bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Alcohol advertising and young people's drinking
Authors: Gunter Barrie , Hansen Anders , Touri Maria
Published: March 2009

Purpose

This paper aims to investigate relationships between reported alcohol consumption and exposure to alcohol advertising.

Design/methodology/approach

A survey of young people (17‐21 years) was carried out in which they were questioned about their alcohol consumption habits, types of alcohol they consume, exposure to alcohol advertising, and a range of other factors linked to drinking (e.g. parental and peer groups alcohol‐related behavior and attitudes). General alcohol consumption was measured within three time‐frames: own lifetime, past year and past month.

Findings

The results showed no significant relationships between exposure to any type of alcohol advertising (cinema, magazine, TV) and general alcohol consumption. Exposure to televised advertising for alcopops and for cider in each case emerged as a significant predictor of consumption of each of those types of alcohol. While there was no evidence that alcohol advertising plays a significant role in shaping general alcohol consumption among young people, it does seem to play a part in driving consumption of certain types of alcoholic beverage.

Research limitations/implications

Self‐completion questionnaires were used and the sample was based in central east England.

Practical implications

The results can inform current debates about the role of advertising in young people's drinking.

Originality/value

A wider range of alcohol‐related consumption and alcohol advertising exposure behaviors was examined in this study than in most other published surveys that have investigated relationships between these classes of variables.
Children playing and learning in an online environment: a review of previous research and an examination of six current web sites
Authors: Harding Jacqueline , Szakacs Judit , Parry Becky
Published: March 2009

Purpose

This paper aims to examine what elements in online environments promote engagement, learning and repeated visits for children aged 6‐12 years.

Design/methodology/approach

An in‐depth textual analysis, exploring components such as navigation, construction of site, character choice and development, style of text, types of questioning, animation, color and other factors, of six English‐language web sites, describing themselves as “educational and fun”, was carried out against a background of literature available on web site design for children, relying particularly on media text analysis and an evaluation method produced in relation to children's motivation and web site use.

Findings

The analysis of the six web sites resulted in a number of usability requirements for children's web sites, including the following: web sites should have an understanding of the community of users they serve; web sites should offer dynamic forms of learning; web sites should encourage interaction between users and site designers; web sites should offer open activities rather than closed ones; web sites should view young people as persons with rights.

Research limitations/implications

Insights gained from the analysis of six web sites are hard to generalize. User behavior was not studied.

Practical implications

Web designers should bear the usability requirements in mind when designing web sites for children.

Originality/value

Although educational content for children on the internet is growing exponentially, the area is relatively under‐researched. This is one of the first detailed analyses of entertaining educational web sites targeting children.
Exergaming: virtual inspiration, real perspiration
Authors: Klein Matthew J. , Simmers Christina S.
Published: March 2009

Purpose

The USA is facing an obesity crisis so large that for the first time in history, this generation of children may have a life span that does not exceed that of its parents. Simultaneously, the gaming industry has introduced a form of video gaming (e.g. Nintendo Wii) that requires the participant to be physically involved in the game. For example, a live player will have a tennis racquet that he/she swings to compete with a virtual opponent on screen. This form of entertainment has been termed “exergaming.” People are buying these games for the purpose of entertainment. However, this paper aims to propose that there are possible unanticipated physical benefits of this new gaming technology.

Design/methodology/approach

A survey method is used to examine attitudes about exercise, video gaming and exergaming.

Findings

Results indicate a positive attitude toward exergaming, particularly with the more self‐identified sedentary respondents.

Research limitations/implications

This topic would benefit from a longitudinal study examining the adoption rate of this technology by previously inactive individuals and how its use translates into increased physical activity both with the video game system and other outside fitness activities.

Practical implications

The findings support exergaming as one way to get children to exercise.

Originality/value

The exercise potential of new gaming technology, i.e. “exergaming” is researched.
Analyzing advergames: active diversions or actually deception. An exploratory study of online advergames content
Authors: Dahl Stephan , Eagle Lynne , Báez Carlos
Published: March 2009

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to review the nature of advergames and the rhetoric versus reality of their claimed effects and effectiveness, focusing specifically on their use by children.

Design/methodology/approach

A content analysis of major web sites that are likely to have particular appeal to children and an evaluation in order to determine whether the material contained in these sites would be permitted if similar codes of practice, as for other media, would be applied to internet sites.

Findings

The paper finds that the majority of web sites do not comply with the existing broadcasting codes of practice for mainstream advertising.

Research limitations/implications

The study is exploratory in nature and the sample size limited.

Practical implications

As the paper suggests that advertisers should critically examine the content of their web sites and open the debate about what constitutes acceptable online behavior.

Originality/value

The paper offers insights about the content of advergames in practice and the potential problems associated with regulation of advertising in different media forms, especially new and evolving media forms.
Internet addiction among Turkish young consumers
Authors: Aslanbay Yonca , Aslanbay Muhiddin , Çobanoğlu Emine
Published: March 2009

Purpose

The purpose of the paper is to profile young Turkish consumers by segmenting them over internet addiction.

Design/methodology/approach

To profile the segments, the study analyses the internet addiction and its preceding factors among 313 Turkish high school internet user students, aged 15‐18 years old, selected on a convenience basis. The data of this descriptive study were collected by a structured questionnaire. The relationship among internet addiction and the preceding factors; demographics, internet use hours, purpose of internet use, other media consumption, gratification of internet use are examined.

Findings

TV consumption, internet use hours, three purposes of internet use factors as “social navigation”, “targeted navigation”, “download”, besides four gratification factors namely “diversion and means”, “improve one self”, “virtual relationship”, “virtual community” were found to explain 40 percent of variation in internet addiction. The model was tested with structural equation modeling (SEM). Then the students were clustered based on internet addiction and were profiled by the preceding factors as defined in the resulting model.

Research limitations/implication

The research is limited to young people in Turkey using a convenience sample with a questionnaire methodology. Future research could extend the cultural base and utilize other methods.

Originality/value

This is a pioneering study for internet use in Turkey. In the near future, an increase in Internet use will be expected. The paper helps Turkish marketers be aware of the Internet use experience of their young consumers.
Use of persuasion knowledge by the millennial generation
Authors: Henrie Kenneth M. , Taylor D. Christopher
Published: March 2009

Purpose

This paper seeks to empirically test the use of persuasion knowledge among the millennial generation.

Design/methodology/approach

College aged students were randomly assigned into two groups and given scenarios where one was designed for persuasion knowledge to be more likely utilized by consumers, and a second where is was less likely to use it. The respondents were exposed to a scripted sales scenario and their perceptions of the salesperson were measured. It was hypothesized that millennial consumers using persuasion knowledge were more likely to develop negative affective and cognitive attitudes toward the salesperson, and were less likely to develop purchase intentions than those not using persuasion knowledge. Factor analysis was used to confirm that three dimensions existed, and a follow‐up MANOVA/t‐test was used to measure the differences between the two treatment groups.

Findings

All three hypotheses were supported. Millennial consumers that feel compelled to cope with the salesperson's tactics were significantly more likely to develop negative perceptions of the salesperson, and were less likely to buy than other consumers.

Research limitations/implications

This study was limited in scope, as it was designed to be a basic sales interaction with a retail salesperson. Future research is needed to identify millennial's use of persuasion knowledge in a variety of sales environments, and for different types of products.

Originality/value

This was the first study to provide empirical evidence supporting the use of persuasion knowledge by younger consumers.
How consumers value online personalization: a longitudinal experiment
Authors: de Pechpeyrou Pauline
Published: March 2009

Purpose

The ability to acquire and process consumer information online has provided web‐based vendors with the ability to personalize their merchandising at a very low cost. However, empirically establishing the expected positive effect of personalized merchandising has been difficult for practical as well as financial reasons. The aim of this paper is to compare the effectiveness of personalized vs random merchandising on consumers' attitudes and behaviors.

Design/methodology/approach

A longitudinal subject experiment comparing standardized vs personalized merchandising was adopted. A fictitious web site was created for the purposes of the study.

Findings

Personalized items led to more clicks than random suggestions. Moreover, a positive attitude towards personalization enhanced the attitude towards the web site.

Research limitations/implications

Even if credibility was enhanced thanks to the web site design, the research suffered from a lack of external validity. Additionally, the procedure prevented us from observing any potential effect on basket size.

Practical implications

A strategy of personalizing the content appeared to be relevant for web site managers. They should use “close” recommendations rather than “broad” recommendations and present a moderate number of personalized suggestions.

Originality/value

The research is one of the few online experiments with a longitudinal perspective, which is considered necessary when studying consumers' reactions to the personalization “process”.
Examining beliefs and attitudes toward online advertising among Chinese consumers
Authors: Wang Ying , Sun Shaojing , Lei Weizhen , Toncar Mark
Published: March 2009

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to investigate beliefs about and attitudes toward online advertising (ATOA) among Chinese consumers and the relationship between belief factors, ATOA, and consumers' behavioral responses to online advertising.

Design/methodology/approach

Data were collected from students of a large metropolitan university in China. A total of 202 questionnaires provided usable data and were analyzed using AMOS.

Findings

Five belief factors that underlie Chinese consumers' ATOA were identified: entertainment, information seeking, credibility, economy, and value corruption. Information seeking, economy and value corruption were significant predictors of ATOA. ATOA was found to be a significant positive predictor of ad clicking and online shopping frequency.

Practical implications

Global marketers would benefit from understanding how consumers from a booming emerging market perceive the internet as a source of advertising. Thus, the study will enable businesses and organizations to use online advertising more effectively and efficiently in their global marketing efforts.

Originality/value

Investigating Chinese ATOA extends current research on ATOA to a distinctly different cultural context and may provide useful implications about expanding business across cultures.
Influences on free samples usage within the luxury cosmetic market
Authors: Ben Amor Insaf , Guilbert Francis
Published: March 2009

Purpose

The goals of this paper are to determine the effectiveness of product sampling in terms of usage, to draw a consumer profile who is reactive to free samples and to determine product characteristics that would lead to free samples usage.

Design/methodology/approach

An experiment and a questionnaire inquiry were conducted. An outlet database was also used. Perfume, skin care and make‐up samples were given away to 500 women. In order to test the hypotheses logit models were employed.

Findings

Launching product sampling campaigns is quite effective as free samples usage appears to be high (72 per cent). Managers should give away samples of new products involving important advertising budgets. They also should offer samples of product types with a high‐penetration rate. In addition, it is better to sample well‐known brands rather than unknown ones. Moreover, the authors recommend targeting family brand users when offering free samples. Also, it is not profitable to target consumers with low‐annual spending within the product category. Finally, the authors suggest giving away samples to non‐working housewives.

Originality/value

This is the first paper to examine the determinants of free samples usage. Moreover, the study considers three methods of data collection. Finally, it has interesting practical and theoretical implications.
Do China's “national team” business groups undertake strategic‐asset‐seeking OFDI?
Authors: Sutherland Dylan
Published: March 2009

Purpose

This paper aims to explore the contribution of China's largest business groups to China's outward foreign direct investment (OFDI), looking particularly at the question of whether they contribute to strategic‐asset‐seeking OFDI.

Design/methodology/approach

It uses national‐level data and business group OFDI data to explore the sectors from which OFDI originates and destinations to which it is sent. From this conclusions are drawn as to the types of investments being made.

Findings

In the national context strategic‐asset‐seeking OFDI from China has been rather limited to date. Instead, OFDI expansion still appears more closely linked to China's expansion as a trading nation with a natural resource deficit. Strategic‐asset‐seeking OFDI when it does take place, moreover, is orchestrated to a large extent through large state controlled business groups, as is much other OFDI.

Research limitations/implications

A limitation of this research is the reliance on official data and the assumed simplification that most strategic‐asset‐seeking OFDI is concentrated in the manufacturing industries.

Practical implications

More attention should be paid to the role of these select business groups as they play a significant part in China's OFDI.

Originality/value

There is a growing presumption that much of China's OFDI is strategic‐asset‐seeking in nature and that new theories are required to explain this trend. Many firm‐level studies, however, rely upon just a few high‐profile but unrepresentative cases. This paper redresses this imbalance. It also shows that China's largest trial business groups have played an important role in her OFDI to date.
The internationalization of Chinese companies
Authors: Schüler‐Zhou Yun , Schüller Margot
Published: March 2009

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to offer a critical perspective on China's official outward foreign direct investment (OFDI) data, commonly used in most research on the internationalization of Chinese companies. Owing to the deficiencies of China's statistical system, official OFDI data leave us with only a limited understanding of the pattern of Chinese OFDI in general and cross‐border mergers and acquisitions (M&As) in particular.

Design/methodology/approach

Based on a theoretical discussion of the internationalization of companies, some propositions about the development pattern of Chinese M&As are derived. This study uses the Dealogic database, which covers Chinese cross‐border M&As during the period from January 1999 to May 2007 in order to analyse the development trend, geographical destination, sectoral distribution, and equity participation of Chinese cross‐border M&As.

Findings

First, the growth of China's OFDI has not been as fast as expected, while the development of cross‐border M&As has been very impressive. Second, although official OFDI statistics reveal that Asia remains the most important investment destination, our M&A data analysis shows that the developed countries in the West have attracted most Chinese cross‐border M&A investments. Third, in contrast to the official OFDI statistics, our findings reveal a heavy concentration of M&As in mining and manufacturing. Finally, our cross‐border M&A data suggest that Chinese companies predominantly seek high‐level equity participation in the acquired target companies abroad.

Originality/value

This paper fills a gap in the study of the development pattern of Chinese cross‐border M&A investments and offers a complementary view and a better understanding of the internationalization of Chinese companies.
Isomorphic or not?
Authors: Yang Monica
Published: March 2009

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to examine whether isomorphism and mimetic, coercive, and normative mechanisms apply to cross‐border mergers and acquisitions initiated by Chinese firms. Unlike prior studies, the paper aims to identify multiple bases for imitation of firm strategy and verify: whether the degree of conformity in the multiple bases of firm strategy increases over time; and how mimetic, coercive, and normative pressures affect the degree of conformity.

Design/methodology/approach

Hypotheses are tested on a sample of 1,004 cross‐border mergers and acquisitions (M&As) initiated by 671 Chinese firms from 1985 to 2006. The four decisions for imitation in cross‐border M&As are based on: the product relatedness between the acquiring and target firms; the location of the target firm; the ownership structure; and the size of the deal.

Findings

The results show that not all decisions on cross‐border M&As react to forces of conformity in the same way. Overtime, the overall degree of conformity in cross‐border M&As decreases. Factors that significantly affect the degree of conformity include the experiences of failure other firms in the industry, regulatory changes, and membership or entry into the World Trade Organization.

Originality/value

This paper re‐examines the concept of isomorphism and explores the conditions under which firms from emergent markets conform to others' decisions.
China's national system of innovation and uneven technological trajectory
Authors: Fuller Douglas B.
Published: March 2009

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to explore the limitations of the national system of innovation (NSI) approach in countries in developing economies with at best incomplete sets of market institutions.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper employed a grounded theory approach using semi‐structured interviews to explore a case study of one industry segment (the IC design industry segment) in one developing economy, China.

Findings

This paper argues that developing countries have institutions beyond the national system that can affect science and technology activities. Owing to co‐ethnic transnational technology networks and the politics of finance, China's firms experience distinct patterns of performance not explained by the NSI framework. A particular type of foreign firm, the hybrid foreign‐invested enterprise, combines foreign finance with commitment to China to drive China's technological development. Other firms, particularly those closely tied to the Chinese state, contribute less or even negatively to China's development. Strong ties to the state in the context of China actually undermine the incentive for innovation.

Originality/value

This paper deconstructs both NSI and the idea of national political economies more broadly. The paper also offers value in presenting a detailed case study of on‐the‐ground innovation and upgrading in China.
Developing a framework of success of Bumiputera entrepreneurs
Authors: Abdullah Firdaus , Hamali Jamil , Rahman Deen Abdul , Saban Gluma , Zainoren Abg Abdurahman Abg
Published: March 2009

Purpose

Entrepreneurship in developing countries is arguably the least studied significant economic and social phenomenon. Previous studies focused on describing the attributes of entrepreneurship rather than providing a framework, in which entrepreneurs and policy makers alike can rationally plan and execute innovative business models. Current issues facing Malaysian entrepreneurs include low level of technology, lack of innovation through research and development, low working capital, and of highly domestic orientations. This led to a lack of resilience and efficiency among the entrepreneurs, thus rendering them ill‐equipped to compete globally. This adverse scenario is increasingly apparent among Bumiputera (Native of Malaysia) entrepreneurs as the growth of entrepreneurial activity has not been in tandem with the pace of the overall development of the nation. Hence, this study seeks to identify factors leading to success and failure so that Bumiputera entrepreneurs can prevent failure by correcting problems, and appreciate what it takes to succeed. Ultimately, a framework of success is proposed as a comprehensive tool to enhance their survival in a competitive global economy.

Design/methodology/approach

A survey instrument was used, and a total of 1,500 Bumiputera entrepreneurs participated, covering all the states in Malaysia.

Findings

The findings confirmed that eight factors are vital to the success of Bumiputera entrepreneurs. In rank order of importance, these factors are advancement drive, achievement oriented, commitment, decision‐making ability, managing risk, tenacity, networking, and optimism. As for the factors leading to the failure of Bumiputera entrepreneurs, inability to compete, lack of competency and capital, customer‐related problems, employee‐related problems, unfavourable economic conditions, bureaucracy, supplier discrimination, and negative community attitudes were found to be crucial.

Originality/value

The paper develops a framework to aid the success of Bumiputera entrepreneurs in Malaysia.
Export‐oriented small and medium industry clusters in Indonesia
Authors: Tambunan Tulus
Published: March 2009

Purpose

The Indonesian government has been trying to support the development of small and medium enterprises (SMEs) in the country, as these enterprises are expected to play a crucial role not only for employment creation but also for GDP formation and export development. The paper aims to address the following three questions. First, are networks important for the development of SME clusters, especially for those involved in export activities? Second, in what type of clusters are networks well developed? Third, what is the role of government; does it also play as an important network for SME cluster development?

Design/methodology/approach

This paper is based on an ongoing research on the importance of networks in the development of export‐oriented SME clusters in Indonesia. Although the paper also discusses other important issues related to the development of SMEs in the country, i.e. constraints facing the enterprises and women entrepreneurs, the paper focuses on the importance of networks.

Findings

First, SMEs are of overwhelming importance to Indonesia because they account for more than 90 percent of all firms outside of the agricultural sector. Second, the main constraints faced by small entrepreneurs are, lack of finance and difficulties in marketing. Third, the representation of women entrepreneurs in Indonesia is still relatively low which can be attributed to various factors, e.g. low level of education and lack of training opportunities that make Indonesian women severely disadvantaged in both the economy and society. Finally, although in general Indonesia is not well represented with small and medium industrial clusters that feed into global commodity chains, some clusters have gradually become export‐oriented. Among many factors, well developed networks especially with traders, trading houses, and foreign tourists are indeed an important factor for their increasingly export activities. Even these agents have played more important role than supports from government for their successful export.

Originality/value

The paper examines the importance of networks for the export‐oriented SME clusters in Indonesia.
Case study: Al Amana of Morocco
Authors: McPhee Chantal , St‐Onge Annette
Published: March 2009

Purpose

The United Nations General Assembly adopted 2005 as the Year of Microcredit, recognizing the link between inclusive financial systems and the economic development of those most at need. Microcredit, or more broadly microfinance (MF) has a role to play in facilitating growth through the provision of credit to entrepreneurs. Association Al Amana for the Promotion of Micro‐Enterprises Morocco (Al Amana) is an unusually successful microfinance institution (MFI) registered as a non‐profit organization in Morocco. Starting in 1997, with capital provided by USAID, it has grown to become the leading MFI within Morocco and the broader Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region. It has seen rapid growth in clients and assets while also reaching a level of financial sustainability uncommon among MFIs. Why has Al Amana been so successful? This paper will seek to examine this question, highlighting key internal and external factors that have contributed to this organization's success.

Design/methodology/approach

Further, this analysis will examine Al Amana within its regional enabling environment to highlight those critical issues within an entrepreneurial finance climate that are conducive to MF lending. Additional analysis of Al Amana includes a review of their portfolio, key financial indicators, and other bank strategies that have been instrumental in their financial growth and success. Lastly, the analysis will conclude with a discussion of the key factors that will become important to the sustainability and growth of this MFI as it serves the needs of entrepreneurs in Morocco. The methodology for the research consisted of a literature review of MFI activity in Morocco and the MENA region, an examination of key elements within the enabling environment, and a financial review of Al Amana and its key financial results.

Findings

The results of the research provide a case study of a successful MFI that is contributing to the development of entrepreneurs in its region. It will also highlight the specific organizational factors as well as key elements in the enabling environment that have facilitated the success of Al Amana.

Originality/value

The paper highlights the success of Al Amana in Morocco and presents some of the challenges facing the organization.
Credit delivery and sustainability of micro‐credit schemes in Nigeria
Authors: Obamuyi Tomola M.
Published: March 2009

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to examine the effects of access to credit through micro‐credit institutions on entrepreneurial performance and assesses the loan performance of public credit schemes in Nigeria in order to determine the sustainability of such schemes.

Design/methodology/approach

The study employed qualitative approach and exploratory perspective, using primary and secondary data obtained at beneficiary and institutional levels.

Findings

The loan repayment rates were generally low for many of the schemes, and this confirms the problems of public sector lending, with implications for the sustainability of the schemes. Many reasons were given for the low repayment rates, among which were poor credit culture of the schemes managed by public sector and the attitudinal nature of Nigerians towards public funds.

Practical implications

There is a need for policy makers, researchers and entrepreneurs to improve on the designing of micro‐credit schemes in order to be sustainable.

Originality/value

This paper makes a first step towards comparing the performance of public and private micro‐credit schemes in Nigeria.
Economic openness and rural communities in Guatemala
Authors: Nicolás Cabrera‐Schneider José
Published: March 2009

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to describe some effects of the economic policies implemented by the Guatemalan government on rural communities.

Design/methodology/approach

A comparison of the trends in corn prices over time between Guatemala and the USA was used to determine which year the impact of economic openness policies began. Then, changes in the area harvested of corn and other agricultural products and diet composition and consumption patterns over this time period were used to assess effects on rural communities.

Findings

The trend in Guatemala's corn price and the trend in the US's corn price are similar in the period from 1988 to 2005. There has been a reduction of in the area of corn harvested and an increase in the area harvested of other agricultural products for 1980‐2005. Also, it appears that there has been a change in the food energy consumption, food proteins source and caloric intake Guatemalans.

Research limitations/implications

Field interviews are needed to examine in detail the specific adaptations communities have had.

Practical implications

Economic opening policies can have an effect on cultural elements, such as corn production and the diet.

Originality/value

This paper suggests that the economic openness policies started to show their effects at the end of 1980 affecting agricultural production and the diet of Guatemalans.
A study of the impact of oil and gas development on the Dene First Nations of the Sahtu (Great Bear Lake) Region of the Canadian Northwest Territories (NWT)
Authors: Paul Dana Leo , Brent Anderson Robert , Meis‐Mason Aldene
Published: March 2009

Purpose

Beneath Canada's Northwest Territories lies a potential of 30 trillion cubic feet of natural gas. Will a $16 billion gas‐pipeline bring prosperity or gloom? Will this bring employment opportunities for local people or will more qualified people be brought in from southern communities? The purpose of this paper is to give an account of what Dene residents of the Sahtu Region have to say about oil and gas development.

Design/methodology/approach

Starting in 2005, in‐depth interviews with people across the Sahtu Region are conducted.

Findings

Respondents recognise the short‐term advantages of building a pipeline, but they are concerned about the long‐term impact on the environment that currently ensures their livelihood.

Research limitations/implications

This study begs for a longitudinal follow‐up.

Practical implications

Policy‐makers may benefit from knowing the feelings of their constituents.

Originality/value

This timely study reveals long‐term environmental and social impacts of short‐term development. This is especially important in a region where people believe that they have an obligation to the land upon which they live.
Work‐related health attributions: their impact on work attitudes
Authors: Göransson Sara , Näswall Katharina , Sverke Magnus
Published: March 2009

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to introduce the concept of work‐related health attributions and investigate the effects of such perceptions as well as of health status on work‐related attitudes and turnover intentions.

Design/methodology/approach

Building on attribution theory, the study tests the assumption that negative work‐related health attributions impair employee work‐related attitudes and intentions, and moderate the relation between health status and work‐related attitudes. Cross‐sectional questionnaire data from 785 Swedish retail white‐collar workers are collected to test these assumptions by utilizing moderated regression analyses.

Findings

The results show that negative work‐related health attributions are related to lower levels of job satisfaction and organizational commitment as well as higher levels of turnover intention, even after controlling for demographics, work climate variables, and mental distress. Further, the significant interaction between attributions and mental distress indicates that it makes a difference for employees' turnover intentions if an individual with high mental distress attributes it to work or not.

Practical implications

Work‐related health attributions should be taken into account in order to avoid impaired levels of employee work motivation. The measure introduced renders it possible to identify and help those individuals who believe that work affects their health negatively.

Originality/value

The results underscore the relevance of how individuals think their health is affected by their work, and contributes to the understanding of how health status relates to work‐related attitudes. Since the measure of work‐related health attributions is easily administered it is also valuable for practitioners working with employee health and attitudes.
Crossover of workplace aggression on to partner's alcohol intake
Authors: Marchand Alain , Harvey Steve , Haines Victor
Published: March 2009

Purpose

This study aims to investigate the crossover of workplace aggression experienced by members of dual‐earner couples on alcohol intake of the partner

Design/methodology/approach

Cross‐sectional community data come from the 1998 Quebec Health and Social Survey containing a sub‐sample of 5,778 individuals nested in 2,889 dual‐earner couples. Data on alcohol intake, workplace aggression (physical, psychological, sexual), decision authority, working hours, irregular work schedule, marital strains, gender and age are gathered from self‐report questionnaires. Each member of the couple will answer the questionnaire.

Findings

The results show that being the target of workplace aggression is associated with low‐risk (OR=1.27, 95%CI=1.10‐1.46) and high‐risk drinking (OR=1.78, 95%CI=1.44‐2.20). Indicative of a crossover effect, partner workplace aggression victimization (OR=1.30, 95%CI=1.05‐1.62) is associated with high‐risk drinking

Research limitations/implications

Victims of workplace aggression and their immediate relatives might be supported to avoid adverse alcohol‐related problems. Organizations need to pay more attention to the problem of workplace aggression in their occupational health and safety programs

Originality/value

Using multilevel multinomial regression models, this study highlights the complexities of work‐family dynamics and of the crossover effect of workplace aggression into the lives and alcohol intake behavior of dual‐earner partners.
Workplace bullying risk assessment in 12 Italian organizations
Authors: Giorgi Gabriele
Published: March 2009

Purpose

This paper aims to propose an organizing framework of a possible relationship between working environment and bullying at work.

Design/methodology/approach

A total of 926 Italian employees completed the Majer D'Amato Organizational Questionnaire 10 (MDOQ10) and the Negative Acts Questionnaire Revised (NAQ‐R) in order to test the relationship between climate and bullying.

Findings

The study finds that organizational climate is a critical antecedent of bullying at work. Organizational climate dimensions at a singular level, and interaction among them, impact on bullying at work.

Originality/value

The impact of working environment on bullying at work is supported.
Poor bullying prevention and employee health: some implications
Authors: Bryant Melanie , Buttigieg Donna , Hanley Glennis
Published: March 2009

Purpose

This paper aims to investigate employee reports of workplace bullying in which participants argue that poor management of bullying led to a range of health problems, both physical and mental.

Design/methodology/approach

A constructivist approach is adopted to develop an understanding of individual experiences of bullying. Qualitative research interviews are used as the method of data collection and focus is on individual participants as the unit of analysis. Data are analyzed using thematic analysis in which both deductive and inductive themes are developed.

Findings

Findings suggest that lack of or poor workplace bullying policies impacts are used negatively on employee health. Specifically, analysis of employee reports suggest that the inability to successfully report bullying, or have bullying complaints taken seriously leads to ongoing implications for the individual.

Research implications

Future research needs to focus further on examining reasons why some organizations do not develop and implement anti‐bullying policies, as well as further investigate the characteristics of bullying cultures so that effective interventions can be developed and health issues associated with bullying minimized.

Originality/value

This paper contributes to workplace health practice by providing insight into the risks that poor bullying management can have on the health of employees. It is proposed that such consequences could lead to an increase in litigations in the event that employees demonstrate that organizations have not provided a duty of care. Finally, the paper argues that organizations that do not attempt to prevent bullying may inadvertently contribute to the long‐term development of organizational cultures that tolerate harassment and abuse.
A combination of work environment factors and individual difference variables in work interfering with family
Authors: Blanchard Céline M. , Tremblay Maxime A. , Mask Lisa , Perras Mélanie G.M.
Published: March 2009

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to test the relative contribution of work environment factors as well as individual difference variables on the degree of work interfering with family (WIF) and other mental health outcomes, namely, emotional exhaustion, life satisfaction, and family interfering with work (FIW).

Design/methodology/approach

Self‐report measures of the constructs of interest will be completed by a random sample of 539 health care professionals (Study 1: n=314; Study 2: n=128). In Study 1, it is hypothesized that work environment factors namely, work stressors and a supportive work environment characterized by perceived support from the supervisor, the organization, and co‐workers' supportive behaviors will be positively and negatively associated with WIF, respectively.

Findings

Findings document positive links between task‐related stressors and WIF and negative links between perceived support from the organization and WIF. In addition, both task‐related stressors and WIF are positive predictors of emotional exhaustion. In Study 2, the relative impact of two individual difference variables (i.e. time management and global self‐determination) on WIF and other mental health outcomes are examined, above and beyond the impact of the work environment factors. Task‐related stressors remainean important predictor of WIF and global self‐determination accounts for additional variance in this outcome variable.

Research limitations/implications

Theoretical and practical implications that may guide future theory and research in this domain are discussed.

Originality/value

Findings from both studies provide insight as to potential sources, namely work environment factors and individual difference variables, which may accentuate or mitigate the degree of WIF.
High‐dimensional real‐parameter optimization using the differential ant‐stigmergy algorithm
Authors: Korošec Peter , Šilc Jurij
Published: March 2009

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to present an algorithm for global optimization of high‐dimensional real‐parameter cost functions.

Design/methodology/approach

This optimization algorithm, called differential ant‐stigmergy algorithm (DASA), based on a stigmergy observed in colonies of real ants. Stigmergy is a method of communication in decentralized systems in which the individual parts of the system communicate with one another by modifying their local environment.

Findings

The DASA outperformed the included differential evolution type algorithm in convergence on all test functions and also obtained better solutions on some test functions.

Practical implications

The DASA may find applications in challenging real‐life optimization problems such as maximizing the empirical area under the receiver operating characteristic curve of glycomics mass spectrometry data and minimizing the logistic leave‐one‐out calculation measure for the gene‐selection criterion.

Originality/value

The DASA is one of the first ant‐colony optimization‐based algorithms proposed for global optimization of the high‐dimensional real‐parameter problems.
Circuits form‐valued classical, reversible and quantum optical computing with application to regular logic design
Authors: Al‐Rabadi Anas N.
Published: March 2009

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to introduce an approach form‐valued classical and non‐classical (reversible and quantum) optical computing. The developed approach utilizes new multiplexer‐based optical devices and circuits within switch logic to perform the required optical computing. The implementation of the new optical devices and circuits in the optical regular logic synthesis using new lattice and systolic architectures is introduced, and the extensions to quantum optical computing are also presented.

Design/methodology/approach

The new linear optical circuits and systems utilize coherent light beams to perform the functionality of the basic logic multiplexer. The 2‐to‐1 multiplexer is a basic building block in switch logic, where in switch logic a logic circuit is implemented as a combination of switches rather than a combination of logic gates as in the gate logic, which proves to be less‐costly in synthesizing wide variety of logic circuits and systems. The extensions to quantum optical computing using photon spins and the collision of Manakov solitons are also presented.

Findings

New circuits for the optical realizations ofm‐valued classical and reversible logic functions are introduced. Optical computing extensions to linear quantum computing using photon spins and nonlinear quantum computing using Manakov solitons are also presented. Three new multiplexer‐based linear optical devices are introduced that utilize the properties of frequency, polarization and incident angle that are associated with any light‐matter interaction. The hierarchical implementation of the new optical primitives is used to synthesize regular optical reversible circuits such as them‐valued regular optical reversible lattice and systolic circuits. The concept of parallel optical processing of an array of input laser beams using the new multiplexer‐based optical devices is also introduced. The design of regular quantum optical systems using regular quantum lattice and systolic circuits is introduced. New graph‐based quantum optical representations using various types of quantum decision trees are also presented to efficiently represent quantum optical circuits and systems.

Originality/value

The introduced methods for classical and non‐classical (reversible and quantum) optical regular circuits and systems are new and interesting for the design of several future technologies that require optimal design specifications such as super‐high speed, minimum power consumption and minimum size such as in quantum computing and nanotechnology.
Intelligent controller design with UUB stability using Gaussian wavelet neural networks
Authors: Hsu Chun‐Fei , Hsu Chia‐Yu , Lin Chih‐Min , Lee Tsu‐Tian
Published: March 2009

Purpose

A chaotic system is a nonlinear deterministic system that displays complex, noisy‐like and unpredictable behavior. The interest in chaotic systems lies mostly upon their complex, unpredictable behavior, and extreme sensitivity to initial conditions as well as parameter variations. Based on wavelet neural network's (WNN) online approximation ability, the purpose of this paper is to propose an adaptive Gaussian wavelet neural control (AGWNC) system to control a chaotic system.

Design/methodology/approach

The proposed AGWNC system is composed of a wavelet neural controller and a compensation tangent controller. The wavelet neural controller utilizes a Gaussian WNN to mimic an ideal controller, and the compensation tangent controller is designed to compensate the approximation error between the ideal and the wavelet neural controllers. The controller parameters of the proposed AGWNC can online tune in the Lyapunov sense, thus the uniformly ultimately bounded stability of closed‐loop system can be guaranteed.

Findings

The proposed AGWNC system is applied to a chaotic system. Simulation results are used to demonstrate the effectiveness and performance of the proposed AGWNC scheme. Simulation results show that not only the favorable control performance can be achieved but also the control efforts without any chattering phenomena. Moreover, all controller parameters can be online tuning by the derived adaptive laws based on the Lyapunov function.

Originality/value

The proposed AGWNC approach is interesting for the design of an intelligent control scheme. The main contributions of this paper are: the overall closed‐loop control system is globally stable in uniform ultimate boundedness; the tracking error can be asymptotically attenuated to a desired small level around zero by appropriate chosen parameters and learning rates; and the AGWNC system can achieve favorable tracking performance.