bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Optimizing library content for mobile phones
Authors: Jensen R. Bruce
Published: May 2010

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to present evidence that academic and school libraries can serve users by offering readings in phone‐compatible files, and describe how to use readily available tools to cleanly and effectively format various types of documents for mobile devices.

Design/methodology/approach

A survey was made of a variety of utilities for preparing texts to accommodate mobile reading and the products were tested on several types of phones – from the least sophisticated to popular smartphones.

Findings

Cell phones are effective, convenient appliances for use as text readers. Though US subscribers have been slower than others to embrace their phones as readers, a fast‐growing segment of users is doing so. Course materials traditionally offered as reserves can easily be made available to students on a device that is familiar and comfortable.

Practical implications

Furnishing content in relevant formats increases user convenience and positions libraries to respond to technological change. Providing readings on mobile phones is a move toward the mainstream of today's networked mobile environment.

Social implications

In the USA, people of color and youths have led others in internet access by phone. Libraries, in acknowledging the primacy of mobile devices in people's information universe and providing them with genuinely usable texts, can claim a place in users' pockets, as the commercial sector has already done.

Originality/value

The techniques presented in this paper are within the capabilities of all libraries and can dramatically broaden their service profile, enabling them to bring materials to readers in new, perhaps unexpected ways.
E‐learning contribution to the building of a multi‐generational workplace learning community in an academic library: observations drawn from practice
Authors: Fontanin Matilde
Published: May 2010

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to relate an experience which tried to veer the focus of traditional workplace learning towards blended learning in an Italian University. The question is whether this will really contribute to creating a community in a situation where people have little opportunities to have contact and exchange ideas and practices. Tutor support and careful induction sessions will help make everyone more comfortable with the new technology by showing the opportunities it opens up.

Design/methodology/approach

The evidence taken into consideration refers to the initial phases of the project: leading a needs assessment survey and introducing library staff to the new system, both as learners and teachers. Courses have been organized and surveys have been drawn to collect the participants' impressions.

Findings

Actually, it seems that learning is enhanced when related to real situations, and so is interaction and involvement of participants, notwithstanding age and background differences: this seems to be even more true for online environments.

Research limitations/implications

This is a report about a particular experience from which is drawn a series of considerations useful for practice: it is not intended as a wide scope study on e‐learning application to workplace learning and development.

Practical implications

The experience described here builds up a basis for a new mode of delivering learning experiences at work, while at the same time trying to create a sense of belonging and community.

Originality/value

Though not aiming at drawing conclusive statements on the subject, the paper analyzes the impact of blended learning in an organizational environment where differences in age, education and relative isolation of single workers are the rule. This applies to most library systems and larger organizations, therefore the experience can build up a basis for critical thought in sketching workplace development plans for larger libraries and library systems.
Persian websites for children and teenagers in Iran
Authors: Behzadi Hassan , Zahedi Noghabi Mahdi
Published: May 2010

Purpose

The Internet has attracted many of society's children and teens and it has become important for parents to be aware of reputable websites and the criteria for studying these. The purpose of this paper is to examine the condition of Persian websites for children and teenagers in terms of site support, design, contents, and promotion, and also examine the differences in websites which are supported by the government.

Design/methodology/approach

The methodology was based on the criteria of the American Library Association's Association for Library Services to Children's “Great websites for kids.” In total, 18 Persian websites were examined, which were found in the first ten pages of a Google search, by different kinds of search.

Findings

The obtained results indicated that there was a lack of standards in designing children's websites, demonstrating that it is necessary to ask children, librarians, computer specialists, child psychologists, and teachers to improve websites geared to children and teenagers.

Originality/value

The paper shows that it is important to focus on standard solutions for website designs that take into account the special needs of children.
Computer analysis system of the physician‐patient consultation process
Authors: Katsuyama Kimiko , Koyama Yuichi , Hirano Yasushi , Mase Kenji , Kato Ken , Mizuno Satoshi , Yamauchi Kazunobu
Published: May 2010

Purpose

Measurements of the quality of physician‐patient communication are important in assessing patient outcomes, but the quality of communication is difficult to quantify. The aim of this paper is to develop a computer analysis system for the physician‐patient consultation process (CASC), which will use a quantitative method to quantify and analyze communication exchanges between physicians and patients during the consultation process.

Design/methodology/approach

CASC is based on the concept of narrative‐based medicine using a computer‐mediated communication (CMC) technique from a cognitive dialog processing system. Effective and ineffective consultation samples from the works of Saito and Kleinman were tested with CASC in order to establish the validity of CASC for use in clinical practice. After validity was confirmed, three researchers compared their assessments of consultation processes in a physician's office with CASCs. Consultations of 56 migraine patients were recorded with permission, and for this study consultations of 29 patients that included more than 50 words were used.

Findings

Transcribed data from the 29 consultations input into CASC resulted in two diagrams of concept structure and concept space to assess the quality of consultation. The concordance rate between the assessments by CASC and the researchers was 75 percent.

Originality/value

In this study, a computer‐based communication analysis system was established that efficiently quantifies the quality of the physician‐patient consultation process. The system is promising as an effective tool for evaluating the quality of physician‐patient communication in clinical and educational settings.
Building capacity for service user and carer involvement in research
Authors: Minogue Virginia , Girdlestone John
Published: May 2010

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to examine the role of service user and carer involvement in NHS research and describe the nature of this involvement in three specialist mental health Trusts. It also aims to discuss the value of service user and carer involvement and present the perspective of the service user and research manager.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper reviews patient and public involvement policy and practice in the NHS and NHS research. It examines the effectiveness of involvement activity and utilises a case example to demonstrate the impact of patient/service user involvement on the NHS and the individuals who take part.

Findings

The paper concludes that service user involvement is essential if research is to support the development of health services that clearly reflect the needs of the service user and impact positively on service quality.

Practical implications

Service user involvement is an established element of NHS research and development at both national and local level. The Department of Health strategy for research, Best Research for Best Health, reiterates both the importance of research that benefits the patient and the involvement of the service user in the research process. Despite this, the changes in Department of Health support funding for research, introduced by the strategy, may inadvertently lead to some NHS Trusts experiencing difficulty in resourcing this important activity.

Originality/value

The paper illustrates the effectiveness of successful patient and public involvement in research. It also identifies how involvement has developed in a fragmented and uncoordinated way and how it is threatened by a failure to embed it more consistently in research infrastructure.
Clinical performance indicators: intolerance for variety?
Authors: Basu Abhijit , Howell Rosemary , Gopinath Deepa
Published: May 2010

Purpose

The performance of NHS UK hospitals is under continuous scrutiny as they are constantly under pressure to perform well. A recent document published by an independent body has recommended a host of clinical indicators to assess non‐financial performance of hospitals. This study aims to critically analyse the performance of a single UK hospital against several of these recommended indicators.

Design/methodology/approach

Data presented to the Hospital Trust Board for 12 months were used for this study. Previous years' data were used wherever available.

Findings

Based on data analysis, this hospital's performance is extremely difficult to calculate. The indicators use complex ratios and due to lack of standardisation, the hospital performance could be interpreted as better, worse or indifferent.

Research limitations/implications

This study analyses most of the recommended indicators. Literature review did not reveal a similar analysis of another hospital against these indicators which precludes comparison.

Practical implications

This study highlights the difficulty in comparing the performance of hospitals due to the inherent lack of consistency. Therefore it is apparent that any reward‐rebuke system linked to performance should interpret the data with caution. It is therefore suggested that easy to control single value activities and standardised routine activities could be used to measure hospital performance. Alternatively, the hospital could compare with its own statistics from previous years.

Originality/value

Literature acknowledges the difficulties in measuring clinical performance. This paper elucidates these difficulties applied to the NHS and suggests alternatives.
How to escape the differentiation proliferation trap
Authors: D'Aveni Richard
Published: May 2010

Purpose

In our hypercompetitive times, product and service differentiation may start out as value innovation but end up as too many similar choices for customers. The risk of this happening increases when several or all segments of the market are crowded with competitors seeking differentiation. This paper aims to investigate this issue.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper looks at how this brand proliferation currently grips the hotel industry.

Findings

The paper finds that, as illustrated by the hotel industry example, there are three primary ways that companies manage the threats from rivals who introduce similar products.

Research limitations/implications

A hotel industry case is analyzed from a current and historical perspective.

Practical implications

Managers who face this problem can: select certain threats to respond to; overwhelm the threats, choosing to fight on many fronts; and outflanking their rivals by opening new positions or at the extremes of the expected price line.

Originality/value

The paper applies some of the oldest strategic principles to a new challenge – differentiation proliferation:”overwhelm the threats” is a strategy of applying mass or scale to the challenge; “select the threats” is competing where you have the superiority of the defense; and “outflank the threats” is the strategy of the indirect approach.
Learning from corporate mistakes
Authors: Robins Fred
Published: May 2010

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to contrast the business risks of seeking to hide “questionable” corporate activities with the benefits of achieving high levels of corporate transparency.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper summarises three well‐documented cases of corporate malfeasance, simply and sequentially. Each is analysed separately.

Findings

The paper finds, in each case, that once the concealed “truth” comes out, the companies are in a much worse position than if they had come clean when initially challenged. The generalised finding is that once pressures mount, what is intentionally concealed tends to become exposed, with unanticipated and powerful negative consequences.

Practical implications

To minimise business risk, managers are well advised to refrain from doing things behind a veil of secrecy and, instead, opt for greater transparency. Since what is hidden seldom remains hidden, a “policy” of corporate transparency is often in their interest. The lesson is that when under public pressure, for whatever reason, facts, risks and relationships will out.

Originality/value

This paper demonstrates how openness rather than secrecy can reduce business risk and raise ethical standards at the same time.
Mediating the media: a journalist‐centric media relations model
Authors: Pang Augustine
Published: May 2010

Purpose

The prevailing challenge faced by practitioners is to conduct effective media relations, especially with the proliferation of diverse media platforms both online and offline. For such a predominant and critical function, a systematic approach needs to be offered. This paper aims to address these issues.

Design/methodology/approach

A new model is developed, drawing on insights from corporate communications and journalism literature.

Findings

This model identifies two sets of influences that practitioners should seek to understand. The internal influences include journalist mindsets, journalist routines, and newsroom routines. The external influences include extra‐media forces and media ideology.

Research limitations/implications

At this juncture, it is not able to predict causalities among the influences. What this model is able to establish is the connections among the influences. Future research can address that.

Practical implications

This model is instructive for new practitioners to view media relations as a holistic process rather than merely an information subsidy function. For seasoned practitioners, it serves to encourage them to re‐evaluate their current strategies and to engage in strategic thinking on how to transform their current practices.

Originality/value

The author has developed a new model called mediating the media that is meant to equip practitioners to conduct media relations in a systematic manner with the primary objective of winning the journalists over by the knowledge of their work and their profession. This may form the basis for an initial trail that takes media relations to the next level.
State control and the weak stock market in China
Authors: Cai Wei
Published: May 2010

Purpose

The paper aims to explore how the undue state control leads to the weak stock market in China. It analyzes how the undue state control is exerted in some key areas in the Chinese stock market. This paper intends to expand the existing literature in the relationships among law, politics, and economy.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper mainly adopts the exploratory method to analyze the undue state influences. Under some circumstances, comparative study and historical explanation are also adopted.

Findings

The paper suggests that to create a strong stock market and facilitate the development of the listed companies and the whole economy, the state should first release its control on the stock market.

Research limitations/implications

Various fields are contained in a stock market, in most of which the undue state control can be observed. In this paper, only some key ones are explored. Further research on other fields and if possible more first‐hand data are necessary.

Practical implications

This paper not only offers an answer to concerns on the various misconducts in the inefficient Chinese stock market and helps to realize the possible ways out of such dilemma, but also it offers implications for other emerging economies.

Originality/value

The on‐going debate on the role of common‐law versus civil‐law system in the capital market may have ignored the state involvement. This paper indicates that it is the undue state control rather than the legal system that leads to the weak stock market in China.
Corruption and ethical relativism: what is at stake?
Authors: Dion Michel
Published: May 2010

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to see to what extent ethical relativism could be adopted as justification for corrupt practices.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper analyzed the various perspectives which were used to define the boundaries of corruption: a structural perspective, a social‐normative perspective, and an organizational‐normative perspective. It then identified the various ethics positions that could be chosen and particularly focuses on ethical relativism.

Findings

The paper finds that corruption should be considered not only as a social construct, a cultural phenomenon (from a social‐historical viewpoint), but also as an object for ethical reasoning (from a moral viewpoint). Owing to that fact that corruption serves both to sway people away from their moral duties and to favour self‐interest, we cannot look at corruption as if it would only be a cultural phenomenon.

Originality/value

The paper presents the case of guanxi networks as a cultural phenomenon that is not rooted in Confucian traditional texts, but that makes an integral part of the present Chinese culture. The distorted meaning of guanxi (as favoritism) should make everybody more cautious about the risk to undertake unethical actions.
Market analysis of fit preferences of female boomers
Authors: Howarton Renee , Lee Brenna
Published: May 2010

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to disseminate research findings that compared attitudes regarding apparel and fit preferences as well as actual buying behaviors for 229 female baby boomers employed at a midwestern university.

Design/methodology/approach

Researchers created a questionnaire that examined purchasing attitudes, behaviors and identified valued apparel characteristics and garment fit expectations/frustrations. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics.

Findings

Results indicated that respondents were frustrated that the apparel industry did not cater to their apparel and fit needs more effectively. While they felt that they knew how to judge proper fit, they indicated that store personnel should be knowledgeable about products in general and clothing fit in particular. They also had distinct clothing design preferences and chose fit, product quality and price considerations over designer and brand names.

Research limitations/implications

The population was limited by midwestern demographic and economic factors descriptive of employees working in a rural community. This may limit the application of results to more diverse baby boomer populations located throughout the USA.

Practical implications

Survey results provide the apparel and retail industry with data that can be used to design and market clothing that is a more accurate reflection of boomer needs and wants, thus producing more satisfied consumers and maximizing industry profits.

Originality/value

This unique study is helpful in expanding an understanding of the apparel and fit preferences of the lucrative baby boomer generation.
Mass customization: points and extent of apparel customization
Authors: Senanayake Muditha M. , Little Trevor J.
Published: May 2010

Purpose

Mass customization (MC) is one of the changes for the US apparel industry that will provide a competitive advantage and offer products needed by consumers. However, as the points of customization and their extent of customization characterize business models including the process strategies to achieve a successful MC strategy, it is imperative to define the points of customization. The purpose of this research is to investigate and introduce the critical points of customization and their extent for apparel.

Design/methodology/approach

An apparel industry survey together with case studies was used to collect information to test and support the hypothesis developed through the comprehensive literature review.

Findings

Five critical points of apparel customization are defined. These points and their extents of customization are compared, analyzed and validated. It is suggested that the success and the capability of apparel MC will depend on how effectively a company can combine the defined points of customization and their extent of customization in pre‐production, production and post‐production of the apparel product.

Research limitations/implications

The research findings of points of customization is for an apparel product. However, the concepts may be applied to products in other industries.

Practical implications

The post‐production customization point using current technologies is a popular practice for mass customization. However, to achieve a higher level or extent of customization such as design point of customization, it is essential to use advanced product development, manufacturing and processing technologies.

Originality/value

The points of apparel customization and their extent of customization have not been studied before for the apparel MC domain. These points and extent of customization provide new insights into the mass customized apparel manufacturing and apparel MC business models.
Public pressure against sweat shops as perceived by top‐management of apparel and footwear companies
Authors: Park‐Poaps Haesun
Published: May 2010

Purpose

Public pressure has been recognized as one of the most forceful factors underlying change in sweat shop conditions in the industry. The purpose of this study is to investigate the level of public pressure perceived by top managers of US clothing and footwear firms and to examine effects of individual and organizational factors that may differentiate the level of perception.

Design/methodology/approach

Data were obtained through a mail survey, with a total of 96 cases included in the analyses.

Findings

Results of a series oft‐tests revealed statistically significant influence of firm size, tenure, and firm ownership type on perceived public pressure for fair labor practices, while gender, age, education, business type, and percentage of foreign‐sourced merchandise were not found to be statistically significantly related to perceptions of public pressure.

Research limitations/implications

The findings warn that the current public pressure is toward certain types of firms and their managements. Small and private firms that form the majority of the clothing and footwear sector need to be exposed to the pressure. Data consisted of a portion from a larger scale survey and may not represent a random sample. Further investigations could identify top‐management's strategic actions and social performance of the firm as a response to such pressure.

Originality/value

Managerial perception of social pressure is likely to initiate social actions undertaken by the firms. The findings of the study produced valuable further discussions on the current states and directions of managerial reactions to the sweat shop issues.
Hedonic and utilitarian shopping motivations of fashion leadership
Authors: Kang Jiyun , Park‐Poaps Haesun
Published: May 2010

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to investigate the relationships between fashion innovativeness/opinion leadership and utilitarian/hedonic shopping motivations. This study seeks to develop a better understanding of fashion leadership and determine the primary shopping motivations associated with fashion leadership.

Design/methodology/approach

A survey was completed by a total of 150 students at a large university in the southeastern USA. Multiple regression analyses, MANCOVA, and ANCOVA were employed to test the research hypotheses.

Findings

The results indicated that fashion innovativeness was significantly related to various hedonic shopping motivations; fashion innovativeness was positively associated with adventure and idea shopping motivations, whereas it was negatively associated with value shopping motivation. Fashion opinion leadership was positively associated with utilitarian shopping motivation.

Practical implications

The results of the study help to suggest various marketing and retailing strategies to stimulate fashion innovative behaviors through adventurous, stimulating, and up‐to‐date new fashions. They also suggest that fashion opinion leadership could be activated by focusing proper shopping environments or advertising on information/features for cognitive stimulation.

Originality/value

The study investigated a direct relationship between fashion leadership and shopping motivations for the first time. The findings of the study strengthen academic research on fashion leadership by identifying pre‐positioned shopping motivations that trigger fashion leadership, as well as practical applications.
The “unbroken marriage” – trafficking and child labour in Europe
Authors: Vinković Mario
Published: May 2010

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to explore the correlation between trafficking in children and child labour in Europe. The paper focuses on the scope of these issues and specific feature of child trafficking as the cause of the worst forms of child labour. Child labour and trafficking constitutes not only violations of children's rights, but also acts of transnational organised crime through which criminal groups acquire considerable amounts of money. The paper also identifies the shortcomings of the International Labour Organisation (ILO) and European Union (EU) regulations.

Design/methodology/approach

Based on available statistical data, the paper seeks to identify the worst forms of child labour, in particular, the sexual exploitation of children as a consequence of child trafficking, and define the implications of child trafficking for the European Common Market.

Findings

The trafficking of children expressis verbis should be identified as a cause of the worst forms of child labour, in particular of sexual exploitation of children. Coherent activity of EU member state authorities, cooperation in the field of internal affairs and criminal matters, and development of effective supranational criminal law framework must become a priority of a society oriented towards the highest standards of protection of children's rights as a separate human rights category. The paper critically comments on the problems of relevant definitions contained in the ILO Convention No. 182.

Originality/value

The EU went the furthest with its activities; its supranational character proved to be much more effective in developing but also using the existing international instruments as compared to slow and passive child protection mechanisms within other international entities, ILO in particular.
PEPs – let's get serious
Authors: Geary Joy
Published: May 2010

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is twofold. First, to draw attention to some options for better management of politically exposed persons (PEPs). Second, to draw attention to the problems experienced by low‐capacity entities in implementing a risk‐based approach to anti‐money laundering (AML) counter financing of terrorism (CTF).

Design/methodology/approach

The paper draws on the experience of the author in working with low‐capacity reporting entities in Australia and the Pacific to assist them in the implementation of AML/CTF risk‐based programs.

Findings

There are four initiatives worthy of consideration by Financial Action Task Force (FATF) in their current revision work that would improve management of PEPs and other AML/CTF risks: extension of the FATF requirement 33 to bring government agencies that incorporate companies within recommendations 5‐16, in effect expanding the concept of “customer”; extension of the FATF requirement 34 to bring government agencies that register trusts within recommendations 5‐16, also in effect expanding the concept of “customer”; extension of Special Recommendation VIII to require reporting of all inbound and outbound electronic financial transactions above set thresholds; and introducing a two‐tier AML/CTF regime to assist low‐capacity entities.

Research limitations/implications

This paper is based on observations derived from working alongside low‐capacity entities in Australia and the Pacific.

Practical implications

This includes expansion of the FATF recommendations to new sectors and adoption of a two‐tier AML/CTF system instead of the single risk‐based system.

Originality/value

FATF and policymakers should consider the significant value that can be obtained by extension of the FATF recommendations as suggested in closing systemic weaknesses, reducing the overall cost of AML/CTF regimes and improving their efficacy. The paper draws on the current experience of new regulated entities not previously exposed to AML/CTF requirements. Regulators implementing risk‐based regimes should consider the issues experienced by low‐capacity entities when measuring the likely success of risk‐based regimes. See similar recommendations made regarding companies and trusts by Transparency International in their March 2009 paper “Undue diligence.”
General confiscation regulation in Spain
Authors: Faraldo Cabana Patricia
Published: May 2010

Purpose

This paper aims to analyse the Spanish confiscation regulation considering the specialised literature as well as the relevant case law.

Design/methodology/approach

The Spanish confiscation regulation and the practical application is discussed in this paper.

Findings

The paper shows the shortfalls in the regulation with regards to Spain's international obligations and the inconsistencies in the judicial application of the legislation, which limit the possibilities of putting a stop to criminal activity centring on obtaining huge profits.

Research limitations/implications

The paper focuses exclusively on the general Spanish confiscation regulation, dispensing with compared analysis. Only Spanish literature is used.

Originality/value

The paper provides readers of other nationalities a complete overview of the matter.
The threats that terrorist and subversive organisations pose, particularly by penetration, to the stability and integrity of financial institutions and markets
Authors: de Koster Philippe
Published: May 2010

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to give a current overview of the threats that terrorist and subversive organisations pose to the stability and integrity of financial institutions and markets and to put forward new measures to efficiently and effectively fight terrorists and terrorist organisations.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper starts from the statement by several experts that criminal and terrorist organisations have managed to organise themselves and have accumulated significant financial resources to integrate them into the financial system. The author uses the own experience as Deputy Director of the Belgium Financial Intelligence Processing Unit, the FATP experience and the practical experience of the Belgium Financial Intelligence Processing Unit (the paper includes practical case studies) to identify these threats and new measures.

Findings

The paper concludes that the traditional approach of fighting money laundering and terrorism financing has its limits and must be complemented in order to be efficient and defeat terrorists or at least decrease their ability to act. The paper proposes a new approach to complement the traditional approach of fighting money laundering and terrorism financing.

Originality/value

Convictions for terrorism or terrorism financing, as well as seizures and confiscations of dirty money remain very limited. Criminal and terrorist organisations are always very active all over the world. This paper is not only consequently very important to identify threats but also to identify and propose new measures to efficiently and effectively fight terrorists and terrorist organisations.
Gender‐based analysis of leadership differences in Turkey
Authors: Çınar Altıntaş Füsun
Published: May 2010

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to investigate differences of leadership styles of Turkish men and women managers in team‐oriented and participative leadership dimensions. In addition, the purpose of this resarch is to find out the differences of leadership styles and also the effect of pre‐managerial and managerial experiences on leadership style in a gender‐based context.

Design/methodology/approach

A web‐based questionnaire was used for the study. Four main hypotheses were tested by ANOVA and structural equation modeling. Research was conducted via a total of 276 managers, composed of 124 women and 152 men, employed by medium‐sized private sector companies in Turkey. The Globe Leadership scale was used in the questionnaire to measure the managers' leadership styles.

Findings

It was found that men and women managers have no differences in team‐oriented and participative leadership styles. Besides, significantly, the pre‐managerial and managerial experiences of the women managers have a bigger effect on leadership styles than those of men managers.

Research limitations/implications

The sampling frame consists of only participants from medium‐sized companies; therefore the results show the opinions of women and men managers from these organizations.

Practical implications

Since it is better able to transfer the pre‐managerial and managerial experiences of women managers on collaborative leadership styles than those of men managers, it requires priority to be given to women managers in these conditions. Consequently, managerial positions that relate to participative and team‐oriented styles may be designed with respect to women managers' strength regarding accelerating the process.

Originality/value

The study adds significantly to the published body of knowledge. Its findings reflect the valuable contribution that managerial experience makes as a vital indicator for gender‐based analysis of leadership styles in Turkey.
Could business cycles and economic crises smooth out at a reasonable cost?
Authors: Vergos Konstantinos P. , Mylonakis John , Christopoulos Apostolos G.
Published: May 2010

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to investigate the effect of macroeconomic factors in income growth, as defined by IS‐LM, and the relation between these factors and economic cycles. More precisely, the paper aims to investigate how the demand and supply factors affect income growth, while the relation between these factors and economic cycles is also examined.

Design/methodology/approach

The sample under examination is the annual US data for 1928‐2007, using the official data as released in the US Bureau of Economic Analysis, while for the crises the used data have been provided by the National Bureau of Economic Research, Graduate Center of the City University of New York. The Business Cycles were examined, using the methodology developed by the National Bureau of Economic Research, Graduate Center of the City University of New York.

Findings

The research findings imply that government consumption expenditure growth is the most important factor that affects Gross Domestic Product growth positively. A change of 10 percent in Government consumption leads to 1.65 percent Gross Domestic Product growth. Also, the duration of crises is affected by lowering interest rates, while being also affected by government and personal consumption. Overall, the empirical findings of the study indicate that the role of private investments for Gross Domestic Product growth may be overrated among policy makers, given the low contribution of this factor to Gross Domestic Product growth.

Research limitations/implications

The model used has some limitations. First, it does not examine the effect of a policy over Gross Domestic Product growth in longer time‐spans. Second, it does not investigate factor inter‐reactions. It could also be argued that other factors that would stimulate growth or affect crisis are not accounted for, such as wars, tax policies, international trade and population growth. Finally, the model investigates only the US economy; therefore, it could be argued that the findings may not coincide with findings from other economies.

Originality/value

The paper contributes to the economics literature by adding a further insight into the possible mix of policy that could be followed by regulatory authorities and governments for both the boost of economy and the finalization of economic crises.
Lessons to be learned
Authors: Pignatel Isabelle , Brown Alistair
Published: May 2010

Purpose

This paper aims to examine the contribution made to climate change issues by the élite French accounting journals ofLa Revue Francophone de ComptabilitéandComptabilité, Contrôle, Audit, for the period 2000‐2005.

Design/methodology/approach

The climate change contributions made by top French to top Anglo‐Saxon journals are compared.

Findings

While Anglo Saxon élite journals place the natural environment outside the fold of the élite accounting academia, French élite accounting organs infuse climate change issues with subtle motives and meanings, providing symbolic power to a plethora of communicators who want to show that accounting can respond to the global environmental risks caused by human problems.

Originality/value

Stress is placed on the fact that Anglo‐Saxon accounting academics approve and endorse the present system of accounting journal ranking. It does not rank France's top journals very highly and makes no room for discourses outside the mainstream.
A chaos analysis for Greek and Turkish equity markets
Authors: Ozun Alper , Hanias Mike P. , Curtis Panayiotis G.
Published: May 2010

Purpose

This paper sets out to apply chaos theory to the prediction of stock returns using Greek and Turkish stock index data. The aim of the analysis is to empirically show whether the markets have informational efficiency, in a comparative perspective.

Design/methodology/approach

The research employs Grassberger and Procaccia's methodology in the time series analysis in order to estimate the correlation and minimum embedding dimensions of the corresponding strange attractor. To achieve out of the sample multistep ahead prediction, the paper gives the average for overall neighbours' projections ofk‐steps into the future.

Findings

The results display the fact that the chaos theory is suitable to examine the time series of stock index returns. The empirical findings show that the stock markets are efficient in Greece, though in Turkey the market is predictable. The main practical implication of the findings is that the technical analysis works in Turkish markets and it is possible to beat the market, while in Greece the fundamental analysis works for equity trading.

Originality/value

The research results have both methodological and practical originality. On the theoretical side, the research shows how the chaos theory can be applied in financial time series analysis. The model is employed with data from Greece, as an EU member; and Turkey, as a candidate to the EU. The fact that the model works in Turkey implies that chaos theory can be used in emerging economies as a prediction model. On the practical side, the paper contributed to the previous literature by providing empirical evidence on market efficiency using a stochastic model.
Mobile operators in the new millennium – retrospect and prospect
Authors: Curwen Peter , Whalley Jason
Published: May 2010

Purpose

The objective of this paper is primarily to look back over developments in the mobile sector during the period 1999‐present (mid‐2009).

Design/methodology/approach

A number of databases have been constructed and these are drawn upon to provide a framework for the analysis.

Findings

Because this is a ten‐year retrospective, no one particular finding is dominant. M&A activity and its consequences form a major theme, as does restructuring in general.

Research limitations/implications

It has not been possible to examine more than a very limited number of themes in order to contain the length of the paper.

Practical implications

It is evident that there is no such thing as equilibrium in the mobile sector. Hence the past ten years are to be seen as part of an ongoing narrative, with a few imminent developments highlighted at the end of the paper.

Originality/value

A retrospective of this kind has never previously been attempted.
A business model for municipal FTTH/B networks: the case of rural Greece
Authors: Troulos Costas , Merekoulias Vasilis , Maglaris Vasilis
Published: May 2010

Purpose

In recent years, many municipalities have made investments in fiber to the home/building (FTTH/B) infrastructures to enhance the digital future of their local communities. This paper aims to propose a business model for managing these municipal FTTH/B networks. The paper also seeks to form a part of the discussion on the business, social and policy implications of municipal involvement in physical broadband infrastructures.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper reviews the international experience in municipal FTTH projects and identifies the best practices. Greece is then used as a case study due to the country's strategic plans to create efficient broadband infrastructures in the periphery of the country. Finally, the municipal business model is examined on three premises: the extent of horizontal integration; the degree of vertical integration; and the appropriate form of ownership.

Findings

The passive infrastructure model applied within the model presented has strong potentials to ensure fair and open competition. The proposed business model exhibits substantial benefits for the telecommunications industry, the local communities and the managing company. It could become an effective policy tool for future regulation, broadband universal service framework, socially optimal investments and social inclusion.

Originality/value

The paper contributes to the international debates regarding the adoption of the “highway” model (“open access”) versus “vertical integration” and the suitability of public‐private partnership (PPP) as a method for developing and operating FTTH/B networks. It also contributes to the discussion about the implications of the public sector's involvement in broadband infrastructure development.
Forecasting tourism demand using consumer expectations
Authors: Claveria Oscar , Datzira Jordi
Published: May 2010

Purpose

There is a lack of studies on tourism demand forecasting that use non‐linear models. The aim of this paper is to introduce consumer expectations in time‐series models in order to analyse their usefulness to forecast tourism demand.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper focuses on forecasting tourism demand in Catalonia for the four main visitor markets (France, the UK, Germany and Italy) combining qualitative information with quantitative models: autoregressive (AR), autoregressive integrated moving average (ARIMA), self‐exciting threshold autoregressions (SETAR) and Markov switching regime (MKTAR) models. The forecasting performance of the different models is evaluated for different time horizons (one, two, three, six and 12 months).

Findings

Although some differences are found between the results obtained for the different countries, when comparing the forecasting accuracy of the different techniques, ARIMA and Markov switching regime models outperform the rest of the models. In all cases, forecasts of arrivals show lower root mean square errors (RMSE) than forecasts of overnight stays. It is found that models with consumer expectations do not outperform benchmark models. These results are extensive to all time horizons analysed.

Research limitations/implications

This study encourages the use of qualitative information and more advanced econometric techniques in order to improve tourism demand forecasting.

Originality/value

This is the first study on tourism demand focusing specifically on Catalonia. To date, there have been no studies on tourism demand forecasting that use non‐linear models such as self‐exciting threshold autoregressions (SETAR) and Markov switching regime (MKTAR) models. This paper fills this gap and analyses forecasting performance at a regional level.
The impact of image congruence between sport event and destination on behavioural intentions
Authors: Hallmann Kirstin , Breuer Christoph
Published: May 2010

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to investigate the influence of image congruence between sport events and their hosts as perceived by sport tourists on future visits to the destination, respectively the sport event.

Design/methodology/approach

In order to measure image congruence an indirect, multi‐attributive measure was chosen – using a self‐administered questionnaire distributed to sport tourists at six different sport events in Germany – so as to be able to investigate the two images first separately and second to construct an independent fit measure using the absolute differences of corresponding items. Logistic regression analyses evaluated dependencies between image congruence, location components and socio‐demographic aspects on behavioural intentions.

Findings

The results show that the overall models are significant and that certain elements such as the affinity of atmosphere do play a central role in predicting future visits.

Research limitations/implications

A research limitation could arise due to the sample because almost all sport tourists were German. A more international sample might have shown different results. Future research should analyse samples of different sports concluding whether the sport performed influences behaviour, too.

Practical implications

Some practical implications with respect to the kind of appeal towards sport tourists are given.

Originality/value

This paper shows that not only separated images affect future behaviour but that the perceived fit between two actually distinct images influences behaviour as well.