bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
What's in store? Retail marketing and corporate social responsibility
Authors: Jones Peter , Comfort Daphne , Hillier David
Published: February 2007

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to present exploratory examination of the ways in which large retailers in the UK are using corporate social responsibility (CSR) as a means of communicating with customers while they are in the store.

Design/methodology/approach

After a literature‐based review of CSR, its relationship to marketing and the rationale for growing retail interest in the topic, an analysis is conducted of CSR reports and information posted on the world wide web by the UK's top ten food retailers, followed by participant observation in their largest branch stores in one medium‐sized English town.

Findings

While there were considerable variations in the extent to which the top ten retailers used CSR themes to communicate with customers at the point of sale, the scope was found to be generally limited. The main messages used concerned support for British food producers, Fairtrade, fitness, healthy living, healthy eating, organic produce, sustainability, employment policies, charitable giving, and support for local communities.

Research limitations/implications

Further studies could confirm and extend understanding of the role of in‐store CSR communications in strengthening brand image and engaging customers with wider social and environmental issues to a company's advantage.

Practical implications

Marketing intelligence insights can form the basis for marketing plans and strategies related to CSR, principally in the context of retailing but also beyond it.

Originality/value

An accessible review of how the UK's leading retailers are addressing CSR issues, of potential interest to marketing academics and practitioners working on and in the retail marketplace.
Strategic marketing in action
Authors: Brooksbank Roger , Taylor David
Published: February 2007

Purpose

To contrast the role and practical application of strategic marketing in higher and lower‐performing firms.

Design/methodology/approach

In‐depth personal interviews with senior marketing executives in three matched high/low performing manufacturing firms in the UK were recorded, transcribed and analysed. The interview agenda was derived from the authors' own previous research studies, plus precedents in the literature.

Findings

These are structured around four key strategic marketing activities previously found to be characteristic of higher performing firms. They clearly show that such companies implement them with a far greater degree of skill, sophistication and ingenuity than do their lower performing counterparts. Above all, for the higher performers, strategic marketing is a truly cross‐functional activity.

Research limitations/implications

The methodology of this study indicates a fruitful approach to further research aimed at extending and refining the findings and recommendations, though details requiring methodological attention are identified.

Originality/value

As an aid to marketing practitioners and educators alike, these findings and conclusions identify and describes a number of specific, applicable characteristics of successful strategic marketing.
Exploring the possibilities of integrating the savings of women in poor urban communities to formal finance systems to enhance housing opportunities
Authors: Kajimo‐Shakantu Kahilu , Evans Kathy
Published: February 2007

Purpose

The purpose of this research is to explore the possibility of integrating women‐centred savings schemes into formal finance systems in order to help such schemes to leverage finance for housing purposes.

Design/methodology/approach

The research adopts a case study approach that uses mainly semi‐structured interviews. The case studies involve two savings schemes with their respective supporting organisations and five commercial banks in South Africa.

Findings

The case studies show that, if savings systems are flexible and suitable to their needs, women are capable of saving and repaying housing loans. The results also suggest that the accumulated group savings and the savings schemes themselves act as good collateral. However, despite showing interest in involvement in the low‐income sector, banks do not have a financially viable and workable business model to exploit this potential market.

Research limitations/implications

Integrated community housing is essential. Future research is required to determine how good repayment rates could be achieved while maintaining risks at acceptable levels.

Practical implications

For practical purposes, collaboration with intermediary organisations working with women‐centred savings schemes would be a beneficial starting point in linking the savings schemes with formal finance systems.

Originality/value

The paper provides valuable reference material for understanding the gap that exists between what banks currently offer and what poor households require in meeting their housing needs. It may also be useful to researchers and practitioners as a basis for exploring innovative finance models for banks.
Examining valuer's judgement in residential property valuations in metropolitan Lagos, Nigeria
Authors: Tajudeen Aluko Bioye
Published: February 2007

Purpose

The purpose of this research is to examine whether valuers consider and interpret intrinsic value elements in a residential property the same way in a familiar location. The price people pay for a complex commodity like residential property is a sum of the utility of various intrinsic and extrinsic characteristics. The skill of the valuer rests in the recognition of value‐enhancing elements in order to arrive at a value for the subject property.

Design/methodology/approach

Relevant data for the study were gathered from a controlled‐experiment involving some residential properties and administration of questionnaires backed up with oral interviews on a random sample of 59 valuation firms in metropolitan Lagos, a commercial nerve‐center in the country. The data were analyzed using both descriptive statistics and analysis of variance.

Findings

The study showed that there are differences in the means and interpretation of value‐enhancing variables amongst valuation firms sampled. The study, inter alia, concluded that non‐duplicative nature of real estate, differences in the skills and degree of technical competence of the valuation firms including length of practice, absence of a centralized database and lack of valuation practice statements as well as updated guidance notes are the key factors, amongst others, responsible for the variability in the valuers' judgement in the study area.

Originality/value

The paper contributes to the empirical literature in valuation accuracy by establishing the level of interpretative errors in residential property valuations and the key factors responsible for the variability in the valuers' judgement in the study area.
Federal Science eLibrary Pilot
Authors: Brown Beverly , Found Cynthia , McConnell Merle
Published: February 2007

Purpose

This paper seeks to describe a pilot project for the Federal Science eLibrary to measure the impacts on Government of Canada researchers when provided with seamless, equitable access to an expanded core of electronic journals in science, technology and medicine (STM). The Federal Science eLibrary is an initiative supported by the Strategic Alliance of Federal Science and Technology Libraries to provide improved access to information at the desktop for the 22,000 Canadian federal scientists, policy analysts and decision makers. The pilot project was designed to evaluate the benefits of increased access to e‐journals at the pilot sites and test network performance in connecting to a central digital repository.

Design/methodology/approach

A total of 500 users in three Canadian government sites with limited access to electronic resources were provided with full text access to a digital repository of over 3,000 e‐journals over a 12‐week period. Questionnaires, teleconferences, usage statistics and e‐mail correspondence were used to gather and measure researchers' response and show impacts on their ability to do their work.

Findings

Pilot groups reported significantly reduced time finding and verifying information. Time saved was redirected into critical activities such as research, laboratory activities, manuscript preparation, peer review activities and professional reading. Participants found that increased desktop access had a very positive impact on their ability to do their work.

Originality/value

This study shows the benefits of expanded access to electronic journals for federal government scientists through a Federal Science eLibrary initiative.
RFID implementation and benefits in libraries
Authors: Yu Shien‐Chiang
Published: February 2007

Purpose

Radio frequency identification (RFID) applications that provide batch access, storage mass data and reprogramming are better than barcodes. Applying RFID can promote operational efficiency and precision. The cost is one of the major factors influencing whether or not RFID will be accepted in libraries. Although RFID has improved the efficiency of libraries, the essence of the library service has not changed.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper analyzes feasibility studies regarding the structure and application of the RFID system.

Findings

To economize on the expense, the first step to consider is applying RFID to specific collections. Employing RFID systems to supply inventory, entrance guard, and to gather reading statistics is possible. Further extensions to other collections and all kinds of materials in libraries are likely after the technology develops.

Originality/value

The paper provides an evaluation and a model for implementing RFID solutions in libraries.
E‐learning model for Polish libraries: BIBWEB
Authors: Bednarek‐Michalska Bożena , Wołodko Anna
Published: February 2007

Purpose

This article aims to describe the important role of e‐learning in Poland and to cover experiences in transferring and localising the course, know‐how about how to find strategic partners and establishing a sound infrastructure for e‐learning, and guidelines as to how to get and use feedback from learners to continuously improve the quality of the course.

Design/methodology/approach

The article describes the situation in the Polish library world and the process of implementation and conducting the BIBWEB online course for librarians. It also relates to how the course improves information literacy.

Findings

Libraries in Poland can considerably strengthen their role as an element of the information and knowledge society by expanding their offers regarding internet access and e‐learning. The situation in Germany in 1999 was comparable with the current situation in Poland. As a reaction to this, the Bertelsmann Foundation initiated an online course offer comprising three modules: “BIBWEB – internet training for libraries” (see www.bibweb.de), which met with great acceptance in Germany. For this reason, it made sense to translate the existing successful course product and adapt it to the special requirements of libraries in Poland. The Bertelsmann Foundation and its two project partners, the Warsaw University Library and the “Elektroniczna Biblioteka” (EBIB) library information service, have jointly developed such a Polish‐language online course (see www.bibweb.pl) and have offered it on the internet to the specialist target group since 2003.

Originality/value

This paper shows the benefits of an international educational project. Polish experiences concerning e‐learning may be useful for other nations.
Methodological approaches in web search research
Authors: Mansourian Yazdan , Madden Andrew D.
Published: February 2007

Purpose

This paper seeks to review the methodologies employed by researchers working in the field of information seeking on the web. It aims to present an overall picture of the research methods used in the area, in a way that will be of value to anyone seeking to design research‐based studies of web searching.

Design/methodology/approach

A review of the past 11 years of research on information seeking on the web was carried out. The paper focuses mainly on the methodological approaches adopted by researchers, but, where relevant, studies of different aspects of user interaction with web‐based search tools are considered.

Findings

The area is growing fast and the number of studies has been increasing steadily. A variety of research methods was employed in the studies reviewed here. However, the emphasis to date has been on quantitative rather than qualitative methods. The paper argues that a better balance is needed between these two approaches.

Research limitations/implications

Web search research comprises a wide range of related studies, making it difficult for the authors to carry out a comprehensive review. Nevertheless, limiting its focus to methodological aspects of the existing research, this paper provides a useful overview.

Originality/value

The paper provides a useful starting‐point to any researcher new to web search research, enabling them quickly to achieve an overview of the methodological approaches adopted to date.
The effects of electronic access to scientific literature in the consortium of Turkish university libraries
Authors: Kirlidog Melih , Bayir Didar
Published: February 2007

Purpose

The paper seeks to provide some insight into the sharp increase in scientific publications originating from Turkish academic and research institutions in the last few years. The underlying reasons – widespread access to literature through electronic databases being the most important – are also investigated.

Design/methodology/approach

Although it is difficult to gauge national scientific productivity, the number of publications in electronic databases that index thousands of scientific journals can give some indication. Web of Science is one of these, and it is provided to the Turkish academic community along with several other databases by the national library consortium. Based on the Web of Science data, a comparative analysis was performed to investigate publications originating from Turkey and other countries.

Findings

The analysis revealed a sharp increase in publications from Turkish institutions in the last few years. Considering the highest publishing 30 countries out of 190, the increase between 2001 and 2003 is 53.48 percent for Turkey, followed by 34 percent for China and 26.87 percent for South Korea.

Research limitations/implications

Although one of the largest databases was analyzed, it is only one of several. Additionally, there are also several other indicators of scientific productivity such as books published and citations received.

Originality/value

The paper provides some insight into the importance of library consortia and the efficient literature access they provide to researchers.
Parallel computing for seismic response analysis of immersed tunnel with domain decomposition
Authors: Guo Yizhi , Jin Xianlong , Ding Junhong
Published: February 2007

Purpose

Taking into account the long‐term influences of the non‐linear behavior of the material as well as the large deformation and contact conditions, the limiting factors of the computer simulation are the computer runtime and the memory requirement during solution of seismic response analysis for immersed tunnel. This research aims to overcome these problems.

Design/methodology/approach

This research deals with parallel explicit finite element simulation with domain decomposition for seismic response analysis of immersed tunnel, which is the non‐linear and time‐dependent behavior of complex structures in engineering. A domain decomposition method based on parallel contact algorithm and dynamic‐explicit time integration procedure are used, and the latter is used for the solution of the semi‐discrete equations of motion, which is very suited for parallel processing. Using the high performance computer SGI Onyx3800, the seismic response analysis of the immersed tunnel in Shanghai is processed with more than 1.2 million nodes and more than 1 million elements in final finite element model.

Findings

The results show numerical scalability of this algorithm and reveal the dangerous joints in this immersed tunnel under Tangshan seismic acceleration, and it could also provide references for the antiseismic design of the immersed tunnel.

Originality/value

With the increasing demands in the scale, accuracy and speed of numerical simulation in geotechnical engineering, parallel computing has its great application in this area. This paper fulfils an identified method need, and it is believed more and more research work will be devoted to this research field in the near future.
The nature of international retail divestment: insights from Ahold
Authors: Palmer Mark , Quinn Barry
Published: February 2007

Purpose

This paper aims to explore the nature of divestment within the context of retailer internationalisation.

Design/methodology/approach

It focuses on the activities of the Dutch food multinational retailer Royal Ahold (Ahold). Drawing on 37 in‐depth interviews with investment banks and executives, this paper provides a number of insights into Ahold's international retail divestment activities within the context of a broadly successful international investment strategy.

Findings

It offers some new insights into the multidimensional nature of international retail divestment construct in terms of the operational as well as more subtle and less visible non‐operational international retail divestments. It is concluded from this study that, rather than portraying strategic and opportunistic approaches as binary opposites, a retail firm may have varying degrees of approaches to international retail divestment, and these may not necessarily be isomorphic across different countries.

Research limitations/implications

The paper explores international retail divestment from a rather broad perspective, although it is hoped that these parameters can be used to raise a new set of more detailed priorities for future research on international retail divestment.

Practical implications

This paper raises a number of interesting issues such as whether retailers initially take divestment seriously and the degree to which this is actually possible during market entry.

Originality/value

As called for in the literature, this study examines divestment in the broadest possible fashion, thus addressing a major gap in our understanding of the whole internationalisation process.
Price sensitivity as an indicator of customer defection in retail banking
Authors: Santonen Teemu
Published: February 2007

Purpose

The purpose of this research is to analyse how different dimensions of perceived service loyalty including price sensitivity explains the consumer defection in retail banking.

Design/methodology/approach

Empirical tests were conducted with survey data from nearly 1,700 consumers in Finland.

Findings

The findings support previous suggestion that service loyalty can be determined by following four dimensions, although a shade of interference in the unidimensionality of the service loyalty instrument in question was observed: purchase intention; word‐of‐mouth communication; price sensitivity; and complaining behaviour.

Originality/value

It was found that only the price sensitivity dimension – in which reliability and unidimensionality was strongly verified – was related to the likelihood of defection in the case of low‐price and limited product range driven sales offers. Results show that loyal customers are also open to attractive marketing information. This outcome is important since the willingness to acquire information on the rival offer was related to customer defection.
Prediction of attitude and behavioural intentions in retail banking
Authors: Baumann Chris , Burton Suzan , Elliott Gregory , Kehr Hugo M.
Published: February 2007

Purpose

This research seeks to explore the factors predicting customer loyalty in retail banking. Loyalty was measured in terms of a customer's willingness to recommend a bank and their intention to remain with their main bank short‐term (in the next six months) and long‐term (from six months to five years).

Design/methodology/approach

The study was based on a mail survey of 1,951 individuals. Potential predictors were drawn from the literature and included in three separate regression models to model different types of loyalty.

Findings

The results indicate that willingness to recommend is best predicted by affective attitude, overall satisfaction and empathy. Short‐term behavioural intentions, however, were best predicted by overall satisfaction and responsiveness, while long‐term intentions were predicted by overall satisfaction, affective attitude and empathy. The three models explained a substantial amount of the variation in the dependent variables: 71 per cent for willingness to recommend, 43 per cent for short‐term intentions and 46 per cent for long‐term intentions.

Research limitations/implications

The study adds to the discussion of the relationship between perceived satisfaction, service quality and a customer's intentions to recommend a bank and/or remain a customer. The results also contribute to the development of more parsimonious models, suggesting that affective attitude, overall satisfaction, empathy and responsiveness together explain a large percentage of the variation in customers' intentions.

Practical implications

Based on this study's findings, banks can profile customers with potential for defection based on only four variables.

Originality/value

The results demonstrate the importance of satisfaction measures and some SERVQUAL dimensions in predicting loyalty in retail banking. It also found evidence that not all five SERVQUAL measures are needed to profile customers and predict loyalty.
Making bancassurance work: matching global power to local knowledge
Authors: Norman Larry
Published: February 2007

Purpose

The paper aims to provide an examination of the concept of bancassurance – the combined selling of insurance and banking products, from the viewpoint of a leading figure within the AEGON Financial Services Group.

Design/methodology/approach

This is a short and accessible account of the concept and history of bancassurance and the principles that AEGON apply to it, to make it successful for them.

Findings

Since it began in the 1980s, bancassurance has had mixed success not only in different markets but among different companies in the same market. The author argues that pursuing a specialised, local approach to bancassurance is the most effective way in maximising its benefits.

Originality/value

The paper provides an interesting insight into bancassurance from the perspective of AEGON Financial Services.
Increasing ISO 9000 certification benefits: a continuous improvement approach
Authors: Terziovski Milé , Power Damien
Published: February 2007

Purpose

To test the strength of the relationship between motivation for seeking ISO 9000 certification, quality culture, management responsibility, and the perceived benefits derived from ISO 9000 certification.

Design/methodology/approach

The research involved the development and application of a survey instrument applied to a sample of 1500 ISO 9000 certified organisations. The response rate was 27 per cent (400 responses). The data was analysed using SPSS for Windows, multivariate functions.

Findings

Amongst the major findings is organisations that seek ISO 9000 certification with a proactive approach driven by a continuous improvement strategy are more likely to derive significant business benefits as a result. We also found that organisations can effectively use ISO certification as a means of promoting and facilitating a quality culture, where the quality auditor is an important player in the process.

Originality/value

The paper reinforces the long held anecdotal view that the development of a strong quality culture should precede ISO certification. Yet results also show that ISO certification can promote this culture. We conclude that the motivation for seeking certification would determine which comes first: the quality culture or ISO 9000 certification. The findings are important evidence for managers to make a decision whether to seek ISO 9000 certification or not. Our research results show that ISO 9000 certification can deliver significant business benefits if it is implemented as part of a continuous improvement strategy.
Using assessment centre performance to predict subjective person‐organisation (P‐O) fit
Authors: Garavan Thomas N.
Published: February 2007

Purpose

This research aims to contribute to the discussion of P‐O fit by examining the potential of assessment centre performance to predict graduate P‐O fit over time. Does assessment centre performance provide predictive value over and above that provided by personality, work experience, level of degree, socialisation tactics, and quality of training and development?

Design/methodology/approach

The study utilises a panel design and surveyed graduates at three points over a six‐year period. The sample size used for analysis was 137.

Findings

The findings revealed that assessment centre performance predicted P‐O fit, even after controlling for personality, level of initial degree, work experience, socialisation tactics and quality of training and development. The findings indicated that assessment centre performance had predictive value over the six‐year period of the study.

Research limitations/implications

The study indicates that the assessment centre has long‐term value as a selection tool in the context of predicting P‐O fit. The implications for future research include the extent to which this finding will hold for objective as well as subjective P‐O fit. It is also appropriate to investigate the link between assessment centre performance and P‐O fit, based on the perceptions of others such as boss and subordinates. Future research should examine these relationships on a different sample of employees.

Originality/value

Examines the potential of assessment centre performance to predict graduate P‐O fit over time.
The audit expectation gap: evidence from Lebanon
Authors: Munir Sidani Yusuf
Published: February 2007

Purpose

The audit expectation gap has been examined in many regions of the world, but the extent of such a gap has not been investigated in many Middle‐Eastern countries. This study attempts to assess the possible existence of an expectation gap between accountants and non‐accountants in Lebanon.

Design/methodology/approach

Survey research was conducted on a sample of accountants and non‐accountants and comparisons made.

Findings

A significant “reasonableness gap” was uncovered. There is a gap between the auditors' understanding of their profession compared with the perceptions of others. There is a significant difference in perceptions of the role of the auditor in respect of fraud detection. Neither group had a strong image of the Lebanon profession compared with worldwide audit practices or with the technical qualifications of the auditors.

Research limitations/implications

This research can be extended through assessing whether there are differences between different non‐accountants (judges, lawyers, bankers, brokers, etc.) in terms of their understanding of the role of external auditors.

Practical implications

Much more concerted effort needs to be exercised from professional syndicates and other relevant stakeholders in developing the image of the profession and addressing the varying perceptions and attitudes towards it.

Originality/value

This paper adds evidence to the important debate about expectation gap from a region that has had little coverage.
Serving the world's poor: innovation at the base of the economic pyramid
Authors: Anderson Jamie , Billou Niels
Published: February 2007

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to test the hypothesis that there are common challenges and approaches in serving low‐income customers in developing markets, and that these can be articulated and refined to get better business results.

Design/methodology/approach

This article derives from research on serving customers at the bottom of the economic pyramid in industries such as fast‐moving consumer goods (fmcg), financial services, telecommunications, construction, health care and home appliances. A two‐year research project was undertaken to test the hypothesis that there were common challenges and approaches in serving bottom of the economic pyramid customers, and that these could be articulated and refined to get better business results. Field visits were made to China, Egypt, India, Mexico and the Philippines, and in‐depth interviews took place with companies that had succeeded in serving customers living in poverty. Companies were identified from the existing body of literature, observation and personal contact. Additionally, data were collected from developing case studies on multinational corporations and local firms that have been successful in serving low‐income customers in developing markets.

Findings

The research resulted in the development of a structured framework for developing strategies to serve low‐income customers in emerging markets,

Practical implications

The paper is of direct practical relevance for management practitioners. In particular, the paper suggests that managers need to go beyond traditional marketing approaches to adopt strategies that are customer‐ rather than firm‐centric, and take into account the unique institutional context of many developing markets.

Originality/value

The paper is original in its recommendation that managers might also need to go beyond traditional business partners in developing markets, and explore the role of non‐traditional participants.
The connected enterprise: beyond division of labor
Authors: Galpin Timothy , Hilpirt Rod , Evans Bruce
Published: February 2007

Purpose

The central messages of the article are threefold. First, a summary of research testing the perception that cross‐functional organization designs provide key advantages and differentiators for firms in today's hypercompetitive business climate. Second, includes a multifaceted “body of evidence” (e.g. multiple data sources, a range of industries, and various levels of management). Third, pragmatic recommendations regarding how to advance elusive cross‐functional organization design constructs, which today's executives are increasingly seeking to implement.

Design/methodology/approach

The article addresses several key questions – are organizations today more like cross‐functional “symphonies” or do they still resemble the traditional, functional, manufacturing model? Are cross‐functional organizations really more effective than functional organizations? And, if cross‐functional organizations are more effective, why aren't they more prevalent? To answer these questions, information from three key sources was assembled to test a body of evidence: first, a Business Schools Programs Review: a comparison of “functional” versus “cross‐functional” business school programs, that included 61 schools offering Masters of Business Administration degrees, located across the USA; second, a scan of the business literature available from five key online sources; and third, a management survey that included 212 total respondents from 37 different industries.

Findings

The evidence presented supports five key conclusions: “Functionality” is still the prevailing organization design. Business schools are not functionally focused, but corporate training is. Functionality dominates the management literature. More managers manage functionally. Cross‐functional organizations appear to have several performance advantages over functional organizations.

Research limitations/implications

The key limitation of the current research, and implication for future research, is that cross‐functional and functional organizational financial performance comparisons were not conducted. Financial performance comparisons should be addressed by future research.

Practical implications

The article provides a set of 12 pragmatic recommendations regarding how to implement cross‐functional organization design structures.

Originality/value

The content of the article is useful to executives and managers for several reasons, including: pragmatic recommendations regarding how to implement cross‐functional organization design structures, which today's executives are increasingly seeking to employ. Multifaceted evidence highlighting the differences between functional and cross‐functional structures. Research confirming the assumption that cross‐functional organization designs provide a key differentiator for firms in today's hypercompetitive business climate. Broad application to companies across multiple industries. An overview of available organization design literature and case examples.
Tin pest in electronics?
Authors: Plumbridge W.J.
Published: February 2007

Purpose

To review the literatures, and to consider the latest results regarding the formation of tin pest in lead‐free solders and interconnections.

Design/methodology/approach

Previous work, over almost a century, on tin pest formation in tin and its alloy has been critically analysed. Samples of the new generation of lead‐free solders, which have experienced long term storage at −18 and −40°C, have been examined.

Findings

Tin pest has been observed in bulk samples of tin −0.5 (wt%) copper solder after exposure at −18°C although not at −40°C. Other lead‐free alloys (Sn‐3.5Ag, Sn‐3.8Cu‐0.7Cu and Sn‐Zn‐Bi) have been immune to date. Large‐scale model joints exhibit tin pest but actual joints may be resistant due to the limited free solder surface available and the constraint of intermetallic compounds and components.

Research limitations/implications

The possibility of tin pest formation in joints remains. It seems that impurities are essential protection against it, but for long term applications there is no certainty that tin pest and joint deterioration will never occur.

Originality/value

The paper considers the various factors that may affect tin pest formation and demonstrates its existence in one of the more popular new lead‐free alloys.
Lithographically printed voltaic cells – a feasibility study
Authors: Southee Darren , Hay Gareth I. , Evans Peter S.A. , Harrison David J.
Published: February 2007

Purpose

It has been shown that circuit interconnects and various passive components can be fabricated on a variety of flexible substrates using the offset lithographic process. This paper reports on a feasibility study investigating the manufacture of voltaic cells deposited via offset lithography.

Design/methodology/approach

The Leclanché cell, an established battery chemistry, was chosen as an appropriate technology for adaptation to the offset lithographic process. Development of inks with appropriate rheological properties for lithographic printing was undertaken. Zinc and carbon electrodes were fabricated with silver‐based current collectors. Electrolyte composition was investigated along with separator materials.

Findings

Zinc and carbon‐based inks have been produced which result in deposited material appropriate for use as electrodes. A separator material soaked in electrolyte has been combined with these electrode structures and an MnO2 paste to form a voltaic cell. A printed battery, made up of these voltaic cells, with a capacity greater than 8 mAh at 6 V has been produced.

Originality/value

The fabrication of voltaic cells via offset lithography facilitates the production of electronic systems with power sources provided by the same printing process. This paper provides information of interest to all those involved in the developing industry of printed and flexible electronics.
Implementation of the RoHS directive and compliance implications for the PCB sector
Authors: Goosey Martin
Published: February 2007

Purpose

To present an overview of the current status of the RoHS directive and its implications for the printed circuit board (PCB) industry.

Design/methodology/approach

A review paper detailing the requirements of the RoHS directive, the materials that are proscribed, where they are found and the impacts on PCB fabrication and assembly.

Findings

The main implications of RoHS for the PCB industry are related to the proscription of lead and the move to lead‐free assembly. Tin‐lead HASL finished boards will no longer be allowed and new laminates may be needed to accommodate the higher soldering temperatures associated with lead‐free assembly. There is growing pressure to move away from the use of brominated flame retardants, even though the standard materials used in FR4 type laminates are not proscribed.

Research limitations/implications

Manufacturers need to be aware of the implications of the RoHS directive, not just in terms of compliance but also from a materials selection and reliability perspective.

Originality/value

The paper details how the RoHS directive impacts PCB manufacturing and assembly and highlights the changes needed to enable reliable lead‐free assembly within the context of legislative compliance. Actions necessary to ensure compliance are also detailed.
Tourism and the general agreement on trade in services
Authors: George Babu P. , Henthorne Tony L.
Published: February 2007

Purpose

The paper is developed around, and aims to focus on, the possible impacts of the General Agreement on Trade in Services (GATS) for sustainable development of tourism, especially in the context of the third world.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper is an exploration of the issues.

Findings

Findings generally imply that the historical development of GATS is not in tune with the aspirations of the small and medium scale enterprises in tourism, especially those located in the South. The agreements show only scant regard for the principles of sustainable development, too.

Practical implications

On a pragmatic level, the paper highlights the opportunities and threats to the stakeholders. It focuses on the most disadvantaged ones in tourism development and provides a set of guidelines for informed action.

Originality/value

The paper tries to explain the meaning and intent of technical and arcane treaty clauses in understandable terms and provide a set of guidelines within which the treaty has to be structured for the best results. The paper offers valuable inputs for the negotiators, the tourism business community, the NGOs, the governments, and other stakeholder groups.
Housing and superannuation: social security in Singapore
Authors: Reisman David
Published: February 2007

Purpose

Singapore does not have a welfare State. Instead it has full employment, rapid growth, affordable education and equality of opportunity. It also has the Housing Development Board and the Central Provident Fund. Public housing and compulsory savings are the subject of this paper. The purpose of the study is to investigate the nature of the symbiosis and the strategy.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper collects evidence on housing and superannuation to establish the precise link between them.

Findings

It is established that a great deal of Singaporeans' savings and wealth is locked up in their flats and houses. It shows that the relationship is risky in view of a rapidly ageing population and an increasing life‐expectancy in the post‐earning years.

Practical implications

Singapore is used as a case study to derive lessons for other countries wishing to combine good housing with adequate retirement provisions.

Originality/value

The paper seeks to show that housing and superannuation are both valuable elements in responsible public policy, but that, when combined, it is possible to have too much of a good thing.
How culture evolves: an institutional analysis
Authors: Kathleen Williams Leslie
Published: February 2007

Purpose

This paper seeks to propose a framework that describes how culture evolves and how certain external shocks may or may not cause it to change.

Design/methodology/approach

The central point is that culture, like firms and markets, is a type of institution and is, therefore, susceptible to the same sort of analysis applied to other institutional forms. In this study, culture is examined from the game‐equilibrium view of institutions that suggests that norms of behavior are endogenously generated and become self‐enforcing through the repeated interaction of individuals. Two historical examples are offered to assess the proposed framework: the experience of ethnic Malays in Malaysia following independence from Britain, and Brazil's agricultural workers during the early part of the twentieth century.

Findings

Conceptualizing culture in institutional terms challenges conventional wisdom, which regards culture as exogenously given. The institutional view of culture permits an evaluation of environmental changes as to the likelihood that they will change generally held beliefs.

Research limitations/implications

To the extent that culture explains, in part, the economic performance of societies, the implication for policy makers is that they do not have to wait patiently for slow cultural change or rely on serendipity to achieve a more productive culture paradigm.

Originality/value

This paper applies concepts from institutional economics to the study of culture evolution and change.
The social and economic impact of the call center industry in Ireland
Authors: Jobs Charles , Burris Deena , Butler David
Published: February 2007

Purpose

This paper seeks to build on a previous article published in International Journal of Social Economics Vol. 33 No. 10 titled, “A case study in the globalization of jobs in Ireland” by objectively assessing many socioeconomic implications of the call center industry in Ireland. The paper first builds a foundation of understanding on what comprises the call center sector and highlights the fact that it is a large, complex and stratified business. It investigates the socioeconomic impact of this industry on Ireland by analyzing how Irish call center jobs pay compared with other Irish industry sectors and the impact of immigration on salary levels. The paper also assesses the evolution of the business model of Irish call centers and Ireland's international recruiting patterns as they impact the Irish labor pool. Finally, it seeks to explore in depth the nature of call center sociopolitical activity and influence.

Design/methodology/approach

This general review is based on a field research project including survey data obtained by a team from the University of Southern Mississippi and supported by The Irish Development Agency (IDA). The survey collected data about the workers, management and demographic trends of the Irish call/contact center sector. This information is enhanced by review of literature and available secondary data.

Findings

This paper builds a foundational understanding for the reader of the true nature of the call center business within Ireland and in global terms. It offers a balanced assessment to the common perception that call centers are white‐collar sweatshops and articulates the true nature of this stratified and evolving business sector. The paper then explores the socioeconomic impact of the evolution of this key employment sector in Ireland.

Originality/value

It builds on the case study paper featured in Vol. 33 No. 10 of the International Journal of Social Economics by investigating in greater detail the social and economic impact of this research on Irish workers. The value is that the paper studies a significant Irish industry sector in terms of social effects brought on by change due to advances in technology and the globalization of jobs. This is important to economic development groups such as IDA Ireland and development agencies in other countries facing similar situations.
Market‐wide and sectoral integration
Authors: Antoniou Antonios , Pescetto Gioia M. , Stevens Ibrahim
Published: February 2007

Purpose

The paper seeks to investigate conditional correlations and conditional volatility spillovers across international stock markets and industrial sectors from the perspective of the UK investor.

Design/methodology/approach

Utilizing the DCC model, the paper extracts the time‐varying conditional correlations between the UK, US and European stock markets and industrial sectors. It also uses the multivariate generalized autoregressive conditional heteroscedasticity (MVGARCH) to assess the transmission of volatility from the US and European stock markets to the UK.

Findings

The findings suggest that the UK equity market is more integrated with Europe, in terms of both aggregate stock markets and sectors. Correlations are higher during bear markets and tend to fall during periods of recovery. The sectoral analysis also provides interesting insights into the dynamics of volatility transmission across sectors.

Research limitations/implications

The results suggest that the search for a better understanding of the dynamics of correlations between markets and sectors must continue.

Practical implications

The investigation raises interesting questions for investors and regulators, as well as theoretical finance. For example, the finding that correlations increase in bear markets suggests that hedging strategies need to be revisited. The existence of sectoral idiosyncratic volatility offers further evidence that arbitrage may at times become more risky and thus limited.

Originality/value

The findings from analysing both market‐wide and sectoral integration raises the overarching question of whether studies of market integration and portfolio diversification, as well as the authorities overseeing financial stability, should be focusing on sectoral rather than market‐wide analysis.
Market frictions and stock return dynamics
Authors: Koutmos Gregory , Philippatos George C.
Published: February 2007

Purpose

This paper seeks to test the hypothesis that stock returns in the Athens Stock Exchange (ASE) adjust asymmetrically to past information due to differential adjustment costs.

Design/methodology/approach

The methodological approach is based on the asymmetric price adjustment model suggested by Koutmos. The model is estimated using daily sector stock return data for the ASE over the period 2 January 1992‐1 March 1999.

Findings

The empirical evidence suggests that prices respond asymmetrically to past information. Specifically, positive past returns are more persistent than negative past returns of an equal magnitude. This behavior is consistent with an asymmetric partial adjustment price model where news suggesting overpricing (negative returns) are incorporated faster into current market prices than news suggesting underpricing (positive returns).

Research limitations/implications

This paper does not investigate the possibility that the asymmetric price adjustment is related to conditional heteroscedasticity in stock return. Further research in this area should prove very useful.

Practical implications

The findings in this paper have important theoretical and practical implications. On the theoretical level the findings suggest that violations of the efficient markets hypothesis could be due to market frictions and costly adjustments. On the practical level, the asymmetric adjustment process could improve trading profits, especially those based on momentum strategies.

Originality/value

This paper presents new findings on the stock price dynamics of the ASE. These findings should be of interest to researchers, regulators and market participants.