bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Application of usage statistics for assessing the use of e‐journals in University of Hyderabad
Authors: Suseela V.J.
Published: November 2011

Purpose

The paper seeks to emphasize the necessity of evaluating the library resources in terms of their quality, cost benefit and usefulness.

Design/methodology/approach

In the context of subscribing to the latest e‐journal databases in university libraries, different types of usage studies are discussed, including the recent application of usage log data or vendor reports. The genesis, standardization of usage reports and the significance of COUNTER statistics in establishing the usefulness of the e‐journals are described. The use of various electronic databases by the University of Hyderabad academic community is referred to according to these statistics/reports, mentioning the way in which it is helpful to university library in assessing their actual usage and usefulness.

Findings

The paper highlights the application of usage reports by the university library in decision making during renewals/subscriptions, i.e. the selection of databases, upgrading the versions, increasing licences, cancellation of subscriptions, etc.

Practical implications

All in all, it is established that the usage reports are to be taken as a support to library decision‐making activity, since it reflects the true value of e‐journals/databases.

Originality/value

This study provides necessary direction to library management regarding the utilization of log data for assessing the true value of e‐journals/databases. Thus the usage statistics can be studied and this analysis will invariably support the complex decision‐making activity of serials management in university libraries.
Scholarly communication and possible changes in the context of social media
Authors: Gu Feng , Widén‐Wulff Gunilla
Published: November 2011

Purpose

The focus of this paper is to study the influence of social media on scholarly communication. The aim is to provide an overview of researchers' use of Web 2.0 techniques, and discuss a possible change of information behaviors in the context of scholarly communication.

Design/methodology/approach

A web survey was distributed to a targeted sample of university staff (professors, teachers, researchers, and doctoral students). SPSS was utilized as a main tool to synthesize and analyze data, and present the results.

Findings

Web 2.0 tools are well‐known to researchers. Most researchers are familiar with blogs, wikis, social networks, multimedia sharing, and online document. Social media provide a convenient environment for scholarly communication. Depending on different aims within the scholarly communication process, researchers choose appropriate modes of communication in their research work.

Research limitations/implications

A combination of content analysis with survey and/or interviews may highlight other aspects of Web 2.0, which is not possible using a single method of content analysis.

Originality/value

There are few studies on the changes of scholarly communication in the context of Web 2.0. This study provides new insights for exploring the effects of Web 2.0 tools on scholarly communication and the development of new information behavior to match the scholarly environment of social media. This understanding can aid the researchers to keep abreast of new characteristics of scholarly communication and help the librarians to develop the correlative services in the scholarly environment of social media.
Applying Earl's KM model in IK management: with reference to Kenya and South Africa
Authors: Njiraine Dorothy , Le Roux CJB
Published: November 2011

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to show‐case how modern Knowledge Management Models, specifically that of Earl, can be applied to manage Indigenous Knowledge (IK).

Design/methodology/approach

The paper is largely based on the review of both print and electronic resources.

Findings

Despite IK being tacit and marginalized it can indeed be managed by use of modern models just like modern knowledge.

Research limitations/implications

Validation poses a challenge and the future of IK will also be challenged unless stringent solutions are unveiled.

Practical implications

The paper suggests a number of ways in which IK can be managed using the contemporary KM models with specific attention to Earl's KM Taxonomy.

Originality/value

The paper shows how IK, a tacit knowledge, can go through the various KM processes of creation/production, storage, processing/codification, transfer and utilization successfully.
Survey on the utilization of NSTL electronic resources in colleges and universities in Wuhan, China
Authors: Zhang Liyi , Ye Pinghao , Liu Qihua , Rao Lijun
Published: November 2011

Purpose

The information behavior of National Science and Technology Library (NSTL) electronic resources users in China has not been researched extensively. This paper aims to help producers and providers collect information on user behavior and develop more electronic resources.

Design/methodology/approach

The study investigates NSTL users' behavior from seven “211 projects” universities in Wuhan, a city in central China. The questionnaire includes questions about respondents' basic information (i.e. educational level, discipline, etc.) and their information service requirements. Correlations among users' educational level, academic discipline, retrieval method, and literature use, among other variables, were analyzed.

Findings

The results show that most NSTL users are graduate students and young staff members. The number of users who use advanced retrieval and choose the criterion “literature's citation” to judge the literature's value increases slightly with the improvement of the educational level. There is higher demand for literature written in English in the disciplines of natural science, medicine, and engineering, and a certain proportion of demand for materials written in Japanese in the disciplines of medicine and engineering.

Practical implications

The findings suggest that electronic resource producers should offer more foreign literature and that providers should improve the quality of services.

Originality/value

The paper provides suggestions for further improvement of the NSTL to fulfil the information needs and requirements of users.
A domestic monograph collection assessment in Illinois academic libraries: what are we buying and how is it used?
Authors: Wiley Lynn , Chrzastowski Tina E. , Baker Stephanie
Published: November 2011

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to determine how the I‐Share collection serves its members, focusing on the state‐wide use of I‐Share domestic monographs (2003‐2008) by subject, collection overlap (number of copies owned), publisher, and how frequently books by subject are being used and to make recommendations for future selection criteria.

Design/methodology/approach

Illinois is fortunate to have the College and Research Libraries in Illinois (CARLI) consortium which manages “I‐Share,” a 76‐member shared online catalog equipped with patron‐initiated borrowing using the Voyager system. I‐Share successfully circulates hundreds of thousands of books annually among these libraries, dramatically broadening the scope of each member's collection. Data from CARLI's Voyager catalog databases were analyzed via Excel spreadsheets using 20 datafields.

Findings

Results found that numbers of copies purchased by I‐Share and use/circulation fell into three categories: high overlap with a corresponding high use, low overlap with a corresponding low use, and a middle area with a high number of copies with low to middle use. Additional analyses by publisher and Library of Congress subject classification were also conducted. The study also allowed for a comparison of what was purchased versus what was available for purchase as represented by the database of a large monograph vendor.

Practical implications

A number of recommendations are made that should improve the effectiveness of monograph selection in the CARLI libraries.

Originality/value

The paper documents an important and thorough study which may be of help to other library consortia in managing more effectively their monograph spend.
ILL transactions – a next step? The Danish experience and new possibilities
Authors: Andresen Leif
Published: November 2011

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to show a new route for inter‐library lending (ILL) standards.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper describes the Danish ILL solution, and on the basis of this, suggests a proposal for further work.

Findings

Focussing on simplicity gives better service.

Originality/value

The Danish ILL implementation has a high level of automation based on simple transactions.
Interlending and document supply in the context of Spanish library consortia
Authors: Echeverría Mercedes , Jiménez Sonsoles
Published: November 2011

Purpose

The paper's aim is to provide insights into interlending and document supply (ILDS) practices in Spain in the current environment of library consortia and to present recent trends in academic ILDS services.

Design/methodology/approach

An overview of the Spanish library system is provided followed by a more detailed look at cooperation generally and interlending and document supply specifically. Finally a survey of researchers and their use of e‐journals and alternative methods of access in a medical library.

Findings

After some years of decline interlending and document supply is experiencing modest increases. Some interesting results from the survey on the tolerance to use document supply instead of low use journals are found.

Originality/value

The paper presents a current overview of the situation in Spain for library cooperation, interlending and document supply.
Interlending and document supply: a review of the recent literature: 76
Authors: McGrath Mike
Published: November 2011

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to provide a review of the literature concerning interlending and document supply and related matters.

Design/methodology/approach

The approach is based on the reading of over 150 journals as well as monographs, reports and websites.

Findings

Resistance to the Big Deals for journals is still growing – in particular because of the current budget cuts that are hitting libraries badly but publishers remain complacent. Interesting movements on the copyright front as the Hargreaves report in the UK is accepted by the government and the STM Association gets upset. Patron driven acquisition receives a lot of attention in the literature – when will the world outside of the US pay as much attention?

Originality/value

The paper represents a useful source of information for librarians and others interested in document supply and related matters such as resource sharing and open access.
Ten years as editor of ILDS and 35 years in ILL and document supply: thoughts of the outgoing editor
Authors: McGrath Mike
Published: November 2011

Purpose

The aim is to distil the knowledge gained in 10 years of editing ILDS and 35 years in the business.

Design/methodology/approach

Factors affecting the change in demand for ILL are considered as well as the reasons for variation between countries.

Findings

The finding is that ILL has an optimistic future.

Originality/value

The article provides an overview from the retiring editor of ILDS.
Cognitive hardiness, appraisal and coping: comparing two transactional models
Authors: Cash Melanie L. , Gardner Dianne
Published: November 2011

Purpose

This paper aims to test the relationship of the personality variable of cognitive hardiness to job satisfaction, performance and intention to turnover. These relationships are to be tested via two alternative models, with a sequential and simultaneous structure for appraisal and coping processes.

Design/methodology/approach

Employees (n=297) from a range of large New Zealand organisations completed a questionnaire on hardiness, appraisal, coping and affect.

Findings

Bivariate correlations revealed significant positive relationships between hardiness and job satisfaction, hardiness and performance, and a significant negative relationship with intention to turnover. Structural equation modelling revealed that the direct positive relationship between hardiness and job satisfaction was the strongest path. The simultaneous model provided best fit to the data, revealing a positive path from hardiness through challenge appraisals to positive affect, and a negative path through threat appraisal and emotion‐focused coping.

Research limitations/implications

Higher levels of hardiness were associated with more positive appraisals and more effective coping responses. However, the cross sectional nature of this research and the use of a single measurement source pose potential limitations in terms of common method variance and study generalisability.

Originality/value

The paper investigates the relationship of hardiness to outcomes such as job satisfaction, self‐rated work performance and intentions to leave and explores the processes that underlie the relationships between hardiness and outcomes.
Proactive personality, social capital, helping, and turnover intentions
Authors: Yang Jixia , Gong Yaping , Huo Yuanyuan
Published: November 2011

Purpose

Proactive personality is believed to relate to greater interpersonal helping and lower turnover intentions. Accrued social capital should play a mediating role in this relationship. This paper seeks to address these issues.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors used structural equation modeling to analyze the longitudinal data collected from 174 individuals at three points in time. Two dimensions of social capital, i.e. the resource dimension as indicated by information exchange and the relational dimension as indicated by trust relationships were specified.

Findings

After controlling for the Big Five personality dispositions, information exchange and then trust relationships sequentially mediated the relationship of proactive personality with helping and turnover intentions.

Research limitations/implications

The research highlights the importance of understanding proactive personality through the social capital perspective. Multiple source data collection method is recommended for further validation of the results.

Practical implications

The research highlights the importance of recruiting individuals high on proactivity, and the importance of further developing and motivating these individuals by cultivating meaningful interactions and nurturing trustful relationships at work. Then, proactive employees would be more likely to engage in helping behavior and to stay with the company.

Originality/value

The paper takes the social capital approach in examining the outcomes of proactive personality. It reveals that resource‐ and relation‐related social capital constructs mediate, in sequence, the relationships of proactive personality with outcomes.
Intellectual capital and strategy development: an interventionist approach
Authors: Dumay John
Published: November 2011

Purpose

The paper's aim is to examine, by way of a case study, the use of intellectual capital (IC) narrative in the development of a strategic plan for the case study organisation.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper uses interventionist research to gather data and make changes in the case study organization.

Findings

The use of IC narrative provides insight into the utility of IC to communicate strategic intentions and the initiatives required to carry it out. It contributes to IC knowledge and practice by demonstrating how IC narrative, in conjunction with an interpretive research approach, can highlight the emic and etic interplay that is required in practice to develop organisational strategy.

Research limitations/implications

The research is specific to the case study organization and the findings can not be generalized

Originality/value

The paper provides an example of how value creation in an organisation can be communicated to its stakeholders and how the use of IC narrative transcends the use of contemporary accounting and IC reporting frameworks. Furthermore it outlines limitations experienced in management accounting research due to the divide between the methods employed and skills of researchers.
The power of stories in the construction industry: lessons from other domains
Authors: Leung Jodith K.L. , Fong Patrick S.W.
Published: November 2011

Purpose

Storytelling is regarded as a fundamental way for humans to communicate with each other, no matter whether in the form of folklore, myths or war stories. Storytelling is applied in management and organisational practices in order to achieve specific purposes. Management activities within projects are similar to managing organisations with high complexity. Storytelling can then be applied in the construction project environment to achieve specific management purposes. This paper aims to explore the potential roles of storytelling in the construction industry through analysing its applications in other sectors, and to align the applications of storytelling to construction projects.

Design/methodology/approach

Through an in‐depth literature review of the nature of stories and storytelling, and their roles in management and organisational practices, this study determines how stories can contribute to the effective sharing of knowledge in the construction project environment. Cases of storytelling applications in construction projects are also presented, with the aim of showing the uniqueness of storytelling.

Findings

Storytelling is a potential approach for managing construction project knowledge through the features of stories and storytelling by preserving, transferring, and learning from current or past experiences of both construction projects and firms.

Research limitations/implications

The findings illustrate gaps in the current knowledge and pave the path for future research in this particular area.

Originality/value

The research examines promising implementations of stories and storytelling in the construction industry through examination of the literature.
Knowledge domain and innovation behaviour
Authors: Massa Silvia , Testa Stefania
Published: November 2011

Purpose

This study aims to develop a categorization framework for knowledge management systems in small and medium enterprises (SMEs). Framework dimensions have been identified as company knowledge domain (organization, marketing and technology) and company innovation behaviour (high and low).

Design/methodology/approach

The framework is derived by means of a qualitative approach based on a set of 20 case studies. The cases regard Italian SMEs in the food sector.

Findings

Data seem to suggest that knowledge domain and innovation behaviour permit significant distinctions between different kinds of knowledge management systems (KMSs). The features of these KMSs as configurations of technical, organizational and managerial tools are described in this paper with reference to the main knowledge process they are intended to support.

Originality/value

The research provides a variety of insights into new ways of conceptualizing KMSs. Moreover, the paper provides some practical examples of successful implementation of KMSs in SMEs.
Cosmic system dynamics: a cyberneticist's perspective on gravitation
Authors: Blackwell Grahame
Published: November 2011

Purpose

This paper seeks to present a novel perspective on the interplay of forces that govern the dynamics of the massively complex multi‐body system that is our physical universe. It offers a consistent, coherent and complete rationale for the phenomenon referred to as “gravitation”. This includes notably, for the first time, an explanation for the mechanism by which “matter tells space how to curve and curved space tells matter how to move”, and also possible causal explanations for the various outcomes of Einstein's equivalence principle.

Design/methodology/approach

Starting from the well‐supported premise that elementary particles are formed from closed‐loop electromagnetic energy flows, the likely impact of such constructs on the behaviour of large‐scale dynamic systems is analysed from first principles.

Findings

Gravitation is shown to be a natural consequence of such a construct. The warping of space in the presence of gravitating mass, consistent with the view presented by general relativity, is shown to relate to a clearly comprehensible physical structure with a well‐defined causation. Possible explanations are offered for: gravitational time dilation; gravitational red shift; gravitational potential energy; and slowing and bending of light in a gravitational field.

Research limitations/implications

This novel perspective opens a wide range of potential avenues of innovative research, both pure and applied.

Practical implications

A variety of new technologies may prove to be open to development, notably in the aerospace field. Antigravity technologies, whilst amenable to investigation and possible development, may prove highly energy‐intensive.

Originality/value

This paper is totally original and of very significant potential value in various respects.
What creates innovation in a globalized knowledge economy? A cybernetic point of view
Authors: Johannessen Jon‐Arild , Olsen Bjørn
Published: November 2011

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to uncover processes and the corresponding social mechanisms promoting innovation in organisations.

Design/methodology/approach

It is the integration of organisational learning, the internal knowledge base of the company and its external knowledge base, viewed in relation to innovations in organisations, which are the main elements discussed in this paper. In the present paper, it is the systemic angle of incidence which will be used.

Findings

An increased focus on information, knowledge and organisational learning, has provided a deeper understanding of factors and processes conducive to innovation and eventually to sustainable competitive advantages. However, little attention has been given to social mechanisms triggering innovations, which are uncovered in this paper.

Practical implications

A conceptual model, which represents a synthesis of the social mechanisms which influence those processes affecting innovation in social systems is presented.

Originality/value

The idea is that when several knowledge domains (practical, theoretical, internal and external) are connected for one specific purpose, the inherent variety may release what is creatively new, igniting innovation in social systems.
The complexities of business school alignment with the emerging globalisation of business education
Authors: Jurše Milan , Mulej Matjaž
Published: November 2011

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to evaluate key implications of globalisation for business schools, and to put structural alignment of academic structures with the Bologna Declaration in a broader strategic alignment with the needs of a knowledge‐driven society and a socially sustainable development.

Design/methodology/approach

The analysis uses systems theory for analysing dynamic change in society and a synthesis of its influences on business education, as we see the Bologna Process is neither conceived nor implemented with sufficient care for holism in the European effort to become an innovative society.

Findings

Business schools should extend their transformation effort beyond the Bologna Process and align their strategic model of operation with societal needs by integrating social requirements into their strategic framework.

Research limitations/implications

Research focuses on key external developments in business education at a transnational level. Future research should focus on the exploration of the business school response to social change in a local context.

Practical implications

A requisitely holistic picture of contextual change offers business school leaders deeper understanding of external implications for aligning schools with societal needs.

Social implications

Emerging social challenges in Europe are taken as the starting point for realigning a strategic model of business school operation with societal needs and the business world with the aim to improve schools' accountability and their evolvement into socially engaged actors with innovative approaches.

Originality/value

The paper presents a systemic and requisitely holistic view of social change for aligning the business school model of operation with the broader needs of a knowledge‐driven society that stretches beyond the formal academic structures unification in the Bologna Process.
Bounds on the rate of convergence of learning processes based on random sets and set‐valued probability
Authors: Ha Minghu , Chen Jiqiang , Pedrycz Witold , Sun Lu
Published: November 2011

Purpose

Bounds on the rate of convergence of learning processes based on random samples and probability are one of the essential components of statistical learning theory (SLT). The constructive distribution‐independent bounds on generalization are the cornerstone of constructing support vector machines. Random sets and set‐valued probability are important extensions of random variables and probability, respectively. The paper aims to address these issues.

Design/methodology/approach

In this study, the bounds on the rate of convergence of learning processes based on random sets and set‐valued probability are discussed. First, the Hoeffding inequality is enhanced based on random sets, and then making use of the key theorem the non‐constructive distribution‐dependent bounds of learning machines based on random sets in set‐valued probability space are revisited. Second, some properties of random sets and set‐valued probability are discussed.

Findings

In the sequel, the concepts of the annealed entropy, the growth function, and VC dimension of a set of random sets are presented. Finally, the paper establishes the VC dimension theory of SLT based on random sets and set‐valued probability, and then develops the constructive distribution‐independent bounds on the rate of uniform convergence of learning processes. It shows that such bounds are important to the analysis of the generalization abilities of learning machines.

Originality/value

SLT is considered at present as one of the fundamental theories about small statistical learning.
Examples of admissible simplification of mathematical theories
Authors: Aleksenko Alena , Lakshtanov Evgeny
Published: November 2011

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is simplification of some mathematical theories for the needs of school education.

Design/methodology/approach

This work is a result of long‐lasting regular observations of extra‐curriculum classes with primary school pupils. This research is based on some maxima given in a paper written by Zvonkin.

Findings

This work gives examples of simplified math models that satisfy the claimed concept, accompanied with the set of problems attainable for primary school pupils.

Originality/value

This work represents a set of criteria, with the guidance of which, any mathematician would be capable of creating a set of problems that would lead the pupils into the area of his research not as observers, but as participants.
Constructing a production exception handling system for the semiconductor manufacturing process
Authors: Yeh Tsu‐Ming
Published: November 2011

Purpose

Facing keen worldwide competition, it is not enough for companies to pursue customer satisfaction; they must actively pursue customer delight. This paper seeks to design a work‐in‐process (WIP) exception handling system (WIPEHS) not simply measuring on‐time delivery performance for managers to take necessary improvement activities. It helps managers detect abnormal WIP levels in advance, trigger rectifying actions and finally notify pertinent people to coordinate roots causes and preventive means.

Design/methodology/approach

The structure of WIPEHS is proposed and then constructed with a soft package, Vigilance. A typical semiconductor factory is built and production data are simulated to evaluate the effectiveness of WIPEHS.

Findings

Collecting and analyzing results from the simulated typical semiconductor factory, the paper finds that the proposed system can effectively improve on‐time delivery performance; and that durations from a WIP exception detected a WIP exception back to normal and durations between two successive WIP exceptions significantly.

Practical implications

It helps factories outperform due dates, achieving significantly higher performance than prior performance without the production exception handling system, which should greatly please customers.

Originality/value

The proposed WIPEHS provide a total solution for undesirable production variations potentially harmful to due‐date performance. It anticipates WIP exception, notifies pertinent recipients, tracks the progress of exception resolution, and provides a forum for discussion of the root causes.
Rationalisation as delusion: pictorial health warnings and tobacco industry arguments
Authors: Hoek Janet , Gendall Philip , Louviere Jordan
Published: November 2011

Purpose

The tobacco industry consistently opposes measures that would limit their marketing, but provides little empirical evidence to support its position. This paper aims to test claims that pictorial health warnings on tobacco products would be no more effective than text‐only warnings.

Design/methodology/approach

Three studies used face‐to‐face interviews with smokers and non‐smokers to compare pictorial and text‐only warnings. Two studies used semantic differential scales to estimate cognitive and affective responses to pictorial and text‐only warnings, and the Juster Scale to provide behavioural estimates. The final study used best worst scaling to compare paired pictorial and text‐only warnings.

Findings

Images featuring medical and social images elicited stronger affective, cognitive and behavioural responses than a control, text‐only message. Comparisons of refreshed text and pictorial warnings found the latter elicited stronger reactions while the former produced similar results to the control. Updating text warnings did not render these more effective; however, adding an image to an existing text warning made this more effective than the control.

Research limitations/implications

Arguments advanced by the tobacco industry need empirical analysis to assess their validity.

Social implications

This study provides evidence that pictorial health warnings are more effective than text warnings and suggests that refreshing the text used in warning labels, the alternative promoted by the tobacco industry, would be less effective than introducing pictorial warnings.

Originality/value

This is the first comparison of pictorial and refreshed text warnings; the findings challenge the tobacco industry's position on tobacco warning labels and contradict arguments used to oppose the introduction of pictorial warning labels.
Against medical advice: the anti‐consumption of vaccines
Authors: Lee Michael S.W. , Male Mike
Published: November 2011

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to discuss the main reasons driving the anti‐vaccination movement (AVM) and relate similarities and differences of the AVM with the anti‐consumption of other products.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper conducts thematic analysis of various online sources, including medical journals, blogs, science articles and business/social science databases.

Findings

First, the paper outlines the main themes (religion, freedom of choice, risk, and uncertainty) driving the anti‐consumption of vaccines. Second, it explains why the AVM is a unique and paradoxical form of anti‐consumption. Third, although much anti‐consumption behaviour is motivated by the belief that rejecting certain acts of consumption may be beneficial to society, the paper uses the AVM to show that not all anti‐consumption behavior has clear‐cut benefits for society.

Research limitations/implications

While this is predominately a conceptual paper, a commentary on the AVM has never been attempted by business scholars. This is surprising since business scholars are able to bring a more impartial viewpoint to the debate than both the medical establishment and proponents of natural therapy. As this paper is not associated with medical interests, nor the AVM, the focus is on the welfare of consumers and as such, a more detached perspective may be useful in this controversial area.

Practical implications

Since the AVM debate is filled with much uncertainty, the paper recommends a more balanced/respectful approach by the medical community, pro‐vaccinators and the AVM.

Originality/value

Unlike previous work in the area, this research intersects commercial, societal, and medical interests. It also highlights AVM as an interesting case where large groups of people sharing similar anti‐consumption behaviours are actually incompatible with one another.
Interactive or reactive? Marketing with Twitter
Authors: Burton Suzan , Soboleva Alena
Published: November 2011

Purpose

Despite rapid growth in organizational use of Twitter, there is little theoretical or empirical research examining how different organisations use Twitter. This paper aims to analyse and compare use of Twitter in 12 accounts held by six organisations in the USA and Australia, drawing on existing models of interactive communications.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper is based on analysis of a random sample of tweets sent by each account.

Findings

The results demonstrate different ways in which the interactive capabilities of Twitter can be used to communicate with customers. However by also demonstrating lack of consistency in Twitter practice within most organisations, the results reinforce the need for strategic consistency in developing Twitter practice.

Research limitations/implications

The results are based on the Twitter practice of 12 organisational accounts in the USA and Australia from December 2009 to May 2010. As with any evolving medium, practices at the different organisations may have changed since that time.

Originality/value

The paper is the first to compare Twitter use within and across organisations and geographic markets. It demonstrates a variety of potential Twitter practices, and discusses the advantages and disadvantages of different strategies, and thus provides a framework for analysis of Twitter practice, and strategic direction for organisations developing their use of Twitter. The paper identifies challenges in the use of Twitter as both a one‐to‐many, and also a one‐to‐one, communication medium, and suggests strategies for coping with this dual use of Twitter.
Fairly sold? Adding value with fair trade coffee in cafes
Authors: Murphy Andrew , Jenner‐Leuthart Ben
Published: November 2011

Purpose

The presence of fair trade coffee in cafés may help in strategic positioning and market differentiation. This paper aims to explore the extent to which this is evident for café customers.

Design/methodology/approach

Customers were surveyed on their perceptions of café and coffee attributes including taste, price and store atmosphere. Respondents were analysed by knowledge of the concept of fair trade, and by frequency and place of purchase.

Findings

The study finds that nearly half of respondents claimed moderate self‐assessed knowledge, although objective knowledge was lower. More knowledgeable customers cared more for fair trade products and for café atmosphere, of which fair trade promotional material plays a part. Customers stated they expected to pay more for fair trade coffee, although on average not as much as current margins require. When exposed to more information about fair trade, stated price premium support increased, but coffee taste expectations worsened.

Practical implications

Promoting fair trade coffee can help distinguish and position cafés, but not as much as was expected. Customer beliefs about the provision of fair trade products appear to have a stronger influence on their choices than actuality.

Originality/value

The paper contributes to understanding customer motives for purchasing fair trade coffee, particularly in the context of cafés/coffee houses, and for their patronage.
Phonetic symbolism and children's brand name preferences
Authors: Baxter Stacey , Lowrey Tina M.
Published: November 2011

Purpose

Children are bombarded by branded communication every day. The purpose of this paper is to investigate the role that particular linguistic devices play in communication, and whether this process differs between children and adults. One such device is phonetic symbolism, which has been shown to lead adults to prefer brand names whose phonetic attributes match product and/or brand features.

Design/methodology/approach

Three experiments were undertaken to examine children's (six to 12 years of age) preference for phonetically manipulated brand names. Experiment 1 replicates findings in previous research showing that preference for a particular brand name within a single product category is dependent on how the brand is described. Experiment 2 extends this research across product categories that are expected to lead to differential brand name preference (based on product features). Finally, experiment 3 investigates the interaction between pure phonetic symbolism and semantic information.

Findings

Children show similar patterns of brand name preference (with some age differences that could be attributable to developmental stages), and that they link particular sounds with specific brand/product attributes.

Practical implications

This research shows that when selecting an inventive and distinct brand name, consideration could be given to the relationship between vowel sounds and brand characteristics. The authors believe that the findings are of importance to marketers as they consider different approaches to the naming of new brands.

Originality/value

This is the first set of experiments to investigate the effects of phonetic symbolism on brand name preference utilising a children's sample.
The first decade: emerging issues of the twenty‐first century in consumer marketing
Authors: Fortin David , Uncles Mark
Published: November 2011

Purpose

As one rewinds the clock to the early days of the twenty‐first century, it can be quite surprising to realise how much the consumer landscape has changed from what it is today. This paper aims to introduce the special issue and attempts to take stock of the last decade and reflect on the transformation of key areas of the changing marketplace and its impact on consumption.

Design/methodology/approach

A critical and integrative appraisal of emerging issues in consumer marketing is used to develop a framework for reviewing the relationship between demand‐side and supply‐side trends in the consumer landscape.

Findings

In reviewing major developments and trends of the last decade, the paper argues that the consumption landscape now operates in a rapidly changing environment that can be characterised as both turbulent and disruptive. These major shifts are emerging from the physical environment, technological innovation and the transformation of major markets. In all these scenarios, significant events are being experienced which disrupt the ways in which consumers behave and a retrospective of the first decade underscores several of these major shifts.

Research limitations/implications

All of the papers included in this special issue have used one or more methods of inquiry based on conceptual, qualitative and/or quantitative approaches and open up fascinating avenues for future research in areas such as social marketing, branding, anti‐consumption, co‐creation, and social networking to name a few.

Practical implications

The last decade saw a great deal of attention given to social marketing and tackling the “dark side” of marketing to selected groups, often identified as vulnerable consumers. In other cases, such as with “anti‐consumption”, consumers totally avoid consuming certain products which, as a result, may have negative consequences not only for them but for the whole of society such as is the case with the avoidance of vaccination.

Originality/value

This paper is a unique examination of the last decade and its impact on consumer marketing backed up by a collection of strong contributions in emerging areas such as anti‐consumption, social networking, health promotion and addictive products, consumer co‐creation, sustainability and fair trade, branding and multicultural markets.
Explaining the effectiveness of performance‐based logistics: a quantitative examination
Authors: Randall Wesley S. , Nowicki David R. , Hawkins Timothy G.
Published: November 2011

Purpose

Performance‐based logistics (PBL) strategies are providing governments and for‐profit organizations with a contractual mechanism that reduces the life cycle costs of their systems. PBL accomplishes this by establishing contracts that focus on the delivery of performance not parts. PBL establishes a metric based governance structure where suppliers make more profit when they invest in logistics process improvements, or system redesign, that reduces total cost of ownership. While work has been done to outline an overall PBL theoretical framework, the underlying theory explaining the enablers that lead to organizational and team‐level, team‐goal alignment associated with the PBL governance structure requires testing. The purpose of this paper is to quantitatively test previously posited relationships between enablers of PBL and PBL effectiveness. An additional objective is to explore any differences in PBL effectiveness between different business sectors.

Design/methodology/approach

A multiple regression model was developed, tested and validated to explain the effectiveness of PBL. The model was externally validated with exploratory cross‐sectional survey data of 61 practitioners.

Findings

This study strongly supports recent PBL theory explaining PBL effectiveness. Key antecedents include investment climate, relational exchange, PBL leadership, and business sector. Further, government organizations lag behind their commercial counterparts in PBL effectiveness and PBL leadership.

Practical implications

PBL business arrangements are more effective in more favorable investment climates. Thus, leaders should welcome new ideas, empower employees, and encourage entrepreneurship. Since PBL effectiveness increases with relational exchange, building trust and communicating with suppliers is key. Leadership is also important to PBL effectiveness. Leaders should accept risk, focus on long‐term affordability and performance, and align activities to achieve end‐user goals.

Originality/value

This research is the first quantitative test of previously posited factors affecting PBL effectiveness. Additionally, this research unveils key differences in business sectors' use of PBL strategies.
Diffusion of green supply chain management
Authors: Hazen Benjamin T. , Cegielski Casey , Hanna Joe B.
Published: November 2011

Purpose

Extant research has yielded conflicting results regarding the relationship between adoption of green supply chain management (GSCM) practices and competitive advantage. The purpose of this paper is to further investigate this relationship by examining the case of green reverse logistics (GRL).

Design/methodology/approach

Through the lens of diffusion of innovation and resource‐advantage theory, the authors examine whether or not consumers perceive products made via GRL practices to be equivalent to brand‐new products in terms of quality. A survey method is used to gather data from a diverse sample of 533 participants. Data are analyzed via ANOVA to test the hypotheses.

Findings

The findings suggest that consumers perceive products made via some GRL practices to be inferior to brand‐new products in terms of quality. However, participants indicated no perceived quality difference between products made with recycled materials and brand‐new products.

Research limitations/implications

The findings suggest that adoption of some GSCM practices may not necessarily lead to competitive advantage, which may inhibit diffusion of GSCM. This study is limited by its focus on just one aspect of competitive advantage. Future studies should examine the relationship between GSCM adoption and other measures of competitive advantage.

Practical implications

Understanding that consumers may perceive products made via some GRL activities as being inferior in quality to brand‐new products, firms wishing to employ GRL may wish to compete on other dimensions, such as low price or service.

Originality/value

This research corroborates previous research findings that suggest adoption of GSCM may not lead directly to competitive advantage. Future research is suggested to continue to build this body of literature.
Retail supply chain management: key priorities and practices
Authors: Randall Wesley S. , Gibson Brian J. , Clifford Defee C. , Williams Brent D.
Published: November 2011

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to investigate the unique supply chain strategies employed by retailers.

Design/methodology/approach

A mixed methods approach was employed involving analysis of depth interviews with 27 retail supply chain executives combined with a follow‐up survey capturing over 200 responses.

Findings

In light of uncertain economic conditions, retailers appear to be developing more agile/responsive supply chain management (SCM) strategies. Additionally, retailers are putting greater emphasis on maintaining a balance of cost versus service than the cost‐centered focus found in a prior study.

Research limitations/implications

This study focused on US retailers and therefore results should be cautiously extended to the retailing environment in other countries.

Practical implications

Retailing is not a “one size fits all” business, and study results suggest the SCM strategies used by retailers depend greatly on the nature of each retailer's model. However, the need to create agile SCM processes while controlling costs was an overarching theme described by retailers.

Originality/value

Retailers operate some of the largest and most complex supply chains, yet SCM research has generally overlooked the retail sector. This study targets this gap, and in addition introduces a novel data collection approach using clicker devices that researchers may find useful in future projects.