bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Defining e‐services using a co‐design platform
Authors: Sébastien Olivier , Conruyt Noël , Grosser David
Published: August 2008

Purpose

One of the aims of expert knowledge management via information and communication technology is to improve the efficiency of knowledge transfer to non‐specialists, and to facilitate the implementation of service‐products that are adapted so as to be truly used. The aim of this paper is to describe an example in the domain of instrumental e‐learning.

Design/methodology/approach

Drawing on activity theory, this article describes a methodology that aims to guide the design process along the lines of the usage process.

Findings

The co‐design platform (CDP) allows the service designers and users to determine service‐product definitions together, to facilitate the emergence of their uses.

Research limitations/implications

Some of the experiments are still in progress as the development is iterative.

Practical implications

To illustrate this method, the authors have designed and implemented an instrumental learning e‐service for guitar music (e‐guitare).

Originality/value

The CDP gives a greater understanding of the transformation of the tool (proposals) into an instrument (proven demand), which is essential to the process of supplying the demand.
Arabic supervised learning method using N‐gram
Authors: Sanan Majed , Rammal Mahmoud , Zreik Khaldoun
Published: August 2008

Purpose

Recently, classification of Arabic documents is a real problem for juridical centers. In this case, some of the Lebanese official journal documents are classified, and the center has to classify new documents based on these documents. This paper aims to study and explain the useful application of supervised learning method on Arabic texts using N‐gram as an indexing method (n  =  3).

Design/methodology/approach

The Lebanese official journal documents are categorized into several classes. Supposing that we know the class(es) of some documents (called learning texts), this can help to determine the candidate words of each class by segmenting the documents.

Findings

Results showed that N‐gram text classification using the cosine coefficient measure outperforms classification using Dice's measure and TF*ICF weight. Then it is the best between the three measures but it still insufficient. N‐gram method is good, but still insufficient for the classification of Arabic documents, and then it is necessary to look at the future of a new approach like distributional or symbolic approach in order to increase the effectiveness.

Originality/value

The results could be used to improve Arabic document classification (using software also). This work has evaluated a number of similarity measures for the classification of Arabic documents, using the Lebanese parliament documents and especially the Lebanese official journal documents Arabic corpus as the test bed.
A closer look at tracking human and computer interactions in web‐based communications
Authors: May Madeth , George Sébastien , Prévôt Patrick
Published: August 2008

Purpose

Keeping track of users' communication activities in web‐based environments has always been considered a complex task. It requires tracking systems that are capable of efficiently tracking users' activities and producing tracking data that can be useful to various users. The objectives of this paper are two‐fold: to present an approach for better observing the different levels of human and computer interactions (HCI) during a computer‐mediated communication (CMC) activity; and to present the technical aspects of a web‐based tracking system for communication tools such as discussion forums.

Design/methodology/approach

The research applications are applied to educational settings. Three cases of experiments with result analysis will also be presented. The paper studied different CMC tools. With the participation of researchers from different disciplines, including HCI and e‐learning specialists, we adopted the 5W1H method (When, Where, Who, What, Why, and How) and a participative method to build the approach. The result of the experiments and users' feedback allowed us to evaluate the approach.

Findings

An approach for efficiently tracking users' communication activities on CMC tools, by looking very closely at the different levels of HCI is shown. This paper demonstrates how useful it is to have tracking data with finer granularity and to provide significant data indicators to the participants in the learning process.

Practical implications

The data indicators shown in this paper are computed based on the real needs of the participants in the learning process. The proposed approach can be implemented with any conceptual and development languages.

Originality/value

One of the particularities of this research is the approach for efficiently tracking CMC activities on both client and server sides. The quality of the tracking data from the three experiments shows the effectiveness of the system. Another contribution of this paper is a discussion of the important key issues related to the tracking data in learning environments.
ActiveTutor: towards more adaptive features in an e‐learning framework
Authors: Fournier Jean‐Pierre , Sansonnet Jean‐Paul
Published: August 2008

Purpose

This paper aims to sketch the emerging notion of auto‐adaptive software when applied to e‐learning software.

Design/methodology/approach

The study and the implementation of the auto‐adaptive architecture are based on the operational framework “ActiveTutor” that is used for teaching the topic of computer science programming in first‐grade university courses.

Findings

The paper describes an adaptive heuristic dedicated to the display of knowledge entities which is based on the dynamic balancing of four behavioral criteria for the low‐level agents (cooperation, pedagogy, audacity, and sensibility).

Practical implications

The heuristic may be used in all multi‐agent systems where load balancing problems appear and where an auto‐adaptive behavior is important.Originality/value–The paper presents an auto‐adaptive algorithm.
A toolkit for designing firm level strategic corporate social responsibility (CSR) initiatives
Authors: Sekhar Bhattacharyya Som , Sahay Arunditya , Pratap Arora Ashok , Chaturvedi Abha
Published: August 2008

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to attempt to develop a framework that will help managers to design firm level corporate social responsibility (CSR) initiatives which can be of strategic interest for an organisation.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper reviews concepts from the domains of strategic management and CSR literature. The concepts are deliberated and analyzed to build up a strategic corporate social responsibility (CSR) framework. The article starts by identifying the salient stakeholders of a firm, based on the three stakeholder attributes of power, legitimacy, and urgency. The framework then talks about the identification of a firm's interest in CSR, on the basis of firm value chain, context of competitiveness and intention of creating new business opportunities. Finally, this literature talks about the expected benefits to be achieved by carrying out strategic CSR initiatives.

Findings

In a competitive atmosphere, it is important to utilize the firm resources in a proper manner and for a worthy cause. The undertaking of CSR initiatives calls for the sacrifice of firm resources. Resources are scarce and valuable. Managers can design CSR initiatives in a number of ways. But the real challenge for managers is to design firm CSR strategy in such a manner that it helps address a social issue and also provides the organization with some business benefits.

Originality/value

Though managers are aware of the need and benefits of undertaking strategic CSR, a comprehensive theoretical framework which can guide CSR managers to design and implement CSR activities for strategic gains is not present. This study provides for such an integrated framework from the stage of identification of stakeholders, to the design of CSR, to the nature of strategic gains to be incurred.
Bakhtin's theory of speech as human agency
Authors: Mraović Branka
Published: August 2008

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to examine the contribution by the Russian social philosopher and cultural theoretician M.M. Bakhtin to the development of social sciences and, particularly, the author's relevance for the issue of agency.

Design/methodology/approach

The article provides some details about Bakhtin and discusses his theories and their influence.

Findings

Agency is always directed towards the other axiological position, in which the Self‐Other relationship is always a cross‐over or a transgredient relation. The active role of the Other in the act of communication is the very reason why “the utterance of the Other” is not only the topic of speech but also why it enters speech and its syntactic construct as a particular constructive element.

Practical implications

In this way, Bakhtin's philosophy of language can find an equally constructive use in the interdisciplinary theoretical discourse within the context of the development of post‐Cartesian human sciences as well as in the new practical determination of human agency in an era of globality.

Originality/value

Bakhtin's theory of speech as human agency provides a tool for constructing new mental models, the realization of which relies on the assumption of the organizing culture.
E‐learning: the latest spectrum in open and distance learning
Authors: Guha A.S. , Maji Subhashish
Published: August 2008

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is an attempt to validate the universal impact of e‐learning as distance education methodology and community learning.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper examines an ontological framework for e‐learning within theoretical referential points, its reach and its systemic and disciplinary approaches. The paper explores the ramifications of e‐learning.

Findings

E‐learning offers distance learning through the internet, giving students an interactive educational experience and the opportunity to study through accredited learning providers. Through e‐learning, companies can deliver distance training to their staff, or gain additional revenue through re‐selling of training programmes. Using e‐learning, colleges of distance education can deliver distance learning to students, or offer other educational establishments the opportunity to use their courses.

Originality/value

The paper concludes that e‐learning makes a definitive impact on the young and old alike, creative writers and the community as a whole. E‐learning groups and communities such as the telecentre movement reach towards sustainability and socio‐educational development.
It's just another war!
Authors: Collins Pauline
Published: August 2008

Purpose

This paper aims to raise awareness and the level of debate on a significant new development in international law.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper takes a historical overview in considering current approaches to the phenomenon of private military corporations (PMCs) and uses case examples to discuss the issues raised.

Findings

The paper concludes that the phenomenon raises many issues that need further analysis, such as the outcome of this phenomenon on the future of democracy in sovereign states.

Research limitations/implications

The topic allows for much further research into such matters as definitional, jurisdictional and enforceability issues with regard to corporate entities known as PMCs.

Practical implications

For peace and human rights to prevail in democracies in which the state maintains the monopoly on the use of force, the paper argues that PMCs should be prohibited rather than subjected to mere regulation.

Originality/value

The paper is the first to use the term “preyfits” in describing the actions of transnational corporations. While most scholars argue for regulation of PMCs, this paper argues for their total prohibition.
Introduction to special issue on indigenous entrepreneurs
Authors: Frederick Howard H.
Published: August 2008

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to introduce the content of a special issue ofJournal of Enterprising Communitiesfocusing on indigenous entrepreneurs.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper provides a brief description of the six contributions to the special issue.

Findings

The papers are found to range over New Zealand, Australia, Hawaii, Sweden Samoa and Ghana.

Originality/value

The papers comprising this special issue are of value in increasing understanding of how uniquely indigenous political, economic and social systems can explain cultural, social and political factors that both inhibit and enhance indigenous economic prosperity.
Potikitanga:indigenous entrepreneurship in a Maori context
Authors: Tapsell Paul , Woods Christine
Published: August 2008

Purpose

This paper examines the models used to teach and encourage indigenous entrepreneurial activity, with a focus on indigenous entrepreneurship in a Maori context.

Design/methodology/approach

In particular, the paper explores the pedagogical challenges from the perspective of indigenous entrepreneurship understood from a Maori context and draws on an historical and cultural analysis of kin accountability within a tribal context to explore the pedagogical challenges faced when working with a new generation of aspiring entrepreneurially‐minded Maori. Three short case studies are provided as illustrative examples.

Findings

The paper finds that entrepreneurial models focusing on opportunity‐seekingpotiki(aspiring younger individuals) will likely remain limited in application until they successfully integrate the genealogical check and balance of thepotiki, namely the elder‐rangatira. Thisrangatira:potikicustomary leadership tension has been Maori society's generative survival portal to taking advantage of new opportunities (potikitanga) for 100 or more generations. The paper suggests that while Maori ventures may adequately reflect what constitutes successful commercial entrepreneurship, such ventures also need to be further developed in terms of kin‐accountability beyond current social/economic entrepreneurial thinking if they are to legitimately benefit Maori society.

Originality/value

Although only one cultural context is examined, this paper demonstrates the potential benefit of a deeper understanding of the cultural genealogical setting when developing models to work with indigenous entrepreneurs.
Does culture and social capital impact on the networking attributes of indigenous entrepreneurs?
Authors: Foley Dennis
Published: August 2008

Purpose

The purpose this paper is to determine the impact that culture and social capital has on indigenous entrepreneurs' business networking.

Design/methodology/approach

A comparative case study analysis was undertaken on a three‐nation sample of indigenous entrepreneurs in Australia, Hawaii and New Zealand. The specific research questions investigated were: does culture influence indigenous entrepreneurs' networking, and does social capital influence indigenous entrepreneurs' networking? Participants were stand‐alone commercial operators.

Findings

Reduced social capital for indigenous Australians resulted in active social networking to be a necessity in the operation of their basic business functions, the role of the family was negligible to negative, they were dependent on racial acceptance, they experienced little diversity in their networking, their business relationships were often that of dependence with a distinct separation between social and business networking interactions. The Hawaiians displayed a solid cultural capital base with spontaneous drivers in the interaction of relationships, networks were culturally accepted, the family role was supportive, a dynamic networking interaction ensued, networking was diverse and well maintained, they took an avid interest in their networking relationship which for many was personal and their networking relationships were highly integrated between their social and business spheres. Maori displayed a solid cultural capital base. Networks were culturally accepted, the family role was supportive, a dynamic networking interaction ensued with strong economic motivators, networking was diverse and well maintained, they took an avid interest in their networking relationship which culturally supported and their networking relationships were highly integrated between their social and business spheres.

Practical implications

This research provides an increased understanding of the business environment for policy makers, NGOs, business support organisations and the indigenous entrepreneurs themselves. The relationship between culture and social networking which is stimulated or reduced by the presence of varying levels of social capital can and will assist the indigenous entrepreneurs in their business planning.

Originality/value

This paper provides the reader with a new perspective on how the existence of social capital impacts on networking for indigenous entrepreneurs.
Entrepreneurial activities of indigenous African women: a case of Ghana
Authors: Dzisi Smile
Published: August 2008

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to explore the personal profile and entrepreneurial activities of indigenous Ghanaian women and to provide updated research to raise awareness about the significant impact of the indigenous women‐run small to medium‐sized enterprises on Africa countries' economies.

Design/methodology/approach

The study employed a mixed methodology research design where both qualitative and quantitative methods were used. Mail surveys were used to collect data from 241 indigenous Ghanaian women and in addition, 20 of these women were purposefully selected and interviewed.

Findings

Indigenous Ghanaian women were found to exhibit many similarities with their counterparts in other countries in terms of their personality traits. However, they differed in other aspects such as their educational backgrounds and modes of entrepreneurial skills acquisition. Through their entrepreneurial activities the women have made substantial contributions to the economic growth of Ghana in terms of innovation, job creation, and reduction in poverty and unemployment.

Research limitations/implications

The main limitation is the restricted locale of the sample. The sample however is a reasonably representative of all the ten municipalities and indigenous communities in Ghana, and as a result the findings can be generalized to all indigenous women entrepreneurs in Ghana.

Practical implications

The paper shows that the indigenous women's small businesses are very important to economic and social development. Indigenous women's entrepreneurship, properly harnessed, has great potential as a tool for transforming African economies.

Originality/value

This paper contributes to the literature due to the scarcity of publications about indigenous women's economic activities in Africa. The paper is useful for policy makers in Africa and researchers wishing to pursue indigenous entrepreneurship and gender studies.
Tourism, indigenous peoples and endogeneity in the Chatham Islands
Authors: Wiltshier Peter , Cardow Andrew
Published: August 2008

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to highlight indigenous and endogenous components of community capacity development through a focus on enterprise with renewed vigour and fervency attributable to local power elites and local collaboration and cooperation.

Design/methodology/approach

The twenty‐first century identifies good practices in many aspects of bottom‐up planning and implementation in neoliberal political economies. New Zealand is for many reasons, due to scale, skills and education, an example of endogenous development that is used globally for best practice studies. This paper specifically identifies and explores the local responses to the challenge of democracy and opportunities for diversification through tourism services provision on the Chatham Islands.

Findings

The paper notes that community capacity and governance on the Chathams has been the subject of discussion in recent years and the focus has been directed to conflicts in governance and possibly inappropriate policy and practice coordination. Although the refocus on endogenous development, empowerment and devolution of responsibility has a long pedigree in the context of the neoliberal economy, insufficient attention has been paid to the skills, inclination, social and economic capital for indigenous enterprise, more so in an environment of isolation, relative deprivation and dependence.

Originality/value

This paper highlights indigenous and endogenous components of community capacity development through a focus on enterprise with renewed vigour and fervency attributable to local power elites and local collaboration and cooperation. A useful model of indigenous tourism development and its endogenous antecedents is considered at the conclusion.
Facets of brand equity and brand survival: a longitudinal examination
Authors: Wilcox James B. , Laverie Debbie A. , Kolyesnikova Natalia , Duhan Dale F. , Dodd Tim H.
Published: August 2008

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to explore how brand equity influences brand survival in the wine industry. Specifically, the aim is to investigate the influence of two key facets of brand equity (brand awareness and perceived quality) on brand survival.

Design/methodology/approach

Two types of data were used: consumer survey data and longitudinal data on brand survival over a 16‐year period. Perceptions of quality and brand recognition data were collected via survey at the beginning of the time frame (1991), longitudinal data regarding the brand survival were obtained for the years through 2006 and survey data were again collected in 2006. Twenty‐seven brands from wineries of a specific region were used for the study. Brand survival (measured in years) was analyzed using logistic regression with brand recognition and perceived quality as the predictors.

Findings

A slightly positive relationship between consumer ratings of perceived quality and the probability of brand survival was found. However, a strong positive relationship was found between brand recognition and probability of brand survival.

Originality/value

The results offer insights into long‐term brand management and what marketers can do over time to reinforce brand equity and brand survival. Specifically, brand awareness is a better predictor of brand survival than perceived quality for these emerging brands.
Effects of non‐sensory cues on perceived quality: the case of low‐alcohol wine
Authors: Masson Josselin , Aurier Philippe , d'hauteville François
Published: August 2008

Purpose

Part of the steady decline of wine consumption in France might be attributed to a growing criticism of the level of alcohol content of the wines. Recent declarative surveys suggest that consumers consider favourably wines with lower contents of alcohol. The purpose of this paper is to evaluate experimentally the consumers' acceptability of a low‐alcohol wine, and to analyse the impact of the “low‐alcohol” cue on perceived quality.

Design/methodology/approach

Using the literature on expectancy disconfirmation and cognitive categorization, we have set up an experimental design involving blind tasting and full information tasting of three low‐alcohol wines and three regular wines on a sample of 73 consumers.

Findings

When comparing hedonic scores at blind level, there was no significant difference between low‐alcohol wine and regular wine. Expectations created by the “low‐alcohol” cue have a negative (but unsignificant) impact on overall evaluation, and individual characteristics have almost no effect on wine evaluation.

Research limitations/implications

The small size of the sample group of respondents and the quasi‐experimental context with no control group were the major limitations of this study.

Originality/value

For the wine marketers, the most interesting result was that reducing the alcohol content to 9 per cent did not seem to result in the product being devalued significantly. The study highlighted the overwhelming effect of the sensory quality of the wine on perceived quality. “Low‐alcohol” cue creates a low quality expectation, but has only a small influence on perceived quality.
Dragon wine: developments in the Chinese wine industry
Authors: Jenster Per , Cheng Yiting
Published: August 2008

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to provide an evolutionary view of the emerging wine industry in China.

Design/methodology/approach

Research on industry evolution provides a background for the historical evolution of the Chinese wine industry. Case studies are used to illustrate the different strategies of the leading wine producers in China, and to identify the major concerns and challenges in the Chinese wine industry. Growth potentials and ongoing trends are supported with statistics from authoritative databases and Chinese wine industry associations.

Findings

The Chinese wine market is characterized by an increasing concentration where the top four domestic producers dominate with 50 per cent market share. The lack of a wine culture makes brand marketing crucial to business success. Limited international efforts have been made by Chinese wine producers, although one winery has embarked on capturing 50 per cent of the global ice‐wine industry.

Research limitations/implications

The paper provides a historical overview of the Chinese wine industry and its current situation, which could not elude generalization and simplification. Enormous regional diversity in China compels differentiated regional studies in terms of production, consumer behaviors and marketing strategies.

Practical implications

The historical evolution of the Chinese wine industry reveals different settings for wine business in China. The dominance of domestic wine companies and ignorance of foreign wine brands among the general public imply a tough setting for foreign wine makers and distributors to enter the market.

Originality/value

The paper provides some insight into the historical and ongoing development of the Chinese wine market.
Housing developers' perceptions of the planning process: a survey of Swedish companies
Authors: Olander Stefan , Landin Anne
Published: August 2008

Purpose

The public activity of controlling land use is exerted through the planning process. The purpose of this paper is to examine how housing developers perceive different aspects of the planning process, and if these perceptions might act as a constraint for the development of new housing projects.

Design/methodology/approach

A survey, based on a questionnaire, has been conducted with housing development companies having at least one project initiated during the period 2001‐2004 and with municipal housing companies with responsibility for providing affordable rental housing. The study focused on the assertions contained in the questionnaire, which were measured statistically with a t‐test, to establish if the respondents agreed with the stated assertions. Additional information was achieved from factual and open questions to the respondents of the survey.

Findings

The study shows that the housing developers do perceive the planning process as a factor of uncertainty in the development of new housing projects. Responsibility for making the planning process less uncertain lies both with planning officials and housing developers. However, housing developers cannot directly affect how the planning process is organised and controlled. Thus, housing developers need to decrease the uncertainty by performing stakeholder and risk analysis before acquisition of land.

Originality/value

The study has found that there is evidence of reasonable concern on the part of housing development companies that should be taken seriously by planning authorities. The findings imply that greater transparency in the process would go hand‐in‐hand with a more consistent approach and thus more certain outcomes.
Challenges facing housing affordability in Beijing in the twenty‐first century
Authors: Mengjie Liu , Reed Richard , Wu Hao
Published: August 2008

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is analyse to what extent the high price had led to low levels of housing affordability in the period 2002‐2006 in Beijing. Due to the importance of housing for local residents and the crucial position that real estate market in the Chinese economy is currently in, research into the housing affordability issues is now essential. It is important to consider the social circumstances that are predominantly related to both the standard of living and the national economy in Beijing.

Design/methodology/approach

The housing price to income ratio (PIR) method and Housing Affordability Index (HAI) model are used to measure housing affordability in Beijing. Then, the reasons for the high housing prices in Beijing are discussed and government homeownership‐oriented policies to help citizen on housing issues are examined. Finally, future proposals which can contribute to ease the housing affordability problem are recommended.

Findings

The main findings in this research are that the PIR in the Beijing housing market (based on an average gross floor area of 60 m2) fluctuated between 6.69 and 9.12, respectively, between 2002 and 2006. Over the same period, the HAI was approximately 75 between 2002 and 2004, although decreasing sharply in 2005 (65.78) and 2006 (51.33). It appears that the Chinese government's new housing provision policies may be able to ease this affordability problem, especially with regards to the economic housing scheme.

Originality/value

China has experienced rapid growth in gross domestic product (GDP) with a substantial increase in house prices which have affected housing affordability for typical Beijing households. Since the housing reform in China commenced in 1998, Beijing residents, government officers and academics have been concerned about high housing prices in the city, which is considered beyond the buying capability of the ordinary residents. The results are designed to provide an insight into the level of housing affordability in Beijing and whether a trend exists.
Estimating the value of the historical designation externality
Authors: Narwold Andrew J.
Published: August 2008

Purpose

A long‐standing argument for historic preservation of houses has been the positive externalities that it produces. The purpose of this paper is to quantify the externality associated with the designation of historical houses in San Diego, California under the Mills Act.

Design/methodology/approach

The Mills Act allows for individual houses to be designated as historically significant. This results in neighborhoods where historically designated houses are side‐by‐side with houses with no particular historic significance. The positive externality hypothesis predicts that the value of a house should be a function of the number of historically designated houses within the neighborhood. The proximity of historically designated houses on the sales price of other non‐historic houses is valued using hedonic regression analysis.

Findings

The results suggest that a house's value is increased by 3.8 per cent by having a historical house within 250 ft, and by 1.6 per cent by having a historical home located between 250 and 500 ft away. Under the Mills Act, property taxes are lowered on the historically designated properties, costing local governments tax revenues. Based on the results presented in this paper, the overall taxable basis for the neighborhood increases by $1.8 million for each historical home. Estimates are provided that show that local governments might expect a net tax revenue gain of US$14,000 per house per year.

Originality/value

The Mills Act is a market‐based approach to historic preservation. Homeowners are encouraged to pursue designation of their property for property tax reductions. This paper demonstrates that local governments also gain through this program through higher property tax revenues.
An examination of the relationship between service quality perception and customer satisfaction
Authors: Amin Muslim , Isa Zaidi
Published: August 2008

Purpose

This study attempts to examine the relationship between service quality perception and customers' satisfaction in Malaysian Islamic banking using the SEM approach.

Design/methodology/approach

This model starts with SERVQUAL measurement scales consisting of six dimensional structures: tangibles, reliability, responsiveness, assurance, and empathy, and plus the compliance dimensions to measure Malaysian Islamic banking service quality. Respondents are the customers (Muslim and non‐Muslim) who visit the bank counters. They must have an account with one of the full‐fledged Islamic banking and dual‐banking systems.

Findings

The results showed that the proportion of Malaysian Muslims' awareness of the Islamic banking products and services were high compared to non‐Muslim customers. The majority of the Islamic banking customers were satisfied with the overall service quality provided by their banks. The findings suggest that the standard model of Islamic banking service quality dimensions should consist of the six dimensions and good determinants of satisfaction. The relationship between service quality and customer satisfaction was significant.

Research limitations/implications

Further research should be considered in order to gather more information regarding service quality and customer satisfaction dimensions in the context of Malaysian Islamic banking industry.

Practical implications

The six dimensions of SERVQUAL represent a valid instrument to measure service quality in Malaysian Islamic banking. Providing financial counseling to attract Muslim customers to use more Islamic banking products and services is critical, where 60 percent of the Malaysian population is Muslim. There is a potential target market for Islamic banking that needs be concerned.

Originality/value

This research is important in line with the obvious cross‐cultural and religious differences between these two key customer segments; Muslims and non‐Muslims. In the Malaysian context, there is a strategic dimension that needs to be understood.
Islamic financing/banking in the Nigerian economy
Authors: Clifford Obiyo Ofurum
Published: August 2008

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to examine the concept of Islamic banking in Nigeria, against the backdrop of the country's peculiar socio‐cultural background and economy.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper reviews related issues and prospects in the context of Islamic banking in the Nigerian economy.

Findings

Implementation and success of Islamic banking in Nigeria would require: re‐shaping the society, restructuring of the economic system and re‐framing of the laws according to the dictates of Islam. This will not be easy in Nigeria, given her multi‐religious nature. The most difficult and important task, however, is the reformation of society, which has to be undertaken as an on‐going process. The paper recommends a dual banking system, where the conventional system will run side by side with the Islamic banking system.

Originality/value

The paper offers some useful suggestions that may lead to effective interest‐free banking operations in Nigeria.
Factors influencing intention to use diminishing partnership home financing
Authors: Fauziah  , Ramayah T. , Abdul Razak Dzuljastri
Published: August 2008

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to examine the acceptance level of a new Islamic home financing concept, diminishing partnership (DP), by consumers in Malaysia using the theory of reasoned action as the guiding principle.

Design/methodology/approach

Cross sectional data were collected through a survey and analysed by means of factor analysis, correlation and regression analysis.

Findings

Positive attitude or degree of favorableness towards the DP concept and religious and social influence are jointly responsible in determining the intention to engage in DP though the former commands greater influence.

Research limitations/implications

The use of convenience sampling and postgraduate students may not sufficiently capture the variations that could potentially exist in the market.

Practical implications

Introducing a leading Islamic finance product requires more than just a mere Shariah Board approval as customers are far more critical than has often been assumed. Demand for the home diminishing product has clearly been substantiated. It is a challenge for bankers to devise products that use the spirit of the concept very closely without compromising its salient features. Marketing strategies to consumers with different religious backgrounds have also been identified.

Originality/value

This study examines customers' acceptance level of a new Islamic home financing concept among multi ethnic/religion consumers with growing interest and consciousness about Islamic financial products.
Readiness assessment of Islamic micro‐finance institution to implement micro‐insurance concept (case of Iran)
Authors: Saleh Torkestani Mohammad , Ahadi Pari
Published: August 2008

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to assess readiness of Iranian micro‐finance institutes (MFIs) to perform micro‐insurance activities.

Design/methodology/approach

A five‐variable model was used. Each variable was assessed using a special dimension of readiness. Row data were gathered through a closed interview containing 34 questions using the Likert scale. Interviewees included 30 experts working as top managers in 15 selected Iranian MFIs (consisting of banks, finance and credit institutes and Qarzol‐hasane).

Findings

The score for general readiness of MFIs in Iran revealed a remarkable figure. Accordingly, it is suggested that these institutes should enter this business field incrementally and invest in this particular domain.

Research limitations/implications

The sample was not truly random, as the professionals in this field are not easily accessible. The factors that were used for the study were based on a review of past researches and the factors were chosen after deliberation and reliability tests. However, this study may not have chosen all possible factors. The research findings are limited to MFIs of Iran. The findings cannot be generalized to other institutions or industries.

Originality/value

The paper reveals the importance of the readiness assessment in successful microinsurance implementation by Islamic MFIs and introduces a basic model for this type of readiness assessment that can be used in other countries.
Web building flexibility of an orb‐web spider in a heterogeneous agricultural landscape
Authors: Bonte Dries , Lanckacker Kjell , Wiersma Elisabeth , Lens Luc
Published: September 2008

Intensification of land‐use in agricultural landscapes is responsible for a decline of biodiversity which provide important ecosystem services like pest‐control. Changes in landscape composition may also induce behavioural changes of predators in response to variation in the biotic or abiotic environment. By controlling for environmentally confounding factors, we here demonstrate that the orb web spider Araneus diadematus alters its web building behaviour in response to changes in the composition of agricultural landscapes. Thereby, the species increases its foraging efficiency (i.e. investments in silk and web asymmetry) with an increase of agricultural land‐use at intermediate spatial scales. This intensification is also related to a decrease in the abundance of larger prey. A negative effect of landscape properties at similar spatial scales on spider fitness was recorded when controlling for relative investments in capture thread length. This study consequently documents the web building flexibility in response to changes in landscape composition, possibly due to changes in prey availability.
Review article: new drug formulations, chemical entities and therapeutic approaches for the management of ulcerative colitis
Authors: NG S. C. , KAMM M. A.
Published: September 2008

Background  Treatment options for ulcerative colitis (UC) are expanding with the development of novel drug formulations and dosing regimens and new chemical entities. Although the goals of medical therapy for UC remain unchanged, that is to induce and to maintain remission, focus has also centred on improving patient compliance, modifying the natural course of disease and healing the mucosa.

Aim  To examine novel formulations, new chemical entities and novel therapeutic approaches to the management of UC.

Methods  Searches for all studies related to UC treatment in Medline and abstracts from major national and international meetings published in the last 10 years.

Results  5‐Aminosalicylic acids (5‐ASA) remain the standard first‐line treatment for patients with mild to moderately active UC. New formulations with altered delivery, and new dosing regimens have demonstrated possible improvements in efficacy compared with historically available preparations and dosing patterns. Once‐daily dosing, micropellet formulations, and high‐dose tablets offer enhanced efficacy and improved compliance. 5‐ASA is now recognized as a ligand for peroxisome proliferator‐activated receptor‐γ (PPAR‐γ) and it has a role as a chemo‐preventive agent in long‐standing UC. New colonic release corticosteroid formulations help to limit systemic toxicity; turmeric, tacrolimus and infliximab have shown promising results. New anti‐inflammatory targeted therapies include an anti‐CD3 antibody, selective integrin blockers, anti‐IL‐2 antibody and PPAR‐γ agonists.

Conclusion  The evolution of novel oral 5‐ASA formulations and dosage regimens, and recent development of new molecules have expanded the therapeutic armamentarium of UC.
Meta‐analysis: narrow band imaging for lesion characterization in the colon, oesophagus, duodenal ampulla and lung
Authors: EAST J. E. , TAN E. K. , BERGMAN J. J. , SAUNDERS B. P. , TEKKIS P. P.
Published: September 2008

Background  Narrow band imaging is a new endoscopic technology that highlights mucosal surface structures and microcapillaries, which may be indicative of neoplastic change.

Aim  To assess the diagnostic precision of narrow band imaging for the diagnosis of epithelial neoplasia compared to conventional histology both overall and in specific organs.

Methods  We performed a meta‐analysis of studies which compared narow band imaging‐based diagnosis of neoplasia with histopathology as the gold standard. Search terms: ‘endoscopy’ and ‘narrow band imaging’.

Results  Five hundred and eighty‐two patients and 1108 lesions in 11 studies were included. Overall, sensitivity was 0.94 (95% confidence interval 0.92–0.95), specificity 0.83 (0.80–0.86); weighted area under the curve was 0.96 (standard error 0.02), diagnostic odds ratio (DOR) 72.74 (34.11–155.15). DORs were 66.65 (25.84–171.90), 61.19 (7.09–527.97), 69.74 (8.04–605.24) for colon, oesophagus and lung respectively. Studies with more than 50 patients had higher diagnostic precision, relative DOR 4.96 (1.28–19.27), P = 0.022. There was no difference in accuracy between microvessel and mucosal (pit) pattern based measures, relative DOR 1.29 (0.05–35.16), P = 0.87. There was significant heterogeneity overall between studies, Q = 31.2, P = 0.003.

Conclusion  Narrow band imaging is accurate with high diagnostic precision for in vivo diagnosis of neoplasia across a range of organs, using simple microvessel‐based measures.
Incidence and case fatality for acute pancreatitis in England: geographical variation, social deprivation, alcohol consumption and aetiology – a record linkage study
Authors: ROBERTS S. E. , WILLIAMS J. G. , MEDDINGS D. , GOLDACRE M. J.
Published: September 2008

Background  Regional studies in the UK indicate that the incidence of acute pancreatitis increased from the 1940s to the 1990s, while case fatality fell until the 1970s but has levelled‐off since.

Aims  To establish incidence and case fatality for acute pancreatitis in England from 1998 to 2003, to study geographical variation and recent trends in incidence and to study associations with social deprivation and alcohol consumption.

Methods  Use of national record linkage of in‐patient and mortality data for 52 096 people.

Results  Overall incidence was 22.4 per 100 000 population, increasing by 3.1% annually, with largest increases for women aged under 35 years (11% per year) and for men aged 35 to 45 (5.6%). Incidence was higher in northern regions than in southern regions and in areas with high social deprivation and binge drinking. Case fatality was 6.7% at 60 days, higher for alcoholic than gallstones aetiology and was associated with social deprivation and geography.

Conclusions  Acute pancreatitis is a growing problem in England, particularly among younger women. The findings indicate strongly that alcohol consumption is the main reason for recent increases in incidence, the higher incidence in socially‐deprived areas and for the lack of recent improvement in prognosis.
Rectal tacrolimus in the treatment of resistant ulcerative proctitis
Authors: LAWRANCE I. C. , COPELAND T.‐S.
Published: August 2008

Background  Resistant ulcerative proctitis can be extremely difficult to manage. Oral tacrolimus can be effective, but may have numerous adverse effects. Topically administered tacrolimus, however, may also be effective in proctitis.

Aim  To undertake a pilot study to assess a potential role for topical tacrolimus in the management of resistant ulcerative proctitis.

Methods  Patients with resistant ulcerative proctitis were assessed prospectively by the colitis activity index (CAI) and Modified Mayo score. Topical rectal tacrolimus ointment was commenced at 0.3 mg/mL 3 mL b.d. and increased depending on clinical response. CAI and modified Mayo scores were assessed at 0 and 8 weeks, as were steroid usage and adverse effects.

Results  Eight patients (five male/three female) with inflammation to a maximum of 30 cm from the anus were included. All patients had failed disease control with 5‐aminosalicylic acids, steroids, immunosuppressants and infliximab therapy. The mean initial CAI was 12.1 (range 9–16) and the mean modified Mayo score was 8.0 (range 6–9). After 8 weeks, six of eight patients achieved remission with steroids reduced or ceased in five of six. There were no significant adverse effects.

Conclusions  This prospective pilot study demonstrated that topical rectal tacrolimus ointment can be effective in ulcerative proctitis. The preparation was well tolerated with no significant adverse effects. Further controlled studies are required.
The modified glucose clearance test: a novel non‐invasive method for differentiating non‐erosive reflux disease and erosive oesophagitis
Authors: FUJINAMI H. , KUDO T. , MIYAZAKI T. , HOSOKAWA A. , MIHARA H. , ANDO T. , SUGIYAMA T.
Published: August 2008

Background  Impaired salivary secretion has been reported to cause abnormal acid clearance from the oesophagus in gastro‐oesophageal reflux disease (GERD). However, few studies have explained the differences between non‐erosive reflux disease (NERD) and erosive oesophagitis (EO) with respect to salivary secretion.

Aim  To elucidate these differences, we measured salivary secretion by using the modified glucose clearance test (mGCT).

Methods  All subjects completed endoscopic examinations, the frequency scale for the symptoms of GERD questionnaire and the mGCT comprising a resting GCT (measured as RGC time) and a chewing‐stimulated GCT (SGC time).

Results  Resting glucose clearance time was 18.5 min in control group and significantly longer in NERD and EO groups (28.5 and 39.0 min respectively). SGC time was 6.1 min in control group and 7.2 min in NERD group and significantly longer in EO group (10.2 min) than in the control and NERD groups.

Conclusions  In the EO group, both resting and stimulated salivary secretions were less than in control group. However, in the NERD group, resting salivary secretion was decreased, but stimulated salivary secretion was similar to that of the control group. Therefore, these results may help in explaining the differences in the pathogenesis of NERD and EO.