bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Effects of perceived service fairness on emotions, and behavioral intentions in restaurants
Authors: Namkung Young , Jang Soo Cheong (Shawn)
Published: August 2010

Purpose

This study aims to investigate interrelationships among perceived service fairness, emotions and behavioral intentions in a restaurant context.

Design/methodology/approach

Data were collected from two casual dining restaurants in the USA. The data were analyzed following Anderson and Gerbing's two‐step approach, utilizing both a measurement model and a subsequent structural model.

Findings

This study shows different roles for each fairness perception in relation to emotions and behavioral intentions based on the Mehrabian‐Russell model. Setting reasonable prices and providing efficient services in a timely manner were found to be the key to negate negative emotion. At the same time, the findings suggest that providing high‐quality tangible outcomes and intangible services are critical to evoke positive emotions and eventually to generate future favorable behaviors.

Research limitations/implications

The data were collected from only casual dining restaurants. Therefore, generalizing the results to other segments of the restaurant industry may not work.

Practical implications

The results of this study can help restaurant managers to develop more effective and efficient strategies for ensuring fairness, thus resulting in higher levels of customer retention and profits.

Originality/value

Compared with previous fairness studies, which have focused exclusively on the role of justice after service failure and recovery, this study considers all service delivery contexts (with or without service failure) in order to provide a richer portrait of service fairness. Also, this study contributes to the services marketing and consumer behavior literature by shedding light on the issue of “fairness” as an axiom for evaluating services in restaurants.
Branding places: applying brand personality concept to cities
Authors: Demirbag Kaplan Melike , Yurt Oznur , Guneri Burcu , Kurtulus Kemal
Published: August 2010

Purpose

In recent years, brand personality as a branding construct has received considerable interest, which has led to a significant effort to develop tools to measure the personality of brands. Although the majority of these studies have focused on the brand personality of conventional product brands, the new boundaries of marketing obviously necessitate the application of branding constructs to non‐traditional products such as places. This study aims to focus on brand personalities of places, and to examine the applicability of this concept for city brands.

Design/methodology/approach

The research employs a factor analysis method based on data collected from 898 college students.

Findings

The findings of the study reveal that differentiating places with regard to their brand personalities is achievable. The paper introduces two new dimensions of brand personality for cities.

Originality/value

The extraction of two new factors that contribute to place brand personalities is considered a major contribution of this research to the marketing literature.
Ethical products and consumer involvement: what's new?
Authors: Bezençon Valéry , Blili Sam
Published: August 2010

Purpose

This paper aims to provide an adequate instrument to measure involvement, its antecedents and its impact on behaviours relating to ethical product consumption, using the case of fair trade.

Design/methodology/approach

Based on an in‐depth analysis of the involvement literature and the specificities of ethical products, a model is derived using a hypothetico‐deductive approach. It is then analysed using structural equation modelling.

Findings

The new construct specific to ethical products is a strong predictor of involvement. In addition, the involvement in the ethical aspect of products is much stronger than the involvement in the product category to explain selected consumer behaviours.

Research limitations/implications

It is likely that highly involved consumers are more prone to participate in such a survey, which limits the representativeness of the sample.

Practical implications

Beyond the theoretical contribution for ethical consumption analysis, practical implications for fair trade marketing can be derived. A section of the article discusses how to improve fair trade products' communication, how to make those products more competitive, and who should distribute them.

Originality/value

Current generic involvement models are insufficient to apprehend ethical consumers, who constitute a market in constant expansion. This research fills this gap by providing an original instrument which distinguishes the product‐specific involvement from the involvement in the ethical values carried by the product.
Relationship quality evaluation in retailers' relationships with consumers
Authors: Vesel Patrick , Zabkar Vesna
Published: August 2010

Purpose

The purpose of the article is to investigate relationship quality in retail relationships as influenced by its antecedents (loyalty programme quality and personal interaction quality) and resulting in customer loyalty to the retailer. The focus is on loyalty programme members' perceptions and differences between segments of consumers with different levels of involvement in the product category.

Design/methodology/approach

The method used was a consumer survey. Two waves of cross‐sectional telephone interviewing with 116 and 410 members of a retail loyalty club were conducted. Structural equation modelling served for the estimation of relationships in an integrated conceptual framework among constructs of loyalty programme quality, personal interaction quality, relationship quality and loyalty, relevant to the development of retail relationships.

Findings

The findings suggest that loyalty programme quality is important for relationship quality; however, efforts to assure personal interaction quality with customers are needed to improve relationship quality as well as customer loyalty. The study deepens knowledge of relationship quality's antecedents and consequences in the retail environment with regard to segments of customers with different levels of product category involvement.

Research limitations/implications

The research is limited to members of a selected DIY retailer's loyalty programme, not accounting specifically for membership in multiple loyalty programmes. Future research could use different methodologies such as longitudinal studies to examine dynamic relationships among the constructs in the study.

Practical implications

In the retail context, practical implications of the impact of loyalty programme quality and of personal interaction quality on relationship quality and customer loyalty are considered.

Originality/value

The paper contributes to the understanding of members' perceptions and responses to relationship quality as well as to some mechanisms underlying customer loyalty in loyalty programmes.
Consumer evaluation of technology‐based vertical brand extension
Authors: He Hongwei , Li Yan
Published: August 2010

Purpose

Little research on brand extension observes the role of technological levels between parent brand and brand extension on consumers' attitudes toward brand extension. The present study aims to explore how consumers evaluate technology‐based brand extension and how technologic direction interacts with brand loyalty and fit in affecting brand extension evaluation.

Design/methodology/approach

A field experiment (n=200) was conducted. Participants were assigned to two equal‐number groups that differed in the technological direction of brand extension (i.e. upward extension versus downward extension).

Findings

This field study finds that downward brand extension is generally evaluated more favourably due to its positive effect on perceived fit; technological direction moderates the effect of fit on brand extension – fit has stronger positive effect on downward brand extension than on upward brand extension; fit moderates the effect of brand loyalty on brand extension – when fit is high, brand loyalty's effect is positive, whereas when fit is low, brand loyalty can have negative effect on brand extension; and the moderating effect of fit on brand loyalty is further moderated by technological direction of brand extension – for upward brand extension, the moderating effect of fit on brand loyalty is as general, but for downward brand extension, fit enhances the effect of brand loyalty.

Research limitations/implications

The results lend significant new insights to brand extension research by showing that the effect of brand loyalty on brand extension is moderated not only by fit but also by technological direction, and that the moderating effect of fit on brand loyalty's effect on brand extension is further dependent on the technological direction.

Practical implications

For the management of upward brand extension – where a lower‐tech brand extends to a high‐tech product, more care and caution should be taken, since brand loyalty could have a negative effect if the upward brand extension is not perceived to fit the parent brand image. Thus, it becomes extremely important to manage the fit between the lower‐tech parent brand and the higher‐tech extended product.

Originality/value

This is one of few studies examining the effect of technology on brand extension. The major original finding of this study is that the effect of brand loyalty on brand extension is moderated by fit, whose moderating fit is further moderated by technologic direction of brand extension.
International strategies of emerging market firms
Authors: Eren Erdoğmuş İrem , Bodur Muzaffer , Yilmaz Cengiz
Published: August 2010

Purpose

This study aims to develop and test a theoretical model to delineate the effects of target market characteristics, firm characteristics and strategic resources, and product characteristics on standardization decisions in brand management of emerging market firms. The effects of standardization on brand performance in international markets are also to be explored.

Design/methodology/approach

The study develops a model based on the extant literature and tests its relevance through a survey of eligible managers in charge of international brand operations of 94 strategic business units in Turkey.

Findings

The empirical findings indicate that several factors exist as significant drivers of standardization decisions at various levels of brand management. Interestingly, even though firm characteristics and strategic resources were found to be the most critical drivers of brand performance, standardization versus adaptation approaches did not have any significant impact on strategic brand performance.

Originality/value

The study takes a standardization perspective to strategic brand management in international markets and tests it from the perspective of emerging markets.
The effect of personality on response to sexual appeals
Authors: Black Iain R. , Organ George C. , Morton Peta
Published: August 2010

Purpose

This paper aims to examine the role of personality in how people respond to sexual appeals in advertising. The impact of three traits (extraversion, neuroticism and openness) was tested.

Design/methodology/approach

A mixed‐factor experimental design was used. Gender, level of sexual appeal (manipulated over two levels) and participants' standing on each of the three personality trait scales were the between‐subjects factors. Relevance of the product to the appeal, which was also manipulated over two levels, was the within‐subjects factor. The sample comprised 156 undergraduate students, and each student was randomly assigned to either a mild appeals or an overt appeals condition.

Findings

The results show that levels of extraversion and openness directly affect responses to advertisements as measured with attitude towards the advertisement.

Research limitations/implications

Recommendations are made, including that overt sexual appeals should not be used on a target audience of “introverts”, or people who are characterised as quiet, shy and reserved.

Originality/value

This research extends existing work on the effect of individual differences on consumers' reactions to advertising and is the first to show that personality traits affect responses to sexual appeals.
Consumer‐retailer emotional attachment
Authors: Vlachos Pavlos A. , Theotokis Aristeidis , Pramatari Katerina , Vrechopoulos Adam
Published: August 2010

Purpose

The purpose of the study is to investigate loyalty building and the creation of affectionate bonds in the consumer‐firm dyad.

Design/methodology/approach

The study relies on face‐to‐face personal interviews in the context of grocery store retailing.

Findings

The results identify the significant predictors of consumer‐firm emotional attachment to be firm trust, trust in employees, likeability of service personnel and likeability of co‐consumers, shopping enjoyment, self‐expressiveness, place dependence, and place identity. Consumers' self‐enrichment, self‐gratification and self‐enablement likely influence emotional attachment, which in turn is a strong predictor of behavioral loyalty and word of mouth. Attachment anxiety appears to multiply the effects of emotional attachment on behavioral loyalty and word of mouth.

Research limitations/implications

The cross‐sectional nature of the study precludes definitive conclusions concerning causality between the constructs utilized. The data come from the supermarket retail channel, limiting the generalizibility of the results.

Practical implications

As the results suggest that the consumer's self‐enrichment seems to be the most important factor in determining emotional attachment, managers should incorporate the notion of emotional attachment into strategic performance management systems.

Originality/value

The study incorporates the notion of consumer heterogeneity into the relationship anxiety construct, arguing in favor of a non‐additive consumer‐firm emotional attachment nomological network.
Formulating service business strategies with integrative services model from customer and provider perspectives
Authors: Liu Chun‐Hsien , Wang Chu‐Ching
Published: August 2010

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to construct an integrative service model from customer and provider perspectives so that it can be utilized to formulate service business strategies.

Design/methodology/approach

The concepts of the resource‐based view (RBV), customer co‐creation and service modules obtained from a literature review are combined to construct a mathematical model. Based on the model, business strategies are formulated by utilizing existing marketing and service frameworks.

Findings

Innovative services can be generated from the model after combining different core services. To gain competitive advantage in a changing environment, a feedback mechanism should be used to provide dynamism.

Research limitations/implications

An empirical test of the model could be undertaken as a future study to test the validity of the model. Adding more attributes to give the model finer resolution will increase the complexity of the model. Extending the application of the model to firms' internal departments will mean that the relationships between departments have to be reinvestigated.

Practical implications

Obtaining the salient attributes with the heuristics of the 80‐20 rule and the large number principle means optimization of resource utilization under the condition of customer satisfaction.

Originality/value

The model, developed by combining the concepts of RBV, customer co‐creation and service modules, is an innovative tool for the formulation of service business strategies.
Does experience matter?
Authors: Dagger Tracey S. , O'Brien Timothy K.
Published: August 2010

Purpose

Although customer relationships transpire through a process of time, encounters and experience, few studies have examined the dynamics of service relationships. This paper aims to address this issue by examining the effect of experience on the association between relational benefits and relationship quality, and between relationship quality and loyalty.

Design/methodology/approach

Using a national sample of 376 service consumers and nine service industries, the study examines whether the impact of relationship benefits on perceptions of satisfaction, trust and commitment, and ultimately customer loyalty, differs significantly between novice and experienced customer cohorts.

Findings

The results indicate significant differences between novice and experienced cohorts. Specifically, the impact of confidence, social and special treatment benefits on perceptions of satisfaction, trust and commitment, and ultimately customer loyalty, differ significantly based on a customer's level of relationship experience.

Practical implications

The findings of this study have tactical and strategic implications for service firms, including effective customer asset management, resource allocation, and relationship strategy.

Originality/value

This study makes a significant new contribution to theory and practice.
Bi‐level programming based contra flow optimization for evacuation events
Authors: Lv Nengchao , Yan Xinping , Xu Kun , Wu Chaozhong
Published: August 2010

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to propose a bi‐level programming optimization model to reduce traffic congestion of transportation network while evacuating people to safe shelters during disasters or special events.

Design/methodology/approach

The previous optimization model for contra flow configuration only considered the character of the manager. However, the traffic condition is not only controlled by managers, but also depended on the root choice of travelers. A bi‐level programming optimization model, which considered managers and evacuees' character, is proposed to optimize the contra flow of transportation network in evacuation during special events. The upper level model aims to minimize the total evacuation time, while the lower level based on user equilibrium assignment. A solution method based on discrete particle swarm optimization and Frank‐Wolfe algorithm is employed to solve the bi‐level programming problem.

Findings

It is found that the bi‐level programming based contra flow optimization model can improve evacuation efficiency and decrease evacuation time 30 per cent or more. With the increase of traffic demand, the evacuation time will decrease significantly by contra flow configuration.

Research limitations/implications

In the optimization model, the background traffic is ignored for simplification and the contra flow is configured absolutely as 0 or 1, which ensures vehicles do not go back into the evacuation area.

Practical implications

An efficient optimization model for traffic managers to reduce congestion and evacuation time of evacuation network.

Originality/value

The new bi‐level programming model not only considers managers' character, but also considers evacuees' reaction. The paper is aimed to optimize contra flow for transportation network.
Study on deformation prediction of landslide based on genetic algorithm and improved BP neural network
Authors: Ran Yong‐fen , Xiong Guang‐chi , Li Shi‐sheng , Ye Liao‐yuan
Published: August 2010

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to improve back propagation neural network (BPNN) modeling in order to promote the forecast calculation precision of landslide deformation.

Design/methodology/approach

The genetic algorithm is adopted to optimize the architectural parameter of BPNN so as to avoided errors occurrence while using the trial‐and‐error method. Furthermore, the Sigmoid function is improved and revised to expand the output range of change‐over function from unipolar (only positive) to ambipolar (may be positive or negative), then the convergence time is reduced and the neural network can express more artificial intelligence.

Findings

The modeling can effectively reduce the probability to get into the local minima while employing neural networks to forecast the landslide deformation. It significantly promotes the forecast precision.

Research limitations/implications

The improved BPNN modeling, which is very good in learning and processing information, can work out the complex non‐linear relation by learning model and using the present data or reciprocity of surroundings.

Practical implications

The revised BPNN modeling in this paper can be used to predict and calculate landslide deformation.

Originality/value

The paper demonstrates that the modeling can meet the demand of calculation precision.
Satellite mission scheduling based on genetic algorithm
Authors: Sun Baolin , Wang Wenxiang , Xie Xing , Qin Qianqing
Published: August 2010

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to describe a new satellite mission scheduling (SMS) problem based on an genetic algorithm (GA).

Design/methodology/approach

The SMS involves scheduling tasks to be performed by a satellite, where new task requests can arrive non‐deterministically (i.e. at any time) and must be scheduled in real‐time. This paper investigates algorithmic approaches for determining an optimal or near‐optimal sequence of tasks, allocated to a satellite payload over time, with dynamic tasking considerations.

Findings

Simulation results show that the proposed approach is effective and efficient when utilized in actual cases.

Originality/value

This paper shows how to adopt the GA search approach to generate an SMS within allowable computation time.
An open architecture for information communication systems for multi‐level electric power control centers
Authors: Guo Chuangxin , Cao Yijia , Tang Yuezhong , Han Zhenxiang
Published: August 2010

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to design an open architecture of an interconnected communication system (ICS) for multi‐level electric power control centers (EPCC) based on Tele‐control Application Service Element (TASE.2), which possesses specialties of high performances, robustness, cost‐efficiency, quick‐restoration, and easy‐maintenance.

Design/methodology/approach

Based on the hierarchy and structure of TASE.2, the overall architecture of the ICS for multi‐level EPCC is put forward at first. As the key devices in the system, the structures of the communication gateway (CG) and common interface are designed. Then, the logical procession flows in CG and the con modes, for both CG and IC are analyzed in detail. The web‐based software configuration of remote maintenance and fault diagnosis is discussed conceptually.

Findings

As a standardized, well‐developed, and efficient protocol, TASE.2 is considered to be the most suitable protocol to support the ICS for multi‐level EPCC.

Research limitations/implications

The performance of the ICS needs to be further simulated.

Practical implications

Practical architecture for ICS for multi‐level EPCC with robustness and cost‐efficient specialty is designed in principle, which is very useful for manufacturers to develop pilot devices or even products.

Originality/value

This paper proposes a new ICS scheme for multi‐level EPCC based on TASE.2 is proposed.
Adaptive SNR estimation algorithms for decoding block turbo codes
Authors: Wang Kang , Liu Xingcheng , Cull Paul
Published: August 2010

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to propose a novel decoding algorithm, to decrease the complexity in decoding conventional block turbo codes.

Design/methodology/approach

In this algorithm, the signal‐to‐noise ratio (SNR) values of channels are adaptively estimated. After analyzing the relationship between the statistics of the received vectors R and the channel SNR, an adaptive method of tuning the decoding complexity is presented.

Findings

Simulation results show that the proposed algorithm has greatly decreased the decoding complexity and sped up the decoding process while achieving better bit error rate performance.

Originality/value

Simulation experiments described in this paper show that the proposed algorithm can decrease the decoding complexity, shorten the decoding time and achieve good decoding performance.
Delay‐dependent asymptotic stability of BAM neural networks with time delay
Authors: Xueli Wu , Jianhua Zhang , Xinping Guan , Hua Meng
Published: August 2010

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to examine the criteria of uniqueness of the equilibrium point and the new stability criteria for stability of the equilibrium point. The new stability condition is dependent on the size of delays.

Design/methodology/approach

The global asymptotic stability of a class of delayed bi‐directional associative memory (BAM) neural networks is studied. Some new sufficient conditions are presented for the unique equilibrium point and the global stability of BAM neural networks with time delays by constructing Lyapunov functions and using the linear matrix inequality. A numerical example is presented to illustrate the effectiveness of the theoretical results.

Findings

Based on the mathematical method and matrixes inequality skill, some criteria are obtained which contain the unique equilibrium point and the global stability of BAM neural networks.

Research limitations/implications

The paper proposes the new Lyapunov function and new skill to compose matrixes inequality.

Practical implications

A very useful method for BAM neural network to judge the uniqueness of the equilibrium point and stability.

Originality/value

The new mathematical model is proposed about the production process, and the new control method is used in the temperature system for a double layers welded pipe in welding process.
The hierarchical linear modeling of shared mental model on virtual team effectiveness
Authors: Xiao Yu‐chun , Jin Yang‐hua
Published: August 2010

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to find the new analysis method of virtual team effectiveness in team building, as well as various HR tools.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper investigated 62 virtual teams, distinguished between identified mental models and distributed mental models, tested the relation among team characteristics, and shared mental models and virtual team effectiveness using hierarchical linear modeling.

Findings

Results demonstrated that time would enhance the effect of shared mental models on task effectiveness; virtual team size would affect the relation between shared mental model and cooperative effectiveness, team size could enhance the effect of identified mental model on cooperative effectiveness, but weaken the relation between distributed mental model and cooperative effectiveness. A need is found for application of hierarchical linear modeling of shared mental model on virtual team effectiveness.

Research limitations/implications

Accessibility and availability of data are the main limitations which apply.

Originality/value

This paper presents a new approach of optimal choice of virtual team building. The paper is aimed at HR and psychological researches and managers, especially those who dealt with people, and provides very useful advice for team management in enterprises.
A scheduling model for temporally constrained grid workflow for distributed simulation system on grid
Authors: Yang Qing , Wang Hongwei , Hu Wan , Lijuan Wang
Published: August 2010

Purpose

In the grid‐based simulation, the resource application needed is distributed in the grid environment as grid service, and time management is a key problem in the simulation system. Grid workflow provides convenience for grid user to management and executes grid services. But it emphasizes process and no time‐management, so a temporally constrained grid workflow model is pointed out based on grid flow with temporally constraint to schedule resources and manage time.

Design/methodology/approach

The temporally constrained grid workflow model is distributed model: the federate has local temporal constraints and interactive temporal constraints among federates. The problem to manage time is a temporally distributed constraint satisfaction problem given deadline time and duration time of grid services. Multi‐asynchronous weak‐commitment search (AWS) algorithm is an approach to resolve DCSP, so a practical example of a simulation project‐based grid system was presented to introduce application of Multi‐AWS algorithm.

Findings

The temporally constrained grid workflow is based temporal reasoning and grid workflow description about grid services.

Originality/value

The new problem about scheduling resources and managing time in the grid‐based simulation is pointed out; and the approach to resolve the problem is applied into a practical example.
An improved PSO approach to short‐term economic dispatch of cascaded hydropower plants
Authors: Yuan Yanbin , Yuan Xiaohui
Published: August 2010

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to establish the optimization model and solve the short‐term economic dispatch of cascaded hydro‐plants.

Design/methodology/approach

An improved particle swarm optimization (IPSO) approach is proposed to solve the short‐term economic dispatch of cascaded hydroelectric plants. The water transport delay time between connected reservoirs is taken into account and it is easy in dealing with the difficult hydraulic and power coupling constraints using the proposed method in practical cascaded hydroelectric plants operation. The feasibility of the proposed method is demonstrated for actual cascaded hydroelectric plant.

Findings

The simulation results show that this approach can prevent premature convergence to a high degree and keep a rapid convergence speed.

Research limitations/implications

The optimal values of parameters in the proposed method are the main limitations where the method will be applied to the economic operation of the hydro‐plant.

Practical implications

The paper presents useful advice for short‐term economic operations of the hydro‐plant. A new optimization method to solve the short‐term optimal generation scheduling is proposed. The optimal generation power and water discharge during the whole dispatching time for hydro‐plant operation can be obtained.

Originality/value

The IPSO method is realized by maintaining high diversity of the swarm during the optimization process and preventing premature convergence.
The rolling horizon procedure on deterministic lockage co‐scheduling to the two dams of the Three Gorges Project
Authors: Zhang Xiaopan , Fu Xide , Yuan Xiaohui
Published: August 2010

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to propose a rolling horizon procedure (RHP) to deal with the large‐scale and strongly NP‐hard problem on cooperative lockage‐timetables and service‐policies of the five locks in the Three Gorges Project.

Design/methodology/approach

RHP based approach is composed of a series of periodical short‐time sub‐optimizations instead of global optimization. Each of the sub‐optimizations is modeled by a mixed‐integer‐programming and solved by a branch and bound algorithm with terminal penalty.

Findings

The RHP method is found to be effective and efficient. The size of the rolling horizon is positively correlated to the total weighted area of ships.

Research limitations/implications

Precision of short‐time predictions is the main limitation.

Originality/value

This procedure promotes the navigation capacity of the Three Gorges Project and proposes a solution to the lockage‐scheduling problem of the Three Gorges Project.
SD‐MOP integrate model and its application in water resources plan: a case study of Qinhuangdao
Authors: Zhang XueHua , Zhang Hongwei , Zhang Baoan , Liu Hongbo
Published: August 2010

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to present a new plan approach for optimal allocation water resources in social‐economic‐environmental complex system in order to achieve human and nature coordinated development.

Design/methodology/approach

By integrating the system dynamics (SD) and multi‐objective programming (MOP), the new approach which is termed SD‐MOP model is proposed. The model is characterized by fully reflecting the initial trends of the system development, accurately explaining both of the structure and function of the system, objectively finding the sensible points of the system, and achieving the optimum solutions of the model, the according the solutions the optimal plan can be designed according practical situation.

Findings

By applying SD‐MOP integrated model, the designed planning proposal can be guaranteed operable, available, and optimal level.

Practical implications

SD‐MOP integrated model is a very useful support tool in optimal decision making.

Originality/value

The new planning approach of SD‐MOP integrated model can be used in regional resources planning, especially in formulating sustainable development strategies. In addition, the model can be used to estimate the trends of the system development when the planning program has been implemented.
Going green
Authors: Andrew Alex M.
Published: August 2010

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to review environmental aspects of information and communication technology (ICT) and the negative impact is shown to be large, though offset by positive features. A major proposal by Bill Gates for a novel nuclear power source is welcomed. Environmental considerations affecting conferences, including WOSC triennial congresses, are discussed.

Design/methodology/approach

The aim is to review developments on the internet, especially those of general cybernetic interest.

Findings

The power consumption and consequent environmental impact of ICT is much greater than is generally realised, but is offset by many positive aspects. It has been suggested that plentiful nuclear power may be available from fission of uranium‐238, and this could vastly improve the global situation.

Practical implications

There is clearly a need to make computers as energy‐efficient as possible, partly by utilising waste heat from large installations. Digital techniques operate in very many ways to save energy, with one minor but intriguing example provided by computer control of a means of starting internal combustion engines using a combination of batteries and capacitors. The proposal by Bill Gates for a travelling‐wave reactor definitely merits further examination.

Originality/value

It is hoped this is a valuable periodic review.
The effect of market orientation on innovation speed and new product performance
Authors: Carbonell Pilar , Rodríguez Escudero Ana I.
Published: August 2010

Purpose

It has been argued that innovation speed has been inappropriately absent in models of market orientation. The present study seeks to provide new insights into whether and how market orientation's three main components: intelligence generation, intelligence dissemination, and responsiveness affect innovation speed and new product performance, and about the mediating role of innovation speed.

Design/methodology/approach

Data were collected from a sample of 247 firms in a variety of manufacturing industries. A mail survey was developed to collect the data.

Findings

The results indicate that intelligence generation has an indirect positive effect on innovation speed via intelligence dissemination and responsiveness. Intelligence dissemination influences innovation speed positively, both directly and indirectly through responsiveness. Findings report a curvilinear (J‐shaped) relationship between responsiveness and innovation speed. With regard to the effect of the market orientation's components on new product performance, the findings indicate a positive relationship between responsiveness and new product performance. The parameter estimates for the direct paths linking intelligence generation and intelligence dissemination with new product performance were found to be not significant. Instead, the findings show that intelligence generation and intelligence dissemination influence new product performance indirectly through responsiveness. Finally, a positive relationship was found between innovation speed and new product performance.

Originality/value

The research makes three important contributions to the marketing strategy and new product development literatures. First, by splitting market orientation into the components of intelligence generation, intelligence dissemination and responsiveness, the study provides a closer examination into the effect of market orientation on innovation speed and new product performance. Second, the results indicate that the effects of intelligence generation and intelligence dissemination on innovation speed and new product performance are mediated by responsiveness to market intelligence. Third, findings support the argument that innovation speed partially mediates the effect of market orientation's three main components on new product performance.
The influence of organizational culture and conflict on market orientation
Authors: McClure Rex E.
Published: August 2010

Purpose

This study aims to review three recognized culture types: bureaucracy, supportive, and innovative, then to develop a model describing how intra‐organizational conflict mediates the relationship between these cultures and market orientation.

Design/methodology/approach

Using survey data from over 200 corporate managers, a model of the mediating effect of conflict was examined. First, the model was tested using structural equation modeling, and then a series of linear regressions was used to confirm mediation.

Findings

The study found that conflict mediated the relationship between culture and market orientation. The findings also suggested that conflict was positively associated with bureaucratic organizations and negatively associated with innovative and supportive organizations.

Practical implications

The results point out potential pitfalls that some organizations may encounter in maintaining market orientation or in trying to become market‐oriented. The results suggested that innovative and supportive organizations were less likely to experience dysfunctional conflict, and thereby would be better able to maintain market orientation.

Originality/value

The study offers a model that extended previous research on the relationship between organizational culture and market orientation by examining the mediating role of conflict. By including conflict, the study offers insight into the importance of the interaction of culture, conflict and market orientation.
How does concurrent sourcing affect performance?
Authors: Mols Niels Peter
Published: August 2010

Purpose

“Concurrent sourcing” is a term used by Parmigiani to describe the phenomenon where a firm simultaneously buys and makes the same good or service. The purpose of this paper is to develop propositions that suggest how concurrent sourcing affects performance.

Design/methodology/approach

Based on transaction cost, agency, neoclassical economic, knowledge‐based, and resource‐based theory, it is proposed to show how concurrent sourcing affects performance.

Findings

The paper argues that concurrent sourcing improves performance when firms face a combination of volume uncertainty, technological uncertainty, performance uncertainty, non‐decomposability, transaction‐specific investments, and strong internal and external capabilities.

Research limitations/implications

The paper maps the relationships between concurrent sourcing and performance and discusses how these relationships can be modelled. The propositions and discussion offer researchers a starting‐point for further research.

Practical implications

The propositions that are developed suggest that managers should consider using concurrent sourcing when they face problems caused by volume uncertainty, technological uncertainty, performance uncertainty, non‐decomposability, and asset specificity. Concurrent sourcing can also be a way to exploit both strong internal capabilities and external suppliers' strong capabilities.

Originality/value

The main contribution is a number of propositions, explanations, and discussions regarding how concurrent sourcing affects performance of the market and the hierarchy.
Determinants of B2B salespersons' performance and effectiveness: a review and synthesis of literature
Authors: Singh Ramendra , Koshy Abraham
Published: August 2010

Purpose

Review articles on B2B salespersons' performance in the recent past have been limited. This paper seeks to provide a review, focusing on the conceptualizations of the salespersons' performance construct, and its determinants, in a B2B context. A synthesis of the relevant predictors is presented, and new customer‐centric measures of performance in industrial selling are also proposed.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper provides an exhaustive review and synthesis of the conceptual and empirical studies on salespersons' performance and effectiveness. It also posits a set of propositions from a customer‐centric perspective.

Findings

Far too many individual‐level variables are used as predictors of a B2B salesperson's performance and effectiveness. Future research must focus on context‐specific selling situations to identify the contextual skills required to perform the critical customer‐centric activities, rather than by using generic models that fail to apply to all situations.

Research limitations/implications

The review paper provides a conceptual synthesis of studies carried out in the past. Future researchers can carry out a meta‐analysis of empirical studies to provide more pointed results.

Practical implications

The study highlights the heterogeneity in B2B salespersons' performance, which makes unraveling its determinants more difficult. The paper makes a call for adopting measures that are customer‐centric, such that predictors are anchored in the activities of salespeople rather than their individual‐level characteristics.

Originality/value

The paper disentangles the inconsistencies in the conceptualization and measurement of the two key focal constructs, and highlights the conceptual overlap between these constructs. The paper also proposes performance measures based on customer‐centric activities, rather than being either firm‐centric or based on individual characteristics.
Systematic sales channel redesign for the US market
Authors: Zupancic Dirk , Neckermann Sonja , Schagen Alexander
Published: August 2010

Purpose

The purpose of this teaching case study is to analyze, conceptualize and redesign sales approaches with the example of a German wire company selling in the US market.

Design/methodology/approach

This is a case‐based research paper that describes in detail successful sales channel redesign in a business‐to‐business context.

Findings

The case study shows the significant advantages of systematic research and optimization of sales channels. The potentials of the wire group in the USA were not utilized because only rough estimates of the US market existed. The new concept bears many advantages: important customers and important regions are covered by their own salesforce.

Research limitations/implications

There is a scarcity of published work in the case‐based research area. This work provides an understanding of sales channel redesign for business and industrial markets in the USA.

Practical implications

The findings of the case have tangible implications for those business companies whose sales channels operate in huge markets with limited resources.

Originality/value

The case adds value in sales channel management and supports companies in systematic sales channel redesign in business and industrial markets. Students will benefit from the systematic development of practical solutions in sales management.
Preventing and combating administrative narcissism
Authors: Samier Eugenie A. , Atkins Terryl
Published: August 2010

Purpose

The paper seeks to examine the problem of destructive narcissism as an aspect of the emotional dimension of educational administration. Positions of power and influence provide motive and opportunity for the damaging character of this personality disorder to negatively affect the work life of colleagues and sabotage organizational effectiveness, ranging in degree from mild annoyance to extreme disabling.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper presents a model of narcissism composed of the typical profile and organisational expression in educational settings, drawing on narcissism theory. This includes the narcissist's illegitimate sense of entitlement, inappropriate need for admiration and attention, lack of empathy, and projection of negative traits onto others that affect the politics and culture of schools and universities, including social interaction and work styles, that produces an objectified use of people.

Findings

Four aspects of graduate professional programs are examined for the effects of destructive narcissistic pattern – student recruitment, curriculum, narcissistic professors, and research activities – and strategies recommended for dealing with this problem.

Originality/value

The problem of narcissism in educational administration and leadership professional programmes is not addressed in the field.
Facing “reality”: including the emotional in school leadership programmes
Authors: Wallace Janice
Published: August 2010

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to argue that emotions characterise organisations and, therefore, emotional labour and performance is central to the work of school administration. Thus, the study of emotions needs careful attention in educational administration programmes. The author also considers whether school leadership preparation programmes in Canada and elsewhere provide theoretical knowledge to support this. Finally, the author posits three theoretical perspectives on emotion in administrative work and organisational settings, including education, that might be included in school leadership courses to better support principals in the emotional work that is core to their effectiveness.

Design/methodology/approach

The author draws on two research studies to inform the analysis offered: one on the effects of restructuring on the work of school administrators and the other a consideration of principal preparation programmes in Canada. Both employ qualitative methods, including document searches. A broad literature review in relation to the research focus is also offered.

Findings

The paper finds that principals talk a great deal about the emotional aspects of their work yet there is no explicit exploration of theories of emotion in principal preparation programmes. The author provides brief examples of the efficacy of psychoanalytic, socio‐cultural, and feminist post‐structural analysis of emotional labour as useful for emotional praxis in administrative work.

Originality/value

The analysis offered will be useful in reviewing principal preparation programmes with regard to their effectiveness in addressing central concerns of emotional praxis in the work of school administrators.
The emotional aspects of leadership for social justice
Authors: Zembylas Michalinos
Published: August 2010

Purpose

The paper seeks to examine the potential implications for leadership preparation programs of the intersection between emotions and leadership for social justice.

Design/methodology/approach

The methodology followed was grounded in an ethnographic case study of a Greek‐Cypriot principal who struggled to transform his elementary school into a community that truly included students from different ethnic and cultural backgrounds.

Findings

The findings of the case study highlight: the vision and practices of leadership for social justice; the ambivalent emotions of social justice leadership; and strategies for coping with the personal and structural dimensions of social justice leadership.

Practical implications

The practical implications are discussed in relation to the emotional knowledge and skills that are needed for preparing social justice leaders to navigate emotionally through existing school structures and to cultivate critical emotional reflexivity about the changes that are needed to school discourses and practices so that justice and equity are placed at the center of school leadership.

Originality/value

The paper offers insights into the emotional aspects of leadership for social justice, focusing on the implications for leadership preparation programs.