bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Does service innovation process differ across cultures?
Authors: Alam Intekhab
Published: October 2010

Purpose

New service development (NSD) is an important driver of growth, success and wealth of service firms in wide range of industries. Yet, few research studies have been done to investigate the issue of NSD across several geographical regions. The purpose of this paper is to report the results of a comparative cross‐national study of NSD process of financial service firms in Australia and India.

Design/methodology/approach

A survey methodology was used to assess and test the similarities and differences in various NSD activities and stages of service firms in the two seemingly different types of markets.

Findings

The data suggest that significant differences in NSD exist between the Australian and Indian firms. They emphasize different sets of development stages in developing new services and follow different sets strategies.

Research limitations/implications

The analysis has been restricted to two countries: Australia and India. This suggests the need for further comparative studies of NSD in other cultures/countries.

Practical implications

The findings of this research support the notion that some of the key NSD practices may be common to all countries and cultures whereas others must be adjusted for national variations.

Originality/value

The insights from this study can help service managers from both Australia and India to better understand and manage their NSD programs in a cross‐national context.
Buying committees in the Chinese retail industry
Authors: Sternquist Brenda , Wang Lu
Published: October 2010

Purpose

Retailers act as assemblers of merchandise, selecting goods from among a wide range of available products in order to enhance customer value and loyalty. The purpose of this paper is to investigate the Chinese retail buying system, focusing on the buying committee, which is defined as a group of individuals from different positions that have the authority to make final judgments and decisions regarding such matters as adding or eliminating new products.

Design/methodology/approach

This study uses a survey administered to retail buyers.

Findings

Results of independent t‐tests support the hypothesis that the influence of guanxi will be greater in the retail firms without a buying committee. State‐owned enterprises are more likely to use a buying committee than non‐state‐owned enterprises.

Research limitations/implications

Although the sample represents buyers from many regions in China it is not a random sample; this limits the generalizing of results.

Practical implications

Suppliers wishing to sell to Chinese retailers need to know how selling to a retailer using a buying committee will affect their access to buyers.

Originality/value

This is the only paper describing research that focuses on the internal structure of a buying committee within a Chinese retail store. Data of this nature are extremely difficult to obtain.
Chinese consumers' perception of hypermarket store image
Authors: Chang En‐Chi , Luan Bo
Published: October 2010

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is first, to find out store image attributes valued by Chinese consumers in Beijing; second, to understand Chinese consumers' preference by comparing an international retailer with a domestic retailer; and third, to provide both international and domestic retailers with suggestions for store image improvement.

Design/methodology/approach

This study used a three‐stage approach to collect the data. First, two waves of semi‐structured interviews were carried out, followed by a survey, concluding with another wave of interviews. The survey data were analyzed using SPSS.

Findings

The paper finds that there are 18 important attributes in building a hypermarket retailer's store image in China. Beijing consumers are more concerned with a retailer's reputation and services than with the price. In terms of store image dimensions, the paper concludes that store atmosphere is the most important, followed by service personnel and merchandise.

Research limitations/implications

The research scope is limited to Beijing.

Practical implications

The practical implications of the findings are that: store atmosphere is the most important store image dimension for Beijing consumers; Chinese consumers no longer look only for low prices; international hypermarket retailers hold better store image than domestic retailers; and corporate reputation is important for hypermarket retailers in China, followed by quality of goods and staff's service attitude.

Originality/value

This paper is the first to investigate Chinese consumers' perception of store image and top concerns when shopping at a hypermarket.
Malaysian consumers' credit card usage behavior
Authors: Ahmed Zafar U. , Ismail Ishak , Sadiq Sohail M. , Tabsh Ibrahim , Alias Hasbalaila
Published: October 2010

Purpose

Despite the spread in usage and ownership of credit cards, few studies have examined its effect on consumer debt in developing nations. The main purpose of this paper is to understand consumers' attitude and spending behavior using credit cards.

Design/methodology/approach

This study is based on a questionnaire survey conducted in Malaysia. Based on an extensive review of literature, a model is developed to identify the psychographic factors that influence the consumer attitudes toward using credit cards.

Findings

The paper found support for some of the theoretical expectations and lends support to some of the earlier deviations reported in the literature.

Practical implications

The findings are likely to be important to banks and financial institutions issuing credit cards, as they help managers to have a better understanding of cardholders in Malaysia and their attitude and behavior toward usage of credit cards.

Originality/value

This paper makes a valuable contribution given the fact that there is a dearth of empirical studies of this nature focusing on Malaysia.
The effect of option choice reversibility on product option choices and regrets
Authors: Pornpitakpan Chanthika
Published: October 2010

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to examine the effect of option choice reversibility on the number of options chosen, total spending, and upset/regret from actions/inaction, using 124 Singaporean adults.

Design/methodology/approach

The experiment employs two levels of option choice reversibility: fully reversible without a penalty vs strictly irreversible. Participants add options to a base model or delete options from a full model and are either allowed or not allowed to change options in a condominium purchase scenario.

Findings

Compared to participants in the irreversible choice condition, those in the reversible choice select more options and end up with higher total spending. In the irreversible option choice condition, participants anticipate more upset (one aspect of regret) when they take actions than inaction, but in the reversible option choice condition, the reverse is true.

Research limitations/implications

The study uses only one decision stimulus, which is a condominium purchase, and the purchase scenario might not be as realistic as an actual purchase decision.

Practical implications

Refunds and option change permission policies make consumers feel they can reverse their buying decisions, making them feel the decisions are less risky and thus inducing them to buy more than when no refunds or option change is allowed after purchase. To drive consumers to take actions, marketers should allow consumers to change their mind after making decisions and assure them of such policy.

Originality/value

The paper shows the effect of decision reversibility on the total spending (i.e. the total costs of choices made) and extends the theory about omission biases by demonstrating that regrets from actions/inaction depend on decision reversibility.
Factors influencing tourists' revisit intentions
Authors: Quintal Vanessa A. , Polczynski Aleksandra
Published: October 2010

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to examine how university students' satisfaction with perceived attractiveness, quality, value, and low risk impact on their revisit intentions (RVI) to a holiday destination.

Design/methodology/approach

A ten minute pen and paper questionnaire was distributed to undergraduate and postgraduate students in a large Western Australia university through a non‐probability, convenience sampling approach. In total, 228 useable responses were collected, achieving a 60 per cent response rate.

Findings

The empirical results from the structural model suggest that satisfaction (SAT) with the attractiveness, quality, and value provided by the destination positively influenced RVI. Perceived risk did not have the predicted effects on SAT and RVI.

Research limitations/implications

Convenience sampling method restricts the representativeness of results across all university students. Future studies can examine the influences of culture, national and multiculturism on RVI of tourist destinations. This study can also be replicated with larger sample sizes.

Practical implications

The key finding suggests that perceptions are crucial in achieving customer satisfaction and customer loyalty and therefore must be handled proactively to develop lasting relationships.

Originality/value

Limited research in the past has been conducted on RVI of tourism destinations. Influence of perceived risk was also examined towards RVI.
Why a concern for apologia and crisis communication?
Authors: Timothy Coombs W. , Frandsen Finn , Holladay Sherry J. , Johansen Winni
Published: October 2010

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to provide context for and a preview of the content for the special issue on corporate apologia.

Design/methodology/approach

The methodology is a review of literature relevant to crisis communication and the role of apologia within this body of literature.

Findings

Apologia, a rhetoric of self‐defense, has a strong connection in the creation and development of crisis communication. Current research is moving beyond the parameters of apologia but it remains a strong influence on the field. Future crisis communication research needs to explore further the role of emotion if crisis communication and the implications of international crisis communication. The various contributions the articles in the special issue provide for crisis communication are reviewed as a means of previewing the special issue.

Practical implications

The paper provides lessons that crisis managers can apply when they need to communicate during a crisis.

Originality/value

The paper provides insights into the development of crisis communication and the role of apologia in that development.
Apologizing in a globalizing world: crisis communication and apologetic ethics
Authors: Frandsen Finn , Johansen Winni
Published: October 2010

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to study three apologies or statements offered by the Vatican and/or Pope Benedict XVI after a much‐debated lecture at the University of Regensburg in Germany in 2006. The rhetorical model of apologizing and apologetic ethics proposed by Hearit is applied and tested in the study with the aim of expanding his theory.

Design/methodology/approach

The research design is qualitative and based on a case study methodology combining rhetorical criticism and ethics with crisis communication theory.

Findings

The analysis shows that although Hearit's approach allows us to both describe, explain and evaluate the apologies or statements offered by the Vatican and/or the Pope during the crisis, it does not take into account the globalizing context, or the more complex and less evident sociocultural order, into which their crisis communication is embedded.

Originality/value

The paper introduces and discusses the new concept of meta‐apology, i.e. an apology where the apologist is no longer apologizing for what he or she may have done wrong – because he or she does not have to, according to their own sociocultural order – but for the negative effects that the act committed by the apologist may possibly have caused.
Character as defence
Authors: Vigsø Orla , von Stedingk Wigren Maja
Published: October 2010

Purpose

The incident in 2006 at the Vattenfall owned plant in Forsmark turned out to be one of the most serious ever in Sweden. Vattenfall's communication during this crisis did not meet the accusations, instead their line of defence was not to engage in discussions of the accusations, but to refer only to their own character as safe, thorough and scientific. Apparently, this strategy worked; the company ranked high in public confidence before the incident, and according to polls this confidence remained unharmed throughout the crisis. This paper aims to analyze under which circumstances a defence built on character may meet the demands of the stakeholders, especially those of the general public.

Design/methodology/approach

The purpose is reached through a mainly rhetorical analysis of both Vattenfall's press releases during the crisis, and the media coverage.

Findings

The analysis shows that the success of Vattenfall's communication strategy relies on their use of the general reputation held by the company at the start of the crisis. With a high level of general trust, not addressing accusations directly can be a successful move.

Practical implications

The paper shows that to a company facing a crisis situation, context analysis is crucial. The strategy adapted by Vattenfall could seem potentially damaging to themselves, but worked in the actual circumstances.

Originality/value

The paper shows that not meeting accusations may work as an apologetic strategy, if the reputation established in the pre‐crisis situation is sufficiently strong.
Alitalia's crisis in the media – a situational analysis
Authors: Romenti Stefania , Valentini Chiara
Published: October 2010

Purpose

The purpose of this investigation is to explore Alitalia and the Italian Government's crisis response strategies (CRSs) implemented in three specific periods of 2008 to understand Alitalia and the Italian Government's approach in communicating with media stakeholders as well as to examine how main Italian and international newspapers framed Alitalia's CRSs.

Design/methodology/approach

This study adopts a content analysis approach to evaluate CRSs used by Alitalia and the Italian Government in their official press releases then reported by the main Italian and international newspapers.

Findings

Both Alitalia and the Italian Government focused mostly on corrective action – however, some differences in their choice of CRSs are visible during the three periods. Alitalia provided more information on the situation through its press releases than the government, whereas the government used in a larger measure excuse strategies, especially in the later period. In terms of news coverage, the content analysis shows that the CRSs reported by the international press correspond to those in the press releases whereas the Italian newspapers preferred other frames than those offered by Alitalia and the Italian Government.

Research limitations/implications

The findings confirm previous investigations on the importance of applying a context‐oriented approach in crisis communication management, but they also underline the importance of media relations management.

Originality/value

This study extends the body of knowledge in crisis communication management and news coverage and offers some suggestions to manage effective media relations within the Italian media system.
Reinterpreting corporate apologia as self‐discipline
Authors: Chikudate Nobuyuki
Published: October 2010

Purpose

The paper aims to propose a reinterpretation of corporate apologia and social legitimacy from theoretical perspectives of phenomenology and Foucault's theory of discipline.

Design/methodology/approach

The reinterpretation proposed in this paper is based on diagnostic theories aimed at making improvements by guiding practice in a determinate direction and by providing a basis for criticizing practice. The author also provides examples of adequate and inadequate corporate apologia along with the theoretical framework proposed in this paper.

Findings

Besides shouldering responsibility corporations cannot help becoming disciplined subjects in order to re‐establish legitimacy with the public.

Originality/value

The paper proposes a view of corporate apologia as self‐discipline for corporations that have undergone mishaps in order to reestablish legitimacy. Some examples of Japanese multinational corporations, such as Toyota and Toshiba, are included to contextualize abstract ideas.
The acceptance of responsibility and expressions of regret in organizational apologies after a transgression
Authors: Pace Kristin M. , Fediuk Tomasz A. , Botero Isabel C.
Published: October 2010

Purpose

When organizations face a crisis that is a result of a transgression, crisis scholars suggest that the organization should apologize in order to accept responsibility for the event. In turn, this is expected to reduce the reputation damage to the organization. The assumption is that an apology statement is interpreted by stakeholders to be equal to accepting responsibility; however, this assumption has not been empirically examined. This paper seeks to address that gap.

Design/methodology/approach

A three (explicitness of accepting responsibility: none, implicit, explicit) by two (expressing regret: none, explicit) between subjects design was employed. Participants read an article about a crisis event, answered questions about perceived reputation, read one of six organizational responses, and responded to questions about reputation and anger caused by the response.

Findings

Results indicate that both accepting responsibility and expressing regret affect perceptions of reputation after a crisis and the anger felt by respondents. Additionally, apologies need an explicit statement of responsibility to increase their benefits for the organization.

Research limitations/implications

Implications of this research include understanding the independent effects that accepting responsibility, expressing regret, and anger have on organizational reputation. Results can be useful for both academics and practitioners when thinking about how to respond to a crisis. Different strengths and limitations are discussed in the text.

Originality/value

The paper tests the assumption that an organizational apology is viewed as equal to accepting responsibility and explores some of the basic propositions of situational crisis communication theory. This study is also one of the first to examine the impact of the crisis response on stakeholder anger.
The role of emotions in crisis responses
Authors: Jin Yan , Pang Augustine , Cameron Glen T.
Published: October 2010

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to extend current theories in crisis communication, by developing a more systemic approach to understanding the role of emotions in crises and the strategies organizations can use to respond. The authors' integrated crisis mapping (ICM) model is premised on a public‐based, emotion‐driven perspective where different crises are mapped on two continua, the organization's engagement in the crisis and primary public's coping strategy.

Design/methodology/approach

Content analysis was used to analyze 259 stories in US mainstream newspaper covering five different crisis cases.

Findings

The initial test suggests theoretical rigor. It found that publics involved in crises pertaining to reputational damage, technological breakdown, industrial matters, labor unrest, and regulation/legislation, are likely to feel anxious, angry, and sad. At the same time, they are likely to engage in conative coping.

Originality/value

Understanding publics' emotions in crisis is a rarely studied area. This model is arguably the first to suggest a framework of emotions. This study is the first of a series of tests to generate what Yin termed “analytic generalization” for the ICM model.
Examining how image restoration strategy impacts perceptions of corporate social responsibility, organization‐public relationships, and source credibility
Authors: Haigh Michel M. , Brubaker Pamela
Published: October 2010

Purpose

The paper aims to test Benoit's five image restoration strategies to examine how each strategy impacts perceptions of the organization‐public relationship (OPR) and corporate social responsibility (CSR). It also examines how the strategy used impacts the credibility of the source cited in the crisis response message.

Design/methodology/approach

An experiment measures stakeholders' reactions to the different crisis messages and the messages' impact on perceptions of the OPR, CSR, and source credibility measures.

Findings

Results indicate the reducing the offensiveness strategy led to higher perceptions of the OPR and CSR. The image restoration strategy employed does impact stakeholders' perceptions of the credibility of the source.

Practical implications

The paper indicates organizations should try to bolster, minimize, transcend, and differentiate when preparing crisis messages during a product recall crisis. These types of messages protect the OPR and perceptions of CSR.

Originality/value

It adds to the experimental literature (whereas previous research uses cases studies). It expands Dardis and Haigh by examining the impact image restoration strategies have on OPR and CSR. It also extends current literature by examining the source of the message and how the image restoration strategy employed impacts the credibility of the source.
Fraud in London local authorities: a comparative appraisal
Authors: Wesley Lane Simon
Published: October 2010

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to present a comparative appraisal of structures, fraud loss and performance data in London local authorities (LAs) with that of the National Health Service (NHS) and the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) in order to test the Fraud Review's contention that LAs are “less well equipped” to deal with fraud than central government departments.

Design/methodology/approach

Primary research was undertaken through questionnaires to all London boroughs and interviews with key personnel in two comparator organisations.

Findings

London boroughs are no less competent or effective in investigating fraud. Each has a specialist anti‐fraud response and has similar levels of performance as comparator organisations. Whilst London boroughs outperform in some areas such as sanctions per officer against the NHS and detection levels in benefit fraud against the DWP, there are concerns over higher per unit staffing cost, principally caused by the autonomous and diverse nature of local government. Further that some authorities are unaware of, or unwilling to deal with, certain fraud typologies.

Research limitations/implications

The research was limited to London local government and further work is needed outside the capital.

Practical implications

Recommendations are made for the introduction of an explicit statutory requirement for LAs to have an anti‐fraud resource, standardisation of definitions and consideration of borough‐based multi‐agency fraud teams.

Originality/value

There has been no previous research of this type and it may be useful to government when considering how to deal with fraud, LAs and those with an interest in public sector fraud.
Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act (RICO) and the mafia must now welcome organizational crime
Authors: Baldwin F.N.
Published: October 2010

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to explore organized crime on Wall Street and expose the lack of regulatory control thus impacting upon innocent investors in the money market. Organized crime has for many years reaped rewards from unsuspecting investors. This exploration, however, aims to turn away from organized and focus on organizational crime. Specifically, the “highly respected” investor Bernard Madoff.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper examines the impact upon innocent investors of the US Securities and Exchange Commission's (SEC) response to repeated efforts by a whistle blower to investigate an “alleged” out‐of‐control “Ponzi” scheme.

Findings

Bernard Madoff's multi‐billion dollar Ponzi scheme was never uncovered by the SEC. The fact is that the economic recession did the SEC's work. The SEC appeared to be willfully blind. Without the economic recession, some suggest that the Madoff Ponzi scheme might have involved close to 100 billion dollars.

Originality/value

The SEC's regulatory effectiveness in regulating the financial industry was found wanting for over ten years. No regulatory agency ever determined Madoff to be in serious violation of any laws, hence others within the financial industry continued to engage in similar illicit organizational activity. The question remains whether regulatory agencies have learned a lesson from the Madoff episode or is the organizational Ponzi scheme alive and well?
Economic crimes in the construction industry: case of Finland
Authors: Kankaanranta Terhi , Muttilainen Vesa
Published: October 2010

Purpose

The paper aims to analyse economic crimes in the construction industry with special reference to dealing in receipts. First, its purpose is to obtain knowledge on the extent of economic crimes as well as dealing in receipts in the construction industry. Second, it seeks to find more detailed information about cases, suspects and companies involved with these crimes. Finally, it aims to assess financial losses to society.

Design/methodology/approach

This analysis is based on economic crime suspicions, which were recorded in the national police information system in 2007, and whose pre‐trial investigation was concluded before the end of March 2009. Open source information was utilized as well.

Findings

In 2007, there were 1,590 economic crime suspicions and one‐seventh was related to the construction industry. Results indicated that almost three‐quarters of the economic crimes in the construction industry were related to dealing in receipts. Aggravated forms of crimes were most common.

Originality/value

This is the first register‐based study analysing economic crimes in the Finnish construction industry. Also, internationally there are only a few studies focusing on the construction industry, even if it is one of the core areas of grey economy due to the high level of subcontracting.
Enhancing corporate governance in listed companies with concentrated shareholdings
Authors: Rachagan Shanthy
Published: October 2010

Purpose

The paper aims to focus on diverse ownership structures, especially the controlling shareholder system and their impact on corporate governance.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper deliberates the agency problems in concentrated shareholder‐listed companies in general which are related transactions involving controlling shareholders, significant corporate actions, and control transactions. The paper further studies agency issues in Malaysian‐listed companies specifically relating to government‐linked companies and family‐owned companies.

Findings

The paper identifies agency problems in concentrated shareholding‐listed companies which are government linked or family owned and then provide solutions to overcome these problems.

Originality/value

Specific agency problems in Malaysian‐listed companies and solutions to overcome them are presented in this paper.
Categories of financial crime
Authors: Gottschalk Petter
Published: October 2010

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to present a systematic approach to classify financial crime into main categories as well as sub categories.

Design/methodology/approach

Based on a literature review, the main four categories were labeled corruption, fraud, theft, and manipulation, respectively.

Findings

There is a massive variety of crime types and crime names in the literature that can successfully be allocated to main categories of financial crime.

Research limitations/implications

The paper is based on exploratory research to stimulate future research in refining and improving the categories suggested here.

Practical implications

The great variety of criminal activities is classified in this paper so that practitioners can organize their thinking around crime themes rather than crime examples when mapping crime.

Social implications

The public and society at large will be able to understand the confusing variety of financial crime in terms of main categories.

Originality/value

There has been some confusion among both researchers and practitioners when communicating about examples of financial crime. The organizing framework in this paper will help allocate crime examples to main categories of financial crime.
Incorporating with fraudulent intentions
Authors: Singh Dharmvir
Published: October 2010

Purpose

The objective of this research paper is to identify specific attributes associated with the shell companies, so that the frauds committed by misuse of the corporate vehicle are curbed. The presence of an identified attribute increases the fraud risk the company poses to the economic system. The efficient allocation of limited investigative resources may accordingly be made by the regulator.

Design/methodology/approach

The research was designed as a case study involving documentary evidence corroborated by archival records and semi‐structured interview. The paper discusses the identification of attributes associated with shell companies and suggests recommendations for corporate regulatory machinery in India.

Findings

The research paper has identified a few attributes associated with the shell companies. These attributes are directly related to the fraud risk an incorporated entity may pose to the economic system. Limited resources may be efficiently deployed on the basis of the risk an entity poses to the system.

Research limitations/implications

The findings of the research are yet to be verified and authenticated by an independent study. However, the findings have a wider implication with respect to more efficient deployment of investigative resources dependent on the risk parameters.

Originality/value

The research paper is a pioneer effort in the field of frauds by misuse of a corporate vehicle.
Lab coats versus business suits
Authors: Thatchenkery Sruthi , Koizumi Naoru
Published: October 2010

Purpose

This paper seeks to examine whether the primary factors motivating the career plans of high‐achieving Indian adolescents vary between academic specializations. Particular attention is to be paid to differences between science and business students.

Design/methodology/approach

The study surveyed approximately 2,700 secondary school students in South India regarding their academic and career plans and their perceptions of business compared with science. Survey results were analyzed using both descriptive techniques and multinomial logistic regression.

Findings

Students perceive business to be comparable with, but not superior to, science and engineering. The proportion of students choosing business over science increased among males and in some more economically developed cities. Engineering students were most likely to cite parents as a major influence, while business students more often pointed to salary and career prospects.

Research limitations/implications

The study's scope was limited to South India. Greater geographic coverage could broaden the generalizability of the results.

Practical implications

The increasing desirability of formal business education can give rise to a stronger entrepreneurial base and greater business development in India. Furthermore, improved management skills in the Indian workforce can attract higher value‐added offshore work from multinational corporations.

Originality/value

The existing literature contains little empirical research directly comparing business students with their peers in science and engineering, with no such study previously conducted in India. The results shed light on what attracts students to each track and can inform policy aimed at encouraging further enrollment in specific fields.
Impact of career plateau and supervisory support on career satisfaction
Authors: Wickramasinghe Vathsala , Jayaweera Mayura
Published: October 2010

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to examine the effect of career plateau (hierarchical plateau and job content plateau) and supervisory career support on career satisfaction.

Design/methodology/approach

A random sample of 119 IT professionals employed full‐time in offshore outsourced IT firms in Sri Lanka responded. Multiple regression was used for the data analysis.

Findings

Supervisory career support significantly predicts career satisfaction. However, hierarchical plateau and job content plateau do not significantly predict career satisfaction.

Originality/value

Although IT employees attached to the offshore IT firms may be identified as a unique population worthy of empirical investigation, details on how they actually manage their careers remain obscure. The findings of the study provide interesting implications for individuals' career satisfaction and will be a source of general guidance in stimulating future research in this area.
Flexible work: ambitious parents' recipe for career success in The Netherlands
Authors: Dikkers Josje , van Engen Marloes , Vinkenburg Claartje
Published: October 2010

Purpose

This study sets out to examine how gender and ambition are related to work hours and the utilization of other flexible work‐home arrangements, and how this use is – in turn – associated with career‐related outcomes (i.e. job level, and career satisfaction).

Design/methodology/approach

In total, 212 Dutch working parents from different organizations participated in a questionnaire survey. Underpinned by an inter‐disciplinary theoretical framework, hypotheses were developed on the associations of gender, ambition, work‐home arrangements and career‐related outcomes.

Findings

It was found that ambitious parents made more use of flexible work‐home arrangements and worked more hours per week than less ambitious parents. This relationship was especially strong for mothers. Furthermore, parents' work hours and utilization of flexible arrangements were positively related to their job level and career satisfaction. Finally, the association of ambition with career‐related outcomes was mediated by work hours.

Practical implications

Employers should support their working parents in using flexible work‐home arrangements, thereby simultaneously assisting them in balancing work with care‐giving responsibilities, preventing them from losing their ambition, and promoting their career success.

Originality/value

The study made a pioneering effort to conceptualise and operationalise career‐related ambition. By showing that utilization of flexible work‐home arrangements is positively related to career success, the study also adds to the business case for these arrangements. Moreover, the study challenges the popular assumption that Dutch women's ambition vanishes into thin air once they become mothers.
Conflict and abusive workplace behaviors
Authors: Kisamore Jennifer L. , Jawahar I.M. , Liguori Eric W. , Mharapara Tagonei L. , Stone Thomas H.
Published: October 2010

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to investigate the moderating effects of social competencies, specifically, political skill, self‐monitoring and emotional intelligence, on the workplace conflict‐abusive behavior relationship.

Design/methodology/approach

The study utilized data collected from graduate and undergraduate students majoring in psychology, management, human relations and social work who were recruited from two mid‐sized mid‐western universities. Hierarchical multiple regression analysis was used to test the study hypotheses.

Findings

Results indicated that interpersonal conflict in the workplace is associated with employee engagement in counterproductive work behaviors. Results also suggested that social competencies interacted with interpersonal conflict to predict the likelihood of abusing others at work. Politically skilled workers and high self‐monitors were more likely to engage in abusive behaviors when experiencing high levels of interpersonal workplace conflict.

Originality/value

The study is the first to show that certain social competencies may actually have negative ramifications in the workplace. Specifically, individuals who are politically skilled and/or high self‐monitors are more likely to abuse others when they themselves experience interpersonal conflict.
Generational differences in China: career implications
Authors: Yi Xiang , Ribbens Barbara , Morgan Caryn N.
Published: October 2010

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to examine generational differences in attitudes toward careers in China. Generational differences are quite apparent in Chinese society. People who were born in the 1960s experienced the Cultural Revolution in their childhood. Those born in the 1970s witnessed the dramatic and profound social changes after China's open‐door policy was enforced. The generation born in the 1980s is believed to be the spoiled generation that highly values materialism and self‐realization, due to being the only child in the family as a result of the “One Child” policy.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors surveyed Chinese people between 20 and 50 years old about their career attitudes to explore six hypotheses based on predicted patterns of generational change.

Findings

The paper found more differences in desired attributes of their manager than in their perception of themselves. Some career attitudes and abilities vary across the three generations but, given the historical and common assumptions of generational change, extensive differences were not found.

Research limitations/implications:

The authors' sample of 277 can only provide general insights into Chinese attitudes, given the size and diversity of the Chinese population. The study hopes to spur further research into generational differences in China and elsewhere.

Practical implications

The paper provides insight into how the generational groups in China currently in the workforce think about their careers. Generational clashes in the workplace are also discussed.

Originality/value

No previous projects directly use the studies method or concepts in China. It builds on past work examining work values and career attitudes in China to contribute insights into generational differences within China.
Counter‐terrorist finance in the UK
Authors: Sproat Peter A.
Published: October 2010

Purpose

Few articles have been published on counter‐terrorist finance (CTF) policies in the UK and fewer still have attempted to evaluate their effectiveness. This paper seeks to examine both quantitative and qualitative aspects of the UK's CTF policies from open‐source materials and in doing so considers the credibility of many of the claims by those who have attempted to evaluate their effectiveness in light of the data gathered.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper presents an analysis of the UK's CTF regime.

Findings

There have been just over 100 convictions under terrorism legislation offence in Great Britain alone since 11 September 2001 resulting in at least ten individuals being convicted of a CTF offence. In terms of assets frozen or seized, Robinson appears to have a point when he argued that: “when you look closely at those frozen assets, you discover that most of them have been unfrozen”, given the tens of millions of pounds returned to the Afghan Government.

Originality/value

This paper will be of interest to academics, politicians, practitioners interested in the use of CTF policies.
Neglect of Duty and Breach of Trust
Authors: Williams Terrence F.
Published: October 2010

Purpose

The paper seeks to contend that first, the current law treating Neglect of Duty and Breach of Trust as a single offence is incorrect; and second, that the offences can be an important tool in battling public corruption.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper traces the historical development of the offences throughout the Commonwealth.

Findings

The single‐offence approach lacks historical antecedents and has not been uniformly adopted.

Originality/value

The paper could engender debate, and correction, of the single offence approach as well as encourage greater use of the offences in prosecuting egregious conduct that would not otherwise be criminal.
The impact of Schedule 7 of the Counter‐Terrorism Act 2008 on banks and their customers
Authors: Goldby Miriam
Published: October 2010

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to discuss the potential impact of measures taken in accordance with powers introduced by Schedule 7 of the Counter‐Terrorism Act 2008 on banks and their customers.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper analyses the legal provisions setting out these powers and comments on their scope; discusses the guidance issued with respect to these provisions by the Joint Money Laundering Steering Group, as well as other commentary on these provisions; examines the remedies available to those affected by the measures taken in exercise of the Schedule 7 powers; and comments on the use made of these powers to date and the relevant outcomes.

Findings

The paper concludes that while the Schedule 7 powers are useful in permitting a targeted response to money laundering and terrorism financing, they can be needlessly damaging to business unless used in a proportionate and risk‐sensitive manner.

Originality/value

The paper analyses critically the first judicial review decision made in respect of the exercise of Schedule 7 powers.
Accounting and corruption: a cross‐country analysis
Authors: Malagueño Ricardo , Albrecht Chad , Ainge Christopher , Stephens Nate
Published: October 2010

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to better understand the relationship between accounting and auditing quality and the perceived level of corruption.

Design/methodology/approach

This relationship is studied by performing a cross‐country analysis using public data to measure accounting quality, audit quality, and corruption.

Findings

Consistent with the authors' predictions, the paper finds evidence that accounting and auditing quality are significantly related to the level of perceived corruption in a country.

Research limitations/implications

These findings suggest that countries with more transparent reporting have lower levels of perceived corruption and that the level of perceived corruption may be reduced in a country by improving accounting and auditing quality.

Practical implications

The findings suggest that countries can reduce the level of perceived corruption by improving the transparency of financial reporting by improving accounting and auditing standards.

Originality/value

While significant amounts of research has examined perceived corruption, this study is the first to address the impact of high‐quality accounting information on the level of perceived corruption.
Carrying out a risk‐based approach to AML in China: partial or full implementation?
Authors: Ai Lishan , Broome John , Yan Hao
Published: October 2010

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to explain the rule‐based and risk‐based anti‐money‐laundering (AML) approach, to demonstrate the implementation problems in carrying out a risk‐based approach (RBA) to AML and finally propose in what way the RBA should be conducted in China.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper analyzes the practice of money‐laundering risk management in Chinese AML programs, compares the rule‐based AML approach and the risk‐based AML approach, and discusses the practical condition of carrying out the risk‐based AML approach in China.

Findings

Although China has made significant progress on combating money laundering, the practice of money‐laundering risk management in Chinese AML programs is still weak, and the pre‐conditions for fully implementing the RBA in China are yet to be met.

Originality/value

This paper highlights the practical issues preventing Chinese authorities from fully implementing a risk‐based AML approach, and proposes a “rule‐based but risk‐oriented” AML approach (a partial RBA) in the context of Chinese realities.
Wives, girlfriends and money laundering
Authors: Soudijn Melvin R.J.
Published: October 2010

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to analyse the complicity of wives/girlfriends of a criminal if she benefits from the proceeds of the criminal's illicit activities.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper presents analysis of 62 investigations into organised crime through interviews.

Findings

Although spouses/wives benefit from the criminal proceeds of their husbands, they are hardly ever prosecuted on this basis alone. Only if they are actively involved in money laundering, are they more likely to be prosecuted.

Research limitations/implications

Analyzing police data has certain drawbacks. Socio‐economic data are often non‐existent.

Practical implications

Relatively, few of the wives/girlfriends were tried in connection with these crimes. This paper indicates several possible reasons for this.

Originality/value

This paper points out a logical consequence of the legal interpretation of money laundering.
Facilitating innovation in construction
Authors: Aouad Ghassan , Ozorhon Beliz , Abbott Carl
Published: October 2010

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to provide an insight for future innovation research activities and for the role of universities in working with industry to promote innovation.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper provides an overview and synthesis of the literature on innovation and the role of universities. This is supported by interviews, case studies, and surveys within academic and industrial communities.

Findings

The paper identifies that innovation, whether at an international, national, regional, firm or project level of analysis, continues to be at the forefront of the mind of policy makers and practitioners alike. Nevertheless, our understanding of innovation is far from complete. More research is required to study innovation at these different levels of resolution and at different points in the project life cycle. In order for the research base to play its part in promoting construction innovation, an engagement mechanism is required that brings together academia and industry in a way that recognises and responds to these multiple perspectives on innovation.

Originality/value

The paper creates value by synthesising literature on construction innovation and highlights areas for further research. Based on this, a model for effective industry/university engagement is proposed.