bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Using behavioural and motivational thinking in food segmentation
Authors: Hollywood L.E. , Armstrong G.A. , Durkin M.G.
Published: July 2007

Purpose

Emerging consumer trends within the food industry have increased the need to create market‐oriented products. In order to do so, a future strategy focusing on consumer behaviour and segmentation should be utilised. By identifying how a consumer behaves throughout the purchasing process a company can determine whether what they are offering translates into what a consumer actually needs. This paper seeks to propose that the utilisation of consumer purchase motivation and decision‐making models can help identify specific customer clusters to improve marketing strategy.

Design/methodology/approach

The proposed methodology is a combined study of both qualitative and quantitative methods consisting of interviews, focus groups and a consumer questionnaire.

Findings

A new conceptual model, which integrates motivation, and decision‐making models in a food context are proposed.

Practical implications

By potentially gaining an intimate knowledge of the consumer, such models can optimise food‐marketing effectiveness by assisting the industry in predicting future consumer purchasing behaviour in a more systematic and informed manner. For the purposes of this paper, the research is applied to liquid milk category within the dairy sector in Northern Ireland. The commodity sector of liquid milk has been identified as the research context in recognition of its economic importance within the food industry in Northern Ireland.

Originality/value

The paper applies a new theoretical perspective of segmentation techniques to predict consumer purchase behaviour through the development of a conceptual model within a food industry context.
Adoption of travel e‐shopping in the UK
Authors: Kamarulzaman Yusniza
Published: July 2007

Purpose

This study aims to explore consumers' adoption of internet shopping in the context of UK travel services. The key objective is to identify the profile of internet shoppers and the antecedents of internet shopping adoption for travel services.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper includes evidence and findings from an online survey questionnaire distributed to existing travel e‐shoppers in the UK via their e‐mail address. Drawing upon Davis' technology acceptance model (TAM), the study proposes a model for the prediction of internet shopping adoption, with inclusions of personal and cognitive influence. The model identifies the structural relationships among eight constructs, which were examined through structural equation modelling.

Findings

The results of this study yield evidence that previous technology acceptance and diffusion research, and specifically the significant body of work based on the TAM, may serve as a foundation for much needed research into consumers' adoption of internet‐related activities. Relationships among primary TAM constructs found in this research are largely consistent with those typical in previous TAM research. The descriptive results present a profile of travel e‐shoppers in terms of demographic, geodemographic and buying patterns. The results explicitly clarified several key contributions to and implications for marketing theory and practice.

Practical implications

The findings will facilitate an understanding of the factors associated with the adoption of travel e‐shopping, thereby enabling retailers and policy makers to better develop appropriate strategies to enhance and promote e‐shopping to future users while retaining existing customers.

Originality/value

Essentially, the research framework explains three basic issues of online marketing: Who actually shops via the internet? What makes consumers adopt internet shopping? Which attributes are relatively important to adoption?
Creative space: design and the retail environment
Authors: Kent Tony
Published: July 2007

Purpose

This paper sets out to explore the concept of creativity in the context of the retail store environment and the function of design in shaping this environment.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper uses a cross‐disciplinary approach to review theoretical approaches to creativity, and their relevance to the retail industry. It subsequently assesses types of retail spaces, and then moves on to compare the concept of retail design with product design and its implications for creativity and retailers.

Findings

It demonstrates the complexity of creativity as a concept, and the opportunities to create retail spaces through design‐led approaches. It defines retail design and its engagement with stakeholders within and outside the organisation and its impact on organisational creativity.

Research limitations/implications

As a review paper it covers a number of perspectives on creativity, design and store environments. However, these are not exhaustive, and invite further discussion and scoping for future research.

Practical implications

The paper outlines ways to understand creativity in retailing, and provides guidance on how retailers can organize their organizations to engage with design projects.

Originality/value

The paper uniquely examines concepts of creativity and proposes how they might be applied to retailing. It demonstrates how creativity pervades the industry, in terms of design and the use of designed spaces. It proposes new areas for research relating to the definition of creativity in the retail industry, and the role of creativity and retailing in cultural and social contexts.
Elevating the role of HR directors
Authors: Brooks Wendy
Published: July 2007

Purpose

This article outlines the important role that HR directors can play in proving the value of training within organizations.

Design/methodology/approach

Explores what is getting in the way for HR directors to prove the value of training and offers solutions.

Findings

Identifies factors that contribute to the uphill struggle that HR is having in elevating its role and in proving the value of training: the disconnect between the HR and training functions; reporting on the “wrong” things; and lack of commercial linkage.

Practical implications

Demonstrates how HR directors can elevate their status within the corporate hierarchy.

Originality/value

Targets HR directors who seek to prove the value of training within organizations.
Managing relationships across generations of academics
Authors: Wade‐Benzoni Kimberly A. , Rousseau Denise M. , Li Min
Published: July 2007

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to apply psychological contract theory to the study of faculty‐doctoral student collaborations.

Design/methodology/approach

Through a survey of 170 doctoral students, four types of psychological contracts were investigated and reliable measures of relationship quality were developed.

Findings

The results showed that the quality of collaborations differ significantly across the four contract types. In addition, quality of collaboration varied significantly across collaborations using different research methods (e.g. laboratory work, theory building) and disciplinary paradigms (i.e. high and low consensus). Several other factors conducive to enhanced evaluation of relationship quality were also identified, including similarity in research philosophy, perceived motives for being in the research collaboration, meeting frequency, and conflict resolution.

Research limitations/implications

The present study is somewhat limited in its sample, which is drawn from one university from the student perspective using self‐report measures. Future research might benefit from matching student and faculty assessments of particular collaborations.

Practical implications

Insights from the analyses suggest that greater awareness of the contract‐making mechanisms that operate in graduate education can help improve the quality of student experiences in research collaborations.

Originality/value

The framework of psychological contracts offers a novel perspective in understanding the dynamics of faculty‐student relationships.
Sectarianism in the Northern Ireland workplace
Authors: Dickson David , Hargie Owen
Published: July 2007

Purpose

The aim of this piece of research was to detail the scope and nature of sectarianism as experienced by employees, managers and those with trade union responsibilities, in the Northern Ireland workplace.

Design/methodology/approach

Four large organizations, two from the private and two from the public sector, were recruited to take part in this qualitative study. In‐depth interviews were carried out with managers and trade union personnel. Focus groups were run with employees.

Findings

Data were submitted to thematic analysis. The major themes to emerge included: the extent of experienced sectarianism, sources of sectarianism, the nature of sectarian harassment, “tolerable” sectarianism, and the management of difference.

Research limitations/implications

Short‐comings of the study include the possibility that social desirability effects could have operated to underplay sectarian attitudes. Again the limitations of a qualitative methodology in providing estimates of the extent of sectarianism in the broader population are acknowledged.

Practical implications

Practical implications of the findings for controlling sectarianism and managing diversity are discussed in terms of organizational formalization, the promotion of a common ingroup workforce identity, and the informal procedures used by employees to manage difference on a day‐to‐day basis.

Originality/value

The study is particularly pertinent, given that there has been little attempt to capture the experiences of sectarianism in workplaces from the perspective of managers, employees and trade union personnel.
Defining conflict and making choices about its management
Authors: Tjosvold Dean
Published: July 2007

Purpose

This paper aims to investigate the definition of conflict, and argue that conflict is not always destructive.

Design/methodology/approach

This commentary centers on re‐evaluating past research into the definition and nature of conflict. It proposes that more thought is required when using the term as it is too broad in its definition. The term has become synonymous with negativity, and this commentary aims to show that the term may also be used in certain situations when conflict can have a positive effect.

Findings

Although the research has shown that some people have a broader idea of what the term “conflict” comprises, the majority of people use the common definition related to destruction and negativity.

Practical implications

Opens up a discussion revolving around the concept of conflict and dispels the commonly held definition that conflict is always detrimental.

Originality/value

The paper takes an alternative view of conflict and opens up the little‐held discussion around the term itself and its negative connotations.
Emotional intelligence and counterpart mood induction in a negotiation
Authors: Mueller Jennifer S. , Curhan Jared R.
Published: July 2007

Purpose

This paper aims to identify whether emotional intelligence relates to counterpart outcome satisfaction in negotiation contexts.

Design/methodology/approach

A negotiation simulation and a pre‐established measure of emotional intelligence were employed.

Findings

In Study 1, multi‐level models revealed that a participant's ability to understand emotion positively predicted his or her counterpart's outcome satisfaction. Study 2 replicates and extends this finding by showing the counterpart's outcome satisfaction, assessment of liking, and desire to negotiate again with the participant.

Practical implications

The mechanisms identifying how participants with high levels of understanding emotion induced their counterparts with positive affect were not examined.

Originality/value

This is the first empirical article to show a relationship between emotional intelligence and counterpart outcome satisfaction in a negotiation context.
In search of Asian ways of managing conflict
Authors: Onishi Jun , Bliss Ryan E.
Published: July 2007

Purpose

Despite contrary evidence, much management research treats Asians as culturally homogeneous. This study seeks to explore how managers from four Asian nations differ in conflict management and whether observed differences are linked to cultural attitudes.

Design/methodology/approach

A questionnaire assessed conflict management practices and cultural attitudes of managers from four nations with considerable historical, geographical, and economic differences. ANOVA and ANCOVA were used to test hypotheses about groups differences in preference for three conflict management styles – competing integrating, and avoiding – controlling for differences in demographics and cultural attitudes.

Findings

Statistically significant differences were found on all three of the conflict management styles, although the hypotheses were only partly supported. Controlling for differences in demographics and cultural attitudes had little impact on the main findings. Some similarities among the nationalities were found: “integrating” was the most preferred style, and showed the least variation, among the groups. However, there was less similarity among the nationalities regarding “competing” and “avoiding”.

Research limitations/implications

Since the hypotheses – based largely on national culture differences among the nationalities – were only partly supported, future research should attempt to identify variables that better explain differences among nationalities in conflict management style.

Practical implications

The information on conflict management style preferences in these four nations will be valuable to those wishing to do business there. Further, refuting the common assumption of cultural homogeneity among Asians will better prepare Westerners for doing business elsewhere in Asia.

Originality/value

This paper demonstrates that national differences in conflict management style were not based on demographic differences in the sample or differences in cultural attitudes.
Cultural influences and conflict in organizational change in new entrepreneurial organizations in Ukraine
Authors: Conbere John P. , Heorhiadi Alla
Published: July 2007

Purpose

The purpose of this case study is to examine a new entrepreneurial business in Kiev, Ukraine. The focus is the difference between employees' espoused values and their deep beliefs, which leads to conflict among and within employees.

Design/methodology/approach

A theory is proposed about the interaction of espoused values, theory‐in‐use and cultural beliefs. Observation and interviews with staff demonstrated that there was great effort to live out the new espoused values, and also that cultural beliefs hindered this effort.

Findings

The proposed theory was supported. The role of the leader in modeling the espoused values was seen to be important for the employees' ability to live up to the new espoused values, and deserves further research.

Research limitations/implications

Limitations include: replication of the study is needed before findings can safely be generalized. The capital city effect means the findings may apply to organizations in Kiev and not other Ukrainian cities.

Practical implications

The implication of the study is that employees' theories‐in‐use may undermine change, even when employees affirm the change, and the modeling of the leader might be essential in order for employees to change their theories‐in‐use. This may apply in organizations beyond Ukraine.

Originality/value

Understanding the impact of theory‐in‐use shaped by Ukrainian culture might be valuable for non‐Ukrainians doing business in Ukraine.
The perceived characteristics of irresolvable, resolvable and resolved intimate conflicts
Authors: Waite Miller Courtney , Roloff Michael E.
Published: July 2007

Purpose

The paper seeks to investigate the characteristics of irresolvable interpersonal conflicts by comparing irresolvable conflicts to resolvable and resolved conflicts on each of Coleman's common social psychological factors associated with intractable conflicts.

Design/methodology/approach

Undergraduate students were randomly assigned to complete questionnaires about an irresolvable conflict, a resolvable conflict, or a resolved conflict. Participants reported on conflicts in romantic or parental relationships.

Findings

Three of Coleman's factors distinguished irresolvable interpersonal conflicts: length of conflict; hopelessness; and resistance to resolution. Three factors did not: issue centrality; conflict pervasiveness; and motivation to harm.

Research limitations/implications

The participants in this study were college undergraduates. Because we asked participants to report on conflicts in romantic or parental relationships, this study does not include irresolvable conflicts that might occur in other relationships. The measures employed in this study were self‐created and tested for the first time in this investigation. Future research should replicate this study with a more representative sample, focus on the role of communication or individual sense‐making processes, and investigate how, if ever, these conflicts end or are resolved.

Practical implications

This study indicates that similarities exist between intractable and irresolvable interpersonal conflicts. However, irresolvable interpersonal conflicts in ongoing relationships have unique identifying processes associated relational maintenance despite conflict.

Originality/value

To the authors' knowledge, no other research has thoroughly investigated irresolvable interpersonal conflicts. Research on intractable conflicts provides some insight into these conflicts, but our preliminary results indicate that irresolvable interpersonal conflicts likely should not be categorized with other types of intractable conflicts.
Conflict and collaboration in headquarters‐subsidiary relationships
Authors: Tasoluk Burcu , Yaprak Attila , Calantone Roger J.
Published: July 2007

Purpose

The paper seeks to explain the collaborative intent, trust development, and conflict resolution in a headquarters‐subsidiary relationship in a new product launch context in an emerging market.

Design/methodology/approach

Grounded theory development is employed through personal interviews with senior executives of selected multinational firms operating in Turkey.

Findings

A major challenge in collaboration is convincing both parties to the dyad that the expertise of the other party is essential for effective collaboration.

Research limitations/implications

The findings are based solely on looking at the subsidiary side of the subsidiary‐HQ dyad in a single country, which limits their generalizability. Since we did not interview the HQ side of this dyad, speculations made about the possible reactions of HQ personnel to subsidiary actions must be interpreted with caution.

Practical implications

The perceptions of both parties play a far more important role than the facts or perceptions of just one party when it comes to relationships and conflict resolution. Both parties need to pay more attention to the possible causes of means incongruence and take perception gaps and the other side's needs and expertise into account when approaching collaboration and conflict resolution.

Originality/value

Agency theory is extended to a multinational firm‐subsidiary context in order to suggest mechanisms for resolving conflict through increased communication, greater trust in each other's capabilities, and greater collaboration in meeting common challenges. A diagnostic and prescriptive framework and mechanisms are also offered through which disruptive conflict can be transformed into functional conflict and collaboration.
Jordanian managers' leadership styles in comparison with the International Air Transport Association (IATA) and prospects for knowledge management in Jordan
Authors: Sabri Hala
Published: July 2007

Purpose

The research reported in this paper aims to examine the newer leadership styles and their implication for implementing knowledge management in Jordanian organizations. The research seeks to investigate Jordanian managers' leadership styles and then compare them with managers in other organizations with different cultures, such as the International Air Transport Association (IATA).

Design/methodology/approach

A survey of 120 managers from Jordan and IATA was undertaken using an established measurement instrument.

Findings

Results revealed that meanwhile IATA managers preferred transformational rather than transactional leadership style, in Jordan, there was no clear preference for transactional or transformational style as both were being used. But when compared with IATA managers Jordanian managers showed more inclination towards transactional than transformational behaviors.

Research limitations/implications

Like other comparative research this study shares the limitation of likely sampling bias. Moreover, it did not take into account the political realities of conducting social science research in countries with long authoritarian histories, such as Jordan, which present the likelihood of further response bias.

Originality/value

The paper investigates the leadership styles of Jordanian managers. This has important implications for local as well as international corporations.
Competitive disadvantage and segment disclosure: evidence from Malaysian listed companies
Authors: Talha Mohammad , Sallehhuddin Abdullah , Mohammad Junaini
Published: July 2007

Purpose

This paper seeks to investigate the level of competitive disadvantage experienced by Malaysian listed companies by disclosing segmental information as required by the new accounting standard on segments disclosure by Malaysian Accounting Standards Board.

Design/methodology/approach

A total of 116 Malaysian listed companies are included in the study. Their annual reports for financial year ended 2002 are the main sources. The dependent variable is competitive disadvantage, which is proxied by Total Performance Index. The independent variables are quality of segmental disclosure by employing weighted average correlation technique, size of companies, the use of stricter accounting standard and the choice of business segment or geographical segment as the primary segment. To examine the developed hypotheses of the study; a multivariate least square regression model is employed. The analysis is also supported by correlation technique.

Findings

The outcomes of the study indicate that competitive disadvantage exists by disclosing segments information but it is not significant. In addition, larger companies experience greater competitive disadvantage than smaller companies, more extensive segment disclosure standard leads to less competitive disadvantage and the state of competitive disadvantage is greater when geographical segment is disclosed as the primary segment.

Research limitations/implications

Since the standard allows the reporting companies to disclose their segment information based on internal structure of the organization, the potential existence of materiality judgement may distort the comprehensiveness of the outcome. In addition, the limited number of companies included in the final sample leads to a more cautious approach in generalizing the findings.

Practical implications

Since the new accounting standard governing segment disclosure in Malaysian environment took effect in 2002, the study is considered timely. It allows the relevant accounting bodies to continue monitoring the level of compliance among the listed companies towards the new standard and, more importantly, it permits further improvement of the standard given the level of competitive disadvantage that may be experienced by reporting companies.

Originality/value

The remarkable contribution of the study lies in its timely effort to investigate the potential competitive disadvantage suffered by reporting companies in the first year of the implementation of the new accounting standard governing segment disclosure.
Competitive balance implications for hospitals of innovations in networked electronic health records
Authors: Williams Scott David , Whittier Nathan C.
Published: July 2007

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to examine the implications of electronic health records (EHRs) for competitive balance among hospitals in the USA.

Design/methodology/approach

To analyze the competitive balance implications of EHR networks on hospitals, the authors reviewed empirical, theoretical and practical literatures bearing on the problem.

Findings

US hospitals are increasingly facing decisions regarding whether, when and how to participate in networks of EHRs. EHRs can replace paper‐based medical records, improve the quality of patient care and decrease medical errors. EHRs also support product innovations such as e‐visits and online prescribing. Such a significant innovation will alter the competitive standing of many hospitals, some favorably and others unfavorably. Hospitals with dynamic capabilities, absorptive capacity and organizational designs that facilitate innovation will fair best.

Practical implications

Hospitals can also utilize several strategies to increase their odds of improving their competitive positions as the industry adopts EHR networks. Examples include strategies involving new products, early entry into an EHR network, promotion of organizational learning, and management of social impacts of workflow changes.

Originality/value

The findings show which hospitals are most likely to embrace EHR networks, and how hospitals can best manage the adoption of EHR networks.
Development and prospects of internet banking in Bangladesh
Authors: Shah Alam Syed , Khatibi Ali , Solucis Santhapparaj A. , Talha Mohammad
Published: July 2007

Purpose

The goal of this paper is to examine the development and prospects of internet banking in Bangladesh, which found that lack of infrastructure is the major issues for internet banking.

Design/methodology/approach

An overview of newspaper reports, journal articles, workshops and presentations at the conference.

Findings

Bangladesh banks are still reluctant to use full internet base banking activities. Compared to private and foreign banks, nationalised commercial banks are far behind implementing internet banking system in banking transactions. Nationalised commercial banks provide ATM services with very few branches and also the computerised branches are very small except the foreign commercial banking.

Originality/value

This paper outlines the key internet banking trends and events in Bangladesh. Further, the research focuses on the issues that are related to internet banking and provides strategy and directions for the development of internet banking in Bangladesh.
Governments as human capital providers
Authors: Fincher Mark
Published: July 2007

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to provide an analysis of the case for governmental support of higher education access to further national competitiveness.

Design/methodology/approach

A review of previous literature is used to examine different academic disciplines that impact the relationship between higher education access and national competitiveness. These bodies of knowledge are used to synthesize a rationale for impacting competitiveness through educational policy.

Findings

A coherent argument can be made that is strongly in support of governmental provision of relatively high levels of access to higher education.

Research limitations/implications

The recommendations are general. A specific cost‐benefit analysis of educational policies is beyond the scope of this paper.

Practical implications

This paper equips readers to explain why higher education access influences national competitiveness. While this point seems obvious to many who work in higher education, the connection is seldom made and often discounted among the general public. This paper can assist in informing the general public and those who represent them about the economic value of higher education.

Originality/value

This paper fills a gap that exists among the three academic fields of international trade, strategic management, and higher education policy.
Collectivism and expected benefits of knowledge management
Authors: Schulte William D. , Kim Young K.
Published: July 2007

Purpose

To understand the role of national culture in knowledge management (KM), this study aims to examine whether workers of two different countries hold different expectations regarding KM.

Design/methodology/approach

This study used field research to test hypotheses. Statistical analysis was performed to compare expectations of KM of knowledge workers in the USA and Taiwan.

Findings

Comparisons of KM expectations were performed on data. The results show that workers in the USA and Taiwan have significantly different levels of expectations regarding KM.

Research limitations/implications

Despite the limitations of mailed surveys, based on the results and high‐response rate, it appears that respondents in Taiwan have higher expectations from KM than their US counterparts.

Practical implications

Drawing from the research of Geert Hofstede and others, this study adds to our understanding of the relationships between national culture and KM by examining the differences between US and Taiwanese workers. These differences should be considered when KM strategies are formulated and implemented by international managers.

Originality/value

Many previous studies examined the relationship between organizational culture and perceived benefits of KM. However, no major study was done to examine whether national culture plays a significant role in KM expectations. The results of the study make significant contributions in terms of theoretical and practical understanding of the relationships between national culture and KM.
Profiting from mega‐trends
Authors: Florin Dave , Callen Barry , Mullen Sean , Kropp Jeane
Published: July 2007

Purpose

Understanding the context surrounding a brand's role is paramount to knowing what drives consumers to want what they want. The purpose of this paper is to highlight eight mega‐trends that are currently influencing the consumers' world and, in turn, how marketers deliver brand messages.

Design/methodology/approach

The integrated brand development and marketing firm, Hiebing, conducted secondary research to help define and identify the eight mega‐trends referenced in this paper. Since 1981, Hiebing has helped hundreds of clients find, design and deliver powerful communications that have increased brands' impact and profits.

Findings

Consumers drive the universe. Not brands. Not products. Not businesses. And today's consumers are more sophisticated than ever at tuning out messages that do not resonate immediately with their own desires or needs. Relevancy – the role that a particular brand plays in consumers' lives – is what it is all about. Unless your brand plays a role that consumers value, you are wasting your time.

Originality/value

This paper identifies and elaborates on eight mega‐trends that are critical for marketers to understand. Staying current with them is the first step toward creating powerful communications between your targets and a brand that will withstand the test of time.
The time factor in re‐branding organizations: its effects on staff knowledge, attitudes and behaviour in UK charities
Authors: Hankinson Philippa , Lomax Wendy , Hand Chris
Published: July 2007

Purpose

As staff are vital to successful re‐branding, particularly in the charity sector where restricted budgets limit reliance on external marketing, it is important to understand the impact of re‐branding on staff. This study aims to examine the effect of time on staff knowledge, attitudes and behaviour and, in addition, the interaction of time with seniority, tenure and level of support for re‐branding.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper first explores the literature from both the for‐profit and non‐profit sectors. A quantitative study was undertaken in nine leading, UK charities that had re‐branded two, three and four years ago; n=345. The data were analysed using one‐way and two‐way ANOVAs.

Findings

A negative relationship was found between time since re‐branding and the three constructs of knowledge, attitudes and behaviour. But this consistency was not mirrored by a consistency in the impact of interaction effects.

Practical implications

Re‐branding is not a one‐off event. To sustain its benefits, organizations need to re‐visit its outcomes on a regular basis to ensure staff retain new knowledge, remain positively motivated and maintain their recently adapted behaviours over time.

Originality/value

Thought to be the first empirical paper to explore the effects of re‐branding over time. Furthermore, the findings contradict those from the extant literature that claim that organizational change requires a “settling in” period. By contrast these findings suggest that the positive effects of re‐branding are best felt in the immediate wake of re‐branding and thereafter fade over time.
Gray marketing and its impacts on brand equity
Authors: Chen Hsiu‐Li
Published: July 2007

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to investigate the impact of parallel importation on brand equity in high and low product involvement arrangements.

Design/methodology/approach

A 2 × 2 (authorized goods/gray‐marketed goods)×(high involvement/low involvement) between‐subjects experimental design is utilized; consumer electronics and ballpoint pens are examined.

Findings

The results of this empirical study show that source channel (authorized goods versus gray goods) has a significant impact on brand equity; among the five brand equity dimensions, consumers are most concerned about the difference in “perceived quality” between gray goods and authorized goods; given the levels of stimuli, sourcing channel stimuli are found to have more powerful effects than product involvement on consumer evaluations of brand equity.

Practical implications

Marketing implications of the study are as follows. For authorized agents: they could emphasize the “perceived quality” of their products in order to prevent market “squatting” from gray marketers. For manufacturers: authorized goods have a stronger effect on brand equity than gray goods; therefore, manufacturers could adapt the contents and packaging of their products to match consumption behavior in each different country to achieve the purpose of market segmentation and to prevent the products from being diverted. For gray marketers: they should not only emphasize the lower prices of their products, but also highlight their brand knowledge and the brand recognition and provide a valid and sensitive reflection of the brand's standing to their customers.

Originality/value

The most notable finding from this study may be that given the levels of stimuli, sourcing channel stimuli were found to have more powerful effects than product involvement on consumer evaluations of brand equity.
Logical brand management in a dynamic context of growth and innovation
Authors: Logman Marc
Published: July 2007

Purpose

The aim of this paper is to propose a consistent framework that allows the brand manager to detect innovation/growth opportunities and risks.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper is based on an extensive theoretical study of innovation and growth approaches combined with analysis of cases (Dell and Red Bull) and many practical examples. The different approaches are compared at three levels: the customer value, the process and customer segment level. It also uses principles of the logical brand management model, proposed in a JPBM (2004) article as a benchmark.

Findings

The paper shows that many frameworks still focus too much on the firm's perspective instead of the customer perspective. An approach is proposed in which growth and innovation starts from the customer value. It allows to detect potential opportunities and risks at a very detailed level.

Research limitations/implications

The growth and innovation model proposed may be used in a business‐ to‐consumer and a business‐ to‐business context (as illustrated with the cases and examples).

Practical implications

Continuous adjustment of the customer value, by manipulating importance and satisfaction rates of different brand drivers leads to a continuous redefinition of contextual segments. In an effort to keep current customer segments and to attract new ones a balance must be sought continuously when adjusting the brand drivers. This kind of audit may also be perceived as a risk management approach for brand managers who want to evaluate innovation and growth options.

Originality/value

This paper “integrates” many innovation and growth approaches into “one” consistent approach.
Antecedents to consumer reference price orientation: an exploratory investigation
Authors: Yin Tong , Paswan Audhesh K.
Published: July 2007

Purpose

This research paper aims to examine the relationships among the factors associated with changing shopping environment, consumer knowledge and reference price.

Design/methodology/ approach

A self administered online survey was used to collect data (final sample size was 265). After checking for non‐response bias, data was factor analyzed and checked for reliability and validity. Hypotheses were tested using structural Equation Modeling procedure.

Findings

Product search opportunity is associated with product and price knowledge. Price volatility is negatively associated with internal reference price. Further, consumers' price comparison propensity and price knowledge positively influence external reference price. Finally, price volatility has a significant negative influence on consumer knowledge and IRP orientation.

Research limitations/implications

The sampling frame is a major limitation, in addition to not including variables such as product type and other measures of price volatility. Future research should expand the sampling frame and include other variables as well as other aspects of price volatility.

Practical implications

These findings provide insights into advertised price claims in the information rich internet age. Managers also benefit from the finding that the internet, particularly price comparison, influences external reference price. Consequently, managers must be cautious with their advertised price claims and not exaggerate the value of offerings or cost savings too much.

Originality/value

This topic is important because retailers extensively use reference price or price comparison to increase consumers' perception of the product value. However, not much research attention has been given to this topic.
Industry classification and the capital structure of Ghanaian SMEs
Authors: Abor Joshua
Published: July 2007

Purpose

This study seeks to examine the effect of industry classification on the capital structure of SMEs in Ghana.

Design/methodology/approach

The analytical technique employed is regression framework with various capital structure measures as dependent variables, and with industry as the independent variable. Analysis of variance (ANOVA) and other non‐parametric tests were also used to examine the differences in the capital structure of the SMEs across industries.

Findings

The results of this study indicate that SMEs in the agricultural sector exhibit the highest capital structure and asset structure or collateral value, while the wholesale and retail trade industry have the lowest debt ratio and asset structure. The regression results indicate that agriculture and pharmaceutical and medical industries depend more on long‐term and short‐term debt than does the manufacturing sector. Information and communication, and wholesale and retail trade sectors are more likely to use short‐term credit than the manufacturing sector. The results also show that the construction and mining industry is less likely to depend on short‐term debt, while hotel and hospitality depend more on long‐term debt and less on short‐term finance. The results clearly indicate that industry effect is important in explaining the capital structure of SMEs and that there are variations in capital structure across the various industries.

Originality/value

The main value of this paper is the analysis of the effect of industry classification on SMEs' capital structure from the Ghanaian perspective. The study provides insights on the financing behaviour of SMEs across various industries in Ghana.
Mean reversion in stock prices: new evidence from panel unit root tests
Authors: Narayan Paresh Kumar , Narayan Seema
Published: July 2007

Purpose

There are several studies that investigate evidence for mean reversion in stock prices. However, there is no consensus as to whether stock prices are mean reverting or random walk (unit root) processes. The goal of this paper is to re‐examine mean reversion in stock prices.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors use five different panel unit root tests, namely the Im, Pesaran and Shin t‐bar test statistic, the Levin and Lin test, the Im, Lee, and Tieslau Lagrangian multiplier test statistic, the seemingly unrelated regression test, and the multivariate augmented Dickey Fuller test advocated by Taylor and Sarno.

Findings

The main finding is that there is no mean reversion of stock prices, consistent with the efficient market hypothesis.

Research limitations/implications

One issue not considered by this study is the role of structural breaks. It may be the case that the efficient market hypothesis is contingent on structural breaks in stock prices. Future studies should model structural breaks.

Practical implications

The findings have implications for econometric modelling, in particular forecasting.

Originality/value

This paper adds to the scarce literature on the mean reverting property of stock prices based on panel data; thus, it should be useful for researchers.
Selective laser melting of biocompatible metals for rapid manufacturing of medical parts
Authors: Vandenbroucke Ben , Kruth Jean‐Pierre
Published: July 2007

Purpose

This paper seeks to investigate the possibility of producing medical or dental parts by selective laser melting (SLM). Rapid Manufacturing could be very suitable for these applications due to their complex geometry, low volume and strong individualization.

Design/methodology/approach

The SLM‐process has been optimized and fully characterized for two biocompatible metal alloys: Ti‐6Al‐4V and Co‐Cr‐Mo. Mechanical and chemical properties were tested and geometrical feasibility, including process accuracy and surface roughness, was discussed by benchmark studies. By developing a procedure to fabricate frameworks for complex dental prostheses, the potential of SLM as a medical manufacturing technique has been proved.

Findings

Optimized SLM parameters lead to part densities up to 99.98 percent for titanium. Strength and stiffness, corrosion behavior, and process accuracy fulfil requirements for medical or dental parts. Surface roughness analyses show some limitations of the SLM process. Dental frameworks can be produced efficiently and with high precision.

Originality/value

This study presents the state‐of‐the‐art in SLM of biocompatible metals by thoroughly testing material and part properties. It shows opportunities for using SLM for medical or dental applications.
Use of ultrasonic consolidation for fabrication of multi‐material structures
Authors: Janaki Ram G.D. , Robinson C. , Yang Y. , Stucker B.E.
Published: July 2007

Purpose

Ultrasonic consolidation (UC) is a novel additive manufacturing process developed for fabrication of metallic parts from foils. While the process has been well demonstrated for part fabrication in Al alloy 3003, some of the potential strengths of the process have not been fully explored. One of them is its suitability for fabrication of parts in multi‐materials. This work aims to examine this aspect.

Design/methodology/approach

Multi‐material UC experiments were conducted using Al alloy 3003 foils as the bulk part material together with a number of engineering materials (foils of Al‐Cu alloy 2024, Ni‐base alloy Inconel 600® AISI 347 stainless steel, and others). Deposit microstructures were studied to evaluate bonding between various materials.

Findings

It was found that most of the materials investigated can be successfully bonded to alloy Al 3003 and vice versa. SiC fibers and stainless wire meshes were successfully embedded in an Al 3003 matrix. The results suggest that the UC process is quite suitable for fabrication of multi‐material structures, including fiber‐reinforced metal matrix composites.

Originality/value

This work systematically examines the multi‐material capability of the UC process. The findings of this work lay a strong foundation for a wider and more efficient commercial utilization of the process.
Hedonic shopping motivations, supermarket attributes, and shopper loyalty in transitional markets
Authors: Nguyen Trang T.M. , Nguyen Tho D. , Barrett Nigel J.
Published: July 2007

Purpose

This study aims to explore the impact of hedonic shopping motivations (HSM) and supermarket attributes (SMA) on shopper loyalty (SLO).

Design/methodology/approach

A sample of 608 supermarket shoppers in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam was surveyed to test the model. Structural equation modeling was used to analyze the data.

Findings

It was found that SMA and HSM had positive effects on SLO. It was also found that the impact of hedonic motivations on SLO was different between the younger and older, as well as lower and higher income groups of customers. However, no such difference was found between female and male shoppers.

Research limitations/implications

A major limitation of this study was the use of a sample drawn from one transitional market. Cross‐national samples will be a direction for further research. Also, the study focuses on attitudinal loyalty. Behavioral loyalty should be taken into account in future research.

Practical implications

The findings suggest that the supermarket managers showed concentrate their positioning strategies not only on the utilitarian dimension but also on the hedonic motivations to stimulate SLO, especially for older and higher income segments of customers.

Originality/value

The major contribution of the study is to empirically examine the role of hedonic motivations in SLO in Vietnam, a transitional market.