bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Student participation – simulation or reality? A vignette from the Macedonian network of health promoting schools
Authors: Simovska Venka
Published: May 2004

This paper addresses the concept of student participation in learning processes within the health promoting schools approach. A model is used as a broad analytical framework to discuss selected aspects of the evaluation data on the Internet‐based collaborative project titled “Virtual Classroom – ICT, Learning and Changes”, recently undertaken within the Macedonian health promoting schools network. The qualitative, participatory evaluation showed positive views on the part of both the students and teachers concerning the degree and quality of student participation in the project. However, the students' indicated that the traditional, didactic teaching/learning style still predominates in Macedonian schools. The students perceived this project as exclusive, special and extraordinary. A suggestion is made in the conclusion that a broader reform on a structural level is needed in order to sustain positive change and bring health education/promotion closer to the democratic ideal.
Using participatory rapid appraisal as a tool to assess women's psychosocial health needs in Northern Ireland
Authors: Lazenbatt Ann , McMurray Frances
Published: May 2004

Gender inequalities in income and wealth make women particularly vulnerable to poverty. Participatory Rapid Appraisal (PRA) is a research process, which enables practitioners to uncover an unmet need or an under‐served group within a community. The study focuses on a case study chosen to illustrate the strengths and limitations of using PRA as a method to assess the health and social needs of women in a deprived inner city area of North Belfast. The study demonstrates that PRA can provide a greater insight into gender inequalities and unmet health and social needs.
What impact is information technology having on our young people's health and well‐being?
Authors: Weare Katherine
Published: May 2004

The impact of information technology (IT) on the emotional and social health of young people has had very little research, yet it is obvious that IT is playing an increasingly important part in people's lives. This article considers some of the work that has been done and mentions both positive and negative effects of the IT revolution. One such positive effect is ease of access to healthcare information for young people, who might otherwise be too embarrassed to seek it via conventional means. Conversely, it may result in young people failing to develop adequate social skills. The article concludes that much more work needs to be undertaken.
Dicing with the Common Denominators
Authors: Cleeve Marigold
Published: May 2004

Examines effects of culture change on careers in information services
and libraries. Considers the personality requirements of working in the
changing environment of marketing, fund‐raising and resource management.
Concludes that libraries and their staff are somewhat different from
what might be expected.
The Changing Labour Market of the Information Professional:
Authors: Ole Pors Niels
Published: May 2004

Presents results from investigations into the information labour market,
library school students′ work preferences and orientations. Also
presents the ordinary citizen′s view of librarians and library work.
These investigations show that Danish library school students have
changed their work aspirations and disclose that the chance of job
success is correlated with the chosen specialization at library school.
Managers′ and the public′s perception of librarians shows that there are
still traditional images to overcome. These investigations give a frame
of reference for the discussion of necessary qualifications. The main
problem in a modern library school curriculum is the mix of the
traditional core disciplines with information technology and marketing
subjects. Discusses this in detail, concluding with a list of necessary
competences.
Get that job – enhancing your job search strategies
Authors: Jean Hill Susan
Published: May 2004

Discusses various interview techniques and approaches. Offers a
number of suggestions, stressing that a genuine desire for the job is
important. Gives reasons for conducting an interview; submits that not
only does it offer the employer an opportunity to assess your
suitability but also allows you to state what you have to offer and what
you hope to gain from the job.
Appraising staffing patterns in a Nigerian university library, 1981‐1997
Authors: Adewale Ogunrombi Samuel , Bantai R.C.
Published: May 2004

This paper discusses the staffing patterns at the Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University (ATBU) Library, Bauchi, Nigeria from 1981‐1997. The expansion and scope of services of the library, application of modern technologies to library operations and funding dictated the staffing policy to a large extent. The difficulties encountered in getting the right calibre of staff, both professional/academic and supporting were highlighted. Finally, suggestions were posited for effective staffing of libraries in Nigeria.
Ahead of the game
Authors: Paterson Alasdair
Published: May 2004

The paper looks at issues and trends in the building of a learning organisation for the coming century. There is initial consideration of the concept of the “hybrid library”, a phrase descriptive of the current evolutionary stage as perceived by British academic libraries, and some analysis of what this implies for the future skills requirement of information workers. Mechanisms for ensuring cyclic training and development are described, principally addressing the concepts of investment in people and organisational culture; here there is an exploration of externally administered formal schemes to assess commitment, planning, action and evaluation in relation to training programmes, the effectiveness of which is judged in terms of meeting business goals; and gauge cultural awareness within an organisation. Finally, there is some consideration of the leadership role of the library and information service director, including the availability of preparatory and ongoing leadership training.
Influencing the online consumer's behavior: the Web experience
Authors: Constantinides Efthymios
Published: May 2004

Addresses one of the fundamental issues of e‐marketing: how to attract and win over the consumer in the highly competitive Internet marketplace. Analyses the factors affecting the online consumer's behavior and examines how e‐marketers can influence the outcome of the virtual interaction and buying process by focusing their marketing efforts on elements shaping the customer's virtual experience, the Web experience. Identifying the Web experience components and understanding their role as inputs in the online customer's decision‐making process are the first step in developing and delivering an attractive online presence likely to have the maximum impact on Internet users. Click‐and‐mortar firms delivering superior Web experience influence their physical clients’ perceptions and attitudes, driving additional traffic to traditional sales outlets. Provides a contribution to the theoretical debate around the factors influencing the online consumer's behavior and outlines some noticeable similarities and differences between the traditional and virtual consumers.
Personal values’ influence on e‐shopping attitude and behaviour
Authors: Jayawardhena Chanaka
Published: May 2004

A value‐attitude‐behaviour model was applied to investigate the roles of personal values in e‐shopping consumer behaviour. Structural equation modelling identified that personal values (self‐direction values, enjoyment values and self‐achievement values) were significantly related to positive attitudes toward e‐shopping. Individual attitudes toward e‐shopping were a direct predicator of e‐shopping behaviour and mediated the relationship between personal values and behaviour. This hierarchical relationship among personal values, attitudes and behaviour may be exploited by e‐tailers to position e‐shops and provide a persuasive means for e‐shoppers to satisfy their needs.
Multi‐criteria decision making for e‐marketplace selection
Authors: Büyüközkan Gülçin
Published: May 2004

The Internet offers companies many opportunities to implement new business models, called e(electronic)‐business in short, and to reinforce their competitiveness in the market. It is currently suggested that business‐to‐business commerce, which is one of the dominant segments in e‐business, is going to develop around e‐marketplaces. However, the new millennium has witnessed the rise and fall of many “dot.com” firms and now both the companies and the investors are extremely cautious about the performance and effectiveness of the e‐marketplaces. To get more benefit from this digital marketplace, suggests the use of fuzzy logic based on multi‐criteria evaluation as a superior means of improving the efficiency of the decision making for the e‐marketplace selection under uncertain conditions. This evaluation approach, in which both fuzzy analytic hierarchy process and fuzzy Delphi methodologies are employed, enables one to deal with the uncertainty and vagueness from subjective perception and the experiences of humans in a group decision process and ensures a more convincing and effective decision making. Also shows the application of the approach on a real life case.
Toward a diffusion model for Internet systems
Authors: Kim Changsu , Galliers Robert D.
Published: May 2004

The world of business is being profoundly transformed by the Internet and electronic commerce. The rapid advancement of Internet technology and its applications holds promise for the expansion of business opportunities in the global digital economy. Internet systems support a world‐wide broadcasting capability, a mechanism for information dissemination and a medium for electronic commerce between organizations and customers across countries. Describes research that leads to the derivation of a diffusion model of Internet systems, comprising four key dimensions: external market factors, external technical factors, internal organization factors, and internal systems factors. The intention is for this model to provide a theoretical base for further research on electronic commerce and Internet technology diffusion.
Pricing QoS over transport networks
Authors: Bouras Christos , Sevasti Afrodite
Published: May 2004

In recent years, a number of alternatives for service differentiation and QoS provision have been proposed and standardized in communication networks. In the case of back‐bone networks the DiffServ architecture has prevailed, due to its scalability and deployment feasibility. The provisioning of differentiated services has raised the requirements for interdependent controlled resource allocation and service pricing, with particular needs for pricing mechanisms that preserve the potential and flexibility of the DiffServ framework. At the same time, such mechanisms should reflect resource usage, allocate resources efficiently, reimburse costs or maximize service provision profits and lead customers to requesting services that will maximize their revenue. Presents the key issues involved in the area of pricing DiffServ‐based services and the research work carried out in this field, while at the same time outlining the basic principles that such a pricing infrastructure should obey with respect to the particularities that apply to the case of DiffServ services provision.
Maintenance performance analysis: a practical approach
Authors: De Groote P.
Published: May 2004

Describes a practical approach to carrying out maintenance
performance analysis through a quality audit, using quantifiable
performance indicators. The principles of a practical approach to
performing a quality audit of a maintenance department are presented.
The audit comprises: a survey and collection of relevant information
about the organization and the operation of the maintenance department;
an in‐depth analysis of the information from a performance point of
view; formulation of recommendations, setting priorities and plan of
proposed actions; and performing cost benefit analysis to justify the
proposed actions. A selection of quantifiable maintenance performance
indicators used in the evaluation process is given and the values of ten
performance indicators in three industrial sectors in Europe are given
to illustrate the proposed approach.
Outsourcing in maintenance management
Authors: Campbell John D.
Published: May 2004

Presents the concept of outsourcing as a means for achieving
strategic advantages. Describes the process of outsourcing and provides
a practical approach which uses six steps. The six‐steps approach
described provides a framework to outsourcing in a systematic way by
addressing key issues around objectives, readiness, alternatives,
proposals and negotiations. Outlines the expected benefits of
outsourcing. Provides an illustration on how organizations outsource
their maintenance activities such as plant overhauls and turnaround.
Determining the most important criteria in maintenance decision making
Authors: Triantaphyllou Evangelos , Kovalerchuk Boris , Mann Lawrence , Knapp Gerald M.
Published: May 2004

Many maintenance decisions require the evaluation of alternative solutions in terms of complex maintenance criteria such as cost, repairability, reliability and availability requirements. Such problems can be formulated as multi‐criteria decision‐making problems. The relative importance of maintenance criteria is difficult to assess, and therefore a sensitivity analysis becomes a necessity. The sensitivity analysis approach presented reveals some counter‐intuitive results and can considerably enhance the application of decision analysis in complex maintenance management.
Small data sets and preventive maintenance modelling
Authors: Kobbacy K.A.H. , Percy D.F. , Fawzi B.B.
Published: May 2004

Preventive maintenance (PM) is an effective maintenance policy which is widely applied in industry. Reviews the main approaches of modelling PM and discusses the characteristics of real life PM data which influence the methods for modelling PM. The most salient features of these data are the limited size and intensive censoring effect. Then introduces a parametric bootstrap method for fitting PM data to distributions. A simulation study to compare this method with the established Akaike and Schwarz criteria shows that while the bootstrap method is marginally better in identifying the true distribution, this is counterbalanced by the intensive computational effort needed.
An architecture for learning in projects?
Authors: Sense Andrew J.
Published: May 2004

This paper reports upon a two‐year, qualitative, case study action research investigation into “learning within a project team”. This project team undertook a significant socio‐technical redesign project within a major Australian heavy engineering/manufacturing operation. The paper identifies and elaborates upon a number of elements that form a potential “learning architecture” for intra‐project learning. In unison with these elements, the paper also argues that project teams pursuing a learning objective within a project must pay systematic attention to the “situated learning” aspects of their project context. It is concluded that the potential learning architecture presented has implications for research in the learning and project management fields and, most importantly, for learning processes within project management workplace practice. These implications may extend beyond the project management boundary researched and be applicable in other similar group settings where managers attempt to facilitate learning.
Knowledge workers' perceptions of performance ratings
Authors: Smith Alan D. , Rupp William T.
Published: May 2004

One major purpose of performance appraisals is to determine individual merit, especially where pay for performance systems are employed. Based upon expectancy theory, high performance ratings should entail high merit increases while low performance ratings result in low merit increases. However, it appears that decoupling performance ratings and merit increases is a common practice, as evident from a survey that was administered to knowledge workers at multiple sites in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA. Human capital themes that appeared to be fair and/or equitable among the sampled knowledge workers, using a grounded theory approach, included the following collective concepts: marginal, actual performance, good reviews associated with good raises, nice raises, management's reviews are partly or mostly objective, employee intrinsic motivation, attitude, years of service, and appropriate education level. Negative aspects of the performance/reward systems were also explored. Associated training suggestions included constant attention by management that keeps the coupling of performance evaluations and motivational/incentive pay systems alive and well, as well as a system to track corporate goals that allow management to compare training, performance metrics, employee retention, and other data with company‐wide goals and employees’ expectations.
Changing the work behaviour of Chinese employees using organisational learning
Authors: Elsey Barry , Sai‐kwong Leung Johnny
Published: May 2004

The management of workplace change takes place in many industry contexts and micro‐settings using a variety of approaches, all of which are widely reported in the academic and professional literature. There is less known about workplace change management in the context of an international company employing large numbers of Mainland Chinese employees. The company needed to improve its delivery of service quality; in this case to the maintenance of elevators and escalators, especially where breakdowns occur and customers get frustrated. It was imperative to change the work behaviour of the Chinese workforce. Integral to the change management strategy was the dual application of action research and workplace learning, natural companions in the process of modifying work attitudes and behaviour. This case study reports the design, implementation and evaluation of a process improvement program “custom built” for the Chinese employees of the international company.
Learning as the construction of a new reality
Authors: Sheehan Michael J.
Published: May 2004

Within a concept of life‐long learning, the study here reported is framed within the context of the expanding use of education and training in achieving organisational change. The focus of the research study was on one particular organisational education and training intervention and on how individuals experienced the learning and implementing of part of that intervention, namely group process facilitation. Such experiences may best be understood from the perspective of the learners themselves. There were four important factors reported that impinged on the learning process for the participants and that helped them construct new realities: the novelty of the learning environment; the value of flexibility; the value of openness; and the educational value of difference.
Retention rates, reinvestment and depreciation in European office markets
Authors: Baum Andrew , Turner Neil
Published: May 2004

The retention rate of a company has an impact on its earnings and dividend growth. Corporate management has control over this. However, lease structures in some real estate markets reduce the control of investment managers and force them to adopt full distribution policies and a passive management style. This is likely to impact the rental performance of the real estate by permitting depreciation to go uncorrected. This paper examines several European office markets across which lease structures and retention rates vary. It then compares depreciation rates across these markets. It is concluded that there is evidence of a relationship between retention and depreciation. Markets with particularly inflexible lease structures clearly exhibit low retention rates, and we can tentatively suggest higher levels of rental value depreciation. This poses interesting questions concerning the relationships between lease structures in different markets and their impact on expenditure by owners, and also concerning the impact on building depreciation and property performance. While longer and deeper datasets are necessary to establish direct linkages between lease structures and performance, this paper raises important issues for global investors.
Trade‐related valuations and the treatment of goodwill
Authors: Dunse Neil A. , Hutchison Norman E. , Goodacre Alan
Published: May 2004

Guidance Note 1 of the Red Book states that the valuation of an operational entity includes four components: the land and buildings; the trade fixtures and fittings; the trading potential, excluding personal goodwill; and the benefit of any transferable licenses and consents. Accounting changes in recent years have increasingly recognised the importance of intangible assets such as intellectual capital and goodwill. Similarly, recent tax changes demonstrate the government's acceptance of the importance of such items in achieving and maintaining business competitiveness. This paper has two key objectives: first, to analyse the application of the Red Book to trade‐related valuations, paying particular attention to the treatment of goodwill and second, to critically evaluate the accounting treatment of goodwill and in particular the application of Financial Reporting Standard 10. In order to understand the workings of the market, the corporate hotel sector was used as a case study. The key findings of the research are that valuers expressed considerable unease with the apportioning of market value between tangible assets and goodwill, there was no consensus on how (or if) goodwill could be measured reliably. Second, that the valuation methods adopted are, to a degree, naïve. While explicit changes are made to the cash‐flow projections, there is insufficient appreciation of the changing risk profile that might lead to an adjustment to the earnings multiplier. The accounting difficulties and inconsistencies concerning goodwill arise largely because of inadequate valuation methods. Recent tax changes also point to the need for a robust and defendable valuation methodology. Application of one such theoretically sound approach to valuing goodwill (the bridge model) is illustrated in this paper. While the research focused on the corporate hotel sector, the findings have wider implications for other sectors of the market where operational entities are valued with regard to their trading potential.
Elusive challenges of e‐change management in developing countries
Authors: Salman Ahmed
Published: May 2004

This paper identifies key hurdles to implementing e‐commerce and information technology in developing countries with special focus on three crucial vectors of an organization – people, process, and technology. Since it is imperative to switch to an e‐commerce model from the traditional business one, this paper examines essential ingredients of re‐engineering and uncovers various hidden impediments prevailing in a typical organisation of developing countries. Extensive online research with comparative analysis, a venture to launch an “e‐commerce enterprise management programme” in Bangladesh, an attempt to start e‐commerce from the home country, consultancy and probing the latest e‐commerce books, magazines, the international network of membership organisations and 25 years of living and working experience in developing countries have made this critical expedition possible. The research finds that human condition, political aspects and environmental issues are serious factors for any meaningful development. While re‐engineering demands cohesive and holistic management of the vital three vectors and their alignment with corporate strategy, organisations of developing countries are miserably lagging behind for such radical transition. The endangered future of nearly 5 billion people sends a strong red signal of the turbulent future of the global economy and even more!
Business renovation: business rules (still) the missing link
Authors: Kovacic Andrej
Published: May 2004

The main aim of this paper is to present the characteristics of business renovation efforts and research into some aspects of the business process and information modelling. Different business‐rule categories are discussed and the relationships that exist between business rules and other business‐related concepts are presented. The paper also introduces a business activity meta‐model as an integration link between business and information modelling. Its motivation is to help establish an environment in which business rules can be traced from their origin in the business environment through to their implementation in information systems.
ERP implementation factors
Authors: Amoako‐Gyampah Kwasi
Published: May 2004

Past research has identified factors that are important to the successful implementation of enterprise resource planning (ERP) systems. However, the identification of these factors has often been based on the perceptions of senior members within organizations that are implementing these systems. In this study, the perceptions of managers and end‐users on selected implementation factors are compared. Understanding if differences exist in the perceptions of different groups within an organization and the nature of these differences can help implementers develop appropriate intervention mechanisms such as training and communication that can lead to successful ERP implementation.
What strategic alignment, process redesign, enterprise resource planning, and e‐commerce have in common: enterprise‐wide computing
Authors: Ndede‐Amadi Atieno A.
Published: May 2004

Unlike other purchases of information technology that have failed to deliver measurable improvements in corporate performance, enterprise‐wide information systems in the manufacturing industry have immediate and positive impact on the bottom line. The transition from strategic alignment as the basis for IT investment, to redesigned business processes as the critical elements of organizational strategic planning to which IT investments must be targeted, to the integration of these processes into enterprise‐wide systems, to e‐commerce is examined. With supply chain collaboration, information systems have exited corporate boundaries.
Reengineering of the quotation process: application of knowledge based systems
Authors: Hvam Lars , Malis Martin , Hansen Benjamin , Riis Jesper
Published: May 2004

Is it possible to support the engineering processes with intelligent product models when the knowledge and information work is very complex? This paper describes how IT‐supported product configuration can support the complex engineering activities carried out in the quotation processes. The research has been carried out at the Centre for Product Modelling at the Technical University of Denmark in co‐operation with F.L. Smidth, a Danish cement plant manufacturer with a world‐wide leading position. The redesign of the quotation process lasted three years but, as the paper illustrates, remarkable results have been accomplished. The lead‐time for making quotations was reduced from two to four weeks to one to two days. A better quality of quotes was obtained, and the direct consumption of engineering resources for making quotations was reduced from five man‐weeks to one to two man‐days.
Evaluating business process‐integrated information technology investment
Authors: Lee In
Published: May 2004

Because of increasing competition and limited capital budgets, firms need to carefully assess every information technology (IT) opportunity to ensure that their resources are spent judiciously. Conventional wisdom holds that IT has enormous potential. However, organizations continue to question the benefits of IT in conjunction with new corporate initiatives such as business process re‐engineering, e‐commerce, and enterprise resource planning. Despite the potential benefits derived from IT investment, traditional capital budgeting models have failed to estimate true IT values due to their inability to measure complex interactions between IT and organizational performance. This paper presents a business process integrated IT evaluation methodology that integrates business strategy, business process design, and supporting IT investment. The evaluation methodology consists of four phases: strategic analysis; business process design; IT configuration; and performance evaluation. The empirical evidence and computational study strongly suggest that measuring cycle time impact on customers' repurchasing decisions is critical in evaluating the potential value of business‐process‐driven information technology investment.
Enterprise resource planning systems’ impact on accounting processes
Authors: Spathis Charalambos , Constantinides Sylvia
Published: May 2004

The advent of the IT‐led era and the increased competition have forced companies to react to the new changes in order to remain competitive. Enterprise resource planning (ERP) systems offer distinct advantages in this new business environment as they lower operating costs, reduce cycle times and (arguably) increase customer satisfaction. This study examines, via an exploratory survey of 26 companies, the underlying reasons why companies choose to convert from conventional information systems (IS) to ERP systems and the changes brought in, particularly in the accounting process. The aim is not only to understand the changes and the benefits involved in adopting ERP systems compared with conventional IS, but also to establish the best way forward in future ERP applications. The empirical evidence confirms a number of changes in the accounting process introduced with the adoption of ERP systems.
Differences in forecasting behaviour between large and small firms
Authors: Smith Henry C. , Herbig Paul , Milewicz John , Golden James E.
Published: May 2004

If there is any one function managers most despise, it is the art of forecasting. By its very nature it concerns guessing the outcome of future events. Do all firms forecast the same? Compares forecasting behaviour between large and small firms and examines questions such as who does the forecasting, how often do they do forecasts, what areas are forecasted, what techniques are used, why they do it, what results are like from forecasting effort, and are they satisfied or dissatisfied. Examines significant differences in forecasting behaviour and makes conclusions.
Miss! I feel sad!
Authors: Weston Ros
Published: May 2004

Summarizes the author’s view that the pressures of our culture serve to make us suppress our feelings, sometimes to the point of numbness. Describes the cultural changes that the author believes need to come about before schools can become truly “health promoting”. Provides an exercise for use with children or adults to help them get in touch with their feelings. Lists children’s books recommended for use in schools which will help teachers tackle these issues.
Advertising Practices in Northern Europe
Authors: Keown Charles F. , Synodinos Nicolaos E. , Jacobs Laurence W.
Published: May 2004

Advertisers of the leading brands of consumer goods were surveyed
in Great Britain, Denmark, Finland, Sweden and West Germany. The study
found that Northern European advertisers generally follow worldwide
patterns in their practices of budgeting, timing, creative approaches
and measures of effectiveness. However, there were two major
differences, namely: allocation of the budget by media, and agency
compensation. Due to the absence of major commercial broadcast media,
less money is spent on TV and radio advertising. This results in a more
frequent use of the fee‐for‐service form of payment and less commissions
from the media to compensate advertising agencies.
Corporate Codes of Ethics in Large UK Companies: An
Empirical Investigation of Use, Content and Attitudes
Authors: Schlegelmilch Bodo B. , Houston Jane E.
Published: May 2004

Based on a survey of the Times Top 200 companies, the use,
content and attitudes of formal corporate codes of ethics in some of the
largest British enterprises are empirically analysed. Looking at the
rationale for and against the introduction of codes of ethics, a large
number of industry comments are examined. Other processes available to
deal with ethical issues are discussed and comparisons are made between
companies with formal codes of ethics and those without. The findings
are related to the primarily US‐based literature on business ethics, and
directions for future research are suggested.
Organisational Development: A New Direction for Marketing
Channel Research
Authors: Urban David J.
Published: May 2004

The concept of organisational development is an important one, but
has yet to be applied to the marketing channel. The theory and practice
of organisational development are examined and linked with their crucial
needs in marketing channel research. The advantages of channel‐modified
organisational development are demonstrated and what steps need to be
taken to build the organisational development approach into a viable
stream for marketing channel research are discussed.
Changes in the Perception of a Service during its
Consumption: A case of Organised Tours
Authors: Geva Aviva , Goldman Arieh
Published: May 2004

Changes in both content and structure of consumers′ perceptions of
an organised tour over its duration are investigated. Participants in 15
organised tours evaluated various attributes describing the tour at its
beginning and at its conclusion. A comparison of the factor structure
underlying their evaluations showed a major change in perceptual
structure. At the early stages of the tour perceptions are not well
formed and the tour is mostly perceived in terms of one set of
attributes. Over time, consumers′ experiences in the tour resulted in
their forming a clearer view and an emphasis on different sets of
attributes. The implications of these findings for tour operators and
management are also discussed.
On the Reliability of Psychographic Research: Encouraging
Signs for Measurement Accuracy and Methodology in Consumer Research
Authors: Edris Thabet A. , Meidan A.
Published: May 2004

One of the persisting problems that the consumer researcher
frequently encounters in using psychographics is the reliability of its
measures and analysis. Like any other consumer behaviour measures,
psychographics should be reliable enough to measure that which it is
intended to measure and nothing else. Unreliable psychographic measures
and analysis decrease the researcher′s ability to detect relationships
between variables and reduce the confidence in the meaning of obtained
relationships. This study addresses the problem of reliability in
psychographic research, and attempts to find out how much concern has
been given by consumer researchers to this problem in developing and
analysing psychographic measures. An up‐to‐date review of the
state‐of‐the‐art on the reliability of psychographic research is
presented and provides a host of information and literature sources on
this subject area. The study indicates that there are encouraging signs
for measurement accuracy and methodology in consumer research.
Testing the Role of Country Image in Consumer Choice
Behaviour
Authors: Min Han C.
Published: May 2004

The role of country image in consumer choice behaviour is examined.
Based on a previous view of country image as a “halo”, four
hypotheses are developed and tested as to (1) the role of country image
in consumers′ attitudes towards a brand, (2) its role in purchase
intentions, (3) its role in product attribute ratings, and (4) the role
of country image for a product category in other categories from the
same country. The test results are mixed, supporting only the second and
third hypotheses. Finally, theoretical and marketing implications of the
findings are addressed.
The Marketing Concept – Necessary, but Sufficient? An Environmental View
Authors: Elliott Gregory R.
Published: May 2004

The contemporary relevance of the
traditional marketing concept is a
source of continuing debate as
marketers question its universal
application across all situations. In the
past, the emergence of the societal
marketing concept and the marketing
warfare metaphor represent challenges
to the veracity of the marketing
concept. It is argued that the
continuing relevance of the marketing
concept and the emergence of
alternative paradigms can be linked to
changes in the operating environments
of firms or industries. The traditional
marketing concept finds application in
relatively placid, benign environments
which characterised post‐war
economies and markets. The
emergence of the “societal marketing
concept” can be linked to the
emergence of turbulent environments
which found expression in the
consumerist and ecological movements
in the 1970s. More recently, a new
emphasis has emerged with the
growing recognition of the importance
of competitive forces in imperfectly
competitive markets and the
inadequacy of the marketing concept
in such environments. These changing
operating environments are examined,
arguing that the traditional marketing
concept is applicable in “placid
clustered” environments, as described
by Emery and Trist. Finally, the
examples of three contemporary
Australian industries are discussed to
illustrate the relevance of the
argument.
Research Note: Book/Software Review: SPSS for Teaching Statistics in Marketing
Authors: Armstrong Bob , Everett Jim
Published: May 2004

Teaching statistics to marketing
students has always been a difficult and
thankless task. It is often difficult to
find an acceptable statistical software
package that does not require a
prerequisite unit in computer systems
and research methodology to provide
students with the rudiments of
marketing research technique. Various
SPSS statistical packages for use in
teaching Marketing Research are
compared, and it was determined that
the SPSS‐Studentware package offers
the necessary statistical procedures
and an excellent manual/text for the
undergraduate marketing research
student. Such variables as price,
readability of the manual, statistical
procedures and features of other
manuals were compared.
A Strategic Approach to Managing Buyer‐Seller Relationships
Authors: Krapfel Robert E. , Salmond Deborah , Spekman Robert
Published: May 2004

Business marketers need strategic frameworks to assess the value of
a portfolio of buyer‐seller relationships and to decide how they should
be managed. By drawing on insights from the political economy, resource
dependence, relational contracting and transaction cost perspectives,
previous work on portfolios of trading relationships is extended and
updated and avenues for future research are suggested.
Sponsorship – Legitimising the Medium
Authors: Meenaghan Tony
Published: May 2004

An introduction to sponsorships as a marketing communication is
given. The factors underlying the growth of sponsorship are summarised
and the changes currently taking place are outlined: the new type of
sponsor; the changing patterns of sponsorship expenditure; the better
range and quality of support services; the development of a global
perspective. The future prospects are summarised. The nature of
sponsorship is shown to be a versatile medium, fulfilling many of the
basic functions performed by other elements of the marketing
communications mix, although it may be perceived both by sponsors and
recipients as not being a wholly legitimate process.
An Empirical Investigation of the Differences between
Initiating and Continuing Exporters
Authors: Tansu Barker A. , Kaynak Erdener
Published: May 2004

Examines the characteristics of small and medium‐sized initiating
and continuing exporting firms from Saskatchewan, Canada. As the US is
the major trading partner of Canada and most of the initial export
activities of Canadian firms are destined for the US markets, the Free
Trade Agreement (FTA) between Canada and the US has far‐reaching
implications on the behaviour and performance of small and medium‐sized
exporters from both sides of the border. Offers policy guidelines to
those small and medium‐sized Asia‐Pacific firms which are considering
establishing trading links with North American firms.
Marketing Approaches in Bulgaria
Authors: Marinov Marin , Cox Tony , Avlonitis George J. , Kouremenos Thanos
Published: May 2004

Describes the results of a survey of Bulgarian companies as part of
a larger project funded by The European Commission. Investigates the
marketing attitudes and approaches of Bulgarian companies using a mailed
questionnaire based on a set of preliminary in‐depth interviews and
analyses the results using a cluster analysis. Results show the
existence of four clusters: the first, where marketing is virtually
non‐existent; the second and largest cluster, where companies are
primarily production oriented; the third, where companies are primarily
sales oriented; and the fourth, where there is full marketing
implementation. Compares these Bulgarian clusters with those found in
the UK, and indicates that Bulgarian companies have made little progress
towards full marketing implementation. Explores the barriers to the
adoption of marketing.
The marketing activities of new golf developments in the UK and
Ireland
Authors: Shaw Vivienne , Alderson Justin
Published: May 2004

Presents the findings of a study of the marketing activities of 61
new golf developments opened since 1990. Suggests that, owing to
increasing demand for golf, developers should have no difficulty in
attracting golfers, but finds that the majority of the new facilities
have failed to understand the nature of the demand. Concludes that it is
their failure to employ marketing activities which has led, in many
cases, to a mismatch between supply and demand.
The diffusion of quantitative methods into marketing management
Authors: Hussey Michael , Hooley Graham
Published: May 2004

Investigates the extent to which various quantitative techniques
are employed in marketing across Europe. Marketing practitioners,
marketing services providers and marketing educators were all surveyed
in a pan‐European study aimed at uncovering the extent of diffusion into
practice of quantitative methods. Finds that, despite the increased use
of computers, and the wider availability of modelling software, the most
popular quantitative techniques are still the most basic data summary
and presentation methods. Marketing students receive only a limited
exposure to advanced quantitative methods and practitioners typically
find little use for the more sophisticated techniques.
Paradox management for crisis avoidance
Authors: Richardson Bill
Published: May 2004

Examines the nature of crisis‐prone organizational beliefs and
behaviours and focuses particularly on disaster‐proneness. Explains why
narrow views of reality and the organizational systems and behaviours
promoted by such views lead to crisis events. Contextualizes this
examination and explanation using the 1988 Clapham Junction rail
disaster as a case illustration, not as a criticism of the people
involved in it but for the purposes of self‐reflection and learning
about readers′ own organizations. Concludes that many of us work in
organizations which are “crises waiting to happen”.
The importance of information
Authors: Kaye David
Published: May 2004

Good information is essential for effective operation and decision
making at all levels in businesses. Identifies and illustrates the
different kinds of information by the complex internal and external
communication links of a typical R&D department. Discusses the
factors which condition managers′ use of information, viz. managers′
roles and tasks; decision‐making processes (strategic and operational);
rational and alternative behaviour; cognitive style and perception; and
“hidden agenda” factors such as the symbolic use of
information and information as power. Supported by selected readings,
and tables of information types, processes and uses.
Central and Eastern European business information: a review
Authors: Drew Jo
Published: May 2004

Plots the changes that have taken place in the Central and Eastern
European region, and the impact this has had on access to and provision
of business information services available to aid managers in their
market investigations. Lists directories which provide a wide range of
information services and business organizations.
Chinese business information: a review
Authors: Drew Jo
Published: May 2004

Plots the changes which have taken place in China′s international
and trade activities in the last 20 years. Gives an overview of China′s
information industry; the relationship between government and trade
associations; and Chinese business information sources. Reviews sources
of business information, in hard copy and online format, which are used
regularly by the business community wishing to enter or expand in the
Chinese market.
The Changing Role of the Information Manager
Authors: Rowley Jennifer
Published: May 2004

Explores the implications of one model associated with the changing
business environment, for the nature of information management and the
role of the information manager. Peters′ model of a successful business
is characterized by an organization which: has niche oriented market
creators; possesses a flat management structure with fewer layers; is
fast in responding and adapting; has quality concerns; is
internationalist, even if small; possesses smaller or stand‐alone
business units within bigger organizations gain sharing, valuing
participation and adding value through people. Argues that in such
organizations, effective information management is of central
importance, but may not always be easy to achieve. In particular,
smaller businesses have a reputation for poor utilization of formal
information systems. In such an environment it is especially important
that informal information management approaches be exploited to the
full. A better understanding of the strengths and weaknesses of informal
and formal information management within smaller organizations and
stand‐alone business units is essential for successful businesses.
Training 2000? Local and family history in libraries
Authors: Paul Derryan
Published: May 2004

Local collections in public libraries are an essential resource for
local and family historians. Suggests that librarians need relevant
knowledge derived from a systematic training programme. Identifies the
staff who need training, reviews existing provisions and suggests ways
of structuring a training programme. Argues that local and family
history should form a major component in career development to ensure
that standards of service reflect the importance of local collections.
Developing Senior Management Competences at Ocean Group
Authors: Conway Christopher
Published: May 2004

Reports on a project by the Ocean Group which was analysed by Ashridge
Management Research Group. The project covered processes dealing with
the definition and measurement of competences required to make an
effective senior manager. The competences do not stand alone but are
supported by being part of a whole approach that includes appraisal.
A Portfolio Approach to Management Development
Authors: Newton Robert , Wilkinson Michael
Published: May 2004

Looks at management development at Ashworth Hospital as part of a
continuing programme of professional development. This programme is
innovative and revolutionary. It puts control of learning in the hands
of the participants who are responsible for driving the programme and
share the responsibility for supporting and motivating colleagues.
Finance Act 1994: Capital Allowances
Authors: Green Andrew
Published: May 2004

The Finance Act 1994 introduced the most significant changes to the law
on capital allowances and property for nearly a decade. Focuses on
these changes and examines their impact on property owners, investors
and property professionals, and gives guidelines for dealing with the
new time limits for notification on plant and machinery. In addition,
provides a brief examination of the new legislation in relation to
enterprise zone buildings.