland Food and Drinks companies was conducted in early summer 2011. The survey comprised seven sub-sectors, that is, bakeries, beef and sheep meat, drinks, fruit and vegetables, milk and milk products, pig meat and poultry meat. In terms of employment, the poultry meat sub-sector is the largest employer with 4,626 employees in 2008. In terms of the sample population, the aim was to secure coverage of 50 per cent of employee numbers in each of the selected sub-sectors. The sample selection was therefore focused on those larger companies (in terms of employee numbers) within each of the sub-sectors. Given this, the smallest participating company employed 45 individuals. In total, 30 companies were interviewed, providing representation from all the key food and drinks sub-sectors, and covering at least 50 per cent of employee numbers in each sub-sector, i.e. 9,600 full-time equivalent employees in total. For a detailed discussion of the methodology and the sub-sectors used see Jack et al. (2011). The survey focused on current and future skills requirements for specific cohorts of employees in the sector; specifically those who had undertaken further full-time training beyond minimum school leaving age, although there is some reporting of results for those who entered employment having left school at the minimum school leaving age. In addition, the study aimed to seek employers' opinions of those entering the labour market for the first time, particularly those with qualifications at intermediate level, i.e. Qualifications and Credit Framework (QCF) Level 3 and above. The survey focused on those employed at supervisor, manager and specialist/professional/technical levels, to identify skills needs and current gaps in training provision.\n4. Results: 4.1 Sector background\n5. Policy implications: The expansion of global markets has created both opportunities and threats for companies within the Northern Ireland agri-food sector. Growth of emerging economies has created opportunities in terms of increased export demand for new and existing products. However, globalisation has also presented challenges for firms by way of increased competition, with firms having to maintain their competitive advantage through product, service and process innovation. This study has examined how the need for product, service and process innovation within the Northern Ireland agri-food sector has influenced the profile of current and future skills demanded by employers in the sector.\n", "role": "user" }, { "content": "Purpose: Despite the economic downturn, the Northern Ireland agri-food sector has remained resilient experiencing export growth, particularly in emerging economies. The sector recognises that to maintain its competitive advantage in both existing and new markets it will require a business strategy focused on product, service and process innovation. The purpose of this paper is to explore how firms within the sector consider how this will impact upon future skills and training needs and identifies where the industry considers the appropriate policy interventions are required.\nDesign/methodology/approach: A survey was undertaken to explore how innovation and technology adoption within the agri-food and drinks sector is impacting on educational and skills requirements. In total, 30 companies were interviewed, providing representation from all the food and drinks sub-sectors and covering at least 50 per cent of employee numbers in each sub-sector. The survey focuses on current and future skills requirements for specific cohorts of employees in the sector; specifically those who have undertaken further full-time training beyond minimum school leaving age. In addition, it aimed to seek employer feedback on those entering the labour market for the first time.\nFindings: The results support the need for strong intermediate levels of educational attainment. In addition, the acquisition of work-related generic skills is essential for creating a more \"flexible\" and multi-skilled workforce. Up-skilling programmes, particularly for lower to mid-level management roles, will become increasingly important in the future. Experience gained through work placement and vacation and weekend work is viewed very positively. Companies expressed a greater need for engagement between the further and higher education sectors and industry in relation to the content, design and delivery of educational programmes to adequately meet the needs of the sector.\nOriginality/value: At a time when government is looking to growth in the private sector to stimulate economic growth in the wider economy, this paper highlights the skills and training challenges which have emerged within the Northern Ireland agri-food sector, in response to business strategies which are more focused on product, service and process innovation.\n", "role": "assistant" } ]
Demographics and patronage motives of supercenter shoppers in the United States	[ "Consumer behaviour", "Demographics", "Retail trade", "United States of America" ]	[ { "content": "Summarize the following paper into structured abstract.\n\nIntroduction: Over the past decade, the proliferation of the supercenter format has brought about marked changes in the retail landscape of the USA. Supercenters are large format stores that offer grocery products in combination with general merchandise, successfully capturing substantial market share from traditional grocery stores as well as mass merchandisers (Graff, 2006; Arnold and Luthra, 2000; Seiders et al., 2000; Morganosky, 1997). Supercenters often appeal to lower income, large households because of their ability to offer low prices. In addition, time-pressed consumers are attracted to the format because of its one-stop shopping convenience. However, recent reports in the trade literature indicate several interesting changes in the makeup of the supercenter customer base including a decline in sales to lower-income households and growth in sales to affluent consumers, Hispanics, and African-Americans (Progressive Grocer, 2005) as well as significant growth in supercenter patronage among males (Duff, 2003).A recent study by Datamonitor (2005) predicts that the global supercenter/hypermarket segment will grow by approximately 25 percent between 2004 and 2009. In light of the considerable growth of the supercenter format and the aforementioned changes in consumer patronage, it is crucial for supercenter retailers to reexamine the composition of the customer base and develop appropriate marketing strategies to reach various segments. Understanding consumer shopping behavior within the format will be critical to the success of retailers operating in the industry. The findings of numerous studies focusing on growth in the supercenter category are reported in the trade and academic literatures (Fernie et al., 2006; Graff, 2006; Datamonitor, 2005; Duff, 2005; Promo, 2005; Chain Store Age, 2003; Morganosky, 1997). In addition, topics such as market entry effects of supercenters on traditional retailers (Fernie et al., 2006; Arnold and Luthra, 2000; Seiders et al., 2000), competition among supercenters (Graff, 2006) and consumer experiences in large retail formats (Morganosky and Cude, 2000) are examined in the academic literature. However, few recent academic studies have attempted to identify consumer groups that frequent supercenters and examine the motivations behind their shopping behavior within the format.Considering the explosive growth of the supercenter format, the shifts in consumer patronage of supercenters, and the lack of academic literature related to supercenter shopping behavior, the purpose of this research is to provide an updated general understanding of supercenter shopping behavior within the USA. In particular, the study seeks to identify groups of consumers who shop in supercenters for grocery and general merchandise products and to examine their motivations. By identifying the demographic characteristics and patronage motives of supercenter shoppers, this research will provide a current view of the nature of supercenter shopping in the USA. Findings of this study will assist academics and practitioners to better understand shoppers' attitudes and behavior in regard to the supercenter format.\nReview of the literature: Demographics and choice of retail format\nMethodology: Data for the study are drawn from Retail Forward's ShopperScape database (www.retailforward.com) for December 2005. Retail Forward collects shopping data from an online panel of consumers each month, focusing on shopping behavior in a variety of retail formats and product categories. The panel includes nearly one million households and nearly three million individuals in the USA. Consumers are recruited for participation through more than twenty recruiting partners including large web portals, specialized web communities, web aggregators, and internet advertising firms subject to regular recruiting and purging cycles. Data are weighted by key demographic characteristics based on US Census data. Survey respondents are the self-designated primary shopper in their household and earn points for participation which can be exchanged for cash, prizes, or charity donations as incentives. The average monthly response rate for the survey is approximately 46 percent. No panelist is permitted to participate in more than two surveys per month.A key objective of the current study is to capture a group of shoppers who engage in various levels of shopping within the supercenter format. The ShopperScape survey identifies shoppers who purchase groceries at supercenters in the USA and probes respondents regarding their shopping frequency in additional categories within this format (e.g. apparel, health and beauty, home furnishings, and consumer electronics). According to Retail Forward's December 2005 database (N=5,092), a total of 2,404 respondents (47.2 percent) report shopping in supercenters for grocery products. Among these 2,404 respondents, a random sample of 500 respondents is extracted using SPSS and constitutes the final sample for the analyses.Measurement\nResults: Sample characteristics\nConclusions and discussion: The t-tests for gender indicate that females engage in supercenter shopping for health and beauty products more often than males, while males engage in shopping for consumer electronics more often than females. Supercenter operators should take note of this finding and use gender-appropriate marketing strategies in each department in order to attract shoppers and stimulate sales. The regression models examining continuous demographic variables (age, income, education, and household size) are significant for apparel, home furnishings, and consumer electronics. For apparel, age and income demonstrate inverse relationships to shopping frequency while household size shows a direct relationship. Therefore, it appears that younger, lower-income, larger households are the most likely to be frequent shoppers for apparel at supercenters. Age is the single significant predictor (inverse relationship) in the regression model for home furnishings. This finding suggests that younger respondents are the most likely to shop in supercenters for these types of products. Given these findings, supercenter operators may choose to gear primary marketing efforts toward younger, lower income households in the apparel category. Likewise, marketing and merchandising efforts in the home furnishings category should be geared toward younger consumers.For consumer electronics, both age and education demonstrate inverse relationships to supercenter shopping frequency. It appears that younger, less educated respondents are likely to shop for electronics. Similar to the apparel and home furnishings categories, supercenter operators find their primary market for consumer electronics products consisting of younger consumers and should tailor marketing strategies appropriately. The ANOVA models for the fixed factor demographic variables (ethnicity and marital status) produce non-significant results. This finding suggests that the ethnicity and marital status variables may not be effective bases of segmentation among supercenter shoppers. Taken together, these findings suggest that several demographic variables (e.g. age, income, education, and household size) may be useful in predicting supercenter shopping frequency in some product categories. The age variable appears particularly promising, demonstrating significance in three out of the four product categories examined in the study. It appears that in general, younger consumers take advantage of the convenience provided by supercenters.Examination of the consumer patronage motivations across the four product categories reflects the importance of value to frequent supercenter shoppers. Supercenter operators should take note of this finding and continue to provide the highest quality levels possible while maintaining low prices. The convenience of one-stop shopping is also mentioned frequently in three out of four product categories (apparel, health and beauty, home furnishings). This finding suggests that frequent supercenter shoppers place importance on the ability to take care of as many shopping needs as possible while visiting the same store. Supercenters should therefore continue the focus on offering a wide variety of products across many categories. The selection of brands offered is frequently mentioned among consumer electronics shoppers. Marketers should pay special attention to this finding and include appropriate name-brand electronic products in their assortment. Likewise, brands appear to be significant for health and beauty products shoppers as compared to other product categories. Therefore, health and beauty products assortments should include appropriate name-brands within the selection. Interestingly, brands appear less important to frequent shoppers in apparel and home furnishings. Instead, these shoppers appear to focus on product assortment and a fast/easy shopping experience. This finding may suggest that recognized brands are not as important to supercenter apparel and home furnishings shoppers, thus providing an opportunity for supercenter retailers to capitalize on gross margin by inserting a larger percentage of store brands in these categories.Overall, the findings provide interesting perspectives on the shopping behavior of supercenter patrons in the USA. Supercenters appear to appeal to younger, lower-income consumers with large households, which may explain the recent shifts in supercenter marketing strategies toward increasing patronage among other consumer demographic groups. It appears that shoppers who take the fullest advantage of supercenters do so because of the value provided in terms of the price/quality trade off and because of the convenience of one-stop shopping provided by the inclusion of various product categories within the same store. The relative importance of name brands within the health and beauty/consumer electronics categories as compared to the apparel/home furnishings categories also provides interesting insight in terms of directives for the development of in-house brands. Again, this finding suggests that supercenter operators should determine the relative brand equity of store brands to national brands and develop appropriate strategies to capitalize on store brand opportunities within key categories.\nLimitations and future research: Generalizations of the findings of this study to markets outside the USA are limited due to the differences in consumers and retail formats available in various countries. Future research could compare shopping behavior within large formats across international markets. Future studies could also continue to identify key demographic predictors of supercenter shopping and improve the accuracy of prediction. In addition, lifestyle or psychographic factors could be investigated for their effect on supercenter shopping behavior. The findings also suggest that product category may play an important role in the decision to shop in supercenters. Future research could examine additional product categories to further investigate this effect. Research to further explore the relative importance of store brands across supercenter product categories could also provide interesting and actionable insights for the development of retail brand strategies.\n", "role": "user" }, { "content": "Purpose: - This paper seeks to provide an updated, general understanding of supercenter shopping behavior in the USA.\nDesign/methodology/approach: - The study employs a sample generated from Retail Forward panel data to assess the impact of demographic variables, including gender, age, ethnicity, education, income, marital status, and household size, on supercenter shopping frequency across four product categories (apparel, health and beauty, home furnishings, and consumer electronics). Descriptive and inferential statistical techniques (regression, ANOVA) are used to evaluate the data.\nFindings: - The paper identifies demographic groups who frequent supercenters and examines patronage motives as drivers of supercenter shopping behavior.\nResearch limitations/implications: - Generalizations of the findings of this study to markets outside the USA are limited due to the differences in consumers and retail formats available in various countries. Future research could compare shopping behavior within large formats across international markets.\nPractical implications: - This research provides supercenter retailers who operate within the USA with specific knowledge of the patronage motives driving cross-category shopping in supercenters (e.g. value, one-stop shopping convenience, brands, product assortment) and identifies the demographic characteristics of cross-category shoppers. The results suggest marketing strategy implications for supercenter operators in the US market. As competition in the sector continues to evolve and consumer demographics change within the US market, understanding cross-category shopping will be critical to retailer performance in the industry.\nOriginality/value: - This study uses demographics and patronage motives as a framework for profiling cross-category shoppers in the US supercenters. The paper is unique because there are few similar empirical studies which focus on consumer behavior within supercenters.\n", "role": "assistant" } ]
Supply chain inclusion in base of the pyramid markets: A cluster analysis and implications for global supply chains	[ "Inclusion", "Base of the Pyramid" ]	[ { "content": "Summarize the following paper into structured abstract.\n\nIntroduction: The idea of inclusion of actors from marginalized groups at different stages of supply chains has recently been emphasized by developments in both practice and academia. From a practical perspective, the concept of inclusivity has gained prominence within the international development and policy discourse. As shown in a content analysis comparing key texts from the Millennium Development Goals with those from the Sustainable Development Goals, the latter mentions inclusivity ten times more than the former (Heeks, 2014). From an academic perspective, scholars in innovation and development studies distinguish between mainstream and inclusive innovation, where only the latter focuses on the inclusion of actors from marginalized groups in business model and supply chain development (Heeks et al., 2014; George et al., 2012). The term \"marginalized actors\" is defined as individuals, households or groups which can be found in \"disenfranchised sectors of society\" and \"have structurally been denied access to resources, capabilities, and opportunities\" (George et al., 2012, p. 661). Marginalized groups frequently include women, the disabled, ethnic minorities, informal sector entrepreneurs and those on lowest income levels in the economic pyramid (Heeks et al., 2014). From a supply chain management (SCM) perspective, the inclusion of actors from marginalized groups has been brought to the forefront by the Base of the Pyramid (BOP) debate.\nLiterature review: Inclusion of marginalized actors in MNE-led global supply chains\nMethods: In order to develop a meaningful classification of MSMEs in BOP, a four-stage research design is employed. Stage 1 encompasses the data collection process, descriptive analysis of the sample and measures used for the clustering variables. In this study, the selection of clustering variables is guided by the literature through the analytical constructs outlined in Table I, and therefore, a deductive approach for the selection of the clustering variables is employed (Brusco et al., 2017). Stage 2 entails the selection of clustering algorithms and determining the number of clusters. Stage 3 explains the tests conducted to assess the internal validity of the obtained cluster solution. Finally, in Stage 4, post hoc tests are employed in order to identify statistically significant differences between the clusters and conduct additional analyses to explore relationships between the clusters and other external variables.\nFindings of the cluster analysis: three-cluster solution approach: In this section, the results are revealed in terms of the three-cluster solution approach. The clusters differentiate themselves in regard to both the clustering (the value chain inclusion levels and non-business partnerships employed) and external variables (BOP approach and themes). The particularities of each cluster are briefly described below based on several examples from the sample.\nUnderstanding supply chain inclusion in BOP markets: Regarding the three-cluster solution approach based on the empirical study, two main aspects are highlighted as different mechanisms in order to solve core issues of supply chain inclusion of actors from marginalized groups: the chain of responsibility for the inclusion and diversity issues in supply chain partnerships.\nImplications for MNE-led global supply chains: Previously, the literature has suggested that MNEs can tap BOP markets through NGO collaborations. However, the results of the cluster analysis and the issues outlined above suggest that the most effective and efficient way to tap local value chains is through existing MSMEs (for earlier work advocating this approach, see Seelos and Mair, 2007). Collaboration with MSMEs can create partnerships with synergistic effects for the involved stakeholders and may present fewer challenges for MNEs due to similar logics and governance structures in contrast to collaboration with NGOs. The lack of economies of scale, specialization, training and knowledge required to increase productivity in local supply chains is a key challenge for local MSMEs to survive economically and therefore to sustain their impact (Karnani, 2007). By integrating global competences of MNEs and local expertise of MSMEs, economies of scale and scope and higher productivity levels can be achieved and thereby social impact created in BOP settings.\nTheoretical contributions and conclusion: This study aims to answer the following research question:\n", "role": "user" }, { "content": "Purpose: The purpose of this paper is to explore mechanisms of supply chain inclusion in Base of the Pyramid (BOP) settings. It distinguishes micro-, small- and medium-sized enterprises (MSME)-led local supply chains on the one hand and multinational enterprises (MNEs)-led global supply chains on the other hand. This paper aims to answer the following research question: Which mechanisms of supply chain inclusion are employed empirically by MSMEs and how can these mechanisms influence social impact creation in MNE-led global supply chains?\nDesign/methodology/approach: A large-scale empirical study of MSMEs operating in BOP markets is performed and a cluster analysis conducted to systematically categorize supply chain inclusion. The cluster analysis and current literature yield theory-based implications for MNE-led global supply chains.\nFindings: The cluster analysis reveals three meaningful clusters of supply chain inclusion in BOP markets and highlights two main aspects. They include direct vs indirect mechanisms of inclusion and diversity in supplier relationships with local organizations aimed at either \"sourcing\" local capabilities needed for inclusion or \"outsourcing\" the inclusion. Based on these aspects, two scenarios are proposed and evaluated for local-global supply chain symbiosis.\nResearch limitations/implications: This study aims to contribute to the existing literature with a more fine-grained understanding of the inclusion of BOP actors in local supply chains and by proposing alternative trajectories for global supply chain inclusion.\nPractical implications: The findings outline several important decisions that managers need to make to include BOP actors in supply chain activities.\nOriginality/value: This paper contributes a novel, combined perspective of local supply chains (MSMEs) and global supply chains (MNEs).\n", "role": "assistant" } ]
Applying big data to guide firms' future industrial marketing strategies	[ "Big data", "Cost leadership strategy", "Differentiation strategy", "Focus strategy", "Future strategy" ]	[ { "content": "Summarize the following paper into structured abstract.\n\nIntroduction: The advent of disruptive digital technologies creates business environments characterized by unprecedented complexity and connectedness with smarter marketplaces (Baesens et al., 2016). One key technological change that has had a dramatic impact on marketing is the big data (BD) phenomenon (Cao et al., 2019; Mogre et al., 2017). Marketers and academics in the industrial marketing domain have paid increasing attention on the need to harness the benefits of BD and its usage in business to business (B2B) context (Lilien, 2016). BD systems affect business processes, rebalance the power of relationships in decision-making and alter the scope and scale of optimization challenges (Baesens et al., 2016; Engelseth and Wang, 2018). Managers in across industry firms consider BD as a tool for innovation and operational efficiency, and importantly as a predictive means for future success (Wedel and Kannan, 2016). A McKinsey report and a 2017 CMO survey show that companies use BD marketing analytics to gain novel insights and perceive it as a mechanism that improves the design of new strategies and facilitates intended action-taking (Cao et al., 2019; Comm and Mathaisel, 2018).\nTheoretical background: Big data usage\nResearch model: The proposed framework operates in an environment rooted in BD and the conceptual model (Figure 1) is designed to question whether BD guides future strategies. Such strategies reflect intentions of setting up the business and involve a process of learning, thinking and planning. Specifically, the model examines the potential and importance of BD usage in influencing three intended generic marketing strategies, namely, differentiation, focus, and cost leadership. BD usage is viewed as the extent to which a firm relies on BD systems in its organizational processes to collect, analyze and manipulate data and present analysis outputs to managers. BD may be an important market-based learning competitive weapon for industrial firms as it offers access to market-related data and predictive insights that are often difficult to obtain via traditional \"small\" data methods. BD permits data processing that can be customized to certain requirements of the company's strategies and assist in proactive development of marketing-related strategies (Gnizy, 2019; Hofmann and Rutschmann, 2018). Depending on the extent to which firms emphasize intended differentiation, focus, or cost leadership, an effective BD usage will drive the guidance of strategic future directions.\nHypotheses development: Firm's ability to sense market dynamics and respond to them is the core of strategy formation. Organizational responsiveness is generated by firms' competence to learn and create market intelligence, which support the development of novel and customized offerings and value propositions that meet or even anticipate market needs. Such responsiveness is the basis for being more differentiated, focused or efficient (Kaleka and Morgan, 2017; Pehrsson, 2014). BD in manufacturing firms is a key technology that leads to better connectivity, integration, flexibility, customization, speed, productivity and quality (Matthyssens, 2019), all of which are important constructs in generic marketing strategies. As an important learning means to sense market needs, BD offers access to market-related information that is often impossible to achieve through conventional non-BD solutions. Learning draws on a set of activities such as new technologies and manufacturing methods, brand and promotions development, and even governance choices, which relate to generic strategies. BD possesses the notion of going behind the surface of the data in a predictive sense that facilitates business responses (Baesens et al., 2016). BD assists firms in creating their knowledge bases and learn about customers, competitors and the broader market environment to better sense threats and opportunities through systematic identification of strategic marketing problems, definition of strategic marketing objectives and success criteria and the development and evaluation of strategic alternatives (Cao et al., 2019). For example, BD enables the extraction of hidden insights to uncover unforeseen patterns in customers' behaviors and feelings, assists in better knowing customers' unique expectations and facilitates building a dynamic view of customers and thus exploring new opportunities to change firms' current marketing strategy (Erevelles et al., 2016; Stott et al., 2016). BD also allows firms to access numerous data points to explore new market sources and technology that enables selection of low-cost inputs and generation of innovative outputs (Tabesh et al., 2019). The potential for innovation is also increased by the inimitable knowledge resources produced from BD on market players that assists marketers in responding with unique offerings and marketing activities (Gnizy, 2019). Furthermore, with the power of BD solutions, companies can develop capabilities that assist in the selectivity in the types of B2B customers and deliver superior value aligned with individual preferences before the competition does. The market orientation literature denotes that B2B firms must develop and use knowledge. This orientation largely defends the arguments that organizational learning achieved through information generation, dissemination and responsiveness enable firms to offer best differentiated, focused or efficient offerings (Kaleka and Morgan, 2017; Slater and Narver, 1995). Specifically, BD's V-characteristics have implications for using customer (e.g. on purchasing decisions), user (e.g. on experience of using offerings) and external market intelligence (e.g. on competitors, legislators and news organizations). Generic strategies require high levels of market orientation that BD usage can enhance (Gnizy, 2019; Paschen et al., 2019; Wang et al., 2013).\nMethodology: Data collection\nAnalyses and findings: Hypotheses testing\nDiscussion: The digital era and environments in which firms operate today are marked by unprecedented and increasingly complex information. New technologies such as BD and sophisticated analytics tools provide novel insights from data and create new challenges. The emergence of the data-intensive phenomenon especially challenges marketing practice and research. At times when the major attention of marketing scholars and practitioners is focused on BD originated from individual consumers, this study provides a further foundation for the exploration of BD usage in B2B context. With the growing importance of BD, industrial businesses need to reflect new digital realities in their conduct and reflect on evolving techniques designed to extract meaning from large and diverse sets of data that increase exponentially in recent years. Besides, while BD is taking a central role in discussions about marketing management and firms' current strategies, its influence on the ongoing process that relates to consideration and selection of future strategies is absent from the literature. Yet, firms' ability to sustain and develop approximate generic strategies provide them with a source of competitive advantage. By addressing the issue whether contemporary technological advancements play a role in guiding firms' future strategies and by drawing on the learning concept, this study sheds light and shows that the use of BD enables firms to act more decisively to exploit opportunities and serves as a means that informs intended strategies. The study provides the first empirical evidence on the predictive value of BD in deriving effective solutions to business marketing problems and explaining competitive strategic intentions. By using modern data management systems in guiding future marketing strategies, B2B firms may be more responsive to the organizational environment and outperform their industry peers.\nManagerial implications: Our study shows the effects of the availability of BD technologies that enable managers to leverage knowledge embedded in data-rich systems to gain insights that help in the development of new strategic directions that maintain competitive advantage. The research findings are timely and relevant, especially where B2B marketing practitioners are not quite sure about the potential impact of new technologies on firms' strategies. Marketers and strategists, who are inherently agents of change in their organizations, act today in an era of transformative marketing environment in which designing next strategies is pivotal for businesses. They need to keep pace with the technological development and the emerging opportunities that arise. BD emerges as a useful strategic differentiator that supports the challenging task of guiding intended future strategies. Specifically, BD is associated with the choice of generic positioning strategies and emerges as a precious navigator tool for differentiation, focus, and cost leadership seeker firms. As these executable and prevalent strategies in B2B firms that require different resources and operational actions, firms may benefit from additional knowledge that BD provides and can be used proactively to prepare for strategy deployment. BD can help creating profiles of current or new potential customers, which can be used in future marketing strategies. Using predictive models to identify and evaluate scenarios, BD can engage in new marketing activities such as prospecting future customers, adopting new offerings, specialization and concentration, and improvement of communication with customers. BD can also inform efforts of industrial firms to improve efficiency by matching offerings with specific market demands.\nLimitations and further research: Several limitations and future research directions can be pointed out. First, as BD is a relatively new trend in industrial businesses, our conceptualization of BD usage was broad and not limited to certain data sources (e.g. enterprise systems, social networks, public data), analytics types (e.g. data, text, content) and analytical techniques for forecasting (e.g. data exploration, advanced analytics, interactive analysis and planning, embedded analytics, and stream analytics; Hofmann and Rutschmann, 2018). An interesting field for further research could be the distinction between these nuances in the context of our model and the focus on if and how they affect certain future strategy.\n", "role": "user" }, { "content": "Purpose: While big data (BD), a transformative emerging phenomenon on its youth, plays a growing role in organizations in improving marketing decision-making, few academic works examine the mechanism through which BD can be applied to guide future competitive advantage strategies. The purpose of this paper is to examine if BD's predictive power helps business to business (B2B) firms selecting their intended generic (differentiation, focus, and cost leadership) strategies.\nDesign/methodology/approach: Drawing on the learning theory, the study proposes the use of BD as a key driver of intended strategies. Based on data from a cross-industry sample of executives, a conceptual model is tested using path and robustness analyses.\nFindings: The use of BD plays a prominent role in the selection of intended future strategies in industrial markets. Additional tests demonstrate conditions of competitive intensity and strategic flexibility where BD is more and less beneficial.\nResearch limitations/implications: The study furthers the understanding of traditional learning and intelligence use frameworks and of contemporary future strategies drivers.\nPractical implications: BD availability enables managers leveraging knowledge embedded in data-rich systems to gain predictive insights that help in guiding new strategic directions to maintain competitive advantage.\nOriginality/value: The study reinforces the continued applicability of Porter's generic positioning strategies in the digital era. It addresses the paucity of research on BD in B2B context and is the first to provide theoretical and practical reflections on how BD utilization influences industrial intended strategies. The study strengthens contemporary managerial views defending that data drive strategies rather than the opposite.\n", "role": "assistant" } ]
Examining career development programs for the sales force	[ "Career development", "Sales force", "Sales management" ]	[ { "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 article.\nDevelopment of a conceptual model: Based upon a review of the literature and practical evidence, a conceptual model of career development is proposed. This comprehensive model provides sales managers with components of a career development program, which can be used as a checklist for program development or refinement. This model provides a framework that may facilitate further research and discussion of the components and their effects on career development.As can be seen from Figure 1, career development is conceptualized as consisting of three components: assessment, direction, and development (Gomez-Mejia et al., 2001). Assessment is concerned with evaluating a salesperson's strengths and weaknesses. Direction involves determining the type of career that salespeople want and the steps they must take to reach their career goals. Finally, development consists of taking actions to increase salespeople's skills and preparing them for future job opportunities (Gomez-Mejia et al., 2001).\nAssessment: The first component of the career development model is assessment. Assessment involves determining salespeople's strengths and weaknesses and may be accomplished through self-assessment or organizational assessment. Organizational assessments may be performed in assessment centers, through psychological testing or performance appraisal, or through succession planning.Self assessment\nDirection: The next component of the career development model is direction, which is the information salespeople receive on career opportunities within their firm. Direction may include socialization, career workshops, individual career counseling and career information services.Socialization\nDevelopment: The third and final major component of the career development model is development. Development is the process of trying to build on strengths and overcome weaknesses by taking actions to ensure salespeople's success and preparing them for future opportunities. Development might include mentoring, job enrichment, coaching, training programs, job rotation, and tuition assistance programs.Mentoring\nSuggestions for insuring a successful program: There are several things firms can do to ensure successful career development programs for their sales force. First, perhaps the most important factor contributing to the success of any career development program is top management's commitment and support (Lam et al., 1999). Top management must encourage sales managers to develop their salespeople and must develop a culture that is supportive of career development.Second, in order to be successful career development needs to be a responsibility shared between the company, the sales manager and the salesperson. Salespeople must take responsibility for managing their own career development. They must set goals, be aware of opportunities, and actively manage their own careers. Managers must also act as coaches, counselors, appraisers, and confidants. Finally, the company must offer a culture which supports career development and must invest in programs such as training which support development.Third, sales managers need to receive training in career counseling and coaching. They should be trained in how to discuss career-related issues with their salespeople such as current job activities, performance, career interests, personal skills, career development objectives, and the actions salespeople plan on implementing to reach their objectives (Giles and West, 1995).Fourth, sales managers must be held accountable for career development as part of their evaluations. For a career development program to be effective a company must reward sales managers for developing their salespeople. Without these rewards sales managers may have a tendency to hold on to good salespeople rather then develop them for other positions (Dalrymple and Cron, 1998).Fifth, firms need to make the professional selling side of the career path more attractive so that advancement can be seen more in terms of increased responsibility and earning power than necessarily in terms of advancement into managerial positions. This can be done by giving salespeople increased responsibilities, more perks, more money, and better titles as they progress in to more advanced sales positions (Mossien and Fram, 1973).Sixth, it is important to integrate career management processes with other sales management processes such as performance evaluation, recruiting, staffing, and compensation (Lam et al., 1999).Finally, according to Griffin it is necessary to develop a tailored approach to career development (Griffin, 2003). What works with one person may not be appropriate with another in fact it may backfire and be counter-productive. Thus, salespeople should have their own career development goals and their own plan for reaching these objectives.\nImplications: First, this article provides a comprehensive list of the benefits of career development programs. Sales managers within firms that do not have a formal career development program currently in place should evaluate their needs for such a program in light of these benefits. Additionally, sales managers within firms that do currently have career development programs in place may use the list to reevaluate the extent to which their current programs are meeting expectations and goals.Second, sales managers may utilize the conceptual model of a career development program and its components as a checklist to evaluate areas where they may add to or modify their programs. Results of a career development program may be enhanced through changes and redirections in strategy and expenditures.Third, this article provides a framework for tying together many disparate areas of career development that have been handled separately and independently in the sales management literature. The proposed conceptual model of career development may help the manager to tie together these components and see their interrelationships.Finally, the conceptual model of career development should provide a useful framework for sales management scholars since it ties together a number of concepts that had not been presented in a comprehensive manner. This should aid in teaching and research in the area.\n", "role": "user" }, { "content": "Purpose: - The purpose of this article is to explore career development programs for the sales force including benefits, implementation and managerial implications.\nDesign/methodology/approach: - Career development programs are viewed through a conceptual model consisting of assessment, direction and development.\nFindings: - This paper provides a comprehensive list of the benefits of a career development program for sales forces.\nPractical implications: - The conceptual model can serve as a checklist for sales managers to evaluate, add to or modify their programs. The conceptual model also provides a framework for tying together many disparate areas of career development that have been handled separately or ignored in the sales management literature.\nOriginality/value: - This paper provides a comprehensive conceptual model of career development that has not been present in the sales management literature. This should be useful to sales managers in evaluating their own career development efforts. The framework should also be useful to sales management scholars who teach and do research in this area.\n", "role": "assistant" } ]
Conflating scholarly and science communication practices: the production of open letters on climate change	[ "Open letters", "Science communication", "Scholarly communication", "Climate change", "Communication practices", "Peer review", "Scientific communality", "Academic reward system" ]	[ { "content": "Summarize the following paper into structured abstract.\n\nIntroduction: This paper concerns the relationship between scholarly and science communication viewed through the lens of scientists' communication practices in relation to issues of climate change. More specifically, this paper focuses on practices related to the production of open letters.Science communication is widely researched across disciplines and incorporates a broad range of approaches to communication, including fictional, artistic and media representations of science; everyday representations of science through objects, events or discourses; informal and formal science communication through policy and science interfaces; and various types of public engagements in which scientists are informally or formally involved (see Hilgartner, 2000; Jasanoff, 2004; Bucchi and Trench, 2014; Davies and Horst, 2016; Davies, 2019). In this article, the term science communication is used to refer to textual, intentional, formal communication by scientists, primarily directed at audiences outside academia. Scholarly communication, on the other hand, is usually defined as communication with academic peers, often divided into formal and informal practices (Thoren, 2006, p. 221). Among the formal practices of scholarly communication are the use of academic journals/proceedings/books to communicate results, and the use of peer-review prior to conveying information. However, there is a growing sense that the boundaries between informal and formal scholarly communication, as well as between scholarly and science communication, are becoming less defined and blurred (Fry, 2006; Kjellberg, 2010; Haider and Astrom, 2017; Kjellberg and Haider, 2018; Mehlenbacher, 2019). Focusing on textual aspects, some scholars suggest that what we are seeing emerge might be thought of as specific genres of communication operating in the border areas of scholarly and science communication (Kjellberg, 2010; Mehlenbacher, 2019). For instance, Mehlenbacher (2019) argues that a trans-scientific communication genre is evolving on social media that incorporates features of both scholarly and science communication. Likewise, Kjellberg (2010) proposes that the research blog constitutes a new genre of scholarly communication. It amalgamates several fields formerly thought of as separate - the research sphere, society, private life and the institutional sphere. Although the authors differ in their view of what constitutes a new genre, they stress that forms of scholarly and science communication are changing and merging.Whereas previous studies that have explored the border areas of communication focus on the texts and the form, this study is primarily interested in probing the practices behind the production of texts. Drawing on work by STS-researchers on the textual practices used in the production of scientific knowledge (see Latour and Woolgar, 1986; Knorr-Cetina, 1999), this study explores the border areas of communication by looking at the activities employed in communicating through open letters. As emphasised by Latour and Woolgar, there are actions involved in the production of a text which will not necessarily be discernible through textual analysis as scientific texts conceal the history of their production (Latour and Woolgar, 1986). A possible conflation of scholarly and science communication practices may thus not necessarily reveal itself in the textual form, but may still exist in relation to the practices and perceptions with which the researchers approach the open letters. Consequently, the following research questions drive the inquiry: which practices can be discerned in the construction of the open letters, and how are \"practices of scholarly communication\" employed in texts intended for diverse audiences?To explore these questions, the study examines science communication efforts on the topic of climate change. Given the urgency of climate change issues and the political promotion of environmental communication (Morgan and Di Giulio, 2018; Serrao-Neumann et al., 2018), science communication practices in this field can provide insights into emerging strategies at the forefront of science communication. Recent years have seen interesting developments in regard to climate change communication. During 2018-2019, a number of high-profile European open letters were published in major European news channels, as well as on social media, community homepages and institutional webpages. The letters addressed the topic of climate change and were written by academics at European universities and signed by hundreds, sometimes thousands, of researchers. Academics from a broad range of disciplines came together in what can be described as mass collaborations to communicate climate change issues to the publics. Although open letters do not constitute a new form of communication in which researchers engage, the sheer scale of collaborations makes the letters an intriguing research topic that may shed light on current academic communication practices and on the role of the specific communication environment in which these researchers are situated.The study argues that already established practices and perceptions involved in scholarly communication, more specifically peer-review practices, community-building practices and to some extent \"merit making\" practices and perceptions related to academic reward structures, illustrate interfaces and contingencies between scholarly and science communication, thus blurring distinctions between them on a practical level.\nScience communication: forms, approaches and practices: Several prevalent approaches to science communication exist with regard to scientists' formal and intentional engagements in communication activities. In the \"deficit model\", also called the \"diffusionist model\", science communication aims to impart knowledge to a passive public. This approach has been criticised due to its paternalistic attitude to the public and its view of communication as primarily a unidirectional process. The public is viewed as a single monolith instead of constituting a plethora of different actors forming a range of publics (see Bucchi and Trench, 2014). Other approaches, such as Science in Society (SiS), dialogical approaches and citizen engagement activities, have come to epitomise more democratic communication perspectives (see Bultitude, 2011; Casini and Neresini, 2012; Bucchi and Trench, 2014). However, the democratisation approach has also been criticised as serving contemporary economic structures in which information constitutes a profitable commodity, and where communication serves to popularise specific information and/or communicator(s) (see Thorpe and Gregory, 2010; Weingart and Guenther, 2016). This development can partly be linked to the academic reward system, in which scholarly communication has come to incorporate self-promotion and branding (ibid). Other criticism levelled at democratic approaches to science communication relate to the tendency among scientists engaging in SiS activities to view publics as passive recipients of scientific information, emulating a diffusionist approach to communication (Casini and Neresini, 2012; Davies and Horst, 2016; Suldovsky, 2016; Davies, 2019). This criticism is interesting as new forms of communication are often seen as indicators of change. For instance, scholars have described the online environment and scientists' engagement in social media communication as facilitating public interactions and citizens' engagement in scientific issues. Furthermore, social media has been one driving factor in changing conceptions of what constitutes scholarly and science communication (see Kjellberg, 2010; Trench, 2012; Priem, 2013; Carrington, 2016; Sugimoto et al., 2017; Mehlenbacher, 2019). Although communication formats offer possibilities for other types of engagements, SiS research has illustrated that it does not necessarily follow that practices, perceptions and approaches to science communication change among the interlocutors (see Casini and Neresini, 2012; Suldovsky, 2016). Instead, already established practices linked to the professional environment, and practices informed by social discourses on the topic communicated, may influence how scientists engage in science communication. Conflations may thus be found at this practical level between scholarly and science communication that are not necessarily visible in a textual form.This article is an exploration of practices and perceptions involved in science communication through open letters, which the author links to specific fields of influence. More specifically, it argues that the academic context, the climate change communication context and, to a lesser extent, the communication form (open letters) contribute to a conflation of scholarly and science communication practices. The contexts are chosen based on specific, interrelated issues which inform communication practices on the topic, such as the urgency of climate change, the politicisation of the topic and the professional reward structure shaping academia and science communication in various ways. The three fields form what the author calls a \"contextual triad\" to probe the question of conflating communication practices. The following sections discuss and present the triad under three separate headings.\nConceptual framework: \"Science-making practices\": the academic context\nResearch methods: Material was collected between March and September 2019 and was initially based on a snowball approach, later coming to incorporate exploratory methods using search engines - Google and Start Page - to look for open letters. The search words used were \"climate change\", \"open letter\" and \"scientists/academics/scholars\" in different European languages. Letter selection was based on:geographic location (Europe);requirement of having more than 20 signatories to qualify as mass collaborations;having to address climate change specifically and convey information on climate change to the public. Letters that only expressed support for, e.g. the democratic right to strike from school, were thus rejected;initiation by academics from any academic discipline and circulated to other academics for signatures.A total of nine open letters from eleven different countries (Sweden, Denmark, UK, Belgium, Netherlands, Italy, Poland, France and Germany/Switzerland/Austria) were consequently collected, published between 2018-2019 (see Anonymous, 2018; Andersen et al., 2018, Hedberg et al., 2019; Green 2018; Buizza, 2019; Kubkowski et al., 2019; Rotmans et al., 2019; Scientists for Climate, 2019; Scientists4Future, 2019). The number of signatures for each letter ranged between 98 and 21,000. Material collection continued through requests for interviews with the initiators of the open letters. Ten semi-structured interviews were held with initiators over the phone or in person, one with a co-author and two with high-profile signatories, making a total of 13 interviews. Initiators from France, Netherlands and Germany/Switzerland/Austria did not respond to interview requests and are therefore not represented in the interview material. The initiators, co-author and signatories interviewed came from the natural sciences, the humanities and the social sciences. They all expressed a passion for communicating climate change to a broader audience and making it visible in the public debate. Six of the interviewees were men and seven women. Their academic positions varied from vice-chancellor, professor and associated professor to post doc.During the course of the project, the author initiated a research seminar on climate engagement and transdisciplinary science communication, held with three of the initiators of an open letter. Notes from this research seminar were added to the research material.The material was analysed by establishing common themes throughout the interviews and seminar notes, a method inspired by thematic analysis. Applied thematic analysis focuses on identifying and describing both implicit and explicit ideas within the data and dividing them into themes (Guest et al., 2012). Every interview was transcribed, read individually and assigned various themes and sub-themes, depending on the content. When all the articles had been analysed and assigned themes, they were pooled together for a topical overview. Three themes emerged as central; which were repeated and emphasised in almost all interviews. These themes serve as the foundation for this article: peer-review practices, community-building practices and communication as a \"merit-making\" practice.\nAnalysis: Seeking academic communality through open letters\nConclusion: Based on a study of communication practices in regards to open letters on climate change, this paper suggests that forms of scholarly and science communication are more intertwined and integrated than previously reported. By looking at the practices researchers engage in when communicating, the study shows that peer-review practices, community-building practices and, to a certain extent, professional \"merit-making\" practices and perceptions, exist in both scholarly and science communication. The study thereby joins previous research that suggests that scholarly and science communication are merging and not distinctly separated (see Fry, 2006; Kjellberg, 2010; Mehlenbacher, 2019). However, unlike previous research, this conflation is not visible in the textual form. The suggested conflation should thus not be interpreted as a new \"open letter\" genre operating alongside previous communication forms. Instead, the study suggests that the conflating practices are symptoms of specific changes related to the academic professional context and the climate change communication context - conditions which may fluctuate and change. These practices may thus be applied to many other forms of public communication without having a visible textual anchoring, as is the case with the open letters.Regarding climate change, the inclusion of scholarly communication practices in the production of the open letters, especially in relation to community-building and peer-review practices, may be more accentuated than for other topics, as the communication context may influence the occurrence of certain practices. Future research may expand on the relationship between scholarly and science communication with reference to other topics and disciplines. In addition to the climate change communication context, the professional academic working environment also plays a role in the diffusion of practices across communication forms. As stated by the interviewees, the perceived lack of readership of peer-reviewed journal articles has added an additional layer to science communication. Researchers not only turn to public channels to convey information and to reach out to the publics and policy makers but also to seek like-minded communities within academia. The situation is more complex when considering the professional reward system. On the one hand, pressure to secure professional rewards discourages researchers from engaging in science communication. As such, the pressure of the reward system can be seen as a force keeping scholarly and science communication apart. Yet several of the researchers engaged in science communication have found ways to deal with this tension, incorporating the professional reward system into science communication practices and in a sense forming a mental conflation of the two systems.The tension researchers experienced between their passion for communicating climate change and the professional reward system; between rejection of the metric system and the acknowledgement that it might have consequences for one's individual career, can be seen as symptoms of an academic system which simply does not value science communication, despite policy claims and political initiatives indicating the opposite. The world of a scholar in this system is thus confined to university institutions; the public constitutes the anthropological \"other\". But climate change challenges this division since it threatens our civilisation on a previously unimagined scale. This can be put in relation to Mehlenbacher's (2019) assertion that traditional genres of communication, such as peer communication in academic journals that engage with a small and specialised audience, are not sufficient to address the social, economic and political issues in which contemporary science is entangled. Climate change communication is a good example of what the latter statement seeks to convey, since scholarly communication is partly seen as a means to no end among my interlocutors. One may thus ask, as many scholars have done before: Where does the professional role as a scientist end and the role of a citizen begin? Can these roles be combined (see, e.g. Gieryn, 1995)? The initiators in this study grappled with these dual roles in relation to climate change and the professional system, and open letters as a communication genre with its emphasis on voicing opinions, statements and appeals, seemingly appeared as a means to balance or negotiate such roles. \"We have the science\", as one researcher put it. The question then is what to do next?\n", "role": "user" }, { "content": "Purpose: The purpose of this paper is to explore and analyse interfaces between scholarly and science communication practices by using the production of open letters on climate change as a point of departure. Furthermore, the paper highlights an understudied form of science communication - open letters.\nDesign/methodology/approach: The material consists of nine open letters on climate change, written and signed by academics and published in 2018-2019, as well as 13 semi-structured interviews with the initiators and co-authors of the letters. The interviews were analysed by qualitative thematic analysis and grouped into thematic clusters.\nFindings: The study finds that three practices used in scholarly communication - more specifically: peer review, professional community building and, to a certain extent, communication as \"merit-making\" - are central in the making of the open letters, illustrating an integration of scholarly communication practices in academic science communication activities.\nSocial implications: The study suggests that the conflation of communication practices needs to be seen in relation to larger structural changes in the academic working environment, as well as in relation to the specific environment in which communication about climate change occurs.\nOriginality/value: This study contends that the proposed conflation between scholarly and science communication concerns not only texts and genres but also practices integral to contemporary science, thereby conflating the forms of communication at a practical level.\n", "role": "assistant" } ]
Developing effective service compensation strategies: Is a price reduction more effective than a free gift?	[ "Consumer behaviour", "Benefits", "Service failures", "Customer service management", "Customer satisfaction" ]	[ { "content": "Summarize the following paper into structured abstract.\n\nIntroduction: It is widely recognized that no service system is perfect. Even the best service providers sometimes suffer from problems with service delivery. When such errors cause performance to fall below the customer's expectations, we say that a service failure has occurred (Smith and Bolton, 2002). Study in the area of service failure indicates that an effective service recovery strategy can minimize customer dissatisfaction following the failure and thus retain customer loyalty (Smith et al., 1999; Wirtz and Mattila, 2004). However, one question that arises is \"What is the most effective service recovery strategy?\"Service recovery strategies can include a variety of options, involving both costly and no-cost actions such as discounts, replacements, refunds, free gifts, coupons, apologies, empathetic listening, remediation, and so on (Blodgett et al., 1997; Goodwin and Ross, 1992; Tax et al., 1998). Smith et al. (1999) and Smith and Bolton (2002) suggest that the most appropriate strategy for addressing service deficiencies is to provide an apology and speedy response in the case of process failures - the inadequate delivery of services (e.g. a hotel desk clerk treats a customer rudely during the check-in process) or to offer tangible compensation in the case of outcome failures - the unavailability of a service (e.g. the unavailability of a reserved hotel room because of overbooking). Nevertheless, the questions, \"What kind of tangible compensation most effectively increases client satisfaction and strengthens future re-patronage intentions if an outcome failure does arise?\" and \"Would it be better to offer customers a price reduction or a free gift?\" remain to be answered.The offering of either a price reduction or a free gift can cut into company profits. Organizations should, therefore, tailor their service recovery efforts, focusing on those resources in the bundle that will have the greatest positive impact and create the most favorable customer response. The primary goal of this study is to gain some insight into the effectiveness of different types of tangible compensation strategies for two different types of services: utilitarian and hedonic. It is believed that our findings will not only assist marketers to develop more effective service recovery strategies, but will extend the existing research on the study of service failure and recovery in the marketing literature.\nTheoretical background and hypotheses: Prior evidence from the literature suggests that the relative effectiveness of service recovery is situation specific (Levesque and McDougall, 2000; Ruyter and Wetzels, 2000). In other words, the service type is likely to influence customer expectations for service recovery (Mattila, 2001). For example, customers might be content to receive a free dessert as compensation for a bad dinner experience at a tranquil and romantic French restaurant, but they would be happier to receive a discount as compensation for delayed service at a bank. In other words, the customers' post-recovery evaluation and future behavioral intentions differ for different types of services.Utilitarian vs hedonic services\nStudy 1: Research design\nResults: The descriptive statistics are presented in Table I. Since the two dependent variables, satisfaction, and repurchase intention, are correlated (r=0.77), it was deemed more appropriate to use multivariate analysis of variance (MANOVA) than separate univariate analyses of variance (ANOVAs) for each dependent variable (Tabachnick and Fidell, 2006). In this case, the MANOVA controls the experimental error rate. However, separate ANOVAs still had to be used to find which variables cause differences among the scenarios.The 2x2 MANOVA results are given in Table II. They indicate no significant main effects for service type (Wilks' lambda=0.97, F=1.41, p=0.24) and compensation type (Wilks' lambda=0.96, F=1.58, p=0.20). The MANOVA test, however, produced a significant interaction between service type and compensation type (Wilks' lambda=0.80, F=11.08, p<0.001). At the univariate level, this interaction was significant for two dependent variables: post-recovery satisfaction (F=20.71, p<0.001) and repurchase intention (F=26.63, p<0.001).The means corresponding to the two-way interaction effect are plotted in Figures 1 and 2. As hypothesized, utilitarian service condition customers who received a utilitarian type of compensation reported higher levels of post-recovery satisfaction (M=5.07 vs 4.44, t=2.19, p<0.05; see Figure 1) and repurchase intention (M=5.69 vs 5.01, t=2.96, p<0.01; see Figure 2) than those receiving a hedonic type of compensation. Conversely, hedonic service condition customers who received a hedonic type of compensation gave higher scores for satisfaction (M=5.05 vs 4.08, t= -4.74, p<0.001; see Figure 1) and re-patronage intention (M=5.50 vs 4.68, t= -4.57, p<0.001; see Figure 2) than those who received a utilitarian type of compensation. This lends support to H1 and H2.\nStudy 2: There were several similarities between Studies 1 and 2. A scenario-based format was again used in Study 2 and the same scenario development procedures and manipulation checks were followed. However, there were several important differences. First, instead of university students, the participants were non-student service consumers who had recently patronized a hotel. To ensure that participants had prior experience with hotels, they were asked to name a hotel they had visited in the past 3 months.Another difference was that Study 2 included two service types within the same service industry: business hotels for utilitarian services and leisure hotels for hedonic services; whereas the Study 1 service types were included in two different service industries: banking for utilitarian services and restaurant dining for hedonic services. The hotel context was deemed appropriate, since real-life service deficiencies and recovery are common in this industry (Smith and Bolton, 2002). In addition, hotels can be simply classified according to the benefits offered and their principal clientele, specifically, business travelers, tourists, business hotels, and leisure hotels (Garcia-Falcon and Medina-Munoz, 1999). The former type includes hotels whose main clientele consists of individuals and groups traveling for business purposes (e.g. meetings, visits to customers or suppliers, attending seminars). Business travelers choose business hotels mainly for utilitarian reasons, such as convenience of transportation, efficiency, business center facilities, and reasonableness of the price. The latter group includes hotels whose clientele consists of individuals and groups traveling for pleasure, such as sun-and-sand tourism, sports tourism, or cultural tourism. Tourists usually choose those leisure hotels which offer mostly hedonic benefits, for the sake of pleasure and enjoyment.It should be noted that the difference between the two experimental studies provides an opportunity to interpret the subtle effects of the research context on the findings. The second study is intended to assess the external validity of the Study 1 findings by testing the two hypotheses for a new industry and using a non-student sample.Data collection\nResults: The manipulation checks provided strong evidence that the participants did not have any problem identifying with the situations. The business hotel was perceived as significantly more utilitarian than the leisure hotel (1.59 vs 6.37, t= -48.05, p<0.001); furthermore the price reduction was perceived as significantly more utilitarian than the fresh fruit basket (3.18 vs 5.19, t= -14.67, p<0.001). Taken together, these results suggest that the manipulations were perceived as intended.Cell means are presented in Table III. The MANOVA (Table IV) produced insignificant main effects for service type (Wilks' lambda=0.99, F=1.31, P=0.27) and compensation type (Wilks' lambda=0.98, F=2.01, P=0.11). However, the two-way interaction between service type and compensation type (Wilks' lambda=0.80, F=21.45, p<0.001) was significant. At the univariate level, this interaction was significant for two dependent variables: post-recovery satisfaction (F=40.96, p<0.001) and repurchase intention (F=51.28, p<0.001).An analysis of the mean ratings indicated that participants in the business hotel (who received a price reduction as redress for the service failure) showed higher levels of post-recovery satisfaction (M=5.07 vs 4.44, t=2.93, p<0.01; Figure 3), and repurchase intention (M=5.56 vs 5.01, t=3.50, p<0.01; Figure 4) than did those who received a fresh fruit basket. Conversely, the leisure hotel participants who received a fresh fruit basket as redress for the service failure reported higher scores for post-recovery satisfaction (M=5.08 vs 4.10, t= -6.91, p<0.001; see Figure 3) and future purchase intention (M=5.57 vs 4.70, t= -7.24, p<0.001; Figure 4) than those who received a price reduction. These findings again corroborate the assumption that utilitarian compensations are more effective (compared with hedonic compensations) for utilitarian services than for hedonic services. Conversely, hedonic compensations are relatively more effective (compared with utilitarian compensations) for hedonic services than for utilitarian services. Therefore, H1 and H2 are supported.\nGeneral discussion: The goal of this study is to examine the effectiveness of service compensation strategies for utilitarian and hedonic services after a service failure experience. There are several important findings and contributions related to marketing theory and real-world practices can be drawn.First, owing to the context specific nature of service recovery, most previous studies have focused on a single service type (e.g. restaurant) or a specific service industry (e.g. hospitality industry). With a view to justifying our argument that the relative effectiveness of service recovery is situation specific, we conducted two experimental studies that included two different service types in different service industries (Study 1: banking as representative of utilitarian services and a restaurant as representative of hedonic services) and two different service types within the same service industry (Study 2: business hotels for utilitarian services and leisure hotels for hedonic services). Responses from 135 undergraduate students in Study 1 and 144 real consumers in Study 2 provided strong evidence that the effectiveness of a service compensation strategy is based on whether the service is utilitarian or hedonic. More specifically, when customers receive utilitarian compensation (in this case a price reduction) after a service failure, they tend to experience higher levels of post-recovery satisfaction and repurchase intention for utilitarian services (e.g. at a bank or a business hotel) than for hedonic services (e.g. at a restaurants or a leisure hotel). Conversely, customers who receive hedonic compensation (such as a free gift) after a service failure express higher levels of post-recovery satisfaction and repurchase intention for hedonic services than for utilitarian services. These findings have not been found previously, because in much past work, the focus for service recovery has been on the relative importance of the three justice dimensions (distributive, procedural, and interactional) and their influence on customer service evaluations (Blodgett et al., 1997; Goodwin and Ross, 1992; Ruyter and Wetzels, 2000; Wirtz and Mattila, 2004), as well as how different levels of compensation (i.e. with vs without, or high vs medium vs low) impact customer satisfaction and behavior outcomes (Boshoff, 1997; Mattila, 2001; McCollough et al., 2000; Tax et al., 1998). The primary contribution of this study to the service marketing literature is that it provides empirical results which shed light on the interplay between the type of compensation and the type of service on the customer's post-recovery judgment of the service.In addition, it is worth noting that our results do not disagree with those of Smith et al. (1999) who found that customers prefer to receive recovery resources that match the type of failure they have experienced - that is, an apology and speedy response in the case of process failures and tangible compensation in the case of outcome failures. What we have done here is to further clarify which type of tangible compensation is better in case of an outcome failure. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first time this specific issue has been dealt with.Third, a large number of existing studies have shown that tangible compensation (such as discounts, coupons, free gifts, and so on) have a positive effect on customer satisfaction (Smith et al., 1999; Tax et al., 1998) but a negative effect on defection rates (percentage of people indicating that they would no longer patronize that restaurant) (Hoffman et al., 1995). However, little is known about whether it would be better to offer customers a discount, a coupon, or a free gift in the case of service failures. To explore the important, but as yet under-researched issue of what kind of tangible compensation would be more effective at restoring customer satisfaction and repurchase intentions, we classified tangible compensation strategies as either utilitarian or hedonic, based on the predominant nature of their benefits. Hence, compensations that primarily include functional, instrumental, and practical benefits are categorized as \"utilitarian\", while aesthetic, experiential and enjoyment-related benefits are categorized as \"hedonic\". Our results confirm that there is a need for congruency between compensation type and service type. The value of developing a compensation classification scheme lies in the ability to facilitate and develop meaningful strategies and action plans for service recovery programs. Given that organizational compensation strategies ultimately cut into company profits and give rise to service recovery performance (Smith et al., 1999), understanding the nature of specific compensation contexts and the tactical and strategic implications of these contexts is important. Moreover, compensation types may create a foundation for developing theories within a specific compensation classification.Future research and study limitations\n", "role": "user" }, { "content": "Purpose: - The purpose of this paper is to gain some insight into the effectiveness of different types of tangible compensation strategies for two different types of services: utilitarian and hedonic.\nDesign/methodology/approach: - The hypotheses are investigated using a 2x2 between-subject experimental design and two factors: service type (utilitarian vs hedonic) and compensation type (utilitarian - a price reduction vs hedonic - a free gift).\nFindings: - The results show that customers prefer to receive a form of compensation that matches the type of service involved. For example, customers who receive a utilitarian compensation (e.g. a price reduction) after experiencing a failure in utilitarian service (e.g. at a bank) report higher levels of satisfaction and repurchase intention than they would after experiencing a failure in hedonic services (e.g. at a restaurant), but that the reverse is true for a hedonic-type compensation (e.g. a free gift).\nPractical implications: - The offering of either a price reduction or a free gift cuts into company profits. Organizations should, therefore, tailor their service recovery efforts, focusing on those resources in the bundle that will have the greatest positive impact and create the most favorable customer response.\nOriginality/value: - The primary contribution of this paper to the service marketing literature is that it provides empirical results, which shed light on the interplay between the type of compensation and the type of service on the customer's post-recovery judgment of that service.\n", "role": "assistant" } ]
Customer relationship management at the base of the pyramid: myth or reality?	[ "Bottom of pyramid", "Customer relationship management", "Consumers", "Social networks", "Market segmentation" ]	[ { "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 article.\nIntroduction: Over recent decades, the focus has been on identifying and segmenting markets that have consumers with a capacity to consume, who can pay a sustainable price for the product, who have access to the product and to the support structures that enhance purchase, and who also respond to traditional integrated marketing communications. However the advent of globalisation in the mid-1990s has seen the emergence of a counter scholarly argument that disputes this traditional model (Prahalad and Hart, 2002; Prahalad, 2006; Mahajan and Banga, 2006). This alternative argument proposes a new view centred on the existence of a large body of four billion consumers whose annual income on a purchasing power parity basis is less than $US1,500 per year. This group is variously referred to as the bottom of the pyramid (BOP), the base of the pyramid (BOP) or subsistence markets (SM). BOP markets are to be found in Sub-Saharan Africa, South Asia, East Asia and the non-resource rich countries in Latin America and the Caribbean. South Asia, which includes countries such as India and Bangladesh, is home to half the world's poor population, whilst East Asia has countries such as China and Indonesia, which are home to many poor consumers (World Bank, 2008).This BOP segment is forecast to grow to six billion in 40 years' time (Prahalad and Hart, 2002), largely because the majority of the world's population growth takes place within this group (United Nations, 2004). Advocates for catering to this subsistence market argue that the challenge in serving it does not lie in the literal numbers of people in the market but in the distinct challenges of reinventing/adapting Western models of doing business to fit the local needs and requirements (Prahalad and Hart, 2002; Mahajan and Banga, 2006).There is an opposing school of thought that questions the desirability of focusing on the BOP market, pointing to the lack of consensus on its classification, the size of the market, and the problems of reducing poverty (Bendell, 2005; Hopkins, 2005; Jenkins, 2005; Crabtree, 2007; Karnani, 2006a, b; Landrum, 2007). However, there is general consensus by both advocates and opponents of firms' engagement with the BOP as to the fact that there will never be agreement on the actual size and classification of the market but that it is an important market which requires increased research on both its dynamics and the behaviour of its consumers (Crabtree, 2007; Landrum, 2007).Understanding the needs of customers and the complexities of acquiring, retaining and establishing loyalty are challenges that firms tapping the BOP market are likely to face. Whilst established literature in marketing focuses on the usefulness and implementation of customer relationship management (CRM) in Western markets, our paper explores whether firms at the BOP utilise CRM in its current Western form and the nature of challenges faced by these firms when implementing CRM in the markets in which they operate. The existing literature on CRM contains little that is relevant to its application at the BOP. CRM is an area in marketing theory that has been identified by scholars as one that requires further empirical study to assess its generalizability (Gummesson, 2002; Bull, 2003; Payne and Frow, 2010; Zablah et al., 2003). This paper seeks to make a contribution to knowledge in this connection by expanding understanding of the application and relevance of CRM at the BOP through establishing whether and how it is employed by firms at the BOP in the fast-moving consumer goods (FMCG) sector. This is undertaken by conducting studies on four firms in Zimbabwe that manufacture food and personal hygiene products to establish whether they use CRM as part of their strategy to tap the BOP market. In so doing, whether CRM has the potential to be relevant in markets other than Western developed markets is explored.The paper is structured as follows. Firstly an outline is given of the research approach used to conduct the research. This is followed by a discussion of the previous literature on CRM and the gaps in the literature as far as its application to the BOP is concerned. From this is developed a research question and a resulting research proposition. The results are then presented and the findings from the case are discussed with the intent of confirming or disconfirming the research proposition. The paper concludes with comments on the implications of the study for marketing practice, theory and research.\nResearch approach: This research is concerned with theory building (rather than theory testing) within the scientific paradigm of realism (Gummesson, 2002), hence the use of an interaction research methodology using case studies (Yin, 2003). The method is credited with the potential of enabling researchers to gain a more comprehensive view of organisational phenomena through multiple views that are modified through constant consultation with informants (Payne and Frow, 2010). The method also emphasises that interaction and communication play a crucial role in the stages of research, and that testing concepts, ideas and results through interaction with different target groups of managers forms an integral part of the whole research process (Gummesson, 2002). The research begins with a comprehensive review of literature on CRM in order to establish the concepts underlying CRM and the different CRM frameworks that have been developed over the years. A research question and proposition were then derived from this review; these were then explored using confirmatory case studies following an interaction methodology approach.\nLiterature review: The study of CRM emerged as a key research stream in the early 1990s, coinciding with which the term \"CRM\" began to be widely used (Ling and Yen, 2001, Xu et al., 2002, Buttle, 2009). Interest in the area increased among academics and practitioners, as is evident from the body of literature/academic articles on the subject between 1992 and 2002 (Gambie et al., 1999; Stone et al., 2002; Ngai, 2005). The study of CRM has covered both business to business and business to consumer marketing. The business to consumer marketing research has mostly been in the areas of services and financial markets (Osarenkhoe and Bennani, 2007). There remains a gap in the literature as far as CRM's use in other business to consumer markets such as fast moving consumer goods (FMCG) and in other markets besides western markets. This is a gap this research will address. The growth of CRM coincided with the internet boom which resulted in new opportunities being created for firms to develop and manage relationships with their customers using internet based technology (Bauer et al., 2002). CRM has become increasingly important in enhancing firms' understanding the behaviour of customers and the challenges of acquiring and retaining long term customer value as a basis for sustainable competitive advantage (Winer, 2001).Conceptualising CRM: definitions and myths\nFindings from the case studies: Case descriptions\n", "role": "user" }, { "content": "Purpose: - The purpose of this paper is to examine the use of customer relationship management (CRM) at the bottom of the pyramid (BOP).\nDesign/methodology/approach: - Qualitative interaction research methodology using case studies was used to conduct the research on the application of CRM at the BOP.\nFindings: - The key findings show that at the BOP, CRM is a key strategic tool that can be used by firms and can be facilitated by firms' relationships and connections to consumers' social networks.\nResearch limitations/implications: - Replication of the study might be required in other BOP markets, to improve generalizability using larger samples.\nPractical implications: - The study provides managers with insights into the importance of CRM at the BOP and the need for proper planning and management in order for the concept to be effective.\nOriginality/value: - This research expands knowledge in the area by extending the research context of the BOP to include Africa, and it proposes a framework that can be used for implementing CRM at the BOP.\n", "role": "assistant" } ]
Recruitment/selectors' perceptions of male and female trainee managers	[ "Gender", "Managers", "Perception", "Recruitment", "Sexual discrimination", "Training" ]	[ { "content": "Summarize the following paper into structured abstract.\n\nIntroduction: Purpose\nStereotypes and management abilities: Researchers such as Schein et al. (1989, 1996) have found management students in many parts of the world view the characteristics of a manager as more similar to their stereotype of a man than a woman. Ample evidence exists (Reskin and McBrier, 2000; Schein, 2001; Powell et al., 2002) that managers, and undergraduate business students link management ability with being male and possessing masculine characteristics. Loden (1985) notes, \"masculine modes of management\" are characterised by competitiveness, hierarchical authority and emphasis on control. These characteristics are commonly perceived as being synonymous with successful management, often referred to as \"instrumental\" traits. Gallos (1989) argued, women focus more on attachment and affiliation than do men. More recently, in support of this, Klenke (1996), outlined the stereotypical female management style as considerate or people-orientated. This is characterised by the nurturing of interpersonal relationships, frequently referred to as \"expressive\" characteristics. Due Billing and Alvesson (1994) and Wilson (1995), point out, females are associated with concepts such as perceived lack of self-confidence, stereotype behaviour and underestimation. These characteristics, they argue, result in females being more perfectionist than males in what they do. According to Due Billing and Alvesson (1994), risk avoidance and lack of focussed career planning is often attributed to a lack of self-confidence. In addition to obvious family roles, this contributes to the reasons why females do not follow the linear career path more typical of males.An implication of this supposed link between gender stereotype and management ability creates problems for female managers. Linehan (2002), for example, reported that females managers are aware of, and have difficulties choosing between male and female management styles. The case for the superiority of male management characteristics is fundamentally flawed, however, for as Gill et al. (1987) stress, both male and female stereotypes can be active rather than passive approaches to achieving a goal. They point out expressiveness is as likely to be successful as is instrumentality, which does not in itself ensure success. They argue whilst these two characteristics may be linked with masculinity and femininity they are not necessarily linked with goal achieving. Indeed there is a growing awareness that, according to Eagly and Carli (2003), organizations change and hierarchical structures are flattening. They note the participatory style of leadership, more commonly associated with females, is becoming more appropriate with this changing management structure.Not all studies, however, provide support for traditional stereotype views. VanEngen et al. (2001) with employees in department stores, found no gender differences in management style. This study does raise the point that certain occupations have traditionally different male/female orientations. This will be taken into account with the sample used in the present study. Even more marked were findings by Mukhtar (2002), with owner managers. There was an interesting gender difference in management style, with female owner managers having a more centralised style, and being much less willing to delegate than males. This occurred even when the business was quite large. This is contrary to the gender pattern generally observed in large organisations, when male managers opt more for an emphasis on control.Stereotypes as barriers to female career development\nEvidence for gender differences in skills: Looking beyond the study of stereotypes there is some research evidence based on young people and students that males and females do actually perform differently with certain skills or tasks. For example, in school Brophy and Good (1974) and Sadker and Sadker (1994) found, at all levels and in all subjects, females interacted less with teachers than did males. Carli (1990) found when mixed and same sex pairs were discussing a subject about which there was disagreement, females in mixed pairs spoke more tentatively than males. Midwinter (1992) found males tended to be more direct than females, who tended to try to establish rapport before pursuing their intentions. More recently, Baxter (2002) noted in her study that boys interrupt and take over the conversation from girls. Kniveton (2006) found girls' self-confidence increased when they worked with boys rather than when they worked with other girls. Studies like these conducted on students cannot necessarily be applied to behaviour in the place of work. These findings, however, provide support for preconceptions often held which can influence our perceptions.On the basis of this previous research which outlines stereotypes about gender differences four hypotheses concerning perceptions those actually involved with recruitment/selection (RS) hold of trainee managers are examined. The purpose is to determine whether gender stereotypes as outlined previously are actually held by those responsible for recruitment/selection:H1. Recruitment/selectors (RS) will perceive male trainee managers as having more male management characteristics than will female trainee managers (following Loden, 1985).H2. Male (RS) will perceive male trainee managers as more masculine than will female (RS) (following Klenke, 1996).H3. Male (RS) will perceive female trainee managers as less masculine than will female (RS) (following Gallos, 1989).H4. Older male (RS) will perceive female trainee managers as having more male characteristics than will younger male (RS) (following Schein, 1974).\nMethod: Design of the study\nJustification for the use of the \"paper person\" experimental design: The use of \"paper people\" in this manner to examine specific variables when comparing people has, according to Gorman et al. (1978), been shown to be an extremely useful research tool as it enables specific variables to be isolated. In the present study, gender was the variable to be examined. The same paradigm has been modified and used by many researchers. Most recently Glick et al. (2005), used a film as the stimulus. This was not considered appropriate for the present study, when examining the Glick research, it is evident that study providing too much visual stimulus has the effect of concentrating the perceptions of those taking part on characteristics such as clothing. This was specifically not the aim of the present study, particularly as, according to Glick, in the employment context the significance of clothing is disproportionately greater for females than for males.\nPilot study: This involved 20 participants from the same employed population as the main sample, but those 20 were not included in the actual study. During the pilot study it became clear participants were only willing to complete a small number of questions about the \"paper person\". The exercise ceased to be credible if the number of questions was too great. Trials with varying numbers of questions found 16 was the maximum number completed by all members of the pilot sample. When more were included they claimed the questions were inappropriate on the basis of their knowledge of the \"paper person\"! In addition to this, various questions were rejected by the pilot sample as being outside their knowledge on the basis of the information given! These two factors determined the format and content of the questionnaire used in the study. This meant that established questionnaires, could not be used in their full form.\nThe questionnaire: This was created within the limiting framework described above. Ten of the characteristics were derived from gender stereotype management characteristics noted in the research literature (eg. Fischlmayr, 2002; Gallos, 1989; Klenke, 1996; Loden, 1985; Reskin and McBrier, 2000). A total of five items were selected with a female orientation, and five with a male orientation. This idea of selecting a balance of items was encouraged by Bem (1979), with her gender questionnaire (Bem, 1974). She conceded that selecting only desirable characteristics from both the male and female scales was a good idea, which would reduce the tendency to respond to the questions in a socially acceptable manner. To determine whether items were attributable to either male or female held stereotypes they were allocated by individual members of the pilot sample independently to either sex. Only items were included where no more than 5 per cent of the sample disagreed as to the allocation. The management related characteristics were:1. Male instrumental characteristics:* ambitious;* in control;* assume leadership in groups;* self confident; and* a good mixer.2. Female expressive characteristics:* express emotions;* helpful;* aware of feelings of others;* intuitive; and* humanitarian values.The remaining six characteristics were based on the second order characteristics of Cattell's 16PF (Cattell, 1974). This was intended to ensure a range of characteristics not directly related to management skills were included. This provided an opportunity to test whether perceptions made were based solely on generalised gender stereotype or on perception of management skills. Within this framework characteristics were selected following the above procedure with the pilot sample from Bem's (1974) list of sex role stereotypes. Those included were not related to management and included the following:1. Male characteristics:* athletic;* forceful; and* individualistic.2. Female characteristics:* cheerful;* flatterable; and* tender.\nData analysis: Two scores were thus obtained. One by combining the responses on the ten scales to produce a \"gender management characteristics score\" and a second by combining responses on the six scales to produce a \"gender characteristics score\". These were not commonly related to management attributes (Schein, 1974). The higher score on both scales indicates a male orientation the lower a female orientation. In the analysis and interpretation in this paper the direction of the scoring for these two scales does not indicate any suggestion of success, superiority etc. T-test comparisons were used throughout.Participants\nManagement characteristics and management quality: The ranking of management characteristics in terms of those which contribute most to an individual's managerial quality indicate, as shown in Table VI, male characteristics are listed in five of the first six places (top three for each) as ranked by both males and females.\nParticipant's views of organisational structure: The participants' responses regarding the structure of their organization provided some support for the view that organizational changes are taking place as can be seen in Table VII. A total of 41 per cent of the sample reported a move in their organization towards greater participation in management.\nDiscussion: In this particular study, it needs to be emphasised that the participants were all managers or professionals who had recently taken part in the recruitment and selection process. This is important for they are the very people who are currently instrumental in employing management trainees. It would appear from the findings of this study that females may well face an unequal struggle in the job stakes. They are perceived, as shown by H1, which supports earlier studies (Loden, 1985) that those involved with recruitment and selection (RS) as having less male management characteristics than their male contemporaries. From the point-of-view of career opportunities for the individual trainee and in terms of appropriate skills for the workplace it is unfortunate that traditional gender stereotype attitudes are still present in the working environment today. This is in spite of legislative efforts since the 1970s to change the situation. The difference in perception of female trainee managers, seems to be affected by age. Older male (RS), as indicated in H4, in line with the much earlier findings of Schein (1974), perceive more male orientated management characteristics and more masculine characteristics in female trainees. The older male (RS) regard them as positively, and arguably, as a consequence of their implied seniority, it is a good thing they do.The belief in a link between male characteristics and good management identified by many previous researchers (Reskin and McBrier, 2000; Schein, 2001; Powell et al., 2002) would seem to be present as noted in the interviews conducted as part of the present study. This is important for again, it needs to be recognised that, the participants were not students but were all active in recruitment/selection. This emphasis on male characteristics and successful management can be a major hurdle to females being successful in the career stakes.It has, however, been suggested by Eagly and Carli (2003) that organisation structures are changing and there is a greater emphasis on participation. There is evidence from the interviews conducted in the present study that a significant percentage of the participants reported their organisations were changing and becoming more participatory in their structure. The implication of this is that \"female management characteristics' may well be more appropriate skills for all trainees.The implications of the findings of this study can be related to two areas where action can be taken to improve the opportunities for both male and female management trainees. Surprisingly, male trainees may well also find themselves at a skill disadvantage if the changes towards a more participatory structure in organisations observed in this study and reported elsewhere do occur.The first concerns the training process itself. As has been mentioned there are some management skills which females appear to be lacking. According to research such as that by Brophy and Good (1974), Carli (1990), Midwinter (1992), Sadker and Sadker (1994), Baxter (2002) and Kniveton (2006), females lack certain skills loosely categorized under the heading assertiveness. There is clearly room for the process of management training to include special attention to this area. For males the stereotype would suggest they lack some of the more \"female characteristics\", including such things as facilitating and supportive leadership skills. These are more appropriate when participatory organizational structures are in place.The second area for action concerns the workplace itself and what employers can do to fully develop their management trainees. Kottke and Agars (2005) question whether mentoring in the workplace \"for women by women\" is as appropriate as it seems. There are certainly management skills, which many women possess which can be honed and developed in other women by this means, but equally male mentors have skills they can encourage women to develop. Similarly, with the changes in the organisational structure, with an increasing emphasis on participation male trainees have much they can learn from a female mentor.The findings of this study would suggest traditional gender stereotypes are still present in those who recruit and select management trainees. This potentially harmful for the career development of both males and females. In addition it does not help organizations as changes to their structure would appear to demand management skills which involve the more traditional \"female characteristics\" which encourage participation and supportive involvement.\n", "role": "user" }, { "content": "Purpose: - The aim of this paper is to investigate whether those involved with recruitment/selection (RS) react differently towards male and female trainee managers.\nDesign/methodology/approach: - Measures of the perceptions towards trainee managers were collected from 440 managers and professionals involved in recruitment/selection (RS).\nFindings: - It was found that males were seen to have more stereotype male management characteristics than females. Female (RS) perceived female management trainees as possessing more male management characteristics than did male (RS).\nPractical implications: - The stereotype of the management trainee held by male (RS), with its emphasis on \"male characteristics\" would suggest females do face an unequal struggle in their careers. It is argued that male management characteristics, whilst possibly appropriate for organisations with a hierarchical structure, may not be as appropriate for the participatory organisational structure, which is becoming more common. Suggestions are made to help develop management skills for both male and female trainees.\nOriginality/value: - This article gives the perceptions of people who recruit male and female trainee managers and will be of interest to employers and employees alike.\n", "role": "assistant" } ]
Sociodemographic characteristics and dietary patterns in cardiometabolic risk subjects	[ "Factor analysis", "Principal component analysis", "Cardiovascular diseases", "Feeding behaviour" ]	[ { "content": "Summarize the following paper into structured abstract.\n\nIntroduction: Cardiovascular diseases (CVD) result in the death of 17.7m people each year, representing 31 percent of all deaths worldwide (WHO, 2017). Approximately 80 percent of this numbers could be avoided with changes in lifestyle and nearly 30 percent, with modifications only in food habits (WHO, 2017). Epidemiological studies in several populations have shown controversial associations between dietary patterns and CVD (Cunha et al., 2010; Marchioni et al., 2011; Farhangi et al., 2016), perhaps because food choices are a complex interaction between social, economic, demographic, cultural and psychological factors (Hiza et al., 2013; Conklin et al., 2014; Backholer et al., 2016). In this sense, some studies have showed that populations with higher income and schooling consume more fruits and vegetables (Aggarwal et al., 2011; Backholer et al., 2016), while lower social classes consume more food that constitutes the basic food basket like rice and beans (Brasil, 2003). In addition, differences were observed between male and female (Gadgil et al., 2015), adults and the elderly (Hamer et al., 2010), smokers and non-smokers (Gadgil et al., 2015) and between different populations of the world (Cunha et al., 2010; Marchioni et al., 2011; Farhangi et al., 2016). Thus, socioeconomic and lifestyle characteristics can influence dietary patterns determined by principal component analysis (PCA), but few studies have investigated this relationship (Sanchez-Villegas et al., 2003; Nascimento et al., 2011), especially in cardiometabolic risk subjects (Gibson et al., 2017). At the same time, understanding the influence of social characteristics on food choices is fundamental to the creation of effective strategies in nutritional education and changes in feeding behavior.\nMethodology: Subjects\nResults: The population of this study consisted of 295 cardiometabolic risk subjects aged between 30 and 60 years (49.5 percent) with a mean age of 42+-16 years and predominantly female (58.3 percent). We observed a high level of education (79.1 percent), family income up to four minimum wages (67.4 percent), non-smokers (68.0 percent), physical activity practitioners (52.9 percent), who drink alcohol eventually (57.7 percent) and slept less than 7 h per night (65.1 percent).\nDiscussion: In the present study, we identify five dietary patterns (\"traditional,\" \"caloric,\" \"pastry,\" \"healthy\" and \"healthy sandwich\"). For multivariate model and discussion, we selected the three patterns that were most related to the sociodemographic factors in statistical analyzes: \"traditional,\" \"healthy\" and \"healthy sandwich\" patterns. The other patterns presented poor associations (Table AI). The \"traditional\" dietary pattern was characterized, as in previous studies, by low-cost foods (Alves et al., 2006) and associated to male (Farhangi et al., 2016; Ferreira et al., 2017), age (Hamer et al., 2010), low schooling (Marchioni et al., 2011), smoking (Hamer et al., 2010; Farhangi et al., 2016) and regular consumption of alcoholic beverages (Farhangi et al., 2016). In contrast, the \"healthy\" pattern, as identified by other authors, has been associated with those who are young (Hamer et al., 2010; Gadgil et al., 2015), female (Alves et al., 2006; Gadgil et al., 2015), non-smokers (Gadgil et al., 2015) and with higher schooling (Hamer et al., 2010; Gadgil et al., 2015; Farhangi et al., 2016). In Brazil, it is common to eat a sandwich made with whole wheat bread, boiled chicken and vegetables as a lighter and healthier meal option to the traditional Brazilian dinner (rice, beans, meat, potatoes, etc.). This chicken salad sandwich is also eaten as a practical snack in the middle of the day. That is why we named this pattern \"healthy sandwich\" and why this pattern has been associated with the characteristics of younger individuals, i.e., students, smokers or former smokers who sleep less than 7 h a night. Other authors have identified a higher intake of snacks in younger populations, who spend more time away from home and sleeps little (Kim et al., 2011; Kant and Graubard, 2014), probably due to the long time spent at work and college which makes them more susceptible to the consumption of industrialized foods and fast preparation.\nConclusion: Young adults with higher levels of schooling who sleep less than 7 h per night have more adherence to \"healthy\" dietary pattern, while among adults over 30 years old and male, there was greater adherence to the \"traditional\" dietary pattern (rice, beans, tubers, vegetable oil, etc.) and unhealthy lifestyle, a relationship influenced by the low level of schooling.\n", "role": "user" }, { "content": "Purpose: The purpose of this paper is to examine the associations of dietary patterns with sociodemographic and lifestyle characteristics in a cardiometabolic risk population.\nDesign/methodology/approach: In this cross-sectional study data from 295 (n=123 men/172 women, 42+-16 years) participants in a Cardiovascular Health Care Program were included. After a 24-hour recall interview the dietary patterns were determined using principal component analysis. Sociodemographic, clinical and lifestyle data were collected by medical records.\nFindings: Subjects with diabetes and hypertension had a higher adherence in the \"traditional\" pattern (rice, beans, tubers, oils and meats). Poisson regression models showed that male subjects with low schooling and smokers had greater adherence to the \"traditional\" pattern. Also, students, women, and those with higher schooling and sleeping =7 h/night showed higher adherence to healthy patterns (whole grains, nuts, fruits and dairy). Women, young adults and those with higher schooling and fewer sleep hours had greater adherence to healthy dietary patterns. Those with low schooling and unhealthy lifestyle showed more adherence to the \"traditional\" pattern.\nSocial implications: The results indicate the importance to personalized nutritional therapy and education against cardiometabolic risk, considering the dietary patterns specific to each population.\nOriginality/value: Socioeconomic and lifestyle characteristics can influence dietary patterns and this is one of the few studies that investigated this relationship performing principal component analysis.\n", "role": "assistant" } ]
Factors influencing Turkish parents' intentions towards anti-consumption of junk food	[ "Perceived risk", "Theory of planned behaviour", "Anti-consumption", "Anticipated regret", "Junk food" ]	[ { "content": "Summarize the following paper into structured abstract.\n\n1. Introduction: Changing lifestyles and family structure, increasing numbers of women in work life, and limited time to prepare food have all contributed to significant changes in food consumption habits. As a result, the number of meals, snacks and junk food products eaten away from home has increased dramatically over the decades. Junk food is defined as any high-calorie food or beverage which has low nutritional value due to lack of protein, vitamin or mineral content while being high in salt, sugar and fats (Sequeira et al., 2014). Nowadays, children frequently consume various junk foods such as potato chips, fast food, pizza, candy, fried food, biscuits, cookies and soft drinks (Smith, 2006).\n2. Theoretical background and hypothesis development: 2.1 Original TPB and its variables\n3. Methodology: 3.1 Data collection method and measures\n4. Analysis and results: The current study incorporated two phases used to define and confirm the factors that affect BI toward the anti-consumption of junk food. First, confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) was conducted to confirm the factor structure of the measurement model, check reliability and validity. Second, the structural model was analyzed, and the path coefficients were estimated using AMOS 21.0. Variance inflation factor (VIF) scores were calculated to evaluate multicollinearity. The highest VIF value was 3.111, indicating no multicollinearity among variables.\n5. Discussion and conclusion: In this study, the factors influencing the intentions of consumers, particularly, parents with a child or children between 5 and 12 years old, toward the anti-consumption of junk food for their child or children were investigated by combining the original TPB variables with two external variables: perceived risk and anticipated regret. The influences of attitude, subjective norms and perceived control on BI have been studied in the relevant literature; however, this study contributed to this growing literature by extending the TPB model using anticipated regret and perceived risk in the context of junk food consumption.\n6. Theoretical contributions and managerial implications: The main theoretical contribution of this study was to extend the original TPB by including two additional constructs - anticipated regret and perceived risk - in order to predict parents' intentions toward junk food consumption. The study showed that the extended TPB was successful in analyzing relations among variables in a junk food context. The second contribution was that this study analyzed the non-buying intentions within the concept of anti-consumption, whereas previous studies focused on the intentions of buying unhealthier foods such as junk foods, fast foods, street foods, foods with additives and genetically modified foods were analyzed (Richard et al., 1996; Cook et al., 2002; Verdurme and Viaene, 2003; Seo et al., 2011; Karimi Shahanjarini et al., 2012; Choi et al., 2013; Mirkarimi et al., 2016; Chen, 2017; Khorasani et al., 2017). Finally, in the literature, very few studies have examined the relations between perceived risk and anticipated regret (Townsend and Campbell, 2004; Chen et al., 2011). The current study also contributed to the literature by providing further evidence of the strong relations between them. The study also showed that perceived risk strongly influenced attitudes, which in turn had the greatest effect on intentions in the original TPB model. This gives support for adding perceived risk to the original TPB as one of the antecedents of attitudes.\n7. Limitations and further research: This study has four main limitations. First, it focused exclusively on parents' buying intentions, although children were the end users. Children's intentions toward consuming junk food should be investigated in future studies. Second, the study did not consider buying behavior because the literature indicates that a focus on intentions is more important than actual behavior in the TPB (Wang et al., 2012). Nevertheless, future studies should add actual behavior to research on the TPB. Third, only two external variables were added to the model - perceived risk and anticipated regret. It was recommended that to extend TPB some negative emotional variables, such as guilt, self-blame, disappointment and anxiety should be added to the model. Finally, the study included all types of junk foods; future studies could apply the model in this study to one specific product or brand for a more specific understanding of consumers' intentions.\n", "role": "user" }, { "content": "Purpose: The purpose of this paper is to analyze parents' intentions toward the anti-consumption of junk food for their children. The paper incorporated the theory of planned behavior (TPB) using two external factors, which previously have not been investigated together.\nDesign/methodology/approach: A questionnaire was designed from previous studies consisting of the constructs of the TPB (intention, attitude, subjective norm, perceived behavioral control) and two external factors (anticipated regret and perceived risk). An online survey was conducted among 392 participants. Confirmatory factor analysis and structural equation modeling were used to test the hypotheses.\nFindings: All hypotheses were supported. Attitudes, subjective norms and perceived behavioral control affected parental intentions toward the anti-consumption of junk food. The two external factors of the model also affected parental intentions toward the anti-consumption of junk food.\nResearch limitations/implications: There were four limitations regarding participants, the research model and product type.\nPractical implications: Junk food producers, sellers, fast food restaurants and public policies should encourage healthy lifestyles, particularly for children. Junk food producers and fast food restaurants should offer healthier nutritional options. Governmental policies should include legal regulations to restrict marketing strategies for unhealthy products. Parents, as the primary influencers of children, should be educated regarding the anti-consumption of junk food.\nOriginality/value: The study contributed to the anti-consumption literature by analyzing buying intentions toward junk food within the concept of anti-consumption, analyzing intentions by adding anticipated regret and perceived risk to the TPB model and analyzing the effects of perceived risk on anticipated regret.\n", "role": "assistant" } ]
Social media as complementary consumption: the relationship between consumer empowerment and social interactions in experiential and informative contexts	[ "Social media", "Socialization", "Empowerment", "Complementary consumption", "Consumption episodes" ]	[ { "content": "Summarize the following paper into structured abstract.\n\nIntroduction: Social media has become an integral part of daily life for many consumers, ranging from widely popular websites (e.g. Facebook, Yelp and Pinterest) to more specialized online communities (e.g. Ravelry - a knit and crochet community, Reddit and ESPN fantasy game website). According to a survey conducted in September 2014, 52 per cent of online American adults now use two or more social media sites, which shows a significant increase from 42 per cent in 2013 (Duggan et al., 2015). Given this increasing popularity and widespread use of social media, it is no surprise that both scholars and practitioners have been interested in this evolving technology.\nSocial media as complementary consumption: Many researchers have considered how social media changes the consumption of products and services. Much of the research in this area focuses on online reviews and eWOM and their impact on sales (Ho-Dac et al., 2013; Zhu and Zhang, 2010). Yet, the incorporation of online activities into consumers' everyday lives and their integration into offline consumption activities have not been explored extensively (Denegri-Knott and Molesworth, 2010; Llamas and Belk, 2013). The little research that has been done examines the role of social network use on consumers' self-control in offline buying behavior (Wilcox and Stephen, 2013) and the role of observing self-avatars in virtual environments on physical exercising behavior (Fox and Bailenson, 2009). An interesting unexplored area of research is how social media can complement and/or substitute offline activities.\nConsumer empowerment and social interactions in consumption episodes: Consumer empowerment results from products, services and practices that expand consumers' freedom of and control over the choice and action to shape their consumption experiences (Yuksel, 2014). Numerous technologies for consumers exist that are designed to be empowering regardless of whether they are social in nature or not, including opportunities to participate in consumer forums (i.e. with social interactions) or scan barcodes using apps on mobile phones to compare prices (i.e. without social interactions). Research that has brought the two constructs together (i.e. empowerment and social interactions) merely focuses on consumer empowerment as an information-related consequence of enhanced social interactions among consumers through the use of social media technologies (Berthon et al., 2000; Day, 2011; Deighton and Kornfeld, 2009; Labrecque et al., 2013). Similarly, psychology research suggests that participation with others is a substantial antecedent of feeling empowered (Christens et al., 2011; Perkins and Zimmerman, 1995). Thus, socializing technologies are empowering in and of themselves. However, the diversity of digital products, services and practices suggests that consumer empowerment should not be limited to the notion of online information sharing among consumers. There are many examples of empowering elements that increase consumer control without necessarily relying on social interactions (e.g. Google maps, Nike+ and health apps). In this regard, we differentiate between experiential (i.e. hedonic with a \"play\" focus) and informative (i.e. utilitarian with a \"knowledge\" focus) empowerment to investigate their relationships with social interactions.\nExperiential versus informative empowerment: Consumers are empowered in online platforms where they can actualize their consumption fantasies and expand their power through the control of available experiences (e.g. participating in a beach volleyball game at home via Kinect; managing an online fantasy football team comprised of actual NFL players to compete with friends). This experiential empowerment, which is hedonic in nature with a play focus, results in consumption-like experiences that are digitally simulated or altered reflections of real-world activities (Denegri-Knott and Molesworth, 2010). Digital simulations that enable such consumption-like experiences empower consumers by creating new realities to observe, enter and experience (Aukstalnis and Blatner, 1992; Firat and Venkatesh, 1995) that can complement (and/or substitute) offline activities. Such complementary activities represent consumption as play, which is associated with communing and socializing (Holt, 1995). Van Boven and Gilovich (2003) also acknowledge that people place more value on experiences because of their strong social associations. Taken together, it is no surprise that socializing elements of a complementary activity provide value for consumers in an experiential context. However, a key reason for consumers to engage in such complementary activities is that they have greater control over experiences that are not readily available through material goods and services (Denegri-Knott and Molesworth, 2010). Thus, the consumption of the complementary activity creates social value for consumers insofar, as consumers have an impact that goes beyond the control provided by the offline activity. Formally:\nStudy 1A and 1B: experiential empowerment: The goal of Study 1A and 1B was to establish social media (i.e. online fantasy football platform) as a complementary activity with experiential empowerment. The consumption episode in these studies consisted of the offline activity of NFL spectatorship and the complementary activity of fantasy football consumption. Fantasy football allows consumers to experience the management of an NFL team, which is not an available experience for NFL spectators; thus, Study 1A and 1B are representatives of experiential empowerment. In this context, we manipulated empowering elements through the setting of the draft system (i.e. consumer control over experience) and social interactions through the familiarity of other participants (i.e. social immediacy; Latane 1981).\nStudy 2: informative empowerment: The goal of Study 2 is to establish social media (i.e. online running community platform) as a complementary activity with informative empowerment. The consumption episode in this study consists of the offline activity of running and the complementary activity of self-tracking. Self-tracking enables information acquisition on aspects of a consumer's daily life and can be used via both traditional offline methods and online technologies such as mobile apps and online running websites, which expand consumer control on information. Study 2 therefore uses an informative empowerment context. We manipulated empowering elements through the ownership of a running app and the social interaction element through the membership in an online running community (i.e. social size and social strength, Latane, 1981).\nGeneral discussion: This paper presented three studies that reveal the effects of two fundamental social media elements (i.e. empowering elements and social interactions) on consumers' responses toward consumption episodes that consist of complementary online and complemented offline activities. Studies 1A and 1B showed that both empowerment and socialization increase positive consumer responses toward such online activities. However, the positive effect of socialization on consumer responses was only partially supported in these studies; socialization positively impacted responses in the student sample (Study 1A) but not in the broader population of NFL.com users (Study 1B). A possible explanation for this disparity may be generation effects. Belk (2013) emphasizes how the younger generation makes little distinction between online and offline communication, making online social interactions an extension of their everyday interpersonal relationships. Thus, providing various social interaction opportunities in social media platforms may provide more value for younger consumers. Sample characteristics may also provide another explanation. NFL.com users may perceive a sense of community through this distinct online platform even though they are not familiar with each other. Thus, the manipulation of unfamiliarity might have been stronger in the undergraduate sample than in the NFL.com sample.\n", "role": "user" }, { "content": "Purpose: This paper aims to explore the interaction between consumer empowerment and social interactions as fundamental social media elements. It demonstrates their relationship in both experiential and informative social media setting where social media complements an offline consumer activity. The study aims to contribute to the literature on social media by demonstrating its complementary role on offline activities through these fundamental elements.\nDesign/methodology/approach: The paper reports three experimental designs that manipulate the empowering and the socializing elements of complementary activities to show their effects on both the complementary online and the complemented offline activities.\nFindings: The paper presents three empirical studies that reveal the effects of two fundamental social media elements (i.e. empowerment and socialization) on consumers' responses toward consumption episodes that consist of complementary online and complemented offline activities. It reveals that that these elements increase positive consumer responses toward both the online and the offline activities through psychological empowerment. However, the interaction between the elements changes with respect to specific empowerment types.\nResearch limitations/implications: The paper contributes to the literature on social media by demonstrating its complementary role on offline activities through its empowering and socializing elements. It bridges research on consumer empowerment and socialization in a way that reveals their interaction beyond the extant definitions of empowerment resulting from enhanced communication among consumers. The paper also demonstrates the complementary role of social media on offline consumer behaviors through the effects of these two fundamental elements.The participants of the experimental studies are presented with hypothetical scenarios and asked about their behavioral intentions. Thus, future studies should address the research questions in real-world settings.\nPractical implications: The paper includes implications for social media usage as a complementary activity to offline real-life consumer behavior through the effects of consumer empowerment and social interactions. Thus, it may benefit marketers seeking to optimize the empowering and socializing components of their social media strategies.\nOriginality/value: This paper fulfils an identified need to study how social media may affect real-life consumer behavior. It also identifies the interaction between the empowering and the socializing elements of social media offerings in both experiential and informative settings.\n", "role": "assistant" } ]
The influence of marketing on consumption behavior at the bottom of the pyramid	[ "India", "Bottom of the pyramid", "Compensatory consumption", "Consumer resistance", "Consumption behavior" ]	[ { "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: The bottom of the pyramid (BOP) proponents argue that there is a massive unexploited market among the poor, and corporations can generate significant profits by targeting BOP population, generally defined as people whose income is about US$2 per day or less. They further argue that the private sector should take the lead to develop these markets (Prahalad, 2004a; Prahalad and Hammond, 2002).\nDebate over the BOP: Marketing to the BOP helps the poor\nConsumption behavior of BOP: literature review and theoretical foundations: In the past few years, several studies have examined the consumption behavior of the poor from the perspective of transformative consumer research (TCR). TCR movement calls for research that can eventually contribute to improve the quality of life of consumers and, at a higher level, help every individual to realize thier full potential (Ozanne et al., 2011). The primary aim of TCR is \"to improve well-being, which is a state of flourishing that involves health, happiness, and prosperity\" (Mick et al., 2012, p. 6).\nResearch context and methodology: The study used a long interview-based approach of qualitative research. Long interviews allow the researcher to capture consumers' beliefs, feelings and motivations in their own words and to obtain a \"thick\" description of phenomenon under investigation (McCracken, 1988). This method also enables a closer examination of the data to extract rich explanations of observations and relationships and offers considerable flexibility in understanding the complexities of consumer behavior (Carson et al., 2001). The choice of methodology was especially suitable to research in the BOP area. BOP is a newer and emerging stream of research with a paucity of scholarly studies, and therefore, qualitative research can be useful in the early stages of theory building. Additionally, the BOP consumers are often illiterate or less educated, and therefore, traditional quantitative methods such as surveys and experiments that rely on written communication cannot easily be used (Crockett et al., 2013). Poor are also unable to indicate their thoughts and opinions on a more quantitative measurement scale. Additionally, the choice of the method is also consistent with other studies in the BOP area (Chikweche and Fletcher, 2010; Viswanathan et al., 2010).\nFindings: Several interesting findings emerged from the long interviews with women informants. Overwhelmingly and almost unanimously, all informants showed a high level of awareness and influence of BOP marketing. Analysis of the data led to five key themes that illustrate the influence of marketing on consumption behavior of urban poor. The following section provides a description for each of these themes that emerged during the data analysis.\nDiscussion: The findings of this study reflect the reach of BOP marketers in India where companies have successfully penetrated the urban and semi-urban markets with products and promotional programs. Although this research is an exploratory study, the results provide useful insights into consumption behavior of the poor in the marketplace. Findings from the study point to two macro conclusion that highlight the nature and influence of BOP marketing in shaping BOP consumer behavior. First, BOP marketing plays an important role in influencing purchase behavior of the poor. Second, the poor exhibit a high level of susceptibility to marketing programs in India. The findings show a high level of brand awareness, significant expenditure on products outside of core bundle of consumption (i.e. nutrition, health, education, shelter, etc.), susceptibility to advertising and sales promotion and aspirational-driven choices amongst the BOP consumers. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first study which provides empirical support to the key criticism of BOP marketing that it lead to poor consumers diverting their scarce financial resources from fulfilling basic needs and consuming essential products to chasing aspirational needs and purchasing non-essential discretionary products.\nImplications: In the context of this study, understanding the nature of consumer behavior at BOP has important managerial and policy implications. Most of the theoretical underpinnings of research in the area of consumer behavior and decision-making illustrate the consumption pattern of the middle-class consumers which fail to hold in the case of BOP consumers whose world is characterized by limited resources (Hill, 2002b). The gap in income and products accessibility between low and middle income consumers results in an imbalance in marketplace exchange that benefits marketers more than the low-income consumers (Alwitt, 1995). Both theorists and marketers need to be aware of this imbalance in the BOP market because business practice that takes advantage of this imbalance in the marketplace is inherently perceived as being unethical in nature (Hill, 2002b). Therefore, it is important that marketers should recognize that an imbalance might exist in exchange with the poor, and they should work with BOP consumers, governments and other stakeholders to develop an alternate model of market exchange. In the literature, BOP scholars have proposed different alternative models (Alwitt, 1995; Davidson, 2009; Jaiswal, 2008). For instance, Alwitt (1995) proposed a model comprising of five approaches:\nLimitations and directions for future research: The research findings should be evaluated in the context of the data collected for the study which, in turn, presents opportunities for future research. The study was limited to India, which, although the largest BOP market in the world, may not be identical to BOP markets in other parts of the world. Therefore, future research in this area may choose to replicate the study in other BOP markets, such as Brazil, South Africa and other countries in South America, Africa and Asia. Future research may choose to investigate consumer behavior of the extreme poor and the poor segments separately to offer recommendations to all stakeholders on how to best serve the BOP market. The current study was done on urban BOP population. It would also be interesting to investigate the difference in consumption behavior of urban and rural BOP population and influence of marketing actions. Unlike their urban counterparts, BOP consumers in deep rural areas are not exposed to modern media and aggressive advertising programs of the marketers. Rural markets are still far from being penetrated by the companies. Cultural norms such as sociality, status concern vary significantly across urban and rural consumers.\n", "role": "user" }, { "content": "Purpose: This paper aims to explore the nature and degree to which marketing affects consumption behavior of bottom of the pyramid (BOP) population. The objective of the study is to examine, identify and explain aspects of consumption behavior that evidences the influence of marketing practices on the BOP consumers.\nDesign/methodology/approach: The study uses a long interview-based approach for an in-depth qualitative investigation of consumption behaviors of BOP consumers.\nFindings: Key findings that emerged from the research are: widespread usage of international brands and expenditure on products outside of the core bundle of consumption, susceptibility to sales promotions, need to look and feel good and use \"fairness\" creams, susceptibility to advertising and celebrity endorsements and influence of store personnel.\nPractical implications: For managers, this research suggests a careful examination of the likely consequences of their marketing actions. A set of guidelines are provided to them for doing business in a responsible manner at the BOP markets.\nSocial implications: Recommendations for public policymakers are offered that stress on the need for ethical marketing exchanges to address the concern over possible exploitation of this vulnerable population.\nOriginality/value: Extant literature on BOP has largely been conceptual in nature, relying on various case studies. This study empirically examines the nature and influence of marketing in the purchase behavior of BOP consumers. This is perhaps the first study providing empirical support to the argument that the poor consumers divert their scarce financial resources from fulfilling basic needs to purchasing non-essential discretionary products under the influence of BOP marketing.\n", "role": "assistant" } ]
Brand credibility in cause-related marketing: the moderating role of consumer values	[ "Cause marketing", "Brands", "Consumer behaviour", "Linear structure equation modelling" ]	[ { "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 article.\n1. Introduction: Nowadays, increased competition in markets has saturated the possibility of brand differentiation based on traditional attributes such as price and quality (Marin and Ruiz, 2007). Brands need to be associated with symbolic values (e.g. altruism or civic mindedness) to become meaningful entities for consumers to identify with them, building stable committed relationships beneficial for both parties (Bhattacharya and Sen, 2003). In this context, linking the brand to corporate social responsibility (CSR) is a very effective positioning strategy that can become a competitive differentiation attribute (Brammer and Millington, 2006; Du et al., 2007). Over 3,000 leading companies in 116 countries have joined the UN Global Compact (UNGC, 2007a), another 1,000 follow Global Reporting Initiative (UNGC, 2007b) guidelines and 90 per cent of Fortune companies have CSR programmes (Kotler and Lee, 2005). This growth in CSR culture is behind the development in business environments of promotional strategies that seek to project a socially responsible brand image through association with a social interest cause, such as cause-related marketing (CrM) (Varadarajan and Menon, 1988; Till and Nowak, 2000).There has been extensive research in recent years into the influence of CrM campaigns on consumer behaviour. Generally, individuals are favourable towards brands association with social causes in CrM strategies (Webb and Mohr, 1998; Till and Nowak, 2000; Lafferty and Goldsmith, 2005). However, they are initially sceptical about this type of practice (Dean, 2003; Forehand and Grier, 2003), due to an initial intuitive belief that company social strategies are motivated by egoistic interest rather than a true desire for social commitment (Webb and Mohr, 1998; Speed and Thompson, 2000). Any judgement that helps to deactivate this natural scepticism towards the brand will improve consumer response to CrM campaigns (Lafferty and Goldsmith, 2005; Trimble and Rifon, 2006). In this regard, the literature suggests that brand credibility in a CrM message is one of the most powerful indicators for helping consumers to deactivate suspicious judgements about the brand (Varadarajan and Menon, 1988; Trimble and Rifon, 2006), playing a leading role in the mechanism which makes a CrM campaign more persuasive and influential on consumer response.Various studies have analysed possible antecedents to brand credibility in CrM (Rifon et al., 2004; Becker-Olsen et al., 2006; Lafferty, 2007), focusing almost exclusively on the influence of company-related variables (e.g. cause-brand fit, altruistic attributions or brand reputation). However, literature has not paid much attention to the effect of consumer demographic and psychographic characteristics on CrM response (Webb and Mohr, 1998; Cui et al., 2003).In this regard, the individual's value structure exerts a powerful influence on the individual's cognitions, attitudes and behaviours towards the brand and the social cause (Fishbein and Ajzen, 1975). Personal values have been defined as organised sets of preferential standards used in making elections of objects and actions (Rokeach, 1973). Thus, values are motivational constructs: they guide the selection of actions and assessment of objects, persons and events in relation to their association with these abstract goals or preferences (Schwartz, 1992). In a broader research context, it has been demonstrated that personal values influence ethical consumption behaviour (Anderson and Cunningham, 1972; Shaw et al., 2005), responses to CSR initiatives (Basil and Weber, 2006; Bigne et al., 2005), pro-environmental attitudes and behaviour (Fraj and Martinez, 2006; Schultz and Zelenzy, 1998) and attitude towards fair trade (de Pelsmacker et al., 2005; Doran, 2009). However, in the field of CrM, the influence of individual values on consumer response has received scarce attention.This research therefore adopts a new approach towards the study of the antecedents to brand credibility in CrM, by analysing the moderating role of consumer value structures in the process. In particular, the main objective of this work is to analyse the moderating role of consumer altruistic values on two key antecedents to brand credibility in CrM - cause-brand fit and the individual's attribution of altruistic brand motivations (Rifon et al., 2004; Becker-Olsen et al., 2006). The paper is organised as follows: first, a conceptual presentation of the variables to be studied is provided. Secondly, theoretical justification is given for the causal relations model used to explain the influence of attribution of brand motivations and cause-brand fit on brand credibility in a CrM campaign. The rationale for the causal relations model draws from the works by Rifon et al. (2004) and Becker-Olsen et al. (2006) based on the schema theory (Rumelhart, 1980). This is followed by discussion of the expected moderating effect of altruistic values on the antecedents to brand credibility. After empirical estimation of the model in consumers of insurance and personal hygiene products, and a multigroup analysis to test the moderation hypotheses, the results and the implications of the study are discussed together with the limitations and possible future lines of research.\n2. Conceptual framework: 2.1 Brand credibility\n3. Theoretical model and hypotheses development: According to the Schema theory (Rumelhart, 1980) the lack of fit between brand and social cause could increase individuals' cognitive effort (Rifon et al., 2004; Simmons and Becker-Olsen, 2006), as they feel obliged to become involved in the communication process in order to assimilate the new information (e.g. the social cause) in a pre-existing schema (e.g. the brand). This greater cognitive production makes the consumer scrutinise in greater depth the reasons which have led the brand to associate itself with the social cause (Strahilevitz, 2003; Menon and Kahn, 2003; Rifon et al., 2004), thereby stimulating the appearance of beliefs and pre-existing judgements on the egoistic nature of brand attempts at persuasion (Webb and Mohr, 1998; Speed and Thompson, 2000). Therefore:H1. In a CrM campaign, cause-brand fit has a direct positive impact on consumer attribution of brand altruistic motivations.Similarly, cause-brand fit is likely to have a direct influence on brand credibility in CrM. As the perception of compatibility between social cause and brand increases, consumers are more likely to perceive the brand as having more skills and experience (more expertise) when it comes to associating with the cause (Becker-Olsen et al., 2006). In addition, as pointed out, greater cause-brand fit inhibits the generation of egoistic judgements and so can be used directly as an indicator to evaluate brand honesty and sincerity in its CrM message (Rifon et al., 2004; Becker-Olsen et al., 2006). Thus, we hypothesise:H2. In a CrM campaign, cause-brand fit has a direct positive impact on brand credibility.Moreover, when evaluating brand credibility in a CrM campaign, the consumer seeks to know the motives that led the brand to associate to the social cause. Most research has shown that in the CrM context, the attribution of brand altruistic motivations can generate more credibility (Klein and Dawar, 2004; Ellen et al., 2006; Du et al., 2007), because there is greater congruence between what the brand is transmitting (social commitment vocation) and the motives that have led to this behaviour (altruistic motives). Forehand and Grier (2003) have shown that consumers respond worse to socially responsible practices by brands when they attribute egoistic motivations, not because they are egoistic per se, but because they perceive that they are being manipulated or deceived. Consumer attribution of brand altruistic motivations requires perception of a similarity between what the brand it is trying to transmit and its true motives; this will inhibit a possible sensation of deceit and manipulation by the brand.This reasoning suggests that altruistic attribution is an indicator which helps individuals to evaluate honesty, sincerity and good faith of the brand's social commitment (Varadarajan and Menon, 1988; Webb and Mohr, 1998), and will positively influence credibility. This is consistent with the traditional literature on social psychology, which predicts that a speaker with no self-interest in the message being promoted is perceived as being more trustworthy and honest (Hovland et al., 1953; Margolis, 1984). Therefore:H3. In a CrM campaign, consumer attribution of altruistic brand motivations has a direct positive impact on brand credibility.3.1 The moderating role of altruistic values on the antecedents to brand credibility\n4. Methodology: 4.1 Data collection and sample\n5. Results and discussion: 5.1 Test of hypotheses\n6. Managerial implications, limitations and future research: The results reported in this paper contribute to the literature on the influence of CrM on consumer behaviour by making explicit the moderating role of altruistic values on the antecedents of brand credibility (cause-brand fit and altruistic attributions) in a CrM campaign. Thus, three general conclusions can be extracted from this work.Firstly, analysis of the antecedents to brand credibility in CrM highlights the fact that the consumer response mechanism to this type of prosocial persuasion strategy is a complex process where the individual follows a \"guarantee acquisition\" logics with regard to the veracity of the brand's socially responsible behaviour projected in the CrM (Dean, 2003). By one hand, cause-brand fit generates a low cognitive elaboration scenario in consumers, who do not scrutinise deeply the reasons for the brand's collaboration with the social cause, favouring the appearance of altruistic attributions and improving brand credibility. By the other hand, the altruistic attribution itself becomes the basic antecedent of brand credibility in CrM.Secondly, this research shows that values structure (specifically, the predominance of altruistic values) has a moderating effect on the antecedents to brand credibility in a CrM. Altruists differ from non altruists in the way they use various indicators (cause-brand fit and altruistic attribution) to form a perception of brand honesty and expertise when the brand is projected as socially responsible in a CrM campaign. While altruists mainly use the altruistic attribution to form a judgement on brand credibility in CrM, non-altruists use cause-brand fit to make that assessment.This moderating effect has implications for CrM campaign managers. If a brand's target involves consumers who tend to have more altruistic values, particular care must be taken over the elements which can affect the attribution of brand motivations (e.g. the amount donated to the social cause, or the time horizon for the sponsorship), as this indicator is more significant as an antecedent of credibility. Brand-cause fit, however, will be more important if the target comprises non-altruists. Also, if there is any likelihood of consumers attributing egoistic motivations to the brand (e.g. the campaign is conceived as a reaction to a period of crisis, the brand does not have a good social reputation, or it intervenes in a socially stigmatised sector), the CrM campaign target should comprise individuals with a non-altruistic tendency.Finally, estimation of the second order model underlines the dual nature of cause-brand fit, with its two dimensions, functional fit and image fit. This result highlights the fact that consumers use these two cognitive bases to determine cause-brand fit. Therefore, brand managers should pay attention to both functional and image fit when selecting a social cause to associate with in a CrM campaign. Both types of similarity with the social cause contribute to a global perception of fit which influences brand credibility in a CrM campaign (and therefore in subsequent consumer responses), and hence should be proposed as decision criteria when choosing the social cause.A possible limitation of this study relates to the use of real brands in the empirical study. Even though a real brand adds realism to the perceptions of the CrM campaign, it also generates a condition in which prior knowledge may bias evaluations of brand credibility (Strahilevitz, 2003). Consequently, further research should replicate this study with fictional brands, controlling for the effect of consumer information.With regard to other possible lines of research, it is reasonable to suppose that altruistic values do not only moderate the formation of brand credibility but also subsequent consumer attitudes and behaviours in the CrM. Therefore, it would be advisable to extend this study to examine the possible moderating effect of altruistic values on the impact of brand credibility on other consumer responses such as the projected CSR image, attitude towards the brand, attitude towards the social cause, purchase intention or identification with the brand.It would also be interesting to research the possible moderating influence of the other higher-order values identified by Schwartz (1992), conservation and openness to change, on the antecedents to brand credibility. In this regard, it is expected that in comparison to people who are open to change, more conservative individuals will tend not to attribute companies with a need for social commitment (Doran, 2009), and observe CrM campaigns with more suspicion, thereby perceiving the brand as less credible.\n", "role": "user" }, { "content": "Purpose: - The main purpose of this paper is to analyse the moderating effect of consumer altruistic values upon two drivers of brand credibility in cause-related marketing (CrM): cause-brand fit and consumer attribution of altruistic brand motivations.\nDesign/methodology/approach: - This is a quantitative study. Data have been collected through personal interviews at households using the random route sampling technique. The sample is formed by consumers of insurance and personal hygiene products, using different brand-social cause combinations. Data have been analysed through structural equation modelling and multigroup analysis to test the moderation hypotheses.\nFindings: - Findings show that altruistic consumers use mainly altruistic attribution to form their judgement on brand credibility in CrM messages, whereas non altruistic consumers base their assessment on cause-brand fit.\nResearch limitations/implications: - Real brands have been used in the empirical study and thus further research should replicate the study with fictional brands in order to avoid the effect of consumer prior information.\nPractical implications: - The findings have relevant implications for CrM campaign managers in helping them to understand how to increase brand credibility in CrM messages. They should emphasize altruistic motivations if their target comprises more altruists or brand-cause fit if non-altruists outweigh.\nOriginality/value: - This study contributes to the literature by making explicit the moderating role of altruistic values on two antecedents of brand credibility (cause-brand fit and altruistic attributions) in a CrM campaign.\n", "role": "assistant" } ]
The role of insiders and organizational support in the learning process of newcomers during organizational socialization	[ "Human resource development", "Workplace learning" ]	[ { "content": "Summarize the following paper into structured abstract.\n\nIntroduction: Organizational socialization is the process by which workers learn knowledge, skills and behaviors to adjust to their new work environment (Feldman, 1976; Fisher, 1986). It is commonly operationalized into two dimensions: organizational tactics and newcomers' proactive behaviors, with learning being identified as a mediator between these two dimensions and the adjustment outcomes (Ashforth et al., 2007b). Organizational tactics are defined as the effort organizations make to socialize newcomers, and proactive behaviors are defined as the means by which newcomers socialize themselves and to adapt to their new working context (Ashforth et al., 2007b). A great number of quantitative studies focus on the impact of organizational tactics, and the impact of the newcomers' proactive behaviors and interpersonal relationships with insiders (Ashforth et al., 2007a, 2007b; Bauer et al., 2007; Feldman, 1981; Morrison, 1993a, 2002; Cooper-Thomas, 2009; Saks and Ashforth, 1996; Saks et al., 2011). However, qualitative studies focusing on newcomers' perceptions of their own socialization process, the difficulties they face, how they overcome them and finally socialize themselves - or not - are quite rare (Cooper-Thomas et al., 2011).\nResearch context and methodology: We interviewed newcomers working in a department of an international humanitarian organization based in Switzerland, employing 2,500 people all over the world, whose purpose is to mobilize and coordinate humanitarian action in partnership with national and international actors. Participants were chosen based on two criteria:\nResults: Newcomers' learning strategies according to the perceived organizational support\nInsiders' interpersonal characteristics perceived to be supportive by newcomers: Regarding our second research question, we also gained some insights into the interpersonal skills insiders should display to support the newcomers' proactive behaviors, when organizational support is lacking.\nDiscussion and perspectives: The aim of our study was to highlight the following:\n", "role": "user" }, { "content": "Purpose: This study aims to focus on newcomers' learning strategies when they perceive organizational socialization support to be lacking, and on interpersonal characteristics that insiders should possess to support the newcomers' proactive behaviors in this context.\nDesign/methodology/approach: Data were collected through 14 face-to-face, in-depth semi-structured interviews and analyzed with a conventional content analysis method (Paille and Mucchielli, 2013), involving first a thematic analysis and afterward, a conceptual analysis using MaxQDA11(c).\nFindings: The authors' analysis highlights that when newcomers perceive the formal organizational socialization support as lacking, they regulate their proactive behaviors by seeking indirect guidance, and more precisely, by engaging in informal interactions with insiders likely to help them socialize. These interactions can have a cost in terms of self-image, so newcomers regulate their proactive behaviors by looking for insiders perceived to be psychologically safe, even if they have to look for them in other working contexts.\nPractical implications: Considering the regulation process of newcomers' proactive behaviors according to their perceptions, human resources management should focus on those perceptions and develop a blended learning approach including formal learning programs, as well as individualized support to facilitate on-the-job learning and respond to personal needs. Special consideration should also be given to interpersonal skills displayed by insiders.\nOriginality/value: The originality of the study is the use of a qualitative methodology focusing on newcomers' main learning strategy according to their perception of organizational socialization support and the psychological safety climate. The limitations of the authors' work are the size of the study population and the fact that part of the interviewees were successfully socialized by reaching 15 months on their new post at the point where the interviews were conducted.\n", "role": "assistant" } ]
Organizational culture and total quality management practices in Indian construction industry	[ "India", "Organizational culture", "TQM", "Construction industry", "Cluster", "CVF" ]	[ { "content": "Summarize the following paper into structured abstract.\n\n1. Introduction: The prime concern of a construction project is to meet three basic requirements, namely, cost, time and quality as specified by the client. Particularly, the construction project faces a large number of quality issues which result in budget overrun, schedule overrun, financial losses, environmental damage and sometimes loss of life (Mhatre et al., 2017). Organizational culture (OC) and quality are found to be linked traditionally (Nukic and Huemann, 2016). In order to improve quality of the construction projects, understanding of OC becomes essential (Ankrah et al., 2009; Schein, 1992; Skitmore et al., 2004).\n2. Literature review: 2.1 Organizational culture\n3. Research methodology: This study has involved an exploratory research using a questionnaire survey which was administered by e-mail. All relevant data have been collected at one point of time between May 2017 and December 2017.\n4. Results: This study has used cluster analysis for identifying diverse cultural configurations across the construction organizations in India. The study employed k-means cluster analysis as a non-hierarchical procedure of clustering. The process of k-means starts by using values of \"k\" cases, where \"k\" denotes the number of clusters specified by the user. The initial cluster centers were formed by assigning each case, in turn, to the cluster with the nearest center (Al-khalifa and Aspinwall, 2001). After performing several iterations using different number of clusters, four unique and significant clusters were identified. The significance of these clusters was ascertained through of ANOVA at the level of significance 0.05.\n5. Discussion: The results highlighted the high scores for internal focus culture types (group and hierarchy in CVF) when compared to the external focus (rational and development in CVF), irrespective of its characteristics (see, Figure 1).\n6. Conclusion: The purpose of this study was to establish the relationship between OC and TQM practices in the Indian construction Industry. The findings of the cluster analysis resulted into four emergent cultures, namely, internal, flexible, comprehensive and control focus. The OC profile of the Indian construction organizations appears to present the dominant features of group and development culture as per CVF. These cultures are also emphasized by internal focus culture as classified by the results of cluster analysis. It shows that Indian construction organizations emphasize on trust, participation, commitment and involvement, rules and regulations, and process and product standardization. Further, the findings revealed that OC has a high level of significance for differences among the emergent cultural types with respect to TQM practices. Additionally, the results also revealed that flexibility and comprehensive focuses are the most suitable for the implementation of TQM in India in addition to internal focus. This means that Indian organizations should adapt to appropriate cultural changes before the implementation of TQM practices.\n", "role": "user" }, { "content": "Purpose: The purpose of this paper is to establish the relationship between organizational culture (OC) and total quality management (TQM) practices in the Indian construction industry.\nDesign/methodology/approach: A questionnaire survey was conducted to draw valid empirical data from 200 construction firms in India. The dominant culture was identified using cluster analysis.\nFindings: The findings of cluster analysis show four emergent clusters, namely, internal, flexible, comprehensive and control. The OC profile of the Indian construction organizations is dominated by internal focus characterized by the features of both group and hierarchical cultures of Competing Values Framework (CVF). Furthermore, the results revealed that the comprehensive focus culture is the most suitable culture in addition to the internal and flexibility focus cultures for the implementation of TQM in India.\nPractical implications: Before implementing the TQM practices, managers in construction organizations need to be aware of cultural orientation emphasized in their organizations to facilitate the effective implementation of TQM.\nOriginality/value: This paper contributes to the existing literature by providing empirical evidence that leads to the association between OC and TQM practices. The study proposes besides the internal and flexibility focus cultures, the comprehensive focus culture within the Indian construction industry are key drivers for the successful implementation of TQM practices.\n", "role": "assistant" } ]
Determinants of non-economic investment goals among Indian investors	[ "Behavioral portfolio theory", "Non-economic investment goals", "Socially responsible investing" ]	[ { "content": "Summarize the following paper into structured abstract.\n\nIntroduction: Behavioral Portfolio Theory (BPT) was in existence even before the more famous Modern Portfolio Theory (MPT) was developed (Weisenberger, 1952; Markowitz, 1999; Shefrin and Statman, 2000). According to BPT, investment choices are affected by the investor's cognitive biases and emotions. Unlike MPT, in BPT, investors seek both \"utilitarian\" (maximizing return and minimizing risk) and \"expressive\" benefits (investment as a means of expressing personal values) from their investments. Thus, the investment choice achieves the goal of accommodating the individual's financial (utilitarian) and psychic (expressive) benefits. In the period between 1960 and 1980, investors expressed their personal values and catered to their psychic benefits by opting for alternate investments in the financial markets. It is in this backdrop that Socially Responsible Investing (SRI) funds emerged as an avenue for investors to integrate personal values and investment decision.\nKey investor characteristics: Collectivism\nConclusion: Despite more than a decade of successful SRI movement in different parts of the world, India with a reasonably developed capital market and a culture of investments had just three SR funds. This led us to the question: are Indian investors so rational that they pursue only economic investment goals or is it that the investor did not find alternative investment avenues to pursue their non-economic investment goals? There are a lot of papers that study the \"rational\" investment behavior of Indian investors. The present paper analyses the existence and the impact of select characteristics that lead Indian investors to pursue non-economic investment goals. The paper tests the influence of characteristic such as collectivism, religiosity, materialism, EA and RT on the Indian investors' pursuit of NEGs. Further, it tests the mediating role played by SIE.\n", "role": "user" }, { "content": "Purpose: The purpose of this paper is to identify underlying characteristics of Indian investors that influence them to achieve their non-economic investment goals.\nDesign/methodology/approach: The conceptual model posits that investors' choice of non-economic goal (NEG) is determined by their values and beliefs which are measured through survey data collected from 342 respondents with prior experience of investing in the stock market. A structural equation model is specified to estimate the measurement model. Further, the study analyses the mediating effect of social investment efficacy on the impact of investors' values and beliefs and their pursuit of non-economic investment goals.\nFindings: Religiosity and the belief that one's actions can bring about a change in the society are the two important determinants of Indian investors' pursuit of non-economic investment goal.\nResearch limitations/implications: The model ignores aspects of an investor's financial stability that may influence the urge to pursue non-economic investment goals.\nPractical implications: Socially responsible (SR) funds with investment filters designed to propagate religious values of Indian investors can be designed. As a result, it should be possible to channelize a part of the more than $15 billion available in different religious institutions across the country into the capital market.\nSocial implications: Availability of SRI funds would provide investors with yet another avenue invest in companies that conform to their protected values.\nOriginality/value: This is the first study that attempts to study investor characteristics (values and beliefs) and its impact on investor's NEG in the Indian context.\n", "role": "assistant" } ]
The right word for the right crowd: an attempt to recognize the influence of emotions	[ "Decision making", "Discourse", "Crowdfunding", "Emotion" ]	[ { "content": "Summarize the following paper into structured abstract.\n\nIntroduction: Acquiring funds is a crucial activity for entrepreneurs (Mollick, 2014), not only to take the initial steps to pursue opportunities but also in order to grow the venture afterwards (Martens et al., 2007). To offer a better understanding of this vital but challenging task for entrepreneurs (Cassar, 2004), research has largely investigated the way entrepreneurs approach traditional money providers such as banks and venture capitalists (Moss et al., 2015).\nConceptual foundations: The strategic and effective role of entrepreneurial narrative in influencing financial resources providers has been demonstrated many times (Martens et al., 2007). Allison et al. (2015) stress the central role of entrepreneurial narratives for crowdfunding solicitation, in particular. The funding decision significantly relies on the narrative displayed on crowdfunding platforms since it is one of the few available pieces of information (Moss et al., 2015). However, while different authors agree that narrative is a critical element of entrepreneurial success in resource acquisition, they focus on its influence on economic and rational variables (Martens et al., 2007). Little is known about the ability of narrative to trigger an emotional reaction amongst the members of an audience (Jennings et al., 2015). It is quite surprising since entrepreneurs increasingly manage (part of) their fundraising through crowdfunding, a place where the emotional dimension is argued to be particularly important (Fisher et al., 2017).\nA framework for the influence of entrepreneurial narrative on crowdfunders: This section describes a conceptual framework for the influence of entrepreneurial narrative which emphasizes the emotional dimension of narratives in understanding crowdfunders' attitude and decision-making. It also presents five research proposals which connect literature on narration (Martens et al., 2007), emotions (Van Kleef et al., 2015) and crowdfunding (Ahlers et al., 2015; Belleflamme et al., 2014; Davis et al., 2017; Mollick, 2014). By describing emotional influence of narratives and classifying crowdfunders according to their primary interests, the framework begins to address calls for recognizing the role of entrepreneurial activity in generating emotions (Shepherd, 2015) and the different objectives of money providers in crowdfunding (Bruton et al., 2015). Figure 1 illustrates the general framework.\nDiscussion: Crowdfunding is one of the most popular options for entrepreneurs seeking resources (as an alternative or addition to traditional financing resources). In this perspective, research lacks an understanding of how projects are perceived as more or less attractive to money providers (Allison et al., 2015). This paper undertakes this task through the development of a conceptual framework.\nFuture research directions: To enrich research on narratives for crowdfunding, three directions for future research are recommended. First, this framework does not rely on empirical research. If the establishment of a model is necessary to lay the foundation for this underexplored topic, it does not rely on empirical research. In addition, this framework does not provide any in-depth description of how narratives should be constructed. These elements are the main limitations. Future research should evaluate this framework empirically through both a qualitative and a quantitative research design. Solesvik (2016) indicates that qualitative studies could provide richer and deeper insights into crowdfunding. A longitudinal analysis of emotions-based narratives should be conducted in order to provide information about the construction of narratives, the degree and the valence of emotionality. Content analysis may be preferred for its capacity for deep understanding. From a quantitative perspective, research should be carried out to test the impact of different emotional contents on the funds an entrepreneur is able to acquire. In this respect, an experimental design could be used to compare the influence of diverse emotional contents as a function of crowdfunders' motivations.\nConclusion: The importance of resource acquisition for entrepreneurs is undeniable, but remains a critical step in the entrepreneurial effort. It is even more complex for entrepreneurs seeking capital via crowdfunding platforms for which knowledge is very limited. This is the reason why this paper explores the way this emergent alternative works.\n", "role": "user" }, { "content": "Purpose: The purpose of this paper is to propose a better understanding of how entrepreneurial narrative influences resource acquisition in the fundraising context.\nDesign/methodology/approach: The paper combines the literature on emotion as information theory from psychology with behavioral finance findings to develop a conceptual framework with research proposals highlighting the use of narratives in the crowdfunding process.\nFindings: The proposition of the paper advocates that entrepreneurial narrative may influence crowdfunders' attitude and decision to fund a project. It theorizes how emotions in narratives shape the funders' attitude toward a project and, in turn, their decision to support it. This potential influence is qualified by taking into account the funders' primary motivations. These motivations affect the degree to which funders rely on affect or cognition to form their attitude and to which they are influenced by more emotional or cognitive narratives.\nOriginality/value: This framework is the result of an effort to achieve the recognition of emotions in entrepreneurial funding. The paper creates a bridge between the narrative emotional content and the often neglected emotional arousal of funders (considered as traditional investors) to provide a framework for explaining crowdfunders' decision making. The paper also offers nuances by taking into account the different audiences' motivations to fund a project.\n", "role": "assistant" } ]
Constructive (mis)alignment in team-based experiential entrepreneurship education	[ "Entrepreneurship education", "Experiential learning", "Constructive (mis)alignment", "Student teams" ]	[ { "content": "Summarize the following paper into structured abstract.\n\nIntroduction: This study critically analyzes student reflective journals in team-based experiential entrepreneurship education to assess contributions to student learning. The research responds to calls in this journal regarding the paucity of empirical evidence on (experiential) entrepreneurship education for \"more careful consideration of assessment practice in entrepreneurship education [...] particular forms of assessment practice (e.g. reflective and peer assessment) more deeply with a need to explore what value they provide\" (Pittaway and Edwards, 2012, p. 794). Experiential learning, defined seminally as \"learning through experience\" (Kolb, 1984), and associated with entrepreneurship (Cooper et al., 2004; Gosen and Washbush, 2004; Mason and Arshed, 2013; Pittaway and Cope, 2007; Scott et al., 2016), requires a broad purpose and direction but has an unclear path related to learning about specific cause and effect themes. Hence, the educator's role is to provide opportunities for students to experience and learn. Learning is enhanced through communicative action, which emphasizes the importance of reflective journals as a means of converting what is often tacit into explicit experience, given the distinction between explicit and implicit knowledge (Dienes and Perner, 1999). Such a practice can encourage students to become aware of how they are influenced by what is taken for granted as \"normal\" (Cunliffe, 2004) and assist them to challenge their own assumptions. Experiential is here defined, not as case studies, but peer-controlled or self-controlled (Biggs, 1999) highly (inter)active teaching and learning activities leading to experiential assessments.\nConstructive (mis)alignment, group work and entrepreneurship education: This paper builds on the model proposed by Biggs (2003, p. 27) in which constructive alignment comprises two core elements: constructive: \"what the learner does [...] to construct meaning through relevant learning activities\"; and alignment: \"what the teacher does [...] to set up a learning environment that supports the learning activities appropriate to achieving the desired learning outcomes.\" In adhering to constructive alignment, students construct their own learning, and lecturers/educators align the delivery and assessment to the aims of the course (Biggs, 2003; Biggs and Tang, 2011). Biggs (2003, p. 27) emphasizes that \"the components in the teaching system, especially the teaching methods used and the assessment tasks, are aligned to the learning activities assumed in the intended outcomes.\" As such, this paper builds on, reconceptualizes and refines the concept to consider team-based entrepreneurship education and reflection. It suggests a set of unexpected learning opportunities arising from challenges experienced within team settings through discovering ideas that may lead to creative and entrepreneurial solutions. Indeed, Biggs (1999) earlier explained how students' learning can be enhanced by a combination of higher level engagement (e.g. \"explaining,\" \"relating\" and \"applying\" rather than \"note-taking,\" \"memorizing\" or \"describing\"); and more active student activity, such as experiential approaches and \"problem-based learning (PBL).\" We, therefore, see his later constructive alignment model (Biggs, 2003; Biggs and Tang, 2011) as being totally sympathetic and relevant to experiential approaches to entrepreneurship education. However, Biggs (1999) also explained how the teaching or learning activity could be \"teacher-controlled,\" \"peer-controlled\" or \"self-controlled\" and that influenced the form of learning and assessment. For example, lectures or seminars are generally \"teacher-controlled\" but are didactic in their nature, whereas group work is \"peer-controlled\" and can be highly experiential involving \"elaboration, problem-solving, metacognition\" (Biggs, 1999, p. 68). The performance assessment task of a business ideas group exercise (or a \"practicum\" as Biggs (1999) defines it but involving PBL) (see also Tan and Ng, 2006) and an individual reflective journal), therefore, fits with Biggs' (2003) constructive alignment model. And yet, Biggs (1999, p. 71) defined PBL as \"alignment itself [...] to get students to solve problems they will meet in their professional careers,\" but where \"the problems are carefully selected\" thus addressing content that is similar to more didactive approaches but which involves a distinctive \"nature of the knowledge gained.\" Where this paper adds to Biggs' (2003) subsequent model is that it distinguishes set problems (such as a clearly defined consultancy type task with more certain prescribed outcomes and \"model answers,\" such as planned, prescriptive strategy: e.g choose a model of international market entry) from uncertain, highly risky emergent entrepreneurial ideas that require higher levels of metacognitive function found in higher levels of student engagement. Hence the above-mentioned risk taking, uncertainty and problem solving - and the peer-controlledness of the respective student group work task and the associated assessment -constructive misalignment (Phan, 2009, 2012), the misalignment of learning objectives, teaching and, consequently, assessment outcomes, may explain new forms of relationships between goals and learning outcomes (Phan, 2012).\nMethods: A qualitative analysis of a purposive and convenience sample of reflective journals (comprising both UK and international/Overseas students), an individual assessment element of three full-time entrepreneurship Masters-level courses (courses 1, 2 and 3 each with around 30 students) at a UK university, was adopted in this study to achieve its objectives. The students, who were broadly gender-balanced but with about a quarter from overseas, had enrolled in business school courses and all had business backgrounds, and participated in teams of four to six students. These teams were largely self-selected by the students, but the lecturer encouraged group diversity by integrating overseas and home into the same group, thus avoiding any students from being excluded. Both courses included sessions (delivered by the lead author) that included: the entrepreneurship experiential team ideas generation report; and an individual reflective journal. Students submitted two assessments. First, the 4,000 word team report included: how they identified the entrepreneurship problem; how they found the solution; how they developed a product or service; the strategy; how they would market it and pitch it for possible finance; and \"why it is such a great idea.\" Second, the reflective journal of experiences after the team assessment was completed, had the following brief: \"a 500 word reflective journal, reflecting on your experiences in working in a team and developing the business idea and strategy.\"\nAnalysis part 1: constructive alignment: Five themes, below, emerged from the analysis to indicate constructive alignment of design, delivery and assessment, summarized in Figure 1, where students construct and lecturers align the delivery and assessment to the aims of the course (Biggs, 2003; Biggs and Tang, 2011).\nAnalysis part 2: constructive misalignment: Despite the learning outcomes achieved by constructive alignment, the authors' interest is in the deeper learning and higher levels of student engagement that emerges from constructive misalignment that may highlight new forms of relationships between goals and student learning (Phan, 2012). Building on Biggs' (2003) model of constructive alignment, analysis of the reflective journals demonstrated three significant areas of surprising learning: nonparticipation by other students in the team; language and cultural challenges; different academic standards amongst students in the teams; and some students acting as individuals rather than a member of a team.\nDiscussion: In our content analysis of student reflective journals, constructive alignment (Biggs, 2003; Biggs and Tang, 2011) was clearly observed and also, in these more experiential approaches, is variance - or constructive misalignment (Phan, 2009, 2012) - was also evident. Challenges that may make this approach less effective included nonparticipation or freeriding (as previously explored by Davies, 2009; Gibbs, 2009; Riebe et al., 2016; Willcoxson, 2006), with creative tactics to solve problems (including splitting the group), and language and cultural problems. Although found to be an issue in student teamwork (Mittelmeier et al., 2018; Montgomery, 2009), diversity can nonetheless enable groups to achieve more consistent levels of achievement (Houldsworth and Mathews, 2000). Intended learning opportunities that indicated the effectiveness of the experiential approach were also identified in a constructively aligned course design (Biggs, 2003; Biggs and Tang, 2011) included teamwork in the business idea generation process relating specifically to negotiation, problem-solving, co-operation/collaboration, learning from others' experiences, developing a more optimistic view of groupwork, communicating with those from different backgrounds, learning from individual experiences, opinions, perspectives and ideas, and understanding how to deal with individual strengths and weaknesses.\nConclusion and implications: This paper sought to explain what learning outcomes may emerge from constructive misalignment through experiential learning in team-based experiential entrepreneurship education assessment. Biggs (2003) elucidated the process of constructive alignment in course design (across various teaching and learning activities and their respective assessment tasks), whereas constructive misalignment could, in certain circumstances (e.g. experiential entrepreneurship education), enhance student engagement in learning. The learning outcomes are established by the staff who develop the course and the courses. However, the reflective journals suggest that students place significant value on other learning experiences. In line with Biggs' (1999) consideration of enhancing students learning in terms of higher-level engagement and more active student activity, constructive (mis)alignment of \"peer-controlled\" group work which is essentially metacognitive in nature as a performance assessment task. Therefore, this paper distinguishes set problems from uncertain, highly risky emergent entrepreneurial ideas that require higher levels of metacognitive function found in higher levels of student engagement. Given the limitations of this study's data set, future in-depth research is required based on a more comprehensive research sample. The inferences made from the analysis are much less speculative than other studies, because the students have been quite explicit about their experiences, which are clear from analysis of the reflective journals and, in particular, are evidenced by the selective quotations that have been provided. Nevertheless, the authors would not recommend changing the experiential learning approach without further analysis and critical assessment of constructive misalignment. The lead author, at least, started this research study with the presupposition that an experiential approach was the effective alternative to traditional lecturing approaches to entrepreneurship. Whilst the findings suggest that it is more effective, it is not clear whether it realistically simulates the business ideas generation process and so future research ought to address this aspect.\n", "role": "user" }, { "content": "Purpose: Little is known about how experiential entrepreneurship education approaches contribute toward enhancing the engagement of students in the learning process. Using a purposive and convenience sample of individual student reflective journals, the purpose of this paper is to critically evaluate how the process of constructive misalignment enhances the level of student engagement through a team-based experiential entrepreneurship education assessment.\nDesign/methodology/approach: Data were gathered from a purposive and convenience sample of reflective journals, an individual \"performance assessment\" element of three Masters-level courses (courses 1, 2 and 3) that included an \"active\" group business ideas generation presentation and a report. These texts were analyzed through content analysis that critically evaluates and summarizes the content of data and their messages.\nFindings: While expected learning outcomes included teamwork and communication, the higher levels of active learning and student engagement related to innovation and generating a business idea was much more modest. Rather, the study finds that significant learning opportunities were apparent when students experienced unexpected aspects of constructive misalignment, such as linguistic-cultural challenges, nonparticipation and freeriding.\nOriginality/value: Building on Biggs' (2003) model of constructive alignment in course design and delivery/assessment, this paper elucidates various unexpected and surprising aspects. It suggests that constructive misalignment could provide major learning opportunities for students and is thus more likely in these team contexts where entrepreneurship students experience constructive misalignment. Educators should, therefore, continue to design experiential entrepreneurship courses and their performance assessments through team-based approaches that achieve higher levels of engagement as well as more active learning.\n", "role": "assistant" } ]
Does experiential advertising impact credibility?	[ "Gender", "Advertising", "Credibility", "Experiential marketing" ]	[ { "content": "Summarize the following paper into structured abstract.\n\nIntroduction: \"Since the 2008 crisis, most people do not trust banks anymore and this is a major problem\", said Keith Mestrich, President and CEO of Amalgamated Bank (HuffingtonPost, 2016). According to EY's Global Consumer Banking Survey (2016), consumers have lower levels of trust in traditional banks to fulfil strategic pledges (e.g. to provide unbiased advice). Hence, banks have lost their credibility. Credibility is the believability of an entity's intentions and manifests itself as trustworthiness and expertise (Erdem and Swait, 2004). Credibility is essential in marketing since it minimises the perceived risk towards the brand and increases consumer confidence (Delgado-Ballester and Munuera-Aleman, 2001; Knox, 2004). Consequently, credibility is a strategic imperative for banks because it is a key predicator of advocacy, customer relationship and loyalty (Yeh, 2015). Moreover, Hurley et al. (2014) mentioned that customers will be more disposed to place their trust in banks which they feel care about their welfare. Therefore, banks have to convince customers that their institution always have their best interests at heart and are committed to improving their financial well-being. If banks increase their credibility towards consumers, this will generate positive consequences for both parties, like improving financial health.\nLiterature review: Advertising credibility\nMethodology: Design, sample and data collection\nResults: Reliability and validity of model\nDiscussion and conclusion: General discussion on findings and theoretical contributions\n", "role": "user" }, { "content": "Purpose: The purpose of this paper is to investigate the impact of five dimensions of experiential advertising (cognitive, emotional, sensory, relational and behavioural) on advertising credibility in the banking sector.\nDesign/methodology/approach: A total of 277 undergraduate students were asked to complete a questionnaire after viewing two versions of a bank advertisement. Results were analysed using structural modelling equations (EQS 6.2).\nFindings: Findings show that all dimensions of experiential advertising positively impact advertisement credibility. Cognitive/emotional/sensory advertisements exert the greatest impact, followed by relational and then behavioural advertisements which have only a marginal impact. Post hoc results show that the impact of experiential advertising on advertising credibility varies according to both actor and respondent gender.\nOriginality/value: This study enhances the literature on experiential marketing and credibility, especially banking sector advertising, and provides more in-depth insight into the role of respondent and actor gender in influencing responses. Financial services practitioners would be well advised to devote particular attention to the formulation of experiential strategies when developing advertising campaigns.\n", "role": "assistant" } ]
The effect of COO on retail buyers' propensity to trial new products	[ "Country-of-origin", "International marketing", "Involvement", "Product typicality", "Retail buyer behaviour" ]	[ { "content": "Summarize the following paper into structured abstract.\n\nIntroduction: Numerous research studies have shown that country-of-origin (COO) has a substantial impact on consumers' choice (see Peterson and Jolibert, 1995; Phau and Chao, 2008; Saran and Gupta, 2012). The original concept of COO, reflecting only the actual manufacturing origin, has expanded to include the increasing role of the country of brand as well (Usunier, 2011). The origin of the product represents an important evaluation cue that has become more complex and contradictory. Thus, an ever-growing body of literature is investigating COO relevance in consumers' evaluation, enriching a debate which was born in the 1980s (Bilkey and Nes, 1982; Phau and Chao, 2008).\nRetail buyer behavior models: Historically, research on retail buyers examines the process of buying from more prescriptive/descriptive frameworks including the stages of buying, most of which have been adapted from industrial buying or the consumer literature (Kline and Wagner, 1994; Hansen and Skytte, 1998). Typical models of the retail buyer process are grounded in industrial buying (Varley, 2014, p. 30). Thus, application of the major industrial buying theories such as power/control (Gaski, 1984; Gaski and Nevin, 1985), transaction cost (Williamson, 1979; Williamson, 2010) and relationship marketing (Morgan and Hunt, 1994) was deemed appropriate. These theories have been applied mostly to the retail-vendor relationship, choice or negotiations.\nTheoretical underpinnings of COO: If we presume that retail buyers' decision processes parallel those of the consumer, we must first examine the existing theory of COO at the consumer level. The term COO effect has been defined as \"a specific marketing phenomenon, that is, consumers (sub)consciously incorporating a COO stimulus [...] as an evaluative criterion in their formation of an attitude towards a product\" (Bloemer et al., 2009). In general, three prevalent theories/models are used to identify the mechanisms of COO research at the consumer level: Cue Utilization Theory, ELM and Categorization Theory.\nModerating impact of typicality on COO: Cue Utilization theory suggests that primary cue usage will become nearly automatic as the typicality of the object and the category converge (Shiffrin and Schneider, 1977). Roth and Romeo (1992) and Roth and Diamantopoulos (2009) showed that when a product's origin is typical of a specific country and there is a favorable and strong product-country match, desirability of the product is enhanced. Products that relate more closely to their COO benefit more by forging greater associations in memory and resulting in more likely transfer of COO perceptions to the brand (Thakor and Kohli, 1996; Thakor and Lavack, 2003; Hamzaoui-Essoussi et al., 2011; Saran and Gupta, 2012).\nMethodology: Data collection\nAnalytic methods: It is hypothesized that COO will have a direct impact as well as a moderating effect with product typicality on the willingness of a retail buyer to trial a new product. In addition, Consumer attention to COO is included as a covariate to control for the degree to which retail buyers perceive that consumers attend to the COO. Consumer attention to COO is controlled for as both a direct antecedent and moderating effect on COO. Traditionally, three methods are recommended to test interaction effects in SEM. Using groups by splitting the data at median is typical, but not recommended for continuous variable interactions (Bagozzi et al., 1992). LMS method (Klein and Moosbrugger, 2000) using MPLUS offers an elegant option, but tends to be limited by memory usage and complexity, and it is typically difficult, if not impossible, to find a solution beyond three to four dimensions of integration (as was the case herein). Unfortunately, LMS also is limited in model goodness-of-fit measures available because numerical integration is required. The third typical option involves modeling the interaction effect using product terms of indicators (Bollen, 1989). However, this requires a minimum sample of 300 and recommended sample of 500 for stability; such a sample was beyond the bounds of the current research. Therefore, we adopt a fourth method in which the second order CFA latent values for COO as well as the CFA measures of the latent factors for consumer attention to COO and product typicality are saved from the CFA analysis. The resultant latent factor scores are multiplied to create interactive measure terms (for similar treatment see Gaski, 2012; Magnusson et al., 2015). Then the complete SEM model was computed with these measures.\nResults: Results of the structural parameter estimates and goodness-of-fit indices are reported in Table III. Our results lend strong support to the importance of COO in choice behavior of retail buyers.\nDiscussion: Overall, COO has a strong and positive effect on retail buyers as they trial inventory, both for higher and lower involvement goods. Retail buyers have the responsibility to stock goods that consumers demand, and as the literature clearly demonstrates, COO has a significant impact on consumer behavior.\nManagerial implications: The results of this study have important implications for industry and government. Broadly, our findings suggest that not only do consumers choose and pay for products based on geography, but retailers also make stocking decisions based on COO.\nLimitations and future research: Herein the focus was at a more holistic level to examine the applicability of our hypotheses across the retail industry. As indicated earlier, more Gestalt studies have the advantage of testing the applicability of a theory across the whole population. However, such models also gloss over important differences and distinctions within the population, such as between product sectors within retailing.\n", "role": "user" }, { "content": "Purpose: The purpose of this paper is to theorize country-of-origin (COO) to be important to retail buyers in making purchase decisions. However, this question has not been addressed in the literature and leaves a critical gap in determining how COO ultimately affects consumer purchase options.\nDesign/methodology/approach: Retail buyer behavior is empirically tested with both premium and value brands from Italy. A sample retail buyers was taken from a LexisNexis database and provided 205 completed surveys. Construct scales were taken from existing literature and tested using composite reliability. SEM was used to analyze the data.\nFindings: Results showed that retail buyers are affected by COO; that low involvement purchases are not differentially affected compared to high involvement; product typicality enhances likelihood of purchase and this typicality is more important for high involvement goods.\nPractical implications: Retail buyers are affected by COO and will make product choices for their stores accordingly. Companies should be aware of this and take it into consideration to strengthen their acceptance by retail buyers. Trade organizations within countries may consider advertising approaches to distinguish themselves and stimulate positive COO among retail buyers.\nOriginality/value: This is the first time that retail buyer behavior has been studied with regard to COO effects using consumer models. Results showed that use of these models is more appropriate than only using industrial buying models. Retail buyers are found to indeed be affected by COO, which in turn influence buying choices for consumers and offerings from retailers.\n", "role": "assistant" } ]
What drives continuous improvement project success in healthcare?	[ "Continuous quality improvement", "Employee involvement", "Critical success factors", "Quality improvement", "Organizational change", "Lean thinking" ]	[ { "content": "Summarize the following paper into structured abstract.\n\nIntroduction: Continuous improvement (CI) is a lean process improvement principle. In lean, the goal is to maximize client benefit by reducing elements detrimental to service aims. Actions that maximize client benefit are seen as value adding; those detrimental are seen as waste. In most CI projects, the objective is to identify and recommend lean process improvements and to create plans to sustain changes that maximize value. In healthcare environments, these projects are successful if they lead to changes that permanently improve service quality and patient outcomes.\nMethodology: Our research was conducted at a not-for-profit, community-run, 48-bed hospital that serves a mostly rural population. The hospital offers employee training, with an opportunity for successful students to help train lean course members. All projects used A3 reports as the final project deliverable. An A3 report concisely presents a problem, analysis, proposed solutions, and plans for sustainable improvements and all information is presented on a single A3 sized sheet. Trainees who expressed common interest in a problem were assigned to a project group. There is little longitudinal research on Kaizen success and sustainability through individual change, so the research team used: qualitative (open ended); quantitative (Likert scale) survey, and project A3 reports to investigate the relationships outlined in Figure 2. We investigated nine independent variables (Table III) and their effect on four dependent variables.\nDiscussion: Results suggest that participants perceived that CI projects had a positive impact on the hospital we studied. Participants appeared to understand the change drivers, accept the change process and to have been prepared for potential outcomes. However, managerial and other administrative and financial limitations appeared to limit project team effectiveness. Mean participant responses were 4.8 for attitude, with responses ranging from 3.33 to 6; 4.89 for KSA, with responses ranging from 3.71 to 6, and 4.7 for impact on area, with responses ranging from 3 to 6. The average participants had worked on between two and three documented and seven undocumented CI projects. Most respondents (93 percent) reported noticeable improvements in their work-relevant, problem-solving capabilities. Interestingly, there was no clear link between the way participants perceived project impact and improvement and actual project implementation. Financial constraints beyond the project team's control often prevented full implementation. This observation mirrors extant findings that morale and financial managerial support is an important prerequisite for Kaizen success (Farris et al., 2008; Glover et al., 2011). It is also interesting that participants rated staff, who were often directly affected by the change, as a positive aspect (75 percent positive comments) in contrast with MS (50 percent negative comments). Negative comments were often related to poor communication. A similar result was also seen in ACC (96 percent positive). Participants were largely involved in projects that either affected their work area or projects in which they were interested. Regression analysis supports this finding, showing that ACC significantly predicts all outcome variables. ACC accounts for 40 percent of the variation in how employees felt about the project. The variable was also related to how employees perceive project impact and task KSA. This finding supports recent suggestions by Mirdad and Eseonu (2015b) that employee engagement and buy-in are pre-requisites for any change attempt.\nImplications for healthcare quality professionals: Results suggest that CI success depends on the extent to which employees understand and are committed to a change. Managers can improve project success by involving employees who are directly affected by proposed changes. It is important to have voices from other departments or functions that are indirectly affected by the change. This cross-functional view increases organizational representativeness and allows CI teams to consider how their proposals might affect activities beyond the tasks being improved. Results also show that managerial support is a prerequisite for real and perceived project success. Managerial involvement and constructive feedback are characteristics associated with double-loop learning behavior. While participants were motivated, there were breakdowns in communication and poor managerial support. For instance, participants were not informed that only a few projects would be implemented and that most projects were meant as training exercises. This poor communication reduced motivation for involvement in future CI projects.\n", "role": "user" }, { "content": "Purpose: The purpose of this paper is to present findings from a study of factors that affect continuous improvement (CI) project success in hospitals.\nDesign/methodology/approach: Quantitative regression analysis was performed on Likert scale survey responses. Qualitative thematic analysis was performed on open-ended survey responses and written reports on CI projects.\nFindings: The paper identifies managerial and employee factors that affect project success. These factors include managerial support, communication, and affective commitment. Affective commitment is the extent to which employees perceive the change as being needed or necessary.\nPractical implications: The results highlight how managerial decisions, approaches to communication - including communication before, during and after CI projects affect project success. The results also show that success depends on the way employees perceive proposed changes. This suggests the need for a more individualized approach to CI, lean, and broader change initiatives.\nOriginality/value: This research is the first to fuse project success and sustainability theory to CI projects, beyond Kaizen events, in healthcare environments. The research is particularly important at a time when healthcare organizations are required to make rapid changes with limited resources as they work toward outcome-based assessment and reimbursement rules.\n", "role": "assistant" } ]
How does online doctor-patient interaction affect online consultation and offline medical treatment?	[ "Service quality", "Justice theory", "Halo effect", "EHealth", "Doctor–patient interaction", "Online consultation" ]	[ { "content": "Summarize the following paper into structured abstract.\n\n1. Introduction: eHealth has become an emerging industry. eHealth refers to electronic health information and services obtained through the internet, such as internet technology and mobile media (Eysenbachand Diepgen, 2001). These services allow patients to use the internet, for example, through blogs, forums, online communities, patient-physician communication systems and other advanced systems, to acquire health support. More than 5,000 health care-related applications or software are available worldwide (AppleChina, 2017). For example, Chunyu Yisheng (Spring Rain Doctor) is a widely used health care service platform in China with more than 300,000 doctors and 86m patients (Chunyu Yisheng, 2017). In 2016, the market revenue of online healthcare services increased and reached RMB 22.3bn (iResearch, 2016).\n2. Literature review: 2.1 Performance-evaluation-outcome framework\n3. Research model and hypotheses: 3.1 Performance\n4. Methodology: 4.1 Instrument development\n5. Results: 5.1 Common method bias\n6. Discussion: The results of the study show that the four dimensions of procedural justice, informational justice, interpersonal justice and distributive justice positively affect overall perceived justice. This is in line with the previous research on justice theory (Chiu et al., 2010). Chiu et al. (2010) examined the influence of overall perceived justice on customer purchase intentions in the context of bidding, but this study explores that perceived justice is adapted to the context of online consultation. The four dimensions form the overall justice of the online experience, but they are not highly correlated.\n7. Conclusions and limitations: This study aims to investigate factors that influence the patients' intentions to visit doctors face-to-face for consultations from the perspective of online doctor-patient interaction. The research model integrates the justice theory, service quality and the halo effect. The results show that the stronger the patients' intentions are to use online consultation, the stronger their intentions are to use a face-to-face consultation. Their online and offline behavioral intentions are influenced by patient satisfaction. Patient satisfaction is influenced by perceived justice and service quality. With the rapid growth of online consultation platforms, current research is dedicated to enriching the eHealth literature and serves as the basis for future investigations. Based on our results, the performance-evaluation-outcome framework is suitable for discussing the entire process from online consultation to face-to-face consultation. Future studies are encouraged to use the framework and the proposed model to investigate multiple channels of consumer behaviors.\n", "role": "user" }, { "content": "Purpose: The purpose of this paper is to investigate factors that influence the patients' intentions to visit doctors face-to-face for consultations from the perspective of online doctor-patient interaction. Justice theory, SERVQUAL and the halo effect are integrated to develop a research model based on the performance-evaluation-outcome framework. The authors hypothesize that perceived justice and service quality are the significant factors in reflecting the performance of online doctor-patient interaction, which influences patient satisfaction evaluation and online and offline behavioral intentions.\nDesign/methodology/approach: The study conducted an online survey to collect data. Patients on a healthcare consulting website were invited to participate in the survey. The research model and hypotheses were tested with 254 collected data from patients and analyzed using the partial least squares method.\nFindings: The results show that perceived justice and service quality have a positive effect on patient satisfaction, and satisfaction and the intention of online consultation have a positive effect on the intention of face-to-face consultation.\nPractical implications: This study offers suggestions on how doctors interact with patients and build their brand image. The findings also offer effective insights into improving doctors' online services to retain patients and even encourage patients to go to clinics.\nOriginality/value: Online health consultation is one of the most popular online health services and is growing quickly. After patients consult online doctors, they are able to visit their doctors in person for further diagnosis and treatment if they have the need. This study investigates how patients' online interactive experience influences their offline behavioral intentions, which are different from most of the past literature on eHealth.\n", "role": "assistant" } ]
Consumer segmentation based on health-related motive orientations and fruit and vegetable consumption	[ "Fruits and vegetables", "Fruit and vegetable consumption", "Health-related motive orientations", "Segmentation", "Product attributes" ]	[ { "content": "Summarize the following paper into structured abstract.\n\n1. Introduction: Despite their numerous health benefits, the consumption of fruits and vegetables is below recommended levels in Western European countries (Eurostat, 2016; Naska et al., 2000; Verbeke and Pieniak, 2006; World Health Organization, 2005, 2009). In Europe, intake levels largely vary across countries. More than a third (34.4 per cent) of the EU population aged 15 or older did not eat fruits and vegetables on a daily basis, while less than 15 per cent consumed at least five portions per day, as promoted by the EU-wide \"5 a day\" campaign, following the daily recommended 400 grams by the World Health Organisation (Eurostat, 2016).\n2. Materials and methods: 2.1 Study design and measures\n3. Results: 3.1 Cluster identification\n4. Discussion: 4.1 Segmentation\n", "role": "user" }, { "content": "Purpose: More tailored interventions and campaigns are needed to increase fruit and vegetable consumption to recommended levels. The purpose of this paper is to explore which consumer groups exist based on both their fruit and vegetable consumption level and their health-related motive orientations (HRMO), and to compare the revealed consumer clusters regarding their fruit and vegetable product attribute importance.\nDesign/methodology/approach: In the Netherlands an online panel survey was carried out resulting in 1,296 respondents. The clusters based on HRMO and fruit and vegetable intake are profiled with respect to demographics and product attribute importance.\nFindings: Cluster analysis revealed six homogeneous consumer clusters with different HRMO and fruit and vegetable consumption levels. In addition, these clusters show a different socio-demographic profile and differ in their importance ratings of fruit and vegetable product attributes.\nPractical implications: The results show that health is a multidimensional construct suggesting that there is a need for addressing health in interventions and campaigns in a more tailored approach.\nOriginality/value: This study shows that the combination of both usage- and psychographic segmentation variables provide valuable and interesting information that give insights in addressing different target groups. Moreover, this study elaborates on previous research by showing that health is a multidimensional construct and that Dutch consumers differ in their HRMO.\n", "role": "assistant" } ]
Towards a governance approach to determinants of reseller management success	[ "Case studies", "Governance", "Channel relationships", "Channel management" ]	[ { "content": "Summarize the following paper into structured abstract.\n\n1. Introduction: In mature business-to-business (B2B) product markets, sales channels have received increasing attention as determinants of business performance (Sharma and Mehrotra, 2007; Rosenbloom, 2007; Jiang et al, 2011). These issues can be divided into two main categories: sales channel strategy (which channels to use) and sales channel management (how to manage the sales channels used) (Anderson et al., 1997). Consistency in the management of the incentives, support and communication with external (i.e. third-party) sales channels represents a major challenge for many companies.\n2. Governance perspectives to sales channel management: A governance perspective to business-related phenomena entails taking economics-influenced theories of the firm and relating them to the governance of organizational relationships (Heide, 1994). According to meta-theoretical analyses of the governance perspective (Foss, 2000; Parvinen, 2003), combining the explanatory power of different governance theoretical perspectives yields a more holistic picture of any issue concerning the organization of economic activity with behavioural tendencies and related microeconomic imperfections. Sales channel relationships, as vertical, heavily incentivized, networked and economic relationships are a perfect area of application.\n3. Theoretical integration: governance-intensive issues in sales channel management: While the topic of sales channel management and partnering with resellers has grown increasingly important (McQuiston, 2001; Weber, 2001), and some details have been studied extensively (e.g. Gilliland, 2004; Jorgensen et al., 2000), there is a lack of studies synthesizing these results in different business settings and linking them to a theoretical background.\n4. Methodology: 4.1 Research design\n5. Discussion and implications: Overall, the literature review showed that a multi-theory framework offers a wide and a more holistic perspective to sales channel management than single theories used in many previous works (Celly and Frazier, 1996; Gilliland, 2004; Jorgensen et al., 2000). Consequently, the framework constructed in this study contributes to the literature by offering a governance perspective to study sales channel management. Moreover, the synthesis of the existing sales channel management literature brings together all the major success factors in managing existing external sales channels. The factors were found to be incentives, support, communication and information flows and process management, supported by both governance theories and previous sales channel management literature. Next, key findings and their implications are discussed.\n", "role": "user" }, { "content": "Purpose: In mature global business-to-business (B2B) product markets, management of external sales channels, governed by contractual relationships, is a key determinant of business performance. However, existing sales channel management literature lacks focus on contractual governance and reseller management success. The purpose of the study is to systematically review different governance theories in relation to sales channel management and to show which factors are the most influential in making or keeping external sales channels effective.\nDesign/methodology/approach: A case study on a large B2B information and communication technology (ICT) company is used to reflect on the way the different theoretical governance perspectives explain sales channel management success. Interviews and mini-questionnaires were used to collect data.\nFindings: Expressions of interdependence and equality alongside persevered personal relationships are important in managing daily business activities and in avoiding bad will at the reseller's grass-root level. Future-oriented planning, long-term-oriented support and jointly set incentive systems are important for reseller management. Degree of professional management sets resellers apart through shifts in power balance.\nResearch limitations/implications: A multi-theory governance perspective offers a holistic view over reseller management and provides a comprehensive view over different sales channel management issues and their relative importance.\nPractical implications: The findings highlight the importance of long-term orientation and cooperation in setting up a reseller management system to gain and nurture distributors' trust and commitment towards the manufacturer.\nOriginality/value: The study is the first to comprehensively use governance perspective in studying reseller management.\n", "role": "assistant" } ]
Extraction, characterization and utilization of rice bran protein concentrate for biscuit making	[ "Defatted rice bran", "Rice bran protein concentrate", "Protein‐enriched biscuits", "Functional properties", "Sensory quality", "Food products", "Proteins" ]	[ { "content": "Summarize the following paper into structured abstract.\n\nIntroduction: Protein fortification of food is of current interest because of government guidelines and policies across the globe to combat protein energy malnutrition. In the developing countries like India, the problem of protein calorie malnutrition is a widespread serious problem. Various attempts have been made by several workers to enrich the diet of the people with new food formulations using different protein sources. Protein is the key ingredients in many food products which contributes the nutritional value, flavor and other important functional properties to food system (Giese, 1994). Rice bran is an under utilized milling by product of rough rice and has high nutritional value with 12-15 per cent protein content, higher than any other portion of the rice kernel. Rice bran is also considered as a source of hypoallergenic protein and dietary fiber (Abdul-Hamid and Luan, 2000). Rice bran meal has been utilized to produce protein isolates and respective protein hydrolysates for potential application in various food products. The protein efficiency ratio values reported for bran protein generally range from 1.6 to 1.9 compared to a casein value of 2.5. The digestibility of protein in rice bran is reported to be around 73 per cent (Saunders, 1990).The procedures for extracting protein from rice bran must be carefully selected to produce protein concentrates and isolates with desirable functional properties (Gnanasambandam and Hettiarachchy, 1995) because the extensive network of disulfide bonding and aggregation renders much of the rice bran protein insoluble in ordinary aqueous solvents such as salt, alcohol and acids (Hamada, 1997). Various approaches have been used to enhance the protein value of rice bran. These include dry milling of bran followed by air classification, isolation of protein by precipitation at the isoelectric point and separation of protein by enzyme treatment (Prakash and Ramanatham, 1994). Alkaline extraction procedures are normally used to prepare protein concentrates from rice bran.Earlier work on the development of protein enriched biscuits involved addition of mustard protein concentrate and cottonseed protein isolate (Rajput et al., 1988), mustard flour (Tyagi et al., 2007), sorghum (Rao and Shurpalekar, 1976; Rao et al., 1984), soyabean (Singh et al., 2000; Gandhi et al., 2001) fenugreek flour (Hooda and Jood, 2005), skim milk powder (Rao et al., 1984), sodium caseinate (Bassi and De, 1973; Gallagher et al., 2005) and whey protein concentrate (Gallagher et al., 2005; Narender et al., 2007). Attempts have been made by James et al. (1989) to utilize rice bran with soy as a protein supplements in cookies and reported the improvement in quality of cookies in protein content. Prakash and Ramanathan (1995) used rice bran protein concentrate (RBPC) in weaning food based on either with rice flour or green gram flour and reported significant improvement in protein content and protein efficiency ratio. Sadawarte et al. (2007) and Jiamyangyuen et al. (2005a) used RBPC in bread and reported significant increase in protein content.Although the nutritional potential of rice bran has been recognized, at present rice bran protein concentrates and isolates are not commercially available. A group of researchers (Wang et al., 1999; Gnanasambandam and Hettiarachchy, 1995; Bera and Mukherjee, 1989) was able to prepare rice bran protein concentrate and propose potential use as a food protein ingredient due to its emulsifying and foaming properties. Even though rice bran is a by-product produced in large quantity, its application in food products have not been widely studied and published. The objective of the present investigation was extraction, characterization and utilization of the rice bran protein concentrate (RBPC) in biscuits to upgrade the nutritional quality of biscuits.\nMaterials and methods: Defatted rice bran was collected from Ganesh Solvent Extraction Plant, Sirsa. The raw materials such as refined wheat flour, hydrogenated vegetable oil, sugar, and milk (Vita) were purchased from the local market of Sirsa and stored at room temperature until use.Extraction of rice bran protein concentrate\nResults and discussion: Chemical composition of defatted rice bran and RBPC\nConclusion: Protein-enriched biscuits can be prepared by incorporating RBPC up to 10 per cent in the formulation without affecting sensory quality adversely. Addition of RBPC improved the protein content of biscuits at all levels of substitution. There was a two-fold increase in protein content of biscuits with the incorporation of 15 per cent RBPC. More studies should be conducted to investigate the possibility of using RBPC as an ingredient in other food products in order to increase applications of such value-added food ingredient.\n", "role": "user" }, { "content": "Purpose: - The purpose of this paper is to study the utilization of the rice bran protein concentrate (RBPC) in biscuits to upgrade the nutritional quality.\nDesign/methodology/approach: - Extraction of rice bran protein concentrate (RBPC) from defatted rice bran was standardized using alkali extraction method. Defatted rice bran and RBPC were analyzed for their proximate composition. RBPC was analyzed for its bulk density, foaming capacity (FC), emulsion activity (EA), and water and oil absorption capacity. RBPC was incorporated in biscuits at 5, 10 and 15 per cent levels. The biscuits were analyzed for their physicochemical, fracture strength (texture analyzer) and sensory attributes (nine-point hedonic scale) to assess their acceptability.\nFindings: - The maximum yield of 13.2 per cent for RBPC was obtained at alkaline pH of 11, temperature of 60degC and extraction time of 60 minutes. The bulk density, foaming capacity, emulsifying ability, water and oil absorption capacity of RBPC were 0.4 g/ml, 11 per cent, 40 per cent, 2.9 ml/g and 2.3 ml/g respectively. The protein content of biscuits increased significantly from 7.3 per cent in control biscuits to 15.4 per cent in the 15 per cent RBPC supplemented biscuits with their fracture strength also significantly higher than the control biscuits (p<0.05). Replacement of refined wheat flour up to 10 per cent RBPC produced protein-enriched biscuits with desirable overall acceptability.\nOriginality/value: - Rice bran protein concentrate can be beneficially utilized to formulate protein enriched biscuits with enhanced nutritional value especially for malnourished or undernourished people.\n", "role": "assistant" } ]
Determinants of academic law libraries' use, collections, and services among the faculty members: a case study of University of Peshawar	[ "Pakistan", "Academic law libraries", "Khyber Pakhtunkhwa", "Law faculty members", "University of Peshawar", "Users studies" ]	[ { "content": "Summarize the following paper into structured abstract.\n\n1. Introduction: Academic law libraries play an important role in the promotion of legal education. They devote a large portion of their budgets to creating and maintaining collections, services and facilities (Lenz and Wohl, 2008) and play critically an important role in supporting the work of legal scholars (Prager, 2004). These libraries are the repositories of distinctive collections of legal information which are developed and arranged for the users' community. The scope of the collection and services offered by academic law libraries depend very much on the host organization. Academic law libraries exist primarily to support the teaching and research of the academic institution to which they are attached (Feather and Sturges, 2003). The Online Dictionary of Library and Information Science (ODLIS) defines the law library as:\n2. Review of literature: This paper briefly reviews studies conducted on the determinants of library use, collections and services of law libraries; however, it also includes other different studies dealing with the same variables. Some of the relevant studies in chronological order are as follows:\n3. Objectives of the study: The main objectives of this study were to:\n4. Methodology: To achieve the objectives of the study, a survey research method was used. Data were collected through a structured questionnaire from the target population. The target group of the study was the teaching faculty of the Law College and 18 law colleges, affiliated with the University of Peshawar. The list of affiliated law colleges (Appendix 1) was obtained from the academic section, University of Peshawar. To determine the population of the study, the official record of the academic section, University of Peshawar was used as a sampling frame for this research. As per the existing data, there are 128 faculty members teaching in these law colleges. A random sampling technique was used, and 100 law faculty members were chosen through the lottery method for the study. The size of the sample taken was quite large, so that the formalities of identification can be assisted. This method has been adopted by Hussain and Abalkhail (2013) and Kumar et al. (2010) in their studies. Moreover, this was done with to obtain result-oriented findings and make inferences generally.\n5. Data analysis and interpretation: 5.1 Employment status and qualification of the respondents\n6. Discussions of the findings: The users who frequently visit the library can be assumed that they use the library to the maximum level when compared with those users who visit the library occasionally or rarely. It is generally assumed among the professional librarians' community that the effectiveness of the library collection can be judged from the visit frequencies of the users' community. The study revealed that the majority (22, 27.6 per cent) of the respondents visited their college libraries on a daily/regular basis for the issue and return of books and reading newspapers. However, a trend of low library usage was observed among the law faculty members (Figure 2).\n7. Suggestions: This study suggests that law colleges libraries should arrange proper information literacy programs to inform users and make them familiar with the sources, resources and facilities available in the libraries.\n8. Conclusion: Results of the study indicate that the usage, collections and services of law libraries were rated by the respondents as somewhat \"satisfactory\". The usage of HEC digital library and electronic resources among the law faculty members is very low. The reason behind this is that access to HEC digital library and online electronic resources is only available to the constituent Law College of the University of Peshawar via the University Internet Protocols, while the rest have no such facility. This study suggests that the authorities of the law colleges, library professionals and University administration should concentrate on this issue and take solid initiatives to provide access to electronic resources to all the affiliated law colleges via the HEC digital library.\n", "role": "user" }, { "content": "Purpose: The purpose of this paper is to examine the determinants of academic law libraries' use, collections and services among the faculty members of the University of Peshawar, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan.\nDesign/methodology/approach: Keeping in view the objectives of the study, a survey based on a well-structured questionnaire was designed to collect data about law libraries' usage, collection and services from the faculty members of 19 law colleges, including Law College, University of Peshawar, and 18 affiliated law colleges situated in the different geographical location of the province of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan.\nFindings: Results of the study indicate that most of the faculty members use law libraries for the issue and return of books and consult textbooks for their teaching and other academic activities. The overall results show the usage, collections and services of law libraries as somehow satisfactory.\nResearch limitations/implications: The scope of this paper covers constituent college of the University of Peshawar and its 18 affiliated law colleges (Total 19), and the geographical area is restricted to the province of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. The scope of this paper can be extended to additional private and public sector universities in Pakistan, as well as abroad.\nOriginality/value: There are number of studies on the usage, collections and different library services, but this study is the first of its kind in Pakistan, specifically focusing on academic law libraries at a provincial level. This study will pave way to fulfill the demands of law faculty members and legal practitioners teaching in the legal institution of Pakistan.\n", "role": "assistant" } ]
The impact of supply chain relationship dynamics on manufacturing performance	[ "Supplier relations", "Performance management", "Ireland", "Electronic engineering" ]	[ { "content": "Summarize the following paper into structured abstract.\n\nIntroduction: Empirical research in the area of supply chain (SC) relationships has primarily sought to explain the nature of relationship processes rather than their effect on manufacturing or business performance (Styles and Ambler, 2000). As a result, there is a considerable body of work focusing on the interaction between the various dimensions of SC relationships (such as trust, commitment, adaptation, communication and collaboration) but far less on the impact of SC relationship dimensions on manufacturing performance. In contrast, there is a considerable body of empirical research that has examined the impact of manufacturing practices on manufacturing performance (Ferdows and De Meyer, 1990; Pearson et al., 1995; Voss et al., 1995; Ahmed et al., 1996; Flynn et al., 1999; Lau, 1999; Cua et al., 2001). Accordingly, this paper posits the following research question:RQ1.=How do the dynamics of SC relationships impact on manufacturing performance?The remainder of this paper is structured as follows: first, we first review the theoretical context and outline our hypotheses; second, we describe our methodology: third we develop and test a model of SC relationships and manufacturing performance; fourth, we reflect on the implications of our study and conclude with some suggestions for future research.\nTheoretical background and hypotheses: Researchers have used a number of different theoretical frameworks in order to explain the nature of SC relationships. These include transaction cost theory, political economy theory, social exchange theory and resource dependence theory (Robicheaux and Coleman, 1994). These theoretical frameworks have all contributed to the modelling of SC relationships both in their identification of the underlying dimensions of relationships and their selection of appropriate units of analysis (such as firm, dyad or network). In addition, different but complementary streams of research have appeared in the somewhat diverse areas of industrial and business-to-business marketing, channel management, relationship marketing, operations management, supply chain management, logistics and purchasing. They include the IMP (Industrial Marketing and Purchasing Group) Interaction Model, Network Models, Channel Models, Process Models and Partnership Models. The primary focus of these approaches has been on the nature of relationship processes rather than the effect of relationships on manufacturing or business performance. We wish to address this gap in the context of the sequence of how relationships evolve and their impact (if any) on manufacturing performance.According to Dwyer et al. (1987), relationships evolve through five general phases:1. Awareness;2. Exploration;3. Expansion;4. Commitment; and5. Dissolution (which we do not include for the purpose of this study).We now use this framework to develop our conceptual model of SC dynamics as follows. Awareness refers to A's recognition that B is a feasible exchange partner; however, interaction between the parties has not yet transpired. Exploration refers to the search and trial phase in relational exchange and communication is a key feature of this phase. Communication is \"the formal as well as informal sharing of meaningful and timely information between firms\" (Anderson and Narus, 1990, p. 44). Frequent and timely communication is important because it assists in resolving disputes and aligning perceptions and expectations (Morgan and Hunt, 1994). Effective communication is therefore essential for successful relationships (Monczka et al., 1995). There are three aspects of communication behaviour that are important in relationships: the quality of the communication, the form of information sharing and the extent to which both parties jointly engage in planning and goal setting (Mohr and Nevin, 1990). Expansion is the next phase in relationship development and refers to the continual increase in benefits obtained by exchange partners. With increased communication, parties begin to establish trust. Trust has been defined as \"the firm's belief that another company will perform actions that will result in positive actions for the firm, as well as not take unexpected actions that would result in negative outcomes for the firm\" (Anderson and Narus, 1990, p. 45). Assuming the relationship continues to develop and communication increases, the level of trust between both parties will grow (Anderson and Narus, 1990). Formally, this gives:H1.=Communication has a positive effect on trust.Commitment is the next phase of relationship development and refers to an implicit or explicit pledge of relational continuity between exchange partners. Communication and trust continue to grow during this phase leading to increased co-operation and goal congruence. Increasing levels of trust reduce the specification and monitoring of contracts, reduce uncertainty and provide material incentives for co-operation (Hill, 1990). This co-operation includes collaboration on matters such as quality, product and process design, information systems and value analysis. Once trust is established, both parties learn that coordinated joint efforts will lead to outcomes that exceed what either would have achieved acting independently. This gives:H2.=Trust has a positive effect on co-operation.The co-operation which arises from the presence of trust during the expansion phase now begins to impact on the commitment phase. As the relationship develops and expectations continue to grow, the parties begin to bond themselves in such way as to encourage their continued investment in the relationship (i.e. they become committed). Such bonding is frequently by way of exchanging transaction specific investments (or adaptation). Williamson (1983) argues that the exchange of transaction-specific investments (or adaptation) results from both increased trust and co-operation that gives credibility of commitment to the relationship. This gives:H3.=Trust has a positive effect on adaptation (transaction-specific investments).H4.=Co-operation has a positive effect on adaptation (transaction-specific investments).Adaptation is frequently bilateral in nature. Suppliers adapt to the needs of specific important customers and customers adapt to the capabilities of specific suppliers (Heide and John, 1988). Adaptations are important for a number of reasons. First, they can represent considerable investments by one or both parties. Second, they may be of critical importance for the conduct of business. Third, the investments frequently cannot be transferred to other SC relationships. Adaptations can have significant consequences on the long-term performance because they enhance the competencies and attractiveness of a particular supplier/customer. More specifically, adaptation involving process and product design, value analysis, cost targeting and design of quality control and delivery systems can directly impact on the key manufacturing performance variables: cost, quality, flexibility and delivery (Heide and John, 1990). In other words:H5.=Adaptation has a positive effect on cost.H6.=Adaptation has a positive effect on quality.H7.=Adaptation has a positive effect on flexibility.H8.=Adaptation has a positive effect on delivery.Figure 1 shows our conceptual model in a structural equation model operationalising framework.\nMethodology: Survey instrument\nAnalysis and findings: Descriptive statistics\nDiscussion and implications: We reflect on our results with regard to first, SC relationship dynamics and second, the effect of SC dynamics on manufacturing performance. Using Dwyer et al.'s (1987) relationship development process incorporating the sequential phases of awareness, exploration, expansion and commitment we developed a conceptual framework which posited that the initial activity in relationship development was communication. As communication grows in terms of frequency and intensity, trust develops which in turn leads to increased co-operation and adaptation. Our analysis provides empirical support for this sequence of events in relationship development. In addition, our results are consistent with previous studies that have focussed on specific phases of relationship development such as communication-trust (Anderson and Narus, 1990), trust-co-operation (Styles and Ambler, 2000), and co-operation-adaptation (Wilson and Mummalaneni, 1986). Our findings are also consistent with those of Humphries and Wilding (2003).The managerial implications in respect of SC relationship dynamics are that firms need to identify at what stage they are at in terms of relationship development and act accordingly. As with personal relationships, the process of forming and developing SC relationships can be complex and requires firms to be competent in areas such as negotiation skills, conflict management, anticipating problems/finding solutions in advance and joint problem-solving. Managers can monitor and measure relationship building using a staged model that covers awareness, exploration, expansion and commitment. The selection and training of such managers should be driven by the need to find individuals who not only possess supply chain management skills but also relational competencies and an extensive personal network (or the ability to develop one). Recognising that SC relationships are close, trusting and requiring investment is a different perspective from viewing them for the purposes of manipulation. However, the development and nurturing of these skills is still at a relatively low level in respect of our study population. Indeed, training and development programmes in the electronics sector still focus on skills such as sales training rather than relationship management (Fynes and Ainamo, 1998).Our findings in respect of the relationship between the dynamics of SC relationships and manufacturing performance are more mixed. More specifically, our findings suggest that adaptation (or investment in transaction-specific investments) leads to an improvement in product quality (H5) and a reduction in product cost (H6) but has no effect on flexibility (H7) or delivery performance (H8). In this regard it is useful to think of quality efforts as reducing variance while flexibility efforts accommodate variance (Jayaram et al., 1999). For example, if managing the dynamics of a relationship are focused on achieving very high conformance to specifications, it can be more difficult to achieve performance on flexibility dimensions such as rapidly accommodating a sudden increase in demand (volume flexibility) or frequent or rapid changes in the product mix (variety flexibility). Accommodating these sources of variation can be more challenging when conformance standards are higher and managers are highly focused on achieving them as compared to when quality standards are lower. This could also explain the lack of support for H8 (delivery) as accommodating variance is critical here also.What then are the implications of our study for the understanding manufacturing performance? The nature of the relationship between measures of manufacturing performance has been addressed by two dominant theories: the cumulative or \"sandcone\" theory and the \"trade-off\" theory. The \"sandcone\" theory, as developed by Ferdows and De Meyer (1990) is based on the proposition that competencies are cumulative rather than mutually exclusive. They suggest that lasting improvements in performance always involve the same sequence of first quality improvement, followed by dependability, speed and finally cost efficiency. Our findings provide only partial support for this theory with respect to quality and cost. In contrast, our model is more aligned with Skinner's (1969) \"trade-off\" theory. This theory is based on the proposition that trade-offs between measures of manufacturing performance occur because factories are technology-based systems which are limited in what they can do with their equipment, materials, information systems and management systems. As a result, trade-offs will occur. Our findings support this view. In this regard, Skinner (1992, p. 21) argues that trade-offs are dynamic and notes that \"in many technologically-based relationships between outcomes, generally called trade-offs, the variables may run in parallel or counter to one another at different levels of amplitude\". How the changing dynamics of a SC relationship impact on this is an interesting avenue for future research.Finally, the items used to measure adaptation (see Appendix) primarily reflect an emphasis on adapting production processes and tooling to match the requirements of the customer. It is not surprising that that such adaptations lead to improvements by reducing variation and improving quality. As a result, the cost of poor quality is reduced and the firm becomes more cost competitive. On the other hand, it would appear that investment in transaction-specific investments has no effect on flexibility or delivery performance. This may very well be explained by the fact that none of the items used to measure adaptation had an explicit delivery/flexibility dimension. As such, the construct items could be expanded to include such dimensions in future studies.\nLimitations and future research: The limitations associated with this study primarily relate to the use of the focal or \"most important\" customer and reliance on supplier perceptions of SC relationships. Using the concept of the focal customer has a number of disadvantages. First, the approach assumes the existence of a single focal relationship whereas, in practice, a company may have a selection of equally important customer relationships that influence one another. Second, there might not necessarily be a uniform perception within a supplier company as to which customer is the most important. Hence, using a single key informant could produce some bias in our study. Third, respondents were not given a specific set of criteria on which to base their selection of a focal customer relationship in our study; instead, they were asked to respond with respect to their \"most important customer relationship\". This approach was adopted so as to facilitate a flexible interpretation of the term \"most important\". Equally, however, such flexibility can give rise to bias if respondents used a wide variety of ways to define \"most important\".Relying on supplier perceptions of analysis is also a limitation. It can be argued that the perceptions of relationship in our study are somewhat one-sided in that they represent the views of just one party and ignore the views of customers. This limitation implicitly suggests a significantly different research design based on the relationship dyad (in itself, not without difficulties in terms of sample size, dyad access, confidentiality and accuracy of response).As is often the case, longitudinal research could provide valuable contributions to theory development and refinement in the fields of SC relationships. There is a significant temporal dimension to how buyer-seller relationships develop. Accordingly, tracking the development of SC relationships could help clarify cause and effect relationships between variables. A research design, described by Anderson (1995) as \"cross-sectional research which is longitudinal in character\" presents a potentially interesting approach to data collection in this regard. This involves identifying critical indicators of each stage of SC relationship development from a set of relationship dyads at pre-ordained points in time. These critical indicators could then be used as a basis on which to separate the relationships into those that are at similar stages of development. These sub-samples could then be analysed separately, and the effects of temporal constructs assessed empirically. Empirical studies of the customer's perspective would complement and add to the findings of this study. Finally, future research could examine issues such as customer perceptions of the dimensions of nature of SC relationships and manufacturing performance.\n", "role": "user" }, { "content": "Purpose: - The purpose of this paper is to investigate how the dynamics of supply chain (SC) relationships impact on manufacturing performance.\nDesign/methodology/approach: - A conceptual framework was developed incorporating dimensions of SC relationship dynamics and manufacturing performance. Structural equation modelling was used to test the model with data collected using a postal questionnaire from 200 suppliers in the electronics sector in the Republic of Ireland.\nFindings: - There was mixed support for the impact of SC relationship dynamics on manufacturing performance. Hypotheses in respect of cost and quality were supported but those in respect of flexibility and delivery were not.\nResearch limitations/implications: - Using single informants and focal customers in research design.\nPractical implications: - The process of forming and developing SC relationships can be complex and requires firms to be competent in areas such as negotiation skills, conflict management, anticipating problems/finding solutions in advance and joint problem solving. The selection of such managers should be driven by the need to find individuals who possess supply chain management skills and relational competencies.\nOriginality/value: - The nature of the relationship between measures of manufacturing performance has been addressed by two dominant theories: the cumulative or \"sandcone\" theory and the \"trade-off\" theory. Findings provide only partial support for this theory with respect to quality and cost. In contrast, the model is more aligned with the Skinner's (1969) \"trade-off\" theory.\n", "role": "assistant" } ]
Executive insights on globalization: Implications for hospitality managers in emerging locations	[ "Globalization", "Travel", "Hospitality management", "Hotels", "Business environment" ]	[ { "content": "Summarize the following paper into structured abstract.\n\nIntroduction: Globalization has changed the business dynamics in the hospitality industry. Greenberg and Baron (1997) noted the increase in capital flows, competition, and economic interdependencies across countries. Choi et al. (2000) observed the evolving dynamics of international labor utilization, while Wilson et al. (2000) cited knowledge gaps in contract catering in the hospitality industry.In this landscape, it becomes important for hospitality managers to understand the implications of globalization and plan for the implementation of strategic approaches. For instance, Jones (1999) indicated the need to heighten attention to multi-location chain management through activities such as integration, location, configuration, organization, implementation, and adaptation.Additionally, hospitality managers in emerging locations need to plan to respond to growing globalization. The World Tourism Organization (2004) forecasts that international travelers will reach 1.56 billion by 2020, with locations such as East Asia and the Pacific, South Asia, Middle East, and Africa posting over 5 per cent increase in arrivals each year.This article is based on a survey conducted by the author among 118 senior level travel executives in 35 countries.The objective of the study was to explore the views of travel executives on the impact of globalization on contemporary business following concepts advanced by Thomas L. Friedman (2000) that:* the approaches of contemporary business is far different compared to the period prior to the Cold War era;* modalities for communication have expanded and changed;* there are evolving investment approaches worldwide; and* technology has paved the way for changes in the business environment.Additionally, the author sought to validate if there are psychological ramifications brought about by globalization to individuals and organizations.The findings are presented, and discussed in the context of strategic implications for hospitality managers in emerging locations.\nRespondent profile and research methodology: Travel executives as defined in this study refers to a professional performing a management function relating to travel and tourism. This definition includes individuals engaged in ventures such as travel agencies, travel research and consulting, travel technologies, hotels and resorts, hospitality management, travel media, airlines and aviation, car rental, tour operators, tourism boards, convention and exhibition bureaus, travel distribution systems, travel and tourism education, travel media, destination management, and destination investment companies.Survey forms were sent out to 1,000 members of the Pacific Asia Travel Association (PATA).There were 118 valid surveys completed and returned. Of the respondents, 35 per cent were in the travel services category, 34 per cent in tourism, 7 per cent in Airline, and 24 per cent in hospitality.The respondents came from 35 countries, namely: Austria, Australia, Bahrain, China, Canada, Cook Islands, Fiji, France, French Polynesia, Germany, Hong Kong, India, Indonesia, Japan, Korea, Macau, Malaysia, Mongolia, Nepal, New Guinea, New Zealand, Pakistan, Philippines, Saudi Arabia, Singapore, South Africa, Sri Lanka, Switzerland, Thailand, Tonga, Turkey, Turkmenistan, USA, UK, and Vietnam.Respondent profiles may be further qualified as follows: 73 per cent were male and 27 per cent were female; 50 per cent possessed a Bachelor's degree, 47 per cent with a Masters, and 3 per cent with a Doctorate; and, 88 per cent had at least 11 years of industry work experience.The author collected data regarding the respondents' perceptions on the potential impact of globalization on business, communication, accounting and finance, technology, and individual psyche. Statements were offered through a corresponding five-point Likert scale. The quantitative and qualitative scales were 5 for Strongly agree (SA), 4 for Agree (A), 3 for Undecided (U), 2 for Disagree (D), and 1 for Strongly disagree (SD). Since the purpose of the study was to determine the central tendency of the responses to each statement, the weighted mean of each statement was calculated. In order to arrive at a definite interpretation of the respondents' central tendency, the author assigned the following hypothetical mean range to the scales in each item (se Table I).\nReview of related literature: The author postulates that globalization affects business management in at least five areas and point out relevant research pertaining to:1. evolution of business practices;2. changes in communication patterns;3. broadening of accounting and finance approaches;4. technological enhancements; and5. impact on individual and organizational psyche.Business practices\nSurvey results and findings: Table II presents selected feedback of the travel executives on business issues relating to globalization.The findings of the survey suggest the following:* Modalities of business have been transformed in a global environment requiring strategic adjustments from field practitioners in the travel industry.* There exists heightened convenience in operational activities brought about by globalization.* Business cycles have accelerated and require appropriate responses.* Opportunities for inter-organization communication efficiencies can be achieved as global communication technologies are enhanced.* Realignments in investment strategies are taking place.* There are perceived benefits in the creation of international financial alignments and standardization of practices worldwide.* Technological innovation along with corresponding organizational structure adjustments are perceived as avenues for building efficiencies.* Country infrastructure such as bandwidth is likely a location consideration.* The global environment has the potential to shape individual and organizational mindsets and attitudes.* The heightened demands of globalization require that attention be placed on potential fears of adjustment that exist in organizations.\nImplications for hospitality managers in emerging locations: Approximately one-quarter of the respondents in this study belong to the hospitality industry. The views and insights expressed on the globalization issues span the globe. While the respondent number limits generalizability of conclusions, the findings are potentially valuable in helping shape management approaches. Based on the survey findings, the author recommends five approaches for hospitality managers in emerging locations:1. Prepare for globalization. The findings suggest that individual and organizational fears of the pressures of globalization exist in business organizations worldwide. Hospitality managers in emerging locations need to address these fears through organizational assessments, strategic planning, and the formulation of a global vision.2. Enhance cross-border knowledge flows. The findings point to the convenience of cross-border communication flows in a global environment. Communication efficiencies can be further enhanced by hospitality managers through the improvement of international information flows, use of innovative learning and training approaches, and the broadening of marketing efforts.3. Plan for financial practice modifications. In the survey, travel executives noted changes in financial investment strategies in a global environment, and saw the need for the standardization of accounting practices. Hospitality managers in emerging locations should be prepared to undertake adjustments in their financial operational systems and procedures for the sake of practice uniformity and commonality of standards.4. Speed up business development efforts. The survey findings indicate greater conveniences in operational activities and the acceleration of business cycles. Regardless of location, hospitality managers are in a position to tap into the speed and trade conveniences brought about by globalization. Marketing and developmental efforts need to be intensified and adjusted in conjunction with new opportunities that arise.5. Utilize technology strategically. Technology is viewed as a medium for efficiency enhancement and bandwidth has become an important business consideration. Hospitality managers in emerging locations should utilize technology in a strategic manner in their organizations. Forming innovative technological linkages with government and private enterprises in both local and international venues paves the way for technological enhancement and efficient organizational integration.In a global environment, travel executives worldwide have built competitive advantages by strengthening efficiencies in business and communication practices, financial management, and technological usage. As hospitality managers in emerging locations face invigorated growth prospects, integrating these practices in their development agenda can become anchors for future success.\n", "role": "user" }, { "content": "Purpose: - To provide an enhanced understanding of the changing business dynamics resulting from globalization, and offer hospitality managers in emerging locations strategies for success.\nDesign/methodology/approach: - The research was based on a descriptive survey conducted among 118 senior level travel executives in 35 countries. Based on the concepts furthered by Thomas L. Friedman, executive insights were gathered on the impact of globalization on business, technology, accounting and finance, psyche, and knowledge flows.\nFindings: - Research findings point out to the evolving business dynamics in a globalized environment requiring strategic operational adjustments by hospitality managers, specially those located in emerging locations.\nResearch limitations/implications: - Though the research was conducted across several countries, the respondent number does not merit a solid basis for a generalized conclusion. Furthermore, as English was used in the survey questionnaires, respondent misunderstandings may have occurred. Being an exploratory study, a stronger theoretical foundation in future research will provide added benefit to the academic and business communities.\nPractical implications: - The research points out to the need for greater awareness of the impact of globalization among hospitality managers in emerging locations. Furthermore, strategies need to be fine-tuned in accordance with the evolving nature of globalization. The study identifies salient points that need to be considered.\nOriginality/value: - With insights gathered from travel executives from around the world, and about one-quarter of the respondents being directly engaged in hospitality management, strategic approaches presented are valuable to industry practice.\n", "role": "assistant" } ]
Encountering relatable information in experiential learning spaces: A partnership framework for research information specialists and early career researchers	[ "Informed learning", "Professional development", "Experiential learning", "Information experience", "Early career researchers", "Research information specialists" ]	[ { "content": "Summarize the following paper into structured abstract.\n\nIntroduction: Early career researchers (ECRs) encounter a myriad of opportunities for professional and personal development experiences, whether guided or self-directed. These development opportunities are essential to nurturing both individual and collective research capacities for communication and eventual impacts within academia and into society. In the context of growing trends in the increased visibility of research information support services and roles (Miller et al., 2017), this paper considers implications toward applying a conceptual model developed from a qualitative study into the information and learning experiences of ECRs. This model, known as the \"knowledge ecosystem\" (Miller, 2015; Miller et al., 2016) has identified various forms of tangible information visibly encountered in the outer world, as the springboards for creating intangible knowledge residing in the inner worlds of researchers; knowledge which is hidden and less visible. Highlighting these forms of tangible information that can inform the learning experiences of ECRs prompts a need for understanding how research information specialists can strengthen engagement with ECRs on their professional and personal development journeys.\nLiterature review: Informed learning for early career researchers\nRelating to information in experiential learning spaces: a framework: It is important for research information specialists to note that tangible forms of physical and digital information perceived as essential for development are mainly interacted with as part of informal and experiential learning experiences in six spaces: professional development programs, formal coursework, events, community, the home and social media. Participants in Miller's (2015) study experienced simultaneous information use and learning for developmental networking in a variety of different contexts where relationships are formed. Through qualitative data analysis, six key spaces were identified. These spaces are introduced in the following sections, along with a learning experience within each space that was frequently experienced by participants in this study. It is important to note that each learning experience is meant as an illustrative example in context, and that data indicate many other experiences can exist within each space (Figure 1).\nPrograms: developing a research profile: Programs initiated and implemented by university senior executive management include professional research development programs for ECRs. These programs involve a range of orientations, training workshops, seminars, meetings, formal mentoring, fellowships, overseas and local study leave or visiting scholar programs and performance management. These programs are most often internal and associated with current full-time position at a university, but can also include external workshops or mentoring and professional development programs experienced at institutions (both academic and industry-focused) prior to becoming an academic. One example of a learning activity within programs is developing a research profile, which involves a significant amount of network building. The experience of developing a research profile involves building and maintaining relationships for developing a research focus or niche (discipline/field and methodologies), publications, conference papers and discussion, research grants and funding, research supervision, performance management and promotion, and research use or impact in areas of scholarship of teaching, course development, media and general public, research commercialization and innovation, ethics and reputation as a researcher.\nCourses: seeking and attracting developers: Perhaps the most central activity to building a developmental network, according to participants in this study, is to proactively seek and contact potential developers. Participants recount early experiences of network building during both research and general networking within bachelors, honors, masters or PhD projects, Graduate Certificates in Teaching and Learning/Academic Practice or short online courses, and for these ECRs, building relationships with key developers such as informal research and teaching mentors often involved being proactive in selecting and approaching certain people for support. In some special cases, where there is close alignment between ECRs' and mentors' areas of interest, informal mentors approached the ECRs. These early relationships were often established before entering their present full-time positions and new developmental relationships were sought in an ongoing way. Learning to be proactive about establishing a support network is regarded as very important to their overall success in the role. Being proactive about networking is often mentioned as a basic survival skill that can be traced back to learning in their formative years (as young people) and during their professional or industry experience.\nEvents: presenting research at conferences: Events include research or teaching-related conferences, seminars, meetings, social events or creative works exhibitions that are held internally and external to the ECRs' home institutions. Events can be experienced in-person, completely online or a blend of both online and in real time. A key learning experience within the events context is learning to interact with colleagues and potential research users through early presentations of research work.\nCommunity: volunteering for internal and external service: Community engagement involves interactions with a range of people and organizations - industry professionals, government bodies, internal committees and professional associations - within both local and global contexts. A key learning experience in the community context is getting known through volunteering within professional communities and internal committees.\nHome: establishing personal foundation: Home life experiences include interactions with family and friends that occur within and around the area of the home. Participants in this study acknowledged the essential role of establishing and maintaining a strong personal foundation in their overall career development and success.\nSocial media: seeking and attracting expansion opportunities: Half of the participants in this study were active users of social media for a number of reasons such as maintaining developmental relationships that are virtual or at a distance and monitoring through personalized subscriptions for new information. The other half chose to avoid social media websites for a number of reasons including maintaining professional boundaries with students, avoiding irrelevant information such as advertising and as a time management strategy, instead preferring to conduct more \"strategic\" networking activities for development through traditional communication modes of face-to-face, telephone, videoconferencing and e-mail. Those who were active users of social media acknowledged their use of a range of social media platforms, both external and internal, in creating and maintaining their developmental networks. Social media is used to enhance the learning experience of seeking and attracting expansion opportunities for research.\nRelating to texts: Textual information in this context refers to a range of research and industry-related print, digital and multimedia resources. Such information can be classed as either personal or impersonal. Personal textual information is experienced by ECRs in the context of the original authors' primary \"official\" communication, such as e-mails and notes or memos, personal interviews from general and specialized media sources such as magazines, podcasts or radio and television, PowerPoint slides from talks, blogs, newsletters, tweets and status updates, invitations from people involved with conferences. ECRs relate to this information to create experiential and technical (know-how, know-when and know-why) and personal (know-who) knowledge. Research-related knowledge created from this information includes lessons learned from mistakes or unsuccessful research activities, cases or stories, research strategies and plans, consultancy advice, perspectives, research skills, methodologies, tools and user reviews of research technologies.\nRelating to tools: Information from tools in this context refers to a range of research and industry-related technologies (hardware and software) and scientific equipment. Tools in this context can include scientific equipment for lab and fieldwork experiences and information technologies such as desktop and laptop computers, mobile communication devices (smartphones and tablets), research-related software such as Word processors, data analysis programs, search engines and databases, research apps, landline telephones and secure electronic file storage for research data sets such as servers and data preservation tools. All of these tools are experienced as short- and long-term enablers of research profile development.\nRelating to humans: Information from humans refers to a range of research- and industry-related resources closely linked to research profile development that provides initial encounters of ECRs with potential developers (and potential developers with ECRs). This information includes research and industry experience, emerging track record documented on portfolios and CVs, biographies or memoirs, one-time interviews, business cards, personal introductions and \"elevator speeches,\" online/print biographical information of speakers, business cards or brief informal discussions at social events.\nRelating to cultures: Cultural information in this context refers to a range of research and industry-related cultures or behaviors present within an ECR's ecosystem. This information is observed through group or collective behaviors associated with research, such as freely sharing research information throughout the organization or network (as opposed to hoarding information), research-related humor, personalities and styles, information from organizational cultures experienced as positive or negative emotions around issues of respect, belonging, trust, collegiality and recognition of achievements and information from intercultural interaction such as languages, cultural beliefs and integration, cultures or behaviors specific to the global/geographical locations of the events, such as traditions and customs.\nRelating to environments: Environmental information refers to a range of research and industry-related environments or contexts in the form of physical spaces, atmospheres and climates. This includes information from physical places where research is conducted such as office spaces, infrastructure, places of fieldwork and geographic locations especially suited for certain types of research. This also includes information from political climates such as government interests and circumstances (i.e. funding priorities) and natural climates such as access to certain physical areas or species of animals for scientific study. The physical or virtual contexts in which the events take place can inform ECRs' learning as they relate to environmental information to create disciplinary and interdisciplinary knowledge (the state of a physical or virtual environment can help an ECR mentally focus on absorbing content) and also experiential knowledge (know-where) such as maps of the physical or virtual locations of events and navigational knowledge.\nImplications for information research and practice: The informed learning concept grounding this model is useful in building awareness that encounters with information sources and learning experiences are intertwined and delivered by research information specialists in ways that facilitate the necessary learning experiences for particular groups (Bruce, 2008; Bruce et al., 2017). In the context of future work toward applying informed learning in educational contexts, e.g. IMPACT higher education learning (Maybee, 2018), conceptual innovations for informed learning (Bruce et al., 2017) and librarians increasing opportunities for experiential learning (Thorpe, 2017), research information specialists from university libraries have been working toward visibly positioning or integrating themselves as research partners alongside faculty researchers with mixed results (Groenewegen, 2017).\nConclusion: The model presented in this paper, originally developed from Miller's research, combined with recent research literature in this area, draws attention to the need for research information specialists' increased awareness of the knowledge ecosystem for ECRs, particularly awareness of tangible information resources most useful for researcher career development and how they are being interacted with in different learning spaces and relationships by different levels of clients involved in research development for universities. Using the knowledge ecosystem model, underpinned by the concept of informed learning, this paper forms a basis toward developing in-depth understanding of what informs ECRs during key learning experiences.\n", "role": "user" }, { "content": "Purpose: The purpose of this paper is to provide an emerging framework for university libraries' research and reference services, which aims to strengthen partnerships between research information specialists and early career researchers (ECRs).\nDesign/methodology/approach: The conceptual model used in this paper was originally developed from a constructivist grounded theory study, analyzing data from a sample of ECRs across multiple disciplines at two universities and contextualized by a review of recent research into ECRs' information experiences, and researcher-librarian partnerships in experiential learning spaces within and beyond libraries.\nFindings: This paper provides a review of the literature on one aspect of the knowledge ecosystem model relevant to research information specialists: tangible forms of information such as texts, tools, humans, cultures and environments encountered during informal learning experiences in six spaces: professional development programs, formal coursework, events, community, home and social media.\nResearch limitations/implications: This paper is a catalyst for discussions and research into how research information specialists can facilitate access to the forms of information and learning experienced by ECRs, and what research information specialists can do with tangible information to respond to ECRs needs for experiential learning.\nPractical implications: As the previous study found that ECRs perceived their knowledge as vital resources toward their research career progression, it would be useful for research information specialists to understand and design services paying attention to the importance of ECRs' initial encounters with tangible information to create the knowledge they need.\nSocial implications: Working toward improved engagement and partnership through increased awareness and understanding of informed learning experiences between ECRs, their mentors and other developers and research librarians/information specialists can result in higher quality development and communication of new research, which can impact on society's innovation and advancement.\nOriginality/value: The new integrative framework presented in this paper can assist in terms of identifying what informs ECRs professional development toward strengthening ECR and librarian/information specialist partnerships.\n", "role": "assistant" } ]
Prescriptivism, linguicism and pedagogical coercion in primary school UK curriculum policy	[ "Curriculum policy", "Educational language policy", "Language tests", "Linguicism", "Pedagogical coercion" ]	[ { "content": "Summarize the following paper into structured abstract.\n\n1. Introduction: \"Othered\" languages and language varieties have long been marginalised in UK schools (Cameron, 1995; Cheshire, 1982; Crowley, 2003). By \"othered\", I refer to languages other than English, and varieties other than Standardised English (SE), which have been the victims of stigmatisation and linguicism at the hands of policy makers and curriculum writers. Linguicism, akin to other -isms such as racism, ageism and sexism, is an important concept for this paper, defined as:\n2. Prescriptivism, linguicism and the UK curriculum: This section begins to demonstrate how there are textual and ideological traces of linguicism and prescriptivism in UK curriculum policy. Later sections will examine teachers' perceptions of these, and how them being positioned as less-powerful policy arbiters has the potential to coerce them into pedagogies which reproduce these.\n3. Methods: The aims of this research are to trace instances of \"practiced language policy\" (Bonacina-Pugh, 2012), with a particular focus on how teachers may perceive, defend and resist instances of macro-level prescriptivism and linguicism. To explore these aims and answer the research questions, I designed and conducted semi-structured interviews with practicing primary school teachers (n = 22). These teachers were recruited through a call for participation placed on social media and teachers' forums, and so the sampling pool was limited to those who were active online. None of the participants had received any formal training in linguistics as part of their under/postgraduate studies, as is the case with the majority of teachers in the UK (Giovanelli, 2016). One interview with each participant took place (over telephone or video call), lasting between 15-45 minutes, and these were audio recorded, and then transcribed. Questions were geared around teachers' views of language as presented within current curriculum policy and how this impacted upon the kind of pedagogical decisions they made in the classroom. A selection of broad questions (many of which prompted further questions) is as follows:\n4. Analysis and discussion: The following sections are organized around the major themes which were found in the data, of which there are three:\n5. Conclusions, implications and alternative approaches: This paper has problematized the way that language is conceptualized within UK education policy and assessments, especially in terms of linguicism and degrees of pedagogical coercion. Using a critical approach to language policy and language ideologies, I argued that there are explicit traces of linguicism as found across macro and micro policy levels: from government produced policies and tests, through to individual teachers' classroom pedagogies. Instances of linguicism in the data were often seen to be a partial result of particularly conservative changes to educational policy (Department for Education, 2013a), which are most notably embodied in grammar tests for young children, which frame language in categorically \"correct\" or \"incorrect\" ways. This conceptualization of language comes to be reproduced in teacher discourse and classroom practice as a form of pedagogical coercion, with SE often being \"defended\" on the grounds that it serves as a proxy for other social factors such as educational opportunities and employment prospects. I argue that linguicism and prescriptivism can have long-lasting and damaging effects on students' linguistic identities and attitudes towards language - both within the school and the wider community - and that pedagogical coercion can serve to further deprofessionalize teachers (Ball, 2003; Lingard, 2012; Shohamy, 2006).\n", "role": "user" }, { "content": "Purpose: This paper is a critical reflection on the linguistic conservatism as found within current curriculum policies and assessment regimes in the UK, arguing that they represents a form of linguicism which serves to entrench linguistic social injustices. This paper aims to trace the \"trajectory\" of policy across different levels, discourses and settings, with a particular focus on how linguicism is conceptualised, defended and resisted by teachers. The author draws connections between language ideologies within policy discourse, language tests and teacher interviews.\nDesign/methodology/approach: This study adopts a critical approach to examining educational language policies and assessments. It begins with the assumption that policies and tests are powerful political and ideological tools, which can steer teachers into making certain decisions in the classroom, some of which they may not believe in or agree with. Data are drawn from policy documents, test questions and teacher interviews, with a focus on how teachers talk about language and pedagogies in their classrooms. In total, 22 teachers were interviewed, with this data being transcribed and thematically indexed.\nFindings: The findings reveal how linguicism is embedded within UK education policy, and how this comes to be replicated within teachers' discourse and practice. There are three main findings: that teachers can come to operate under a form of \"pedagogical coercion\", whereby language policies and tests have a powerful hold on their practice; that teachers see current policy as championing standard English at the expense of non-standardised varieties, and that teachers often see and talk about language as a proxy for other social factors such as education and employability.\nResearch limitations/implications: This study provides a critical perspective on language education policies in the UK, arguing for greater awareness about the nature and dangers of linguicism across all levels of policy. Data generated from classroom interaction would be a useful avenue for future work.\nOriginality/value: This paper offers an original, discursively critical examination of language education policy in the UK, with a particular focus on the current curriculum and using original data generated from teacher interviews and associated policy documents.\n", "role": "assistant" } ]
Salient characteristics of high-performing Turkish elementary schools	[ "Leadership", "Turkey", "Qualitative research", "Student achievement", "School effectiveness" ]	[ { "content": "Summarize the following paper into structured abstract.\n\nIntroduction: School effectiveness research (SER), an influential movement in education, fulfills different theoretical and practical aims (Reynolds et al., 2000; Sun et al., 2007; Verdis et al., 2003). It generates suggestions for enhancing school performance, increasing school responsiveness to societal pressures (Harris, 2005), and ensuring that all students benefit equally in proper environments (Lezotte, 2001). Student achievement is commonly utilized as an objective indicator of school effectiveness (e.g. Jacobson, 2011; Sammons et al., 2011; Robinson et al., 2011), which according to Verdis et al. (2003), characterizes first generation research on SER. Recently, SER has focussed on achievement in certain subjects (Verdis et al., 2003), as well as behavioral and organizational factors such as school change, self-evaluation, and teacher engagement in improvement efforts (Jacobson, 2011).\nMethod: Design of the study\nResults: The investigation and content analysis of this study yielded seven themes as salient characteristics of the investigated high-achieving elementary schools in Izmir.\nDiscussion and conclusions: By examining the issue in multiple settings, this study suggests that the salient school effectiveness characteristics in high-achieving elementary schools of the Izmir province are achievement orientation, positive instructional environment and classroom management, educational leadership, school climate, monitoring pupils' progress, parental support, and adequate physical infrastructure, which fit into academic, administrative, and external environment levels. The themes drawn from this study bear both compromises and differences in relation to the literature (e.g. Edmonds, 1979; Jacobson, 2011; Kyriakides et al., 2010; Lezotte, 2001; Leithwood and Mascall, 2008; Sammons et al., 2011).\n", "role": "user" }, { "content": "Purpose: Considering student achievement in a nation-wide examination as an indicator of school effectiveness, the purpose of this paper is to investigate the common characteristics across nine highly performing schools.\nDesign/methodology/approach: The study was designed as a multiple-case study. Semi-structured interviews with teachers and administrators were conducted when collecting the data. Content analysis was implemented in analyzing the interview transcripts.\nFindings: The findings of the study basically suggest building a vision of achievement and sharing this vision with different constituencies, structuring positive instructional environment and implementing positive classroom managerial practices, educational leadership identifying the needs of school environment and responding to these needs, investing in positive school climate, monitoring pupils' progress, ensuring the contribution of parents in schooling practices, and structuring a safe physical environment and providing necessary materials are instrumental activities for positive student outcomes.\nResearch limitations/implications: Although it is not uncommon in the literature, the study relies on students' scores in a nation-wide examination as an indicator of school effectiveness. However, this was inevitable because of the fact that Turkish education system does not suggest behavioral or organizational effectiveness indicators. Hence, further research in Turkish context may identify multiple indicators and focus on school wide as well as environmental dynamics of effectiveness.\nOriginality/value: The current study produced similar themes characterizing effective schools with the rest of the literature. However, the Turkish context exhibits a different understanding in relation to what causes effectiveness. The uniqueness of the Turkish context is largely related to the cultural context which has largely been shaped by conservatist philosophical orientations and centralized structure.\n", "role": "assistant" } ]
Evaluating comparative performance of Indian engineering educational institutes based on TQM criteria for internal benchmarking	[ "Performance measurement", "India", "TQM", "Engineering education", "Fuzzy analytic hierarchy process" ]	[ { "content": "Summarize the following paper into structured abstract.\n\n1. Introduction: The education system in the country saw a revolution with the emergence of a whole new class of education providers. In the era of liberalization, privatization, globalization and tough competition, Indian education providers are under pressure to perform not only efficiently but also effectively.\n2. Literature review: Literature review has been categorized in to two broad areas related to performance evaluation and TQM measures, which are described in brief below.\n3. Need and motivation for using FAHP: Literature on TQM implementation suggests that TQM practices are positively associated with organizational performance (Brah et al., 2000; Salaheldin, 2009; Yusuf et al., 2007). Pinho (2008) examine the synergistic relationships between TQM, performance, consumer orientation and innovation and found that performance was associated with TQM practices. Saravanan and Rao (2006) found that there is a significant correlation between implementation of TQM practices, customer satisfaction and business performance. Researchers have acknowledged the importance and role of the use and selection of different multi-criteria decision-making (MCDM) tools and techniques, to support and develop the quality improvement process (Bunney and Dale, 1997; Mishra et al., 2017). FAHP - a multi-criteria decision support tool is applied to develop the relationship among TQM implementation criteria, so as to evaluate and rank selected engineering institutes as:\n4. FAHP approach for evaluating performance of Indian engineering educational institutes: The AHP method is widely used multi-criterion decision-making approach which is used in almost all application related to MCDM in the last 20 years (HO, 2008; Yadav and Sharma, 2015). But it cannot handle the vagueness in the verdict of decision maker's perception. In FAHP approach the lack of certainty in the decisions is interpreted into fuzzy numbers. Laarhoven and Pedrycz (1983) provide the earliest work on FAHP using pairwise comparison matrices with the members of a triangular distribution. Conversely, Buckley (1985) used trapezoidal membership functions for the same. Weck et al. (1997) added the mathematics of fuzzy logic to the classical AHP to evaluate different production cycle alternatives. Chang (1996) proposed a new method (analytical hierarchy process based on linguistic variable weight) for evaluating weapon systems. Mikhailov (2003) proposed a new approach using a-cuts decomposition to derive priorities from fuzzy pairwise comparison decisions. Wang et al. (2005) have used AHP with fuzzy scoring for evaluating multidisciplinary Research and development projects. Ayag and Ozdemir (2006) evaluated machine tool alternatives, Chan et al. (2008) and Punniyamoorthy et al. (2011) solved the global supplier selection problem by the use of FAHP approach. Considering the fuzziness in decision maker's perception FAHP has been used in this study. The study has following major objectives:\n5. Result and analysis: A case study involving five colleges in central India region was conducted to prove the usefulness of our model in comparing the performance of group of engineering educational institutes by ranking them (Table X and Table XV). The findings of case study are as follows:\n6. Conclusion and implication: The paper provides a framework for designing a multiple performance measurement tool for evaluating and comparing the performance of engineering educational institutes based on TQM criteria. Proposed framework is based on decision support method known as FAHP which takes in to account the fuzziness of human opinion for realistic outcome and generalization of the results. Based on the proposed framework a case study was conducted on engineering institutes of central India for collecting data and analyzing the current practices followed in these institutes. A relationship among TQM implementation criterion was developed, their respective weights derived and then institutes were ranked.\n", "role": "user" }, { "content": "Purpose: The purpose of this paper is to provide a framework for designing a multiple performance measurement tool for evaluating, comparing and benchmarking the working of engineering educational institutes in a group based on total quality management (TQM) criteria and performance measurement criterion, respectively.\nDesign/methodology/approach: Proposed framework is based on fuzzy analytic hierarchy process (FAHP) which takes in to account the fuzziness of human opinion for realistic outcome and generalization of the results. Based on the proposed framework a case study was conducted on engineering institutes of central India for collecting data and analyzing the current practices followed in these institutes. A relationship among TQM implementation criterion was developed, their respective weights derived and then institutes were ranked.\nFindings: It was found that the rank of institutions based on both the criterion is same, which indicates that the institutes having better TQM implementation have better performance.\nResearch limitations/implications: The research in this paper is limited to Indian scenario; studies in other countries and sectors may be conducted to compare the results obtained.\nPractical implications: The results will help policy makers in identifying institutions having poor performance in the region.\nOriginality/value: The paper is navel in its attempt to provide a model based on TQM criteria for evaluating the working of engineering educational institutes in a group in terms of their relative weightage and benchmark.\n", "role": "assistant" } ]
Influence of human capital on healthcare agility and healthcare supply chain performance	[ "Performance", "Supply chain", "Dynamic capability", "Health care", "Human capital", "IT capabilities" ]	[ { "content": "Summarize the following paper into structured abstract.\n\n1. Introduction: Literature has widely acknowledged agility as a promising weapon for manufacturing firms in their quest for enhanced performance and competitive capabilities (Gligor et al., 2016; Eckstein et al., 2015). However, service sector including health-care firms continuously needed to focus on agility for being responsive to patients' requirements (Akkermans and Voss, 2013; Chong et al., 2015). The Indian health-care sector is on a constant growth path as evinced by several initiatives adopted by the government such as to increase the total health expenditure to 2.5 per cent of gross domestic product (GDP) by 2025 from the current 1.15 per cent; to spend around US$148.22 m to tackle lifestyle diseases, such as cardiovascular disease, hypertension, obesity and diabetes; setting up the National Nutrition Mission (NNM) with a three-year budget of US$1.4 bn, etc. (IBEF Sectoral Report, 2018). However, health-care supply chain (SCs) are more complicated than manufacturing (Chen et al., 2013; Drupsteen et al., 2016) and other service supply chains (Vahatalo and Kallio, 2015). Hence, the importance of agility increases manifold in sustaining coordination and collaborative efforts for resulting in improving patients' experience every time. Agility is such an essential competitive capability, as it enables a firm to satiate its customers' requirements with great speed. The speed of health-care service is a critical parameter for ensuring patient recovery and subsequent satisfaction (Vahatalo and Kallio, 2015; Voss et al., 2016; Drupsteen et al., 2016). Hence, the study extends the notion of agility from manufacturing to health-care services for further exploration and theory-building in health-care services.\n2. Theoretical background: 2.1 Health-care agility\n3. Research methodology: 3.1 Subjects and procedure\n4. Discussion: The study posited HC as a positive enabler of health-care SC performance. Furthermore, health-care SC performance was posited to result in enhanced health-care agility. The study also posited positive moderation of outside-in, spanning and inside-out IT capabilities on HC - health-care SC performance and health-care SC performance - health-care agility associations. H1 posited a positive influence of HC on health-care SC performance. The corresponding path coefficient is positive and significant (0.297*). Hence, H1 was supported. Furthermore, H2 posited a positive influence of health-care SC performance on health-care agility. Findings showed support for H2 (0.317). H4a-H4c hypothesised positive moderation of outside-in, spanning and inside-out IT capabilities respectively on HC - health-care SC performance linkage. Findings showed positive and significant path coefficients (H4a: 0.181, H4b: 0.156, H4c:0.193). Hence, H4a-H4c were supported. Furthermore, H5a-H5c hypothesised positive moderation of outside-in, spanning and inside-out IT capabilities respectively on health-care SC performance - health-care agility linkage. Findings showed positive and significant path coefficients (H5a: 0.164, H5b: 0.141, H5c: 0.129*).\n5. Implications: 5.1 Theoretical implications\n6. Conclusion: The study established human capital as a prominent enabler of health-care SC performance. Furthermore, it showed that such enhanced performance could result in enhanced health-care agility. Drawing on resource-based view (Barney, 1991) and its dynamic capability extension (Teece et al., 1997), the study, therefore, established the importance of human capital as an essential organisation resource that can result in positive performance. Such an organisation resource may further aid health-care entities to gain competitive advantage through providing faster response to patient's treatment requirements. Furthermore, the study developed conceptually and empirically the constructs of human capital, health-care agility, health-care SC performance and IT capabilities for the health-care sector. The study, therefore, provides a stable base for further research in the arena of health-care sector from organisational learning and resource-based view perspectives.\n", "role": "user" }, { "content": "Purpose: Health-care supply chains must focus on efficient deployment of resources for ensuring optimal supply chain performance. With efficient supply chain (SC) performance, health-care entities would be able to address their patients' requirements with great speed. This is the essence of health-care agility. Hence, the purpose of this paper is to focus on developing health-care agility through human capital, that is, innovative idea generation capabilities and specialised knowledge possessed by the firm employees. Because information technology (IT) capabilities play a dominant role in information exchange crucial to supply chain operations; the study considered the moderating role of three IT capabilities, viz. outside-in, spanning and inside-out IT capabilities on human capital and health-care SC performance association, and on health-care supply chain performance and health-care agility association.\nDesign/methodology/approach: Because the constructs used in the study mainly deals with issues specifically related to hospitals and their associated supply chains, the study collected perceptual responses from senior hospital managers. Perceptual responses were received through face-to-face interviews with 212 hospital managers working in different hospitals. The collected responses were analysed using confirmatory factor analysis and structural equation modelling.\nFindings: Findings suggests positive influences of human capital on health-care SC performance and health-care agility. Furthermore, health-care SC performance was also found to result in enhanced health-care agility. The study further revealed positive moderation of outside-in, spanning and inside-out IT capabilities on human capital and health-care SC performance association and on health-care SC performance and health-care agility association.\nOriginality/value: The study addressed the importance of human capital in providing faster services to patients (i.e. agility) in health-care supply chains through improved SC performance. Furthermore, the study addressed the importance of different IT capabilities that enhance the importance of human capital in providing efficient and faster services through efficient SC performance.\n", "role": "assistant" } ]
Enterprise risk management in international construction firms: drivers and hindrances	[ "Singapore", "Driver", "Construction firm", "Hindrance", "Implementation", "Enterprise risk management" ]	[ { "content": "Summarize the following paper into structured abstract.\n\nIntroduction: In recent years, a paradigm shift has occurred in the way companies view risk management, and the trend has moved toward a holistic view of risk management (Gordon et al., 2009). As the fundamental paradigm in this trend, enterprise risk management (ERM) has attracted much worldwide attention (McGeorge and Zou, 2013). ERM is most frequently defined with reference to the guidance document Enterprise Risk Management - Integrated Framework published by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO). COSO (2004) defines ERM as \"a process, effected by an entity's board of directors, management and other personnel, applied in strategy setting and across the enterprise, designed to identify potential events that may affect the entity, and manage risk to be within its risk appetite, to provide reasonable assurance regarding the achievement of entity objectives\" (p. 2). The definition is adopted in this study as it is applicable to various industries, including the construction industry. Also, it reflects that ERM should be implemented by all levels across an enterprise and applied in strategy setting to assure the achievement of corporate objectives in one or more but overlapping categories, rather than an attempted eradication of the risks.\nLiterature review: Drivers for ERM implementation\nMethod and data presentation: To investigate the influence of the drivers for and hindrances to ERM implementation, a questionnaire survey was performed. The comprehensive literature review supported the development of the questionnaire. The questionnaire was revised based on the comments from the pilot study. In the questionnaire, the research objectives and contact details were presented, followed by the questions meant to profile the respondents and their firms. Then, the respondents were asked to the influence of the 17 drivers and 36 hindrances on ERM implementation using a five-point scale (1=very insignificant, 2=insignificant, 3=neutral, 4=significant and 5=very significant). According to the \"seven plus or minus two\" principle (Miller, 1956), the scale of five is adopted in this study, which makes it convenient for respondents to make their judgments (Lam et al., 2010). Furthermore, the five-point Likert scale has been widely used in previous studies relating to construction risk management (e.g. Deng et al., 2014; Hwang et al., 2013; Zhao et al., 2014b).\nData analysis and discussion: The Cronbach's a coefficient values of the data relating to the influence of the drivers and hindrances on ERM implementation in Singapore-based CCFs were 0.877 and 0.895, respectively, suggesting that the data had high reliability.\nConclusions and recommendations: This study aims to investigate the drivers for and hindrances to ERM implementation in Singapore-based CCFs. Through the comprehensive literature review, 17 drivers and 36 hindrances were identified. The data relating to the influence of the drivers and hindrances on ERM implementation were collected through a questionnaire survey and then analyzed. The analysis results indicated that 13 out of the 17 drivers and 22 out of the 36 hindrances were critical to ERM implementation in these CCFs. In addition, despite significant differences in the mean scores of seven drivers and four hindrances, the large and SM CCFs agreed on the rankings of drivers and hindrances, respectively. The findings of this study allow the management to strengthen the positive influence from the drivers and overcome the challenges posed by the significant hindrances.\n", "role": "user" }, { "content": "Purpose: The specific purposes of this paper are: to identify the critical drivers for and hindrances to enterprise risk management (ERM) implementation; and to compare the influence of these factors on ERM implementation between large and small-medium (SM) Chinese construction firms (CCFs) in Singapore.\nDesign/methodology/approach: A questionnaire survey was conducted and responses were received from 35 experienced managers in CCFs operating in Singapore.\nFindings: A total of 13 drivers and 22 hindrances were found critical to ERM implementation in Singapore-based CCFs. \"Improved decision making\" were the top influential driver, while \"insufficient resources (e.g. time, money, people, etc.)\" were the most significant hindrances. Additionally, despite significant differences in the mean scores of seven drivers and four hindrances, the large and SM CCFs agreed on the rankings of drivers and hindrances, respectively.\nResearch limitations/implications: As the survey was performed with the Singapore-based CCFs, there may be geographical limitation on the identification of the critical drivers for and hindrances to ERM implementation. The sample size was still small, despite a relatively high response rate.\nPractical implications: The findings of this study allow the management to strengthen the positive influence from the drivers and overcome the challenges posed by the significant hindrances.\nOriginality/value: Despite studies on ERM in various industries, few studies have attempted to disclose the factors driving and hindering ERM implementation in construction firms. Thus, this study expands the existing literature relating to ERM. An understanding of the drivers for ERM implementation enables the management to obtain sufficient support for the ERM program and strengthen the positive influence from the drivers. The identification of the hindrances allows the management to be clear about the challenges faced by the ERM program and take measures to diminish their negative influence and overcome them. Additionally, other construction firms can use the drivers and hindrances identified in this study to prepare their customized list of drivers and hindrances.\n", "role": "assistant" } ]
Professionalization through dispersed institutional entrepreneurship: The case of the intercultural community	[ "Professionalization", "Cross-cultural training", "Dispersed institutional entrepreneurship", "Interculturalists", "Online ethnography", "Reentry" ]	[ { "content": "Summarize the following paper into structured abstract.\n\nIntroduction: Transformation taking place in the institutional environment, including higher demographic diversity, fragmentation of individual interests and specialization of expertise (Leicht and Fennell, 2008), has led to calls from scholars to redefine the term \"profession\". Intrigued by the multiplicity of definitions of the concept of the professional community and that of the professionalization project (Abbott, 1991; Watson, 2002), this study undertakes an ethnographic investigation of the professional group of interculturalists (Dahlen, 1997). It documents alternative practices and professionalization paths to those established in the field by sociological theory (Leicht and Fennell, 2008).\nTheoretical context: Professionalization\nThe world of the interculturalists: The intercultural industry\nThe research process: We build on an in-depth qualitative investigation of professionals in the intercultural industry, conducted by the authors independently between 2005 and 2010, and conjointly after that. In this paper we present our analysis of the discussions related to professionalization, and the work of entrepreneurs in the intercultural training field. We develop our arguments from two sources of insights combining physical and digital ethnography in a multi-modal investigation.\nProfessionalization talks: The first international taskforce aimed at exploring and setting up an intercultural certification procedure was established in 1997 (Pusch, 2004). These efforts proved to be unsuccessful. Several later attempts were equally fruitless. In the SIETAR USA Raleigh-Durham Congress of 2009, a special interest group consisting of members from various international SIETAR chapters met and formed a consortium to initiate a global conversation about professionalization. This movement is at the origin of the SIETAR Europa LinkedIn conversation on \"Competence in Intercultural Professions\" and it aspires to \"reopen the discussion on the nature and requirements for professional intercultural practices, and possibly, [...] discuss how to create a process of recognition for those working in the intercultural field\" (George Simons, the conversation's moderator). More than 8,000 interculturalists (SIETAR Europa Journal, 2015) have participated in this conversation, making it one of the largest conversations to our knowledge in the intercultural professional community. The content analysis of the many threads on this forum, and of three other major forums, showed the similarity of arguments with those we heard and recorded in SIETAR conferences, sessions and workshops.\nIntercultural entrepreneurs and professionalization work: Organic isomorphism\nDiscussion: Dispersed institutional entrepreneurship\nConclusions: We have attempted to explore the professionalization project, not by focusing on professional associations, but by examining the practices of individual entrepreneurs and the collective conversations of a professional community. We show how individual, independent agents can prevent the emergence of the traditional professionalization project, with resistance related either to the dominant ethos of a given community, or preferred market-driven ways to achieve professional legitimacy within the organizational field. These voices, even if isolated, successfully influence the collective conversations within the community and stop the traditional professional project from progressing. These findings illustrate the case of the decreasing role of professional associations in governing the work of entrepreneurial, knowledge-intensive professions.\n", "role": "user" }, { "content": "Purpose: The purpose of this paper is to address the decreasing role of professional associations in governing the work of entrepreneurial, knowledge-intensive professions such as management consulting. It presents the example of an alternative path to traditional professional regulation. This organic professionalization path is introduced through the concept of dispersed institutional entrepreneurship.\nDesign/methodology/approach: The paper builds on an in-depth qualitative investigation of professionals in the intercultural industry combining physical and digital ethnography in a multi-modal investigation.\nFindings: The findings illustrate how an ideological divide within the professional community prevents an emergence of the traditional, association-led professionalization path. Instead, the investigated community follows an organic, bottom-up route, with competing individual entrepreneurs developing converging strategies and products. This process is labelled dispersed institutional entrepreneurship.\nResearch limitations/implications: The findings indicate that current views on professionalization need to reconsider admission criteria and the professionalization paths that are generally assumed. Further research could focus on investigating organic professionalization paths among other professional groups.\nOriginality/value: With an in-depth qualitative investigation of an aspiring professional community this paper contributes to an ongoing discussion on the process of professionalization. The findings show that independent agents' efforts could be at the centre of the process. They can prevent the professional association from leading the professionalization project while enabling the organic development of synergies across the community.\n", "role": "assistant" } ]
Military leadership development strategies: implications for training in non-military organizations	[ "Training", "Leadership development", "Military", "Technology and innovation" ]	[ { "content": "Summarize the following paper into structured abstract.\n\n__NO_TITLE__: Developing and maintaining a deep pool of leaders remains a top priority for management in many organizations. Today's companies have demonstrated through their training investments their understanding of the impact effective leadership can have on the financial and personnel components of the workplace (Bersin by Deloitte, 2014; Hotho and Dowling, 2010). As research has revealed, expenditures in leadership development continue to command higher percentages of training and development budgets than any other area (Bersin by Deloitte, 2014). In 2013 alone, 15.5 billion dollars were spent by US companies on leadership development (Bersin by Deloitte, 2014). Across each of the five branches of the US military, significant resources have been invested in recent years to develop service member leadership competencies. These programs have yet to be explored for possible integration into non-military organizations to enhance and streamline organizational efforts for developing effective leadership strategies and practices.\nNeed: The need to develop leadership capacities is recognized globally by both public and private sector organizations (Hotho and Dowling, 2010). Programs aimed at building employee leadership competencies are still being developed for efficacy and the overall impact varies (Cheng and Hampson, 2008). Leadership development is a process used to build leadership competencies, which are then transferred to the workplace (Tyler, 2004). Whereas the type of training initiative varies depending on the company or industry, leadership development has become increasingly vital for organizations in any field (Hotho and Dowling, 2010). The existing literature does not consider how the US military's leadership development system can be applied in rapidly evolving organizations of the twenty-first century (Kirchner and Akdere, 2014a; Kohnke and Gonda, 2013). Technological and innovative advancements require human resource development (HRD) scholars to consider the appropriateness and application of military leadership development strategies in non-military organizations. Leveraging these advancements for the benefit of commercial leadership development programs. Leadership development has not changed all that much in recent years and the HRD community could benefit from new approaches (Petrie, 2014). A majority of companies with veteran hiring initiatives credit military leaders for their ability to develop leadership competencies in service members (Harrell and Berglass, 2012). In fact, the attribute employer's claim makes veterans most employable is their leadership qualities (2012).\nSignificance: Research on leadership development practices has grown substantially in recent decades, except for in the military. The necessity, strengthened by public perception that veterans are strong leaders, supports the existing research gap (Harrell and Berglass, 2012). Although the number of leadership development methods has increased, they are widely based on time-tested, classroom-based approaches (Hay Group, 2014). More interactive approaches such as mentoring, coaching, 360-feedback, role-plays, action learning, and developmental assignments potentially offer more-effective methods of leadership development (Development Dimensions International, 2014) and most non-military organizations currently utilize a combination of approaches; however, a percentage of leadership development programs are limited to a series of training initiatives that may not fully-meet the needs of the employer or employee.\nOverview of military leadership development: The US military is an ensemble of five service branches with various perspectives on leadership development, though each emphasizes the need for developing service member leadership competencies. The branches maintain leadership development training centers and provide guidance to unit leaders on effective methods of development within their respective organizations. The Army, in particular, views leader development as fundamental to the organization and a lifelong process beginning soon after enlistment (Department of the Army, 2013). Three training domains - institutional, operational, and self-development - guide the soldier development process (Department of the Army, 2013). Each domain offers a unique contribution toward the service branch's leader development model. Army leader development is a deliberate, continuous, sequential, and progressive process grounded in Army values (Department of the Army, 2013). Leader development involves recruiting, accessing, developing, and promoting soldiers while challenging them with greater responsibility (McEntire and Greene-Shortridge, 2011). The Marine Corps, Navy, Air Force, and Coast Guard emphasize leadership development similarly and organization members are expected to abide by a series of leadership principles and traits reflective of the values of each service branch (Department of the Air Force, 1985; TECOM, 2008; USA Coast Guard, 1997; USA Marine Corps, 2015).\nMilitary leadership development strategies: Technological advancements present opportunities for employers to examine their methods for developing leadership competencies in their employees. Similar to the military's revised training programs in response to a new type of warfare for service members in Iraq and Afghanistan, employers may benefit from considering how technology and innovation offers new strategies for leadership development programs. Four military leadership development methods: e-learning, participant selection, supervisor-employee relationship, and core values are presented and discussed.\nDiscussion: This paper explores military leader development for HR employees and organization leaders to consider. The four leadership development strategies discussed offer organization leaders perspective on how the military introduces and develops service member leadership competencies. Human resource departments may find value in establishing a set of principles upon which employees live by and are trained on during orientation (Kirchner and Akdere, 2016b). Whether through emails, displays, or other forms of communication, continuous exposure to the principles may establish a culture of leadership practice and active growth.\nConclusion: New technologies, innovations, and globalization are changing the workplace and creating an environment of interdependence (Browne, 2003). Rapidly evolving companies are increasing the need for leaders who can successfully navigate their organizations and teams. Such is the case for HRD where technology-driven and innovative leadership development strategies will become the norm to better predict and prepare organization leaders. HRD scholars are equipped to research and present innovative development processes. Innovation through leadership development may help facilitate HRD functions and organizational goals while contributing to an organization's bottom line (Kirchner and Akdere, 2014b; Loewenberger, 2013; Waite, 2013). As mentioned, the military and non-military organizations have commonalities in their approaches toward developing leadership competencies. This paper attempts to further the discussion and highlight potential growth opportunities for leadership training in non-military organizations. Further research is need for organization leaders to gain new strategies for effectively developing leadership (Table I).\n", "role": "user" }, { "content": "Purpose: The purpose of this paper is to explore how branches of the USA military conduct leadership development of their members to build on existing knowledge of effective approaches. The military, often credited for its ability to develop leadership competencies, has been overlooked and offers a new context for consideration in training. Training strategies presented may offer organization leaders new insight into enhancing current leadership development programs.\nDesign/methodology/approach: A review of accessible military doctrine in recent decades was conducted to determine leadership development methodology for possible transferability into industry.\nFindings: The military's diverse perspectives on service member leadership development offered insightful methods for application in commercial training. Four development strategies were identified and are discussed.\nResearch limitations/implications: The purpose of the military is unique from non-military organizations and, as such, each of the leadership development training approaches may not be applicable or feasible for traditional employees. Further exploration of leadership development in the US military is required to better understand the impact of the training.\nOriginality/value: A review of existing literature revealed little evidence of examining the military's approach to developing leaders, even though employers claim to hire veterans because of their leadership abilities. Each of the identified development components are distinguishable from traditional leadership programs and present readers a series of opportunities to consider.\n", "role": "assistant" } ]
Sustainable procurement in the public sector: an international comparative study	[ "Public procurement", "Social responsibility" ]	[ { "content": "Summarize the following paper into structured abstract.\n\nIntroduction: In light of environmental degradation, climate change, resource depletion, and persistent global poverty, the supply management profession is increasingly being called upon to contribute to broader organisational goals of sustainable development through the inclusion of social and environmental criteria within procurement processes (Srivastava, 2007; Preuss, 2009). In the private sector, a large literature has explored engagement with sustainability in supply chain management and has highlighted benefits in the form of risk reduction and performance enhancement (Zhu and Sarkis, 2004; Jayaraman et al., 2007). In spite of the development of encouraging policy frameworks internationally (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA), 2005; European Commission, 2005a) relatively little research has addressed sustainable procurement (SP) in a public sector context (Preuss, 2009; Walker and Brammer, 2009). Neither has extant research explored how the engagement of public bodies with SP varies internationally.In light of these observations, we provide the first systematic and comprehensive insight into the state of SP practices globally. Given the scale and importance of public procurement, and the capacity for sustainable public procurement to play an important role in delivering social benefits both directly and by influencing the activities of private sector organisations, it is important to shed greater light on how effective policy initiatives have been in encouraging public organisations to procure sustainably (McCrudden, 2004; Weiss and Thurbon, 2006). Drawing upon a sample over 280 public sector organisations from across the public sector globally, the nature and extent of SP practice is investigated. The study makes two particular contributions. First, the analysis provides an insight into the progress made regarding the policy commitments to SP globally. Second, the study investigates the factors perceived to be the most important facilitators and barriers to the further development of SP and explores how these relate to engagement with particular aspects of SP. These contributions illuminate the policies and interventions necessary to further develop SP practice.The remainder of the paper is structured as follows. In the next section, we review the wider literatures on public and SP, into which our study contributes. Subsequently, we introduce our conceptual background and discuss the variation globally in the pattern of SP policies. We then outline our empirical methods, including an analysis of the sample before presenting our findings. A final section discusses the findings and concludes.\nPrior research: Public procurement\nConceptual background and policy context: This section addresses two objectives. First, a conceptual framework is developed that provides a lens through which to explore cross-national variation in SP. Second, an overview of the character of SP policies within the principal regions considered in our study is provided. Our conceptual framework (Figure 1) draws on a model of the influences of procurement directives upon compliance among procurement professionals in the EU (Gelderman et al., 20063), which provides a useful general framework for examining how public procurement policy translates into practice. We make one major adaptation to the model, which centred upon organisational responses to a common policy environment. Our analysis encompasses numerous regions, thus bringing significant variation in policy environments. In order to reflect this feature of our analysis, we extend the model to include the importance of the national policy context, and variation in this across regions, as an influence upon SP.The conceptual model suggests that SP arises primarily because of pressures on the organisation to undertake it, stemming directly from the character of the SP policy environment. The framework proposes four further influences on SP practices. For the purposes of analytical clarity, these influences are discussed separately, yet in practice they may be related to each other. For example, a lack of product availability may be associated with greater costs of sourcing sustainably.The first influence emphasises the role of perceived costs and benefits to engagement with SP. Though there are examples of win-win situations where financial and sustainability ends are aligned, such as the elimination of waste (Porter and van de Linde, 1995), sustainable methods are often perceived as more expensive. Given the tight budget constraints and countervailing objectives faced by most public sector organisations, perceptions regarding the financial viability and cost-effectiveness of SP are expected to play a particularly important role. It has been found that cost concerns are the most serious obstacle for taking environmental factors into account in the purchasing process (Min and Galle, 2001). Organisations are more likely to pursue SP in contexts where they perceive win-win situations, but may be reluctant where the payoffs are unclear and where it comes into conflict with the directives to maintain competition and deliver value for money (Rao and Holt, 2005).The second influence focuses concerns familiarity with SP. In order for an organisation to be able to effectively implement SP, it is necessary to understand the concept of SP and related government policies. Organisations also need the skills, competencies and tools necessary to make SP happen. Sustainability is itself a contested and complex concept, and procurement professionals may lack the skills and knowledge necessary to successfully implement SP. A recent survey found that 83 per cent of purchasing professionals considered themselves ill equipped to deliver sustainability through procurement (Snell, 2006). Studies have found that purchasing managers are unsure of how to incorporate ethical and social issues in their buying (Cooper et al., 2000; Maignan et al., 2002).The third influence concerns the availability sustainably produced goods and services. Given that many of the goods and services procured by the public sector are highly specialist, identifying sustainable sources of supply may be very challenging in some contexts. Sustainable and non-sustainable products vary in how substitutable they are (Norton, 1995). For example, green energy suppliers or recycled paper may be more substitutable than a specialist piece of medical equipment.The final influence concerns organisational incentives and pressures for SP. In part, this depends on organisational culture and the degree to which the organisation is supportive of sustainability and/or of change in general (O'Brien, 1999; Gonzalez-Padron et al., 2008). This influence includes the extent to which there is support for SP amongst senior management and whether organisational processes and structures support SP (Bansal and Roth, 2000).SP policy frameworks around the world\nMethods: Sample\nFindings: Cross-region variation in engagement with SP\nDiscussion: In this paper, we provide the first systematic large-scale international study of SP practices. Our findings confirm earlier suggestions that some governments are using their purchasing power to further social and environmental policy goals (McCrudden, 2004). Regarding within-region variation, we identify a set of factors that affect SP activities.Regarding the overall levels of engagement with SP, environmental aspects of SP are not the most prominent among sample organisations, which is perhaps surprising given their significance in most national policy frameworks. Instead, buying from small and local businesses and aspects concerned with sustainable labour and safety practices are most widely implemented. This finding may reflect the relative applicability of the social and economic aspects of SP to the broader public sector agenda. The relatively strong focus on procurement from small and local businesses may also suggest \"favouritism\" in procurement that has been associated with inefficiency in prior research (Vagstad, 1995; Brulhart and Trionfetti, 2004).The substantial variation in SP across regions suggests, consistent with our conceptual framework, that national and international SP policy environments are a primary determinant of the extent to which public sector organisations engage in SP. Where SP policy and legislation exists, it appears to be widely implemented. However, where directives are more voluntary in character, competing necessities and priorities often dominate. For example, the imperative to stimulate competition and efficiency by widely tendering within the EU often competes, or is inconsistent, with the goal of widening participation in SP. SP activities also often fall foul of tight departmental budgets where there is a perception that sustainability will raise costs. Additionally, legal barriers were perceived as constraining involvement in SP. Governments need to provide clear legislative and regulatory support for sustainability in decentralised public sector organisations (Lundqvist, 2001), and sufficient budgetary flexibility to make investments in SP that may be financially efficient only when viewed from a long-term perspective, which is challenging given governmental terms of office.Variation in policy frameworks is only part of the picture concerning the stimuli for SP. Our research highlights a range of factors that influence public sector bodies' engagement with SP. These include leadership support for SP (Bansal and Roth, 2000), not paying a premium for sustainable products (Min and Galle, 2001), and a legislative/regulatory environment that is explicitly supportive of sustainability directives upon compliance among procurement professionals in the EU (Gelderman et al., 2006). The personal commitment of procurement professionals helped SP engagement (Drumwright, 1994), as did training. Neither a lack of supplier availability, nor knowledge/awareness issues affected engagement with SP, which contrasts with existing research (Preuss, 2009).Our study provided broad confirmatory evidence for our conceptual framework. For example, some of the most important ways in which engagement with SP varies across regions mirror variations in underlying policies, and evidence also supported the broad importance of leadership and financial resourcing for engagement with SP. At the same time, we found comparatively little support for information/awareness (Cooper et al., 2000; Maignan et al., 2002) or lack of product availability (Norton, 1995) influencing SP. Several factors that featured less prominently both in our original model and in prior research emerged as important considerations in our analysis. Chief among these was the role of including SP within formal planning and strategy processes in order that it is properly implemented. These observations are suggestive of an enriched conceptualisation of the drivers of SP implementation that could inform future research directions.The study suffers from a number of limitations that future work might seek to remedy. First, the questionnaire was piloted with ten senior UK public sector procurers, while ideally we would have like to pilot it with an international group. The UK pilots led us to add the SME/local dimension which could have been a parochial view of SP, yet it proved fruitful as it was a significant aspect of SP for Scandinavia, Western and Eastern Europe.Inherent in the survey method is the fact that the respondents are volunteers and hence may to some degree be more interested in or engaged with SP than other public sector procurers. Also, the questionnaire was not translated and only completed by procurers who spoke English, which will further skew the sample. Associated with this limitation is the observation that our sample encompasses the regions of the world in an uneven way, with significant numbers of participants in some areas (e.g. the UK, Europe, the USA) and fewer in other areas (South America, Australasia, Asia). The survey also categorized respondents as from general public services, health, education, justice, and an \"other\" category. This \"other\" category included the 24.6 per cent of respondents from 12 other public sector bodies including housing, defence, social affairs, transport, spatial planning, etc. Clearly this \"other\" category contained too varied a group of respondents for meaningful observations, and a larger sample would have allowed us a more fine grained analysis of other parts of the public sector.Further, the analysis is cross-sectional and therefore provides only a snapshot of SP practice in the organisations studied. Future work that extends the analysis to incorporate a longitudinal analysis of changing SP practice and which was able to sample those areas that are under-represented in our sample, would add considerably our understanding of embedding SP practices in public sector organisations.\nConclusion: Governments around the world have sought to address the challenges of sustainable development by leveraging their influence as major procurers of good and services. In this study, we have provided the first comprehensive overview of how public bodies internationally are implementing SP and of the factors that shape the engagement of organisations with SP. Our analysis shows that while most public sector organisations are embedding some sustainability criteria in their procurement, some areas of sustainability are relatively neglected and there is wide variation across regions in the overall extent and nature of involvement with SP.Our research has several managerial and policy implications. First, leadership is a significant factor in SP being implemented by public sector organisations, and if senior managers are supportive of sustainability and incorporate SP into planning, strategies and goal setting, then the purchasing team will implement SP. Financial concerns still remain the biggest barrier to SP, with public sector procurers resistant to paying more to buy sustainably. Across regions, environmental aspects of SP are relatively established but there is variation in other aspects of SP such as buying from diverse suppliers, supporting human rights and ensuring safe practices in the supply chain. If governmental policy and legislation is supportive of SP, public sector organisations are more likely to implement SP. Policy makers need to be mindful of the emphasis they place on the various aspects of SP, as different interpretations are apparent in different countries, and there is no right way to approach SP. Internationally, sustainability practices are changing apace, and sharing learning across regions will benefit all.\n", "role": "user" }, { "content": "Purpose: - Public bodies are being encouraged to procure sustainably, to reduce their social and environmental footprint and in order to stimulate sustainability in the private sector. However, little is known about how public sector organisations internationally are responding to this encouragement or of the conditions that are most conducive to sustainable procurement (SP). The purpose of this paper is to address these gaps in our knowledge so as to inform policy development at the government and organisational levels.\nDesign/methodology/approach: - The authors report the findings of a survey of SP practices within a sample of over 280 public procurement practitioners from 20 countries and with collective responsibility for expenditure totalling $45bn p.a.\nFindings: - The authors' analysis shows that some SP practices are evident in public sector procurement practice and that the extent and nature of SP practices varies significantly across regions. In addition, the authors highlight the main facilitators of, and barriers to, engagement with SP and investigate their importance for engagement with particular dimensions of SP.\nResearch limitations/implications: - Survey respondents are volunteers and may to some degree be more interested in, or engaged with, SP than other public sector organisations. The analysis is cross-sectional and therefore provides only a snapshot of SP practice in the public sector organisations studied.\nPractical implications: - The paper identifies how policy and practice in SP vary across regions, providing practical insights into whether and how government policies are being implemented around the world.\nOriginality/value: - The paper provides the first systematic and comprehensive insight into how public bodies are implementing SP internationally and of the major situational factors that are shaping engagement with SP. The authors evaluate the current effectiveness of policy initiatives regarding SP and highlight the organisational catalysts and inhibitors of greater involvement in SP.\n", "role": "assistant" } ]
The impact of high insider ownership on SOX 404 internal controls	[ "Internal controls", "SOX 404", "Sarbanes Oxley", "High insider ownership" ]	[ { "content": "Summarize the following paper into structured abstract.\n\n1. Introduction: An important provision of the 2002 Sarbanes-Oxley Act (SOX) (US) is that firms and their external auditors assess and provide opinions on the effectiveness of internal controls. Extant studies across numerous research contexts have investigated the efficacy of this requirement (Ashbaugh-Skaife et al., 2009; Clinton et al., 2014; Doyle et al., 2007a, 2007b; and others).\n2. Hypotheses and their motivations: 2.1 High insider ownership and ineffective controls over financial reporting\n3. Sample and methodology: 3.1 Sample\n4. Results: 4.1 Descriptive statistics\n5. Robustness: We evaluate the robustness of our results with the following additional tests. To avoid clutter we do not report these results formally[2]. Initially, we rerun our primary probit model as depicted in Table IV [equation (1)] using fixed effects logit regressions. Results of these regressions are quantitatively similar to our main findings. In particular, all of our HIO10it-1, HIO15it-1 and HIO20it-1 insider ownership coefficients variables of interest are significant at the p = 0.056, p = 0.009 and p = 0.047 levels, respectively. Similar to our additional tests for equation (1) we also rerun our multinomial model using a logit regression remediation model [equation (2), Table V]. Findings once again document that relative to our benchmark effective controls sample, HIO firms are more likely to successfully remediate an adverse internal control opinion than non-HIO firms as all of the HIOit-n coefficients remain significantly positive.\n6. Conclusion: This study examines the relation between ineffective ICFR and HIO, to determine if HIO affects a firm's likelihood of having ineffective ICFR. Our study further investigates the effect of insider ownership on successful remediation of an adverse 404 opinion. Results provide evidence that while the occurrence of an adverse opinion increases with HIO, HIO firms are more likely to successfully remediate 404 ineffective controls opinions. We theorize that prior to an adverse 404 opinion entrenched managers avoid internal control financial reporting oversight and monitoring. After an adverse opinion, however, and within the context of an imminent and explicit value reducing 404 opinion, powerful high insider owner managers are motivated to remedy ineffective controls.\n", "role": "user" }, { "content": "Purpose: This study aims to investigate the effect of high insider ownership on firms' internal controls over financial reporting. In particular, it examines how high insider ownership affects the likelihood of an adverse Sarbanes-Oxley Act Section (SOX Section 404) opinion and its subsequent remediation.\nDesign/methodology/approach: Tests of hypotheses use ineffective controls and remediation models. The initial tests in this study use ineffective internal controls over financial reporting probit regression models to investigate how high insider ownership affects the ex-post likelihood of an adverse 404 opinion. Two remediation models - a multinominal probit regression and probit regression model - are used to investigate the effect of high insider ownership on the likelihood of successfully remediating an adverse 404 opinion.\nFindings: Results show that while the ex-ante likelihood of an adverse SOX Section 404 auditor's internal control opinion increases with high insider ownership, high insider ownership firms are more likely to remediate ineffective 404 controls. This study rationalizes these diverse findings by asserting that prior to an adverse 404 opinion, entrenched managers avoid internal control financial reporting oversight and monitoring. After an adverse opinion, however, and within the context of an imminent and explicit value reducing 404 opinion, powerful high insider owner managers are motivated to remedy ineffective controls.\nOriginality/value: This research synthesizes existing streams of literature on insider ownership and the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting quality to provide new information on the effects of high insider ownership on firms' internal controls.\n", "role": "assistant" } ]
May the best man win : Understanding the lack of meritocracy of women in UK banking	[ "Gender", "Women", "Banking", "Sex and gender issues" ]	[ { "content": "Summarize the following paper into structured abstract.\n\nIntroduction: The financial services sector is a significant contributor to most industrialized economies in the world. In the UK, for example, it provides 1.16 million jobs (CBI, 2014). Women have reached overall numerical parity with their male colleagues in UK banking; approximately half are women (Metcalf and Rolfe, 2009). However, gender representation at managerial levels suggest that banking does not present a meritocracy to women as there are almost twice as many male managers as female ones. At senior levels in financial institutions, women are particularly found in the minority (Sealy, 2009). The boards of FTSE 100 banks are only 9 per cent female and the proportion of women executive directors is even lower at 1-2 per cent. Some believe the lack of diversity on the boards of many, if not most, of British major financial institutions, may have heightened the problems of \"group-think\" and made effective challenge and scrutiny of executive decisions less effective (Davies, 2011). A government report went so far as to suggest that greater female representation at senior levels would have made the banking crisis less likely (House of Commons Treasury Committee, 2010).\nApplying Bourdieu: At its core, Bourdieu's work looks at social practice within the social relations of power, emphasizes the symbolic order of the world and adopts a constructivist structuralist position, that sees a dialectic relation between structure and agency (Fowler, 2000). While he has been criticized for having placing too much emphasis on structure and not enough on agency (Mottier, 2002) women do not need be seen as simply passive recipients of discrimination. They can make choices but those choices may be limited and perceptions of reality blinkered (Fowler, 1997).\nResearch questions, research method and analysis: The research set out to look at how power within social relations was operating at an overt level and covert level within this social field, a bank. What were the sets of practices, rules and roles that led to women's differentiation and disadvantage and how was it viewed? How were women being judged and was there a plurality of gender scripts?\nResearch findings: In this research setting, a major British clearing bank, only about 10 per cent of bank loan officers were women and very few, about 1 per cent, were in top management positions so how was this inequity viewed? Preliminary research interviews revealed that \"common knowledge\" was that women loan officers were not good at bringing in new business. There were few female introducers of business and few female clients. The view was that \"hardly any women made their annual bonus but most of the men did\". The women found it hard to get enough business to meet their targets. The women's field-relevant capital was then seen as less than the men's. Since this study was conducted, about half of the women who took part in the research have left the organization.\nDiscussion: Previous research alerts us to the fact that women in banking face inequality. This research has found that these women in banking face the same issues of inequity as women in banking in the UK and other countries. However, this research has shown how these female bank loan officers face a complex situation on a daily basis. On the one hand they face inequality. As Bourdieu helps us predict, they are symbolically constructed as different, and face different problems to men, for example the threat of physical assault from male clients or on public transport at night. There is a conscious recognition that they might be subjected to violence but this is not necessarily being seen as an act of male domination. This is the accepted order, and so women need to be treated differently, more favorably, in order that their personal protection is maintained, it could be argued. On the other hand they wish to act and be seen as equals. Theirs, and men's power, has to be seen within this dichotomous context.\nConclusion: Bourdieu helps us predict how gender is done in organizations and how women are dominated and unequal and therefore not working in meritocracies. He does not help us predict what that subjective experience is like or how women want to be seen as equals. He also does not help us explain why they are not a homogenous group, why some will feel inequality and others not, and how they say they experience equality/inequality differently. He does not point to the ideological dilemmas faced by these women and the divide of views amongst them. It is very unlikely that as a divided, heterogeneous group who find themselves in a very small minority in this bank, that greater equality for them is likely to come about. These women are not going to able to redefine the implicit male requirements of the field (Corsun and Costen, 2001). They are unlikely ever to be able to convert their cultural or social capital into the symbolic capital that is recognized and legitimized within the bank so that they are seen to create and reproduce a vision of a \"real\" equality in this bank. Nor are they likely to be able to \"undo\" or ignore gender (Kelan, 2010). Change is unlikely as inequality is not being systematically challenged (Ozbilgin and Woodward, 2004).\n", "role": "user" }, { "content": "Purpose: The purpose of this paper is to examine how female bank lenders are locked into a position of disadvantage in a UK bank. The work of Bourdieu is used to explore women's position of disadvantage and inequality. As Bourdieu helps us predict, the women are symbolically constructed as different, and face different problems to men. Women's social capital is not perceived as the same as men's.\nDesign/methodology/approach: The research method involved preliminary research interviews with seven key senior staff in the bank followed by focus group discussions with 35 male and female bank loan officers on bank premises within a nine-month period. Six focus groups were held - three with men and three with women in four British cities - London, Manchester, Bristol and Edinburgh. All the interviews were tape-recorded and analysed. The participants were told that the discussion was completely confidential, and that we were interested in the role gender played in entrepreneurial and corporate life. Findings were verified by taking them back to a selection of those who had been involved in the focus groups.\nFindings: The findings show how the power dynamics are played out within the immediate workplace environment and influenced by the wider macro systems of society. The women differed in their views as to whether gender mattered. Despite the evident inequities these women face, some wished to deny or resist being seen as unequal or wanted to acknowledge inequity. The paper explains how and why this might be the case.\nResearch limitations/implications: The research is limited by its sample size to 35 bank loan officers.\nPractical implications: The paper demonstrates some of the difficulties faced by those who wish to implement equality of opportunity in the face of women's denial of inequality.\nSocial implications: The paper clearly illustrates the difficulties and challenges faced by female bank loan officers in banking.\nOriginality/value: This paper discusses the subjective experience of equality, inequality and exclusion among female bankers showing how they are not a homogenous group, as they say they experience equality/inequality differently. These women face ideological dilemmas that are not widely discussed in the research literature. It is very unlikely that as a divided, heterogeneous group who find themselves in a very small minority in this bank, that greater equality for them is likely to come about.\n", "role": "assistant" } ]
Expanding the boundaries of brand communities: the case of Fairtrade Towns	[ "Branding", "Co-creation", "Brand communities", "Fair trade", "Prosumer" ]	[ { "content": "Summarize the following paper into structured abstract.\n\nIntroduction: The rise to prominence of service dominant marketing logic (Vargo, 2011), and its emphasis on customer value creation, makes consumers' value co-creation role interesting for management practitioners and scholars (Prahalad and Ramaswamy, 2004). However, our understanding of brand co-creation remains at an early stage of development (Gyrd-Jones and Kornum, 2013; Payne et al., 2009). Several distinct research themes addressing brand co-creation have emerged. One explores how brand co-creation is defined, delineated and represented in models (Ind et al., 2013; Payne et al., 2009). Another addresses the role, nature and structure of communities involved in co-creation (Hatch and Schultz, 2010; Muniz and O'Guinn, 2001), and brand communities, consumer/brand tribes, brand cults and co-consuming groups have all been proposed as relevant forms. The roles that consumers play in co-creation have also been explored (Gyrd-Jones and Kornum, 2013; Pongsakornrungsilp and Schroeder, 2011). These include acting as \"prosumers\" (Xie et al., 2008; Ritzer and Jurgenson, 2010) who co-create goods for their own consumption; \"brand warriors\" (Pongsakornrungsilp and Schroeder, 2011) who add value by protecting and promoting brand image and traditions and by maintaining standards within the community; and the notion of consumers co-creating through \"brand volunteering\" (Cova et al., 2015) or as \"working consumers\" (Cova and Dalli, 2009; Zwick et al., 2008). Other research considers the relationships that evolve between consumers and brands (Gyrd-Jones and Kornum, 2013; Payne et al., 2009; Veloutsou and Moutinho, 2009), often using metaphors likening brand relationships to friendships (Aggarwal, 2004) and exploring particular relationship themes such as the role of trust (Veloutsou and Moutinho, 2009). A further theme considers the processes through which co-creation occurs (Bendapudi and Leone, 2003; Prahalad and Ramaswamy, 2004), and the extent to which both brand communities and brand managers/teams can manage or influence them (Gyrd-Jones and Kornum, 2013). This list is not intended to be exhaustive but to illustrate those most relevant to this paper; other themes are highlighted by Hatch and Schultz (2010) and the other studies cited above.\nCo-creation and collective stakeholder brand building: The dominant theme in co-creation research concerns how organisations encourage consumer dialogue or \"brand conversations\" (Van Belleghem, 2010) to contribute to product development and innovation and, therefore, to competitive advantage (Roberts, 2014; Van Dijk et al., 2014). The perceived marketing communication power of consumer endorsement (driven by social media) is gaining in significance and is coveted by many organisations. The value of such endorsement is greatest when it is collective, promoting interest within the brand management and marketing literature in \"brand communities\" (Hatch and Schultz, 2010; Muniz and O'Guinn, 2001). As consumers rarely engage in co-creation alone (Payne et al., 2009), the role of brand communities as a catalyst for co-creation is viewed as an important and intriguing research topic (O'Hern and Rindfleisch, 2008). Such communities tend to be enduring but can be transient (McAlexander et al., 2002) and form when consumers' admiration for a brand connects them with others to create a social relationship ranging from \"formal and structured\" to \"informal and loose\" Veloutsou and Moutinho (2009, p. 316).\nCo-creation via brand communities: research gaps: The research literature on brand communities and co-creation processes has three key limitations. Firstly, rather than focusing on \"everyday\" purchases, it tends to focus on brands related to luxury or other high consumer involvement contexts including motorbikes, fashion and computers (Muniz and O'Guinn, 2001; McAlexander et al., 2002; Algesheimer et al., 2005; Muniz and Schau, 2005), football teams such as Liverpool FC (Pongsakornrungsilp and Schroeder, 2011) or hobbies such as LEGO (Gyrd-Jones and Kornum, 2013; Hatch and Schultz, 2010). To calibrate this limitation, consulting the previous 10 years' issues of leading marketing journals (judged as awarded at least one star in the UK Association of Business Schools' quality rankings) reveals 104 papers substantively addressing brand communities (i.e. more than mentioning the term, using it for comparisons or referencing it). Of these papers, 24 are unrelated to specific brands (e.g. literature reviews of the topic, conceptual papers or surveys of a population of brands). The remaining 80 papers studied 137 instances of specific brand communities (including multiple studies of some), whose distribution between sectors is summarised in Table I.\nPlace branding: Although most brand community research concerns online communities, or transitory offline brand-fest events, the potential exists for a brand community to form around actual places such as specific clubs, universities or towns. This is perhaps most obviously possible where the place itself is the brand. In the last decade, EJM published several papers focussed on the branding of a country, region, city or landscape. EJM's recent contributions include studies of the agency of a place's heritage (Alexander and Hamilton, 2016); corporations' role in representing a country (Lopez et al., 2011) or city (Trueman et al., 2012); and the values different stakeholders ascribe to a city (Merrilees et al., 2012). Iversen and Hem (2008) discuss how a place's brand can be an \"umbrella\" under which clusters of certain consumer goods can reduce their marketing costs, gain market entry, display their products' provenance/authenticity and differentiate themselves.\nResearch context - Fairtrade and Fairtrade Towns: The history of FT is detailed by Doherty et al. (2013) and considered in relation to branding by Reed (2009). Its success has generated sales estimated at PS7 billion by 2015 in Western Europe and North America (Fairtrade International, 2013, p. 11), including PS2.1 billion in the UK. This success is consistently attributed to the FT label as a brand (Doherty et al., 2013) with 70 per cent of the UK population recognising the FT trademark and logo, and perhaps more pertinently, 64 per cent displaying an understanding of the concepts behind it (Fairtrade Facts and Figures, 2009).\nMethodology: This study explores FTTs' co-creational functions and dynamics by applying the interpretive methodology of Grounded Theory (Glaser and Strauss, 1967). This method is used widely across social science, but comparatively infrequently in marketing contexts (Goulding, 1998). It is particularly suitable for researching phenomena where pre-existing theory or rich data are lacking, as was the case with FTT (Samuel and Peattie, 2016). Grounded Theory allowed the exploration of the social world of the FTT movement through the eyes of key \"insiders\" by capturing qualitative data about their social situations, views, motives, interactions, interpretations and everyday actions (Blaikie, 2000). The main focus for data collection was FTT steering group members, local volunteers who collectively contribute to instigating and then developing the FTT initiative within their towns. An overview of the phases and methods of data collection used to gather data are presented in Table II.\nFindings and discussion: Past research into brand communities has frequently involved studying particular communities and then deriving theory and principles to apply more generally. Studying FTTs allows us to consider:\nLimitations: This research has a number of limitations, including its emphasis on FTT steering group members as supporters of FT. The research did not consider other types of consumer that exist within FTT brand communities, although this is something encompassed within Wheeler's (2012) study of one FTT. It also did not consider stakeholders who might be critical of, or resistant to, FT. The study is also UK-based as the point of origin of FTTs and still the leading country in FTT numbers. However, the experience in other countries may be different as suggested by Lyon's (2014) study of US FTTs. All of these limitations represent opportunities for future research.\nConclusions: Payne et al. (2009) would recognise brand FT as resulting and benefiting from the process of stakeholder brand co-creation in which FT consumers, producers and other stakeholders are encouraged to \"communicate\" and \"act upon\" the FT brand. In doing so, they co-create both economic and social value. This process is increasingly taking place in the context of FTTs acting as brand communities, led by their brand warrior bands of citizen marketers, individually and collectively demonstrating elements of co-creation that go beyond the dominant theories and models in the marketing literature. They operate in, and are strongly emotionally related to, real places rather than online environments. Although there are some studies relating to offline communities such as motorbike or car clubs who might gather occasionally (Algesheimer et al., 2005) or car-sharing clubs within a location (Payne et al., 2009), these studies say little about the actual offline places where brand co-creation happens. FTTs also involve everyday products like tea, coffee and sugar rather than the complex technological or fashionable brands that communities usually form around (albeit with an added layer of meaning). They also involve not one, but a network of brands, including the generic FT brand, generic and specific FTT brands, brands of contributing retailers and producers and place itself as a brand. The interface between brand marketers and consumers is not the primary source of co-creation in FTTs and, instead, other \"stakeholders, endorsements and events\" (Payne, et al., 2009) move from a role as secondary providers of additional sources of brand knowledge to become key initiators and sources of co-creation and engagement between and among citizens and marketers.\n", "role": "user" }, { "content": "Purpose: This paper aims to further the authors' understanding of brand communities, and their role in brand co-creation, through empirical and theoretical contributions derived from researching the marketing dynamics operating within a successful but atypical form of brand community, Fairtrade Towns (FTT).\nDesign/methodology/approach: The paper reflects a pragmatic application of Grounded Theory, which captured qualitative data from key \"insiders\", with a particular emphasis on FTT steering group members and their role as \"prosumers\". Data were gathered via ethnographic involvement within one town and semi-structured interviews with participants in others.\nFindings: FTTs, as brand communities, demonstrate elements of co-creation that go beyond the dominant theories and models within the marketing literature. They operate in, and relate to, real places rather than the online environments that dominate the literature on this subject. Unusually, the interactions between brand marketers and consumers are not the primary source of co-creation in FTTs. Instead, factors usually identified as merely secondary providers of additional brand knowledge become key initiators and sources of co-creation and active \"citizen marketer\" engagement.\nOriginality/value: This study demonstrates how brand co-creation can operate in physical geographical communities in ways that are formal without being managed by conventional brand managers. It conceptualises FTTs as a nested and \"glocalised\" brand and demonstrates how steering group members facilitate the process of co-creation as prosumers. It empirically demonstrates how FTTs have evolved to become unusually complex brand communities in terms of the variety of stakeholders and the multiplicity of brands involved, and the governance of the localised brand co-creation process.\n", "role": "assistant" } ]
Experiencing nostalgia through the lens of life satisfaction	[ "Nostalgia", "Advertising", "Involvement", "Life satisfaction" ]	[ { "content": "Summarize the following paper into structured abstract.\n\nIntroduction: Advertisers constantly look for creative ways to create favorable attitude toward the advertised brand. Appealing to consumers' sense of nostalgia is one of these ways. Almost every adult is likely to have experienced nostalgia at one point or another (Boym, 2008). It has been shown that exposure to an advertisement with a nostalgic appeal can activate nostalgic thought processes among viewers (Muehling et al., 2004) and lead to positive attitude toward the advertised product (Pascal et al., 2002; Muehling et al., 2004). Thus, it is not surprising that marketing practitioners widely use nostalgic cues such as themes, images, and jingles to develop appealing marketing and advertising messages (Cosgrove and Sheridan, 2002; White, 2002; Bambauer-Sachse and Gierl, 2009; Elliott, 2009).\nConceptual background: What is nostalgia?\nHypothesis development: Most of previous studies on nostalgia in advertising have manipulated the construct through an advertisement's text (Muehling et al., 2004; Zhao et al., 2011; Muehling and Pascal, 2012) or images (Reisenwitz, 2003; Holak et al., 2007). We complement these existing studies and examine the much less understood musical trigger of nostalgia in advertising. Nostalgic music can evoke an emotional state that is associated with a specific past event in one's life (Juslin and Vastfjall, 2008), and exposure to a reminder of an emotional past event elicits brain activities similar to those taking place during the original event (Buchanan, 2007). This emotional vividness makes music an even more powerful nostalgia trigger than text and image components. Although nostalgic music can help satisfy consumers' longing for the past (Zhao and Muehling, 2014), the eventual effect depends on the interpretation of such evoked past. Specifically, we argue that the effectiveness of nostalgic music is contingent on how past emotions are reconstructed through the lens of one's current life.\nStudy 1: Procedure\nStudy 2: Study 2 aimed to examine the underlying processes behind our hypotheses. We argued that life satisfaction functions as a biased filter through which individuals reconstruct the valence of their past experiences evoked by nostalgic music. Furthermore, this reconstruction should be more likely to occur when the advertised product is a low-involvement product than when it is a high-involvement product. Study 2 tested these underlying processes by considering individuals' recall of ambiguous past events that are subject to interpretation. If life satisfaction indeed influences how individuals reinterpret their past experiences, high-satisfaction individuals should be more likely to conjure up positive subjective experiences from the past than low-satisfaction individuals.\nDiscussion: Given the increasing cost of advertising, finding ways to maximize the effectiveness of an advertising campaign is a topic of great interest to marketers. Previous research on the use of nostalgic cues in advertisements tends to characterize it as a positive strategy leading to more favorable persuasive outcomes (Pascal et al., 2002; Muehling et al., 2004; Muehling and Pascal, 2012). Challenging this conclusion, our research shows that nostalgic background music in an advertisement varies in effectiveness depending on individuals' current state of life satisfaction and on their involvement with the product category. Under certain circumstances, nostalgic music can backfire and lead to lower intention to purchase the advertised product.\n", "role": "user" }, { "content": "Purpose: This paper aims to examine the role of life satisfaction in consumers' reaction to nostalgic music in an advertisement in terms of attitude toward the brand and purchase intention. It suggests that life satisfaction forms the lens through which individuals interpret and reconstruct past emotional experiences evoked by nostalgia. It further investigates the role of product category involvement in the interplay between life satisfaction and nostalgic music.\nDesign/methodology/approach: Two experiments were conducted. The first study featured a 2 (nostalgic vs non-nostalgic music) x 2 (high vs low involvement) between-subjects design and tested the research hypotheses with 208 consumers. The second study featured two involvement conditions (high vs low) and explored the underlying process behind the hypotheses. Linear regression was used to analyze the data in both studies.\nFindings: For the low involvement product category, nostalgic music was more effective than non-nostalgic music for consumers with high life satisfaction, whereas non-nostalgic music was more effective for consumers with low life satisfaction levels. For the high involvement product category, life satisfaction did not moderate consumers' reaction to nostalgic music.\nResearch limitations/implications: This research suggests that past experiences evoked through nostalgic music are not static but are subject to bias and interpretation depending on an individual's current mindset. Hence, the eventual effect of nostalgia is determined by how past events are reconstrued based on the individual's current state.\nPractical implications: This paper warns against the blind use of nostalgic appeals in advertising, points to the need to consider the audience's state of mind, and suggests an opportunity to leverage life satisfaction influencers in designing effective advertising campaigns.\nSocial implications: The findings have strong implications for public policymakers. The results are crucial as policymakers often use public service announcement (PSA) to change the attitude of the public toward some phenomena. Knowing the current state of life satisfaction in society, they can increase the efficiency of public service announcements by including a nostalgic song in them.\nOriginality/value: To the best of the authors' knowledge, this research is the first one in the marketing literature that looks at the efficiency of nostalgic songs in advertisements. The authors tested the conceptual framework by using two studies and offered novel implications to both marketers and scholars.\n", "role": "assistant" } ]
Ways to ease the expats' stress: Getting over the culture shock of working abroad	[ "Expatriates", "International assignments", "International relocation" ]	[ { "content": "Summarize the following paper into structured abstract.\n\n__NO_TITLE__: Your company is sending you abroad to work. It has confidence in your skills, expertise and enterprise to face the organizational challenges ahead. Expatriates are in increasing demand in today's highly complex, interconnected business environment. So you will be among many others in organizations throughout the world responding to the rising need for global talent, whether for extended business trips or longer assignments, with Brazil, Russia, China and India providing the greatest growth opportunities. What could possibly go wrong?\nVital to have cross-cultural training for all employees: Cultural stress may bring about both positive and negative adaptation to the new culture through the influence of many organizational, cultural, relational, and personal factors. The critical component of a successful international transition comes from individuals' ability to cope with stressors and the unknown and ultimately fulfill adjustment to the new culture. Cultural adjustment can indeed significantly reduce cultural stress, though it can also create new conflicts and stress within families and groups. This conflict arises when one or more members of a family or a group assimilate more than the others.\nCompany reorganization leads to high levels of stress: In a study of expatriates' stress levels and adjustments and the relationship between stress responses, Dr Katherine Rosenbusch (Assistant Professor of Human Resource Development at Towson University, Maryland) et al. say:\nImportant to engage spouse and family early in the interview process: The study uncovered a high level of stress due to company reorganization and lack of clearly communicated direction and changes to the field offices that led to uncertainty about their future with the company. It is necessary when undergoing organizational change to properly inform all relevant parties. If multinational organizations foresee a change in structure, they must go to necessary lengths to inform all employees. Many employees in this study felt isolated from a change initiative because they felt as if they were the last to know.\nComment: This review is based on \"The impact of stressors during international assignments\" by Rosenbusch et al. (2015). The authors examined the relationships between cross-cultural adjustment and stress of expatriate employees with families in a multinational corporation. They identified common stressors reported during international transitions.\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: The study findings provide insights to organizations and their human resource department professionals as to how expatriates and their families can be impacted by stress when trying to adjust to work and life in unfamiliar surroundings. The authors highlight the need for support mechanisms to ease transitions and reduce stressors.\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" } ]
Building on success: evolving local and consortium purchase-on-demand programs	[ "Interlibrary loan", "Patron driven acquisitions", "Purchase on demand", "Libraries", "United States of America", "Collections management", "Library consortia" ]	[ { "content": "Summarize the following paper into structured abstract.\n\nIntroduction: Patron driven acquisitions (PDA) has emerged as an innovative method to enhance user services while extending monograph collections. It provides direct accountability on purchase decisions, especially relevant in the present economic situation. The Association of College and Research Libraries 2010 top ten trends in academic libraries (ACRL, 2010) listed PDA as a new force in collection development explaining: \"academic library collection growth is driven by patron demand and will include new resource types.\" ACRL noted how this change was facilitated by vendor tools that provide controls for custom-made purchase on demand programs. In consortia settings, a PDA model can broaden access across the collective collection. A few consortia such as Orbis Cascade and the Ontario Council of University Libraries (OCUL) have or are currently experimenting with PDA for access to e-books[1]. The results of their ventures into the PDA arena provide a framework and possible guidelines for other consortia.\nLiterature review: A review of the literature on patron driven acquisitions reveals a number of case studies and literature reviews on how this trend is impacting collection development. It also touches upon two discrete factors that have contributed to the development of PDA: the current economic situation and the low circulation rate for print monographs in academic libraries. For example, a recent report by the Cornell Collection Development Executive Committee Task Force on Print Collection Usage[2] reveals that 55 percent of the books acquired at Cornell since 1990 have never circulated. An earlier study done by Penn State and UIUC on approval plan use at those institutions (Alan et al., 2008) showed 31 percent of the Penn State approval books did not circulate over the almost three year study period, while 40 percent of the UIUC titles did not circulate. Finally, a recently released OhioLINK study analyzed by OCLC revealed that a mere 6.5 percent of the titles in this mammoth collection accounted for 80 percent of the use[3].\nBackground: The University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign (UIUC) is the largest of three University of Illinois campuses, with a campus population of approximately 43,500 students as well as 11,000 faculty and academic staff. The Library utilizes the Voyager ILS system and since 2009 has contracted with YBP for acquisition of monographs. UIUC is a member of two large consortia: the Committee on Institutional Cooperation (CIC) and the Consortium of Academic and Research Libraries in Illinois (CARLI)[4].\nProgram 1: CARLI PDA pilot program: In early 2009, the UIUC Library submitted a proposal to the CARLI Products and Services Vetting Committee to test a PDA service for book purchasing. The proposal, \"Building on our shared I-Share success: extending user requesting to support new user initiated book purchases,\" built on pilot projects that the UIUC Library had done to expedite access to materials for their patrons. It was approved in 2009 and a CARLI Task Force was formed to develop and implement the pilot.\nProgram 2: e-book PDA: Inspired by the success of the first program, a second PDA pilot program was developed focusing on e-books. With a grant of $28,000, the UIUC Library initiated a local PDA e-book program in cooperation with YBP and ebrary (who partners with YBP to sell e-book content). The pilot ran from April to July 2010, when funds were expended. A total of 6,000 ebrary records were loaded into the local catalog. Titles had to meet the following criteria: not already owned, cost no more than $200, in English, categorized as an academic level book, and a copyright of 2007 or later. Some subjects were excluded because they were deemed not relevant to UIUC\nProgram 3: integrated PDA with approval slip plan: The two PDA programs done in 2010 provided an excellent foundation from which to expand PDA into core collecting processes. The UIUC approval plan is centrally funded and attempts to cover core titles for any given year but as publishing output varies year to year, some disciplines run out of funds faster than others. A PDA program is attractive as it can help close that gap as expressed by users needing recently published titles. Supplementing high publishing output areas with user driven purchases would provide more information on how to extend the allocations based on need. A committee of librarians representing the disciplines of arts and humanities, social sciences and the sciences developed an integrated PDA and approval plan that would allow subject specialists first access to newly published titles every week with PDA records loaded less frequently. The new PDA profile mirrored the existing approval plan in almost all areas. Both profiles identify newly published output from the YBP database. The team agreed that the PDA records would be loaded twice a month, contrasted to the YBP selectors\nProgram 4: new CARLI PDA: The CARLI Board funded another larger PDA project for fiscal year 2012 based on the success of the pilot. At the time this article was written, the project was just getting underway. The goal of the project is to purchase newly published titles in print, items needed by patrons that have not been purchased by member libraries. CARLI is again working with YBP as the supplier of both the bibliographic records and the materials. Full bibliographic records are added to the shared catalog so that users may find them easily. The catalog is to be updated with weekly record loads. These records meet the criteria established for this project including college level or above material in English, stocked by YBP, with a price cap of $200, and in the disciplines of the humanities or the social sciences published after January 2011. UIUC will again serve as the program\nConclusions: The three studies provided data on PDA acceptance among users, provided for an evolution of logistics for staff work, and confirmed the feasibility of making the pilot programs more permanent. Libraries can set the controls for what content is made available to users for purchase on demand. By establishing firm parameters, users are free to \"play\" within the limits that are preset, resulting in books or e-books that will fit a library collection and satisfy user demand. Vendors can be of great assistance in setting up the programs and have developed excellent tools any library can use. Costs can vary widely but pilot programs allow libraries to investigate both the control options available and the user demand expressed.\n", "role": "user" }, { "content": "Purpose: Patron driven acquisitions (PDA) programs have emerged as an important component in library collection practices. The authors aim to report on four PDA programs (two completed, two currently underway) undertaken by the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign either by itself or in partnership with a statewide academic library consortium known as CARLI.\nDesign/methodology/approach: The authors use a case study approach based on their professional experience and direct involvement with these programs.\nFindings: The programs were built on successful partnerships with both vendors and consortial partners; each program was informed by and built on the success of the previous one. The processes can be scaled up and applied to larger systems in order to maximize their impact and user satisfaction.\nOriginality/value: Acquisitions librarians and selectors will find the local PDA programs of interest, while the consortial approach will be of interest to anyone involved with building and sharing collections in a multi-institutional environment.\n", "role": "assistant" } ]
Purchase intention of Chinese consumers toward a US apparel brand: a test of a composite behavior intention model	[ "Consumer behaviour", "Purchasing", "China", "Clothing", "Marketing strategy", "Foreign trade" ]	[ { "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 article.\nIntroduction: With one-fourth of the world's population and the world's fastest rate of economic growth, China offers huge market opportunities for US firms. To address these opportunities, a growing number of studies have explored Chinese consumer purchase behavior utilizing behavioral intention (BI) models such as the theory of reasoned action (TRA) (Fishbein and Ajzen, 1975), the theory of planned behavior (TPB) (Ajzen, 1991), and Lee's (1990) modified Fishbein model (from now on Lee's model).The early studies on Confucian consumer behavior generally agreed that Confucian consumers including Chinese consumers reflect social pressures (e.g. face saving and group conformity) in their purchase decision more than western consumers (e.g. Lee, 1990; Lee and Green, 1991). However, the recent studies report rather inconsistent findings. It is not rare to see the insignificant role of subjective norm (SN) in Chinese consumers' purchase intention in recent studies (Chan and Lau, 1998; Shen et al., 2003). Face saving also played an inconsistent role in explaining purchase intention in Hong Kong (Malhotra and McCort, 2001).This study posits that the insignificant role of normative influences (i.e. face saving, subjective norm) may be related to value changes among contemporary Chinese consumers. As inevitable results of fast economic growth, Chinese traditional Confucian values have been challenged in the modernization process of China, and western characteristics, such as individualism and materialism, have been emerging (Leung, 2008; Piron, 2006; Wang, 2006a). Under these rapidly changing economics, traditional and contemporary values interplay (Leung, 2008); thus, neither Fishbein model that mainly provides explanation powers to western cultures nor Lee's model that was invented to explain Confucian consumers can adequately explain the consumption behavior of contemporary Chinese consumers. Therefore, it is vital to examine Chinese consumers' purchase behavior with a comprehensive research framework in order to provide realistic answers to US apparel firms.The purpose of this study is to precisely explain contemporary Chinese consumers' purchase behaviors toward US branded apparel goods with a more comprehensive model. To this end, this study proposes a composite model that allows us to test the influence of both Chinese traditional and contemporary values on their purchase behavior, and empirically tests it with data collected in three cities of China. The composite model incorporates Lee's modified Fishbein model and decomposed Ajzen's theory of planned behavior. Lee's model was incorporated into the composite model to examine the influence of Confucian values, and the decomposed Ajzen's theory of planned behavior was integrated to examine specific influences of Chinese consumers' resources and control on their purchase behavior. This study decomposes PBC into two dimensions, internal control (i.e. one's self-efficacy) and external control (one's controllability toward external barriers such as resources), since it allows researchers to examine the specific influence of each of two dimensions on purchase intention. This study further compares the proposed composite model with Lee's model and decomposed Ajzen's model to verify the proposed model's accuracy. Levi's jeans was chosen as the US apparel brand in this study because Levi's has been identified as the most well-known foreign brand among Chinese people in previous studies (e.g. Wu, 2005).\nLiterature review: This section first reviews how recent economic changes have impacted Chinese consumers' values, then outlines behavioral intentional models and their drawbacks in explaining Chinese consumers' purchase behaviors. Finally a composite model that might increase the explanation power for Chinese consumers' purchase intentions is proposed.Chinese consumers in the midst of dynamic economic changes\nMethod: Measurement\nResults: To prove the proposed model's accuracy, the three behavioral intention models were first compared. Following Anderson and Gerbing's (1988) suggestion of a two-stage analysis, first the measurement model of each of the three models was tested, and then structural model tests were performed using Lisrel 8.80.Measurement model test\nDiscussion and implications: Summary and discussion of major findings\n", "role": "user" }, { "content": "Purpose: - The purpose of this article is to assist US apparel firms to successfully market in China. It aims to accurately predict Chinese consumers' purchase intentions toward a US brand. For this purpose, it proposes a composite model incorporating two behavioral intention models, Lee's model and decomposed Ajzen's model, and empirically tests the composite model.\nDesign/methodology/approach: - A total of 747 consumer data were collected in three cities of China, Shanghai, Beijing, and Guangzhou, utilizing a series of mall intercept method at two levels of shopping malls in each city.\nFindings: - Among the proposed direct paths to purchase intention (PI), attitude toward the US brand apparel was the most important in explaining contemporary Chinese consumers' purchase intentions, followed by external perceived behavioral control (PBC) and subjective norm (SN). Two Confucian values, face saving and group conformity, did not directly affect PI at all, and face saving only influenced PI indirectly through the increase of attitude toward US brand apparel. Among external PBC (one's controllability toward a purchase) and internal PBC (one's self-efficacy), only external PBC led to PI.\nPractical implications: - By examining the two aspects of PBC, the study validated the importance of consumers' resource controllability (i.e. external PBC) in Chinese purchase behaviors in the midst of rapid socioeconomic changes. This approach advances previous studies that primarily viewed PBC as one dimension.\nOriginality/value: - The paper is one of earliest endeavors to consider the decomposed PBC in a composite model. Also, the paper provides early proof that external PBC is more important than internal PBC in purchase contexts.\n", "role": "assistant" } ]
Determination of Bayesian reliability sampling plans based on exponential-inverted gamma distribution	[ "Inverted gamma distribution", "Operating characteristic function", "Predictive distribution", "Reliability sampling plan", "Life test" ]	[ { "content": "Summarize the following paper into structured abstract.\n\n1. Introduction: Reliability sampling plan is a statistical tool used in industries for makings decision about the disposal of the lots of finished products based on the information obtained from a life test. Reliability of a product means the ability of the product to perform a required function under stated conditions during a specified period of time. If the lifetime of the product is the quality characteristic, then the sampling plan developed to carry out lot-by-lot sampling inspections is termed as the reliability sampling plan. The common constraints in life testing are the duration of total time spent on the test and the cost of inspection. When the lifetime of a product is expected to be high, it might be exceedingly time consuming to wait until all items fail, and the cost of inspection will be high. Various censoring schemes are employed to overcome this problem in the life test, such as Type I censoring (time censoring), Type II censoring (product censoring) and hybrid censoring (mixture of Type I and Type II censoring schemes). Under the hybrid censoring scheme, the life test is terminated either at the time at which (c+1)th failure is observed or at the specified test time t, whichever is earlier. The lot is accepted when the number of failures observed from the life test is less than or equal to c at time t; otherwise, the lot is rejected. When Type I and Type II censoring save test time and cost, respectively, hybrid censoring saves both test time and cost.\n2. OC function of BRSPs under exponential - inverted gamma distribution: Suppose that the time-to-failure of components or products in a life test is distributed according to an exponential distribution with the probability density function given by:\n3. Determination and operation of BRSPs under exponential - inverted gamma distribution: A reliability sampling plan (n, c, t) which protects the interests of both producer and consumer will satisfy:\n4. Tables of optimum BRSPs: The optimum BRSPs are determined using binomial as well as Poisson probabilities for some sets of values of a, t, s\n5. Conclusion: Life test-based sampling inspections are carried out for some products in industries where the decisions about the lots of such products are taken based on the products' lifetime. Reliability sampling plans are designed for this purpose. In this paper, reliability sampling plans are determined using the Bayesian approach under a hybrid censoring scheme when the lifetime of the product is distributed according to exponential distribution, and the mean life time has inverted-gamma prior. The same methodology of determining the plan parameters may be followed for other choices of prior distribution under the conditions of exponential distribution. The plans are presented for some cases. The plans for other cases can be determined following the procedure described in this paper. The computer programs in R to determine the sampling plans and to evaluate the probability of acceptance are available from the authors.\n", "role": "user" }, { "content": "Purpose: The purpose of this paper is the determination of reliability sampling plans in the Bayesian approach assuming that the lifetime distribution is exponential.\nDesign/methodology/approach: Sampling plans are used in manufacturing companies as a tool for carrying out sampling inspections, in order to make decisions about the disposition of many finished products. If the quality characteristic is considered as the lifetime of the products, the plan is known as a reliability sampling plan. In life testing, censoring schemes are adopted in order to save time and cost of life test. The inverted gamma distribution is employed as the natural conjugate prior to the average lifetime of the products. The sampling plans are developed assuming various probability distributions to the lifetime of the products.\nFindings: The optimum plans n and c are obtained for some sets of values of (p1, a, p2, ss). The selection of sampling plans is illustrated through numerical examples.\nOriginality/value: Results obtained in this paper are original and the study has been done for the first time in this regard. Reliability sampling plans are essential for making decisions either to accept or reject based on the inspection of the sample.\n", "role": "assistant" } ]
Institutional-driven dimensions and the capacity to start a business: A preliminary study based on two countries	[ "Cross-cultural management", "Entrepreneurship", "Institutional theory", "GEM data", "Measurement invariance assessment" ]	[ { "content": "Summarize the following paper into structured abstract.\n\n1. Introduction: Governments, policy makers and academics have become increasingly aware of the important benefits derived from the establishment and growth of entrepreneurial ventures (Bruton et al., 2010; Aidis et al., 2012). This is particularly relevant in the context of government efforts to reduce unemployment (Birley, 1987; Parker, 2009; Thurik et al., 2008, among others), increase economic growth (Reynolds et al., 1999; Storey, 2003; Carree and Thurik, 2003, among others) and push for innovation and technological modernisation (Le, 1999; Wennekers and Thurik, 1999, among others). Van Praag and Versloot (2007) acknowledged that entrepreneurs have an important role in the economy as they create employment contribute to productivity growth, and produce and commercialise high-quality innovations. Believing that entrepreneurs are important agents of change (North, 2005), many governments show a renewed interest in the development and implementation of start-up programmes, particularly when facing recessionary periods (Congregado et al., 2010).\n2. Literature review: 2.1 The institutional theory and the entrepreneurial activity\n3. Methodology: 3.1 Method and measurements\n4. Data analysis: As all the variables are not directly observable, an analysis based on SEM is used. The data were analysed by using the statistical software Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS 22.0) and the partial least squares (PLS) with SmartPLS 3.1.4 (Ringle et al., 2015). This choice is motivated by the fact that PLS demonstrates better convergence behaviour in the case of small sample sizes than covariance-based SEM (Barclay et al., 1995; Chin and Newsted, 1999). It performs relatively well in the presence of skewed non-multinormal distribution of the data (Vilares et al., 2009) and suits predictive research models that are in the early stages of theory development. As Wold (1985) acknowledged, PLS assumes particular relevance in larger models, when the importance shifts from instrumental variables and parameters to composite variables and aggregate parameters.\n5. Discussion: This study aimed at analysing how several entrepreneurial framework conditions (EFCs) examined under the view of institutional theory impact on the capacity to start a business. Specifically, our study supports the view that in both countries, the cultural and social norms (normative dimension) contribute to shape a positive and successful social image of entrepreneurs (cultural-cognitive dimension) (H1). Similarly, from a cultural-cognitive dimension our study finds that a favourable successful image of entrepreneurs may help promoting several government entrepreneurship programmes (H4). With regard to the Portuguese case this is viewed as an opportunity to promote employment and introduce economic dynamism, whereas in the case of Angola fostering entrepreneurship is viewed as an excellent vehicle for economic diversification, for private sector growth, and for job creation and poverty alleviation.\n6. Contributions and implications of the study: The results of this study have relevance for theory and practice. From a theoretical perspective, the study contributes to the existing literature in five noteworthy ways. First, by using the NES-GEM data, our study explores an area of GEM that is regarded as under-researched (Amoros et al., 2013). The NES-GEM database is formed by national experts with a substantial range of backgrounds and knowledge about each country (Reynolds et al., 2005). Second, in order to analyse the macro-level dimensions, the institutional view was considered as the appropriate frame to understand the possible impact of cultural and social norms (normative), the social image of the entrepreneur (cultural-cognitive) and the government programmes (regulatory) on the capacity to start a business. In that respect, our study not only helps to advance knowledge in the use of institutional dimensions within the NES-GEM, but also explores the synergistic effects between different dimensions within two countries. In our view, it provides rich insights into national-level factors that are not well understood (Cadogan, 2010). Third, it is known that the GEM project provides a significant contribution in the development of the emerging sub-field of entrepreneurship in a global perspective. However, the major research stream in GEM (the Adult Population Survey) often focuses on a single and dichotomous measure which can be viewed as a potential shortcoming (Marcotte, 2013). The current model is based on latent variables (NES-GEM) that were analysed as composites in variance-based SEM models. Fourth, our study also makes a good contribution to the growing field of cross-cultural entrepreneurship including Sub-Saharan African countries. As Silva et al. (2015) argued there is insufficient business research including Sub-Saharan countries. This study is an attempt to help fill this gap in the literature. Fifth, from a methodological perspective, this study responds to the call of Henseler et al. (2016) when they stress the need for introducing innovative procedures for measurement invariance assessment in composite modelling, particularly in the context of international marketing studies where it is common to compare different countries.\n7. Limitations and future research: The findings and implications of this study should be considered in light of several limitations. The proposed conceptual model is limited by the number and type of countries selected and does not consider the type of entrepreneurship (necessity and opportunity driven). Further research could analyse the current relationships with a higher number of countries and consider the nature or type of entrepreneurship. Another limitation relates to the fact that each sub-sample covers at least three years. Given the fact that small samples were present for each country per year, it was decided to aggregate data along several years.\n", "role": "user" }, { "content": "Purpose: Drawing insights from institutional theory, the purpose of this paper is to analyse the synergistic effects of a range of entrepreneurial framework conditions (EFCs) on the capacity to start a business within different types of economies.\nDesign/methodology/approach: This is a preliminary study that uses data from the National Expert Survey-Global Entrepreneurship Monitor (NES-GEM). Specifically, the data were gathered through the application of a questionnaire to National Entrepreneurship Experts in a cross-cultural context. Two countries - Portugal and Angola - are analysed.\nFindings: Among the five structural relationships involving institutional drivers analysed, four are found to be statistically significant in the Portuguese sample. Three are found to be statistically significant in the Angolan sample. The results from the multigroup analysis did not support most of the proposed relationship between the two countries.\nResearch limitations/implications: This study is limited by the number and type of countries selected and by the fact that each sub-sample covers several years. It also relies on the perceptions of national experts on entrepreneurship covering several areas. Another limitation is based on the fact that this study emphasises mainly a macro perspective. Therefore, interpretation of these findings and their generalisation should be made with caution.\nOriginality/value: First, this study addresses an area of the GEM model that is believed to be under-researched (NES). Second, the model presented is based on latent variables and analysed through a variance-based method, PLS-structural equation modelling. Third, this study compares the proposed relationships between two sub-sample data sets that represent a factor-driven economy and an innovation-driven economy. Fourth, and most importantly, this study responds to the call for the need to use a new procedure for measurement invariance assessment for composite modelling.\n", "role": "assistant" } ]
A classification of live chat service users in the banking industry	[ "Segmentation", "Classification", "Banking services", "Customer support", "Live chat services" ]	[ { "content": "Summarize the following paper into structured abstract.\n\nIntroduction: Customer service, which enhances or facilitates the sale and use of one's products or services, is often inseparable from the product or service to which it is associated and has a significant impact on demand creation and customer loyalty (Kyj and Kyj, 1994). Ongoing growth in customer contact services, namely, personal communication channels such as face-to-face communications, mail, telephone and the web, influence how customers interact with businesses (Spencer-Matthews and Lawley, 2006). Previously perceived solely as a form of after-sales service, customer service has evolved considerably in recent years (Tchokogue et al., 2001) and is currently in the throes of major changes owing to the introduction of technology into the service equation (Ramanathan et al., 2017). In the banking industry, financial institutions have focused on service delivery technologies as a way of augmenting the services traditionally provided by their personnel (Dauda and Lee, 2015). Indeed, businesses not focusing on the development of new services risk falling behind (Matthing et al., 2006). Customer service is henceforth viewed as a factor of differentiation as well as a tactic adopted by the majority of companies (Tchokogue et al., 2001; Spencer-Matthews and Lawley, 2006; Shin et al., 2017).\nLive chat services: Definition and benefits\nMethodology: A total of 682 panelists responded to a self-administered web-based in cooperation with a recognized Canadian research firm. Respondents were Canadians aged 18 years and above. Each had to have used the live chat service function of a financial institution in the past 12 months but could not be an employee of a financial institution. The average time required to complete the questionnaire was about 10 min. The sample comprised a mix of women (52.9 percent) and men (47.1 percent), with the median age situated between 35 and 44 years. Over 30 percent of respondents had an undergraduate degree. Median personal income before tax stood at between $60,000 and 79,999.\nFindings: Two steps are generally recommended for cluster analyses. The first involves using variables relevant to group creation. Some authors even suggest choosing behavioral and sociodemographic variables (e.g. Punj and Stewart, 1983). As previously mentioned, for the purpose of this study frequency of use and device used have been selected as behavioral variables and age as a sociodemographic variable. The second step, the results of which are presented later in this paper, entails the selection of new variables to describe the groups.\nDiscussion: The relevance of this study owes to a growing interest in and use of live chat services. Findings indeed confirm that 20 percent of respondents have previously used the live chat services of their financial institutions. Our research identifies four different groups of users. One interesting finding relates to Young frequent users (Group 1) in the 18-24 age bracket who use live chat service the most, a result consistent with the literature which points to youth as early adopters of new technologies and extensive users of the internet (Kumar and Lim, 2008). Customer service offerings incorporating web-based chat functions are fast becoming a popular global channel for sales, service and product support, particularly with younger individuals (Lockwood, 2017). Over 77 percent of the young frequent users in Group 1 are women, a finding consistent with a study by eMarketer (2017b) which underscores greater use by youth and women.\nConclusion: The purpose of this paper is to classify live chat service users employing a combination of behavioral (frequency of use and device used) sociodemographic (age) variables to create a series of profiles in the banking industry. The two-step classification produces four different customer profiles. In addition, the authors generate detailed descriptions of the four segments obtained by taking into account variables such as gender, perceived benefits, products discussed, perceived service quality, emotions felt and propensity to recommend. This study presents important implications for ensuring the proper implementation of successful strategies for all segments, but does reveal some limitations which pave the way for future research. First, the authors focus on live chat service users to the exclusion of non-users, some of whom could ultimately become users. Would non-user profiles be distinguishable from user profiles? As a research avenue, in order to assess external validity in other industries, the classification could be extended to various other service sectors (e.g. travel, entertainment, real estate, legal and insurance services).\n", "role": "user" }, { "content": "Purpose: The purpose of this paper is to classify live chat service users in the banking industry and provide relevant descriptive information on each group to be able to suggest appropriate strategies to managers.\nDesign/methodology/approach: A total of 682 panelists from a large Canadian polling firm self-administer a web-based questionnaire. Respondents are users of financial sector live chat services. Two-step cluster analysis was performed.\nFindings: Four groups emerge from the analysis. Young frequent users (Group 1) attach dominant importance to speed of service, whereas computer users (Group 3) and conservative users (Group 4) who avail themselves of live chat services via computer focus on ease of use.\nPractical implications: This study, which details four groups of live chat service users in the banking industry, enables managers to better adapt their strategies to the different market segments with a view to providing customers with better quality service and enhancing their experience.\nOriginality/value: The study presents the first live chat service classification to detail user profiles and examine differences at the before, during and after phases of the user experience. Findings enrich the body of academic literature in the service sector, in particular literature focusing on customer service in the banking industry. The paper also provides an interesting managerial framework for the implementation of successful, segment-specific strategies.\n", "role": "assistant" } ]
Institutional changes in the Swedish meat industry	[ "Sweden", "Institutional change", "Co-operatives", "Agricultural policy", "Conversion", "Slaughterhouse" ]	[ { "content": "Summarize the following paper into structured abstract.\n\n1. Introduction: In 1999, four regional meat co-operatives in Sweden had operational problems, so they took the first step towards merging into an almost nation-wide co-operative, which had an aggregate market share of 60-80 per cent of the market for slaughtered animals. The full merger took place in 2001. In spite of its market dominance, the co-operative's financial performance kept on weakening. In 2007 it was acquired by a multinational meat processing firm, since the farmer-members considered it impossible to rescue the business. By then much of the once strong meat sector had already disappeared.\n2. Background: 2.1. The national agricultural policy\n3. The theory of institutional change: The changes within the Swedish meat industry described above, especially those in the co-operative business sphere, can be understood with the help of the theory of institutional change. Using North (1990) as his point of departure, Aoki (2007, p. 6) suggests that institutions are \"self-sustaining, salient patterns of social interactions, as represented by meaningful rules that every agent knows and are incorporated as agents' shared beliefs about how the game is played and to be played\". Institutions thus constitute sets of rules and norms, conceptions and ideas, all of which direct the behaviour of individuals, groups and organisations. Because the rules and norms evolve sequentially, the concept of \"path dependence\" has become a hallmark in the literature on institutional change.\n4. Methodological approaches: The present study is based on both secondary and primary sources. Facts about the Swedish agricultural policy, the country's accession to the EU and the development of the meat industry originate from secondary sources.\n5. Analysis: 5.1. The national agricultural policy\n6. Conclusions: The institutional changes within the Swedish meat industry during recent decades, following abolition of the national agricultural policy in 1990 and Sweden's accession to the EU in 1995, were analysed here using institutional change theory. In an attempt to manage the new market conditions, four out of five meat co-operatives merged in 2001 but this nation-wide co-operative had to be sold in 2007. The meat industry at large declined because the market-dominating meat co-operative collapsed.\n", "role": "user" }, { "content": "Purpose: The purpose of this paper is to explain institutional changes in the Swedish meat industry after major external events.\nDesign/methodology/approach: Analysis based on secondary data sources and interviews with people involved when the dominant meat co-operative in Sweden underwent major changes.\nFindings: The decline in the Swedish meat industry is interpreted using the theory of institutional change presented by Aoki (2007, 2011). The country's former national agricultural policy created a specific set of norms and values. Co-operatives were considered to be indispensable. The co-operative sector was large and hierarchically organised. Therefore, external signals did not create sufficient endogenous processes within the co-operatives. Co-operative adaptation to rising competitive pressure took place only reluctantly and belatedly. Hence many farmer-members defected and the major co-operative faced finally insurmountable problems. A strong ideological conviction caused the once dominant co-operative to collapse and much of the Swedish meat industry to disappear.\nOriginality/value: This study shows that strong ideology (here a conviction about the advantages of politically governed co-operatives) can hamper endogenous processes within an organisation. Management may ignore outside influences, to the extent that even a large industry is impaired. Other large, hierarchically structured and top-governed organisations with a strong ideology may behave in a similar way.\n", "role": "assistant" } ]
An integrated method to evaluate business process alternatives	[ "Supply chain management", "Demand", "Systems analysis" ]	[ { "content": "Summarize the following paper into structured abstract.\n\nIntroduction: The networked global economy is the result of a number of different geopolitical, economic, technological, and social factors. Globalization and digitalization have been driving forces for the emergence of the e-global age (Lee and Lee, 2002). Effective value chain management is needed to support the global movement of goods, services, capital, and knowledge. Thus, supply chain management has become a critically important means of implementing strategy for most organizations.Supply chain management (SCM) has been defined in a variety of ways depending upon the industry, scale, environment (domestic or global), and type of product service. However, perhaps a sufficient perspective of SCM for our purposes is that it is the process of managing various relationships and functions involved in the value chain from suppliers to producers to distributors to the end user, with the basic goal of maximizing customer value by providing customers with the right product or service, in the right quantity, at the desired time.The impact of advanced information and communication technologies (ICT) during the past ten years, especially the exploding use of internet technology and e-business, has brought tremendous changes to SCM. The driving force behind these changes is the newly empowered customer, notably e-customers (Kuglin, 1998). The e-customer is internet-savvy and discriminating, with a great deal of information about the market in terms of products or services available and their characteristics, such as quality, price, and trustworthiness of the source. The e-customer can now dictate what he or she wants in terms of quantity, desired prices, and location of delivery. Furthermore, e-customers form their own communities, powerful enough to exercise influence on the entire value chain.Perhaps the most important change that e-customers have brought to SCM is reversing the chain and transforming it into demand chain management (DCM). Some researchers argue that while SCM is a push system and DCM is a pull system, their downstream activities are basically the same. Thus, they believe that the distinction between SCM and DCM is quite superfluous (Vakharia, 2002). However, we disagree with this argument. While some firms may work exclusively with either SCM or DCM, others may actually have both SCM and DCM with different demand generation points, different distribution channels, and different approaches needed for customer relationship management (CRM).DCM is a set of practices aimed at managing the entire value chain, motivated by the final customer and working backward to the downstream (Selen and Soliman, 2002). DCM's fundamental objectives are to develop synergy throughout the value chain, and to focus on meeting customer needs rather than focusing on optimization of the logistics and production system (Williams et al., 2002). Close integration of operations between manufacturers, suppliers, and customers in DCM relies to some degree on business process reengineering (Frohlich and Westbrook, 2001). Thus, research in DCM includes Just-in-Time (JIT) manufacturing, mass customization, and use of third-party logistics.Analysis and design of systems to support the end customer involves a number of alternative channels and forms. Contemporary marketplaces have diverse requirements, and one demand chain strategy is not best for all of these requirements. Focus is needed to ensure that demand chains are engineered to customer requirements (Childerhouse et al., 2002). A strategic planning approach would help organizations choose and prioritize desired system features, leading to the identification of better designs of demand chain systems. Each organization needs to design its own path, best serving its unique position in the supply chain.The purpose of this paper is to develop a soft systems version of goal analysis with the intent of viewing information systems design as a system with interacting parts with a shared purpose. Identification of goals in the demand chain can be a way to develop conceptual models to better understand problems in interaction among system parts. This process will lead to a broad set of alternatives. Within the context of a demand chain, this approach will lead to a system design that improves operations for all concerned to provide the best value to the customer.\nDemand chain processes: Retailing modules have been among the most difficult functions for enterprise resource planning systems (ERP) to support, due to the less structured nature of processes involved (Light, 2001).There are five basic channels for retailers to provide customer contact:1. traditional brick-and-mortar stores where customers can physically view products and talk to human sales personnel;2. telephone contact, where customers can talk to a human, but cannot see the merchandise,3. mail order, where customers neither talk to humans nor see the merchandise;4. web sites, where customers do not talk to humans, but can efficiently access a broader set of sources; and5. mobile technology, using handheld devices to access internet sites, with personalized agents providing customized information to the customer.Internet operations are expected to supplement bricks-and-mortar retailing operations. Implementing web operations is going to require re-engineering retailing functions. Demand chain views expand the personalization of retailing, and call for further re-engineering. There are a number of retailing processes that are impacted by application of demand chains, as reviewed in Table I.Issues in moving to demand chain focus\nSystems view: System theory has a long tradition, beginning in Western scientific culture with von Bertalanffy's (1968) biologically based general systems theory. It proved to be a basic reorientation in scientific thinking, opposed to the reductionist view traditional to Western science. Systems consist of interacting components with a common goal, often incorporating feedback mechanisms to keep the system efforts coordinated to accomplishing that goal. System components interact, yielding a system output greater than is explained by the output of its individual components. Von Bertalanffy argued that General Systems Theory would show value if it opened new perspectives and viewpoints capable of experimental and practical application. Even for problems where quantification was impossible due to complexity or uncertainty, systems principles could be applied qualitatively, leading to better understanding.General Systems Theory principles have been widely applied in the study of human systems. This includes information systems. Checkland (1999) credited Herbert Simon with originating systems thinking applied to organizations. Simon's key concept was that management was making selection decisions in pursuit of goals and objectives. Simon (1997) stated that the main requirement in the design of organizational communication systems is not to reduce scarcity of information, but rather to combat the glut of information. Viewing an information system simply as the sum of its parts would lead to mechanisms to generate more information within an organization without consideration of the impact on other system components. Should an information system be judged on the volume of its output, the receivers of these reports would have no means of coping with being over-informed. Viewing information systems as systems in the GST sense would begin with identifying information requirements, and then designing the system to generate that information, focusing on what Rockart (1979) referred to as critical success factors. ERP systems are usually based on business process re-engineering to various degrees, also applying GST principles. In the ERP environment there are attempts to attain optimality through best practices. Of course, it is not easy to get everything just right, and while we would argue that the systems view helps organization information systems, human organizations involve high levels of change and uncertainty, both within systems and dealing with external environments. Therefore systems in human organizations rarely attain optimality, and in those rare cases where they do, they are rarely able to maintain it.Simon (1997) also applied systems thinking to his ideas about decision processes. He gave the decision-making activities of:* setting the agenda;* representing the problem;* finding alternatives; and* selecting alternatives.The first generation of management information systems in America was widely considered to have failed because, their designers sought to maximize the information provided to managers rather than protecting managers from irrelevant distractions (Simon, 1999). Thus we can argue that a non-systems view of information systems led to failed systems. The concept of emergence is important. Emergence contends that the parts of a complex system have mutual relations that do not exist for their parts in isolation (Maturana and Varela, 1998). Feedback control is a system component, requiring recognition of goals, measurement of performance, comparison of performance with goals, and correction when differences were detected.Bounded rationality is a key concept from the work of both March (1978) and Simon (1999). Rational choice makes sense if the future consequences of current actions and future preferences are known. But that is rarely true. Individual preferences are often fuzzy and inconsistent, and appear to change over time. Furthermore, people often protect themselves by obscuring the nature of their preferences, making rational utility analysis problematic. Simon argued that actual human choice behavior was more intelligent than it appeared. The use of aspiration levels, incrementalism, and satisficing rules were argued to be sensible under general business decision-making circumstances. In some instances, goal programming efforts considerably changed the spirit of decision analysis, moving it toward a role of exploring the implications of constraints and away from the concept of the optimal solution.Vickers (1965) differentiated himself from Simon, using a more explicitly dynamic conceptual model of an organization. Vickers argued for the ubiquitous interaction of priority, value, and cost. He rejected the use of a weighted utility function to compare criteria, and insisted on the information concept of matching, along with the reciprocal process of a system operated on by judgment. Vickers was influential in the work of Checkland (1999).Systems Thinking, Systems Practice (Checkland, 1984) tried to avoid reductionism. Checkland and Holwell (1998) focused on information systems as centrally concerned with the human act of creating meaning. Soft systems applies conceptual models to compare alternative solutions to problems, and to better identify changes that can lead to improved system performance.\nGoal analysis method: In this paper, we propose a soft systems version of goal analysis with the intent of viewing information systems design as a system with interacting parts with a shared purpose. Identification of goals can be a way to develop conceptual models to better understand problems in interaction among system parts. This process can lead to a broad set of alternatives. Analysis of systems models can lead to identification of weak points, which can lead to redesign to overcome such problems, thus leading to the analysis of the system leading to better system solutions. Within the context of a demand chain environment, this can lead to a win-win environment and a system design that improves operations for all concerned.The method begins based on Simon's decision making activities (steps 1-3 and 6). Soft systems analysis, possibly supported by system dynamics modeling, is used to support steps 4 and 5. Finally, step 6 can be accomplished by multiple criteria methods:1. set the agenda;2. represent the problem to identify goals;3. find (or generate) alternatives;4. analyze alternative impact of goals;5. refine alternatives to better satisfy goals;6. select.\nDemonstration of method: Business processes are the procedures through which organizations get their work done. If a customer places an order, a business process is needed to record the order, determine if stock is available or if new stock is needed (through purchase or production), send the item to the customer, bill the customer, and monitor the status of the transaction throughout. Every organization has many processes. The success of organizations is determined in part by how well they develop accurate, efficient procedures to implement management strategies.Step 1: set the agenda\nProfiles: Multiple criteria analysis can first mechanically provide profiles of relative performance over the alternatives (here we have nine alternatives, combinations of two decision variables). A chart giving profiles over the nine alternatives is shown in Figure 1.This profile shows the relative advantages and disadvantages of each alternative. For instance, Vendor A's second proposal is very good on cost, time, measurability and stability, but poor on customer retention, new customer acquisition, and flexibility. The proposal by Vendor B adding electronic capabilities is pretty much the reverse. The weakness of Vendor B's basic proposal is customer retention and new customer acquisition. The weakness of Vendor B's modified system is time. The weakness of Vendor A's second proposal adding electronic capabilities is flexibility. There are compensating advantages for all five alternatives.There are many multiple criteria techniques, some presented in detail in Olson (1996). The profile approach is based on Korhonen (1988). The pre-emptive approach is based on Lee (1972). One multiple criteria approach is to pre-emptively set targets for criteria, and then prioritize these target attainment levels to be used as a contingent filter in a process of elimination. For instance, in this case (Table VII), decision makers might select the target attainment levels shown by priority.This set of preemptive priorities can be applied as follows:* priority 1: all alternatives acceptable;* priority 2: all alternatives acceptable;* priority 3: eliminates alternatives Vendor A2 and Vendor B;* priority 4: all three remaining alternatives pass;* priority 5: all three remaining alternatives pass* priority 6: all three remaining alternatives pass* priority 7: eliminates alternative Vendor A2+electronic* priority 8: both remaining alternatives acceptable; and* priority 9: eliminates alternative Vendor Bmod.Since there is only one remaining alternative, Vendor B's system with electronic capabilities is selected. If all remaining alternatives were eliminated, that alternative closest to the eliminating goal would be selected, or subsequent priority goals used to make the selection.This pre-emptive approach is that applied in goal programming. It is a very workable means to reflect managerial judgment. Theoretically, it has been criticized for not investigating tradeoffs among alternatives. The last method presented addresses this feature.\nConclusions: Demand chain focus on customer demands calls for changes in business system design. This includes the design of enterprise systems. There is a need to be more open, to link customers as well as all elements of the demand chain, to include suppliers. There is a need for approaches to enterprise system design and selection capable of reflecting the more complex interactions and multiple attributes important in system selection.We have presented a method based on Simon's view of decision making, and the broad concepts of soft systems analysis, and goal programming. This process can allow broader consideration of organizational goals and focus on customer demands. We used specific techniques in our example. Other techniques could be substituted in particular phases of the method, but our intent was to demonstrate how such a method might work to better support design of enterprise systems in this dynamic new environment.\n", "role": "user" }, { "content": "Purpose: - Globalization and digitalization have led to the need for a different view of international business. Computer technology, especially in the form of enterprise systems, presents the opportunity to apply best (or at least better) practices. Twentieth century enterprise systems were focused on internal optimization. Twenty-first century enterprise systems need to be much more open, and to focus on the demand chain, driven by serving customers better. To better fulfill this need, this paper aims to present a method for evaluation of business process alternatives focusing on demand chain needs.\nDesign/methodology/approach: - A method integrating decision making and system approach principles is presented that includes use of soft systems approaches to identify goals and interrelationships among system parts, generation of alternatives, analysis of alternative performance on goals, refining alternatives to better satisfy goals, and multiple criteria selection analysis to recommend choice.\nFindings: - The method is demonstrated on a small business process design. This process can allow broader consideration of organizational goals and focus on customer demands.\nOriginality/value: - The paper demonstrates how such a method might work to better support the design of enterprise systems in this dynamic new environment.\n", "role": "assistant" } ]
Board interlocks and corporate performance among firms listed abroad	[ "Management history", "Emerging and regional economies" ]	[ { "content": "Summarize the following paper into structured abstract.\n\nIntroduction: A considerable body of research has investigated the strategic use of social networks - in short \"strategic networks\" (Burt, 2000; Dyer and Singh, 1998; Galaskiewicz and Zaheer, 1999; Gulati et al., 2011; Gulati et al., 2000; Podolny and Page, 1998). Proponents of strategic networks argue that there is enormous promise \"in incorporating a deeper understanding of strategic networks into the mainstream of strategy research\" (Gulati et al., 2000, p. 213). Because strategy research ultimately boils down to a quest for better corporate performance, it seems imperative that research on strategic networks explore and demonstrate these networks' impact on performance. While a number of studies document strategic networks' positive impact on performance (Ahuja, 2000; Baum et al., 2000; Koka and Prescott, 2002; Peng and Luo, 2000), other studies suggest that these networks can have negative as well as positive influences (Gargiulo and Benassi, 2000; Labianca et al., 1998; Rowley et al., 2000; Uzzi, 2002). On balance, however, a meta-analysis concludes that the link between strategic networks and performance is \"at best, tenuous\" (Madhavan, 2002, p. 20), thus calling for more sustained theoretical and empirical efforts to probe into the performance impact of strategic networks.\nFirms listed abroad as a historic phenomenon: Since the 1980s, an increasing number of firms around the world have listed their stock abroad. By the end of 1998, 14 and 22 per cent of the firms listed on the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) and London Stock Exchanges, respectively, were foreign companies (McGuinness, 1999, p. 18). Although foreign listing is costly with large legal and accounting fees, there are numerous benefits (Davis and Marquis, 2003; Peng and Su, 2014). Strategically, a firm can benefit from more abundant financial resources and more diversified exposure to different market risks. Politically, foreign listing can improve a firm's relationship with the host market participants (i.e. regulators, investors, customers and the public in general), especially when the firm is interested in local operations such as acquisitions (Pagano et al., 2002). Because of their relative newness in the global economy, firms listed abroad have been under-studied in the literature (Karolyi, 2006; Peng and Su, 2014).\nMainland Chinese firms in Hong Kong: As a part of the global wave, a large number of mainland Chinese firms listed their stocks in Hong Kong and a small number went to New York in the 1990s. In 1993, there were 21 such firms in Hong Kong. By the end of 1997, the number increased to 75[2], representing 15 per cent of the capitalization among all listed firms in Hong Kong. In 1997, mainland Chinese firms raised 60 per cent of new capital through initial public offerings in Hong Kong. In 2000, this number reached 74 per cent (Sheng, 2001, B12). While some mainland firms had been operating (but not listed) in Hong Kong via low-key subsidiaries since the 1950s, their massive, high-profile arrival in the 1990s marked their coming of age and sparked considerable interest in Hong Kong and elsewhere (Au et al., 2000; McGuinness, 1999).\nA window of opportunity: For three important reasons, we argue that the emergence of mainland Chinese firms in Hong Kong represents a rare window of opportunity through which we can probe into the crucial link between interlocks and performance. First, an institutional perspective suggests that in emerging economies such as mainland China and Hong Kong, whereby formal, market-supporting institutions are relatively lacking, interpersonal ties such as interlocks are likely to be especially important (Bowden and Insch, 2013; Peng, 2003). In a developed economy whereby the rules of competition are better known and alternative sources of information are widely available, managers may not have to exclusively rely on interpersonal ties such as interlocks (Haunschild and Beckman, 1998). In contrast, in an emerging economy, managers often have to perform basic functions by themselves, such as obtaining market intelligence, interpreting regulations and enforcing contracts (Khanna and Palepu, 1997). Access to rare information through interlocks thus becomes an essential corporate competence, which may lead to performance benefits (Peng and Luo, 2000). In addition, the Chinese cultural propensity to rely on interpersonal networks to get things done is likely to magnify the potential performance benefits of interlocks (Redding, 1990). While managers all over the world devote considerable time and energy to cultivate interpersonal ties, Chinese managers perhaps \"rely more heavily on the cultivation of personal relationships to cope with the exigencies of their situation\" (Child, 1994, p. 150).\nInterlocks and performance: Reviewers of both the broader strategic network literature (Burt, 2000; Dyer and Singh, 1998; Galaskiewicz and Zaheer, 1999; Gulati et al., 2000, 2011; Podolny and Page, 1998) and the more focused interlocking directorates literature (Galaskiewicz, 1985; Mizruchi, 1996; Pettigrew, 1992) maintain that more than one theory can be invoked when pursuing this research. Consequently, we draw on three perspectives, namely, resource dependence, institutional and resource-based theories[5].\nMethods: Design\nFindings: Network characteristics\nDiscussion: Contributions\nConclusion: At the dawn of the twenty-first century, many firms have listed shares abroad in response to the limitations of their domestic environments and the opportunities of the global capital markets (Karolyi, 2006; Peng and Su, 2014). It is crucial that research unpack the link between theses firms' strategic networks and performance. Focusing on mainland Chinese firms listed in Hong Kong, we have identified and documented a link connecting their board interlocks and corporate performance. Given so many possible factors which may influence corporate performance, of which interlocks are but one of them, our positive findings indeed suggest a very powerful impact of interlocking directorates on corporate performance. In conclusion, to address the question whether strategic networks such as board interlocks matter for performance, our answer is a qualified \"yes\".\n", "role": "user" }, { "content": "Purpose: This paper aims to explore the interlock-performance relationship among mainland Chinese firms listed in Hong Kong by taking advantage of a relationship-intensive context whereby such a link is likely to be especially important. Although strategic networks such as interlocking directorates have been found to affect a number of strategic behaviors, the link connecting board interlocks and corporate performance has remained ambiguous. Considerable light has been shed on the strategic networks of firms whose shares are listed abroad, which have been under-studied despite their rising importance in the global economy.\nDesign/methodology/approach: Data come from a particularly interesting historical period - the early 1990s prior to Hong Kong's 1997 handover to China. Both quantitative and qualitative research have been used.\nFindings: Empirically, it was found that good performance in an earlier period helps draw outside directors in a later period, and that network centrality and certain types of interlocks help improve performance, albeit with varying degrees. Overall, our results answer the question whether strategic networks such as interlocks matter for corporate performance with a qualified \"yes\".\nOriginality/value: Taking advantage of a relationship-intensive context, this article explores the interlock-performance relationship among mainland Chinese firms listed in Hong Kong. Focus is specifically on the two years, 1993 and 1995, due to their specific historical importance because these two years represent the beginning of Chinese firms' listing in Hong Kong.\n", "role": "assistant" } ]
Health expenditures and inequality: a political economy perspective	[ "Political economy", "Inequality", "Variable elasticity of substitution", "Health expenditures", "Wealth distributions" ]	[ { "content": "Summarize the following paper into structured abstract.\n\n1. Introduction: Public expenditure on health care is considered to be a means of achieving equitable and efficient outcomes for an economy due to its redistributive nature. However, individuals can also undertake private investments in health, which, as suggested by Valletta (2014) Chakraborty and Das (2005), Deaton (2003) and Ray and Streufert (1993), could lead to persistent inequalities in health outcomes, income and wealth. Given the importance of both public and private health expenditures, several extant studies have explored the manner in which the mix of these expenditures can impact macroeconomic outcomes (for instance, see Bhattacharya and Qiao, 2007; Lahiri and Richardson, 2009; Li et al., 2016; Varvarigos and Zakaria, 2013).\n2. The benchmark model: We consider a two period overlapping generations model where each generation consists of n agents. Time is discrete and given by t=1, 2, ... All agents safely survive through youth, but an agent's probability of survival into old age is determined by health investment in youth, which comprises of private health expenditure undertaken by the agent as well as health care services provided by the state. During youth, the agent gives birth to a single offspring, whose wealth endowment, as in Chakraborty and Das (2005), depends on whether her parent survives safely through old age or not. In the former case, the parent leaves a bequest for her child, while in the latter case, the child inherits her parent's savings, which can be considered as an unintended bequest. We assume an imperfect wealth market such that interest on savings can be enjoyed by the individual only if she survives safely through old age. If the parent dies prematurely, her child inherits only the gross value of her savings as an unintended bequest[4]. Public health care services are financed by a proportional tax of rate t imposed on the heterogeneous wealth endowments Wt of the young agents in the economy. These wealth endowments have a probability density function gt(Wt) in the support [0, [?]], so that average tax revenue collected by the government in period t is:\n3. Political economy extension: In this section, we consider a political economy extension to the benchmark model introduced before. Decision making by agents in this economy is now considered to be characterised as a two stage game. At the beginning of each period, there exists a first stage where young agents vote on the value of ps which is the proportion of tax revenue allocated towards providing public health care. Once the winning value of ps is determined, agents make their consumption and bequest plans in the second stage taking the value of ps as given. Thus, we considered the second stage of this game in Section 2.\n4. Numerical experiments and analysis: This section is based on numerical experiments carried out by varying the values of the parameter b and the \"pure\" share of public spending a. We have already analytically established that a higher value of b impacts wealth and utility positively in the benchmark model, and individuals' preferred proportion of revenue allocated to health care in the political economy extension. In this section we carry out numerical experiments to gain insights into the wealth dynamics created through the political economy process. This section is not intended to be a comprehensive calibration exercise; rather it illustrates some qualitative features of the model using a reasonably plausible - rather than exact - parameterisation of the model[9].\n5. Conclusion: This paper introduces a VES \"health production function\", where a person's health capital is determined by public and private health expenditures into an overlapping generations model where agents have heterogeneous wealth endowments in order to examine how substitutability between public and private health expenditures at the aggregate level impacts long run macroeconomic outcomes.\n", "role": "user" }, { "content": "Purpose: The purpose of this paper is to explore the manner in which the degree of substitutability between public and private health expenditures contributes towards the distribution of wealth and political economy outcomes in the long run.\nDesign/methodology/approach: An overlapping generations model with heterogeneous agents where a person's probability of survival into old age is determined by a variable elasticity of substitution (VES) health production function with public and private expenditures as inputs is developed. Public expenditure on health is determined through a political economy process.\nFindings: Analytical and numerical results reveal that higher substitutability between private and public expenditures at the aggregate level and a higher share of public spending in the production of health lead to higher long run wealth levels and lower inequality. In the political equilibrium, higher aggregate substitutability between public and private health expenditures is associated with more tax revenue allocated towards public health. For most parameter combinations, the political economy and welfare maximising proportions of tax revenue allocated towards public health care converge in the long run.\nResearch limitations/implications: The paper is a theoretical investigation of how substitutability between public and private health expenditures affect transitional and long run macroeconomic outcomes. These results are amenable to further empirical investigation.\nPractical implications: The findings indicate that policies to improve institutional aspects that yield higher substitutability between public and private health expenditures and returns to public health spending could lead to better long run economic outcomes.\nSocial implications: The results provide a political economy explanation for the low investments in public health care in developing countries, where aggregate substitutability between public and private health expenditures is likely to be lower. Furthermore, comparing the political economy and welfare maximising paradigms broadens the scope of the framework developed herein to provide potential explanations for cross-country differences in health outcomes.\nOriginality/value: This paper adopts an innovative approach to exploring this issue of substitutability in health expenditures by introducing a VES health production function. In an environment where agents have heterogeneous wealth endowments, this specification enables a distinction to be made between substitutability of these expenditures at the aggregate and individual levels, which introduces a rich set of dynamics that feeds into long run outcomes and political economy results.\n", "role": "assistant" } ]
Justice or compassion? Cultural differences in power norms affect consumer satisfaction with power-holders	[ "Culture", "Hispanics", "Power", "Social norms", "Customer satisfaction", "European Americans" ]	[ { "content": "Summarize the following paper into structured abstract.\n\n1. Introduction: Power is a fundamental aspect of everyday social life (Cartwright, 1959). The effects of power on human behavior have been widely documented in the sociology, psychology, and organizational behavior literature (Fiske, 1993; Magee and Galinsky, 2008; Blau, 1964). Interestingly, although notions of power are common in brand advertisements (as in Volkswagen's slogan \"That's the power of German engineering\") and can easily arise in consumers' everyday activities (e.g. an executive reminded of his powerful status when shopping or a patient waiting for a diagnosis from her doctor), only recently has the concept of power made it into the consumer research literature. In their recent review, Rucker et al. (2012) highlight the effects of having and lacking power, respectively, in fostering agentic and communal orientations. These orientations have downstream consequences for perception, cognition, and behavior. Absent from this review is the moderating role of culture on these well-documented power effects, as there is limited research on this issue. Yet, recent research suggests that within and across cultures, people vary widely in how power is conceptualized (Torelli and Shavitt, 2010, 2011). As consumer markets grow more culturally diverse and globalization fosters the penetration of culturally diverse markets, it is important for marketers to understand how distinct notions of power impact the attitudes and behaviors of consumers from different cultures (Luna and Gupta, 2001; Yaprak, 2008). Building upon recent work at the interface of power and culture, and integrating this with past findings about the central role of social norms in shaping human behavior, the present research addresses cultural patterning in the injunctive norms applied to power-holders. We investigate the consequences of this cultural patterning of power norms for consumers' evaluations of service providers, an important and under-researched area with implications for global service management (Alden et al., 2010; Javalgi and White, 2002).\n2. Theory development: 2.1. Interpersonal power and culture\n3. Hypotheses: We propose that cultural differences in the injunctive norms applied to powerful actors in consumer settings arise because, overall, White Americans and Hispanics differ in their conceptualizations of power. Moreover, because White Americans conceptualize power in personalized terms (Torelli and Shavitt, 2010), when power is primed (vs not primed) they are more likely to approve of service providers who treat others justly and distribute resources equitably. In contrast, because Hispanics conceptualize power in socialized terms, when power is primed (vs not primed) they are more likely to approve of service providers who treat others with compassion.\n4. Methodology and results: 4.1. Overview\n5. General discussion: Power is a pervasive and important concept in consumer behavior (Rucker et al., 2012), and social norms play a central role in influencing consumption (Ryan, 1982; Nolan et al., 2008). By integrating these two important concepts with emerging research on cultural distinctions in power concepts (Torelli and Shavitt, 2010, 2011), this research uncovered cultural variations in injunctive norms applied to power-holders, and highlighted situations in which these norms are likely to be applied to judgments in services and supplier contexts. Because White Americans conceptualize power in personalized terms, and expect that people will use their power for their personal gain, they are predisposed to apply to power-holders such as service providers' injunctive norms of justice (rather than compassion). In contrast, because Hispanics conceptualize power in socialized terms, and expect that people will use power for helping others, they are predisposed to apply to power-holders injunctive norms of compassion (rather than justice). As expected, cultural variations in the use of alternative injunctive norms for judging powerful service-providers or negotiators were more evident when the norms were made readily available by priming power.\n6. Theoretical implications: This research suggests two key implications for our theoretical understanding of the role of social norms in carrying cultural patterns. First, in line with research showing that adherence to cultural norms depends on the situation (Fu et al., 2007; Savani et al., 2012), our findings shed light on the conditions under which cultural differences in the injunctive norms applied to power-holders are more likely to emerge. We were able to provide evidence for contextual variability by examining judgments in situations in which power was (was not) primed. In line with the position that norms applied to power-holders are linked to culturally nurtured views of power, we show that they are more likely to be used for judging others in contexts in which power is salient.\n7. Implications for practice: Our findings demonstrate how power salience can make readily available different culturally nurtured power norms among White Americans and Hispanics, which in turn causes these consumers to judge differently their satisfaction with service providers in ongoing, real-life service interactions. In Study 3, when notions of power were (vs were not) made salient by contextual cues (e.g. viewing power images in a questionnaire), Hispanics evaluated more favorably their actual health care provider to the extent that he/she was perceived as being more compassionate. These findings have direct implications for how marketers in the health care industry train customer service employees and manage power signals in service encounters. Because interactions with health care providers can spontaneously trigger notions of power (one of the power images in our studies was that of a doctor wearing a white coat), it would be advisable for these providers to exhibit compassionate behaviors when interacting with Hispanic consumers. Indeed, levels of customer satisfaction may increase when such compassion cues are delivered jointly with power signals (e.g. wearing a white coat or other symbol of power, or when exhibiting expert power upon providing health advice). In contrast, when interacting with White American consumers, health care providers may want to pay careful attention to appearing just and equitable to earn high levels of customer satisfaction. These recommendations also extend to other service contexts in which notions of power can be salient due to the nature of the provider-consumer relationship (e.g. interactions with lawyers, financial lending companies, or government service providers).\n8. Limitations and directions for future research: Our research addresses cultural patterning in the injunctive norms applied to power-holders, highlighting the consequences for consumer evaluations of service providers. We focussed on two sub-cultural groups within the USA, White Americans and Hispanics, and emphasized how culturally relevant norms applied to power-holders predict consumer judgments in supply chain and service settings. Thus, our findings are limited to these sub-cultural groups and to the settings included in the studies. Study 2 investigates cultural differences in injunctive norms in the context of a hypothetical supply chain scenario in which justice norms were pitted against compassion norms. Asking participants to rank the importance of these norms strengthens confidence about the cultural patterning of injunctive norms as an underlying mechanism (i.e. increased internal validity), although we acknowledge that forcing a tradeoff may limit the generalizability of the findings (i.e. decreased external validity). The field study (Study 3) shows for the first time the role of injunctive norms of power in a real-world and highly involving context, a health care interaction, providing evidence for the external validity of our research findings.\n9. Conclusion: In sum, our research shows that injunctive norms applied to power-holders vary according to culturally nurtured power concepts. White Americans - who conceptualize power in personalized terms and expect that power-holders will use their power for personal gain - are predisposed to apply to power-holders injunctive norms of justice. In contrast, Hispanics - who conceptualize power in socialized terms and expect that power-holders will use power for helping others - are predisposed to apply to power-holders injunctive norms of compassion. Consistent with the notion that adherence to cultural norms is often situationally dependent (Fu et al., 2007; Savani et al., 2012), and attesting to the linkage of these norms to power concepts, our findings show that the tendency to endorse or apply culturally distinct injunctive norms in supplier and services contexts emerges primarily when power is made salient.\n", "role": "user" }, { "content": "Purpose: The purpose of this paper is to investigate cultural variations in the qualities that White Americans and Hispanic Americans believe power-holders should embody, and the situations in which these norms influence consumer satisfaction.\nDesign/methodology/approach: Two experimental studies (n1=130 and n2=121) and one field study (n=241) were conducted with White American and Hispanic participants. Results were analysed using ANOVA and regression.\nFindings: White Americans are predisposed to apply to power-holders injunctive norms of treating others justly and equitably, whereas Hispanics are predisposed to apply injunctive norms of treating others compassionately. These cultural variations in the use of injunctive norms were more evident in business or service contexts in which power was made salient, and emerged in the norms more likely to be endorsed by White American and Hispanic participants (Study 1), their approval of hypothetical negotiators who treated suppliers equitably or compassionately (Study 2), and their evaluations of powerful service providers in a real-life, on-going and consequential interaction (Study 3).\nResearch limitations/implications: This research suggests key implications for our theoretical understanding of the role of social norms in carrying cultural patterns, as well as for cross-cultural theories of consumer satisfaction with service providers.\nPractical implications: Marketers should pay attention to signals of fairness (compassion) in their services, as perceptions of fairness (compassion) by White American (Hispanic) consumers can boost satisfaction ratings. This is particularly important in service encounters that might be characterized by power differentials, such as those in health care and financial services.\nOriginality/value: As consumer markets grow more culturally diverse, it is important for marketers to understand how distinct notions of power impact the attitudes and behaviors of consumers from different cultures. This research investigates the implications of distinct power concepts for multi-cultural consumers' evaluations of service providers, an important and under-researched area with implications for global service management.\n", "role": "assistant" } ]
A framework for identifying and understanding enterprise systems benefits	[ "Benefits", "Enterprise systems", "ERP systems", "Framework", "Content analysis", "Case studies" ]	[ { "content": "Summarize the following paper into structured abstract.\n\n1 Introduction: For many organizations, enterprise systems represent an area of significant financial investment and business activity. A recent survey of CIOs (in 1,500 organizations across 30 industries and 48 countries) representing over US$138 billion of IT spending identified enterprise applications as the second most significant IT priority (McDonald, 2009). Another survey (of 629 CFOs) reports that in 2008 levels of enterprise resource planning (ERP) activity increased over corresponding levels in 2007. About 32 percent of responding organizations are currently involved in some form of ERP activity (e.g. a new implementation in progress, expansion to include further modules, or upgrade to a new release) and a further 12 percent of organizations had new implementations planned for the next year (CSC, 2008). Both surveys emphasize that understanding and improving the benefits and returns from enterprise system investments is a significant and challenging activity.The topic of enterprise systems benefits has also been widely discussed in the academic research literature (Legare, 2002; Murphy and Simon, 2002; Shang and Seddon, 2002; Staehr et al., 2002; Staehr, 2007). Research findings continue to identify the fact that organizations do not always achieve the benefits they desire from their enterprise systems implementations (Quattrone and Hopper, 2001; Staehr et al., 2002; Grant et al., 2006; McDonald, 2009). Against this background, this research contributes to the reframing of research into enterprise systems benefits. We argue that although there have been advances in knowledge, current frameworks for understanding the benefits of enterprise systems are limited in scope and a more holistic and detailed level of analysis of benefits is required. Our research seeks to address these limitations by developing an extended framework that provides a greater level of detail about individual benefits, their nature and timing. Our objectives are:1. to assist organizations locate and understand the benefits of their enterprise systems activities; and2. to contribute to extending current theorisations about the business benefits of enterprise systems.In this paper, we consolidate and report on work being conducted as part of a long-term programme of research into the benefits and business value of enterprise systems. We focus specifically on ERP systems and on the development of an extended framework for identifying and understanding ERP systems benefits.The paper is organised as follows. We begin with a discussion of existing research and provide an analysis of current frameworks for understanding ERP benefits. Through this, we identify a number of limitations of existing work and present an argument for the development of a more comprehensive benefits identification framework. Subsequent sections explain the methodology for deriving the framework and introduce the extended framework and its dimensions. We conclude by discussing the extent to which our identified research imperatives have been achieved and present some directions for future research.\n2 ERP benefits: background and literature: A number of reviews of research into ERP benefits have been published (Esteves and Pastor, 2001; Esteves and Borhorquez, 2007; Staehr, 2007). Rather than re-iterate the content of these reviews, we present a synthesis of the literature according to the different interpretations of the concept of ERP benefit. A detailed analysis of the extant literature was undertaken following guidelines suggested by Webster and Watson (2002) and Hart (1998). Using thematic content analysis, we identify three distinct areas of focus. See Table I and the discussion below outlining the three research streams.2.1 Nature of ERP benefits (classification)\n3 Research method and research steps: In the following sections, we describe our research approach, data sources, and the details of our research steps. We used an explorative case study research approach to develop the benefits framework. Case studies are regarded as particularly suitable for understanding phenomena within their organizational context (Yin, 2003). Klein and Myers (1999, p. 68) performed a study and concluded that \"case study research is now accepted as a valid research strategy within the IS research community\". Bonoma (1985) points out that case studies in social sciences have been used for both:* validating existing theories and thus deducing empirical consequences; and* building theory by using inductive principles.We use case studies to explore the organizational context of, and variations in, ERP benefits in order to derive an extended framework for identifying and understanding the benefits of ERP implementations.3.1 Case study selection\n4 Research output: framework and taxonomy: In this section, we describe the extended benefits framework and the dimensions of the coding scheme in more detail.4.1 The expectations-benefits framework\n5 Discussion: Our work addresses the research imperatives outlined in Section 2.4 in the following way.5.1 Motivations and ERP benefits\n6 Conclusions and outlook: In this article, we present an extended enterprise systems benefits (exp-ben) framework. The framework builds on previous work by:* providing a more detailed classification of benefits that takes into account expected, realized and unintended benefits; and* is derived from rich empirical data (the final framework will incorporate more than 60 cases) allowing for profiling of organizations by industry sector, company size, reach and scope of enterprise system implementation, and the timing and nature of benefits.The framework (and other associated tools to map and visualize benefits change) enables us to gain deeper insights into the nature of enterprise systems benefits, contextual variations and how they may change over time; contributing to further extending current theorisations about the business benefits of enterprise systems.The research findings also assist organizations to identify and understand the benefits of their enterprise systems implementations. The results of the research provide useful business intelligence for companies. In our ongoing work, we are developing a software tool for the identification and the measurement of benefits that is based on the framework and the database. The tool can be used by companies to take a first step for the identification of their possible benefits - typically before taking a decision to invest in a new enterprise system or embarking on a significant extension of an existing system. The large amount of data available will also make it possible to benchmark companies based on specific company profiles (size, industry, and role). Additionally, we intend to apply the tool in our own work with companies. We have a planned programme of action research on benefits realization within organizations. The research is organised around a series of participatory, in-depth longitudinal case studies. This work uses the insights and tools from our current findings to assist organizations to better define and manage enterprise systems benefits.There are some limitations to our findings. First, the eXperience cases all reflect \"success stories\" which were recorded from companies that volunteered to share their experiences with the researchers. Consequently, the remarks made by the interview partners might in some cases gloss over problems or show the outcome in a somehow better light than experienced by the people involved in the project. Our proposed in-depth case studies seek to address this limitation and to focus on disbenefits and negative outcomes more closely. Second, the case studies were not written with an explicit focus on benefits, although it is a key theme throughout the cases. The description of the intentions and the outcome of the projects are sometimes scattered over the case study text and thus sometimes difficult for the coders to identify. Nevertheless, when looking at the (sometimes also quite critical) remarks in the outcome section of the case studies we came to believe that the interview partners were quite candid in most cases and that the data are thus sufficiently reliable for the purpose of this study. Future case will also address this limitation by following benefits as they change and evolve over time to provide a more in-depth analysis of benefits and business change.\n", "role": "user" }, { "content": "Purpose: - Identifying the benefits arising from implementations of enterprise systems and realizing business value remains a significant challenge for both research and industry. This paper aims to consolidate previous work. It presents a framework for investigating enterprise systems benefits and business change, which addresses the identified limitations of previous research and provides a more detailed analysis of benefits and their contextual variation.\nDesign/methodology/approach: - Drawing on data gathered from 31 real-world organizations (case studies) of differing size, maturity, and industry sector, the study adopts an iterative content analysis to empirically derive a comprehensive benefits framework.\nFindings: - The content analysis provides a detailed classification of expectations and benefits, which is described in a four-level framework. The four levels (areas) are further subdivided into aspects and criteria plus an attributed appraisal value. The resulting scheme for the \"three-level benefit codes\" provides a greater level of detail about the nature of expected and realized benefits.\nPractical implications: - The high level of detail and the code scheme comprising 60 different codes and the method for deriving the codes allows companies to identify and define benefits as well as to assess the outcome of enterprise systems implementation projects.\nOriginality/value: - The paper empirically develops an applicable benefits framework, which addresses the lack of detail of previous frameworks.\n", "role": "assistant" } ]
Motivators and inhibitors in booking a hotel via smartphones	[ "Information technology", "Decision-making", "Hotel" ]	[ { "content": "Summarize the following paper into structured abstract.\n\nIntroduction: Smartphones and tablets are revolutionizing consumers' planning, researching and executing in the decision-making process. Nelson (2013) reported that about 67 per cent of South Koreans, 66 per cent of Chinese, 65 per cent of Australians, 61 per cent of British and 53 per cent of Americans use smartphones (with or without touch screens) in their daily lives. eMarketer (2013) expected 80 per cent of the Americans to be users of mobile devices by 2014. In terms of mobile device use for travel purposes, Targeting Innovation (2013) stated that about 75 per cent of the mobile users have used their smartphones when travelling domestically or overseas. This remarkable growth in the utilization of smartphones implies potential capacity of advanced information and communication technology (ICT) in the hospitality and tourism industry because the ubiquity of mobile information services enables people to gain advantage from spatial, temporal and contextual mobility (Rasinger et al., 2009).\nLiterature review: The adoption of smartphones in hospitality and tourism\nHypothesis development: Perceived behavioural control\nResearch method: Data collection\nResults: Profiles of respondents\nDiscussion: With recognition of the importance of smartphones to the hospitality business, previous researchers mainly discussed consumers' adoption of smartphones with TAM theory emphasizing perceived usefulness and ease of use, as well as the roles of the technology in the information-search stage (Kim et al., 2008a, 2008b; Oh et al., 2009). However, efforts to identify factors that affect transaction behaviours using mobiles are limited despite the large potential of expanding the future market in hospitality industries. Accordingly, this study adapted the concept of consumer values that suggest the trade-off between perceived benefits and sacrifices (i.e. costs and anxiety) and TPB that proposes the importance of PBC and self-efficacy factors. As a result, this paper identifies that perceived benefit, PBC and self-efficacy play roles of direct or indirect motivators, whereas anxiety serve as an inhibitor to make a behavioural intention to use their smartphones for booking hotel accommodations.\nImplications and future research: The implications of this study are twofold: theoretical and managerial aspects. This research provides a theoretical contribution to the hospitality literature by identifying the factors that have positive and negative influences on intentions to book hotel reservations via smartphones. Most of the previous studies have applied theories of TAM developed from the organizational context to assess the adoption and impact of smartphones on hospitality activities, which implicitly assume that behaviour is volitional. However, smartphone users confront several new constraints pertaining to use of new technology, such as uncertainty of outcomes from use, lack of control, etc. These issues induce a need to assess elements more relevant to the consumer behaviours. Accordingly, this study took into account consumer values and TPB model that propose five important factors. As a result, this research finds significant motivators and obstacles to mobile hotel booking behaviours.\n", "role": "user" }, { "content": "Purpose: The purpose of this research is to identify motivators (i.e. self-efficacy, perceived behavioural control and perceived benefits) and inhibitors (i.e. perceived cost and anxiety) that affect behavioural intentions to book hotel rooms using smartphones.\nDesign/methodology/approach: Utilising survey data collected from online consumers who have booked hotels in London, two stages of structural equation modelling were applied to estimate the proposed model.\nFindings: The results of this research indicate that perceived behavioural control appears to be the core motivator for the use of smartphones to book a hotel with perceived benefits, whereas anxiety plays a negative role in leading to mobile booking behaviours. It is also identified that self-efficacy indirectly influences intentions to reserve hotel accommodation.\nPractical implications: This study suggests that hospitality marketers should simplify the mobile purchasing process to enhance self-confidence in controlling the system during transactions, educate current and potential online consumers to become aware of the competitive benefits of using smartphones and create alliances with credit card companies to relieve anxiety when users are asked to provide personal or banking information.\nOriginality/value: In light of the substantial literature regarding the adoption of technology in terms of user experience (i.e. TAM), this study integrates two theoretical foundations of understanding consumer behaviours (i.e. a concept of consumer values and theory of planned behaviour) to assess motivators and inhibitors in behaviours related to booking hotel accommodation via smartphones.\n", "role": "assistant" } ]
The impact of knowledge management processes on organisational performance: The case of the airline industry	[ "Knowledge management", "Organizational performance", "Knowledge management processes", "Pilot study" ]	[ { "content": "Summarize the following paper into structured abstract.\n\n1. Introduction: The current economic climate brings a range of difficulties and challenges for organisations, such as growing competition between organisations as a result of continually increasing globalisation. This situation is such that new management concepts and paradigms, i.e. knowledge management (KM), are being recognised as important tools for improving the efficiency and success of organisations (Lee and Choi, 2003).\n2. Literature review: 2.1. Knowledge and its management\n3. Conceptual model: Based on the previous discussion, the following conceptual research model (Figure 1) was proposed as a platform for exploration of the influential relationship between a set of KM processes (creation and acquisition, modification, use, transfer, archiving, translating/repurposing, access, and disposal) and OP. The first eight arrows represent the KM processes life cycle and its relationship to OP which is fits the AI.\n4. Methodology: 4.1. Research design\n5. Results and discussion: Various aspects of KM were investigated in detail and interview questionnaire was prepared to observe the prime processes of KM and their impact on OP. Key features of all the KM processes were investigated in this pilot study. Data generated from interviews were analysed using content analysis. This fostered the identification of key themes in the data which related to the variables of the model. Respondents' feedback and answers were compared in order to define differences and common views concerning the impact of the proposed KM processes on OP. Considering the preliminary nature of the current study, the results presented below might provide direction for the later stages of the current study as well as future research concerning the categories of KM processes and their potential impact on OP.\n6. Finding of the pilot study: The findings of the pilot study were as follows: 60 per cent of the interviewees were familiar of the term \"knowledge management\"; most respondents possessed some knowledge about the organisation's type of technologies; few respondents possessed knowledge about their organisation's profitability; there is a lack of knowledge about the various processes of the organisation, various clients associated with the organisation, and various ventures undertaken by the organisation; interviewees revealed that KM processes can help the organisation through increasing profitability and improving employees' knowledge sharing and participation; respondents ranked KM practices of their organisation on scale from 1 - lowest to knowledge modification and knowledge disposal - to the rank 8 - highest to knowledge use and knowledge translation; respondents agreed that KM would add value to their organisation; interviewees agreed that KM is very important to their organisations; most respondents agreed that self-reporting and documentation are mechanisms to create and acquire knowledge, 60 per cent viewed version control as the mechanism to modify knowledge, 60 per cent agreed that feedback systems are the mechanism of knowledge use, 80 per cent agreed that information technologies represent mechanisms for archiving knowledge, 20 per cent saw physical transfer as the mechanism to transfer knowledge while 80 per cent saw networks as the mechanism to transfer knowledge, 80 per cent agreed that information technologies form the mechanisms to translate knowledge, 80 per cent saw IT as the mechanism to provide the user with access to knowledge. Although in literature established process is a mechanism to dispose knowledge Bergeron (2003), however, 80 per cent agreed that technologies is the only mechanism to dispose knowledge while 20 per cent did not know; respondents viewed knowledge usage and transfer as the most influential factors that impact on OP; and finally, most interviewees thought that financial measures were influenced by KM processes, while preparing for the future comes in the bottom of the list.\n7. Revised model: Based on the finding of the pilot study, the proposed model was adjusted as seen in Figure 3. These involved modifications of the mechanisms of knowledge disposal only while other dependent and independent variables have not been changed. The study shows that established processes are not use as a mechanism to dispose knowledge which is incongruity with proposed conceptual model. Furthermore, the pilot study results agreed that the only way to dispose knowledge is through technologies such as paper shredder or using software.\n8. Conclusion: Most of the available studies relating to KM practically in the AI have considered organisational knowledge as a significant asset for gaining competitive advantage, and as a significant contributor to the success and survival of any organisation within a highly competitive business environment. Therefore, this paper has presented an analytical review of the existing research on the interrelationship between KM processes and OP within the context of AI. A number of processes were identify these processes including knowledge creation and acquisition, knowledge modification, knowledge usage, knowledge archiving, knowledge transfer, knowledge translation/repurposing, user access to knowledge, and knowledge disposal. These processes were used to construct a proposed conceptual model. The model is a way of evaluation KM processes and to explore their potential impact on OP. The results of the conducted qualitative pilot study show that these processes and the associated mechanisms are applicable and implementable in AI. All these processes and mechanisms have positive effect on OP with the exception of the established process mechanism which does not play an effective role in the relationship with the other mechanisms that are used to dispose knowledge. Moreover, the results show that knowledge usage and transfer are the most influential processes that impact on OP within the context of AI. Furthermore, this study has highlighted that the only mechanism to dispose knowledge is technology because it help to find tools such as software that use to delete information and knowledge from database. The study contributed towards validation of the KM processes and the mechanisms for these processes within AI context. The study was a pilot study; hence, a small interview sample used in this study for particular purpose to improve the conceptual model for further research. Nonetheless, important indications and direction for future research might be highlighted. The next empirical stage of this research would be to explore the level of these KM processes and to measure their impact on OP. This might lead to more in-depth validation of these proposed processes and the provision of a set of guidelines for effective utilisation of these processes. Such guidelines may serve to improve OP. Moreover, future KM research will have to explore the impact of the cultural attributes within the AI and the potential impact of these attributes on success of any proposed KM system.\n", "role": "user" }, { "content": "Purpose: The purpose of this paper is to evaluate knowledge management (KM) processes and to investigate their impact on organisational performance (OP) within the context of the airline industry (AI).\nDesign/methodology/approach: An inductive and deductive qualitative approach was used based on a preliminary study. A pilot study was conducted which involved the use of interviews as a primary data collection method. Content analysis was used to extract and analyse themes from the data.\nFindings: The study showed that knowledge usage is the most influential aspect of KM in terms of the impact on OP. Moreover, the study revealed that knowledge transfer is a common KM process employed by organisations.\nResearch limitations/implications: This study outlined the findings of a pilot study which aimed to test a proposed conceptual model and to provide an initial understanding of the interrelationships between KM processes and OP. To this end, a number of interviews were conducted in order to consolidate a conceptual model. As such, the nature of this preliminary study imposed some time and context limitations. These limitations will be dealt within later stages of the research journey.\nOriginality/value: The value of the study is generated from the extensive review of the literature it provided which enhanced proposing a conceptual model that was initially tested with the aim of defining an appropriate KM processes within a unique and yet untested context as well as describing the impact of these processes on OP. Determination of KM processes is expected to set a guideline for future research in the AI.\n", "role": "assistant" } ]
Tough but not terrific: value destruction in men's health	[ "Value creation", "Social marketing", "Value destruction", "Value co-destruction", "Masculine identities", "Self-conscious emotions" ]	[ { "content": "Summarize the following paper into structured abstract.\n\nIntroduction: Much of the transformative service research (TSR) literature is focused on positive outcomes for the consumer (Anderson et al., 2013; Blocker and Barrios, 2015). However, not all transformative services have been able to effectively deliver improved well-being and rewarding value for their consumers (Zainuddin et al., 2017; Leo and Zainuddin, 2017; Ple and Chumpitaz Caceres, 2010). Preventative health services struggle to engage men to adopt and use their services, with less than optimal participation rates (Australian Institute of Health and Welfare, 2018; Robinson and Robertson, 2010). Value propositions or offers to co-create value presented to male consumers by preventative health services are often ignored or rejected (Courtenay, 2000; Gronroos and Voima, 2013). Men have cited a threat to masculinity and emotions like embarrassment as reasons for avoiding health services (Consedine et al., 2011; Leone et al., 2017; Yousaf et al., 2015). However, there is a gap in the literature addressing how value might be created or destroyed in men's health contexts. This paper finds that indeed, in some instances, value is destroyed by male consumers through the intentional and unintentional misuse of a service (Ple and Chumpitaz Caceres, 2010; Leo and Zainuddin, 2017). Value destruction in transformative services can lead to a diminishment of consumer well-being such as decreased chance of disease detection which increases the risk of illness and/or death (Leo and Zainuddin, 2017; Ple and Chumpitaz Caceres, 2010). The health literature indicates that some men avoid health services as these are perceived as help-seeking (Leone et al., 2017). Help-seeking is often incongruent with masculine identity because traditional masculine ideals include toughness, stoicism and self-reliance (Galdas et al., 2005; Leone et al., 2017; Connell, 2005). Help-seeking can also translate to a perceived loss of autonomy or control leading to reactance, the rejection of the service or positive health behaviour to restore perceived control (Addis and Mahalik, 2003; Brehm and Brehm, 2013; Fogarty, 1997). Despite this knowledge, to date there is little investigation examining the role of masculine identity and the value destruction process when men reject or ignore preventative health services.\nLiterature review: Transformative services and men's well-being\nMethod: Research context\nFindings: Analysis of the projection exercise found that masculine identities identified as most likely to destroy value and thus have negative health beliefs and behaviours were the Outlaw, the Ruler and the Explorer. When asked to self-identify with an archetype, most participants identified with the Thinker (15), which was predicted to have positive health beliefs and behaviours. Social desirability may have influenced the self-identifying results as the exercise occurred after the projection activities and discussion (Fisher, 1993). The Regular Guy (7) and the Explorer (4) were the next archetypes participants most identified with. The Regular Guy was predicted to have normative health behaviours in the projection exercise. Those who identified with more than one archetype were not counted in the self-identification tally.\nTheoretical implications: This study contributes to the scarce literature on value destruction for service systems (Ple and Chumpitaz Caceres, 2010; Lintula et al., 2017). The research provides a new perspective on the phenomenon as value destruction has been shown to be a mechanism by which male consumers restore homeostasis in their gender identity when encountering preventative health services. This equilibrium reinstatement can be explained by two theoretical contributions: first, value destruction restores psychological control, and second, value destruction is an emotion regulation strategy.\nManagerial implications: This research aims to provide practitioners and service providers greater understanding of the potential risks to well-being through value destruction processes in service encounters. Three practical approaches that leverage the revealed themes are suggested: foster consumer empowerment when accessing services, develop consumer resources to create positive agency and boost positive self-conscious emotions by promoting positive social norms.\nLimitations and future research directions: The first limitation of this research was the use of the single context to identify value destruction in men's preventative health behaviours. The Australian NBCSP is one of the few preventative health programs freely available to males which has consistent epidemiological surveillance of program use (Australian Institute of Health and Welfare, 2018). However, the program is only available to males and females aged 50-75 years, and surveillance does not include other similar bowel cancer screening services such as Bowel Cancer Australia's Faecal Immunochemical Test (Bowel Cancer Australia, 2019; Australian Institute of Health and Welfare, 2018). Additionally, females also have low participation in the program, although not as low as males (Australian Institute of Health and Welfare, 2017b, 2018) which indicates masculine identity is not the only explanation for noncompliant behaviours. Future research could investigate the role of value destruction and other identities, such as feminine identities or cultural identities in the destruction and co-destruction of value in services. For instance, indigenous services, women's screening services and services targeting other vulnerable cohorts. From a men's health services perspective, further research could examine the role of masculine identity and value destruction in other preventative health contexts and with men from different age groups such as prostate cancer screening, testicular cancer screening, sexual health behaviours or alcohol and drug abuse. The Australian Medical Association has called for more research and initiatives to develop improved access to services and increase awareness raising of services for men (Australian Medical Association, 2018).\nConclusion: This paper has introduced the lens of gender identity, specifically masculinity, to TSR and the role masculinity plays in value destruction and diminished consumer well-being in preventative health services. Demonstrating that the masculine ideal of toughness is not necessarily terrific for men's health, this paper has provided an empirical contribution to better understand the motivations and barriers for mature men when accessing transformative services when they are healthy, and the complex yet fundamental role the construction of masculine identity can play in men's health behaviours. This research has identified three key themes linking masculine identity to the destruction of value when mature men access or refuse to access preventative health services; avoidance of disempowerment and emasculation by maintaining control, creation of positive agency and suppression of negative self-conscious emotions. Some practical managerial solutions linked to these themes that use social marketing solutions are offered which, if implemented, would contribute to the improved future well-being of mature male consumers of transformative services by minimising value destruction. Theoretical contributions to the emerging the TSR literature on value destruction include value destruction as a strategy to restore balance in men's masculine identities in men's preventative health through first facilitating psychological control, and second enabling emotion regulation.\n", "role": "user" }, { "content": "Purpose: The purpose of this paper is to investigate the role of masculine identity in generating value destruction and diminished well-being in a preventative health service.\nDesign/methodology/approach: This research used five focus groups with 39 Australian men aged between 50 and 74 years. Men's participation in the National Bowel Cancer Screening Program informed the sample frame. In total, 12 Jungian male archetypes were used to identify different masculine identities.\nFindings: Thematic analysis of the data revealed three themes of masculinity that explain why men destroy value by avoiding the use of a preventative health services including: rejection of the service reduces consumer disempowerment and emasculation, active rejection of resources creates positive agency and suppressing negative self-conscious emotions protects the self.\nResearch limitations/implications: Limitations include the single context of bowel cancer screening. Future research could investigate value destruction in other preventative health contexts such as testicular cancer screening, sexual health screening and drug abuse.\nPractical implications: Practical implications include fostering consumer empowerment when accessing services, developing consumer resources to create positive agency and boosting positive self-conscious emotions by promoting positive social norms.\nOriginality/value: This research is the first known study to explore how value is destroyed in men's preventative health using the perspective of gender identity. This research also is the first to explore value destruction as an emotion regulation strategy.\n", "role": "assistant" } ]
Relationship value in outsourced FM services - value dimensions and drivers	[ "Outsourcing", "PLS", "Facility management", "Relationship value", "Relationship quality", "Business relationship" ]	[ { "content": "Summarize the following paper into structured abstract.\n\n1. Introduction: Facility management (FM) provides supportive services to core businesses for companies (CEN, 2006), such as infrastructure maintenance, equipment repair, etc. Companies (especially large ones) that are faced with the challenge of maximizing business productivity and reducing costs are increasingly considering outsourcing their non-core activities, namely, FM (Maechling and Bredeson, 2005). In this way, a business relationship is established between the customer companies and the FM service suppliers.\n2. Theoretical background: Research into relationships within the FM field is relatively new, which means it is necessary to review relevant theories of FM, relationship and relationship value to provide a solid foundation for the study.\n3. Methodology: The research used a mixed-method approach that combined a qualitative literature review, in-depth interviews, professional discussions and a quantitative online survey.\n4. Analysis and results: 4.1 Qualitative\n5. Conclusion: The motivation for the present study was a lack of knowledge about the business relationship situations in the environment of outsourcing FM services; in particular, the relationship value has not been investigated.\n", "role": "user" }, { "content": "Purpose: The purpose of this study is to examine the relation between relationship value and relationship quality in the business relationship between customers and facility management (FM) suppliers. To investigate the relationship value in outsourced FM services, the customer's perspective is used to identify the dimensions and drivers of relationship value.\nDesign/methodology/approach: A three-stage research design was used. The first stage was a thorough literature review, followed by expert interviews with six senior managers from the customer side, together with workshop and discussion with FM academics. In the third stage, quantitative data were gathered in a survey of 60 senior managers whose companies outsourced FM services.\nFindings: Findings show that relationship value is an antecedent to relationship quality of the business relationship in the context of FM. In all, 9 dimensions and 34 drivers of relationship value were identified, and a framework of relationship value for FM was established and measured. The sacrifice dimension correlates positively with relationship value, which contrasts with previous studies of relationship value in the context of business markets.\nResearch limitations/implications: A framework of relationship value has been established for further in-depth investigation. There are limitations related to the sampling procedure: qualitative research selected large-sized organizations; the relationship value was only studied within the customer-FM supplier dyad; and a static view of customers' perceived value from the relationship with their FM suppliers.\nPractical implications: The study provides a set of value dimensions and drivers for customers to assess how a FM supplier adds value in a relationship, and for FM suppliers to improve their services.\nOriginality/value: This research narrowed the gap in relationship-value studies in FM. The findings can contribute to traditional theory that customer value can be the add-on between benefits (\"what you get\") and sacrifices (\"what you give\"), rather than just a trade-off between these two dimensions.\n", "role": "assistant" } ]
Perceived leadership behaviours and their effects on IT departments in Swiss financial companies	[ "Information technology", "Satisfaction", "Transformational leadership", "Effectiveness", "Transactional leadership", "Augmentation effect" ]	[ { "content": "Summarize the following paper into structured abstract.\n\n1. Introduction: 1.1 Background to the research\n2. Methodology: 2.1 Data collection and data set characteristics\n3. Results and limitations: 3.1 Validity and reliability tests\n4. Discussion: 4.1 Effect differences and possible explanations\n", "role": "user" }, { "content": "Purpose: The purpose of this paper is to examine the effects of perceived transformational, transactional and laissez-faire (LF) leadership behaviours on both the effectiveness of the leader and satisfaction with the leader, as perceived by information technology (IT) subordinates in the Swiss financial sector.\nDesign/methodology/approach: In total, 182 IT professionals from 45 Swiss financial companies rated their perceptions using the Multifactor Leadership Questionnaire (MLQ 5X short). Results were evaluated using partial least squares based structural equation modelling.\nFindings: Idealised influence (attributed) and individualised consideration as well as contingent reward (CR) leadership are positively related to effectiveness and satisfaction. LF leadership had a strong, significant negative effect on both outcomes. No augmentation effect of idealised influence and/or inspirational motivation over the effects of CR was found. These results are partly contradictory to findings of earlier studies. Additionally, stability problems/discriminant validity issues were found for some of the examined constructs.\nPractical implications: Managers and leaders in IT departments in Swiss financial institutions should be advised of the possibly strong effects of CR on outcomes, together with the risks of potentially highly negative impacts of LF leadership, as well as the possible limitations of the stability and validity problems found. Leadership training could be used to this end. The paper gives specific advice on how the different findings could be included in such training.\nOriginality/value: IT can significantly contribute to a firm's success, and leading people who deliver technology is becoming more important in an increasingly digitised world. No previous research has illustrated the effects of leadership behaviours on IT departments in Swiss companies.\n", "role": "assistant" } ]
Intergenerational transmission of human capital: Evidence with an alternative instrument from Thailand	[ "Instrumental variable", "Human capital", "Inequality", "Intergenerational transmission" ]	[ { "content": "Summarize the following paper into structured abstract.\n\n1. Introduction: Does parents' education boost the child education? This paper focuses on the intergenerational linkage or transmission of human capital from parents' education to child education. The education might be transmitted either through the nature (genetically transmitted) or nurturing of the child or both. The nature effects need to be controlled to find the nurture effect of intergenerational linkage, which is a challenging issue in estimating the intergenerational model. However, different identification strategies have been used in the existing literature to estimate the nurturing effect (see Section 2) because the intergenerational study of human capital is important in policy design, especially in educational reform policies. Thus, it has been widely discussed for the past few decades. For instance, policy regarding enrichment of only female education might not be beneficiary in the long run if the rate of transmission from mother is lower than that from father[1].\n2. Literature review: This section tries to cover the existing literature on intergenerational transmission of human capital. Hence, we divided this section into few subsections. First, it includes the existing identification strategies to find the intergenerational transmission rate. Second, it includes the existing pieces of evidence of intergenerational transmission of human capital from different country perspective. Last part concentrates on the comparative studies of child education from different income group families as well as SLS in Thailand.\n3. Empirical specification & methodology: 3.1 Empirical specification\n4. Data: This paper used the data from Thai Labor Force Survey (LFS) conducted by the National Statistical Office, Thailand. Thai LFS is quarterly collected, the first quarter starts in February, which is dry season or non-agricultural season. The third quarter normally starts in August, which is rainy season or agricultural season[8]. In this paper, we selected the samples of all quarters for the year 2012[9]. Thai LFS covered the whole kingdom and sample size is relatively large.\n5. Results and discussion: This section provides the estimated results in several subsections. First, it provides the results of the intergenerational transmission rate of human capital for both father and mother in Thailand. Second section concentrates on child education of lower wage earning families and policy evaluation. Lastly, post-estimation diagnosis or the validity of IV estimators are discussed.\n6. Conclusion: This paper concludes that the rate of intergenerational transmission of human capital in Thailand is higher than that in developed countries, but quite similar to that in developing countries like Chile. It is also found that the rate of transmission from father is higher than that from mother. The evidence recommends the policy to boost both male and female schooling in Thailand. Policy to boost only female education might be inefficient because of lower transmission rate from mother than father.\n", "role": "user" }, { "content": "Purpose: The purpose of this paper is to find the rate of intergenerational transmission of human capital and comparative schooling attainment between lower and higher income families using the labor force survey in Thailand.\nDesign/methodology/approach: Instrumental variable (IV) approach has been used in this paper. The author proposed an alternative instrument for parental education to identify the rate of transmission, which is the parents' cohorts' mean schooling in their respective provinces.\nFindings: This paper found that the rate of transmission of human capital from father is higher than that from mother in Thailand. For both, the rate of transmission in Thailand is higher than that in the developed countries. In addition, it is found that children from lower income families are getting lesser education than those from higher income families in Thailand.\nResearch limitations/implications: This paper is used as an alternative instrument that could solve the endogeneity problem in the literature of intergenerational transmission of human capital.\nPractical implications: The results of rate of transmission can help to make educational policies in countries like Thailand. It also could help the policymakers to evaluate and redesign the student loan scheme (SLS) in Thailand.\nOriginality/value: This study is used as an alternative instrument for parental education to identify the rate of transmission in an IV approach. This paper is the first to identify the intergenerational transmission rate in Thailand. In addition, it evaluates Thai SLS in an intergenerational framework.\n", "role": "assistant" } ]
Material intelligence as a driver for value creation in IoT-enabled business ecosystems	[ "Internet of Things", "Business models", "Intelligent materials", "Closed-loop ecosystems" ]	[ { "content": "Summarize the following paper into structured abstract.\n\n1. Introduction: One of the underpinnings for the Internet of Things (IoT)-driven transformation of business ecosystems is the ability to trace objects and items throughout their life cycles. Hence, the IoT can fundamentally transform the ways in which organizations create value across industries, not only in the material and equipment supply networks but also, for example, in the through-life services and closed-loop ecosystems of the circular economy (Westerlund et al., 2014). Such ecosystems are composed of a combination of sensoring, monitoring and other data collection technologies, as well as infrastructures that support connectivity and processes that exchange information and knowledge for value creation (Bhimani, 2015).\n2. Background for research: The IoT discussion is rapidly gaining a foothold in the scenario of modern wireless telecommunications. The emergence of the IoT gives rise to increasingly complex and wide-ranging business ecosystems. The term IoT, which was coined at the MIT Auto-ID Center in the late 1990s (Gubbi et al., 2013), refers to a world connected via devices or sensors to systems in which \"things\" are linked, monitored and optimized through diverse internet technologies. The influence of IoT on business ecosystems is discussed widely in various fields. The debate is based on the notion that IoT will revolutionize production by enabling new possibilities for information-intensive value creation (Wu et al., 2015). As previous studies have shown, there is a strong consensus that adding sensors to all objects will lead to IoT solutions and intelligent systems (Porter and Heppelmann, 2014, 2015).\n3. Empirical insights on the business value of material intelligence: The present study uses data from an earlier study of intelligent materials in steel industry networks. We investigated a globally operating steel industry company, MaterialCo (a pseudonym). The company is exploring the vision of \"steel as a message carrier.\" In addition to creating a comprehensive audit trail, customers could use shared data to automate and optimize their processes. Currently, steel products are considered as homogeneous pieces that conform to a given standard. If enacted successfully, the vision leads to making steel products that are unique. The insights derived from the study are based on 34 qualitative interviews among 15 organizations in the industry. The data are reanalyzed for this article.\n4. Discussion and conclusions: The present study aimed to investigate how material intelligence influences collaborative value creation in an industry-wide ecosystem. Based on our case study of a steel industry ecosystem, we suggest that sharing data on materials may foster end-to-end business ecosystem for material life-cycle services. That is, we find that material intelligence may have a significant role in changing the ways value is created in the steel industry. Materials are constantly developed to achieve better attributes, but this leads to having smaller tolerances. Moreover, the criterion that defines how well the material will suit the next actors' processes can be very specific. For instance, when bending thin high-strength steel plates, it is necessary to know the hardness and the microstructure in relation to the plates' cross-section (Kaijalainen et al., 2016).\n", "role": "user" }, { "content": "Purpose: The purpose of this study is to identify and discuss the role of intelligent materials in the emergence of new business models based on the Internet of Things (IoT). The study suggests new areas for further research to better understand the influences of material intelligence on the business models in industry-wide service ecosystems.\nDesign/methodology/approach: The study uses data from an earlier study of intelligent materials in the steel industry networks. The insights are based on 34 qualitative interviews among 15 organizations in the industry. The data are reanalyzed for this study.\nFindings: The observations from the steel industry show how material intelligence can be harnessed for value creation in IoT-based business ecosystems. The results suggest that not all \"things\" connected to the IoT need to be intelligent, if information related to the things are collected, stored and shared for collaborative value creation among the actors involved in the business ecosystem.\nResearch limitations/implications: The study discusses how IoT deployments allow businesses to benefit from the velocity and variety of information associated with things and guides future research to study the ways in which value is created through IoT-enabled business models.\nPractical implications: Rather than focusing on improving the efficiency of the supply network, the study presents new paths for competitive advantages in the new IoT ecosystems.\nOriginality/value: The study contributes to the mounting research on the IoT by identifying and discussing the critical aspects of how IoT can transform business models and supply networks within end-to-end ecosystems.\n", "role": "assistant" } ]
Implementation of quality initiatives in Indian public and private sector organizations: A comparative analysis	[ "Public sector and private sector", "Quality initiatives", "Banking", "Insurance", "Telecommunication" ]	[ { "content": "Summarize the following paper into structured abstract.\n\nIntroduction: Over the decades, global business environment has witnessed intense competition among the public and private sector organisations across the various industries. Organisations have consciously taken a plunge into the implementation of quality initiatives for improving their products and services to survive fierce market conditions. Quality management tools and techniques facilitate the organisations to continuously improve the processes with wholehearted involvement of all organisational members in an integrated manner and improve the standard in terms of quality (Krishnan, 2013). Every country has two main kinds of sectors - public and private. Public sector organisations are run and financed by the government which deals with ownership, sale and production, delivery of products and services to the government or the general citizens at large. Private sector organisations, on the other hand, are the ones which are run and financed by private players and are not a part of the government.\nLiterature review: Quality has been defined as meeting or exceeding the expectations of the customers (Feigenbaum, 1961), conformance to requirements (Crosby, 1979). Quality initiatives that have been researched in the past include employee involvement, lean management, Malcolm Baldrige National Quality Award, ISO 9000 (Waldman and Addae, 1995), continuous improvement, benchmarking, quality circles, 5S, six sigma (Klefsjo et al., 2001), workers participation, reengineering, quality audits, quality assurance, customer focus and leadership. Quality initiatives have been studied in different operational settings such as service organisations with focus on continuous improvement, process reengineering, just in time (JIT) systems, organisational restructuring, job reengineering and benchmarking (Yasin and Alavi, 2007), in higher educational institutions with a focus on ISO 9001: 2000, Quality Management System (QMS), six sigma (DMAIC), TQM, knowledge management and lean thinking (Pandi et al., 2009) and in small- and medium-manufacturing enterprises with a focus on JIT, 5S tools, suggestion schemes, workers participation and ISO 9000 (Singh et al., 2009). Koh and Low (2010) analysed the implementation of customer management, process management, top-level leadership, organisational learning, continuous improvement, people management, quality information management and supplier management at various hierarchical levels.\nHypotheses: The literature review suggests that there is enough competition between the public and private sectors towards the implementation of quality initiatives for improving organisational presence through better products and services. However, the public sector still has a long way to go to before it outshines the private sector (Redman et al., 1995; McKinsey, 2007; Bellou and Andronikidis, 2008; Selvaraj, 2009). Based on this, the following hypotheses have been developed for the purpose of the study:\nMethodology: The study comprised of a descriptive research with a cross-sectional design. The research used methodological triangulation which involves the use of more than one method to gather data, such as interviews, observations, questionnaires and documents (Denzin, 2006). Preliminary interviews, with the industry leaders, company reports and researcher's personal observation helped in understanding the kind of quality initiatives being implemented in the organisations. Questionnaires were sent to executive level employees in as many organisations in the banking, insurance and tele-communication industry. Questionnaires were distributed to the respondents using convenience sampling method. The questionnaire was administered to a total of 500 employees in the public sector and an equal number in the private sector. A total of 324 questionnaires were returned from the public sector and a total of 267 questionnaires were returned from the private sector organisations yielding a response rate of 64.8 and 53.4 per cent in public and private sectors, respectively.\nFindings: Mean of quality initiatives in the public and private sector\nConclusion: The comparative analysis of various quality initiatives in the banking, insurance and tele-communication industries in both the public and private sectors in India depicts that there exists a significant difference between the two sectors. It is worth noting that even though public sector is lagging behind in the implementation of quality initiatives, the difference is not much. This suggests that public sector organisations are in a stiff competition with their private sector counterparts in ensuring greater implementation of quality practices which is resulting in improved customer service and satisfaction quotient.\nManagerial implications: This research has some practical implications for the young leaders and managers. The study could influence the organisational leaders to gain a deeper understanding of the quality practices. The study has the potential to motivate the management and the employees to work in tandem to implement quality programmes which could facilitate them to survive in the competitive environment. The study is essentially important for the managers in the public sector organisations who may be able to understand the issues and challenges plaguing them and take adequate measures to substantially improve their services in comparison to the private sector organisations. This can influence the stakeholder's perception about public sector organisations positively which could attract much better skilled and educated workforce and business partners.\n", "role": "user" }, { "content": "Purpose: The purpose of this paper is to analyse and compare the implementation of quality initiatives in banking, insurance and tele-communication industry under public and private sectors in India.\nDesign/methodology/approach: The study comprised of a descriptive research with a cross-sectional design. Preliminary interviews and extensive literature review was done to identify the quality initiatives to be considered for the study. Data were gathered through a questionnaire comprising of items on a five-point Likert's scale. Descriptive statistics such as mean and standard deviations and inferential statistics such as paired t-test and correlation were used for analysing the data.\nFindings: The results depict that although both the sectors are trying to outsmart each other by the various quality initiatives undertaken, the private sector is still ahead in quality implementation. It is also worth witnessing a major overhaul in the public sector operations to service the end customer with utmost commitment good enough to match its private counterparts.\nPractical implications: The paper provides insights to young managers and researchers about the level of implementation of quality practices in public and private sector organisations and strategies for improvement.\nOriginality/value: The paper contributes to theory and practice as little empirical research is available to understand the differences between the two sectors on the basis of quality initiatives. Also there is dearth of such a research in industries other than banking.\n", "role": "assistant" } ]
The learnability of the dimensional view of data and what to do with it	[ "Business intelligence", "Affective computing", "Business analytics", "Ad hoc querying", "Data modelling", "View of data" ]	[ { "content": "Summarize the following paper into structured abstract.\n\n1. The introduction: Business users can query data with ad hoc querying tools. These tools follow the direct manipulation paradigm - the users do not need to code their queries, instead they pick up tables and columns that they are interested in and obtain the data through simple drag-and-dropping, double clicks or insert options. The obtained data can intuitively be sorted, filtered, summed up or presented with charts. Ad hoc querying tools belong to the business intelligence family of technologies, which is closely related to data warehousing technologies used for storing the data. Business intelligence is used for business analytics, together with other technologies such as predictive analytics, machine learning, or operation research software.\n2. Related work: Previous research on the usability of the dimensional view of data measured usability either in experiments with paper, focusing on data models, or in experiments with computers, focusing on data. An interesting development that implied learnability was detected in an analysis of the timeline of the solution of tasks in an experiment. Affective responses were not approached systematically.\n3. Methodology and experiment: Learnability inherently implies the consideration of change (Harbich and Hassenzahl, 2017). Since the hypothesis of learnability of the dimensional view was based on the analysis of a timeline of the speeds of solving of tasks from a previous study, a decision was made to test learnability by investigating further the change of usability over time. Practitioners often compare the usability of business intelligence systems to the usability of operational information systems (Grubljesic and Jaklic, 2015) and researchers examining the usability of the dimensional view usually compared it to the operational view, so that approach was adopted in this experiment. Unlike the previous experiment (Vujosevic et al., 2012), both views of data were given to each participant, which provided new possibilities for comparing their usability.\n4. Results: The results of the experiment supported the hypothesis H and Ha, demonstrating effects of learnability. In addition to the results presented here, additional data can be found in tables in the supplementary file.\n5. Conclusion: The support for the learnability of the dimensional view of data suggests that it should occupy an important place in the interface tier of business analytics solutions, even in those systems where its usage is not needed in other application tiers. Studies of how to bring business users and business applications closer together should focus on the learnability and usability of solutions whose usage remains somewhat arbitrary and depend on a profound understanding, motivation and positive emotions.\n", "role": "user" }, { "content": "Purpose: The purpose of this paper is to examine the usability of the dimensional view of data in the context of its presumed learnability.\nDesign/methodology/approach: In total, 303 participants were asked to solve 12 analytical problems in an experiment using the dimensional view of data for half of the problems and an operational view of data for the other half. Inferential statistics and structural equation modeling were performed with participants' objective results and affective reactions.\nFindings: Showing that the order of exposure to the two views of data impacts the overall usability of ad hoc querying, the study provided evidence for the learnability potential of the dimensional view of data. Furthermore, the study showed that affective reactions to the different views of data follow objective usability parameters in a way that can be explained using models from affective computing research.\nPractical implications: The paper proposes a list of guidelines for use of the dimensional view of data in business analytics.\nOriginality/value: This study is the first to confirm the learnability of the dimensional view of data and the first to take a deeper look at affective reactions to an ad hoc business analytics solution. Also, it is one of few studies that examined the usability of different views of data directly on these views, rather than using paper representations of data models.\n", "role": "assistant" } ]
A mathematical model formulation to design a traditional Indian agri-fresh food supply chain: a case study problem	[ "Agri-fresh food supply chain (AFSC)", "India", "Supply chain design", "Perishability of products", "Mathematical model" ]	[ { "content": "Summarize the following paper into structured abstract.\n\n1. Introduction: India has 11.3% arable land of the world and has been reported as a top-ranked country for huge agricultural production of various products (Welfare, 2017). Agriculture sector contributes about 16% of gross domestic product (Department of Agriculture, 2018), and about 58% of population in India depends on it (IBEF, 2016). Agricultural productivity and farmers' profitability are the key drivers of all agricultural related activities. The farmers are not only the producers of crops, but they are also major consumer community for most of the commodities. The farmers' profitability is the prime mover for agricultural as well as the economic growth of the nation. Hence, the agriculture sector is the lifeline of the Indian economy. Therefore, nowadays the Government of India is focusing on agriculture sector and has made national agenda named as \"doubling farmers' income by 2022\" (ICFA, 2016; RBI, 2016). Another scheme e-NAM (National Agriculture Market) has been introduced by the Government of India to connect all players of the chain (eNAM, 2017). Recently, Ministry of Food Processing Industries has started yearly event \"World Food India\" since 2017 to provide opportunities for investment and trade in food processing as well as in retail sector (Ministry of Food Processing Industries, 2017). Attracted by this, many multinational companies have entered in agricultural sector to take advantage of opportunities like processing, marketing and exporting of agricultural products. It has ample capabilities to stimulate the prosperity of rural households, generate employment and involve industries by reforming agricultural sector (IBEF, 2016; IBEF, 2017).In current practice, Indian agriculture supply chain is not profitable for farmers and they are receiving only the one-third prices paid by consumers (Balaji and Arshinder, 2016; Patidar et al., 2018; Rais and Sheoran, 2015). The farmers' community is continuously raising the issue, and many times, they agitate against the government (Hindustan Times, 2017; The Economic Times, 2017). Ensuring the enough profitability to the farmers is the main challenge for the Indian government as well as research community. Traditional supply chain is unstructured, inefficient and unsustainable from farmers to consumers (Patidar et al., 2018). It requires an in-depth study and design to sustain the players (mainly farmers) in the chain (Naik and Suresh, 2018). Thus, designing the traditional supply chain to minimize distribution inefficiency in order to increase farmers' profitability is the main concerned of this study.Agricultural food is a vital and essential requirement for the human being in day to day life. Agriculture supply chain includes varieties of produces like fruits, vegetables, milk, spices, pulses, cereals, oilseeds and cotton. It is a challenging task to explicitly differentiate the chain for various agricultural products or to cover all products in a single supply chain (Naik and Suresh, 2018; Tsolakis et al., 2014). Thus, when we consider all the processes from production to delivery of short shelf life produces (like vegetables and fruits) such chain is referred as an agri-fresh food supply chain (AFSC) (Shukla and Jharkharia, 2013). An AFSC starts from production of crops to delivering to the consumers through a specific distribution network (different distribution network are being used) (Routroy and Behera, 2017). The chain differs from other supply chains with regard to perishable nature and bulkiness of products, seasonal and scattered production, variability in quantity and quality (not available in standard dimensions) and specific requirements in logistics services, which further makes the chain more complex (Gokarn and Kuthambalayan, 2019; Tsolakis et al., 2014). The fruits and vegetables account for nearly 90% of the total horticultural production (Dastagiri, 2017). Also, the demand of these products is increasing rapidly to complete a balanced diet (Gandhi and Zhou, 2014; Naik and Suresh, 2018). Therefore, the main focus of this paper is to study and design the traditional Indian supply chain of fruits and vegetables.\n2. Literature review: Authors identify the following three main shortcomings in traditional Indian AFSC from the literature: (1) unorganized supply chain; (2) low profitability of farmers and (3) high post-harvest losses. Research papers addressing these three shortcomings are presented as follows:The traditional Indian AFSCs are unorganized and mainly governed and controlled by a large number of unorganized intermediaries (Gokarn and Kuthambalayan, 2019; Raut and Gardas, 2018). Pricing of products is decided by the unorganized intermediaries who play their monopoly in the auctioning (Viswanadham et al., 2012). There is no direct communication between the farmers and the consumers (Raut et al., 2018). Also, there is a lack of coordination among the players and competitive environment in the chain (Balaji and Arshinder, 2016; Rais and Sheoran, 2015). As well as these intermediaries add their service charges and profit margin to the prices of products (Negi and Anand, 2019; Rajkumar, 2010). This results in consumers paying the higher prices of products and farmers receiving only one-third prices paid by the consumers (Naik and Suresh, 2018; Patidar et al., 2018).Further, the traditional Indian AFSC was empirically analyzed by the set of survey articles (Dastagiri et al., 2012; Hegde and Madhuri, 2013; Mitra et al., 2018; Negi and Anand, 2019; Panda and Sreekumar, 2012; Raghunath and Ashok, 2009) and reported the costs incurred in the distribution of products from farmers to customers. These authors reported that the small farmers individually transport their products from village to market in which they have to bear higher transportation cost in the range of 30-40% of total transactions costs. Total transaction costs consist of all types of costs incurred in the movement of products from farmers to customers like transportation cost, trading cost (commission of actors), information cost, enforcement cost and profit margin of supply chain actors (Marcos-Matas et al., 2013). Hence, there is an inefficient movement of products leads to low profitability of farmers in the chain (Patidar et al., 2018).Another major problem in the traditional supply chain is high post-harvest losses as identified in a set of articles (Balaji and Arshinder, 2016; Chauhan et al., 2018; Gardas et al., 2018; Negi and Anand, 2017; Raut and Gardas, 2018). According to these authors, in the range of 15-25% of total agriculture production is lost due to the poor supply chain structure, lack of scientific methods in post-harvest management and inappropriate transportation of products. The perishable nature of products plays a major role in high post-harvest losses, and it is the primary challenge in the reduction of post-harvest losses (Gokarn and Kuthambalayan, 2017). These losses can be reduced by considering the perishability of products in the distribution of agri-fresh items. Therefore, the perishability needs to be addressed in designing a supply chain in the Indian context.In past years, some organizations/researchers designed the agriculture supply chain for Indian contexts such as Nisarg Nirman Agro Products Private Limited (Sohoni and Joshi, 2015), Kaushalya Foundation (Anjaly and Bhamoriya, 2011) and Project Samridh Bharat (Kundu, 2013). Krishnan et al. (2019) developed a theoretical framework to design sustainable AFSC by addressing operational and resources inefficiency related issues of the chain. These authors considered the case-based problems and proposed conceptual models for the distribution of fresh products. Chandrasekaran and Ranganathan (2017) proposed Indian agriculture supply chain planning model to reduce the post-harvest losses in logistics occurring through respiration and CO2 emission produced by the selected products. However, few studies (Mor et al., 2018; Prakash et al., 2017) have empirically examined perishable food supply chain in Indian context. Authors (Routroy and Behera, 2017; Siddh et al., 2018) provided a structural literature review on perishable food supply chain and reported that the designing of supply chain network model for the developing countries had been given less attention in comparison to the developed countries. Naik and Suresh (2018) and Patidar et al. (2018) identified major shortcomings and challenges in designing sustainable Indian AFSC. These papers reported that a lot of research work toward the identification of food losses and study of AFSC have been done in the past, yet researchers overlooked the modeling and designing the supply chain in the Indian context. However, few authors (Ambekar et al., 2015; Mogale et al., 2018; Mogale, Dolgui, et al., 2017; Mogale, Krishna, et al., 2017) developed models for public distribution system in Indian scenario.The above discussion reports that researchers have mainly focused on the study of existing AFSC rather than the designing the chain. It is revealed that the chain is unsustainable for the farmers due to the low profitability, high post-harvest losses and higher transaction costs incurred by them. Therefore, to reform the chain, it is deemed demanded to formulate mathematical model to organize and design the traditional Indian AFSC.\n3. Mathematical modeling of traditional Indian AFSC: In this section, we formulate following two mathematical models of traditional Indian AFSC to represent the distribution of products from farmers to customers:Traditional product movement without perishability (TPM) model (M1): A three-echelon, multi-period, multi-product mathematical model is formulated in the first subsection.Traditional product movement with perishability (TPMWP) model (M2): This is an extension of model M1, where the perishable nature of products is considered in the second subsection to reduce distribution cost and post-harvest losses in the chain.The detailed description and mathematical formulation of each of these two models are explained in the following subsections. 3.1 Traditional product movement without perishability model (M1)\n4. Model implementation and numerical results: In this section, we consider a case study problem of Madhya Pradesh (a state of India) to compare and examine the viability of the formulated models. Madhya Pradesh is agriculturally productive and has won the \"Krishi Karman Award\" for the huge agriculture production in the financial year 2012-13 to 2016-17 (The Times of India, 2018). TPM and TPMWP models (M1 and M2) have been formulated to represent the distribution of products in the traditional supply chain without and with considering the perishable nature of products, respectively. As reported in the introduction, a large amount of agricultural products is wasted due to poor logistics management. Moreover, the wastage leads to environmental pollution in terms of both bad air quality and development of bacteria, especially near the mandis and warehouses. In the proposed TPMWP model (M2), the perishable nature of products has been considered to minimize post-harvest losses and supply chain cost in the distribution of products. The developed models are implemented in a case study problem by dealing with actual circumstances. Data preparation for the case study problem is explained in the first subsection. The second subsection compares the results obtained from the models M1 and M2. 4.1 Data preparation\n5. Conclusions and future scope: Traditional Indian AFSC is unstructured and inefficient, which leads to low profitability of farmers and high post-harvest losses. The mathematical model formulation for the existing supply chain has not been reported in the available literature. In this paper, we formulate two mathematical models without and with considering the perishability of products to design the traditional Indian AFSC. Three-echelon, multi-period, multi-product models are formulated to minimize TDC incurred in the chain. The models determine the location-allocation of hubs, transportation quantities from farmers to hubs and from hubs to CZs as well as inventory levels at each CZs. Further, a case study problem of Mandsaur district (India) is solved in LINGO 17.0 package to compare and check the validity of the developed models. The results report that the perishable model (M2) of traditional AFSC is better in terms of cost and post-harvest losses minimization. According to the author's best knowledge, this paper attempts to organize and design traditional Indian AFSC for the first time. This study would help in understanding AFSC execution and devise policies to reforming the traditional supply chain model. Hence, it is expected that the paper may serve as benchmark study for practitioners and future research works. 5.1 Managerial implications\n", "role": "user" }, { "content": "Purpose: The purpose of this paper is to study and develop supply chain structure of traditional Indian agri-fresh food supply chain (AFSC). This paper proposes a mathematical model to design a traditional Indian AFSC to minimize total distribution cost and post-harvest losses in the chain.\nDesign/methodology/approach: This paper formulates two mathematical models to structure and represent the flow of products in the existing chain. First, a three-echelon, multi-period, multi-product, mixed-integer linear programming (MILP) model is formulated to minimize the total distribution cost incurred in the chain. Further, the developed formulation is extended by considering the perishability of products in the second model.\nFindings: A real case study problem of Mandsaur district (India) is solved in LINGO 17.0 package to check the validity of the formulated models. The perishable (second) model of AFSC reports better results in terms of costs and post-harvest losses minimization. The results revealed that 92% of the total distribution cost incurred in the transportation of products from farmers to the hubs.\nResearch limitations/implications: This paper includes implications for redesigning an existing supply chain network by incorporating an appropriate transportation strategy from farmers to hubs to minimize transportation inefficiency and enhance the profitability of farmers.\nPractical implications: The formulated AFSC model would help managers and policymakers to identify optimal locations for hubs where required infrastructure would be developed.\nOriginality/value: According to the author's best knowledge, this paper is the first to design traditional Indian AFSC by considering the perishability of products.\n", "role": "assistant" } ]
Social trust and use of banking services across households in 28 transitional countries	[ "Development", "Developing countries", "Social economy", "Social trust", "Use of banking services", "Transitional countries" ]	[ { "content": "Summarize the following paper into structured abstract.\n\n1. Introduction: Following the seminal paper written by Coleman (1988), research on the potential link between social capital and economic performance has become widespread. Putnam (1993) documented a strong positive correlation between the degree of individuals' free association with others and economic performance in Italy. Fukuyama (1995) showed the strong effect of social capital on economic development in general. Following these seminal early papers, a large body of empirical literature has emerged to validate the benefits of social capital on economic outcomes. Helliwell and Putnam argued that regions of Italy with high levels of social capital grew faster than did regions without high levels of social capital if initial income was held constant. Knack and Keefer (1997) demonstrated that for a sample of 29 market economies, higher levels of trust were conducive to growth. Knack and Zack (2001) further confirmed that this correlation persisted even after controlling for the quality of law enforcement.\n2. Data and methodological framework: 2.1. Data set\n3. Results and discussions: Table I reports summary statistics and the simple correlation between the use of banking service indicators and social trust, along with a broad array of household-level as well as country-specific variables.\n4. Conclusion: In this paper, we aimed to assess the effect of social capital on the use of banking services in transitional countries. Combining the LITS micro data with aggregated economic data across 28 transitional countries and Turkey, we found that social capital has a positive effect on the usage of banking services. This conclusion is robust to statistical adjustments and two simultaneous equation specifications with instrumental variables. Furthermore, we found that social capital matters even more in the countries with low levels of education and poor degrees of law enforcement. In addition, our results suggest that country-specific determinants such as GDP per capita, legal enforcement and inflation rates strongly affect the decisions of households with regard to using banking services. In contrast, we found that the effect of the bank ownership structure has either a very small or statistically non-significant impact on the use of banking services across households in transitional countries. Lastly, our results suggest that the probability of having households that use banking services is higher in urban areas and among the households with higher income and wealth.\n", "role": "user" }, { "content": "Purpose: The purpose of this paper is to use survey data from a sample of 29,000 households from 28 transitional countries and Turkey to address two main questions: first, is there any effect of social trust on the use of banking services; and second, what are the household-level and country-specific determinants of using banking services in transitional countries.\nDesign/methodology/approach: The authors use binary probit models, instrumental variables methods and various econometric specifications to test the hypothesis.\nFindings: The authors found that the higher level of trust in people predicts a greater level in use of banking services by households regardless of the model specifications and econometric adjustments employed. This association appears to be more prominent among less educated respondents and in countries with low levels of legal enforcement. The results also suggest that location, income and wealth of households, along with country income level, legal enforcement and inflation rates strongly affect the decisions made by households regarding their use of banking services. In contrast, the authors found either a very small or non-significant impact with regard to bank ownership structure on the use of banking services across households.\nOriginality/value: To the best of the knowledge this is the first study which specifically focusses on social trust and the usage of formal banking services across a large set of transitional countries.\n", "role": "assistant" } ]
Jurisprudence and demand for halal meat in OIC	[ "Islamic jurisprudence", "Halal meat", "Import demand", "Augmented gravity model", "OIC members" ]	[ { "content": "Summarize the following paper into structured abstract.\n\n1. Introduction: Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), formerly the Organization of the Islamic Conference, is the second largest organization after the United Nations. Since its establishment in September 1969, the OIC has aimed to enhance and promote the intra-regional trade of goods and services, including halal meat among member countries, and this ambition was also added to the OIC's initial charter.\n2. Interpretation of shariah law: Discrepancies among national halal standards of the OIC member states, lack of cognitive communication among nations and various interpretations of Muslim jurists regarding halal slaughtering process and halal animals are the major reasons that create obstacles to the formulation of a single globally excepted halal standard. Although OIC has formed SMIIC to tackle this issue, an internationally acceptable standard of halal meat production is still absent due to the causes mentioned above. Some of the major differences in jurists' views are presented in next paragraphs. These differences stand responsible for the absence of global halal standard; as a result, real market of intra-OIC halal meat is affected.\n3. Methodology and data sources: The following model has been estimated. The main variable in this model is SOT:(1)\n4. Impact analysis: The income \"Y,\" population size \"POP\" and livestock \"L\" are compelling forces to enhance trade. Therefore, it is expected that their coefficients will be positive \"a1, a2, a5 > 0.\" The real effective exchange rate (EXC) describes the value, which is paid by a domestic consumer for the imported products. An increase in EXC will make halal meat expensive for the importing country and hence, it is hypothesized that its coefficient will be negative - that is, \"a4<0.\" Price level \"P\" and distance \"D\" are repelling forces to restrict trade. Thus, their coefficients are expected to be negative - that is, \"a3, a6<0.\" OIC membership, boarder adjacency and common language of the trading partners serve as a reduction in trade costs. So, it is hypothesized that \"a7, a8, a9 > 0.\" Due to a rise in institutional standing, GATT/WTO agreements have caused a substantial increase in bilateral trade for their member countries. Therefore, it can be expected that the coefficient is positive, i.e. \"a10 > 0.\" A \"SOT\" dummy is incorporated to capture the effect of the conflicting shariah rulings about halal meat across the five major Muslims SOTs (explained above). It is anticipated that countries with similar SOTs would tend to trade more among themselves - that is, \"a11 > 0.\"\n5. Empirical results: ln\n6. Conclusion: An augmented trade gravity model has been employed in this paper to analyze the determinants for demand for halal meat in the OIC bloc. This study includes several economic, demographic and religious factors. On the import side, the income of the importing country and its population size are the primary factors responsible for the halal meat import demand. On the export side, the price level and the livestock production level are the major drivers. OIC importers are paying extra costs if they are importing halal meat from countries which are in non-adjacent continents. A common language, an adjacent boarder and a similar school of thought about halal meat stimulate trade flows, while OIC membership has a negative impact over halal meat import demand. The results show that trade of halal meat among OIC member countries is jeopardized if the two countries belong to a different school of thought about the treatment and handling of halal meat.\n", "role": "user" }, { "content": "Purpose: The purpose of this paper is to estimate the import demand function for halal meat in member countries of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) and to suggest some policy recommendations for OIC members that can enhance intra-OIC halal meat trade.\nDesign/methodology/approach: By using an augmented gravity model, this study empirically estimates the major determinants of halal meat import demand in OIC member countries. Moreover, a major determinant is the difference in Islamic jurisprudence (fiqh).\nFindings: The results of this study show that the variation in Islamic jurisprudence is one of the primary determinants of intra-regional trade of halal meat import demand in OIC member countries.\nResearch limitations/implications: Although trade flows are set up in several years and lag variables are well capable to examine trade flows, this study only includes the static nature of halal meat trade flows toward selected top 20 OIC member countries.\nPractical implications: This study suggests that developing a common halal meat market and one halal certification body under the OIC can enhance intra-OIC halal meat trade, this may be a challenge given the five diverse interpretations of halal meat within Islamic jurisprudence among OIC member countries.\nOriginality/value: This paper identifies the role of Islamic jurisprudence (fiqh) in determining the import demand of halal meat in OIC countries, which has not been addressed in empirical literature. It also provides some policy implications to ameliorate the declining trend of intra-OIC trade flows of halal meat.\n", "role": "assistant" } ]
An investigation into the role of enterprise information systems in enabling business innovation	[ "ERP", "UAE", "Process innovation", "Enterprise information systems", "IT-enabled innovation" ]	[ { "content": "Summarize the following paper into structured abstract.\n\n1. Introduction: The economic turbulences in recent years have challenged business organizations to remain competitive, when there is greater number of businesses chasing dwindling number of orders from customers. These undeniable difficult situations coincide simultaneously with continuous developments in the field of information technology (IT) that burden organizations with immense expenditures that are required to keep up with IT advances. To harvest the full potential of these IT expenditures, many organizations speculate about how to maximize the business value from such investments to face the severe competition and to create increasing economic growth.\n2. Theoretical background: This section provides overview for the role of IT in business transformation, and then it discusses the EIS, and presents how such systems can support innovation development as discussed in the literature.\n3. Methodology: In this study, the qualitative case study approach was adopted to be able to generate a rich description of the dynamics of the relationship between the organization's IT capabilities and the organizations innovation activities and initiatives. On the other hand, collecting data about aspects of innovation using quantitative methods, most likely, will not lead to clear details for the study objective that requires deep understanding about innovation and role of IT in business innovation. According to Yin (2009), adopting qualitative case study is recommended when the objective is to explain, explore and describe certain aspects. Expressly, the case study method has considerable ability to generate answers to questions like why, what, and how.\n4. Data results and discussion: 4.1. Data results\n5. Conclusion: It is becoming evident that there are different aspects in IT that can foster organizational innovation. To address the first research question, it is obvious that IT-enabled innovations, which come from implementing EIS, are mostly flourished in two ways (Themes 1 and 2): the first one is integrating an information system with other information system(s) or integrating it with other digital device(s) to provide a new process or practice that could not be easily available without IT, like \"one window service\" or smart phones services. The other way is by implementing innovative IT solutions that were designed to do work in new ways, like e-banking or electronic payments. The study findings also suggest that data analytics tools provided substantial advantages to organizations like facilitating decision-making and monitoring the performance indicators, but there was a very limited use in extracting new insights that can be developed into innovative practices, which suggests conducting further research to understand from many organizations that implemented enterprise systems, why they did not apply such analytical tools, and if they applied these analytical tools, it becomes interesting to understand the factors that influence the exploitation process. However, to address the second research question, Theme 3 provides a number of non-IT complementarities that can explain why some organizations more able than others in exploiting the capabilities of EIS.\n6. Suggestions and recommendations: A considerable move toward empowering front IT line staff is now being considered as indispensable need, especially by organizations that rely heavily on IT, in order to develop new opportunities and to drive business growth. Consequently, embracing and empowering such role of IT requires more investments to develop the related IT capabilities and to better prepare the IT staff to handle the consequent work. It is also required from organizations to change the traditional view about IT to create new values from it rather than just using it for automating and speeding up business work.\n", "role": "user" }, { "content": "Purpose: The purpose of this paper is to articulate clear understanding about the role of enterprise information systems (EIS) in developing innovative business practices. Particularly, it aims to explore the different ways that make EIS enables innovation development.\nDesign/methodology/approach: The study adopted exploratory case study, based on qualitative approach. Investigations included two case studies each involved interviewing a number of senior information technology staff, working at these cases.\nFindings: The paper provides empirical insights about the EIS role in enabling innovation. The analysis of the case studies revealed that integrating an EIS with other system(s) or with digital devices can provide new practices that could not be easily available without these technologies. The study also found that applying data analytics tools into data accumulated from EIS, to extract new insights, lead to innovative practices.\nPractical implications: The study provides a set of recommendations for organizations interested to maximize the benefits from their investments in EIS.\nOriginality/value: The paper provides evidences from cases in United Arab Emirates for the EIS role in enabling business innovation.\n", "role": "assistant" } ]
Analyzing technical and super efficiency of aluminium firms in India	[ "Benchmarking", "Data envelopment analysis" ]	[ { "content": "Summarize the following paper into structured abstract.\n\n1. Introduction: Aluminium industry plays a vital role in the industrial development of the economy. Currently, Indian aluminium industry is the eight largest in the world with the total production of 3,958 thousand tonnes in 2013-2014 (see Table I). It is also one of the key contributors to India's exports contributing around 70,907,167 thousand rupees in 2010-2011 to the country's total export earnings (Government of India, 2012).\n2. Review of literature: Various studies (Goldar, 1986; Ahluwalia, 1991; Pradhan and Barik, 1998; Roy et al., 1999; Ray and Pal, 2010) have been conducted to analyse the productivity of aluminium industry in India (Table II).\n3. Methodology and database: 3.1 Methodology\n4. Results and discussion: Findings of the empirical analysis conducted on aluminium firms in India for the year 2012-2013 using DEA are presented in Table VI.\n5. Conclusions: This paper makes an endeavour to assess the extent of efficiency in Indian aluminium industry using non-parametric DEA technique. Results show that 62 per cent firms are found to be technically efficient. Overall, the industry shows good performance with mean technical efficiency levels of 0.936 and 0.911 for VRS and CRS frameworks, respectively. The average technical efficiency of 0.936 indicates that aluminium firms can produce the same output with 6.4 per cent lesser inputs. F4 is the worst performer in the entire group, which can produce the same output with the 60 per cent of the input whereas Firm 12 is best performer in the industry with super-efficiency score of 4.034. The returns to scale analysis results show that six firms are showing increasing returns to scale, indicating it operates below the optimum scale of operations; and five firms are showing decreasing returns to scale signifying that they are operating above the optimum scale of operations. Ten firms are operating at constant returns to scale implying they are operating at the most optimum scale size. Results also show that small- and medium-scale firms are more efficient than the large firms and young firms are more efficient than old firms. Further, Indian firms are more efficient than the foreign-owned firms. Jack-knifing analysis validates the stability of efficiency scores obtained.\n", "role": "user" }, { "content": "Purpose: The purpose of this paper is to evaluate the efficiency of aluminium firms in India.\nDesign/methodology/approach: Different data envelopment analysis (DEA) models have been employed to calculate the various efficiency scores of aluminium firms in India.\nFindings: The major findings of the DEA analysis suggest that 62 per cent firms are found to be technically efficient. Overall, the industry shows good performance with mean technical efficiency levels of 0.936 and 0.911 for VRS and CRS frameworks, respectively. Further, five firms show decreasing returns to scale, signifying the overutilization of plant capacities. Six firms exhibit increasing returns to scale implying underutilization of plants. The results show that domestic firms are more efficient than the foreign firms, young firms are more efficient than young firms and small- and medium-scale firms are more efficient than large-scale firms.\nPractical implications: The results of this study would help the aluminium firms to formulate an appropriate strategy to cautiously use their resources to increase their efficiency levels.\nOriginality/value: To the best of authors' knowledge, no earlier studies seem to have ranked the aluminium firms based on their super-efficiency scores. Further, no previous studies seem to have examined the efficiency differences among aluminium firms across different size, age and ownership groups.\n", "role": "assistant" } ]
Re-visioning English language arts practices and writing outcomes through the remaking of Cinderella	[ "Creativity", "Meaning", "Pedagogy", "Narrative", "English teaching", "Grammar", "EFL", "Language arts", "Genre", "Scaffolding", "Writing" ]	[ { "content": "Summarize the following paper into structured abstract.\n\nIntroduction: This article is motivated by our concern with the unequal relations in English acquisition in Hong Kong (a former British colony which reverted to Chinese rule in 1997), where English is prized as a viable language for academically able learners. More importantly, command of English is recognised:\nRe-visioning EFL writing and writers: Written competence has long been associated with the ability to demonstrate grammatical and lexical accuracy. As Myhill et al. (2013, p. 104) observe:\nThe intervention: In this section, we provide the context for our pedagogical intervention, which is followed by a description of the classroom writing research and the consideration of relevant ethical concerns.\nResults: In response to the task of remaking Cinderella, all the 20 students submitted their stories to the teacher-candidate at the end of the double lesson. Ten of these stories were rendered invalid for the research because of the writers' failure to comply with the task requirements, suggesting that more explicit instruction and guidance is necessary for low-level EFL learners. The target students' motivations in remaking a folktale appeared to vary with gender. The resulting ten writing samples (Table I) were all contributed by girls, who were clearly motivated to make their voices heard. The gendered bias in the sample which resulted from the differing levels of motivation in girls and boys could be a useful reflection of teenage girls' quest for a voice through creative empowerment and the subversion of stories (Choi, 2009). The small and skewed sample under discussion inevitably limits the claims that can be made, suggesting the necessity of choosing suitably motivational resources for engaging both genders in \"writing to mean\" in co-educational settings.\nImplications and conclusion: This article focuses on an important and well-researched area in English language arts practices: how literary narratives such as folktales can foster EFL learners' expressive and creative potential in writing. The classroom writing activity investigates how low-level EFL learners in Hong Kong may be encouraged to be more creative and resourceful in their literacy through a double lesson on re-creating versions of Cinderella. To the investigators' satisfaction, each story has something to say, regardless of the writer's limited knowledge of how to say it correctly. It may be argued that the linguistic and sociocultural leanings of the two investigators have led them to select and assert positive features in the \"unintelligible\" stories marred by grammatical infelicities. Such writing could have been dismissed as \"insignificant, deficient, wrong\" (Kress, 1994, p. 9) by any examination authority and by other EFL teachers with a prior concern with linguistic \"correctness\". However, these struggling EFL writers should surely be forgiven for their unconventional English in view of the qualities illustrated in their stories. The findings about the expressive-communicative elements in the revised stories have directed us to re-vision writing instruction for less able EFL learners.\n", "role": "user" }, { "content": "Purpose: This paper, which originates in an English-as-a-foreign-language (EFL) classroom activity in Hong Kong, aims to explore English learners' expressive and creative potential in writing by studying their work in the literary narrative genre.\nDesign/methodology/approach: A group of upper secondary students (15-16 years of age) with limited English resources and competence was enlisted to remake a folktale with visual and written prompts.\nFindings: The writing samples demonstrate that these low-level EFL writers are able to refashion the narrative elements, and to communicate meanings for their own purposes. They exhibit logicality and problem-solving skills in their attempts to challenge and transform idea and to include themes of interest to them. There is also evidence of creative play with language in their use of dialogues and figures of speech.\nResearch limitations/implications: These writing outcomes suggest the need to re-vision English language arts practices in increasingly diverse education systems. Genre-based instruction, with its emphasis on \"writing to mean\" as a social activity supported by learning to use language, could lead to widening EFL learners' access to genre knowledge and to greater life chances.\nPractical implications: A linguistics-based pedagogy scaffolding less able EFL writers while they learn to build effective narratives is identified as a way forward.\nOriginality/value: Although the idea of using narratives to engage EFL learners in writing is not entirely new, this paper contributes to the field by responding to low-level learners' writing that goes beyond linguistic \"correctness\", and developing strategies for supporting creativity and language play.\n", "role": "assistant" } ]
The evolution of brand personality: an application of online travel agencies	[ "Brand personality", "Longitudinal study", "Brand loyalty", "Online travel services" ]	[ { "content": "Summarize the following paper into structured abstract.\n\n1. Introduction: Effective brand management requires taking a long-term view of marketing decisions and recognizing that any changes in the supporting marketing program for a brand may, by changing consumer knowledge, affect the success of future marketing programs (Keller, 2008, p. 582).\n2. Conceptual framework: The vast majority of work relating to brand personality and loyalty has been cross-sectional. However, recent research has suggested that influencers of brand personality vary considerably over time. Ha (2010) investigated the drivers of brand image and subsequent brand loyalty for online shoppers two to three weeks (time T) after purchase and again two months later (time T + 1). He found that the relationship between brand image (e.g. strength, favor and uniqueness) and brand loyalty is enhanced after the consumption episodes, indicating that the relationship between the two constructs evolves over time. Furthermore, his findings show that the weights of the three dimensions of brand image also change over time, but have relatively less influence. Similarly, Johnson et al. (2006) examine the drivers of loyalty intentions for customers who own a mobile phone over different time schedules (T1, T2 and T3). They find that the effects of brand equity, including a measure of brand personality, vary and depend on customer perceptions during the consumption episodes.\n3. Development of research hypotheses: Marketing literature emphasizes on the importance of temporal effects among relevant key constructs over time (Johnson et al., 2006; Mittal et al., 1999). However, longitudinal research that relates the relationship between brand personality and its outcomes in a travel-related context is sparse. Thus, this study focuses on temporal differences between brand personality, brand trust and brand loyalty with regard to the developmental process of brand loyalty.\n4. Methodology: 4.1 Brief overview of online travel markets in Korea\n5. Model results: In this section, I discuss our estimation results from AMOS 21, in particular, the use of SEM for verifying longitudinal impact (e.g. temporal and carryover effects) is recommended in the marketing literature (Johnson et al., 2006; Mittal et al., 1999). I start with describing the model fit for the two time points. Later, I discuss the estimation results for the proposed model with temporal effects.\n6. Discussion: Using longitudinal data, this study examined the proposed model by elucidating the relationships between brand personality, brand trust and brand loyalty. In particular, both temporal and carryover effects were investigated in the context of online-based travel agencies. In this section, I first discuss the theoretical and managerial implications of our findings. I conclude with an acknowledgement of the limitations of this study and offer suggestions for future research.\n", "role": "user" }, { "content": "Purpose: This study aims to assess how continuous outcomes of brand personality vary as a function of time and other predictors. Specifically, the author investigates the roles of brand trust on the direct influence of brand personality, resulting in brand loyalty.\nDesign/methodology/approach: Using a longitudinal study of online travel consumers, the author demonstrates that the process of brand evolution is related to the investigation of both temporal and carryover effects.\nFindings: The findings show that the effect of the brand personality-brand trust linkage decreases over time and leads to the re-evaluation of three dimensions of brand personality when changes in consumers' perceptions are involved in brand evaluations. Another interesting finding is that the carryover effects of these three dimensions of brand personality are much stronger and stable than the effects of brand personality and brand loyalty. Furthermore, this research uncovers the important boundary conditions for the effects of brand trust on the brand personality-brand loyalty linkage.\nOriginality/value: This study contributes to the growing literature on tourism management by examining both temporal and carryover effects and using the longitudinal approach. Thus, our study extends prior findings by examining the dynamics of brand personality as determinants of brand loyalty as they develop over time.\n", "role": "assistant" } ]
Tacit knowledge sharing, self-efficacy theory, and application to the Open Source community	[ "Knowledge management", "Open systems", "Public domain software", "Knowledge sharing" ]	[ { "content": "Summarize the following paper into structured abstract.\n\nIntroduction: Highly complex, tacit knowledge can be a source of sustainable competitive advantage in organizations (Chen and Edgington, 2005; Grant and Baden-Fuller, 1995; Jashapara, 2003; Lopez, 2005), especially in knowledge-based organizations such as software firms (Bryant, 2005). Complex, tacit knowledge is difficult to express and is often context specific, which provides the source of potential sustainability. However, due to its tacit quality, knowledge derived from the process of joint decisions is difficult to share with others outside the team, and may be difficult to study using research tools available today (Nonaka and Takeuchi, 1995). Tacit knowledge in this paper refers to the joint reasoning behind tradeoff decisions in software design work, such as in architecture, standards, and strategic intent. The software team must make these tradeoffs, but they are not expressed in the final written software source code.Past knowledge sharing research focuses on causes and impediments, but not as much on how knowledge sharing results in individual or group performance (Haas and Hansen, 2005). Recently, however, a few researchers have looked specifically at knowledge sharing as a system of influences, resulting in outcomes such as performance, and the impacts of feedback on future knowledge sharing (Bock et al., 2005; Haas and Hansen, 2005; Tsai and Tsai, 2005). The current paper expands on this research by using the self-efficacy model of motivation to explain knowledge-sharing behavior as a system of influence, outcomes, and feedback.Because data or simple information only gains competitive value when integrated with individual experience (Dougherty, 1999), cognitive processes are central to the understanding of knowledge sharing. Most knowledge research is conducted at the organizational level (e.g., Chen and Edgington, 2005), leaving a fruitful ground for research on knowledge sharing at the individual level (Haas and Hansen, 2005; Tsai and Tsai, 2005). Furthermore, the current study seeks to build on the fact that more knowledge sharing research today focuses on interdisciplinary, theory-based frameworks (Jashapara, 2005; Ko et al., 2005). Self-efficacy is one of the most validated and researched theory of motivation, across subject and task types (Bandura, 1997), and is an ideal theory to understand why people choose to share knowledge in some contexts and not in others.Volunteer organizations or informal organizations outside normal firm boundaries may better facilitate fluid knowledge transfer at the individual level than within the traditional organization structure (Donaldson et al., 2005), and extrinsic organizational rewards may exert a negative effect on one's intention to share knowledge (Bock et al., 2005). Specifically, software developers in the Open Source software are presented as a prime example of voluntary and effective knowledge sharing (e.g., Shen, 2005), which may be explained by the inputs and rewards that differ in the Open Source versus traditional organizational structure (e.g., Bock et al., 2005). Using Gist and Mitchell's (1992) self-efficacy model and recent research findings, a theoretical model is adapted to represent self-efficacy to share complex, tacit knowledge. Propositions and future research indications are offered.\nLiterature review: Creating and sharing complex knowledge\nPropositions: Based on the literature review presented here, propositions were developed for a future study. Subjects for the proposed study would include software developers who are paid to work for an employer, and who are also voluntary members of a software project developed for the Open Source community. The method for gathering data should be through surveys, e-mailed to subjects because they would most likely be scattered throughout the world. In the following propositions, \"traditional\" work community is defined as the subject's place of paid employment.First, organizational context should predict self-efficacy to share complex, tacit knowledge. Researchers suggested that volunteer organizations have the important contextual difference from traditional organizations of more fluid knowledge flow (Donaldson et al., 2005). Therefore, it is proposed that organizational context will distinguish whether individual self-efficacy to share knowledge is increased or decreased:P1. Organizational context will predict self-efficacy to share complex, tacit knowledge.P2. Subjects will have a higher self-efficacy to share complex, tacit knowledge in their open source group versus in their traditional work community.Self-efficacy research strongly supports that self-efficacy to share complex, tacit knowledge will positively predict the action of sharing tacit knowledge (e.g., Bandura, 1997). The measurement of tacit knowledge sharing is difficult (Lee, 2000). Social network analysis is one method for measuring tacit knowledge sharing (e.g., Tsai, 2002).P3. Self-efficacy to share complex, tacit knowledge will positively predict knowledge sharing.Self-efficacy theory also supports that self-efficacy mediates the relationship between environmental context variables and action (Gist and Mitchell, 1992). Therefore, the following is proposed:P4. Self-efficacy to share complex, tacit knowledge will mediate the relationship between organizational context and knowledge sharing.\nConclusions and implications: In conclusion, self-efficacy theory provides a unique theoretical model that illustrates how individuals may be motivated to share complex, tacit knowledge. The value of the model is not only in its strong validity and predictive power for actual knowledge sharing activities, but also in its detail of the cognitions that are affected by external influences. Specifically, researchers have found that knowledge sharing is enhanced by the same external influences used to raise self-efficacy - enactive mastery, vicarious experience, and persuasion. Self-efficacy theory suggests that people consider the complexity of the knowledge sharing task, their own personal ability and experiences that may affect their personal ability to share tacit knowledge, and the degree of support their environment provides for knowledge sharing. The source of the environmental support may be supervisors or co-workers in a social network.Therefore, the context of the organization or group is central in affecting the formation of self-efficacy to share tacit knowledge, and context is specifically also stated as a key component of tacit knowledge-sharing behavior as well (Garud and Nayyar, 1994). A specific example is provided in software development activities, which researchers have stated rely specifically on complex, tacit knowledge-sharing activities (Bryant, 2005). It is proposed that the effects of context on individual knowledge sharing may best be illustrated by a comparison of a software developer who belongs to two distinct work contexts - one unpaid, volunteer organization and one paid, traditional work structure. The Open Source software community members are unique in that they freely give their time and talents to the development of free software that is made available to all, but who also may be employed in a traditional, more formal organization as paid workers. Researchers have suggested that volunteers and, specifically, those who give \"free\" advice and help on IT issues through internet groups participate in a higher degree of tacit, complex knowledge sharing than workers in more formal organizational structures (e.g., Donaldson et al., 2005; Wasko and Faraj, 2005). Social networks that operate outside organizational boundaries are also suggested to involve more tacit knowledge-sharing activities, as would be the case of the Open Source community members.If subjects do have stronger self-efficacy in their ability to share complex, tacit knowledge in the Open Source community versus at their traditional work places, future researchers may ask why this takes place. Additional data may be gathered concerning the outcomes these subjects value (status, pay, praise) and how these are tied to their knowledge sharing activities in each work context.Data may also be gathered that indicate the role of personal goals and assigned goals in affecting self-efficacy to share knowledge, following the motivation hub theory (Locke, 1991). It may be that the complexity involved in tacit knowledge sharing distorts traditional organizational goals that are standardized and formalized (e.g., Taylor et al., 1992). Even valuable outcomes such as additional pay or praise may be viewed as unattainable because the formal organizational goals may be perceived to be impossible.Another fruitful line of research is the generalization of the individual knowledge sharing practices to the organizational knowledge gained, and furthermore, to the organization's profitability. Although researchers have linked the importance of knowledge sharing to success in organizations (Grant and Baden-Fuller, 1995; Jashapara, 2003; Lopez, 2005), including software firms (Bryant, 2005), little research is now conducted linking individual activities to the organizational level (Haas and Hansen, 2005). In addition, the assumption of much knowledge management research is that knowledge sharing is necessary and positive (Haas and Hansen, 2005). However, this may not be the case in some organizations, and it is necessary to delineate between types of employees that must employ tacit knowledge sharing from those who may not need to.Another consideration is the inherent co-occurrence of informal and formal social networks in organizations (Lee, 2000). In a given organization, tacit-to-tacit knowledge sharing may occur in some groups but not in others. In addition, some informal, strong social networks that effectively transfer knowledge may be embedded in otherwise formal structures. Therefore, it is very important to use random sampling methods and control for organizational variables such as size.\n", "role": "user" }, { "content": "Purpose: - The purpose of this paper is to apply the self-efficacy model to compare knowledge-sharing activities in the Open Source community versus those in a traditional organization.\nDesign/methodology/approach: - Current literature on tacit knowledge sharing and information about the Open Source community is synthesized in the study with research concerning self-efficacy formation. The knowledge-sharing literature is applied in the paper to the self-efficacy model.\nFindings: - Through a synthesis of different streams of literature, the paper concludes that the self-efficacy model serves as a useful framework for better understanding the effects of context on tacit knowledge sharing. Furthermore, it is concluded that the Open Source community may provide an ideal set of subjects to whom the model can be applied.\nResearch limitations/implications: - Only propositions are offered, and the conclusions are suggestions for future research. The self-efficacy model has been successfully applied to other areas of research in early stages (e.g. entrepreneurship) and provides a valid, tangible framework that allows many research possibilities.\nPractical implications: - The self-efficacy model is practical and usable in a real-world situation. A software manager (or other manager) can easily look at the inputs and outcomes of the model and see where he/she could positively affect tacit knowledge sharing.\nOriginality/value: - This paper takes a highly valid and respected model and applies it to individual tacit knowledge sharing, a field in which little cross-discipline work is done. This paper bridges a central organizational behavior/psychological theory with knowledge management research.\n", "role": "assistant" } ]
Explanatory Q&A recommendation algorithm in community question answering	[ "Q&A recommendation", "Explanatory Q&A", "Community question answering", "Content-based recommendation", "Knowledge management", "Social media" ]	[ { "content": "Summarize the following paper into structured abstract.\n\n1. Introduction: With the rapid development of the Internet and Web 2.0 technology, community question answering (CQA) websites such as Zhihu and Yahoo! Answers have become important knowledge-sharing platforms (Li et al., 2020a, b; Liu et al., 2014). Knowledge seekers post questions and professional users provide answers to these questions to share their knowledge (Li et al., 2020a, b; Zhang et al., 2019). Community users can also retrieve and browse question and answer (Q&A) documents. Typically, the user who answers the questions is more specialized than the user who posts questions and other members on CQA websites (Riahi et al., 2012). It is assumed that readers have mastered the content in the answers. Nevertheless, some readers may not understand it. Thus, there is a need for further explanation of concepts or sentences in the answers (Liu et al., 2015). Question posters and other members may further search for other Q&A documents that can explain the keywords in the answers to learn more about the explanatory knowledge. The massive numbers of Q&A documents that accumulate on CQA websites seriously hinder the retrieval of Q&A documents. Such accumulation leads to substantial impediments to the effectiveness and efficiency of knowledge sharing (Isinkaye et al., 2015). To solve these problems there is a need to automatically provide relevant Q&A documents to users.Much research has been conducted to solve the problem of information overload and to help community users find the needed Q&A documents. These studies focused on finding high-quality answers (Roy et al., 2018; Elalfy et al., 2018), retrieving questions (Chen et al., 2018), finding suitable experts to answer posted questions (Tang and He, 2016; Wang et al., 2017; Kundu and Mandal, 2019), estimating question difficulty (Sun et al., 2018; Huna et al., 2016), recommending Q&A documents for users (Liu et al., 2014; Fu, 2019) and identifying complementary Q&A documents (Liu et al., 2015). These achievements are effective at easing the problems inherent to CQA. However, few studies have addressed making recommendations exclusively targeted at helping people understand a particular Q&A document.Explanatory Q&A documents refer to those Q&A documents that provide further information about unclear parts of the current Q&A document. These supplementary documents contain explanatory information that can enhance the reader's understanding of the current Q&A document (Liu et al., 2015). Providing explanatory Q&A documents for the answers would fulfill the need for explanations, simplify the task of manually retrieving explanatory Q&A and allow readers to grasp the answers more efficiently (Mcdonald and Ackerman, 2000). Although Dr. Liu et al. considered the explanatory relationship in community recommendations, the Q&A document recommendations are made from the explanatory perspective of the entire community rather than for a specific Q&A document (Liu et al., 2014). Furthermore, accuracy in identifying the explanatory Q&A documents is also limited which affects the resulting recommendation.To resolve these problems and to recommend explanatory Q&A documents for a specific Q&A document in CQA, in this paper, an algorithm that recommends explanatory Q&A documents to users when they browse the current Q&A document is proposed. The algorithm considers both the recommendation mechanism and the explanatory relationships between Q&A documents. First, the Q&A documents are modeled using the biterm topic model (BTM) and are clustered by the growing neural gas (GNG) network. Second, an approach is developed to identify the explanatory relationships among Q&A document clusters. The Jensen-Shannon divergence and mutual information is used to extract three features from the clustered Q&A documents to train multiple classifiers. Then, an ensemble classification model of explanatory relationships is constructed using hard-voting combination strategies. Afterward, a novel comprehensive ranking method is proposed to recommend explanatory Q&A documents to enable users to obtain accurate explanatory knowledge quickly. Finally, the proposed approach is evaluated on a real experimental data set. The experimental results show that the proposed algorithm is effective and performs well. The algorithm can provide users with accurate explanatory Q&A knowledge without the need for manual retrieval or additional effort.The remainder of this paper is organized as follows. Section 2 presents the related works. Our proposed algorithm for explanatory Q&A recommendation is described in Section 3. In Section 4, the experiments and evaluation results are illustrated. Finally, conclusions and future research directions are presented in Section 5.\n2. Related works: 2.1 Community question answering\n3. Proposed explanatory question and answer recommendation algorithm: The framework of an explanatory Q&A documents recommendation algorithm is shown in Figure 1. First, Q&A documents, including the question title, answer content and quantity of approvals are collected and preprocessed. The BTM method (Yan et al., 2013) is used to model the Q&A documents by considering the various lengths of questions and answers. Second, the Q&A documents are clustered by the GNG network (Fritzke, 1995). Next, explanatory relationships among Q&A clusters are identified through the proposed hybrid model. To train multiple classifiers, three features are extracted from Q&A categories. Then, an ensemble classification model is constructed to identify the explanatory relationships. Finally, a novel comprehensive ranking method is proposed to generate the final recommendations list.The notations and corresponding definitions are listed in Table 1. 3.1 Modeling question and answer documents\n4. Experimental evaluations: The effectiveness and quality of the proposed algorithm is evaluated. The experimental Q&A documents are collected from the Zhihu community. The Zhihu community is a popular CQA website in China. It has attracted a vast community of hundreds of millions of users. The collected data set is composed of 2,249 Q&A documents that have answers from seven categories. Each Q&A document contains a question title, answer content and a quantity of user approvals. In the proposed recommendation algorithm, the existing categories of Q&A documents are not restricted. The main consideration is the explanatory relationship between Q&A. The purpose is to provide explanatory support for reading the current Q&A and facilitate understanding. Therefore, both high-frequency and low-frequency Q&A can be recommended. In the process of collecting Q&A documents, the natural language processing (NLP) tools used include pkuseg (a multi-domain Chinese word segmentation tool in Python) [1], pyltp (Python encapsulation of the language technology platform) [2] and the re module (regular expression in Python) [3].The parameters and setting values are shown in Table 2. Based on many experimental verification results, the constant coefficient of the importance score and the support score in Eq. (9) are both set to 0.5.A screen capture of the experimental outcomes is shown in Figure 3. 4.1 Evaluation metrics\n5. Conclusion and future works: To reduce the burden for manual retrieval and to improve the efficiency of grasping the contents of answers in CQA websites, an algorithm to recommend explanatory Q&A documents is proposed. With the proposed algorithm, explanatory Q&A documents are actively recommended to users when they browse a current Q&A document. First, after modeling Q&A documents, neural network clustering is applied to separate the Q&A documents into different clusters. Then, a hybrid method is developed to identify the explanatory relationships between the Q&A documents at the Q&A cluster level. Finally, a novel approach for comprehensively ranking the candidate explanatory Q&A document lists is constructed. The proposed algorithm is evaluated from the standpoints of effectiveness and quality. The experimental results show that the proposed clustering algorithm and ensemble classification model are more accurate at identifying explanatory Q&A documents. The proposed ranking method improves the effect and the quality of the explanatory Q&A document recommendation. Meanwhile, for the Zhihu community, it provides way to further enrich the Q&A document recommendation.The method has the potential to be used in the other forms of knowledgeable documents, such as those containing a title. The explanatory knowledgeable documents can be recommended by matching between the words in the title of the knowledgeable documents and the words in the main contents of the other documents to be explained. For example, the explanatory articles can be recommended in the similar way. We will study how to expand the application of the proposed method in the future. The data used in the experiment were sourced from the Zhihu community. Although Zhihu is the most popular CQA site in China in the future, we plan to perform a comparative analysis using data from other CQA websites. In addition, the proposed algorithm is mainly geared toward general, non-personalized recommendations which do not consider a user's individual, personalized characteristics. Although the current method improves the reading efficiency of Q&A documents, personalized recommendation will further improve the effect. Therefore, CF recommendations can be added to perform personalized explanatory Q&A recommendations.\n", "role": "user" }, { "content": "Purpose: In community question answering (CQA), people who answer questions assume readers have mastered the content in the answers. Nevertheless, some readers cannot understand all content. Thus, there is a need for further explanation of the concepts that appear in the answers. Moreover, the large number of question and answer (Q&A) documents make manual retrieval difficult. This paper aims to alleviate these issues for CQA websites.\nDesign/methodology/approach: In the paper, an algorithm for recommending explanatory Q&A documents is proposed. Q&A documents are modeled with the biterm topic model (BTM) (Yan et al., 2013). Then, the growing neural gas (GNG) algorithm (Fritzke, 1995) is used to cluster Q&A documents. To train multiple classifiers, three features are extracted from the Q&A categories. Thereafter, an ensemble classification model is constructed to identify the explanatory relationships. Finally, the explanatory Q&A documents are recommended.\nFindings: The GNG algorithm shows good clustering performance. The ensemble classification model performs better than other classifiers. The both effect and quality scores of explanatory Q&A recommendations are high. These scores indicate the practicality and good performance of the proposed recommendation algorithm.\nResearch limitations/implications: The proposed algorithm alleviates information overload in CQA from the new perspective of recommending explanatory knowledge. It provides new insight into research on recommendations in CQA. Moreover, in practice, CQA websites can use it to help retrieve Q&A documents and facilitate understanding of their contents. However, the algorithm is for the general recommendation of Q&A documents which does not consider individual personalized characteristics. In future work, personalized recommendations will be evaluated.\nOriginality/value: A novel explanatory Q&A recommendation algorithm is proposed for CQA to alleviate the burden of manual retrieval and Q&A overload. The novel GNG clustering algorithm and ensemble classification model provide a more accurate way to identify explanatory Q&A documents. The method of ranking the explanatory Q&A documents improves the effectiveness and quality of the recommendation. The proposed algorithm improves the accuracy and efficiency of retrieving explanatory Q&A documents. It assists users in grasping answers easily.\n", "role": "assistant" } ]
Emotional labour in librarians' instructional work	[ "Information", "Literacy", "Librarians", "Careers" ]	[ { "content": "Summarize the following paper into structured abstract.\n\nIntroduction: In recent years, library staff have experienced significant changes to their work-related expectations. Cook-Sather (2001) speaks to the effects of changes in information technologies which have made the work roles for library staff significantly more complicated. One of the areas of increasing complexity is the instructional role, in which library staff are expected to develop the information competency skills of public library clients, students, and faculty members in academic libraries (Hope et al., 2001). In many respects, librarians have shifted from being straightforward service providers to trainers, and then to teachers; this latter role assumes some level of expertise in pedagogy and curriculum design (Lupton, 2002). Role stress arising from these changes may be expected (Heiss, 1990), especially if ambivalence about changing roles exists (Stryker and Burke, 2000). If librarians' identity salience is unclear, especially if they are juggling multiple roles (such as the more traditional roles of reference service provider or collection developer) with more recent expectations for teaching, significant stress may result.Despite the potential for role stress, the value of instructional work is unquestionable from both an objective and societal perspective. Information literacy skills are basic requirements for successful personal and professional life in the digital age. It is increasingly clear that experience using information technologies is, in itself, an insufficient means by which to develop information literacy skills. People's confidence in their skill level, based on their experience, typically exceeds the actual skills they are able to demonstrate. There is, furthermore, a strong argument to be made that a lack of information literacy skills constitutes a second-level digital divide (Hargittai, 2002). In order to participate fully as a citizen in modern democracy, to achieve academic success, and to manage daily life decisions from health care to career decision-making, people need to have the skills to effectively and efficiently identify information sources, access information from those sources, evaluate that information, and use it ethically. There are few options for citizens who wish to develop these information literacy skills outside of formal learning situations; however, librarians in public libraries and in academic environments are providing these opportunities. Librarians have traditionally helped their clients to use the library. More recently, they have expanded their teaching agendas to focus on the broad range of information skills which, it is hoped, have transferability to daily life situations and to workplace decision-making (Roldan and Wu, 2004). Thus, the instructional opportunities provided by librarians are increasingly valuable to a broad range of information users.While instructional work is important, librarians are not universally accepting of their instructional roles. Previous research suggests ambivalence, and sometimes hostility, towards instruction. In particular, when academic librarians have been asked about their relative responsibility for teaching information literacy, a great deal of variation is reported (Julien, 2000). Interviews with librarian-instructors reveal some degree of discomfort with instructional work, arising from insufficient preparation, insufficient resource allocations for instructional work, ambivalence on the part of library administrators, and dislike of teaching (Julien, 2003, 2006; Julien and Boon, 2002, 2004). Analysis of librarians' attitudes towards their teaching relationships with campus faculty also reveal role ambivalence (Julien and Given, 2003). These findings suggest a gap between the significance of information literacy instruction, its increasing centrality in academic and public libraries, and the degree of success that potentially could be achieved by instructional efforts. This gap motivated the research question addressed by this study: How do library staff with instructional experience relate to those instructional roles and what might be the implications of those self-understandings for instructional outcomes?The definition of information literacy used in this study is provided by the American Library Association's Association of College and Research Libraries (2000): information literacy is the ability to \"determine the extent of information needed, access the needed information effectively and efficiently, evaluate information and its sources critically, incorporate selected information into one's knowledge base, use information effectively to accomplish a specific purpose, understand the economic, legal, and social issues surrounding the use of information, and access and use information ethically and legally\".\n2. Theoretical framework: This study took a phenomenological approach to focus on the participants' experiences of instructional work; this perspective was particularly valuable in light of the reflective nature of the data collection methods used in this study (Limberg, 1998; Budd, 2005). In addition, another theoretical perspective brought to bear on the data was constructivist sociological role theory, which suggests that people's identities are constructed according to the social environments in which they work and live, and to the role expectations arising therein (Callero, 2003). The role stress experienced by some instructional librarians suggests that this perspective is a potentially fruitful one.\n3. Methods: 3.1 Data collection\n4. Results and discussion: Consistent with Nahl's (2007) assertion that the scholarly community must account for \"the centrality of the affective domain in all human activity\" (p. xix), data analysis revealed the central place of affect in the experiences of the librarians engaged in instructional work. Furthermore, a particularly salient theme that was manifest in the data was the expression of emotional labour, an occupational stressor identified by sociologist Arlie Hochschild (1983) in her classic book, The Managed Heart: Commercialization of Human Feeling. This book draws attention to work which \"requires one to induce or suppress feeling in order to sustain the outward countenance that produces the proper state of mind in others... this kind of labor calls for a coordination of mind and feeling, and it sometimes draws on a source of self that we honor as deep and integral to our individuality\" (p. 7). Wharton (1999) provides a further nuanced definition: \"emotional labor refers to the effort involved in displaying organizationally sanctioned emotions by those whose jobs require interaction with clients or customers and for whom these interactions are an important component of their work\" (p. 160). Hochschild (1983) focused her groundbreaking research on flight attendants and bill collectors; however, she identifies librarians as workers who perform emotional labour. Our exploration of how librarians relate to their instructional roles and the implications of those self-understandings revealed a rich range of affective experiences, thus bringing emphasis to \"the relational rather than the task-based aspect of work\" (Steinberg and Figart, 1999, p. 9).In the following discussion of results, we will:* draw attention to the range of affective experiences highlighted by participants;* explore emerging themes related to the circumstances that give rise to those affective experiences; and* explore how librarians within our sample experienced and managed emotional labour encountered within the context of instructional work.For all themes discussed, supporting quotations are reported verbatim and participants are identified by pseudonyms.4.1 Instructional experiences: from joy to misery\n5. Implications and conclusion: Affect has received significant recent attention within the information behaviour literature (Fisher and Julien, 2009); however, our findings draw attention beyond user affect to affect as a factor influencing the instructional experiences of library staff. Although the degree to which instructional work is compromised by negative or stressful affective experiences cannot be discerned from these data, our findings support the notion that emotional labour is an intrinsic element of instructional work (Bellas, 1999; Isenberger and Zembylas, 2006; Orgonna and Harris, 2004) and bring focus to emotional labour as \"effort-intensive and productive labor\" (Steinberg and Figart, 1999, p. 9). It is, therefore, reasonable to surmise that negative instructional experiences influence librarians' efforts to educate learners and may be significantly stressful for librarians themselves. Affective responses also may be mitigated by pedagogical training; greater preparation for instructional work, based on understanding of learning, and the effects that such understanding has on instructional practice, could be expected to ameliorate negative affective responses to the teaching role.If this is the case, what might be the implications of these findings for supervisors and managers responsible for planning and implementing instruction? While the consequences of emotional labour may be influenced by individual agency and by emotional management strategies, the findings of this study suggest that both individuals and organizations will benefit from considering the influence of emotional labour on library staff with instructional duties. Organizations, for example, might begin to address the invisibility of emotional labour performed as a part of the teaching role, perhaps providing opportunities for library staff to freely express their frustrations, their boredom, and their stresses. In addition, there may be implications for librarians' education. Those of us who educate librarians for their teaching roles, through courses in pedagogy and curriculum design for instance, ought to incorporate into our lessons understanding of affect and its impact on those in instructional roles.These findings move our focus beyond instrumental concerns that challenge successful information literacy instruction (e.g. a lack of instructors' training, and ubiquitous resource limits) to challenges which may seem even more insurmountable: changing workplace roles, and the sometimes invisible, but difficult emotional aspects of instructional work. At the very least, appreciation for the fact that these challenges exist, and emerging understanding of the ways in which such challenges are experienced by librarians with instructional responsibilities, may be a starting point for ameliorating them.\n", "role": "user" }, { "content": "Purpose: - Library staff are experiencing increased work role complexity as they move from being service providers towards greater instructional roles, providing bibliographic instruction, user education, and information literacy instruction. The purpose of this paper is to explore how library staff relate to their instructional roles and the implications of those self-understandings for instructional outcomes.\nDesign/methodology/approach: - Data collected from qualitative interviews with library staff in Canadian academic and public libraries and diary entries written over a three-month period were analyzed using NVivo software and an open-coding, grounded-theory approach. The study took a phenomenological perspective and was influenced by constructivist sociological role theory.\nFindings: - Data analysis revealed the central place of affect in the experiences of librarians engaged in instructional work, and brought focus to the relational aspects of this work and the affective impact of visibility/invisibility of instructional outcomes. A prominent theme was the expression of \"emotional labour\"; participants used a variety of methods to manage this occupational stressor as they experienced it within the context of instructional work.\nPractical implications: - Individuals and organizations will benefit from considering the influence of affect on library staff. Those who educate librarians should seek to improve understanding of affect and its impact on instruction; organizations will benefit from addressing the emotional labour performed as a part of the teaching role.\nOriginality/value: - The study draws attention to the affective experiences of library staff. This is the first research article in the LIS literature to explore emotional labour as it relates to librarians.\n", "role": "assistant" } ]
Construction equipment engine performance degradation due to environmental and operation factors in Latin America	[ "Condition monitoring", "Environmental degradation", "Condition maintenance" ]	[ { "content": "Summarize the following paper into structured abstract.\n\n1. Introduction: In large-scale global infrastructure projects, construction equipment can move between a variety of countries and even continents. Construction equipment engine performance and durability can be affected by the geography in which it operates. Operating altitude, primarily higher altitudes, is among the key risks faced by maintenance engineers. Latin America is a region where construction equipment is exposed to extreme variance in operating conditions (i.e. altitude, temperature and humidity). While peer-reviewed literature focuses on engine performance at altitude in a laboratory setting, it lacks analysis targeting construction equipment operating in field conditions. Thus, maintenance engineers are left to use common system maintenance models or the manufacturer's scheduled maintenance charts. By applying a system view to system maintenance, the research utilizes oil analysis, operational data and engine sensor data to recommend maintenance operations and schedules.\n2. Motivation: Organizations in the Latin America region spent $5 trillion for infrastructure projects between 2000 and 2015 (Bridging global infrastructure gaps, 2016). Between 2016 and 2030, the region needs to spend an additional $7 trillion (Bridging global infrastructure gaps, 2016). Thus, Latin America is an important market for construction equipment manufacturers. For instance, in 2017, Caterpillar retail sales to Latin America was up 55 percent (Retail Statistics, 2017). Given the importance of the Latin America market, it is remarkable that engine durability analysis for construction equipment operating in Latin America is not covered in the peer-reviewed literature. Unique machine applications in the region are foreign to testing and design engineers in the manufacturers' home markets. Thus, the reliance on customer support data is essential to improve engine design and reduce warranty costs for equipment operating in Latin America. Because 20-ton excavators are among the most popular products employed by equipment fleet owners, this research focuses on the engine durability of this excavator class size operating in Latin America.\n3. Literature review: The System Maintainability Theory is the theory framework employed to complete this research. The System Maintainability Theory is defined as \"a scientific discipline which studies complexity, factors and resources related to the task needed to be performed by the user in order to maintain the functionality of the system/product, and the work of methods for their quantification, assessment, prediction, and improvement\" (p. 12). Knezevic (1997) defined maintainability as \"the probability that an item will be retained in or restored to a specified condition within a given period of elapsed time\" (p. 12). The research theory framework is derived from tribology and its association with engine performance loss. However, at the time of the completion of this research, peer-reviewed literature does not address engine degradation associated with operating construction equipment at higher altitudes. Thus, this research provides a problem definition, purpose and significance that is worth investigating. The System Maintenance Theory as employed in this research is based on the work of Knezevic (1997) and Nakagawa (2005). Knezevic (1997) and Nakagawa (2005) defined the following maintenance groups: reactive, scheduled, preventative and predictive maintenance. This research focused on predictive maintenance. Furthermore, the authors employed a subset of Blau's (2006) predictive maintenance direct and indirect theories. Oil analysis, a key component of this research, is a cornerstone of indirect predictive maintenance (Blau, 2006).\n4. Research method: 4.1 Diesel engines studied\n5. Results: To conduct the research, two 200D John Deere excavators were studied that operate in the Bolivian cities of La Paz and Santa Cruz. Both machines were monitored for a period of three months during which they accumulated 250 and 252 h, respectively. Oil analysis for both machines were analyzed and compared. Also, data were obtained from the ECU (machine utilization data, DTC and specific sensor readings) of each excavator. It is important to note that the diesel fuel is similar in La Paz and Santa Cruz. The fuel quality is considered to be poor due to a high level of sulfur content, over 2,000 ppm (Diesel Fuel Sulphur Levels: Latin America and Caribbean Region, 2017). Also, water in fuel is predominant in Bolivia.\n6. Conclusion: Maintenance engineers working in large-scale global infrastructure projects maintain construction equipment operating in extreme conditions. Construction equipment is shipped from project to project, often across countries and continents. Construction equipment designed for developed countries and less extreme operating environments exhibit reduced durability when operated in Latin America.\n", "role": "user" }, { "content": "Purpose: The purpose of this paper is to determine whether the altitude at which construction equipment operates affects or contributes to increased engine wear.\nDesign/methodology/approach: The study includes the evaluation of two John Deere PowerTech Plus 6,068 Tier 3 diesel engines, the utilization of OSA3 oil analysis laboratory equipment to analyze oil samples, the employment of standard sampling scope and methods, and the analysis of key Engine Control Unit (ECU) data points (machine utilization, Diagnostic Trouble Codes (DTCs) and engine sensor data).\nFindings: At 250 h of engine oil use, the engine operating at 3,657 meters above sea level (MASL) had considerably more wear than the engine operating at 416 MASL. The leading and earliest indicator of engine wear was a high level of iron particles in the engine oil, reaching abnormal levels at 218 h. The following engine oil contaminants were more prevalent in the engine operating at the higher altitude: potassium, glycol, water and soot. Furthermore, the engine operating at higher altitude also presented abnormal and critical levels of oil viscosity, Total Base Number and oxidation. When comparing the oil sample analysis with the engine ECU data, it was determined that engine idling is a contributor for soot accumulation in the engine operating at the higher altitude. The most prevalent DTCs were water in fuel, extreme low coolant levels and extreme high exhaust manifold temperature. The ECU operating data demonstrated that the higher altitude environment caused the engine to miss-fire and rail pressure was irregular.\nPractical implications: Many of the mining operations and construction projects are accomplished at mid to high altitudes. This research provides a comparison of how construction equipment engines are affected by this type of environment (i.e. higher altitudes, cooler temperatures and lower atmospheric pressure). Consequently, service engineers can implement maintenance strategies to minimize internal engine wear for equipment operating at higher altitudes.\nOriginality/value: The main contribution of this paper will help construction equipment end-users, maintenance engineers and manufacturers to implement mitigation strategies to improve engine durability for countries with operating conditions similar to those described in this research.\n", "role": "assistant" } ]
Life enrichment for workers in contemporary China	[ "China", "Work-family enrichment", "Chinese workers", "Life enrichment" ]	[ { "content": "Summarize the following paper into structured abstract.\n\nIntroduction to work-family enrichment (WFE): By exploring the Chinese cultural perspectives and philosophies, this conceptual paper proposes the key antecedents of WFE for Chinese workers in the largest emerging market - China. This paper contends that business organizations within China need to see their workers' lives from a holistic perspective by simultaneously considering every aspect of their lives (rather than just looking at the work and family roles) to help them achieve their sense of WFE. China represents one of the fastest growing emerging markets where local and foreign companies have been operating to exploit its market opportunities. Although the growth rate of foreign direct investment in China has slowed down due to government regulations, rising labor cost, restructuring of economy and local competition (State statistical Bureau, PRC, 2016), newly approved foreign invested enterprises amounted to 22,580, up by 7.4 percent from January to October in the year 2016 (Ministry of Commerce, People's Republic of China, 2017). Despite such impressive growth, the excessively long working hours, heavy workload and lack of worker-friendly human resource (HR) policies and practices that can also accommodate the needs of workers' families are well documented in the literature related to Chinese workforce (Xiao, 2012). A shared belief on work and family balance is often absent among government, business managers and employees to the extent that work-life conflicts have been accepted as a fact of life in China (Xiao and Cooke, 2012) by both organizational leaders as well as workers. Therefore, antecedents of WFE for Chinese labor force are an important area of exploration to benefit both foreign and local companies operating in China.\nChinese cultural perspective of life: Traditional culture helps human beings to better understand themselves (Jensen, 2000). It is culture that provides a sense of belongingness and spiritual comfort - perhaps a sense of enrichment in life covering both work and family domains (Jensen, 2000). To some extent, traditional culture - in which individuals are brought up with - shapes part of individuals' values and attitude toward life. In the following section, we present four dominant aspects of Chinese culture: confucianism; family value; collectivism; and individualized culture along with propositions.\nDiscussion: This conceptual paper identifies key antecedents of WFE for Chinese workers in China from the Chinese cultural perspectives (i.e. philosophy of Confucian: Chinese family orientation and collectivism) and traditional Chinese philosophies of life as a whole. The proposed framework implies that the antecedents of WFE in China are influenced by four aspects which are Confucianism, family value, collectivism and individualized culture. Specifically, harmony is highly valued by Confucianism. Therefore, harmonious relationships within every aspect of life are key factors for Chinese employees to experience WFE. The family orientation value allows Chinese employees to extend their family belongings. WFE happens when Chinese employees experience the sense of family in different domains. Chinese employees rarely separate their work from their family because of the collectivism. Therefore, benefits for whole family from employees' organization are important to induce WFE. Individualized culture allows Chinese employees to have different attitudes toward life, which means that Chinese employees have rich and varied interpretations of enrichment. Additionally, the framework proposed in this paper also acknowledges previous studies on WFE both in Asian as well as Western contexts, which mostly focus on organizational support and managerial support (Wayne et al., 2006; Bhargava and Baral, 2009; Rantanen et al., 2013; Siu et al., 2013).\n", "role": "user" }, { "content": "Purpose: The purpose of this paper is to identify key antecedents of work-family enrichment (WFE) for Chinese workers in China. The paper adopts the Chinese cultural perspectives (i.e. philosophy of Confucian: Chinese family orientation and collectivism) as well as traditional Chinese philosophies of life as a whole.\nDesign/methodology/approach: This is a conceptual paper. Therefore, this section does not apply.\nFindings: The key antecedents of Chinese WFE have been identified and presented in the conceptual framework. Testable propositions have also been developed and presented in this paper.\nPractical implications: The conceptual framework showing the identified key antecedents of Chinese WFE highlights the necessity for the corporate leaders to rethink the ways to promote well-being and productivity of Chinese workforce in China. Meanwhile, managers should rethink about WFE among Chinese employees and regard employees as a whole person rather than just a worker with certain skills or abilities.\nOriginality/value: This is the first paper to propose the concept of life enrichment by examining the antecedents of WFE particularly from the Chinese philosophical and cultural perspective.\n", "role": "assistant" } ]
E-business complaint management: perceptions and perspectives of online credibility	[ "Electronic commerce", "Complaints", "Consumer behaviour", "Response time", "Organizational behaviour", "Online operations" ]	[ { "content": "Summarize the following paper into structured abstract.\n\n1. Introduction: the complaint behaviour and management literature has undergone a recent e-commerce-induced rejuvenation (Strauss and Hill, 2001; Hansen et al., 2010). Researchers have found asynchronous communication media such as online opinion forums to be particularly suited to complaint communication seeing that the sender is in full control over the point of time, content and subsequent extent of exchange of his/her complaint behaviour (Harrison-Walker, 2001; Hong and Lee, 2005).At their core, consumer complaints are based on a dissatisfying product or service experience, which may cause negative word-of-mouth (WOM) behaviour or consumer exit and will definitely prove detrimental to a company's reputation or sales if unresolved (Nyer and Gopinath, 2005, Burton and Khammash, 2010). Yet, a public complaint voiced online which is adequately resolved (as perceived by the consumer) is likely to entail an increase in consumer loyalty, satisfaction levels and positive WOM (Hong and Lee, 2005). A satisfactory public company response is therefore not only crucial in terms of customer retention, but also in the form of increasing corporate reputation and brand equity generated by third-party online consumers who read about positive complaint resolution and hence may perceive less risk and cognitive dissonance (Burton and Khammash, 2010; Hansen et al., 2010). Consequently, this research will investigate complaint behaviour from three perspectives:1. the company as sender of a complaint response;2. the author of the complaint as receiver of the company feedback; and3. third-party consumers as observers of this communication dialogue.To explore complaint responses, this paper will adopt the concept of source and message credibility (Metzger et al., 2003) in order to determine whether complaints are accepted by the sender and positively received by third parties. \"Source credibility\" is here defined as the combined perception of trustworthiness and expertise (Cheung et al., 2008). \"Message credibility\" relates to argument/information quality, which will here be defined by its comprehensiveness, relevance and accuracy. Source and message credibility are overlapping concepts (Metzger et al., 2003) and taken together determine perceived \"information usefulness (Sussman and Siegal, 2003), which in the context investigated here will be termed \"complaint utility\", (CU) as it defines the perceived usefulness of a complaint process (Kowalski, 1996).The core contribution this research adds is thus the use of credibility as a conceptual framework to explore what type of complaint response induces perceptions of credibility in the author and how third parties evaluate complaint dialogues with regards to credibility perception of each party (sender and receiver) involved. With consideration to the growing importance and impact of virtual community communication (Watts and Dodds, 2007), negative electronic WOM and rival company online propaganda (Mayzlin, 2006), online marketers and complaint managers may be well advised to understand their communication efforts as an inter-textual, two-way-company-representation with meaning being ultimately determined by an inter-related online audience (Cheung et al., 2008).\n2. Problem statement: This article attempts to explore complaint behaviour and responses from a holistic perspective beyond examining the act of complaining, subsequent company feedback or third party readers in isolation but with a focus on their cascading interrelation. Unlike contemporary online complaint literature seems to imply, the complaint process and related credibility-perceptions do not end with the act of complaining but continue with complaint response perceptions and third party observers incorporating an entire dialogue into their credibility assessment set.Although researchers have looked at potential online complaint response strategies, subsequent reader and sender perceptions have not been explored. Whereas Metzger et al. (2003) promote the credibility benefits of company interference with consumer opinion statements, Dellarocas (2006) expresses the concern that participation leads to scepticism and loss of credibility for eWOM communication in general. What, therefore, determines and enhances the credibility of a company complaint response? Can complainers' perceptions of company responses be influenced? And how do third parties interpret and relate to both complainer and company response?\n3. Hypotheses: The central objective of this study is to investigate credibility perceptions of company complaint responses (i.e. standard, matter-of-fact feedback messages) from the perspective of the complainer, the company, and third-party observers. Previous research has shown that credibility causes informational usefulness perceptions (Sussman and Siegal, 2003) which in turn encourage consumers to complain as complaint utility symbolises expectations of success and corporate responsiveness (Kowalski, 1996). In addition, Conlon and Murray (1996) found credibility to impact positively on consumer complaint reactions. Furthermore, if a complaint response appears sincere, consumers are more satisfied than they would have been if no complaint had occurred at all (Hong and Lee, 2005). Based on Cheung et al.'s (2008) findings, the hypothesis therefore reads as follows:H1. The more credible (i.e. trustworthy, expert, relevant, comprehensive and accurate) the complaint response is perceived to be, the higher the complaint utility for the complainer.Cheung et al. (2008) further suggest that due to the anonymity of online information senders, source credibility and accuracy have less impact on the overall information utility than comprehensiveness and relevance. Accordingly, one may presume that third-party observers retrieving two credibility statements from a complaint dialogue will generally perceive the company response to have higher complaint utility: its identity is known and may entail an assumed expertise (as a manufacturer/seller of the product concerned) and some form of pre-existing trustworthiness (otherwise the customer would not have considered a purchase in the first place). Corporate trust was found to be based on reputation perceptions and to be a determining force in manifesting online credibility (Corritore et al., 2003). In relation, eWOM researchers have found that familiarity leads to perceptions of corporate competence and trust (Harrison-Walker, 2001) whilst anonymity is suggested to negatively influence credibility perceptions (Brown et al., 2007; Rains, 2007). Hence, the following is hypothesised:H2. For third-party observers, company complaint response induces higher credibility perceptions and complaint utility than the original complaint.When decoding a message, the reader's attitude orientation is likely to play a pre-selecting role in message elaboration likeliness, as noted in the persuasion psychology literature (e.g. Petty et al., 1983). See et al. (2008) propose that a message may either be evaluated based on its cognitive (i.e. rational, informational) or affective (i.e. personal, belief-based) value. Slama et al. (1993) and Chelminski and Coulter (2007) suggest that complaining can be related to cognitive evaluations (e.g. the need for uniqueness and opinion-leader status), whilst others highlight complainers' emotional involvement (Alicke et al., 1992; Smith et al., 2005). In fact, since the beginning of complaint behaviour research it is widely accepted that the act of complaining itself tends to involve both cognitive appraisal processes and emotional elements such as anger, sadness or guilt (Lazarus, 1993; Stephens and Gwinner, 1998; Soscia, 2007).The difference in orientation may moderate the receiver's (here the complainer's and the observer's) credibility judgement regarding the company's complaint response. Consequently, this research will distinguish between two different message decoding orientations (MDO):1. cognition-based message decoding orientation (CMDO); and2. affect-based message decoding orientation (AMDO).CMDO implies a solution-focused motivation (Metzger et al., 2003), which in the context of the complaint exchange investigated here is likely to enhance credibility and complaint utility perceptions. AMDO entails a problem-focused motivation which in this case may lead to persuasion resistance (Metzger et al., 2003) and hence lower credibility and complaint utility perceptions. Thus, there will be two possible conditions (see Table I).In relation, the following is proposed:H3. Information-oriented (IO) complainers show higher credibility and complaint utility perceptions than emotion-oriented (EO) complainers.Since the observer evaluates a complaint dialogue for his/her credibility assessment, four different conditions are possible (Table II).As noted in H2, higher source credibility judgements are likely to be induced for the company due to familiarity-related assumptions. Yet, if the observer's MDO is matched by that of the complainer, a moderating effect may occur due to perceived likeness effects (Metzger, 2007). Hilligoss and Rieh (2007) suggest that credibility judgements may either be based on heuristics such as source familiarity or interaction effects such as evoked emotions. In relation, Park and Kim (2008) suggest that cognitive fit theory - i.e. matching an information type with an information processing (i.e. decoding) strategy - leads to stronger persuasive effects. In cases where the message orientation is not congruent, a negative bias effect may lead to an enhanced credibility assessment of the company's response (or lower credibility assessment of the complainer's message). This leads to the following:H4. Congruency in message orientation between complainer and observer leads to observers making higher credibility and complaint utility judgements than in case of message incongruence.\n4. Research importance: A crucial dilemma for contemporary complaint managers is the anonymity, publicity and low credibility of e-commerce participants and the internet as medium itself (Hong and Lee, 2005). By thus experiencing constraint complainer information, an empowerment of message content and cues as well as a conspicuous, ongoing and multiple decoding of the complete complaint communication process, a company's credibility represent one of the most important factors in consumer satisfaction perceptions, customer relationship management and corporate image considerations. The enormous increase in electronic WOM and the inter-textual online environment necessitates modern marketers actively to guide, if not control, any company-related information-dissemination processes and official communication channels.This research contributes to the online complaint management literature by exploring the perceptions of communication participants and bystanders, i.e. all potential direct WOM agents. So far, company complaint responses have not been investigated from such a holistic post-complaint perspective that recognises the inter-relation of communication dialogue taking place in a public online environment. The results are expected to indicate crucial determinants of consumers' credibility perceptions, the related significance of attitude orientation and effects of complaint dialogue dynamics on observing third-party consumers. This may significantly educate current credibility research that has established that high credibility can moderate persuasion resistance towards company interference in online opinion forums (Metzger et al., 2003). In relation, attitude-orientation has long been recognised by persuasion psychologist to crucially impact on consumer information adoption and search processes, identity-enactment and corporate image perceptions for instance (Petty et al., 1983). Moreover, effective attitude-communication observed by third-party consumers (i.e. opinion seekers) may lead to positive WOM and purchase intention cascade effects in online opinion forums (Watts and Dodds, 2007).The resulting concept of complaint utility may act as an indicator of successful complaint management, which so far has been grossly neglected. In relation, marketing managers may gain insights as to what extent e WOM credibility should be linked to complaint response communication in order coherently to reflect desired corporate credibility and brand equity perceptions. Additionally, retail management may gain insights into the extent to which interactive communication power should be left to their suppliers by allowing them to respond to complainers via the retailer's website.\n5. Conclusions: Considering the significant benefits of satisfactory complaint responses and positive online credibility perceptions, the credibility measurements and complaint utility perceptions promoted in this research are expected to reveal that distinct (i.e. cognitive or affective) and carefully configured (including sender and receiver perspectives) complaint response messages are necessary for successful online corporate image management. Further research may investigate how pre-existing corporate reputation perceptions (Metzger et al., 2003) and prior knowledge (Sussman and Siegal, 2003) of participating consumers may influence credibility assessments. This research's results will also require further verification across different product categories, cultures and online platforms. Finally, future research may investigate an adaptation of the company complaint response, i.e. offering two different responses based on each type of attitude-orientation, which was not taken into account in the standardised complaint response message.\n", "role": "user" }, { "content": "Purpose: - The purpose of this paper is to investigate public online consumer complaint responses from three different perspectives: the complainer, the company and third party consumers. Consumer complaint behaviour and management has been studied in various streams of literature, yet the subsequent processes triggered by a company complaint response have not been studied so far. In particular, this paper seeks to divert from examining complaint participants in isolation by recognising interrelated communication effects of complaint dialogue and public media.\nDesign/methodology/approach: - Looking at credibility perceptions as a theoretical construct for measuring the utility of a complaint as well as attitude-orientation as an evaluative moderator, the paper highlights the ambiguity of meaning transfer in an online complaint forum.\nFindings: - It is hypothesised that credibility and congruence in attitude orientation positively enhance complaint utility perceptions and strongly bias complaint dialogue evaluations.\nOriginality/value: - The paper highlights that expected relevant results for online complaint managers and marketers alike are the inclusion of post-complaint communication into corporate image and relationship management as well as using credibility perceptions as a benchmark for online customer satisfaction and potential positive electronic word-of-mouth.\n", "role": "assistant" } ]
A framework for the design of computer-assisted simulation training for complex police situations	[ "Skills", "Transferable skills", "Educational design", "Education and training", "Computer-based learning", "Computer-based training", "Reflective thinking", "Vocational training", "Police education", "Computer-assisted simulations" ]	[ { "content": "Summarize the following paper into structured abstract.\n\nIntroduction: A major dilemma for police education is the gap between education and performance in the field. Police education, like vocational education in other disciplines, is based on the concept that the training students receive results in effective future performance as operational police officers. This rests on an assumption that the transfer of learning from the educational to the operational context is dependent on the quality of the educational environment. Mayer et al. (2011) point out that social constructivist methodology facilitates transfer to a higher degree than behaviorist methods. They also note that transfer is affected by the structure and time spent on training. Transfer of learning may also depend on the type of skills and knowledge involved. Isolated, \"closed\" skills that are performed the same in training and the workforce may transfer more easily than \"open\" skills where actions vary depending on how the individual interprets a particular situation. In fact, the gap between training and field performance is most noticeable in the application of complex procedures within dynamic environments, where learning emerges as a result of multiple experiences in similar, but varied situations. This paper focusses on these types of complex skills and knowledge within the context of police education.\nTheoretical framework: Educational design may be conceived of as the arrangement of a learning environment or context to support desired learning outcomes. Dewey (1910) claimed that if the subject matter of learning is not arranged in a meaningful way \"the effect upon habits of thought is detrimental\" (p. 10). Thus, the educational design process, from Dewey's point of view, must foster an interest in what is to be done and an incentive for doing it. This focus on the learner's context emphasizes the importance of learners' experiences and the need to create meaningful problems that engage the learner in a process of reflection.\nThe design process - resource considerations: The previous section outlined a theoretical framework that could inform the design of CAST activities to support the development of complex learning outcomes. In this section, we apply these concepts to describe the development of computer-based simulations within the context of police education. The following description follows Luckin in describing the simulations in terms of skills and knowledge, resources, and environment.\nReflections on a design work in progress: Both Luckin's and Schon's theoretical frameworks have been useful in the design process. Luckin's (2008, 2010) framework focusses attention on the interaction between different elements and filters in the learner's context. Schon's perspective on reflective thinking focusses attention on reflective possibilities in the design process. Together these perspectives challenge educational designers to look beyond the immediate development of specific tools (such as the CAST in this project) and examine how these tools will be effectively embedded in the overall learning experience. The work performed in this project involved the design of CAST for learning local entry clearance search procedures in complex police situations. Based on this theoretical framework, the project developed a simulator prototype for single patrol searches where students can, preferably in groups, act and discuss action strategies to enable reflection-in-action (peers can enhance subject-specific reflections). Risk areas can be identified and marked and searches are recorded and can be used for reflection-on-action (after-action debriefing). Further work will allow for the creation of dynamic situations with the addition of levels, scenarios, and tailored feedback opportunities.\n", "role": "user" }, { "content": "Purpose: The purpose of this paper is to report progress concerning the design of a computer-assisted simulation training (CAST) platform for developing decision-making skills in police students. The overarching aim is to outline a theoretical framework for the design of CAST to facilitate police students' development of search techniques in complex interactions within the built environment, learning to apply and perform the five \"quick peek\" techniques for information gathering, and subsequent risk evaluation.\nDesign/methodology/approach: The paper draws on Luckin's ecology of resources model of learner context informed with perspectives on reflective thinking from John Dewey and Donald Schon. The paper discusses design issues within the ecology of resources model applied on CAST for complex police situations.\nFindings: It is suggested that Luckin's framework with its focus on the interaction between different elements and filters in the learner's context together with Schon's perspective on reflection challenge educational designers to look beyond the immediate development of specific tools (such as the CAST in this project) and examine how these tools will be effectively embedded in the overall learning experience.\nOriginality/value: This paper has presented two theoretical perspectives, Luckin's ecology of resources model and Schon's perspective on reflective practice as foundations for the educational design of CAST. Applying Luckin's framework as informed by Schon helps focus attention on issues that are important in the design process in order to facilitate educational transfer.\n", "role": "assistant" } ]
Analysis of the healthy lifestyle consumer	[ "Lifestyles", "Personal health", "Consumer behaviour", "Demographics" ]	[ { "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 article.\nIntroduction: It is estimated that in 2003, the market for healthy products in the USA accounted for more than $440 billion dollars in sales (Research Alert, 2004). This sales figure represents 4.2 percent of gross national product (GNP) and is noteworthy for two reasons other than its considerable size; first, the market for \"healthy products\" barely even existed 30 years ago, and second, the sales trend suggests the strong growth rate in this market will continue well into the future (Towers, 2004; Berry, 2004; Dogheim-Rashid, 2004). The immense influence of this market is underscored by Roger Deromedi, CEO of Kraft Foods, who said: \"The growing importance of health and wellness has altered buying patterns to a degree that I have not seen before in the food business\" (Howell, 2004).As is the case with most markets, the demand for healthy products is being driven by customer segments which have expressed a strong need for the benefits these products provide. With regard to this particular market, demand is being driven by a large customer need segment that bases a number of its purchase decisions on its desire to adopt or maintain a healthy lifestyle (Berry, 2004; Weiss, 2002, Beverage Industry, 2004; National Petroleum News, 2002). Despite the tremendous impact that this healthy lifestyle consumer has had on the marketplace, there has been very little research on this segment in the marketing literature. This study will attempt to better define the profile for this segment by analyzing associations between maintaining a healthy lifestyle and a number of demographic, personal value and psychological characteristics.\nThe healthy lifestyle segment: Bloch (1984) defined a healthy lifestyle as an orientation toward the prevention of health problems and the maximization of personal wellbeing. While this could legitimately encompass a wide variety of behaviors from flossing after meals to applying sunscreen, most healthy lifestyle research has focused on diet and exercise (Kraft and Goodell, 1993).A review of the literature uncovered no prior research on what percentage of the population is currently maintaining a healthy lifestyle. However, the Center for Disease Control does publish research on both exercise and nutrition separately. The results of this research are called the behavioral risk factor surveillance system (BRFSS) and can be accessed online at www.cdc.gov/brfss/ According to the BRFSS, 75 percent of the adult population report that they engage in a regular exercise program; however, only 26.2 percent report they exercise at the levels recommended by most health organizations (five times a week for 30 minutes). Approximately 60.7 percent of the population indicate they are currently using exercise to help them either lose or maintain their weight.With regard to nutrition, BRFSS research indicates that 71.8 percent of the population are eating fewer calories and/or less fat in an effort to lose or maintain their weight. A total of 61 percent have expressed a goal of losing 20 pounds or more (Duecy, 2003), and 90 percent indicate they select food products based on health considerations at least some of the time (Berry, 2004). On the other hand, BRFSS data indicate that 59.2 percent of adults in the USA are overweight or obese and only about 14 percent are on a weight loss diet program (Howell, 2004). In addition, BRFSS research indicates that only 22.6 percent of the US population consume the USDA recommended five daily servings of fruit and vegetables.Based on these statistics, two general conclusions can be drawn. The first is that the percentage of consumers who are truly maintaining a healthy lifestyle probably does not constitute a large segment of the population. The second is that there is clearly a much larger mainstream segment who have adopted some aspects of a healthy lifestyle but who have not yet fully incorporated both a healthy diet and regular exercise into their daily routine. Assuming these conclusions are correct, it suggests that the growing demand for healthy products is not only being driven by those strictly maintaining a healthy lifestyle, but also by mainstream people who are attempting to live a little healthier. This also suggests that in terms of market impact, it may be more appropriate to look at healthy lifestyles from a broader perspective of people who regularly incorporate exercise and healthy eating into their lives.\nThe impact of healthy lifestyles on the marketplace: Regardless of which type of consumer is most responsible for driving demand for healthier products, it is clear that this demand has had a large impact on a number of industries. In the food industry, health oriented products accounted for five of the seven food categories that experienced double digit revenue growth between 2003 and 2004 (O'Leary, 2005). Nutritional supplements have grown from a health store niche product to a $19.82 billion category (Research Alert, 2004). Another category whose explosive growth has been fueled by health conscious consumers is bottled water (McNulty, 2004; Fuller, 2003). It is estimated that, per capita, Americans now drink 22.6 gallons of bottled water a year, and in the three-year period between 2002 and 2004, 328 new brands of bottled water were introduced into the marketplace (McArthur, 2005). Demand for healthier snack products is so strong that PepsiCo has mandated that at least 50 percent of their new food products be in the \"healthier for you\" category (Howell, 2004).Industries more closely associated with unhealthy lifestyles are now courting the healthy lifestyle customer as a niche segment. Examples include:* Anheuser Busch, which is marketing a low carbohydrate beer.* Sobe, which is marketing alternative soft drinks fortified with herbs and natural fruit flavors (Holay, 1999).* Applebee's, which is offering healthier menu options and a promotional tie-in with Weight Watchers (Duecy, 2003).* Hilton Hotels, which are giving their guests access to personal trainers and in-room exercise equipment (Hotel and Motel Management, 1999).* Even in the traditionally unhealthy fast-food category, sandwich restaurants such as Subway have targeted the health conscious and have been rewarded with substantially higher growth rates than those obtained by the traditional fast-food hamburger restaurants (Anderson et al., 2003). In response, McDonald's has launched a healthy lifestyle campaign that includes a happy meal for adults that features a salad, bottled water and an odometer (Barrier, 2004).\nPurpose of the current study: The current study will seek to gain a better understanding of this large and influential need segment by examining demographic, personal value and psychographic antecedents of maintaining a healthy lifestyle. Specifically, this analysis seeks to identify who this segment is, what personal values distinguish those who belong from those who are less likely to base product choice decisions on health considerations, and to determine whether a number of hypothesized psychological antecedents do in fact influence whether one maintains a healthy lifestyle.\nHypotheses: Demographic antecedents\nMethodology: Overview\nResults: Cluster analysis: determination of healthy and non-healthy lifestyles\nConclusions and managerial implications: Results of the cluster analysis suggest that the main indicators of whether or not one maintains a healthy lifestyle are fruit and vegetable consumption and exercise. Alcohol consumption was not found to be a very useful variable in terms of defining healthy and unhealthy segments. One possible explanation for this is that a number of people in the healthy segment may incorporate moderate levels of alcohol consumption into their lifestyle. A breakdown of alcohol consumption between the two segments shows that on average people in the healthy segment actually drink about two more glasses of wine a month than do people in the unhealthy segment; however, people in the unhealthy segment tend to drink more servings of beer, wine coolers and mixed drinks. This higher wine consumption among the healthy cluster could be due to the fact that some health organizations recommend moderate wine consumption as a means to fight heart disease (Shapiro and Biddle, 1996; Dodd and Morse, 1994).With regard to the demographic antecedents, the results indicate that people who maintain healthy lifestyles tend to be female, older in age and more educated. Based on its significance level, age appears to be the most influential of all the predictors used in this analysis. This is somewhat surprising since the BFRSS data had indicated younger people are more likely to exercise and less likely to be overweight. Possible reasons for the strong positive age/healthy lifestyle relationship might be that older people are more concerned about their mortality/longevity and thus are more committed to living healthier. Alternatively, they may have more health problems that necessitate maintenance of healthier diet and exercise programs. Even the BRFSS finding that older people are more likely to be overweight may in fact be a motivator for them to adopt a healthier lifestyle.The obvious managerial implication of this strong age effect is that marketers of health and fitness products should not ignore the market potential of older consumers. One case study that demonstrates how lucrative this market can be is the popular fitness franchisor, Curves. Since its start with one fitness center in 1992, Curves has grown to nearly 7,000 locations with an estimated membership of 2.7 million (Fitzgerald, 2004). The average age of these members is 55 (Schnirring, 2002). Curves has achieved this tremendous growth by targeting the needs of older women who want to get into better shape with a fast, affordable exercise program offered in a non-ego-threatening, non-coed environment. Its approach has been so successful that Curves has spawned a number of similarly-themed new start-ups (Schnirring, 2004) and may have caused its competitor Bally's to abandon its traditional use of young fitness models in its advertising in favor of focusing on average people who are struggling with their lack of fitness (Fitzgerald, 2004).With regard to values, only one LOV value, excitement, was significantly linked to maintaining a healthy lifestyle. The negative coefficient indicated the more one valued excitement, the less likely one was to maintain a healthy lifestyle. This supports the hypothesis that people who embrace hedonistic values are less likely to maintain a healthy lifestyle than those who place greater importance on more utilitarian values. It also suggests that companies looking to expand the market for healthy lifestyle products may need to build more excitement into their offerings. In the beverage industry, there is some evidence that this strategy is already being used. One of the biggest recent trends in this market has been the incorporation of unusual ingredients such as guava, pomegranate, white tea and yogurt cultures into beverages in order to increase novelty value as well as deliver more health benefits to consumers (Beverage Industry, 2004). In a similar fashion, fitness centers may want to explore offering more exiting activities like wall climbing, spinning or martial arts classes in order to make exercise more appealing to those who are more motivated by their intrinsic interest in an activity than by the benefits they expect those activities to provide.With regard to psychographic characteristics, both of the time related variables, temporal orientation and role overload, were linked to maintaining a healthy lifestyle. This reinforces previous research which had suggested one of the main issues influencing one's ability to maintain a healthy lifestyle was time (Stutts, 2002; Mothersbaugh et al., 1993). This finding suggests that people who have a propensity to plan ahead and are less time pressured are more likely to be successful in incorporating healthy eating and exercise into their daily routine.This also suggests that companies looking to expand the market for healthy lifestyle products may need to tailor their offerings to better meet the needs of people who are time pressured. Research indicates that the two biggest trends in the food industry are health and convenience (Berry, 2004; Dogheim-Rashid, 2004; Shiu et al., 2004; Towers, 2004). Research also suggests that these two trends are often in conflict with each other (Shiu et al., 2004; Towers, 2004; Luomala et al., 2003). Developing products and services that resolve this health/convenience conflict may be the key to success for companies targeting the healthy lifestyle consumer. One example of a successful implementation of this strategy is in the nutritional bars and drinks category. This category is among the fastest growing in the nutritional supplement industry (Prince, 2002, National Petroleum News, 2002, Levitt, 1997) and its success is largely attributable to the effective repositioning of these bars and drinks from diet products to meal replacements for people who wish to maintain a healthy lifestyle but lack the time necessary to shop and prepare balanced meals (Levitt, 1997). Similarly, in the exercise market, the success of Curves is primarily the result of their taking a leadership position on the attribute of time efficiency by offering women an opportunity to get into better shape with 30-minute workouts, three times a week (Schnirring, 2002).\n", "role": "user" }, { "content": "Purpose: - The purpose of this study is to gain a better understanding of the healthy lifestyle consumer by examining demographic, personal value and psychographic antecedents.\nDesign/methodology/approach: - A cluster analysis was used to divide consumers into healthy and unhealthy lifestyle segments based on their diet and exercise behavior. A logistic regression analysis was then run on these segments to test the impact of 17 hypothesized antecedents.\nFindings: - Results indicate that people who maintain a healthy lifestyle tend to be female, older, more educated, place less importance on the value of \"excitement\", have a greater tendency to plan ahead and tend to experience less role overload.\nResearch limitations/implications: - One limitation is that the response rate of the mail survey used to collect data was only 28.8 percent. Another limitation was that the specific types of diet and exercise behavior used to classify respondents into clusters did not encompass the full range of diet and exercise options available to all consumers.\nPractical implications: - The financial impact of the healthy lifestyle consumer on a number of industries is documented. A demographic profile of the healthy lifestyle consumer was obtained which should assist companies seeking to target this segment. The significance of two time-related psychographic predictors suggests that companies looking to expand the market for healthy products may want to focus on ways of making their products/services more convenient to time-pressured consumers.\nOriginality/value: - This paper represents one of the first attempts in the marketing literature to study the healthy lifestyle segment.\n", "role": "assistant" } ]
Building competitive enterprises through supply chain management	[ "Supply chain management", "Competitive strategy", "Competitive advantage" ]	[ { "content": "Summarize the following paper into structured abstract.\n\nIntroduction: By definition, supply chain management strives for the efficient management of supply chain assets, products, information and cash flows in order to maximize the surplus that results from the difference of the price paid by a consumer and all the operational costs that accrue throughout the supply chain (e.g., Sunil Chopra and Meindl, 2007, p. 6). Thus, the competition for market shares is no longer between single forms, but increasingly between supply chains (Taylor, 2003, p. xv). With this understanding, it is clear that, for a firm to gain a competitive advantage in its market, it is necessary for it to be part of an efficiently run supply chain. It thus the purpose of this special issue to offer some perspective on how an enterprise can position itself within a supply chain and use supply chain management principles to gain competitive advantage. We will first introduce the symposium at which these papers were presented and then describe and summarize the findings of the six papers.\nThe Fourth Annual International Symposium on Supply Chain Management: The Annual International Symposium on Supply Chain Management is held each fall to bring together researchers and practitioners from around the world. The highlights of the symposium include: a collection of high quality academic papers, practitioner white papers or presentations, keynotes by renowned practitioners and academics, and panel discussions on current topics. This special issue is drawn from the academic papers that were presented during the fourth symposium held from October 4-6, 2006. The First Annual Supply Chain Management Doctoral Colloquium was held on October 4, 2006, in conjunction with the symposium. It is noteworthy to mention that the last four symposia have generated eight special issues in international journals. Further information about the symposium, past and future events, can be accessed on www.scmsymposium.org\nThe papers: This special issue includes six papers. Table I provides a summary of the key features of the papers along four dimensions: methodology, supply chain management issues, competitive aspects and contributions. Two studies provide conceptual frameworks for the design of competitive supply chains. They address the impact of supply chain network configurations and organizational culture on the performance of supply chains. The remaining four papers provide different professional and functional perspectives on practical aspects of supply chain operational implementations with the goal of achieving a competitive advantage.In the article \"A conceptual framework for analysing risk in supply networks\" Cheng and Kam use agency theory to investigate the relationship between a supply chain's network structure and its risk profile. The authors highlight the fact that while there is a unanimous agreement in the research community as to the value of supply chain coordination, it nevertheless can add to the risk complexities that each supply chain partner has to deal with. Thus, the authors work is valuable in shedding some light as to how this risk complexities changes with the supply chain network structure and the task that each supply chain link plays in collaboration.Roh et al. look at how organizational cultures relate to supply chain strategies in the study entitled \"Organizational culture and supply chain strategy: a framework for effective information flows\". They identify four different organization cultures: hierarchical, group, rational and developmental and link them with four corresponding supply chain strategies: efficient, risk-hedging, responsive, agile, respectively. In addition, for each organizational culture they identify an information flow system: caretakers, defenders, analyzers and prospectors, respectively. They suggest that their integrative framework could be used by management for strategic decision making when designing a supply chain network and its related information technology infrastructure.The study by Larson on an \"Accreditation program design: a survey of supply chain professionals\" reports on a survey that was conducted to support a re-design of a professional accreditation program, the Certified Professional Purchaser (CPP) that is delivered by the Purchasing Management Association of Canada (PMAC). The study found that while SCM professionals do not share a common view about the profession, they agree that success in their profession requires the focus on the development of general management skills more than on specific functional and analytical tools.In the paper \"An objective evaluation of the Ivey Purchasing Managers Index\" Cho and Ogwang use principal component analysis to study the appropriateness of the Ivey Purchasing Managers Index (PMI) for businesses that are functioning within the Canadian economy. Their statistical tests suggest that a new PMI should be developed to better reflect the dynamics of the Canadian economy. They argue that such an improved index will equip supply chain management professionals with more accurate tools for better-informed forecasting and policy making.McLaren and Vuong work on \"A 'genomic' classification scheme for supply chain management information systems\" develops a taxonomy of supply chain management information systems. Starting from a qualitative analysis of the literature from seven prominent software packages, they found 82 attributes that could be classified into five categories that match those used by the Supply Chain Operations Reference (SCOR) model: primary supply chain processes, data management, decision support, relationship management, and performance improvement. In addition to providing a hierarchical view of supply chain information systems, the authors' work can be used to aid firms in the selection of the appropriate supply chain management software package.In the paper titled \"Flexibility and revenue management in the automotive industry\" by Voigt et al. the authors survey German automotive buyers to gain some insights into customers purchasing behavior. They find that manufacturers tend to over-emphasize customer valuations for delivery and configuration flexibility. The authors argue that by studying their customers, auto manufacturers could segment their buyers according to their delivery time and configuration flexibility and employ revenue management techniques to streamline their supply chain operations.\n", "role": "user" }, { "content": "Purpose: - The purpose of this paper is to introduce a special issue that looks at how enterprises could build competitive advantage through supply chain management.\nDesign/methodology/approach: - The paper provides an overview of competitiveness within a supply chain framework, introduces the issue papers and summarizes their major features.\nFindings: - Nowadays competition is increasingly between supply chains rather than individual companies. Thus, one would expect supply chain management to be a key in maintaining enterprises competitiveness. Through conceptual models and empirical studies this special issue's papers demonstrate how designing and operating efficient supply chains, through the effective use of information technology, can provide enterprises with a competitive advantage.\nResearch limitations/implications: - The paper implies that enterprises can associate with a supply chain and develop a mechanism to fairly share surpluses. The papers in the special issue offer insight in to how an enterprise can position itself within a supply chain and how risks and profits can be shared equitably.\nPractical implications: - The paper introduces articles that report on practical implementation issues of supply chain principles.\nOriginality/value: - The paper suggests a unified framework for the special issue papers.\n", "role": "assistant" } ]
Local responses to disasters: recent lessons from zero-order responders	[ "Disaster risk management", "Disaster risk reduction", "Survivors", "Improvisation", "Victims", "Local disasters responses" ]	[ { "content": "Summarize the following paper into structured abstract.\n\nIntroduction: The fields of disaster risk reduction (DRR) and disaster risk management stumble when it comes to deploying lasting programs to reduce community vulnerability to foreseeable hazards. Policy, communication and infrastructure are plagued by top-down implementation schemes, which lack feedbacks from the communities for whom the efforts are meant to serve. An implicit goal of this paper is to seek methods of freeing decision-making from this gridlock and discussing alternative DRR and DRM approaches. Here, we propose a broader definition of a notion introduce by Glantz et al. (2014, p. 78) in order to understand the surviving victims: \"In truth, community members caught up in a disaster situation are the real 'first responders.' We add that the experiences of these individuals provide underutilized yet valuable commentary on DRR infrastructure and communication pathways.\"\nResponders, from first to zero: After disasters happen yet before official first responders (FRs) arrive (civil protection, medical help, army or international support) affected population are demanded to face disasters on their own. As mentioned by Jalali, R. (2002, p. 122), \"the local community undertakes all immediate search-and-rescue-type operations as outside help takes longer to arrive, hence it is their capacity that needs to be strengthened.\" In some cases, days weeks or months after a disaster, after external help and media attention has moved on, affected people are still improvising to recover. How they undertake these charges plays a large role in shaping the context of their future risk to similar hazards. Because local populations live at ground zero of these events, they are by default the real FRs. With FR's title already taken, people fighting to survive and thrive are better coined ZOR.\nLessons from ZOR: From the Yungay avalanche in Peru in 1970 (Oliver-Smith, 1979) trough hurricanes Mitch in Central America in 1998 (Christoplos et al., n.d.) Katrina (USA, 2005) and 2010 Haiti earthquake (Pyles et al., 2018) examples of ZOR dealing with disasters are chronicled. And more emerge today. Recent extreme hydrometeorological events illustrate the value of recording ZOR's activities and underline the need for deeper, event-based research into citizen responses to disasters. Here we cite two striking, yet early-stage examples of ZOR testimony being leveraged differently for improved DRR programming.\nDiscussion points: ZOR are not hapless victims. They partake in the survival process because they are forced to take actions to protect their families and neighborhoods. The titling of surviving victims as ZOR formalizes the recognition of their non-formal and professional expressions of disaster management. Above and beyond working within pre-existing DRR programming, they are wielders of improvisation and creativity. This shift in framing acknowledges that ZOR interact with DRR resources and how they do this is a guiding factor in future DDR development. Other stakeholders in DRR would benefit from recognition of this reality and change their development schemes to assimilate testimonies from ZOR. For example, climate-related forecasts including early warnings should explicitly foster and incorporate its climate information products and especially feedback from the society about its warnings. The local communities know their environments; and when acknowledged and brought into DRR and DRM development planning they will be empowered to take more informed, trusted and effective responses.\n", "role": "user" }, { "content": "Purpose: The purpose of this paper is to define and discuss the concept of zero-order responders (ZOR). It explores the potential lessons and the additive value that assimilation of responses of disaster-affected people into disaster risk reduction (DRR) and disaster risk management (DRM) programs can provide.\nDesign/methodology/approach: In order to support this concept, the authors review two recent extreme hydrometeorological events, illustrating how local populations cope with disasters during the period before external support arrives. Additionally, the authors address their under-leveraged role in the management of recovery. The empirical evidence was collected by direct observations during the 2017 El Nino Costero-related floods in Peru, and by the review of press following 2017 hurricanes Irma and Maria destruction in Puerto Rico.\nFindings: During disasters, there is a window of time before official and/or external support arrives. During this period, citizens must act unsupported by first responders - devising self-coping strategies in order to survive. In the days, weeks and months following a disaster, local populations are still facing recovery with creativity.\nResearch limitations/implications: Citing references arguing for or against the value of documenting survivor methods to serve as a testimony for the improvement of DRR programming.\nPractical implications: DRR and DRM must integrate local populations and knowledge into DRR planning to improve partnerships between communities and organizations.\nSocial implications: The actions and experiences of citizens pro-acting to pave fruitful futures is a valuable commentary on improvements for DRR and management.\nOriginality/value: This paper proposes a citizen-centered contribution to future disaster risk reducing actions. This approach emphasizes the reinterpretation of local responses to disasters. DRRs and DRMs growth as fields would value from heralding ZOR coping and improvisation skills, illustrated under stressful disaster-related conditions, as an additive resource to programming development.\n", "role": "assistant" } ]
Reforming public sector: Facing the challenges of effective human resource development policy in Ghana	[ "Public sector reform", "Human resource development", "Local government", "Ghana" ]	[ { "content": "Summarize the following paper into structured abstract.\n\nIntroduction: Development of \"human resources\" in both public and private sector organizations has become critical in an increasingly knowledge-based globalizing economy. In particular, human resource capacity building for public service delivery has been recognised by developed, transition, and developing economies under the notion of the \"new public management (NPM)\" reform (Taylor, 2001).In the context of NPM or public sector reform (PSR), decentralization, and human resource management and development (HRM/D) have been recognised as crucial strategic policy elements of concern in the implementation of reforms in both developed, transitional and developing countries. It has been argued by Hope (2001, p. 124) that:[...] decentralization is seen as the means through which governments are able to provide high quality services that citizens value; for increasing managerial autonomy, particularly by reducing central administrative controls; for demanding, measuring and rewarding both organizational and individual performance.In a sense, decentralization is commonly accepted in both theory and practice as a means to ensuring good local governance and the delivery of effective public service by increasing \"allocative\" and \"productive\" efficiency. However, this assumption of great promise is contingent on its design, and the institutional, technical and human resource development (HRD) capacity arrangements governing its implementation (Analoui, 2002; Kahkonen and Lynya, 2001; Pollit et al., 1998).Consideration of above issues raises major questions, the foundation for the objectives of the study, concerning the potential difficulties and challenges of investing in people for effective implementation of Ghana's decentralized local governments. More importantly, given the dominance of the managerially assumption which underlies the NPM, how has Ghana's on-going reform been responding to the HRD challenges and concerns facing the decentralised local government (bureaucratic) workforce? To achieve these objectives, first the study will be placed in the theoretical context by examining in some details contemporary views on HRM, decentralisation and the concept of capacity. Then, the issue of scope and methodology adopted will be dealt with to illustrate the rational for adopting \"triangulation\" to generate the relevant data before presenting the results and the discussion of the key findings. The concluding section incorporates the implications these findings for the formulation of a meaningful policy and practice of effective HRD practice.\nTheoretical perspectives: Human resource management and decentralisation\nScope of study and methodology: The choice of methodology for the study was influenced by the presence of multiple actors in the public organizational setting, hence the adoption of an exploratory case study research design. Owing to financial, logistical, time and practical reasons, the actual data collection covered the decentralized local government service, comprising the Ministry of Local Government and Rural Development at the national level in Accra, the Central Regional Coordinating Council in Cape Coast, and the Komenda Edina Eguafo District Assembly (KEEA-DA) in Elmina (Government of Ghana, 2002a, b).Both primary and secondary sources of data were employed for the study. Self-completing questionnaire and interview schedule tools were used to elicit data from 105 local government employees selected from the main targeted organizations at the national, regional and district levels (Figure 1). A semi-structured interview guide was also employed to seek the views of \"key persons\" in nine public and quasi-public organizations, reaching 16 senior public officials and managers. Appropriate and relevant secondary documents complemented the two primary data sources. Triangulating sources and data, qualitative and quantitative methods were used to analyse the data. Qualitative analysis took the form of transcribing recorded tapes and content analysis of interviews and documents, whilst quantitative analysis took the form of descriptive statistics such as frequencies, percentages, mean, mode, median standard deviation supported with relevant charts and graphs. Figure 1 brings together the summary details of the sources of data, the organizations covered and the employee sample selection and the actual coverage.\nResults: On the question of what specific importance has been given to the development of human resources towards strengthening administrative decentralized local governments, the study found that as part of the on-going sector reforms an HRD unit has been created, headed by a trained human resource professional. The newly created HRD unit at the macro level has since 2002 formulated a \"human resource capacity development\" (HRCD) plan for the metropolitan, municipal and district assemblies (MMDAs). The ministry has also established an Institute for Local Government Studies, whose mandate is to train both the political and bureaucratic workforces of the local governments.The research explored current HRD policies and programmes with the view to understanding the level of top management support for HRD. Table I gives a summary of the respondents\" views on an ordinal scale from the perspective of work location. The data generally show that on average, employees considered three factors as the most important, namely:1. current HRD policies are relevant to my work (2.97);2. HRD department has full management support (2.82); and3. HRD policies are formulated with line managers (2.67).On the other hand, we found two factors as important obstacles for HRD. They were: members of staff are aware of the HRD policy of this organization (1.89); and management spend time and money to ensure the development of all staff (2.02). These views were generally reflected at district, regional and national levels, as well as by category of staff (junior verses senior).On the performance of the HR function or departments, the respondents evaluated ten key roles. A careful observation of the overall mean scores on the ten roles in Table II suggests that the performance of the HR departments were rated as generally fair. However, whenever a particular function/role is rated poor, a sizable proportion of the respondents come from the regional and national level. Second, where the rating is good, less of the overall contribution came from the region and national. These observations have a lot of implications for the need to nurture the HRD function at all local government levels. The results can be interpreted as an indication of how slow PSRs takes to mature and to trickle down to the lower levels of operation in a technically, materially and financially under-resourced developing country such as Ghana.Focusing on problems facing staff development, over 80 percent (82.9 percent) of the respondents did affirm that all is not well. To understand the nature of the problems in the context of HRD the respondents stated three major problems that affect the development of human resources in their organization (Table III). The results have been presented in the form of simple ranking depending on which concern or challenge was identified by most of the respondents. The top three challenges identified are: low job satisfaction due to poor salaries, inadequate funds for training and development, and unequal training and development opportunities for all employees.The issue that ranked fourth among the overall results, which was placed third in the regions, but not mentioned in the district, was \"individual or personal interest in jobs with financial gains\". This finding can be interpreted as emphasising the challenge of poor salaries for public sector employees in an economy where the daily minimum wage is about US$1.5. One may argue that this perception probably holds some amount of water because anecdotal evidence suggests that clients who do business with public service organizations in Ghana sometimes provide some kind of financial incentives as an inducement to fast-track their work. However, the inherent rent seeking behaviour is a cause for worry since it has implications for fighting corruption. A recent survey report by the Ghana Integrity Initiative (GII, 2005, p. 32), found the civil/public service to be in fourth position among the top ten institutions/sectors identified as contributing to bribery and corruption in Ghana.Generally speaking the study found that the HRD challenges facing Ghana's decentralized local government service are multi-faceted or integrated in character. Accordingly, they could be conveniently categorized three dimensionally as illustrated below (Figure 2). They comprised policy-induced challenges; skill, task and organization induced challenges; and performance motivation induced challenges. The policy-induced challenges are essentially due to the design and implementation of the present local government system and the associated problems that come with it. Whilst the other two broad challenges are a synthesis of the concerns and needs of the respondents (employees) and key person's interviewed during the study.\nDiscussions: Systems theory thrives on the assumption that it is the collective interaction of individual parts that makes the whole unique (Hanna, 1997; von Bertalanffy, 1950). In that respect, it is useful to discover that the local government ministry has in place a HRCD plan for the local governments (i.e. MMDAs). It thus demonstrates the conceptual and empirical intentions of an organization that seeks to develop the knowledge, skills and competencies of the human resources (Pffeper and Veiga, 1999; Guest, 1987, 1989). However, the HRCD plan appears to be an imposition despite management's good intentions because there was little or no input from the region and district level personnel. To a large extent this is contrary to the principles of participatory management (Kaufman, 2001) as well as decentralization theory and practice (Cohen and Peterson, 1997). It equally undermines the fundamental assumption of the system theory, which considers every part or element of the organization as critical to its survival and sustainability (Hanna, 1997; von Bertalanffy, 1950).One interesting issue related to HRD capacity is the over-emphasis on \"staff need for training\". The emphasis on yearning for more and perhaps fair access to training underscores a comment that \"training has become the most popular prescription for curing all organizational pathologies in many developing countries (Analoui, 1996; Kiggundu, 1994). Other researchers have also argued that training is the most preferred option to solving chronic human resource inadequacies and organizational weaknesses (Kerrigan and Lake, 1987). However, NPM writers like Reichard, believe that training is only one factor in the successful development of the human side of new public managers. Reichard's observation is supported by Kowu's (2001) study in one of Ghana's public sector organizations (The Environmental Protection Agency - EPA). That study concluded that training alone is not enough to produce effectiveness in the workplace, especially among senior managers. Rather, there is the need to create conducive work environment aimed at providing a high level of job satisfaction and to recruit enthusiastic, broad-minded individuals prepared to disregard their personal prejudices for the good of the organization (Kowu, 2001).A careful assessment of the key performance motivation-induced challenges tends to conflict with Reichard and Hasenbolhler's (1995) argument that for public managers and employees to be able carry out public sector vision, public sector reformers have to be circumspect with regard to:* selection and recruitment of suitable public managers and workforce;* career development and promotion for public employees;* provision of a motivating incentive system for public employees;* adequate interaction between the entire public workforce, managers and their superiors in the organization; and* build a team of employees taking into consideration leadership, communication and control.Reichard and Hasenbolhler's argument is in conformity with Chalofsky and Reinhart (1988, p. 31) performance-oriented \"HRD effectiveness model\", which argues that the overriding goal of an effective HRD function is to \"build a responsive resource (workforce)\" and should be contingent upon having: professional human resource personnel; top management support for HRD; a high level of teamwork among staff; close working relationship with line and staff management; and a track record of high quality products and/or services'.\nConclusion and policy implications: The overall purpose of the study was to explore, describe and understand how the new public management PSR paradigm, which Ghana has embraced, is shaping the path of decentralization reform. In particular, it sought to explore the major HRD capacity building challenges facing local government administration.On reflection, the main research conclusions suggest that human resource capacity challenges manifest in three-dimensions as: policy-related, task/skill/organization-related and performance motivation-related. Confronting these challenges has far reaching implications for policy and human resource management development practice.One of the policy issues emerged is that decentralisation has the potential to improving local public service delivery and ensuring good governance. However, for this dream to materialise, several HRD policy actions and interventions are required, including: establishing functional, well re-tooled and professional HRD institutional structures at all levels of local government administration.In respect of the implications for HRD practice, it might be useful to focus on the following issues:1. Improving the core competencies of staff and management in decentralized local governments. By promoting an integrated approach to organizational learning that would require the development of three inter-related human resource capabilities, including: human capital (knowledge, skills and competencies); social capital (network of reciprocal relationships and support); and corporate capital (embedded culture, assets and information system).2. Synchronising the nature and content of training offered by the different stakeholders contributing to local governments human resource capacity building. This would imply designing strategies to focus on four dimensions of the local government institution or what is commonly referred to as the \"organization human resource strategy\", including its:* Culture - the beliefs, values, norms and management style.* Organization - the structure, job roles, and reporting lines.* People - the skill levels, staff potential and management capability.* Human resources system - the people focused mechanisms which deliver the strategy: communications, training, rewards, career development.\n", "role": "user" }, { "content": "Purpose: - This paper seeks to explore and understand the public sector reform (PSR) as it affects local governments in Ghana within the context of challenges facing human resource capacity building and development policies.\nDesign/methodology/approach: - Adopting an exploratory case study design, the research triangulated both secondary and primary sources of data. Primary data generated from self-completing questionnaire and interview schedule tools covering 105 local government employees selected from national, regional and district levels. Semi-structured interviews also solicited views from 16 senior public officers and managers in nine public and quasi-public organizations. These primary sources were complemented with relevant secondary documents from the organizations investigated.\nFindings: - Amongst others, it was found that Ghana's PSR has significantly influenced the strategic direction of human resource development policies of the decentralized local government service. Major human resource capacity challenges manifest three-dimensionally as: policy, task/skill/organization and performance motivation induced.\nPractical implications: - Addressing the human resource capacity challenges has enormous strategic and financial resource implications for policy makers in transition and developing economies, due to their over-reliance on external donors for funding.\nOriginality/value: - Unlike previous studies, this empirical study did not explore human resource capacity issues of elected officials; rather, it focused on public servants (technocrats) implementing local political decisions. Of much value is that the results were from the perspective of the frontline local government staff whose day-to-day inputs are critical for effective decentralization.\n", "role": "assistant" } ]
K12 online school practice in China	[ "Distance learning", "E‐learning", "China" ]	[ { "content": "Summarize the following paper into structured abstract.\n\nIntroduction: China has developed the practice of e-learning for improving primary and secondary education throughout the country. Since 1996 China has established a number of K12 Online Schools in collaboration with private enterprises (Du, 2006). Although the online schools have been in operation for more than ten years, they still face many challenges, such as setting up optimum management policies, maintaining a sustainable model, and effectively using information and communication technologies (ICT) for improving the teaching and learning process. In order to further promote online schools, the Research Center of Distance Education (RCDE) at Beijing Normal University conducted research, which is also part of the PAN-dora Sub-Project 9 in China. The aims of this study were:* to evaluate the existing practices of K12 Online Schools;* to explore the general situation of using ICT applications;* to identify the main teaching and learning strategies adopted and the major difficulties faced by online schools; and* to summarize the experiences and lessons from existing K12 Online School practice.K12 Online Schools were established to resolve the natural imbalance of educational resources between developed areas and undeveloped areas in China. As a supplementary learning approach, students participate in K12 Online Schools after their regular school time. They have the flexibility to select subjects to remediate through the internet. They also can choose which contents they want to learn, where and when they attend online schools. Since the first K12 Online School started enrolling students in 1996, more than 200 K12 Online Schools have been set up in China to date (Hu and Zhang, 2006). These schools are located all over the country, and have a total of more than 600,000 registered students. In Beijing, there are 30 K12 Online Schools with 120,000 students (Liang, 2006). As part of this study, the Beijing No. 4 Online School (with more than 60,000 students) is chosen as a sample to illustrate the current situation of e-learning in online schools (Wang, 2006).\nThe developmental stages and running modes of online schools: The development of K12 Online Schools nationwide has experienced three stages:1. a four-year starting stage;2. a four-year adjusting stage; and3. the present steady stage.During the initial four years after 1996, the growth of online schools was fast. The number of online schools in the whole country reached a peak of 1,000 by 2001 (Du, 2006). During this stage, the concepts of e-learning and online schools were gradually formulated (Nie and He, 2005).During the second stage, the number of online schools decreased remarkably as investors and managers of some schools over-emphasized financial gains but ignored the regularities and characteristics of web-based education (Chen, 2003). As a result, the number of online schools during this stage reduced to about 200 (Zhang, 2006). In only one year, nearly two-thirds of the online schools were closed down (Nie and He, 2005). Other reasons for this decrease included the collapse of the internet bubble economy in 2001, managers' weak understanding of how to run schools, and the lack of a clear model to guide the division of responsibilities, rights and duties between private enterprises and cooperating K12 schools.Towards the end of the second stage, the government formulated appropriate mechanism to assure the healthy development of K12 Online Schools. The SARS crisis broke out in the spring of 2003. Many primary and secondary schools were temporarily closed and students had to stay at home. The Ministry of Education and the Beijing Municipal Government took emergency steps to open online classrooms for these schoolchildren to study at home. After the SARS crisis, many schools began to pay more attention to distance education, and hence another wave of development of K12 Online Schools started.During the third stage, managers and teachers paid more attention to the educational role of online schools. They developed a better understanding and an improved model of cooperation. K12 Online Schools came to a steady stage in development and practice (Zhang, 2006).There are multiple modes of running K12 Online Schools (Liang, 2006; Zhang, 2006; Wang, 2006). Some are run by a consortium of the government; a private enterprise and a school; a consortium of a private enterprise and a school; or an enterprise or a school alone. The distribution of these modes is about 3 percent, 54 percent, 23 percent, and 20 percent, respectively (Zhang, 2006).In the mode of multilateral cooperation among the government, an enterprise, and a school, operating funds are raised by private enterprises or individuals, or provided in part by government organizations. These online schools mainly provide educational support to poor rural areas or disadvantaged groups. A representative example is the Hope Online School, which is jointly sponsored by the China Youth Development Foundation and the private enterprise Beijing Technology Company.In the mode of enterprise-school cooperation, a private enterprise and an elite K12 school jointly invest and run the K12 Online School. The private enterprise contributes funding and technologies, while the school contributes high-quality courses and teachers. These two partners share the venture risk and profit together. This mode is common (54 percent) and dominant in China today. Beijing No. 4 Online School follows this mode.In the mode of an enterprise alone, a private enterprise takes the risk and profit alone. It has a fixed cooperation relationship with some K12 schools. It purchases necessary courses and employs teachers from the schools.In the mode of a school alone, the online school is hosted by one or several K12 schools without the support of any enterprises. Its advantages are a simple relationship, high enthusiasm among learners and guaranteed teaching resources. However, the disadvantages are a lack of advanced learning technologies and experiences in enrolment.Most consortia have private enterprises as investors. The K12 Online Schools supported by them do not just aim for resource sharing between schools, but also for financial profits.\nA case: Beijing No. 4 Online School: Background\nConclusion and suggestions: After more than ten years' development, the K12 Online Schools are playing an important role in promoting educational resources sharing. Moreover the online schools have accumulated considerable experience in teaching delivery, instructional resource development, and assessment of the teaching quality. In summary, the K12 Online Schools choose the satellite-based TV net or the internet to deliver their resources and use various ICT tools to support students in their online learning process. With respect to quality assurance, collaboration among lecturers, resource teachers and online tutors is the key to quality assurance. In addition, collecting opinions from the students is an effective way for maintaining the quality of online courses. Most teachers and learners have acquired certain skills in ICT tools, but lack adequate skills in e-learning, such as time management.Based on the experiences accumulated from the past ten years' development of K12 Online Schools in China, we propose the following suggestions to promote sustainable development of online schools.Enhancing the professional development of e-learning teachers\n", "role": "user" }, { "content": "Purpose: - The purpose of this paper is two fold. First, it presents the developmental stages and running modes of K12 Online Schools in China. Second, it illustrates online education practice, its current status, and the use of ICT in online schools. The experiences and lessons learned from the development of the K12 Online Schools are presented, and suggestions are summarized for the sustainable development of the schools.\nDesign/methodology/approach: - This study reviews relevant literature and uses questionnaires to collect information from the Beijing No. 4 Online School, which is a representative sample of K12 Online Schools.\nFindings: - K12 Online Schools have experienced three stages: the initial stage, the adjustment stage, and the steady stage. There are multiple modes of running K12 Online Schools in China. The schools mainly deliver their courses through a satellite-based TV net or the internet. The main teaching and learning strategy is still lecturing. Teacher training is critical for improving and assuring the quality of online courses.\nPractical implications: - The rapid development of ICT can propel K12 Online Schools to maturity. However, more emphasis should be put on learner support and teachers' professional development.\nOriginality/value: - This article summarizes K12 Online Schools practice and their current status in China. It will help in understanding the current development of online education in China and the challenges it faces.\n", "role": "assistant" } ]
Excavating grey literature: A case study on the rich indexing of archaeological documents via natural language-processing techniques and knowledge-based resources	[ "Information management", "Semantics", "Data handling" ]	[ { "content": "Summarize the following paper into structured abstract.\n\n1. Introduction: The Semantic Technologies for Archaeological Resources (STAR) project aims to develop new methods for linking digital archive databases, vocabularies and associated unpublished online documents, often referred to as \"Grey Literature\". The project aims to support the efforts of English Heritage (EH) in trying to integrate the data from various archaeological projects and their associated activities. To this end, it seeks to exploit the potential of semantic technologies and natural language processing techniques, for enabling complex and semantically defined queries over archaeological digital resources (STAR, n.d.; Binding et al., 2008).The STAR project has initially selected the Raunds Roman Archaeological Database along with Raunds prehistoric data, Raunds environmental sampling data and the Silchester LEAP data to address the aim for semantic integration of diverse data sources. The datasets are held in a number of different systems and formats varying from legacy coma-delimited ASCII outputs and MS Excel DBF files to MS Access and MySQL data formats. In addition, the differing types and origin of the datasets, indicative of the different stages in the excavation and analysis process which archaeological projects tend to follow, has also been a criterion for the inclusion of the datasets in the project. An archaeological excavation produces a range of data about contexts, plans, photos and text-based reports normally held in a project database. Related activities, such as a geophysical survey of the site, environmental samples and soil samples derived for scientific analysis, the study of human and animal bone remains, also produce associated data that relate to one another in a number of meaningful ways. The various datasets are currently isolated from each other while traditional relational database queries cannot cope with the complexity of relationships reflected between the different stages of an archaeological excavation; for example, \"Can you find all the samples with Spelt and seeds from Corn Dryers that were associated with 2nd century contexts and which also contained Barley grains\" (May et al., 2008).To achieve semantic interoperability over diverse information resources and to support complex and semantically defined queries, the STAR project has adopted the English Heritage extension of the CIDOC Conceptual Reference Model (CRM-EH). The adoption of CRM-EH ontology by the project is necessary for expressing the semantics and the complexities of the relationships between data elements, which underline semantically defined user queries as in the example given above. The project has completed a data extraction, mapping and conversion to RDF process, facilitated by an interactive custom mapping and extraction utility. Five datasets were included in the initial conversion task, producing a triple store of about 3 million RDF statements. Unique identifiers have been assigned to RDF following the dot delimited notation [URIprefix].entity.database.table.column.ID], providing a consistent convention mechanism for unique naming of entities. Finally, a CRM based web service has been implemented to enable search capabilities and browsing of the extracted data over CRM-EH relationships (Binding et al., 2008; Tudhope et al., 2008).Archaeological grey literature documents from the Archaeological Data Service OASIS corpus (Online AccesS to the Index of archaeological investigationS) also constitute another valued resource for the aims of the STAR project for enabling access to diverse archaeological resources. Grey literature documents hold information relative to archaeological datasets that have been produced during archaeological excavations and quite frequently summarise sampling data and excavation activities that occurred during and after major archaeological fieldwork (May et al., 2008; OASIS, n.d.).The purpose of \"excavating grey literature documents\" is to produce semantic-aware, rich indices of archaeological texts that comply with the ontological definitions of CRM-EH. To achieve this aim, the research reported in this study explores the potential of Natural Language Processing (NLP) techniques and more specifically the use of Information Extraction for identifying textual representations which are capable of supporting the population of rich semantic indices. The study is directed at the incorporation of knowledge resources (EH thesauri) and the ontological model (CRM-EH) to assist and drive the information extraction process. The adopted information extraction technique is influenced by the notion of Ontology Based Information Extraction (OBIE), while the potential of semantic-aware \"rich\" indices is addressed via the use of semantic annotations. The following paragraphs present the method and the results of an information extraction exercise, which aimed to extract and relate textual snippets from grey literature documents with the ontological model CRM-EH. The discussion reveals the method and presents the results of an initial exercise which identified (and linked to their semantic representations) textual snippets of information relating to two CRM-EH ontological entities, E49.Time Appellation and E19. Physical Object, corresponding to archaeological periods and object finds respectively.\n2. Method: 2.1 Excavating grey literature documents\n3. Prototype development: The task of identifying and presenting textual representations extracted from a corpus of grey literature documents constitutes the early form of a semantic indexing effort which has been carried out in three stages. The first stage, pre-processing, selected and prepared the corpus documents for the second stage, extraction-phase, which produced the annotations; the third post-processing stage presented the produced semantic representations of documents in the form of hypertext pages. The experiment has managed to annotate a corpus of 535 archaeological documents with semantic attributes connected with two CRM-EH ontological entities: E49.Time Appellation for archaeological periods such as medieval, prehistoric etc., and E19.Physical Object for archaeological object finds such as axe, flint, wall, etc. Initial results are encouraging and reveal the potential of the method in generating semantic annotation metadata with respect to CRM-EH ontological model.3.1 Pre-processing\n4. Results: The experiment resulted in the production of approximately 15,500 individual semantic annotations distributed over 535 grey literature documents. Evaluation and measurements on precision and recall rates have only been applied against a single document, where human annotators defined the gold-standards for evaluation. Since this is an early experiment, the process of defining the gold-standards to conduct a formal evaluation method is under development. Early evaluation attempts have revealed encouraging results, with JAPE rules in some cases outperforming human annotators in recall rates. Competing with a machine is hard when it comes to matching word instances in documents which can be overlooked by humans. On the other hand, human annotators presented better precision rates revealing the ability of humans to comprehend content and to suggest rich and elaborate annotations that are hard to match by a rule based logic.An early evaluation and visual inspection mechanism has been deployed in the Andronikos web portal. A search engine indexing algorithm provided by the open source FDSE project was deployed in the portal to index the web-pages of the semantic annotations and the full text version pages. The search engine was then used to retrieve results from both indexes to visually inspect their ability to respond to common search queries. It is anticipated as the study progresses further that formal evaluation methods will be applied to test the efficiency of the annotation mechanism.\n5. Discussion: The experiment has revealed the potential of rule-based information extraction techniques to provide semantic annotations to grey literature documents from the archaeological domain. The use of knowledge resources such as thesauri and conceptual structures such as ontologies evidently can assist the construction of sophisticated rules capable of assigning semantic representations to textual instances. Semantic annotations in the form of XML tags can be manipulated by web applications that make use of server side scripting technologies. This initial experiment represents an early attempt at creating semantic annotations that comply with a given ontological structure. The method has revealed the potential of ontology oriented information extraction techniques in identifying textual elements and linking them to their semantic representations, while revealing a number of issues that relate to the capabilities and limitations of the method.Future developments should seek to overcome complexities imposed by the event-based model, in order to enable exploitation of the model relations and entities. The rule-based mechanisms can be elaborated and assisted by a POS (Part of Speech) tagger. It is planned that the next phase of the experiment will incorporate POS inputs in JAPE rules to increase the efficiency of the method and to enable reasoning on the syntactical attributes of natural language text. It will involve the exploitation of the CRM-EH ontological model to advance the experiment to the next phase, widening its scope and including additional ontological entities and more sophisticated rule definitions. Expansion of the experiment towards inclusion of additional knowledge resources in the form of glossaries, thesauri and gazetteers is required to enable the expansion of the method to additional ontological entities. Further utilization of the produced annotations is also much desired to enable contribution of semantic annotations to information retrieval tasks. The Andronikos portal incorporates semantic attributes of annotations to simply display links to semantic definition of terms extracted from grey literature documents. It is within the immediate future plans of the study to investigate the method for transforming the output XML semantic annotation tags to RDF triple statements. Such RDF resources can be used to introduce the semantic annotations of documents to the semantic retrieval mechanism of the STAR project, which uses the semantic technologies SPARQL and JSON for querying RDF triples (Binding et al., 2008).\n6. Conclusion: Today available semantic technologies promise to close the gap between formal knowledge structures and textual representations enabling new access methods to information (Bontcheva et al., 2006b; Lee et al., 2001). Sustainable efforts from the digital archaeological domain have been directed towards enabling semantic interoperability of available digital resources. The provision of semantic annotations to grey literature documents is a challenging task, aimed at enabling access to documents on a semantic - conceptual level. The available language processing technologies make it possible today for scientists and developers to produce software applications capable of revealing the semantic attributes of textual elements and associating them with conceptual structures. The study has attempted to provide semantic annotations to grey literature documents in the archaeological domain, following established information extraction techniques (OOIE-OBIE) and using standard tools (GATE). The initial experiment has revealed that available tools and methods are capable of assisting the process of semantic annotations with promising results. The incorporation of ontologies and knowledge resources (gazetteer, thesauri, and glossaries) in a rule-based information extraction framework promises to enable rich semantic indexing of grey literature documents. Additional efforts are required for further exploitation of the technique and adoption of formal evaluation methods for assessing the performance of the method in measurable terms.\n", "role": "user" }, { "content": "Purpose: - This paper sets out to discuss the use of information extraction (IE), a natural language-processing (NLP) technique to assist \"rich\" semantic indexing of diverse archaeological text resources. The focus of the research is to direct a semantic-aware \"rich\" indexing of diverse natural language resources with properties capable of satisfying information retrieval from online publications and datasets associated with the Semantic Technologies for Archaeological Resources (STAR) project.\nDesign/methodology/approach: - The paper proposes use of the English Heritage extension (CRM-EH) of the standard core ontology in cultural heritage, CIDOC CRM, and exploitation of domain thesauri resources for driving and enhancing an Ontology-Oriented Information Extraction process. The process of semantic indexing is based on a rule-based Information Extraction technique, which is facilitated by the General Architecture of Text Engineering (GATE) toolkit and expressed by Java Annotation Pattern Engine (JAPE) rules.\nFindings: - Initial results suggest that the combination of information extraction with knowledge resources and standard conceptual models is capable of supporting semantic-aware term indexing. Additional efforts are required for further exploitation of the technique and adoption of formal evaluation methods for assessing the performance of the method in measurable terms.\nOriginality/value: - The value of the paper lies in the semantic indexing of 535 unpublished online documents often referred to as \"Grey Literature\", from the Archaeological Data Service OASIS corpus (Online AccesS to the Index of archaeological investigationS), with respect to the CRM ontological concepts E49.Time Appellation and P19.Physical Object.\n", "role": "assistant" } ]
Digitalization challenging institutional logics: Top executive sensemaking of service business change	[ "Digitalization", "Mental models", "Retail banking", "Sensemaking", "Service business", "Top executive team" ]	[ { "content": "Summarize the following paper into structured abstract.\n\nIntroduction: This study sheds light on the sensemaking of a top-level management team in a company that faces pressure to change - a situation that is typical for many business settings:We have had a very long history of different logics that have brought success, but I claim that right now, where we are now, when we can talk about what is called disruptive banking, we are at the cross-road, where it is not at all easy any more [...] there are totally different, new models and there are no ready answers. Those who can come up with more right than wrong answers will probably become successful in the future.\nMental models in business: Mental models reflect the fundamental underpinnings of how an individual makes sense of a certain issue and the reasons behind it. Mental models are relevant because they rely on a practical rationality, that is, organisational practices that are constituted and enacted by actors. Furthermore, mental models capture the essential aspects of the logic of practice (Sandberg and Tsoukas, 2011) that is related to practical managerial relevance (Jaworski, 2011). How managers make sense of an equivocal situation affects the decision-making process, and through their assumptions, embedded in their mental models, they influence the strategic possibilities for the firm. This is because mental models contain a set of beliefs and assumptions that represent the managers' interpretation of what they face, which issues they attribute significance to, how they react to them, which solutions they develop in response to them and how they evaluate the efficacy of their response. What makes mental models relevant, in other words, is that they directly link to decision making and strategizing. Various regulations, systematic decision processes and political compromises within organisations guide individuals' behaviours towards some commonality (Drazin et al., 1999). Thus, in practice, it is not possible, even if it will be beneficial, to switch from one way of doing business to another very quickly because the established perspective is embedded in everyone's mental models, in the setup of the organisation, in business models and strategies, in operative processes and in physical structures.\nA landscape of academic service marketing perspectives: Reasoning on managers' thinking is equivalent to the debate in the academic marketing literature about different \"marketing logics\" that have evolved over the years. These, on a high-abstraction level, could include, for example, the relationship marketing paradigm (e.g. Gummesson, 1998), the network perspective (e.g. Moller and Wilson, 1995), the service logic (Gronroos, 2011; Gronroos and Gummerus, 2014), the service-dominant logic (Vargo and Lusch, 2004, 2015; Skalen and Edvardsson, 2016) and the customer-dominant logic (CDL) (Heinonen et al., 2010; Heinonen and Strandvik, 2015). Paradigm, perspective and logic here refer to overarching notions of streams of research that share underlying assumptions and can be distinguished from other paradigms. We use paradigm, perspective and logic as synonyms and select here the term that is typically used for each of them. We will use a categorisation of these academic logics as a tool to analyse managers' mental models.\nEmpirical study: The research team of this study consists of three persons: two of whom are academic researchers, and one has a combination of extensive familiarity with the banking industry and a PhD degree in marketing. All three have previously done similar, although not identical, studies and share an interest in managerial sensemaking and value research themes that can simultaneously contribute to academic knowledge and company practice. Questioning the relevance of the current ways of practicing marketing and conducting abductive action research (e.g. Dubois and Gadde, 2002, 2014) that explores bank executives' mental models was a natural research strategy for us.\nEmpirical findings: The informants\nDiscussion and implications: This study highlights company sensemaking and mental models. Managers' mental models are important since they direct what is considered important, what is monitored and what is done. The mental models are representations that people have of the real business landscape. The selected context for this, that is, the retail banking setting, is exceptionally fruitful because of its long-standing traditions in conjunction with many ongoing changes currently affecting it. The study contributes in several ways to marketing and service management literature by highlighting how the mental models of individual executives as well as the collective mental model are reflected in strategic efforts.\n", "role": "user" }, { "content": "Purpose: The purpose of this paper is to explore the mental models of top executive team members in a selected retail bank. The focus is on how each executive team member makes sense of the market situation and changes with regard to customers and customer-bank interactions in the current situation where earlier bank practices are at risk of becoming obsolete.\nDesign/methodology/approach: All members in the executive team were interviewed individually in August 2014 on how they reason about challenges in the service business. The study uses an abductive research approach.\nFindings: The mental models were largely dominated by internal bank issues, and adjusting the services to changing customer preferences was considered a main challenge. The research analysis showed that the executive team members identified the same business challenges, but their interpretations of the meanings and implications of the challenges were different. Mental models tend to be hidden and stable and are seldom explicitly elaborated. There was a distinct spread in mental models in terms of content. Limited focus was on customers as the starting point for business development and renewal.\nResearch limitations/implications: The study was conducted in the retail banking setting, which is currently affected by many changes. The study, however, was limited to executive members in one bank.\nPractical implications: The foremost implications of this study relate to sensitising executive members and teams to their mental models and exposing different core challenges related to customers and customer relationships in the retail banking sector.\nOriginality/value: The value of the study is it sheds light on top executives' prospective sensemaking of current business challenges by addressing individual mental models. The study represents a novel approach in the strategic service management literature.\n", "role": "assistant" } ]
Network Rail managers take the right track: Development programs help to change the organizational culture	[ "Railways", "Management development", "Privatization", "Organizational culture", "Organizational change" ]	[ { "content": "Summarize the following paper into structured abstract.\n\n__NO_TITLE__: When Network Rail took responsibility for Britain's rail network from Railtrack seven years ago, the board was clear that the caliber of leadership in the company would be a key factor in improving performance.\nInspirational leadership, not merely efficient management: Out of the ashes of Railtrack, the Government created Network Rail, a not-for-dividend company that plows any profit it might make back into the railway. Network Rail's remit is to deliver a \"safe, affordable and sustainable\" railway. With more than 33,000 employees, it runs, maintains and develops tracks, signaling systems, bridges, tunnels, level crossings, viaducts and 18 key stations.Bill Templeton, leadership-curriculum manager, human resources, said:Leadership at every level needed to be improved if Network Rail was to become the world-class organization it sought to be. In order for us to deliver on our remit to regenerate UK rail, we needed managers capable of providing inspirational leadership, not merely efficient management.This meant developing an energetic, self-sufficient and motivated cadre of managers, empowered to take the lead, make data-driven decisions quickly, take carefully calculated risks, and build teams that would deliver against stretching targets.The company develops and delivers programs for thousands of its managers every year. The programs are delivered either by staff at its Westwood leadership-development center, near Coventry, or at regional training centers by its training partners, including the University of Warwick, the Centre for High Performance Development and other training consultancies. Most programs are modular, with opportunities to use the learning back in the workplace, where participants are encouraged to identify a real business issue and apply what they have learned to propose and implement a solution.Many of the leadership programs are accredited to national standards. Managers who successfully complete a program receive credits towards an award, certificate or diploma that can be carried over into further study leading to recognized managerial or professional qualifications.\nAnnual focus on skills needed to deliver the business plan: Every year, Network Rail focuses on the skills its managers need in order to deliver the business plan. In 2009, it began to deliver the Leadership Skills II program to around 3,000 people managers across all parts of the company, in order to help to achieve its strategic objective of recruiting, retaining and developing good people.This program is designed to support managers in conducting performance appraisals. It has strengthened the capability of leaders throughout Network Rail to cascade objectives, set performance targets, review progress, coach, motivate and support people to achieve new levels of performance, both individually and in teams.Network Rail also launched a modular program named Foundation Management Skills, aimed at providing first and second-line managers with a consistent, high-quality introduction to leadership and management. The program seeks to teach new managers the simple and practical skills for day-to-day management.Also new for 2009 was the Practical Leadership program, designed for front-line managers working in infrastructure maintenance and operations. This eight-day program, delivered at the Fire Service College, Moreton in Marsh, emphasizes a highly practical approach. It helps delegates to react in a learned, planned fashion, with consistent behavior patterns, which allows for dynamic assessment of risk and high performance.Next year the company will focus more on its Leadership Toolkit e-learning tool, strengthening the number of learning interventions available to its managers. This tool is supplemented by other e-learning resources focused on management skills and methods for effective management.Network Rail will also look to launch nationally accredited management training modules through its own awarding-body status.The company believes that coaching is one of the most effective ways of developing people. Its focus is on coaching for leadership - encouraging people to take responsibility and ownership. That starts from them knowing what they want - what goals they have, what values they hold.Network Rail provides accredited training at Westwood for managers to learn the skills of coaching for leadership. Many of these people also join the company's internal coaching pool, using these skills to support graduates and people in the talent pool.Network Rail offers a range of accredited professional-development programs that meet national educational standards. The company encourages people to become professionally qualified with the engineering institutions relevant to their specialisms. Other non-technical staff are encouraged to study with bodies in their area of specialism, such as the Chartered Institute of Management Accountants (CIMA), the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development (CIPD) and the Chartered Institute of Purchasing and Supply (CIPS).\nStepping Stones leadership-development program: Network Rail's partnership with the University of Warwick, on a leadership-development program named Stepping Stones, was recognized in the latest UK National Training Awards.Network Rail worked with the Centre for High Performance Development to develop a model of leadership behavior that would drive high performance, and then teamed up with Warwick University to build a high-quality, accredited, development program that would deliver enhanced capability across these leadership behaviors. The resulting PS7.2 million contract led to the development of Stepping Stones.It features three streams, designed for managers at key career-transition points: managing for the first time; managing managers for the first time; and managing a function or business unit for the first time.Stepping Stones was launched in 2006 and had more than 1,000 graduates by the end of 2008, with benefits that included productivity gains and cost savings.Network Rail HR director Peter Bennett said:A root-and-branch culture-change program was needed to get rid of the public-sector culture that tolerated mediocre performance, and this change could be achieved only by adopting different attitudes to leadership at all levels.The investment we have made is huge, but the dividends are potentially far greater. We can already see changes in attitude and behavior among the managers ... There is a willingness to stand up and be counted, to challenge the status quo and to put forward ideas to improve the way we do business.Mark Pickering, of the University of Warwick, commented:Network Rail had identified the competencies it felt it needed. One area was getting people to take more responsibility. Working together, we identified the business need and looked at how we could tackle it. We took all that was already good in the business and worked together to improve the set-up. As well as developing the company, we develop the people by giving them this chance for accreditation. It is proving very successful and is one that will run and run.\nMSc in project management: Network Rail also partners Warwick University and University College, London, to deliver an MSc in project management. The Warwick program has 80 full-time students a year.Some 20 percent of the course content is tailored to provide a rail-industry focus. Six core modules include reference to Network Rail processes and procedures and Network Rail and rail-industry case studies. Post-module assignments for all modules give students the opportunity to apply their learning in a Network Rail context. Senior Network Rail executives make presentations based on \"real-world\" examples from the rail industry. There are no written examinations. Assessment is based on post-module assignments and a work-based dissertation.In addition, Network Rail has teamed up with Sheffield Hallam University on a foundation degree in railway engineering. Network Rail also sponsors selected high-performing employees to do a range of educational qualifications, necessary for the roles they perform as well as their own personal development, at a range of universities and further-education colleges.\nNote: David Pollitt, Human Resource Management International Digest editor, wrote this article.\n", "role": "user" }, { "content": "Purpose: - This paper aims to examine the role of management training in helping to transform the organizational culture at Network Rail.\nDesign/methodology/approach: - Details such programs as Leadership Skills II, Foundation Management Skills, Practical Leadership, Leadership Toolkit e-learning, Stepping Stones and the MSc in project management.\nFindings: - Contends that the programs are helping Network Rail to achieve inspirational leadership, not merely efficient management.\nPractical implications: - Highlights the way in which, every year, Network Rail focuses on providing the skills its managers need in order to deliver the business plan.\nOriginality/value: - Describes how Network Rail has successfully teamed up with a number of organizations - including the University of Warwick and Sheffield Hallam University - to meet its management-development needs.\n", "role": "assistant" } ]
Intellectual capital disclosure and market capitalization	[ "Intellectual capital", "Intangible assets", "Disclosure", "Capitalization" ]	[ { "content": "Summarize the following paper into structured abstract.\n\nIntroduction: This paper has three objectives. The first is to explore the intellectual capital (IC) literature and develop a descriptive framework of categories and components of IC. This framework is more detailed in nature than those found in the literature (e.g. Brooking, 1996; Guthrie et al., 2003). The development of the detailed framework is important because it can be helpful to companies in their efforts to disclose voluntary information, particularly under the Securities and Exchange Commission's (SEC's) (2000) Regulation FD. It also responds to calls by current and former (e.g. Wallman, 1995, 1996) SEC commissioners for disclosure of IC information in annual reports. The recent collapse of Enron, a giant energy trading company whose annual reports did not adequately disclose certain accounting information about special purpose partnerships, has fueled public, congressional, and regulatory attention on disclosure of various types of information, including IC (see Lev, 2002)[1]. Finally, while the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB, 2003) has recently tabled a project on developing guidance on disclosure of intangibles that it had placed on its technical agenda in 2002 (FASB, 2002), there are calls in the financial press (e.g. Wallison, 2003) for disclosure of IC by public companies, and for FASB's attention to the issue.The second objective of this research is to use the components of the descriptive IC framework to content analyze a sample of Fortune 500 companies' annual reports for evidence of IC disclosure. Specifically, the paper presents evidence on the nature and extent of disclosure of IC in annual reports over a five-year period. The data collected provide evidence of changes in disclosure over the study period. The data also present evidence on whether there are differences between \"new\" and \"old\" economy sectors. This is important because the literature (e.g. Sullivan, 2000, p. 111) suggests that the importance of IC has increased over the years, particularly for the companies in the \"new\" economy in the 1990s.The final objective of this research is to investigate the effects of IC disclosure on firms' market capitalization over the five-year study period of 1993-1997. This period is appropriate for analysis because it predates the market excesses of the late 1990s, and it is not affected by the market declines of the post 2000 years[2]. While voluntary disclosure has been shown to be positively correlated with stock valuation in the past (e.g. Lang and Lundholm, 2000; Healy et al., 1999), the relationship between IC disclosure and market capitalization has not specifically been investigated. This objective is important to document the effects of IC disclosure on the stock market's valuation of the firm.In the remainder of this paper, the background literature leading to the research hypotheses is discussed. This is followed by a description of the research method used and the results. The final section provides a summary and conclusions of the findings, as well as the study limitations.\nBackground and hypotheses: Definition and framework\nData collection: A random sample of Fortune 500 firms was selected for content analysis of their annual reports over the five-year period of 1993-1997. The choice of Fortune 500 companies was made to limit the analysis to the largest companies and thus, to reduce the chances of a size effect. The literature indicates that size is associated with level of voluntary disclosure (e.g. Chow and Wong-Boren, 1987; Meek et al., 1995; Eng and Mak, 2003). By using the large Fortune 500 companies, the analysis is limited only to large companies, thus mitigating the possibility of a size effect.The primary sampling criterion was to have a sample small enough to allow for the highly time-consuming content analysis, and yet large enough to render a reasonable size for statistical analysis. Specifically, an initial sample of 60 companies was randomly selected, of which two companies were used for pilot study and training of the coder, leaving 58 companies (284 usable annual reports) for the main study[5].The companies in the sample and their primary industries are presented in columns 1 and 2 of Table I. The primary industry classification is based on Dun & Bradstreet Information Services's (1993-2000) Industry Norms and Key Business Ratios. Column 3 presents a classification of the primary industries into \"new\" and \"old' economy. While companies in the computer, software, electronic and semiconductors industries are classified as \"new\" economy, the remaining industries are coded as \"old\" economy companies[6]. Also provided is the average market capitalization of the firms (i.e. beginning and ending market capitalization divided by two) for the first year of analysis (1993). The market capitalization data were collected from Bloomberg and Market Guide databases. As presented in Table I, the average of the market capitalization for the \"new economy\" sample (n=23) in 1993 was $13,516 million with a standard deviation of $19,478 million. In contrast, the average of the market capitalization for the \"old economy\" sample (n=35) in 1993 was $13,723 million with a standard deviation of $11,251 million. These averages were not significantly different in statistical terms (t-statistic =0.05, p=0.96). Other company-specific data were compiled from Standard and Poor's Research Insight (Compustat) database and industry averages from Dun & Bradstreet Information Services (1993-2000).Content analysis has been reported as a reasonable methodology for data collection (Krippendorff, 1980). Gray et al. (1995) report on the use of this method for studying accounting annual reports in general and Guthrie et al. (2004) detail the usefulness of the method for investigating disclosure of IC in annual reports. The main premise of content analysis is that the frequency with which a unit of analysis (i.e. a term, a sentence, or a paragraph) appears in a text indicates importance of the unit. The most reliable form of content analysis is to search the text for specific terms, so that the coder does not have to make any subjective judgment about the meaning or importance of the subject matter that may be required in coding sentences and paragraphs. Content analysis also requires training of the coder. The annual reports of two companies for five years were as a pilot study to train the coder who was a graduate student in accounting.Since the objective of the study was to investigate the disclosure of any information about IC, no distinction was made between IC-Components that were recognized in the body of the financial statement (e.g. goodwill in the balance sheet), or those that were disclosed somewhere in the footnotes, or in the management discussion and analysis section of the annual report (e.g. training). Also, no attempt was made to classify the disclosed IC components as required or voluntary as this was not intended as a purpose of the study.\nResults: Nature and extent of IC disclosure\nSummary and conclusions: A descriptive framework of the categories and components of IC is presented in this paper. Using content analysis of annual reports of a sample of Fortune 500 companies, the effects IC disclosure on market capitalization of the firm is also investigated. Specifically, based on a content analysis of 284 corporate annual reports over the years 1993-1997, empirical evidence on the nature and extent of disclosure of these IC categories and components by public companies are presented, and a highly significant and positive correlation between IC disclosure and market capitalization is found. This evidence is consistent with the literature indicating overall positive correlation between voluntary disclosure and stock market valuation. However, while neither the book value of the firm nor the difference between its ROA and its industry average had explanatory power over market capitalization, the intercept was highly significant, indicating missing explanatory variables in the regression model. Further correlation analysis indicated that the difference between a company and its industry ROA is positively and significantly associated with market capitalization and IC disclosure.The descriptive data on the frequency of disclosure of IC components and categories provide initial evidence of disclosure of IC by public companies, with significant variation among companies within an industry, as well as between industries. While these differences did not show a clear pattern by industry, a comparison between the \"old\" and \"new\" economy sectors indicated a pattern. Specifically, these sectors do not differ on six of the ten IC categories, but while the \"old economy\" sector discloses significantly more about its partnerships and brands than the \"new economy\" sector, the opposite is true for Intellectual property and Information technology where the \"new economy\" sector discloses significantly more than the \"old economy\" sector.The high variations between companies and industries lend support for the need for FASB's attention to guidance on disclosure of information on corporate IC. The FASB initially placed on its technical agenda in 2002 a project called \"Disclosure of Information about Intangible Assets Not Recognized in Financial Statements\", but tabled it in 2003 due to the priority of other agenda items. The initial decision to place this task on the FASB's technical agenda was based on the result of a process that included a special report by the FASB staff (Upton, 2001) and input from constituents. The special report concluded that companies were already providing significant non-financial information in their annual reports (Upton, 2001, p. 52). However, I find evidence of an increase in the frequency of only two (i.e. Brand and Proprietary processes) of the ten IC categories over the years 1993-1997. These results indicate that the special report may have overstated the increase in the level of voluntary disclosure of intangibles over the 1990s, and thus the special report's assessment may have understated the need for guidance from the FASB on enhanced IC disclosure. This is particularly important due to the widespread variations observed between companies even within the same industry.The finding about industry effects also has a significant implication for authoritative guidance. The fact that some industries disclose more about some of their IC categories and components than others indicates that guidance may need to be industry-specific. For example, the results indicating that the \"new\" economy sector discloses more about its Intellectual property and Information systems categories than the \"old economy\" sector may indicate that the companies in the \"new economy\" either possess more of these IC categories or are more willing to disclose them. Similarly, the fact that companies in the \"old economy\" sector disclose more about their Brands and Partnerships may indicate that these companies either possess more of these IC categories or are more willing to disclose them. These questions need further investigation in future research.The disclosure frequencies reported in this study are based on IC components that include both required (e.g. \"Goodwill\") and voluntary (e.g. \"Know-how\") elements. Since the objective of the current study was to develop a general framework of IC disclosure, the IC disclosure was not codified as required or voluntary, nor was there any attempt to differentiate the source of the disclosure in the annual reports (e.g. financial statements, notes or management discussion and analysis). There may be a need for additional research to gauge the extent of the willingness of companies to provide voluntary disclosure without giving out too much information about their proprietary processes and trade secrets. Furthermore, the issue of where in the financial statements various types of IC should be disclosed can benefit as well from further research.There is also a cost-benefit issue relating to the nature and extent of disclosure. In order to provide disclosure, companies must make changes to their information systems to disclose IC. The design, implementation, maintenance, and operation of information systems represent additional and potentially significant costs to companies. In a commentary, the Financial Accounting Standards Committee of the American Accounting Association (AAA, 2003, p. 180) states that:The fact that voluntary disclosures of intangible information are not widespread suggests that the net private benefits that accrue to firms from these disclosures are relatively small.The evidence in the current study that there is a positive and significant correlation between IC disclosure and market capitalization indicates a significant benefit. It implies that there is an incentive for companies to provide voluntary disclosure about their IC. However, this benefit must be compared with the cost of accumulating and providing the information. Given the recency of the IC disclosure issues, we know very little about these costs. Thus, further research to determine specific costs and benefits will be helpful.This study is limited to a sample of US companies that are under the accounting rules of the FASB and the disclosure requirements of the SEC. Companies in Europe and elsewhere are under different regulatory rules that may result in differing levels of disclosure. For example, some Scandinavian companies (e.g. the Swedish financial services company, Skandia) have been issuing formal and detailed IC reports with their annual reports for many years. The experience of these companies may prove to be helpful in comparative studies of European and US companies to investigate the cost and benefits of IC disclosure. For example, Skandia's experience can be an important source of case studies about the cost and benefits of formal IC disclosure vis-a-vis piecemeal approach that many US companies take in IC disclosure.Another issue for future research is a focus on the substance of the disclosure. The evidence in this paper is based on the frequency of the appearance of keywords (i.e. IC components) in annual reports. A focus on the substance of the statements in which the key words appear will necessitate an enhanced coding structure. For example, the substance of the statements could be coded more accurately into required vs voluntary disclosure. This may be a fruitful avenue for future research.Finally, because a keyword search was used in this study, it is unclear how much of the data relates to quantitative evidence for which either recognition or number-based footnote disclosure was provided (e.g. goodwill), and how much of the evidence is purely qualitative (e.g. training). A classification of qualitative versus quantitative IC disclosures will be desirable in future research. Related to this issue is the disclosure of quantitative measures of IC. Unfortunately, reliable measures of IC are lacking in the literature. Research is needed to provide reliable measures of IC values in the future.\n", "role": "user" }, { "content": "Purpose: - This paper aims to develop a descriptive framework of the components of intellectual capital in annual reports. The paper also aims to investigate the effects of disclosure of intellectual capital on market capitalization.\nDesign/methodology/approach: - The components of intellectual capital are used as units of analysis to content analyze the annual reports of a sample of 58 Fortune 500 companies over the five-year period of 1993-1997.\nFindings: - The frequency of disclosure of information about brand and proprietary processes has increased over the study period. The results also point to significant differences between the \"new\" and \"old\" economy sectors with respect to intellectual capital categories of brand and partnerships where there is more disclosure by \"old\" economy sector and information technology and intellectual property where there is more disclosure by the \"new\" economy sector. Finally, the results show a highly significant effect for the intellectual capital disclosure on market capitalization.\nResearch limitations/implications: - The time period is limited to the years before the market excesses of the late 1990s and the market decline of the 2000s. The results have significant implications for setting standards of disclosure of intellectual capital in annual reports.\nOriginality/value: - This is the first paper to provide information on disclosure of intellectual capital by fortune 500 companies in the USA. Its results have value for various users of annual reports who seek to understand the ways in which companies disclose information about their intellectual capital.\n", "role": "assistant" } ]
The determinants of using cloud supply chain adoption	[ "Elaboration likelihood model", "Supply chain management", "Commitment trust theory", "Cloud computing services" ]	[ { "content": "Summarize the following paper into structured abstract.\n\n1. Introduction: Despite being in the early stages of adoption, cloud computing services are becoming a popular choice for businesses because not only do they change the fundamental approach to information technology (IT), but also provide considerable advantages. These benefits include accessibility and low cost, innovative services, which enhance the advantages related to both communication and services (Marston et al., 2011). Prior studies have repeatedly shown flexibility to be a key factor of effective supply chain management (SCM) (Skipper and Hanna, 2009). Cloud-oriented services play an important role in enterprise systems in regard to expanding flexibility and improving productivity (Xu, 2012).\n2. Theoretical background and research framework: 2.1 Elaboration likelihood model\n3. Hypothesis development: ELM (Ho and Bodoff, 2014; Bhattacherjee and Sanford, 2006; Sussman and Siegal, 2003) and CTT (Hashim and Tan, 2015; Morgan and Hunt, 1994) serve as a bridge that connects the technical view and relational view in the context of cloud SCM usage intention to develop this research model and carry out the six constructs used for hypothesis development. Ho and Bodoff (2014) applied ELM to test how users' elaboration of the persuasive information of others influences their attitude formation in regard to website personalization agent selection. Based on CTT, Hashim and Tan (2015) explain how the mediating role of trust affects knowledge sharing intention toward online communities.\n4. Research methodology: 4.1 Measurement development\n5. Data analysis and hypothesis testing: 5.1 Reliability tests\n6. Conclusion: By integrating two theoretical perspectives (the ELM and CTT), the proposed model in this study highlighted the importance of considering both views when exploring the relationships involved in cloud SCM usage intention. Argument advantage and source credibility were shown to have significant effects on perceived usefulness, consistent with research by Bhattacherjee and Sanford (2006) and Sussman and Siegal (2003). The effect of argument advantage on perceived usefulness was found to be stronger than that of source credibility, which reflects the degree to which users believe in the advantages of cloud SCM services. Perceived usefulness and attitude are two conceptually separate phenomena stemming from argument advantage and source credibility that lead to the development of commitment and cooperation between partners when their needs are aligned. It is also important that partners perceive themselves as engaging in secure, stable, and trustworthy relationships (Bhattacherjee and Sanford, 2006; Gefen et al., 2003).\n", "role": "user" }, { "content": "Purpose: It is necessary to determine the processes affecting cloud computing service applications in supply chain management (SCM) systems in order to facilitate cloud computing service exchanges and transmission of data among supply chain members. The paper aims to discuss these issues.\nDesign/methodology/approach: Drawing on the elaboration likelihood model (ELM) and integrating the commitment trust theory, this paper develops a theoretical model using argument advantage and source credibility constructs to examine the relationships among perceived usefulness, attitude, trust and usage intention.\nFindings: The results indicate that both the central route and the peripheral route of the ELM have a positive influence on perceived usefulness. The argument advantage has a strong influence on perceived usefulness as compared to source credibility while source credibility has a strong impact on trust. Furthermore, the perceived usefulness of cloud computing services plays a pivotal role in attitude and intention, whereas trust has a weak effect on usage intention.\nOriginality/value: The proposed model not only explores the argument that potential user evaluations of both the advantages of cloud computing services and source credibility influence their affective states, which in turn affect their usage intention, but it also examines the mediating factors that influence processes related to cloud SCM acceptance.\n", "role": "assistant" } ]
Women on boards and CEO pay-performance link	[ "CEO pay", "Women directors", "Agency theory", "Developing country", "Gender diversity", "Managerial power theory", "Optimal contracting theory", "Pay-performance link" ]	[ { "content": "Summarize the following paper into structured abstract.\n\n1. Introduction: Motivated by recent regulatory developments regarding the presence of women on firms' boards of directors, in this paper, we investigate whether boardroom gender diversity is linked to the CEO's pay level and the relationship between CEO pay and firm performance.\n2. Theory and hypotheses development: Several theories have discussed the relationship between CEO pay and firm performance. The fundamental theory used in the CEO compensation literature is agency theory (e.g. Conyon and He, 2011; Core et al., 1999), which states that the interests of shareholders and managers differ because of the separation of ownership and control. The theory posits that this divergence in interests arises because individuals are rational, risk-averse and inclined to take actions that maximize their own wealth, rather than that of shareholders. This conflict of interest between agents and owners leads to agency cost.\n3. Research design: 3.1 Sample, data source and descriptive statistics\n4. Results: 4.1 The relationship between CEO pay and firm performance\n5. Discussion and conclusion: Given the proliferating attention of regulators on the boardroom gender diversity, several studies have investigated the association between the boardroom gender diversity and firm performance (e.g. Pletzer et al., 2015; Post and Byron, 2015). These studies reported mixed results (for a meta-analysis see Post and Byron, 2015). However, Strobl et al. (2016) argued that it would be more useful to investigate the impact of gender diversity on the corporate governance process than to investigate the association between gender diversity and firm performance because so many variables are correlated with firm performance. In addition, Adams and Ferreira (2009) argue that it is not essential that gender diversity in the boardroom has a positive impact on corporate performance, but it can improve the board's monitoring function. Consequently, the number of studies that investigate the impact of the board's gender diversity on firm governance processes are increasing (e.g. Adams and Ferreira, 2009; Aldamen et al., 2018; Bugeja et al., 2016; Lucas-Perez et al., 2015; Strobl et al., 2016). Following this line of research, we investigate whether gender-diverse boards objectively design optimal contracts for their CEOs.\n", "role": "user" }, { "content": "Purpose: The purpose of this paper is to investigate the crucial question of whether gender diversity in boardroom is associated with CEO pay and CEO pay-performance link.\nDesign/methodology/approach: The authors used the data of companies listed on the Pakistan Stock Exchange for a sample consisting of KSE-100 index companies for the period of five years. The authors used the ordinary least square regression technique to test the developed hypotheses. The authors also used the two-step Heckman selection model, two-stage least square regression and propensity score matching method to control the problem of endogeneity.\nFindings: The authors find reliable evidence of a negative association between gender diversity and CEO pay and of board gender diversity's strengthening the relationship between CEO pay and firm performance. The authors also find that women director are more effective in setting the optimal contract in non-family-owned firms and firms with dispersed ownership structure as compared to family-owned firms and firms with concentrated ownership structure. Moreover, results also reflect that the influence of board diversity on both CEO pay and CEO pay-performance link is stronger when gender diversity goes beyond tokenism.\nPractical implications: The findings have implications in terms of providing the basis for policy makers to accord the same level of importance to gender diversity in the boardroom as well as contributing to the current debate on the desirability of mandating or recommending gender diversity on boardrooms.\nOriginality/value: This study is among the few studies which investigate the moderating role of boardroom gender diversity on the CEO pay-performance link. In addition, this study contributes to the institutional theory by providing the empirical evidence that the effect boardroom gender diversity on CEO pay and CEO pay-performance link varies by type of ownership.\n", "role": "assistant" } ]
Foreign direct investment and wage spillover in Thailand: Evidence from firm-level panel data	[ "Thailand", "Foreign direct investment", "Dynamic panel data", "Wage spillover", "F21", "F23", "J31" ]	[ { "content": "Summarize the following paper into structured abstract.\n\n1. Introduction: Foreign direct investment (FDI) has been a central source of Thailand's economic development over a number of decades, while a significant increase of FDI inflow to Thailand made the country the fifth largest FDI destination in East and South-East Asia in 2015 with $12.6bn (UNCTAD, 2015). Although numerous studies have investigated the impact of FDI on Thailand's economic growth, most of these studies have focused on the macroeconomic aspects by applying aggregated level data. For example, Damooei and Tavakoli (2006) and Yusoff and Nuh (2015) investigated the link between FDI and economic growth in Thailand. However, a few studies, such as Kohpaiboon (2006) and Srithanpong (2014), have investigated the impact of FDI on the Thai economy from a microeconomic perspective using individual firm-level data.\n2. Literature review: A number of studies have examined the impact of FDI on host country productivity. However, no significant evidence has been presented regarding potential wage spillovers from FDI onto domestic firms, despite the fact that wages could be affected in both direct and indirect ways. The direct effect is that, as MNEs tend to pay higher wages than domestic firms, this will increase that industry's average wage. The indirect impact takes effect through the presence of MNEs, which increases the demand for workers and increases the wages paid by both MNEs and domestic firms (Hoi and Pomfret, 2010).\n3. Methodology and data: This study applies the empirical model typically used in the key-industry hypothesis approach in order to estimate the impact of MNEs' wage setting on domestic wages. This is done in order to indicate the wage spillover resulting from the presence of FDI in the labor market of Thailand's manufacturing sector. The first simple pooled OLS regression is estimated as specified in the following equation:(1)\n4. Results: Table III reports the pooled OLS regression (or estimating Equation (1)) from the pooled sample. The pooled OLS regression in columns (1)-(5) indicates that there is a positive relationship between MNEs' wages and the wages offered by domestic firms. The coefficient of the MNEs' wages ranges from 0.043 to 0.098 and is significant at 1 percent level. This result highlights the positive effect of an MNE's reference wage on the wage offered by domestic firms. These results are robust across all specifications with different sets of control variables.\n5. Conclusions: This study has investigated whether FDI could benefit Thai workers, particularly those who work in country's domestic firms. More specifically, we identified whether FDI has created a wage spillover in Thailand's labor market by employing the empirical model known as \"the key-industry hypothesis\" regarding existing firm-level panel data from the OIE, Ministry of Industry, from 2004 to 2013.\n", "role": "user" }, { "content": "Purpose: The purpose of this paper is to investigate whether foreign direct investment (FDI) benefitted Thai workers in domestic firms.\nDesign/methodology/approach: By utilizing existing firm-level unbalanced panel data from the survey of the Office of Industrial Economics, Ministry of Industry, Thailand, between 2004 and 2013, this study applies dynamic panel data analysis, using the generalized method of moments proposed by Arellano and Bond (1991), to estimate the wage spillover from multinational enterprises (MNEs) to domestic firms in Thailand.\nFindings: The study reveals that there is a positive wage spillover from the presence of MNEs in the industry to domestic firms. Furthermore, a wage spillover also exists in the low-technology industry, as well as in firms located in the Metropolitan and Northern regions. These findings confirmed that FDI offers a significant advantage in Thailand's labor market.\nOriginality/value: This study is the empirical research to utilize existing firm-level unbalanced panel data in Thailand, applying dynamic panel data analysis to data from 2004 to 2013 to estimate the wage spillover from MNEs to domestic firms.\n", "role": "assistant" } ]
Paradoxes of psychic distance and market entry by software INVs	[ "Internationalization", "International new ventures", "Market choice", "Psychic distance", "Software industry" ]	[ { "content": "Summarize the following paper into structured abstract.\n\nIntroduction: The global software industry, worth around $400 billion in 2013 (Gartner, 2014), is characterized by high turbulence and competition. Opportunities exist for both small niche firms and industry giants, where success is associated with innovation and timing (Eisenhardt and Schoonhoven, 1990). Yet, despite these opportunities, positioning in this dynamic industry is fraught with challenges, which are amplified in small international new ventures (INVs) based in small, open economies, where domestic demand is limited (Oviatt and McDougall, 1994; Bell, 1995; Crick and Spence, 2005).\nPsychic distance and market entry of INVs: Johanson and Wiedersheim-Paul (1975; Johanson and Vahlne, 1977) from Uppsala School define psychic distance in terms of factors preventing or disturbing the flows of information between the firm and market, including differences in language, culture, political systems, education level, industrial development and business practices. According to Child et al. (2009), the perceived differences between the characteristics of a firm's domestic environment and those of a foreign country generate uncertainties among business decision-makers that lead firms to initially expand to more psychically similar countries, before tackling those more distant (Johanson and Vahlne, 1977). An expansion strategy into foreign markets with similar consumption habits, lifestyles, level of literacy and language, is likely to give the maximum opportunity for standardization, whereas large differences across these areas will increase managerial risk and uncertainty in understanding the market and how to communicate with it (Dow and Karunaratna, 2006; Sousa and Lages, 2011).\nWhy context matters - software INVs from small, open economies: The global computer software market has grown by 15-20 per cent annually since the 1980s (Bell, 1995), with software revenue worldwide totaling $407.3 billion in 2013, representing a 4.8 per cent increase from 2012 (Gartner, 2014). The consolidation process occurring in the industry has favored large software vendors, such as Microsoft, IBM and Oracle. Since 2007, the 20 largest software firms in the world have included 15 US software vendors, which accounted for more than 37 per cent of the world market (PriceWaterhouseCoopers, 2008). Maturation of the industry has left fewer possibilities for growth in mass market areas for other smaller software firms. The intangible nature of software products, coupled with low reproduction costs, specific localization needs, electronic distribution and relatively short product life cycles (about two or three years) does, however, provide such smaller firms with opportunities to pursue innovative strategies and gain leadership positions in emerging, niche areas (Ojala and Tyrvainen, 2009; Andersson et al., 2004).\nWhy process matters - market entry and expansion: Market entry by large firms is known to be influenced by psychic distance, which includes levels of uncertainty surrounding culture and ways of doing business that can act as barriers to learning and understanding in the foreign market (O'Grady and Lane, 1996; Freeman et al., 2012). Yet, the literature, to date, does not provide a completely clear picture of the relevance of psychic distance for software INV's initial and subsequent market choice. Some empirical studies (Bell, 1995; Coviello and Munro, 1995, 1997; Chetty and Campbell-Hunt, 2004) have found evidence that knowledge-intensive firms start their foreign operations by entering psychically close markets. However, other studies, such as those of Moen and Servais (2002), find no support for the psychic distance argument. Indeed, as software INVs are niche-focused with short product life cycles, having the world as their market place is preferable (Bell, 1995; Madsen and Servais, 1997), especially when demand for a niche product does not exist in psychically close markets (Andersson, 2004). Because demand in the software industry is concentrated in the larger markets, including the USA, Europe and Japan, firms in this industry are known to start to internationalize their operations to these large markets irrespective of proximity in terms of psychic distance (Bell et al., 2003; Ojala and Tyrvainen, 2007, 2009). This suggests that in terms of initial market-entry decisions, psychic distance may have less relevance to market choice than market size and potential.\nMethod: We selected the multi-case study approach due to the nature of our research design. To recap, in this study, we examine:\nFindings: In this section, we describe the internationalization process used by the ten New Zealand software firms in our study as they engaged in their initial and subsequent stages of market entry. Drawing from Figure 1, we discuss the central considerations surrounding pre-entry, market selection and post-entry evaluation. For each, we consider the role of managers in identifying those factors considered to be (un)familiar and (un)favorable in making these decisions. In particular, we identify the PDP that presented during initial entry to the large markets of the USA and the UK, as well as the cultural barrier in Japan, and how firms learned from the PDP \"shock effect\" that shaped subsequent market entry and led them to become more risk averse. Table I summarizes the key findings of the cross-case analysis.\nDiscussion: This study set out to examine how psychic distance influences market entry and expansion by software INVs from small, open economies. Our study suggests that the decision to internationalize, despite newness (age) and financial pressures (Bell, 1995; Shaw and Darroch, 2004; Scott-Kennel, 2013), is driven by factors such as small domestic market size, high levels of competition for resources locally and low acceptance of locally developed solutions. Software INVs internationalize to large markets because of their need to amortize their initial R&D investments (Burgel and Murray, 2000). Further, we found that smaller New Zealand software firms needed to proactively internationalize to these markets to finance their R&D investments. The USA, in particular, as the main software market, acted as a magnet, although software firms also proactively targeted other large markets, such as Australia, Japan and the UK. New Zealand entrepreneurs perceived these larger markets to be culturally, and therefore, psychically, closer than the reality. Among the culturally close markets, firms were entering Australia, before the UK. Therefore, initial entry decisions were influenced by other favorable factors, such as market size and geographic distance.\n", "role": "user" }, { "content": "Purpose: This paper aims to examine the role of psychic distance during the process of international market entry by software international new ventures (INVs) from small, open economies. Specifically, we investigate how home market and global industry contexts influence market-entry strategies, and how psychic distance influences initial then subsequent market-entry choice decisions.\nDesign/methodology/approach: Using Atlas.ti7 software, this paper adopts a qualitative, multi-case analysis of ten software INVs based in New Zealand. Thematic coding of interview and secondary data revealed three core processes: pre-entry considerations, market selection criteria and post-entry evaluation, across the stages of initial and subsequent market entry.\nFindings: In the context of the global software industry, the key driver of proactive market entry by INVs from small, open economies is market size rather than psychic distance. During the process of market expansion, firms encounter the psychic distance paradox (PDP). A second paradox arises when, despite experiential learning, managerial perceptions of psychic distance increase, making entry into more distant markets less, rather than more, likely and reactive, rather than proactive.\nOriginality/value: This paper addresses contextual differences in software versus more traditional sectors, and the influence of psychic distance on market entry rather than outcomes. Specifically, extending our understanding of the PDP, we find perceptual psychic and cultural distance ignored as criteria for initial market-entry decisions, and initial positive attitudes toward risk-taking become less apparent during subsequent entries.\n", "role": "assistant" } ]
A sustainable value generator in the Italian wine industry: Casa E. di Mirafiore e Fontanafredda winery	[ "Sustainability", "Wine sector", "Constellation value", "Values chain" ]	[ { "content": "Summarize the following paper into structured abstract.\n\nIntroduction: Sustainability is progressively gaining importance in the food sector (Jones, 2012) and, in particular, the wine industry is famous for a long history of commitments to promoting a shift toward a more sustainable culture (Pomarici et al., 2015). Elkington's (1999, 2013) triple bottom line defines sustainability as the integration of environment, social responsibilities and economic goals aimed to generate value for the company as well as for society. This definition has been reshaped by the International Organization of Vine and Wine that defined sustainability in viticulture as a \"global strategy on the scale of grape production and processing systems, also incorporating the economic sustainability of structures and territories, producing quality products, considering requirements of precision in sustainable viticulture, risks to the environment, product safety and consumer health and valuing of heritage, historical, cultural, ecological and landscape aspects\" (OIV, 2008). The most active countries were the so-called New World Wine-producing Courtiers such as Australia, USA, New Zealand and Chile. In fact in the 1990s they started to implement their wine industries under a sustainability perspective as a marketing strategy to gain competitive advantages. In Italy, as well as many other countries, where the tradition was deeply rooted, this phenomenon started later because it required a rethinking of the traditional approach adopted. Nowadays, sustainability in this sector is commonly deemed to be a competitive advantage able to guarantee a future compliance with higher consumer awareness on this topic for producers. These changes require investments which are sometimes not rewarded by an increase in profitability, as can be seen in the literature. Previous studies (Lubell et al., 2011; Atkin et al., 2012; Pomarici et al., 2015) brought out divergent results regarding the costs and benefits related to the implementation of more sustainable procedures. Furthermore, a lack of knowledge and limited information increase the uncertainties related to these practices inhibiting the wine producer to move and invest in that direction. Reducing the knowledge gap is a priority because it may be the major barrier to practice adoption and the development of a model based on sustainability (Reganold et al., 2011).\nTheoretical framework: Sustainability\nMethodology: To achieve our aim, we structured our research methodology in three phases (Stake, 1995). An explorative phase aimed to collect information about the sector through trends and case studies. It allowed authors to study the topic and to review the literature with a special regard to: sustainably in the food sector, sustainability and wine and sustainability and financial performances.\nThe case: From the origins to the present\nAnalysis: Our analysis is performed using Porter's (1985) value chain, which allows us to identify how sustainability changes each activity and to assess additional costs or benefits concerning their implementation. The aim is not to estimate the margin produced by sustainability for the overall company, but to investigate a real case to see how sustainability affects the different areas of the value chain. Then, for each area, we collected quantitative evidence to assess if a green orientation means a reduction or an improvement in wealth for the company. Figure 2 shows the model applied that is a merger between Porter's model and sustainability elements.\nConclusions and implications: Implications\n", "role": "user" }, { "content": "Purpose: The purpose of this paper is to investigate the economic impact of a shift toward a more sustainable model in the wine industry. In particular it aims to identify the business activities which are more involved in this process under an economic perspective, as well as the strategies applied to guarantee profits.\nDesign/methodology/approach: This research is based on a single case study: Casa E. di Mirafiore e Fontanafredda. It is one of the main wine producers in Italy as well as one of the main drivers for the diffusion of a sustainable culture in the region.\nFindings: The company value chain in the short time is negatively influenced by these changes, but at the same time they are strategic investments able to provide new opportunities for sales and cost reductions.\nResearch limitations/implications: The work uses a sole case study approach. As theoretical implications the study highlights how the \"green shift\" may be supported under an economic perspective. And it also shows the need to extend the evaluation over the sole company.\nPractical implications: This research reduces an information gap concerning the economic effect produced by a sustainable conversion. It may inspire other companies to perform this evolution.\nOriginality/value: The research explores how Fontanafredda performed a conversion of its business model toward sustainability. This analysis is performed on the value chain but also over it.\n", "role": "assistant" } ]
Embedding organisational quality improvement through middle manager ownership	[ "Health services", "Middle managers,", "Quality improvement", "Continuous improvement", "Hospital management", "Organizational change" ]	[ { "content": "Summarize the following paper into structured abstract.\n\nIntroduction: There are many difficulties inherent in implementing and sustaining effective quality programs in hospitals, not least the issue of translating senior management vision for this into operational reality. Issues such as the significance of leadership, the confounding role of sub-cultures in creating an organisational quality culture, and the complexities of the health care environment are prominent in the literature (Davies et al., 2000; Aldershot and Sackmann, 1992; Anderson et al., 1991; Ovretveit, 1996; Badrick and Preston, 2001; Bloor, 1999; Degeling and Carnegie, 1995). The role of staff beneath senior management level, particularly that of clinicians in management roles in improving quality improvement (QI) program effectiveness is acknowledged as important, but little empirical research has been conducted into better understanding or assisting this group to engage meaningfully in these activities. The majority of solutions proposed appear to be aimed at boards and senior managers, thus reinforcing staff perception of quality programs as \"the top telling the middle what to do at the bottom\" (Ham, 2003).Yet, the need to effectively operationalise quality improvement in health care has never been greater as regulators, funders, politicians and the public increasingly demand transparent and accountable mechanisms for ensuring safe and high-quality patient care and services. Recent debate has increasingly included arguments about the relative merits of top-down versus bottom-up approaches to QI program implementation and associated cultural change. If, as Ham (2003) claims, improvement of health care performance \"hinges on changing the day-to-day decisions of doctors, nurses and other staff\", then the influence of middle managers in effecting positive change in this area is critical. Hospital middle managers operate at the junction of top-down and bottom-up approaches and can strongly influence clinical processes (Currie, 2000; Kanter, 1982; Lam, 1996; Madu and Kuei, 1995). The literature abounds with descriptions of problems associated with embedding and sustaining QI, particularly in the areas of achieving middle manager and staff motivation, however. Gaining clinical staff involvement and keeping it are still key barriers to effective safety and quality improvement in health care (Ham, 2003; Carman et al., 1996; Donabedian, 1996; Weber and Joshi, 2000; Ovretveit, 1996).The project described in this paper proposes a model for improving and sustaining QI implementation in hospitals. Hospital-based quality improvement activities at middle manager level were targeted to investigate whether the role of this group in improving safety and quality could be enhanced, and, if this was achieved, whether it resulted in increased levels of QI implementation across the organisation.\nMethods: Design\nDefinitions used in the project: Although each of the major quality philosophies is drawn on to pursue quality improvement in health care, there is no single agreed definition of health care quality and related programs to improve it (Renhard, 2001). RVEEH had adopted a quality definition advocated by the Australian Safety and Quality Council: \"Quality care is the extent to which a health care service or product produces a required outcome\" (Australian Safety and Quality Council, 2001), and addressed quality improvement via its dimensions as described in the New South Wales Quality Framework: safety, appropriateness, accessibility, effectiveness, acceptability, efficiency (New South Wales Health Department, 1999).The quality program was enacted according to the ACHS accreditation principles, which espoused quality improvement as the \"continuous improvement of all processes and the products and services that are the outcomes of those processes\". According to ACHS, QI programs in health care should review the structure, process and outcome of care and services through a planned program of quality initiatives, including \"activities which measure performance, identify opportunities for improvement in the delivery of care and service and include action and follow up\". Quality improvement at the RVEEH was developed and implemented as a defined program of \"systematic plans and actions to improve quality\" (Australian Council on Healthcare Standards, 2002). The RVEEH did not subscribe to any particular quality philosophy, but developed a planned approach based on the tenets of popular approaches such as total quality management (TQM), continuous quality improvement (CQI) and quality assurance (QA).Middle managers in this project were defined as department heads, the term commonly used in Australian hospitals. The hospital middle manager is often a clinician (in this project this includes nurse unit managers and allied health practitioners, the majority of whom mixed a clinical and managerial role) and is responsible for running a clinical service department (Ashmos et al., 1998; McConville and Holden, 1999).\nIntervention: Model development\nModel implementation: This model, once developed, was implemented over 12 months as a new approach to the QI program at the hospital. A brief description of the implementation process is described for each model element. The middle managers' attitudes to the quality program were surveyed via questionnaire prior to the implementation, and again after 12 months working with the new model. The Likert-scale questionnaire was developed by the author based on elements essential for successful QI programs as described in the literature. Questions were designed to assess the extent to which middle managers felt that these elements were in place in the organisation and in the QI program, and provided them with the opportunity to identify motivating factors and related values.The overall level of organisational \"continuous improvement maturity\" across the hospital, using a model by Bessant et al. (2001) was assessed by the Executive Team prior to model implementation, as well as ratings of individual department QI progress using an internally developed scale already in use. These were also repeated after 12 months and provided useful information regarding the impact of the model on the level of QI implementation.Model element 1: senior management commitment and leadership\nResults: Pre- and post-quantitative and qualitative results were compared to ascertain actual and perceived changes in the organisation's QI program implementation and middle manager attitudes between the two data collections.Organisational QI implementation\nComparison of 2001 and 2002 significant results: When a kh2 test was applied to the results between 2001 and 2002, significant results were recorded in six items, five of these being positive significant results and one being negative. There was a significant drop in numbers of participants who believed it is easy to communicate up, down and across the organisation (see Table IV). There was significant improvement, however, in the middle managers' perceptions of the support and empowerment they received from the Executive, their feelings of accountability and ownership of the QI program and their understanding of the QI process.Rankings and associated comments\nDiscussion: SISC members reviewed their progress approximately 12 months after forming the Committee and after the second middle manager survey, in a qualitative feedback session with the author. Despite the short time within which the innovation had been introduced, and the potential limiting effect of this on its adoption, a number of changes were observed. Committee members felt that they had been successful in addressing issues raised in the first survey, including developing QI priorities, clarifying the QI process, increasing QI-related communication and interdepartmental activities. Quantitative and qualitative results showed significant improvement in the middle managers' perceptions of the support and empowerment they received from the Executive, their feelings of accountability and ownership of the QI program and their understanding of the QI process, and SISC was keen to build on these gains. They wished to continue the work they had begun, particularly in areas they had not fully explored, such as distributing all of their seeding funding for QI awards and grants.There was still a number of areas where program improvements needed to be made. Results demonstrated that middle managers still desired more time, rewards, resources, QI education and training, evidence of improvements and support from senior management to be fully involved. There was a significant drop in numbers of middle managers who believed that organisational communication was easy, which was potentially damaging to the success of the model implementation as communication is such a critical component of QI program success. There was also a concern regarding the perceived loss of creativity and innovation from the QI program, and that, organisationally, QI was not fulfilling its potential to promote good working relationships. This may indicate that experimentation with QI activities as simply an enjoyable pastime was no longer encouraged, as QI became part of a more formal program linked to business outcomes and results. An increased interest in the middle manager QI role by senior managers appears to have had both a positive and negative effect on middle manager attitudes toward their involvement, introducing both increased support and scrutiny.It is clear that, for the RVEEH middle managers, improving things for patients and staff formed the core of their motivation to be involved in QI. Consistent with the literature as previously described, the SISC expressed a desire to further explore the synthesis between organisational and personal drivers. Despite a great many perceived differences between the motivations of senior and middle managers, this is one critical area where mutual agreement can be fostered. The values at the base of these motivations may translate into different actions for senior and middle managers, but a clarification of the shared drivers of high-quality, effective, efficient patient care may assist in building a common vision. Although often regarded as implicit in QI programs, it may be that quality programs need to be built more explicitly around these concepts, to make it easier for middle managers to align their professional values with those of the organisation.The middle managers in this study appeared to embrace their clarified accountabilities when they were clearly built on their values. This caused an unexpected but positive side-effect for the author in the quality director role, as she was less likely to be called on than previously to enforce middle mangers' QI responsibilities. This allowed her to better fulfil her role as technical expert and to provide guidance and project support for QI planning and activities, rather than investigating whether the managers were meeting their implementation requirements.Despite contributing to an overall organisational improvement in QI implementation level, SISC expressed disappointment and frustration at the length of time that they had taken to find and pursue a direction. Dealing with the uncertainty that was the hallmark of the early SISC meetings was difficult for all concerned, and some organisations may not be prepared to give a new group this necessary establishment period (Gustafson and Hundt, 1995; Rogers, 1995). The ambiguity associated with facilitating change in complex organisations is difficult for many staff to accept and strong leadership is required to guide the change facilitators and teams through these phases of change (Woodward, 2000; Preston et al., 1995; Mickan and Rodger, 2000). In retrospect, SISC may have achieved some earlier wins had there been more frequent review of the purpose of the group with the CEO and other members of the Executive, and had a permanent rather than rotating Chair been appointed from the group to steer the first few critical months. It may also have been less frustrating had the early difficulties been better anticipated and acknowledged as a valuable part of the process of learning and innovation (Berwick, 1996).\nLimitations of the research: There were a number of organisational and researcher role issues that could limit the usefulness of the research. This case-study based action research project was limited to one organisation of a specific type - a large, specialist metropolitan teaching hospital. The composition of the middle manager group is therefore likely to differ from that of a non-specialist hospital in so far as it will be biased toward professionals with a background in the hospital specialties, and is likely to be smaller than a general teaching hospital. Whilst action research and case study research demonstrate similar validity and generalisability issues, there is a more acute issue regarding ethics in action research, in the potential manipulation of staff to conform to the researcher's requirements, and for the organisation to implement the findings of the study (Sekaran, 2000). The author, as participant observer and member of the hospital Executive staff, had the potential to bias the middle managers' involvement in the study, the results generated by the project, and the implementation of the findings. Processes for minimising this risk included the author declaring her research role, open and ongoing discussions of all results with the middle managers, and absenting herself from middle manager discussions when requested.\nConclusion: Despite the relatively short SISC action period under study, project results indicate that the implementation of this model was successful in bringing senior and middle managers together to improve organisational QI implementation levels. It also appears to have countered, to some extent, the negative effects that the typical hospital professional bureaucracy structure can have on QI programs, as the SISC members worked effectively across professional boundaries to implement the QI program. Middle managers can, and will, take ownership of the QI program, given the guidance and opportunity, and over 12 months in this project, were able to make some significant improvements to perceptions of and involvement in the program across the organisation. A middle manager group such as the SISC can integrate peer feedback and their intimate understanding of their organisational role to successfully design QI approaches that are positively received. The proposed model provides a framework within which to approach this, ensuring critical elements are enacted to maximise the chances of success.The prognosis for sustainability and mainstreaming is positive, as long as senior managers continue to support the middle manager group in their ownership of the QI program. Organisations adopting the approach described in this project would need to be aware of and prepared for the time it takes for a middle manager QI group to form and implement action. Further research may be needed to ascertain how to maintain middle managers' enjoyment of QI while increasing their responsibilities.The onus is on senior managers seeking enhanced QI programs to play their part carefully. Much depends on them creating and leading a culture that makes it easier for middle managers to be involved in QI than not, if they wish quality improvement to become embedded in the everyday business of the organisation. This will require senior managers to be cognisant of the importance of clarifying expectations and empowering middle mangers to achieve these in their own way, whilst maintaining the values, independence and enjoyment they find in their critical contribution to quality improvement and organisational functioning.\n", "role": "user" }, { "content": "Purpose: - To strengthen the middle manager role in a hospital quality improvement (QI) program, with a view to increasing and sustaining organisational QI implementation.\nDesign/methodology/approach: - Case study based action research project, combining pre- and post-action quantitative and qualitative data collection, relating to a QI program intervention in an Australian metropolitan specialist teaching hospital. A model for enhancing the middle manager role in QI was developed and then implemented as the action over a 12-month period.\nFindings: - Middle manager understanding and ownership of the QI program and organisational QI implementation significantly increased, although their perceived enjoyment of being involved in QI decreased.\nResearch limitations/implications: - This case-study based action research project was limited to one organisation of a specific type - a large specialist metropolitan teaching hospital. The composition of the middle manager group, therefore, is necessarily limited to particular specialties. It is acknowledged that findings from case study and action research methodologies are limited in their generalisability, but assist in the development of knowledge and principles that can be adapted to different settings.\nPractical implications: - This QI implementation model can increase levels of organisational QI implementation by effecting a positive change in middle manager attitude to and involvement in QI.\nOriginality/value: - There are many theories regarding the importance of the middle manager role in QI, but little empirical research into exactly what this role may be and how it may be strengthened. This research adds to the knowledge base, and provides clear steps for achieving increased staff involvement and QI implementation.\n", "role": "assistant" } ]
Collaborative innovation: catalyst for a destination's event success	[ "Engagement", "Destination branding", "Collaborative innovation", "Events", "DMO", "Glasgow" ]	[ { "content": "Summarize the following paper into structured abstract.\n\n1. Introduction: Innovation is a key strategy for tourism organisations to survive and grow in an increasingly competitive and global market (Yang and Tan, 2017), and collaboration has been found to be an important driver of successful innovation (Alonso and Liu, 2012). Despite the importance of innovation, many tourism organisations have been slow to innovate because the pre-requisites for innovation are inadequate (Kessler et al., 2015). Organisational innovativeness precedes innovation, and business success follows innovation success (Grissemann et al., 2013). Given this scenario, Teare and Monk (2002) argue that an organisation is the \"best live action case\" for business innovation learning. In response to this and to Getz's (2008) call for case studies on the planning and management of events to identify effective strategies and practices, this study's purpose is to examine Glasgow City Marketing Bureau's (GCMB's) collaborative innovation, through engagement with stakeholders, in relation to their event procurement and leveraging to enhance the city's brand image. GCMB is one of the leading visitor and convention bureaus in Europe in securing conferences, conventions and event business and promoting its destination brand. As such, a close examination of its collaborative innovation processes, which are critical for success in tourism (Tajeddini, 2011), will provide new insights to inform both innovation theory and managerial practice in event-led destination branding within this \"mediated intra-destination\" context (Fyall et al., 2012, p. 11).\n2. Theoretical background: 2.1 Organisational innovativeness, collaborative innovation and destination branding\n3. Research method: Given both the limited understanding of the process of collaborative innovation within a DMO context and the exploratory nature of the study, a qualitative case study approach (Yin, 2014) was considered the most appropriate method. In examining multiple stakeholder perspectives relating to collaborative innovation, the authors acknowledge the ontological, epistemological and axiological assumptions of qualitative research; we obtained credible knowledge by gathering information directly from the interviewees and reported accurately their constructed realities based on statements and views expressed during the interviews. We also acknowledge that the information and its interpretation are value-laden.\n4. Results and discussion: The findings are contextualised within the key components of the framework presented in Figure 1. In Glasgow, an increasingly dynamic and competitive market is the main instigator of collaboration, while a range of factors, not least the strong and unfailing political and financial backing from Glasgow City Council and the Scottish Government together with effective DMO leadership, are important facilitators.\n5. Revised framework for DMO collaborative innovation: Whilst the framework presented in Figure 1 was useful in guiding this study, the findings indicate that there are other dimensions and issues that need to be considered in understanding collaborative innovation and its outcomes in relation to event-leveraged destination marketing (Figure 2). This understanding is important given the criticality of events in enhancing a destination's competitive advantage and the growing interest in event tourism within the research community (Todd et al., 2017). There is evidence for six \"innovative building blocks\" that underpin organisational innovativeness and subsequently influence creativity and collaborative innovation in this context. The clearly stated view of highly experienced interviewees in this study is that these building blocks are less evident for most DMOs compared to GCMB. This is particularly the case in relation to the level of political, financial and stakeholder support they receive, which corroborates Kessler et al.'s (2015) argument concerning the inadequacy of many tourism organisations' prerequisites for innovation.\n6. Conclusions and recommendations: 6.1 Theoretical implications\n", "role": "user" }, { "content": "Purpose: This paper aims to contribute to theory concerning collaborative innovation through stakeholder engagement with reference to Glasgow City Marketing Bureau's (GCMB's) management strategies, which represent UK best practice in events procurement, leveraging and destination branding.\nDesign/methodology/approach: The research adopts a case study design to facilitate an in-depth evaluation of the destination marketing organisation's (DMO's) critical success factors. Multiple perspectives on GCMB's collaborative innovation are achieved through semi-structured interviews with senior managers from the bureau, key stakeholders and other DMOs.\nFindings: GCMB's success results from long-term, extensive, collaborative engagement, a unique institutional structure and sustained political and financial support through to transformational leadership, strategic event selection and targeted marketing through \"earned\" distribution channels.\nResearch limitations/implications: The study takes a single case study approach and focusses on GCMB's event-led branding strategy. Given the importance but relative neglect of long-term inter-personal relationships in collaborative innovation, future research should focus on the development of social capital and adopt a longitudinal perspective.\nPractical implications: The paper provides insights into the collaborative innovation process with a range of stakeholders, which underpins GCMB's events strategy and its leveraging of the city brand. In particular, the study highlights the need for entrepreneurial leadership and the development of long-term relationships for effective engagement with stakeholders.\nOriginality/value: Previous research has focussed on outcomes and neglected pre-requisites and the process of collaborative innovation between destination stakeholders. This study examines this issue from the perspective of a successful DMO and presents a conceptual framework and new engagement dimensions that address this gap in knowledge.\n", "role": "assistant" } ]
Proactive learning culture: A dynamic capability and key success factor for SMEs entering foreign markets	[ "International marketing", "SME", "Learning", "Strategic orientation", "Dynamic capabilities", "Foreign launch success" ]	[ { "content": "Summarize the following paper into structured abstract.\n\nIntroduction: Although small and medium sized enterprises (SMEs) account for a significant portion of international trade (Soininen et al., 2012), there is a need to better understand the organizational factors related to successful foreign market launch (Brouthers and Nakos, 2004; Laforet, 2008). Compared to large established corporations, SMEs typically do not have the luxury of making strategic mistakes. They need to overcome high barriers to foreign launch and to the establishment of a sustainable marketplace position, often with limited resources. The strategic decisions made by the management team and specifically the strategic orientations that guide these decisions are of vital importance (Deshpande et al., 2013; Hult et al., 2003; Laforet, 2008).\nTheoretical background and construct definition: DCs and orientation resources\nHypotheses development: PLC and SMEs' behaviors\nThe conceptual model: The above discussion is summarized by the conceptual model appears in Figure 1. It depicts the study's constructs and the expected relationships. SMEs' DC, specifically their PLC, affect firm marketing-related behaviors - marketing program adaptation and local integration - which in turn, affect SMEs' ability to successfully enter new foreign markets.\nMethods: Sample and data collection\nResults: The means, standard deviations, coefficient a's, composite reliabilities (CR), average variance extracted (AVE) and inter-construct correlations are provided in Table I. The a's and CRs were all well >0.70. The higher order construct is viewed as a formative scale; hence, we do not report its a-reliability and CR. In addition, principal components factor analysis and confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) were used to assess common method variance (CMV), convergent validity and discriminant validity. Hierarchical regression analyses were employed to test the study hypotheses in which all multi-item constructs were input into the regression models as the average of the individual items used to measure them (Baker and Sinkula, 1999a). Notably, hierarchical regressions are appropriate tool to demonstrate that higher order constructs account for variance in outcomes incremental to their first order dimensions (Johnson et al., 2011).\nDiscussion and implications: Per the DC framework, this research attempts to shed light on the interrelationship between SME's international resources and foreign market launch. Specifically, we focus on a central market-based knowledge producing DC, the firm's PLC, and two key behaviors related to international launch, marketing program adaptation and local integration. As predicted by the DC framework (Teece, 2007) our study finds that foreign launch success is driven by higher and lower order capabilities. As expected, the impact of a higher order capability, i.e. PLC, was mediated by two lower order constructs, i.e. marketing program adaptation and local integration.\nLimitations and future research directions: This research suffers from a number of limitations that may evoke future research opportunities. As the bulk of research in this area, our sample was cross-sectional rather than longitudinal and our dependent measure of performance was subjective rather than objective. While this can be problematic, recent research shows a strong correlation between executives' subjective perceptions and objective financial measures in cross-sectional data (Morgan et al., 2004).\n", "role": "user" }, { "content": "Purpose: Although small and medium sized enterprises (SMEs) account for a significant portion of international trade, little is known about the role of strategic orientation culture in improving their foreign launch success. Three orientations - market, entrepreneurial, and learning are all related to organizational learning priorities and reflect a higher order dynamic capability (DC), proactive learning culture (PLC). The authors assert that PLC is particularly important to SMEs whose lack of market power and resources render them vulnerable in risky foreign market launch. Marketing program adaptation and local integration are examined as behavioral mediators of the impact of PLC on foreign market launch success. The paper aims to discuss these issues.\nDesign/methodology/approach: The DC framework guides the study. The authors employ a model with a higher order PLC, two mediating behaviors, and firm foreign market launch success to report on an empirical study of US SMEs that operate in foreign markets. The authors used hierarchical regression analysis and extensive post hoc analyses/robustness checks.\nFindings: Consistent with the DC framework, SMEs' foreign launch success is driven by higher and lower order behaviors. The impact of the higher order PLC construct was mediated by two lower order behaviors, marketing program adaptation and local integration. Notably, PLC's influence is stronger than the influence of any subset of its one/two/three first order components.\nPractical implications: SMEs need to pay attention to an array of organizational learning processes that combine to engender a PLC, which help optimize the deployment of more tangible, lower order behaviors required for foreign launch success.\nOriginality/value: Introducing PLC as a DC that enables firms to proactively develop market-oriented, innovative capabilities using a knowledge-based approach. The elements of PLC reflect a more complete view of the role of learning in driving the assembly of lower order behaviors in foreign market launch, which requires both a market-oriented approach and the ability to innovate under conditions of uncertainty. While each element of PLC is valuable, the higher level impact of all three facilitates a more effective culture for those firms, which choose to enter new markets.\n", "role": "assistant" } ]
The impact of economic perceptions on status consumption: an exploratory study of the moderating role of education	[ "Consumer confidence", "Consumer welfare", "Economic perceptions", "Status consumption" ]	[ { "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.\nLiterature review: In this literature review, the concepts of consumer confidence, economic welfare, and status consumption are briefly discussed. Then a review of status consumption research is presented with the four hypotheses to be tested.\nMethodology: In the methodology section, the data collection process and sample are described. This is followed by a description of the measures used to examine the constructs.\nResults: Next, a two-step modeling process was performed to examine the hypotheses (Anderson and Gerbing, 1988; Hair et al., 2009). First, a measurement model was created that correlated consumer confidence, perceived economic welfare, and status consumption. Although the kh2 value is the only statistical measure of model fit, its computation is affected by model complexity and sample size; thus researchers advocate examining alternative measures such as the comparative fit index (CFI) with recommended values above 0.90 (Netemeyer et al., 2003) or 0.95 (Hu and Bentler, 1999), and the root mean square error of approximation (RMSEA) with recommended values below 0.08 (Browne and Cudeck, 1993). Following these guidelines, the results indicated acceptable model fit (kh2=92.71 (41), p<0.001, CFI=0.95, and RMSEA=0.065). In support of convergent validity, all items significantly loaded to their corresponding factors although item loadings were not as high as indicated through exploratory factor analysis. In further support of convergent validity, estimates of average variance extracted were computed. Consumer confidence and status consumption surpassed the recommended criteria of 0.50, in which average variance extracted equated to 0.50 and 0.59, respectively. The average variance extracted for economic welfare was 0.46, which fell slightly below the recommended guideline. Discriminant validity was assessed by comparing average variance extracted to squared construct correlations (Fornell and Larcker, 1981). These comparisons indicated no potential threat to discriminant validity. Lastly, nomological validity was assessed by examining the significance and direction of construct correlations. The results indicated that perceived economic welfare and consumer confidence were positively and significantly related (0.62, p<0.05), that perceived economic welfare and status were positively and significantly related (0.17, p<0.05); however, consumer confidence and status shared no significant relationships (0.04, p>0.05). Next, a structural model was estimated, and, given the equivalent degrees of freedom and paths between the measurement and structural models, identical model fit results were obtained.\nDiscussion: The positive relationship between perceptions of perceived economic welfare and status consumption (H1) is logical as those who feel better off now than in the past may be more willing to consume for status. It is important to note that this relationship was positively moderated by education for the more educated group (H3a). Thus, those consumers who have worked to attain a higher level of education and, possibly higher income due to higher education, may be willing to consume for status. Perhaps they do not feel as self-conscious or shameful about consuming for status as they feel they have earned any economic gains they have obtained through education. Thus, those consumers who feel they are recovering economically from the recent economic downturn, especially those with higher education levels, may more likely be status consumers and/or excursionists who will consume luxury products occasionally (Dubois and Laurent, 1994, 1995, 1996).\n", "role": "user" }, { "content": "Purpose: Given the economic downturn, the purpose of this study was to determine if a relationship exists between economic perceptions and consumers' motivation to consume for status and if this relationship was moderated by education level.\nDesign/methodology/approach: A stratified random sample of adult consumers in the southeastern USA were surveyed by telephone. The hypotheses were tested utilizing structural equation modeling.\nFindings: The results indicated that those consumers with a lower level of perceived economic welfare (i.e. see the economy and their family's financial situation as worse this year versus last year) were less motivated to consume for status. Furthermore, this relationship was positively moderated by education. No relationship was found between consumer confidence (i.e. consumers' perceptions of the economy in the future year) and status consumption. The results suggest that those consumers who perceive themselves to be financially better off this year versus last, particularly those more educated, are more motivated to consume for status.\nResearch limitations/implications: The main research limitation was that the sample skewed to be older, female and Caucasian, though the sample did match Census figures for the critical variable of education. Additionally, the phone response rate was 9 percent, but it is important to recognize that this was for a non-student sample.\nPractical implications: The results suggest that marketers, targeting luxury consumers in the current stagnant economy, aim for more educated consumers who see their economic welfare as improving. This implication stems from the research findings revealing that consumers who feel they are recovering economically from the recent economic downturn, especially those with higher education levels, may more likely be status consumers.\nOriginality/value: With the democratization of luxury there is renewed interest in luxury consumption research. While research suggests there is a relationship between economic conditions and status consumption, few studies have measured consumer economic perceptions in relation to status consumption and none have examined how education may play a moderating role in explaining why people buy luxuries in a tough economic climate.\n", "role": "assistant" } ]
Branding for non-profits: explaining new donor decision-making in the charity sector	[ "Brand salience", "Brand attitude", "Non-profit", "Charities", "Donor decision involvement", "Brand evaluation", "Brand choice", "Cause-related marketing", "Donor acquisition", "Not-for-profit marketing" ]	[ { "content": "Summarize the following paper into structured abstract.\n\n1. Introduction: Growth in the non-profit sector looks very optimistic, with some predicting a potential rise in worldwide charitable giving of approximately $233bn by 2030 (Charities Aid Foundation, 2012a). In 2017 alone, Americans gave in excess of $410bn-$1.6m registered non-profits (GivingUSA, 2018), a number that had escalated by 25 per cent since 2011 (Blackwood et al., 2012). As the non-profit sector expands so does the number of organizations vying for attention, supporting the contention that charities face severe competition for potential donors' time, effort and money (Faulkner and Romaniuk, 2019; Michaelidou et al., 2015a; Michaelidou et al., 2019; Wymer and Casidy, 2019). Research suggests that for charities to differentiate themselves from others, they must focus on key elements of their brand (Mort et al., 2007; Chapleo, 2013; Michaelidou et al., 2015b). Creating awareness and prominence using various brand elements such as logos, slogans and messaging is widely thought of as effective in bringing the brand to mind, providing it with an advantage over other brands in a purchase-related situation (Saaksjarvi et al., 2015). These elements are valuable for creating and maintaining a strong identity. They create awareness and symbolism and may, therefore, positively influence attitudes toward a brand (Keller, 2003).\n2. Conceptual background: 2.1 Brand salience\n3. Hypotheses development: Given the absence of research on factors influencing the choice of charity for new donors, we propose a brand choice model with brand salience and brand attitudes as central factors influencing brand choice intention. Figure 1 provides a visual representation of the model and hypotheses (paths), which are discussed, in turn. Donor decision involvement is presented as a possible moderator.\n4. Methods and data: 4.1 Measurement instrument development\n5. Discussion and implications: 5.1 Theoretical implications\n6. Limitations and future research: As with any study, this research is subject to limitations given the choices made during and constraints placed upon the study. Firstly, the contextual nature of the brand salience construct required the selection of a specific donation situation in which to base the study, which in this case was the aftermath of a natural disaster. Representative charity brands were prompted, but this is not expected to impact on validity (Romaniuk et al., 2004). Secondly, although considerable time and effort was expended on ensuring the survey scenario stimulus was realistic and facilitated transportation (Green, 2004; Green and Brock, 2000), it is still only an approximation of a real event with the potential for associated error. Thirdly, although the respondent sample of new donors was drawn to approximate the demographic profile of Australian givers to charity, the potential for a cohort effect exists, as they were all sourced via an online panel. Finally, the data used is cross-sectional, as opposed to longitudinal. Therefore, certain brands may demonstrate relatively higher or lower levels of brand salience, depending on whether there has been a recent communications campaign by a certain charity, for example.\n", "role": "user" }, { "content": "Purpose: The purpose of this study develops and validates a model of new donor decision-making in the charity sector. Drawing upon dual process theory, the model incorporates brand salience and brand attitude as antecedents of brand choice intention, moderated by donor decision involvement.\nDesign/methodology/approach: Study 1 generates measures using interviews with marketing, media and research managers, and new donors from two international aid and relief organizations. Study 2 uses an experimental design to first test scenarios of disaster relief, and then validate and confirm a new donor decision model using large-scale consumer panels for the international aid and relief sector in Australia.\nFindings: The results replicated across four leading international aid-related charities reveal that brand salience is positively related to brand choice intention through the mediating effect of brand attitude. Furthermore, the effect of brand salience on brand choice intention is significantly stronger when donor decision involvement is low. Conversely, the effect of brand attitude on brand choice intention is stronger for higher levels of donor decision involvement.\nPractical implications: Managers should understand the importance of brand salience/attitudes and the implications for the communication strategy. Managers should also strive to understand the level of decision involvement and the relative influence of brand attitude/salience on brand choice intention.\nOriginality/value: This study advances the literature on charitable giving by proposing and testing a moderated mediation model of donor choice when selecting a charity for donation. Findings provide new insights into the extent to which brand salience, brand attitude and donor decision-making influence how new donors choose between charities for donation.\n", "role": "assistant" } ]
Applying advanced planning systems for supply chain planning: three case studies	[ "Supply chain management", "Process planning", "Systems software" ]	[ { "content": "Summarize the following paper into structured abstract.\n\n1 Introduction: The vision of the supply chain as a holistic construct with close cooperation between the different organizational units has replaced the traditional picture of it as a collection of vertically organized functional units (Stadtler and Kilger, 2005). This, however, leads to a complex planning situation with multiple items, produced at multiple work centres in multi-site production systems. The supply chain complexity is not only a function of the number of links, nodes and items in the network. It is also affected by the level of inter-relationship between the organizational units and variations in organizational culture, size, technology, etc. (Choi and Krause, 2006). Strategic decisions are made over a long planning period, when there is no detailed knowledge of many decision parameters, making the decision environment very uncertain. In the same time, the strategic planning is important as it sets the frame for the tactical and operational decisions and many times involves high investments and is costly to change (Zoryk-Schalla et al., 2004). Typical strategic decisions concern the production and distribution capacity, the location of facilities and which products to be manufactured at each plant (Colotla et al., 2003). Melo et al. (2005) put forward some problems connected to these kinds of decisions; for example, problems of deciding in which periods the capacity of a given set of facilities should be extended to meet increasing demand, problems of deciding were to locate facilities, and problems of optimizing the joint logistics when companies are merging. Planning problems of this kind are often quite complex to solve, especially if aiming at optimum solutions, taking capacity constraints and profitability into consideration.While being aware of the broad area covered by supply chain management (SCM), the research in this paper focuses on advanced planning systems (APS), the recent software development that supports planning of the supply chain. Unlike traditional enterprise resource planning systems (ERP), APS try to find feasible, near optimal plans across the supply chain as a whole, while potential bottlenecks are considered explicitly (Stadtler and Kilger, 2005). In terms of software, APS means a broad group of software applications developed by various software vendors, e.g. i2, Manugistics, Oracle, SAP, AspenTech and Lawson. During the last decade, the use of APS for design, integration, and control of supply chain processes have increased. Especially, the interest among industrial companies has increased, some have invested in the software, but only few use them in practice on strategic and tactical planning levels. Almost no research has been conducted about APS usage. There are very few documented cases showing how standardized APS are used, especially descriptions of successes or failures of using APS for supply chain planning (SCP) on strategic and tactical levels. No broader based empirical study testing and explaining the effects of using APS as support for SCP has been identified. The understanding of when and how to utilize the potential of APS for managing supply chains and what effects could be expected are consequently scarce, both in practice and academia. This gap needs to be closed in order to understand when and how to use APS in SCP.The purpose of this paper is to explore how standardized APS can be used for solving planning problems at tactical and strategic levels, and to identify the perceived effects of using APS. This is done through a comparative analyze among three Swedish firms using APS for solving strategic and tactical supply chain problems. In the following sections, we describe the methodology and the frame of references. Section 4 examines the case studies. They are analyzed in Section 5. Finally, the paper is concluded in Section 6.\n2 Methodology: The research is based on a literature review and three case studies. The literature review is founded in the fields of SCM, manufacturing planning and control and APS. Three cases using standardized APS for solving different types of planning problems at tactical and strategic levels were selected in order to compare and contrast APS usage in the cases. The case studies are descriptive and explorative in nature, and data have been gathered through semi-structured interviews and on-site visits at the case companies, as well as from company internal data and presentations. The authors also had access to primary data in terms of company reports describing processes, performance data, etc. Typically, interviews were carried out with project managers, master planners, and members of the implementation team. To reduce the risk of misinterpretation, at least two researchers participated in the interviews (Kylen, 1994), and case descriptions were communicated back to the interviewees. Interviews were also followed up by telephone and e-mail to verify and clarify data if needed. Furthermore, one author has previous project experiences from two case companies. Another author has done studies with the main respondent of the third case company, increasing the understanding of the companies, its problem and planning processes.The cases are analyzed based on five areas that are proposed to be important when analyzing the appropriateness of applying APS in company specific planning environments. The five areas are; planning complexity, planning model and design, planning data, planning organization and planning effects, which are further described in the last section of the frame of references.\n3 Frame of references: During the last few years not only APS niche vendors, but also ERP vendors have started developing and implementing advanced planning modules, with the aim to support complex planning problems. APS as a standard decision support system (DSS) for production and distribution planning is, however, still a new and fairly unexplored tool (Stadtler and Kilger, 2005; Wu et al., 2000).3.1 Supply chain planning using APS\n4 Case studies: The three cases use standard APS-modules for solving planning problems on a strategic or tactical level. All companies are continuous process type companies and use \"supply chain planners\" from different vendors, although they face different planning problems.4.1 Case I - AArhusKarlshamn\n5 Analysis and conclusion: Here, the three cases are compared in order to explore why and how APS was used and what it resulted in. Table I contains a summary of the case characteristics. All three cases used SCP optimization software for planning on strategic and tactical levels. However, AAKs used it to generate decision support for cost efficient supply chain design. This planning was only conducted at one single time, when merging two companies. SL and SSAB used it for continuous master production scheduling in situations with finite capacity constraints. The planning problems are, consequently, quite similar for SL and SSAB but different for AAK. In all three cases, the overall aim of using APS was to create holistic perspectives of complex planning problems, eliminate sub-optimization and achieve commitment to an \"optimum\" plan.5.1 Planning complexity\n6 Concluding remarks and further research: APS are identified as potential support tools for managing complex SCP problems and as means for supply chain integration. This paper fills some of the knowledge gaps about how this could be done and the perceived effects of using APS, focusing on the strategic and tactical planning levels. Three explorative case studies show how APS can enhance SCM in various situations. Noteworthy is that all three cases are centred on the software use of a so-called SCP module, but the module is used on different planning levels addressing different problems. One of the cases uses the SCP as a SND tool. The two reminding cases use it as a tactical master planning tool, one in a single site setting and one in a multi-site setting including both production and distribution issues. Hence, the SCP module as such must be considered fairly general indicating a wide area of application for tactical APS modules. Similar findings have been reported in literature. Brown et al. (2001), for example, show how Kellogg's uses the same module for both SND and for MMP. This further highlights that companies must treat APS with caution and put a lot of effort into the four issues of planning complexity, model design, suitable planning data and a proper planning organization. In our cases, SCP software, based on linear and mixed integer programming, could support a cost optimized SND in a merger of two companies, production and volume allocation in one case, and how efficiency, capacity utilization and delivery service problems were considered and decreased in two cases. These latter two cases also showed how APS can support the integration between the marketing and production functions and the commitment to a common plan throughout the supply chain. The relationships between APS, planning organization and planning effects are thus obvious in these cases.Several positive effects of using APS as support for global SCP on strategic and tactical levels were identified, but the research conducted here also identifies and motivates several future research areas about the appropriateness and performance of APS usage. Based on the areas described in the last section of the frame of references and explored in the case analysis, several different research issues related to the following areas can be motivated:* the feasibility of APS in situations with various planning complexities;* how design of the optimization model create complexity and affects the planning process;* data gathering requirements when using APS;* the role and design of the planning organization; and* how to achieve positive planning effects, such as finding the global optimum of plans, global commitment to the same plan and developing supply chain process integration.\n", "role": "user" }, { "content": "Purpose: - The purpose of this paper is to explore how standardized advanced planning systems (APS) can be used for solving planning problems at tactical and strategic levels, and to identify the perceived effects of using APS.\nDesign/methodology/approach: - Multiple case studies involving three cases using APS software for strategic network planning and master production scheduling are conducted. Comparative analysis explores how the planning situation, the model design and use of the APS impact the perceived planning effects.\nFindings: - Findings show how APS support cost-optimized strategic network design in one case and how efficiency, capacity utilization and delivery service problems were decreased in two cases using APS in global master planning processes. The cases show how APS supports cross-functional integration and supply chain commitment to a common plan. Research directions are suggested about the feasibility of APS in situations with various planning complexities, how design of the optimization model creates complexity and affects the planning process, data gathering requirements when using APS, the role and design of the planning organization, and how to achieve positive planning effects, such as finding global optimum and single plan commitment.\nResearch limitations/implications: - The approach is descriptive and explorative. Only three cases are studied.\nPractical implications: - The findings present experiences of APS usage and identify issues to consider when using APS and potential benefits to gain from usage.\nOriginality/value: - The practical use of APS is low and the knowledge about how it impacts supply chain planning and performance is unexplored. The findings of this paper fill some of these gaps.\n", "role": "assistant" } ]
Trust repair: the impact of perceived organisational support and issue-selling	[ "United States of America", "Organizations", "Trust", "Middle management", "Senior management", "Employees behaviour", "Trust repair", "Issue‐selling", "Perceived organizational support" ]	[ { "content": "Summarize the following paper into structured abstract.\n\n__NO_TITLE__: Trust in management offers a variety of organizational benefits such as increased job performance, organizational citizenship behavior, organizational commitment, job satisfaction, and ethical decision making (Dirks and Ferrin, 2002). The concept of trust in an organizational context is not static, however. As individuals and groups work together, established trust may be violated via incidents that lower the trusting beliefs and intentions toward another (Kim et al., 2009). Limited research has examined such violations of trust in the work context (Lewicki et al., 1998; Zaheer et al., 2002). Trust violations significantly impact counter-productive work behaviors such as revenge and non-cooperative behavior (Aquino et al., 2001; Bottom et al., 2002). Should the consequences of trust violations be significant in a particular context, the organization or individual no longer trusted (trustee) may undertake efforts to restore or \"repair\" the trustor's lowered beliefs.\nTrust repair: Trust repair involves improving trusting beliefs and cannot simply include reestablishing trusting behavior. To attempt trust repair, research suggests that the trustee should assume more blame, confine the blame to the past, and make the case that corrections will be made in the future (Kim et al., 2009; Lewicki and Butler, 1996). Research suggests that an apology coupled with substantive measures to address concerns about the future encourages trust repair (Ferrin et al., 2007; Kim et al., 2004, 2006; Nakayachi and Watabe, 2005). These substantive measures should actively demonstrate ability, benevolence, and integrity, the foundations for building trust (Mayer et al., 1995). One way to enact such measures may be for top management to create a climate that encourages higher levels of POS.POS and trust\nMethods: Organizational setting and sample\nResults: This study directly addresses the influence of POS and issue-selling success rate as efforts to repair trust within an organization experiencing both competency-based and integrity-based trust violations between managers and top management. Table I provides the descriptive information and correlations for the variables used in the study. A primary objective of our research site was to repair trust between managers and top management using POS and issue selling.H1 proposed that POS would be significantly and positively related to trust. To test this hypothesis, we first controlled for the impact of organizational tenure and then regressed POS onto trust in top management. Using hierarchical regression, the results show that after controlling for organizational tenure (b=-0.091; p=0.592), POS is significantly related to trust in top management (b=0.408; p=0.022). These results support H1 demonstrating that increasing perceptions of organizational support is an important contextual factor impacting trust repair.H2 and H3 proposed competing hypotheses regarding the impact of issue-selling success rate on trust. H2 proposed a positive relationship between issue-selling success rate and trust above and beyond the impact of POS, while H3 proposed a negative relationship above and beyond the impact of POS. After controlling for the impact of organizational tenure, the results demonstrate support for H3 such that issue-selling success rate is significantly and negatively related to trust (b=-0.368; p=0.026) above and beyond the impact of POS (see Table II).In sum, these findings demonstrate that the individual perceptions of the organizational context have important implications for repairing trust. Further the findings show that issue selling is an important change process impacting trust in top management. Our results support the theoretical idea that failure is important for reexamining belief systems and improving trust in top management.\nDiscussion: In this study we examined the trust repair efforts of top management within an organization specifically focussing on the impact of POS and issue-selling success. The objectives of the present research were to bridge the gap between the extensive laboratory research in this domain by Kim et al. (2004, 2006, 2009) and the organization-wide trust violations addressed by Gillespie and Dietz (2009) by empirically addressing trust violation and repair within one organizational situation. Our research contributes to an existing research base by extending the approaches to repairing trust in organizational settings by specifically examining the impact of the POS and issue selling. Kim et al. (2006) note the limitations of lab studies in student populations where consequences of actions are short lived. They specifically call for research focussing on the repair of trust in long-term work relationships. Our research directly addresses this call by examining trust repair in an organization where the average manager tenure is four years. In an organizational field setting, the consequences of an individual's actions have significant impact on their future in the organization; therefore, again differentiating our research from laboratory experiments examining trust repair using student populations.One important contribution of this study is the positive impact that POS has on manager trust in top management. Because prior research has yet to explicitly hypothesize and examine the specific relationship between POS and trust, our study represents an extension of previous research in both domains. Moreover, when applying Rhoades and Eisenberger's (2002) perspective on the reciprocal nature of POS, these results support the idea that employees who perceived that their organization cares about them will in turn care about the organization's well-being and be motivated to help it achieve its objectives. The repair of trust in our organization was an important top management goal in this particular context and an increase in POS demonstrate an increase in trust levels in top management.Second, we examined competing hypotheses regarding the directional impact of issue-selling success on trust in top management. Research evidence suggests that a repertoire of successful issue selling could positively impact trust repair (Howard-Grenville, 2007). While the trust repair and failure literature show that such a repertoire could further damage trust repair efforts (Kim et al., 2006; Shepherd, 2003; Sitkin, 1992). Our results demonstrate that issue-selling success rate is negatively related to manager trust in top management. The trust repair research cautions that different repair approaches may be necessary depending on the type of trust violation (Kim et al., 2006). In our study, trust violations were both competency- and integrity based. In these contexts, repair using positive information may only be discounted in the repair process (Kim et al., 2004). Further, repairing integrity-based violations may be more difficult to accomplish. Having a high issue-selling success rate, in our organizational context, may have hindered the repair of trust because it was perceived as a confirmation of a lack of integrity. For example, managers successfully selling issues one year may not have experienced success in attempts to sell the same issues in the past. The rapid change in top management decision processes may have been perceived as a lack of integrity by top management. Also, our research explores issue selling as a change process impacting the repair of trust in organizations. As such, this research also extends Dutton et al.'s (2001) research examining issue selling as a change initiative.Managerial implications\n", "role": "user" }, { "content": "Purpose: - The purpose of this paper is to examine the trust repair efforts of top management within an organization specifically focusing on the impact of perceived organizational support and issue-selling success. Building on the theoretical trust repair literature, the authors bridge the gap between the laboratory dyad trust repair settings and the severe organization-wide trust repair settings.\nDesign/methodology/approach: - The authors focus on one organizational context that experienced competency- and integrity-based trust violations between managers and top management. Surveys and interviews were conducted with 32 managers to capture trust in top management, issue-selling success rate, and perceived organizational support.\nFindings: - Results demonstrate that perceived organizational support is significantly and positively related to trust in top management. In contrast, issue-selling success rate is negatively related to trust in top management above and beyond the impact of perceived organizational support.\nPractical implications: - Trust repair approaches should include demonstrations of organizational support of employees by showing care and concern along with engaging employees in a change process that demonstrates top management commitment to repairing trusting relationships. In addition, top management trust repair efforts should focus on providing managers with the opportunity to engage in multiple issue-selling episodes.\nOriginality/value: - The paper contributes to an existing research base by extending the approaches to repairing trust in organizational settings to specifically examine the impact of perceived organizational support and issue-selling.\n", "role": "assistant" } ]
Modeling of role of public leader, open government information and public service performance in Indonesia	[ "Open government information", "Public service performance", "The role of public leaders" ]	[ { "content": "Summarize the following paper into structured abstract.\n\n1. Introduction: DKI Provincial Government in Indonesia, which is the government located at the center of Indonesian Government. Kompas daily (September 18, 2016) highlights the low level of public services in DKI Province. The Ombudsman of the Republic of Indonesia hopes the Provincial Government of DKI Jakarta in the coming years will be better in providing public services to the public, after last year DKI became one of the poor performing local governments in terms of public services. \"After 6 months of intervention program, they have reached almost the height of the standard, the level of compliance is almost high, that is, the city government has been good enough in half year intervention,\" said Danang met at the Ministry of Finance, Jakarta, Friday (July 18, 2016). \"This is what we want to pursue. This becomes the homework of the father of the governor later,\" he said. Ombudsman notes, out of 4,000 complaints related to public services entered during 2013, 1,100 complaints came from DKI Jakarta. The number of complaints placed Jakarta as a province with low public service quality last year. Therefore, it is necessary to conduct research on the open government information policy through the role of leaders in creating information disclosure in order to improve the performance of public services. The objective of this paper is to investigate the relationship between public leadership and open government information to public service's performance in Indonesia.\n2. Literature review: Since issuing the Open Government Directive, much of the initial focus of the administration has been on increasing government transparency and participation through the use of innovative technology (Jaeger and Bertot, 2010). However, while some elements of an open government are technical such as the indiscriminate release of open data, the concerns for openness might run much deeper. It also calls for a culture in which government officials are open for innovation, willing to share knowledge and information and openly communicate across bureaucratic boundaries (Popova-Novak, 2011; Huff, 2011). However, bureaucratic culture is associated with hierarchy, specialization and uniformity (Lee and Kwak, 2012; Goodsell, 2004), thereby preserving the traditional way of interacting with citizens (Meijer, 2015). In some agencies, an open culture may require fundamental change. The central question of this study is how agencies can institutionalize a culture of openness within government agencies to enhance transparency, participation and collaboration with external stakeholders.\n3. Material and methods: The object of the study conducted was Jakarta Capital City Government which is divided into five areas of administrative city and one administrative district. The population of the entire community in Jakarta has as much as 6,980,584 ID cards. The large size of the population did not allow the researcher to take a whole due to the factors of time, cost, and other human resources (Fernandes and Solimun, 2016). So, by using Slovin's formula, the samples of 178 respondents were obtained (Figure 1).\n4. Findings: Before presenting the feasible results, the linearity assumption test using Ramsey Reset Test (Fernandes et al., 2015). Table I presents the linearity assumption test and linearity assumption are not met (P-value >0.05). It is important to use Ramsey's regression specification error test (RESET test) to evaluate linearity (Table I). If the assumption is not-accepted and the type of the relationship between variables is unknown, then the best alternative is to use nonparametric regression.\n5. Practical implications and limitations: The role of public leader has a significant and positive effect on public service performance, on different levels of role of public leader, moderated by the implementation of open government information. The Government of Indonesia should recognize data as a strategic asset and develop governance frameworks, infrastructure and institutional capacities to support the strategic use of government data for decision making. To avoid missing the opportunities afforded by government data and by the digital era more broadly, the Government of Indonesia must create a vigorous broadband ecosystem that includes an enabling legal and regulatory environment, as well as appropriate market conditions supporting high quality services. Make efforts to develop a dynamic open government data ecosystem, which will require addressing legal and regulatory challenges and limitations, raise awareness and ownership, develop data skills across society, and actively engage with data producers, providers and users to identify valuable data sets and foster reuse that can deliver social, economic and good governance values. The use of digital technologies should be guided by an overarching policy to help ensure strategic coherence across the administration. The government should align this policy with broader policy objectives - such as those on open government and sustainable development - and with public sector reform strategies and action plans. The policy would provide coherent incentives to create a culture that strengthens the use of technology in more open, innovative and participatory service design and delivery. Involving the relevant stakeholders in the development of the digital government policy will help ensure that the resulting strategies reflect appropriately the different views. This will also help to develop a common vision and align objectives with the required levels of ownership for successful implementation and to deliver impact.\n6. Conclusions and recommendations: Based on the above results and discussion, we concluded that the role of public leader has a significant and positive effect on public service performance, on different levels of role of public leader, moderated by the implementation of open government information. In the high level of open government information, it has a higher slope than the low level of open government information, in the range of moderate to high-level leader of public leaders. On the other hand, in the low level of open government information, it has a higher slope than the high level of open government information, in the range of moderate to high-level leader of public leaders. This shows that the higher implementation of open government information, the stronger the influence of role of public leader on public service performance.\n", "role": "user" }, { "content": "Purpose: The purpose of this paper is to investigate the relationship between public leadership and open government information to public service's performance in Indonesia.\nDesign/methodology/approach: The object of the study is Jakarta Capital City Government, which is divided into five areas of administrative city and one administrative district, samples of 178 respondents are obtained. The analysis tools use the moderator regression analysis. The assumption of linearity is not met, and the alternative tools use nonparametric regression. This research uses the nonparametric moderator regression analysis: Truncated Spline.\nFindings: The role of public leader has a significant and positive effect on public service performance, on different levels of role of public leader, moderated by the implementation of open government information. In the high level of open government information, it has a higher slope than the low level of open government information, in the range of moderate to high-level leader of public leaders. On the other hand, in the low level of open government information, it has a higher slope than the high level of open government information, in the range of moderate to high-level leader of public leaders. This shows that the higher implementation of open government information, the stronger the influence of role of public leader on public service performance.\nOriginality/value: No previous study has studied comprehensively the Moderation Effect of Open Government Information Policy in relationship between public leadership to public service performance, especially in Indonesia.\n", "role": "assistant" } ]
Business-led sustainable consumption initiatives: impacts and lessons learned	[ "Climate change", "Mitigation", "Business model", "Sustainability", "Sustainable consumption", "Choice editing" ]	[ { "content": "Summarize the following paper into structured abstract.\n\n1. Background: Pressure on resources, a growing global population and an expanding middle class, global crises and a changing role of governments are exacerbating global sustainability challenges, but also provide an opportunity for business as argued by Boons et al. (2013). According to the Royal Society (2012), the most immediate way to reduce the negative environmental effects of human activity is to decrease resource consumption of those who consume the most.\n2. Literature review: Companies may be viewed as the driver for unsustainable consumption patterns by contributing to global climate change through their production processes and resource extraction (IPCC, 2014) and creating products with decreasing life spans, due to increased competition, \"planned obsolescence\" and business models focussed on \"taking, making and 'disposing'\" (Bakker et al., 2014; Kraaijenhagen et al., 2016). Research in the area of social innovation and sustainable consumption has evolved (Young and Tilley, 2006; Dyllick and Hockerts, 2002; Bocken and Short, 2016) and companies may now be viewed as the potential driver for sustainable consumer behaviour change.\n3. Method: This research addresses a contemporary issue in its real-life context and uses a multiple case study design, drawing conclusions per case and across cases (Yin, 2014).\n4. Cases of companies seeking to drive sustainable consumption: This section examines companies seeking to drive sustainable consumption through the way they do business.\n5. Discussion: This paper investigated the following questions: what evidence can be found for the effectiveness of businesses running consumer-based environmental programmes? What are the lessons learned from these key cases?\n6. Conclusions: This paper contributes to the understanding of business-led sustainable consumption initiatives and their effectiveness through the description of six cases, the introduction of a \"consumer behaviour influencing tactics\" framework, the description of social marketing-type techniques and business model innovation used, and the investigation of the impact of such initiatives.\n", "role": "user" }, { "content": "Purpose: To mitigate negative human-induced impact on the planet, consumption patterns need to be changed urgently. The purpose of this paper is to investigate how companies can drive sustainable consumption patterns.\nDesign/methodology/approach: The paper discusses six illustrative cases of sustainable consumption initiatives by companies: their strategies, initiatives and impacts.\nFindings: A \"business-led sustainable consumption strategies framework\" was developed to analyse the cases. It was found that companies apply individual, social and wider contextual influencing tactics to encourage sustainable consumption. The case initiatives emerged without regulatory pushes. It was found that collaborative initiatives could be impactful, because multiple stakeholder influence helps normalise new behaviour. Regulation helps to level the playing field in an industry and potentially force absolute consumption reductions.\nPractical implications: This work provides insight into the potential of business-led sustainable consumption initiatives and the strategies to be used. Companies are making important steps to encourage sustainable consumption, but initiatives have not yet achieved the scale to significantly transform consumption patterns. Further business experimentation with social marketing type of techniques is recommended. Future work is required to map out the most suitable strategies to encourage sustainable consumption by industry.\nOriginality/value: This paper has given new insight in the potential future role of companies in sustainable consumption. Businesses are positioned as the initiators of sustainable consumption patterns: their expertise can be used to stimulate and adopt sustainable consumption patterns with customers. This work sheds light on how businesses can use social marketing-type techniques and business model innovation to drive sustainable consumption. Finally, it contributes to the understanding of the scale and effectiveness of business-led sustainable consumption initiatives.\n", "role": "assistant" } ]

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