bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The role of personnel commitment to strategy implementation and organisational learning within the relationship between strategic planning and company performance
Authors: Kohtamäki Marko , Kraus Sascha , Mäkelä Markus , Rönkkö Mikko
Published: February 2012

Purpose

The study seeks to add to the existing body of knowledge on the link between strategic planning and company performance by exploring the mediating role of personnel commitment to strategy implementation and organisational learning. To study the indirect link between strategic planning and company performance, the paper aims to introduce a participative strategic planning construct that may enable firms to: commit personnel to strategy implementation; increase organisational learning; and improve company performance.

Design/methodology/approach

Using data from 160 small and medium‐sized Finnish IT companies, the authors conduct an Mplus‐analysis.

Findings

The findings indicate that participative strategic planning positively affects personnel commitment to strategy implementation, which thereby increases company performance. However, according to the analysis, participative strategic planning does not impact organisational learning, although organisational learning does have a positive impact on company performance.

Research limitations/implications

The results of this study are generalisable to a dynamic industry context of small and medium‐sized IT‐firms operating in a small open economy, such as that of Finland.

Practical implications

The results suggest that managers need to involve personnel in strategic planning to increase personnel commitment to strategy implementation. However, because participative strategic planning does not facilitate organisational learning, managers need to determine other ways to facilitate learning at an organisational level.

Originality/value

The paper highlights the role of participative strategic planning, which facilitates personnel commitment to strategy implementation and thus improves company performance.
Analysing the influence of the presentation of fashion garments on young consumers’ online behaviour
Authors: McCormick Helen , Livett Charlotte
Published: February 2012

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to identify the web experience elements that aid the interaction between the consumer and fashion garments online. Two elements have been identified, product viewing and fashion information online, and analysis of the effects of these elements and the influence they have on consumers’ behaviour and decision‐making process are explored.

Design/methodology/approach

Qualitative data collection was employed utilising both photo‐elicitation and projective techniques during in‐depth interviews. Analysis of the elements is necessary to confirm how the cues are likely to affect the consumers’ interaction and influence the consumers’ shopping experience. Focus is placed on hedonic and utilitarian effects and purchase intentions towards fashion apparel investigating young consumers in reference to online retailing.

Findings

It is evident from the interviews that the two elements create very different experiences for the consumer with regards to viewing fashion online, the first area identified functional product viewing, allows the consumer to personalise how they view and interact with the garment stimulating more utilitarian effects, whilst the second area, aesthetic fashion information is driven by the retailer providing advice and information about the garments stimulating hedonic effects. Online fashion retailers must sufficiently intertwine hedonic entertainment with practical utilitarianism to provide a satisfying online shopping experience.

Originality/value

This research provides an examination into the complex area of interaction with garments online and its link to fashion‐related consumer behaviour. This study makes an important contribution to the literature to date, and raises additional questions for future research.
Materialistic, brand engaged and status consuming consumers and clothing behaviors
Authors: Goldsmith Ronald E. , Flynn Leisa R. , Clark Ronald A.
Published: February 2012

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to show how materialism, brand engagement in self‐concept (BESC), and status consumption influence clothing involvement and brand loyalty.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors use data from a survey of 258 US college students to test a model using structural equation modelling.

Findings

The results show that materialism, BESC, and status consumption positively influence clothing involvement and brand loyalty.

Research limitations/implications

The study findings are bounded by the country and sample providing the data. The results strongly support hypotheses derived from the literature and provide important insights into the motives for clothing involvement and brand loyalty.

Practical implications

The findings suggest that appealing to these three important motivators can influence some consumers to choose specific brands of clothing.

Originality/value

This study is the first to demonstrate the influence of materialism, especially operationalized by Kasser's scale, and brand engagement in self‐concept on these clothing behaviors.
The link between traditional police sub‐culture and police intimate partner violence
Authors: Blumenstein Lindsey , Fridell Lorie , Jones Shayne
Published: February 2012

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to identify whether officers who adhere to the aspects of the traditional police sub‐culture – authoritarianism, cynicism, and burnout – are more likely to use violence against their intimate partner. Intimate partner violence (IPV) is measured in terms of both physical assault and psychological violence.

Design/methodology/approach

A survey was created using existing scales and was given to a sample of police officers from four departments in the southern United States. Both Tobit and logistic regression were utilized to examine the effects of the traditional police sub‐culture on the two types of intimate partner violence.

Findings

The results of the analyses partially supported the link between traditional police culture and police intimate partner violence. The results showed that two aspects of the traditional police sub‐culture, burnout and authoritarianism, were significantly related to psychological IPV. There was no significant relationship between traditional police culture and physical IPV

Research limitations/implications

There are a relatively small number of police officers in the convenience sample and it is not very diverse in its composition.

Originality/value

The results of this study indicate that those who adhere to the traditional police culture are at more risk for engaging in psychological domestic violence than those officers who do not. The research shows that traditional police sub‐culture has an effect on police intimate partner violence. This information is important in that it may provide police agencies with some direction in implementing domestic violence prevention efforts.
Patrol officers' perceived role in responding to cybercrime
Authors: Bossler Adam M. , Holt Thomas J.
Published: February 2012

Purpose

Little empirical research exists regarding how local law enforcement has responded to cybercrime. This paper aims to understand: the law enforcement agencies that line officers believe should be primarily responsible for investigating cybercrime cases; their perceptions about their agency's current ability to respond to these offenses; and their beliefs regarding the best ways to improve the social response to cybercrime.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors surveyed patrol officers in the Charlotte‐Mecklenburg and Savannah‐Chatham Metropolitan police departments.

Findings

The authors found that officers do not believe that local law enforcement should be primarily responsible for handling cybercrime cases and they have little information on how upper management is addressing cybercrime. Officers indicated that the best strategies to deal with cybercrime were greater care taken by citizens online and improvements to the legal system.

Research limitations/implications

Local law enforcement agencies feel they are unable to fully address cybercrime. Although the findings were generally consistent across demographic and experiential characteristics and cities, two cities in the southeastern United States were surveyed.

Practical implications

According to these officers, they want citizens to be more careful online and for clarification of cybercrime laws and increased prosecutions. They do not favor local cybercrime units and additional computer training for line officers as much as scholars and police administrators advocate.

Originality/value

This paper studied the perceptions of patrol officers, who are the first responders to most crime scenes, on local law enforcement responses to cybercrime and the strategies they view to be most effective in combating cybercrime.
Foresight impacts from around the world: a special issue
Authors: Calof Jonathan , Smith Jack E.
Published: February 2012

Purpose

The aim of this article and special issue is to propose a framework for foresight impacts on policy and decision making. The need to identify direct impacts, measure them and identify the factors that lead to impact is the primary objective of the special issue and, as outlined in the article, represents a critical addition to the foresight field. On the basis of case studies, experience, and theoretical‐evaluative frameworks this issue seels to offer suggestions regarding the factors that may help policy makers, academics, consultants, and others involved in foresight produce impactful results.

Design/methodology/approach

The methodology deployed for this article is both empirical and meta analysis. This introductory article is based on the special issue articles as well as the authors' extensive practical experiences in foresight.

Findings

Foresight does impact policy. Case studies and experiences in Europe, North America, Africa and Asia identified in the special issue provide support for this. Also, as difficult as it is to measure impact, the authors explore several frameworks that will help the foresight community demonstrate impact and prove the value of foresight.

Originality/value

The article highlights several frameworks that will help the foresight community demonstrate impact and prove the value of foresight.
Perceived barriers towards the use of e‐trade processes by Korean SMEs
Authors: Oh Ka‐Young , Anderson Alistair R. , Cruickshank Doug
Published: February 2012

Purpose

E‐trade (or electronic trading) appears to offer increased efficiency in business processes, but only a limited number of small firms in Korea have adopted the new processes. The purpose of this paper is to try to establish the obstacles and the perceived barriers to the continuing use of e‐trade technologies by small Korean firms.

Design/methodology/approach

The literature was employed to develop a theoretical model that includes perceived risk and the environment. The model was operationalised in a questionnaire completed by 164 respondents. LISREL validated the instrument and the model. The data were analysed using structural equation modelling.

Findings

The authors found that information risk and business risk negatively affect adoption and use. The authors also tested the relationship between the environment of the organisation and adoption of e‐trade. The results show that the maturity of information technology and the innovation characteristics of the firm have positive influences on the adoption of e‐trade.

Research limitations/implications

This study uses data from existing users, so the findings extend the existing literature about decisions to adopt and use new processes. The data are, however, limited to the Korean context.

Practical implications

The study demonstrates the negative influence of perceptions about risk associated with innovative processes. Thus, this awareness and understanding of how barriers are perceived should help to increase the diffusion of e‐trade systems. The authors' findings indicate what has to be done for developing and extending the use of e‐trade.

Originality/value

The study is novel and contributes to the understanding of the adoption and use of new processes.
A business process modeling‐based approach to investigate complex processes
Authors: Abu Rub Faisal A. , Issa Ayman A.
Published: February 2012

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to develop a new approach to investigate complex processes, such as software development processes, using business process modeling.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper presents an investigation into the use of role activity diagramming (RAD) to model complex processes in the software industry sector, with reference to the process of TestWarehouse as a case study.

Findings

Systematic extension and quantitative analysis to RAD models led to the discovery of process bottlenecks, identification of cross functional boundary problems, and focused discussion about automation of processes.

Research limitations/implications

Further work is required to validate and evaluate the proposed approach using several cases with different application domains and thus generalize the adopted approach.

Practical implications

A new approach has been used successfully to understand and analyze business processes. The tools and techniques that are used to perform the approach are not complicated and do not need much specialist expertise, so the approach is not only oriented toward specialists but also toward organizations' managers and staff.

Originality/value

New techniques have been developed by using process modelling to deepen the understanding and analyzing of complex organizational processes. This research implements a practical investigation which uses a case study to validate the new techniques.
Google Scholar Author Citation Tracker: is it too little, too late?
Authors: Jacsó Péter
Published: February 2012

Purpose

Seven years after the release of Google Scholar in 2004, it was enhanced by a new module, the Google Scholar Author Citation Tracker (GSACT), currently a small subset of the complete Google Scholar (GS) database. The aim of this paper is to focus on this enhancement.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper discusses the Google Scholar Author Citation Tracker, its features, potential benefits and problems.

Findings

GSACT allows registered users to create and edit their scientific profiles and some bibliometric indicators, such as the h‐index, total citation counts, and the i10 index. These metrics are provided for the entire academic career of authors and for the most recent five‐year period. The new module also offers some long overdue essential options, such as sorting result lists of the documents by their publication year, title, and the citations received

Originality/value

The paper shows that, at present, GSACT may be too little, too late. However, with an extension of the current clean‐up project it could possibly become a really scholarly resource in the long run.
Pollution profiling and particle size distribution within permeable paving units – with and without a geotextile
Authors: Mullaney Jennifer , Rikalainen Päivi , Jefferies Chris
Published: February 2012

Purpose

The aim of this paper is to investigate the sediment and pollution profiling and particle size distribution with depth within permeable paving structures, both with and without a geotextile.

Design/methodology/approach

Test rigs set up in an earlier pilot study were used for four separate but linked studies. Street dust was applied to rigs C and D to determine the retention of sediments. Heavy metals together with street dust were applied to rig A and B (previously control rigs) to determine the effect of sediment on the pollution removal capabilities of the test rigs. Following the application of sediment, rigs A and B were carefully taken apart to determine pollution profiles and particle size distributions.

Findings

The findings reveal that sediment does have an effect on the metal removal capabilities of permeable paving systems, but there was minimal difference between the rigs with a geotextile and without. Pollution profiling within the test rigs identified that the greatest concentration of metals was in the surface sediment and that both rigs removed similar percentages but the concentrations of metals were distributed differently. It was also found that after between 10 and 15 years of sediment application paving rigs began to “block” causing reduced infiltration rates. Unfortunately it is difficult to explain the variations of particle size distributions found with depth in the paving structure. It had been expected to find progressively higher proportions of finer material with depth. However, the reverse was true, with a higher proportion of fines in the sediment applied to the surface and a progressive increase in the proportion of coarse material with depth

Practical implications

The conclusions confirm the effects of sediment within a permeable paving structure and indicate the loading at which the infiltration rates become affected. These results may help to determine a maintenance programme, however this would require further research.

Originality/value

The paper provides a comparative study on pollution and sediment profiling within a permeable paving structure both with and without the inclusion of an upper geotextile. It provides valuable insight into the amount of sediment on paving before it becomes blocked. The methodology and results reported in this research could be used for further studies to provide more evidence as to whether the inclusion of an upper geotextile is beneficial.
Assessing methods of PM10 and NOx emission for EIA of roads
Authors: Lieplapa Liga , Blumberga Dagnija
Published: February 2012

Purpose

The quantitative assessment of environmental effects should be carried out using the indicators that ensure the best objectivity and efficiency of the environmental impact assessment (EIA) process. The aim of this paper is to clarify the effectiveness of the methods used for prognoses of air pollution from roads. The benchmark method proposed in this paper is based on theoretical knowledge and on analysis of data collected from EIA reports.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper includes a literature review and developing of the benchmark method. This research was based on data dispersion analysis, determination of benchmarks, usage of regression method, as well as confrontation of different methods of determination of air emission concentration used in EIA.

Findings

The simplified model has been designed for determination of concentration of dust emission in the air from motor roads, the building or reconstruction of which is planned. The results indicate that the benchmark method for determination of air pollution with particulate matter PM10 has been elaborated, which can be used for environmental impact evaluation in motor road construction. The method has been elaborated relying on measurement data of existing motor roads and displays a high level of probability of credibility.

Practical implications

The method is simpler and less time‐consuming than the currently used calculation model. It produces a more precise result than the calculation model. It is outstanding and important since the further development of motor road projects can undoubtedly be judged by the results of EIA.

Originality/value

The results of this research provide a rational and comparative approach for finding the methods of determination of the air emission concentration used in EIA in producing the credible outcome. The results reported in the research show existing problems with calculation of emissions from roads. The proposed benchmark method is simple, easy to use and credible.
Observations on groundwater‐surface water interactions at River Vantaa, Finland
Authors: Korkka‐Niemi Kirsti , Kivimäki Anna‐Liisa , Nygård Maria
Published: February 2012

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to emphasize the importance of groundwater‐surface water interaction when studying, modeling and assessing climate change impacts on river water management.

Design/methodology/approach

The investigations were focused on River Vantaa and its tributaries in southern Finland. The main methods used involved aerial infrared photography, thermal profiling of river sediments, water quality measurements, isotopic composition of oxygen and hydrogen δ18O, δ2H and river water temperature measurements. The authors present the first results of the field measurements targeted to identify the groundwater recharge and discharge zones within the river system.

Findings

Groundwater discharge zones were found to have a significant impact on water quality and volume in River Vantaa and its tributaries. In the drainage basin, the aerial infrared photography seemed to be a feasible and cost‐effective method to identify areas of groundwater discharge across the entire river basin. Around 350 groundwater/surface water interaction sites along the 220 km river system could be identified.

Practical implications

The interaction sites identified during the season of low flow rate should be considered as potential risk areas because during flood periods groundwater quality might be at risk due to bank infiltration. This should be considered in river basin management within predicted changing climatic conditions.

Originality/value

This is the first attempt in Finland to map systematically groundwater and river water interactions. The focus of the paper is relevant, because according to the existing climate scenarios, flooding of the main rivers in Finland will be more frequent in future, increasing the probability of groundwater‐surface water interaction.
On the road to performance governance in the public domain?
Authors: Halligan John , Sarrico Cláudia S. , Lee Rhodes Mary
Published: February 2012

Purpose

This article seeks to assess how performance management in the public domain has evolved over the last several years both in terms of theory and practice in selected countries. The paper also aims to act as the editorial for the special issue of the journal.

Design/methodology/approach

Drawing on Bouckaert and Halligan as a framework for analysing performance management in the public sector, this paper reviews findings from their work (on the evolution of cases from six countries), a recent survey of seven countries from four continents, and three additional case studies at the micro, meso and macro levels of analysis.

Findings

The article finds that the evidence for progress towards a “performance governance” regime in the public domain is mixed, with little progress in countries outside the Anglo‐American or Nordic examples studied by Bouckaert and Halligan. Several reasons for this are suggested from the recent survey (in this issue), including the impact of public sector values and the role of elites. However, case studies of particular sectors in countries with limited progress on performance management in general (Portugal and Ireland) suggest that significant inroads can nevertheless be made along the trajectory proposed by Bouckaert and Halligan at micro and meso levels.

Originality/value

The paper draws together evidence from various examples of performance management in the public domain to critically assess and extend existing theory and to suggest alternative trajectories on the road to performance governance.
School performance management practices and school achievement
Authors: Sarrico Cláudia S. , Rosa Maria J. , Manatos Maria J.
Published: February 2012

Purpose

The literature is very rich in its discussion on how to measure school performance, but there are still a number of gaps to investigate in relation to the determinants of that performance, especially at the level of school performance management practices. The purpose of the paper is to understand better performance management practices in schools and how they may relate to school achievement.

Design/methodology/approach

Frequently, the performance of schools is evaluated using solely output measures: especially exam classifications, but also progression rates, completion rates and wastage rates. Previously, a value‐added approach was used to quantitatively evaluate Portuguese secondary schools beyond output results. From the results of this exercise, a sample of schools with different levels of observed performance was chosen. In‐depth case studies of the sample of schools were undertaken to gather an understanding of their performance management practices, taking Bouckaert and Halligan's framework of analysis.

Findings

Self‐evaluation and performance management are not well developed in schools. Most schools monitor exam results, progression and completion rates. However, they do not seem to do it in a formal and systematic way, and find it difficult to understand the reasons for the results obtained. Incorporation of performance measures into performance management is incipient, and most acknowledge the difficulty of going from measurement of results to improvement actions. Few can demonstrate that improvement actions have resulted from self‐evaluation and very few evaluate improvement actions' results. There seems to be an agreement that the external evaluation of schools has prompted the development of self‐evaluation.

Originality/value

This is a study at the meso level of analysis of public sector performance, that of state education. The study contributes to a better understanding of performance management in Portuguese secondary schools. More generally, it investigates the usefulness of the Bouckaert and Halligan framework to assess progress in performance management and whether that will lead to progress in performance itself.
Performance management challenges in hybrid NPO/public sector settings: an Irish case
Authors: Conaty Frank J.
Published: February 2012

Purpose

This paper explores the characteristics and organisational attributes of hybrid non‐profit organisation (NPO)/public sector settings to identify the particular challenges presented for performance management and to further explore the extent to which such characteristics and attributes might impinge on a move to “performance governance” as a performance framework ideal type.

Design/methodology/approach

A preliminary case study of an Irish NPO/public sector hybrid organisation was used to ground a review of NPO and public sector performance management concepts and theoretical developments. The review focused on the implications of organisational characteristics/attributes of the hybrid case study organisation for performance management.

Findings

Five organisational characteristics/attributes are identified as central to the understanding of the challenges for performance management in such settings: inter‐stakeholder relationships; tensions across priority objectives; culture and institutional clashes; power distribution; and interdependent stress. Further, it is suggested that while the adoption of collaborative public sector models suggests a move toward performance governance, the performance challenges identified in the hybrid setting give rise to particular barriers to any substantive movement in that direction.

Originality/value

Performance of NPO/public sector hybrid organisations has only relatively recently attracted the attention of researchers. The paper contributes to this emerging area by identifying certain organisational characteristics/attributes particular to such hybrids that are critical to understanding the challenges for performance management in such settings.
Identification of significant factors influencing housing cost in Yemen
Authors: Alaghbari Wa'el , Salim Azizah , Dola Kamariah , Abdullah Abang Ali Abang
Published: February 2012

Purpose

The cost of housing is very high in Yemen compared with Middle East countries, which has caused a shortage of housing supply, especially for the low‐income group. The purpose of this paper is to identify factors that are significantly influencing housing cost in Yemen.

Design/methodology/approach

The study surveyed 60 professionals in housing in Yemen, to identify factors influencing housing cost that are related to land, materials used, construction methods used, finishing works, and other factors/related issues. The questionnaire survey instrument consisted of 32 factors, which were grouped into these five categories. The level of importance was measured and the relative importance of weightage was ranked for all five categories.

Findings

This study found that cost of project land, cost of cement and steel for reinforced concrete are the most significant factors influencing housing cost in Yemen.

Originality/value

Based on the analysis of the ranking and intensity of housing cost factors, this paper further suggests possible improvements for decreasing the housing cost in Yemen. These recommendations are hoped to increase more regulated housing development and housing policy.
Foreclosure, quality and spillover in residential markets
Authors: Rutherford Ronald C. , Chen Jun
Published: February 2012

Purpose

Prior research indicates a discount for foreclosures sold through the multiple listing service (MLS). The purpose of this paper is to examine whether the effect of foreclosure on house value is consistent over submarkets based on property size in the US single family home market. The paper also tests whether the spillover effect of a nearby foreclosure on the specific property value varies across submarkets.

Design/methodology/approach

The full sample is split into four quartiles based on the square feet of all observations. The hedonic pricing models are estimated across full sample and three subsamples, in order to examine the effect of foreclosure on selling price. The number of neighborhood foreclosures within each combination of radii and timing intervals is used to investigate the spillover effect of a nearby foreclosure on the specific property value.

Findings

It is found that the quartile with smaller houses have the largest discount associated with a foreclosure of approximately 24 percent, while the medium and larger houses have a discount of approximately 19 percent. The results are robust after including a proxy for property quality. Second, the spillover effects of nearby foreclosures are lowest for small properties and highest for large properties. Adding additional controls for housing quality reduces the observed spillover effect.

Research limitations/implications

The findings on foreclosure discount are consistent with Pennington‐Cross's argument, that the foreclosures in the smaller properties have lower appreciation than the larger ones. The paper's results about spillover effects also support the previous research, implying a greater stigma for foreclosed houses in neighborhoods with larger, more expensive houses.

Originality/value

The paper provides potential explanation for foreclosure discount and spillover effects of nearby foreclosure in the US single family residential markets.
Integrating the Balanced Scorecard with Six Sigma
Authors: Heavey Colm , Murphy Eamonn
Published: February 2012

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to provide new insights in understanding the value of integrating the Balanced Scorecard (BSC) with Six Sigma.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper is based on a comprehensive literature review of the BSC and Six Sigma. The literature review provides the basis for a new integration framework that is grounded on the Plan‐Do‐Check‐Act cycle.

Findings

The literature review for both Six Sigma and the BSC crystallise how a fusion can add further value in comparison to a standalone implementation of either the BSC or Six Sigma. This new integration framework is identified through first, leveraging the strengths of both the BSC and Six Sigma and second, by incorporating the key themes of the literature review.

Practical implications

This paper provides practitioners with a greater understanding of the value of integrating Six Sigma with the BSC. Also, the study provides a framework that can serve as a basis for the integration of Six Sigma with the BSC.

Originality/value

Little research has been carried out on the integration of the BSC with Six Sigma. This paper takes a novel approach for the integration framework by identifying the integration leverage points through the strengths and weaknesses of both the BSC and Six Sigma. The key contribution of this paper is that it provides new insights in understanding how the BSC can be integrated with Six Sigma. In addition, the paper provides direction for future research that will address weaknesses in the way organisations execute integration of the BSC with Six Sigma today.
Knowledge sharing in academic R&D collaborations: does culture matter?
Authors: Kanzler Steffen , Niedergassel Benjamin , Leker Jens
Published: February 2012

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to investigate knowledge sharing of Chinese and German scientists collaborating in a cross‐cultural nanotechnology R&D project. Particularly, the authors analyze cultural differences that might indirectly influence the scientists' intention to share knowledge.

Design/methodology/approach

Quantitative data were gathered from professors and PhDs working in academic Chinese‐German nanotechnology collaboration regarding influencing factors of their intention to share knowledge like subjective norms, anticipated extrinsic rewards and image. Moderated regression analysis was used to identify how nationality influences the relationships between independent variables and the intention to share knowledge.

Findings

The findings show that the analyzed variables generally constitute important influencing factors of the intention to share knowledge. However, moderation analysis suggests that the proposed differences between the Eastern and Western cultures do not significantly affect influencing factors of the intention to share knowledge.

Research limitations/implications

The focus of this study is on an academic environment, limiting the generalizability of the results. It promises to be a worthwhile endeavor to investigate possible influencing factors and effects of organizational culture in cross‐cultural collaboration projects more thoroughly in the future, further deepening our understanding of knowledge sharing in collaborative R&D projects.

Practical implications

Cultural differences between Chinese and German researchers might have diminished over the past decades. Both in China and Germany, academic scientists can be expected to largely share the same values, beliefs, assumptions and expectations with regard to their work.

Originality/value

The study at hand is the first analysis of an academic Chinese‐German nanotechnology collaboration.
Entrepreneurial environments and growth: evidence from Malaysia GEM data
Authors: Zamberi Ahmad Syed , Xavier Siri Roland
Published: February 2012

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to explore the entrepreneurial activities in Malaysia through determining some demographic characteristics, expert and individual perceptions of Malaysian entrepreneurs, in addition to the environment for entrepreneurship, and to highlight Malaysia's entrepreneurial position internationally.

Design/methodology/approach

The study was drawn from country‐level data provided by the National Malaysia GEM (Global Entrepreneurship Monitor) to evaluate the current status of entrepreneurial environments in the country.

Findings

The findings show that the early stages of entrepreneurship development in Malaysia are very dynamic and volatile. The number of early‐stage entrepreneurial activities in Malaysia is still lower than in other parts of developing countries. Inadequate financial support, bureaucracy and inconsistency of government policies, lack of entrepreneurial education at tertiary level and inadequacy of entrepreneurial training are some of the important obstacles encountered by entrepreneurs in Malaysia. On the other hand, there are favourable entrepreneurial environmental conditions determined in this study that are promising: the physical infrastructures and services access towards entrepreneurship, and the financial environment related with entrepreneurship.

Practical implications

The results are also useful for optimising the local entrepreneurial environment, and are helpful for policy decision makers. Institutions need to be strengthened before entrepreneurial resources can be fully deployed.

Originality/value

This paper provides the Malaysian government with theoretical support so that the government can utilise limited resources to develop entrepreneurial activities.
Vulnerability of crop production to heavy precipitation in north-eastern Ghana
Authors: Kanchebe Derbile Emmanuel , Abudu Kasei Raymond
Published: February 2012

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to analyze vulnerability of food crop production to heavy precipitation in north-eastern Ghana, specifically, the upper east region (UER) and the policy implications for adaptation. Heavy precipitation events are a common part of climatic variability; but little attention is given to its impact on livelihoods as compared to droughts in research and policy domains.

Design/methodology/approach

– This paper draws on both quantitative and qualitative research methods and data. Rainfall data are analyzed using the Standardized Precipitation Index (SPI). This is compared with quantitative analysis of crop yields and complemented by narratives of farmers from in-depth interviews and focus group discussions.

Findings

– The results show that heavy precipitation events often lead to low food crop productivity and this suggests that the latter is vulnerable to the former.

Originality/value

– Although some adaptation is occurring through a wide range of local measures, these are inadequate for eliminating vulnerability. Thus, additional policy measures are recommended for enhancing farmer adaptation, including: incorporating climate change adaptation policies, including adaptation to heavy precipitation into District Development Planning; building human resource capacity for effective implementation of climate change adaptation policies at district levels; improving market access to seed through improved market infrastructure and rural transportation; establishing Community Seed Banks (CSBs) as back up sources of seed; promoting “nursing and transplant” as an alternative planting method for millet and guinea corn; promoting low costs solar drying technologies for drying food crops; and supporting livelihood diversification through credit and business development services.
Nature and extent of population displacement due to climate change triggered disasters in south-western coastal region of Bangladesh
Authors: Salauddin Md. , Ashikuzzaman Md.
Published: February 2012

Purpose

– Climate change has several impacts on people
'
s lives, directly or indirectly, and displacement is one such indirect effect. The purpose of this paper is to bring this fact to light, as Bangladesh is going to face severe problems due to the displacement of population predicted by researchers.

Design/methodology/approach

– This paper is an outcome of a thorough study of Bogi village in the southwestern coastal region of Bangladesh. Several factors such as demographic conditions, natural disasters, land loss and changes in landuse pattern, have been taken into consideration. Methods used for data collection were questionnaire survey and focus group discussions in the study area. The nature and extent of displacement are found by comparing the changes in occupation, location of settlement and permanent migration of family members.

Findings

– Population growth rate decreased in recent years as the annual growth rate for both sexes was 0.89 in between 1991 and 2001 but in recent years, from 2001 to 2005, it was 0.63, which is a clear indication that the natural growth is hampered or a major proportion of the population is migrating. On the other hand, 361 hectors of land were lost throughout the last 18 years. As a result, 93 percent of people in that area were forced to move to other places for at least one time in their life. The major reason of displacement found was loss of land and occupation caused by cyclone, storm surge and erosion.

Practical implications

– The study findings depict scenarios of rural urban migration due to disasters and critically found out the sectors to be addressed. The study can be a representative of the condition of almost all the remote coastal region and may work as a hammering tool to formulate strategic options to deal with the environmental issues and socio-economic situation.

Originality/value

– Sophisticated but commonly used methods and techniques have been used to find out the problems associated with climate change and disasters in the coastal belt. The study has taken an initiative to identify climate change impacts at micro level on the basis of spatial and non-spatial attributes. The way this study was conducted can be a popular path to put future researches on a human-oriented track.
Surveying local planning directors ' actions for climate change
Authors: Tang Zhenghong , Wei Ting , Quinn Courtney , Zhao Nan
Published: February 2012

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to examine how well local planners have recognized the issues surrounding climate change, the analysis that jurisdictions have conducted on climate change, and policies that have been implemented to address climate change.

Design/methodology/approach

– This study conducted a mail questionnaire survey for 214 counties ' planning directors in the USA and received 53 effective responses. This survey examined how well local planning directors have been prepared for climate change, including awareness, analysis scope, and implementation strategy.

Findings

– The descriptive results indicate that the directors who responded to this survey had a relatively high (79.87 percent) level of awareness for climate change; but they had limited (34.94 percent) analysis scopes to assess the sources, impacts, and risk of climate change in their jurisdictions. These directors had partially but not fully (51.51 percent) developed local land use planning implementation strategies to mitigate or adapt climate change. The regression model indicates that the political commitment and planning personnel resources have significant influence on local planning directors ' actions for climate change.

Originality/value

– This paper provides policy implications to improve local land use planning ability for climate change mitigation and adaptation.
Urbanization and hydro‐meteorological disaster resilience: the case of Delhi
Authors: Prashar Sunil Kumar , Shaw Rajib
Published: February 2012

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to assess the role of institutions dealing with disaster risk in Delhi and propose possible solutions for disaster risk reduction.

Design/methodology/approach

The approach to assess the role of institutions is based on the Climate Disaster Resilience Index (CDRI) questionnaire survey. It evaluates roles based on variables such as mainstreaming of disaster risk reduction and climate change adaptation, effectiveness of crisis management framework, knowledge dissemination and management, institutional collaboration with other stakeholders, and good governance.

Findings

The findings show the institution's limitations and strengths to face hydro‐meteorological disaster risk in Delhi. It further identifies possible areas for disaster risk reduction.

Research limitations/implications

The methodology is new and it only incorporates disasters that are hydro‐meteorological. The study does not include man‐made, geological, and biological disasters.

Originality/value

The paper is unique in its approach to identify gaps in the current approach in managing disaster risk in Delhi and puts forward the possible ways to deal with disaster risk. Moreover, very few studies have been done in this area.
Meta‐analytic review of disclosure level and cost of equity capital
Authors: Souissi Mohsen , Khlif Hichem
Published: February 2012

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to meta‐analyze the results of 22 empirical studies that examine the relationship between voluntary disclosure and cost of equity capital. The authors examine whether differences in results are attributable to moderating effects related to disclosure environment, the measurement of the disclosure score and the proxy used to measure the cost of equity capital.

Design/methodology/approach

The approach used is the meta‐analysis statistic technique developed by Hunter et al.

Findings

The results emphasize the need to explicitly consider the legal and institutional aspects (high disclosure environment versus low disclosure environment) when one analyzes the association between disclosure level and cost of equity capital.

Originality/value

Since the authors' analysis confirms the negative association between disclosure and cost of equity capital in countries characterized by low disclosure environment, managers in these contexts are encouraged to make more voluntary disclosure in order to reduce uncertainty among investors and increase the marketability of their securities.
A survey of corporate governance: international trends and China's mode
Authors: Li Wei'an , Xu Yekun , Niu Jianbo , Qiu Aichao
Published: February 2012

Purpose

The literature on corporate governance has experienced an explosive growth in the past decade and presented some new trends. One purpose of this paper is to make an exploratory survey of this. Since China is a typically emerging and transition economy, another purpose of this paper is to review some domestic studies with an intention to discover the evolution logic of corporate governance practices in China under a complicated and exclusive context, the third purpose is to provide future research directions.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper surveys recent literature in the field of corporate governance, intending to find out the development trends and extract the main line of literature on and practices of Chinese corporate governance.

Findings

In this paper, we find that recent literature on corporate governance provides some new insights into subtle characteristics of governance, governance effects of relational network, political connections, corporate governance evaluation and financial institutions governance. During the past decade, the literature on Chinese corporate governance has referred to some new areas during the transition process from administrative governance to economic governance. In addition to the above, we attempt to put forward an analytical framework and the proposition that Chinese corporate governance is in the transition process from administrative governance to economic governance.

Research limitations/implications

The authors propose some research topics where future studies on corporate governance may prove valuable, especially putting forward an analytical framework which can be used for discussing and analyzing corporate governance in China.

Originality/value

This paper reviews some new trends of literature on corporate governance and makes a contribution to corporate governance studies by providing fruitful directions, extracting the main line and analytical framework for China's mode during the transition process from administrative governance to economic governance.