bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Shopping in an age of terrorism
Authors: Predmore Carolyn E. , Rovenpor Janet , Manduley Alfred R. , Radin Tara
Published: September 2007

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to determine if consumers in two countries (Israel and the USA), which have experienced violence in the retail environment, would perceive risk in shopping on the internet and if so, to what extent. If there were perceptions of risk for shopping online, this paper wanted to report what differences there might be between Israeli and US consumers.

Design/methodology/approach

Surveys were distributed to 641 US consumers and to 50 Israeli consumers with a few modifications for differences in terms. The respondents ranged in age from 14 to 86. These surveys were distributed throughout the New York City tri‐state area and in Israel in a convenience sample using a snowball approach. The surveys were collected by the researchers and returned for analysis.

Findings

Women in the USA do consider buying online when concerned with physical safety, while Israeli women were very specific in their consideration of the type of site. For them, international sites like eBay were considered to be a safer alternative when the country was on a high‐security alert. Significantly more men are concerned about the possibilities of identity theft and financial fraud online than women while women think positively about buying online when concerned about physical.

Research limitations/implications

In future research, it would be interesting to follow this focus of social norms for a preference for group social interaction and social norms for independent or individualization and the speed with which e‐commerce is infused within the culture versus using the internet to gather information or to communicate via e‐mail or blogs.

Practical implications

Consumers seem to want to reduce their overall perceived risk and evaluate what actions will lead to a lower total perceived risk. There are good reasons for a store to have both an online presence and a storefront. Stores with a physical presence that are known to the shoppers are more likely to be considered as safe for shopping online.

Originality/value

This is one of the first papers to contrast consumers from a country which has had years of experience with violence in the retail environment with the consumer experiences and perceptions in the USA.
The effect of personal characteristics on conflict management style
Authors: Shebeeb Al‐Ajmi Rashed
Published: September 2007

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to investigate the differences in choosing the conflict management style with regard to some personal characteristics.

Design/methodology/approach

Using a questionnaire, survey data were collected from 420 full‐time employees working in five different government organizations.

Findings

The result indicates that there were significant differences found, in choosing the conflict management style, with regard to years of experience, managerial level, and gender, meanwhile these differences could not be found with regard to age. These results and its implications were discussed.

Research limitations/implications

The research did not include employees in the private sector.

Practical implications

The paper has implications for management and management development in Kuwait.

Originality/value

This paper presents original research into an unusual but serious problem facing the employees working in the Kuwaiti Government organizations. It investigates employee's choice of the conflict management style among employees working in the public sector and the personal characteristics that may affect it.
Corporate governance
Authors: Alkhafaji Abbass F.
Published: September 2007

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to evaluate recent corporate failures and their effect on financial statements, as well as the measures being taken to rebuild trust in corporate America.

Design/methodology/approach

Looks at how corporate governance in the USA is undergoing comprehensive reforms, particularly the significant Sarbanes‐Oxley Act.

Findings

Measures to rebuild trust in corporate America are being implemented.

Originality/value

The paper is of value by showing how the Sarbanes‐Oxley Act is by far is the most important legislative act governing business in the beginning of the twenty‐first century.
Do consumers perceive differences among national brands, international private labels and local private labels? The case of Taiwan
Authors: Ming‐Sung Cheng Julian , Shui‐Lien Chen Lily , Ying‐Chao Lin Julia , Shih‐Tse Wang Edward
Published: September 2007

Purpose

This research attempts to investigate the differences of consumer perceptions on product quality, price, brand leadership and brand personality among national brands, international private labels and local private labels. It aims to use product categories as the moderator of the preceding perceptions.

Design/methodology/approach

Data were collected outside the entrances of the main rail station of Taipei, Taiwan. A systematic sampling was adopted and 254 questionnaires were eventually collected.

Findings

The findings revealed that on the whole national brands were perceived as significantly superior to international private labels, while international private labels were perceived as being superior to local private labels in terms of all perceptions except price perception. The findings also revealed that product categories moderated price and brand personality perceptions across the three brand types, while product categories failed to moderate the effect of the three brands types on quality and brand leadership perceptions.

Originality/value

This research represents one of the few pioneer works that empirically investigate the aforementioned issues.
Message framing strategies for new and mature products
Authors: Arora Raj
Published: September 2007

Purpose

This paper aims to investigate the effectiveness of message framing and source credibility on attitudes, intentions and beliefs about attributes of teeth whitening products. Although each of these variables, message framing and credibility, has been explored individually, few attempts have been made to investigate them jointly. This study aims to base itself on a full factorial design that allows for testing of interaction effects. Similar investigations in marketing limit their inquiries primarily to attitudes and intentions as dependent variables. This study goes further in that it also aims to investigate the effect of framing and credibility on the salient attributes of products. Third, the market for whitening products is maturing, resulting in a target market that is gaining knowledge about these products. Thus, the paper seeks to use knowledge as a covariate in the above investigation to determine if the communication strategy should be changed as the product moves from introduction to maturity.

Design/methodology/approach

The study is based on a 2 × 2 factorial design with framing (positive‐negative) and credibility (high‐low). The setting for the study is a hypothetical brand name of teeth whitening products.

Findings

The results reveal that positive framing is more effective in changing attitudes and intentions. However, the effects of framing and credibility are significant in changing beliefs related to the product's attributes. Although the covariate knowledge is significant, the findings indicate that communication strategy need not change as the product moves from introduction to maturity.

Research limitations/implications

Caution is advised in extrapolating the results beyond the issues investigated in the study.

Practical implications

The findings help marketers in formulating effective strategies.

Originality/value

The focus of most research studies in marketing is on changing attitudes and intentions. This research also includes the change in beliefs regarding the attributes of the product. Prior research on framing is tilted towards the use of negative framing. The findings of this study suggest using positive or gain‐framed messages.
Developing a stakeholder analysis to aid bio‐based product innovation
Authors: McDonald Gael M. , Killerby Shaun , Maplesden Frances , Rolland Deborah
Published: September 2007

Purpose

The results which that study seeks to report are the first part of a larger research programme funded by the New Zealand Foundation for Research, Science & Technology (FRST) aimed at gaining a better understanding of stakeholder perceptions in relation to bio‐based products.

Design/methodology/approach

Utilising three chemically modified wood products, data were collected from focus groups and questionnaires and centred primarily on perceptions surrounding the acceptability of building materials that have been bio‐modified. Irrespective of the type of chemical modification, family health and durability were the most important factors identified.

Findings

The study finds that product cost rated lower in the 16 factors evaluated, and energy used in production was of little concern. When comparing the three products to one another, two distinct groups with quite differing purchasing philosophies were identified and these perspectives significantly influenced perceptions of product acceptability and willingness to purchase. Utilising a paired comparison technique, an investigation of trade‐offs indicated preference for performance over cost and product familiarity. Similarly, low chemical emissions were also preferred over cost considerations. Among the findings, there was scepticism regarding trust in manufacturers to adequately safeguard health and safety and to have a minimum impact on the environment. Low levels of trust were expressed in regard to manufacturers' concern for future generations.

Originality/value

The paper develops an investigative framework which could be applied to the evaluation of products arising from bio‐material technology innovation and recommendations for future research directions.
Understanding price premium for grocery products: a conceptual model of customer‐based brand equity
Authors: Anselmsson Johan , Johansson Ulf , Persson Niklas
Published: September 2007

Purpose

This paper seeks to develop a framework for understanding what drives customer‐based brand equity and price premium for grocery products.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper reviews empirical studies made within the area of brand equity and studies of grocery products. It compares and analyses the results from an explorative and qualitative field study with previous research on brand equity and food quality.

Findings

The study finds that brand equity and price premium focusing on the grocery sector specifically highlights the role of uniqueness, together with the four traditionally basic dimensions of brand equity proposed: awareness, qualities, associations and loyalty. Relevant brand associations (origin, health, environment/animal friendliness, organisational associations and social image), and quality attributes (taste, odour, consistency/texture, appearance, function, packaging and ingredients) specific to groceries are identified and proposed for future measurement scales and model validating research.

Practical implications

The development of a customer‐based brand equity model, that adds awareness, associations and loyalty to previous discussions on price and quality, brings to the table a more nuanced and multi‐faced tool for marketing of consumer packaged food.

Originality/value

The paper provides a framework for understanding, evaluating, measuring and managing brand equity for grocery products. As this paper presents the first conceptual brand equity framework for groceries, there is a contribution to research on food branding. Also, there is a contribution to the general field of brand equity as previous models have been very general.
Asymmetric quality‐tier competition: an alternative explanation
Authors: Sivakumar K.
Published: September 2007

Purpose

This paper aims to offer an alternative explanation for asymmetric quality‐tier competition.

Design/methodology/approach

A conceptual framework based on quality‐price tradeoff is used in the study to derive research hypotheses and scanner panel data are used for empirical validation.

Findings

The paper finds that the concept of tradeoffs offers a simple explanation for asymmetric competition in favor of high quality brands; as the quality differential increases, asymmetry increases; as the price differential increases, the asymmetry decreases.

Practical implications

The framework and findings can inform pricing strategies for brands in different quality tiers.

Originality/value

The paper offers an alternative explanation for asymmetric competition.
Late bidding and the auction price: evidence from eBay
Authors: Hou Jianwei
Published: September 2007

Purpose

The purpose of this study is two‐fold. First, this study aims to examine how late bidding may have an effect on the auction price. Second, this study seeks to investigate how this effect can be moderated by different types of auctions.

Design/methodology/approach

Data on computer CPUs were collected at eBay. A multiple regression analysis was performed to examine the effect of late bidding on price.

Findings

Empirical results indicate that late bidding decreases the auction price and the result is robust. This study, however, does not find support for the moderating role of the auction type (IPV vs APV) on the effect of late bidding on price.

Research limitations/implications

This paper selects an extremely competitive market with many sellers and bidders. Future research may expand this study by examining late bidding under different combinations of market structures (competitive vs less competitive) and auction models (IPV vs APV vs CV).

Originality/value

This paper is the first study that empirically tests the effect of late bidding on the auction price.
Branded generations: baby boomers moving into the seniors market
Authors: Dann Susan
Published: September 2007

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to highlight the issues that arise for marketers and consumers in the branding of generational cohorts, with a focus on the baby boomers recent encroachment into the seniors market.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper reviews current knowledge of the brand characteristics of the baby boom generation and their consumption patterns compared to traditional seniors.

Findings

The paper finds that baby boomers, although now in their 40s to 60s, are perceived by marketers as a generational brand which is different from the objectively defined seniors market which, based on seniors membership organisations, starts at age 50.

Practical implications

Given the changing consumption patterns of baby boomers when compared with prior generational cohorts at the same age, brands need to reflect this generation's perceptions of itself to appeal the 50 plus market.

Originality/value

Because of the world wide phenomenon of the ageing of the population, the 50 plus market is the fastest growing and wealthiest market in developed countries. A better understanding of the influence of generational cohorts as opposed to age as a segmentation and positioning variable will result in more effective targeting of this cohort.
Supporting network access and service location in dynamic environments
Authors: Kutscher Dirk , Ott Jörg , Bartsch Steffen
Published: September 2007

Purpose

This paper aims to discuss large‐scale operational aspects for network service maps and to present technical solutions and evaluation results.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper reviews related work on service discovery specifically for wireless networks and services in, introduces network service maps and their operation in detail and describes their implementation and addresses two specific usage scenarios, based upon which it evaluates its approach through measurements and simulations.

Findings

The paper finds that, in the presence of today's ever‐increasing WLAN services, better support for service selection and automated service configuration is an urgent need to enable people to access these new services efficiently and thus increase their value and utilisation further. This is clearly reflected in different solutions being developed by service providers, roaming operators and device manufacturers that aim to facilitate WLAN usage.

Originality/value

The ubiquity of WLAN services, ranging from campus networks to commercial hotspots and community WLAN services, requires a new approach for automatically locating and using services. The paper presents a service selection infrastructure that is independent of a user's current network attachment and location in a way that users can obtain information of a specific network (or any other service) without being required to be connected to a particular one. Information about networks and services are distributed in a way that allows for using this information offline, e.g. when still looking for appropriate network access.
Towards interconnecting the Nordic identity federations
Authors: Tveter Walter M. , Melve Ingrid , Linden Mikael
Published: September 2007

Purpose

This paper aims to outline considerations for trust management between established national identity federations in education and research. It also aims to discuss policy issues related to cross‐federation and to compare existing academic identity federations. The paper seeks to investigate Nordic national federations and to introduce the Kalmar Union as a means of interconnecting the Nordic federations.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper discusses various issues in the policy of a cross‐federation, and suggests further work for developing the Kalmar Union Charter.

Findings

The paper finds that the technology used in federated identity management becomes more and more standardised, the technological challenges in making cross‐federations become fewer. Therefore, the remaining obstacles seem to be missing legislative know‐how, causing lack of sound information for decision makers. Thus, in an identity federation, trust establishment is, in the first place, a policy issue, not a technical one.

Originality/value

In recent years, several identity federations have been established in higher education around the world. Existing federations have a national scope, but the need for cross‐border services has led to the first interconnects of national federations. The Kalmar Union has been established as a cross‐federation of the Nordic academic identity federations.
Setting up a Grid‐CERT: experiences of an academic CSIRT
Authors: Möller Klaus
Published: September 2007

Purpose

Grid computing has often been heralded as the next logical step after the worldwide web. Users of grids can access dynamic resources such as computer storage and use the computing resources of computers under the umbrella of a virtual organisation. Although grid computing is often compared to the worldwide web, it is vastly more complex both in organisational and technical areas. This also extends into the area of security and incident response, where established academic computer security incident response teams (CSIRTs) face new challenges arising from the use of grids. This paper aims to outline some of the organisational and technical challenges encountered by the German academic CSIRT, DFN‐CERT while extending and adapting their services to grid environments during the D‐Grid project.

Design/methodology/approach

Most national research and education networks (NRENs) already have computer security incident response teams to respond to security incidents involving computers connected to the networks. This paper considers how one established NREN CSIRT is dealing with the new challenges arising from grid computing.

Findings

The paper finds that D‐Grid Initiative is an ongoing project and the establishment of CSIRT services for grids is still at an early stage. The establishment of communication channels to the various grid communities as well as gaining of knowledge about grid software has required DFN‐CERT to make changes even though the basic principles of CSIRT operation remain the same.

Originality/value

The D‐Grid project aims to establish a common grid infrastructure that can be used by other scientific domains. The project consists of six community projects and one integration project (DGI – D‐Grid Integration). The DGI project will develop the basic infrastructure, while the community projects will build on this infrastructure and enhance it for the specific needs of their research areas. At the initial stage of the DGI project, the idea of a central CSIRT for all grids in Germany was seen as an advantage over having a CSIRT for each grid project, which would have replicated efforts and thus wasted resources. This paper gives an overview about the organisational and technical challenges and experiences DFN‐CERT has encountered while setting up a CSIRT for the D‐Grid communities.
Utilising IPv6 over VPN to enhance home service connectivity
Authors: Huhtanen Karri , Silverajan Bilhanan , Harju Jarmo
Published: September 2007

Purpose

The number of home networks, as well as the number of services and hosts in them, is increasing. Often home users cannot get public IPv4 network allocations from service providers and are forced to use network address translation (NAT) and port forwarding to solve connectivity issues to the different home services. This paper seeks to introduce a secure connectivity solution utilising both IPv6 and IPv6 transition mechanisms in cooperation with existing virtual private network (VPN) solutions.

Design/methodology/approach

The proposed solution to avoid route conflicts and other problems with private IPv4 address space collisions is to utilise 6to4, an IPv6 transition mechanism, to obtain routable IPv6 network addresses first for the home network and services and then, to utilise the same IPv6 network for connectivity by bridging it over a VPN connection to the mobile terminal.

Findings

The paper finds that the adoption of this solution and these technologies will depend on how useful they are seen by vendors or service providers and included in their products. Regular vendors and service providers probably want to wait until there is a greater customer need. On the other hand, customers do not know about the possibilities before they are shown to them in practice. The best approach to this challenge is to find a cooperating vendor, or even better, a service provider willing to develop the concept further and to integrate it into the devices and services they are already offering.

Originality/value

The technologies for enhancing home service connectivity are already available. In the proof‐of‐concept implementation the paper has shown that all these components can be integrated and utilised to build home routers for present and future home networks. The technical disadvantages and challenges are solvable with further work and the whole concept is ready to be turned into products and services. As indicated in the paper, one of the issues for further work is to find and convince a vendor or service provider to integrate the proposed solution in their home router.
i2CAT experiences in advanced SIP‐based communications
Authors: Trapero Jordi , Novell Pol , Figuerola Sergi , Raspall Frederic
Published: September 2007

Purpose

This paper aims to examine the design and implementation of an advanced ToIP platform for the interconnection of ToIP operators based on the concept of multilateral peering, with a special focus on the design requirements and implementation.

Design/methodology/approach

Based on the key design requirements of a ToIP peering platform analysed at the beginning of the document, an open source‐based network architecture is proposed. Subsequently, a detailed explanation of the elements and their functionalities that integrate both core platform and management platform is presented.

Findings

The paper finds that open source‐based ToIP platforms provide a cheap solution for deploying ToIP services such as ToIP peering. Although not as stable as hardware‐based ToIP platforms, software‐based platforms provide a very scalable high‐performance solution for delivering customised ToIP services.

Research limitations/implications

The paper studies the implementation of advanced VoIP services such as video telephony and the call termination in public switched telephony network or mobile networks.

Originality/value

The deployment of an experimental ToIP peering platform in Catalonian will help to the large‐scale adoption of ToIP by both enterprise and residential customers. Furthermore, operators can reduce both capital and operating expenditures if they exchange traffic through the ToIP peering platform, reducing, thus, the cost of ToIP calls to end users.
Evaluation of scalable CAPEX models in ASON/GMPLS‐based IP networks
Authors: Szegedi Péter
Published: September 2007

Purpose

This paper deals with a cost‐related evaluation and a comparison of the problems that arise on pure IP networks (i.e. big fat routers), IP over static optical networks (i.e. IP over synchronous digital hierarchy/optical transport network (SDH/OTN)) and IP over ASON/GMPLS‐based dynamic optical network architectures. The aim is to develop easy‐to‐use CAPEX models, which can be evaluated using statistical parameters to describe the actual network and the traffic characteristics. Since there are no experimental results on these statistical parameters that can be practically used in real networks, the CAPEX model should be not only general, but also scalable enough to evaluate the network cost in extreme situations.

Design/methodology/approach

In this paper, the comparative CAPEX models are developed (in the framework of the IST Project MUPBED – Multi‐Partner European Test Beds for Research Networking) and the practical parameters are defined. Then the models are applied for the cost evaluation of a pan‐European research network based on the GÉANT2 network topology to validate the simplified comparison technique that is proposed.

Findings

The simulation results prove, on one hand, the applicability of the simplified cost models and on the other hand, the cost efficiency of the “IP over ASON/GMPLS” architecture.

Originality/value

This paper deals with a cost‐related evaluation and a comparison of the problems that are arise on pure IP networks, IP over static optical networks and IP over ASON/GMPLS‐based dynamic optical network architectures.
Education unbound
Authors: Abeles Tom P.
Published: September 2007

Purpose

The rapid rise of Multi‐User Virtual Environments (MUVEs) or Metaverses, presents opportunities and challenges for the societies in the physical world and a particular challenge for education. This work aims to identify the key issues confronting education as it moves from its cohort model, K‐16, to an evolving life long experience, P‐to‐Gray, decoupling certification from knowledge acquisition.

Design/methodology/approach

Experimentation with MUVEs in education are combined with a review of the critical literature to yield an analysis of the current situation.

Findings

Education is evolving, and the MUVE's are also evolving both technically and culturally. Thus we will see significant changes in both current, brick space, education as well as e‐learning.

Practical implications

Education will be life‐long learning, often ungraded, and blended between brick spaced learning and participation in virtual cultural experiences.

Originality/value

Mirror worlds, or simulations, will be important, not just in the current “brick‐space”, but also in the virtual worlds which will be accepted as one accepts “travel abroad”.
The journal is dead, long live the journal
Authors: Kingsley Danny
Published: September 2007

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to argue that the traditional scholarly journal system is outdated and in need of revamp, and new internet technologies provide opportunities for change unavailable until now.

Design/methodology/approach

The four functions of the scholarly journal: registration; awareness; certification; and archiving are discussed in turn and alternative ways of undertaking those functions are explored. Barriers to change and ways to overcome these barriers are addressed.

Findings

The functions of registration and certification are already met with an open peer review system in place for some high profile journals. Recently developed searching and browsing facilities give academics access to a greater proportion of scholarly literature, providing a more efficient awareness function than traditional journals. The function of archiving is not being adequately addressed by commercial publishers, and the steps being taken by institutional repositories to that end are more sustainable. The fundamental tenet of science as part of the public domain is being eroded by commercial gain, and a move away from the traditional scholarly system can reverse that trend. Barriers to change are: the publisher's commercial imperative to maintain the status quo; the academy's reluctance to change; and the reward system. However, recently both publishers and academics have demonstrated a willingness to try new systems. The barrier of institutional reliance on metrics poses the greatest threat to change.

Originality/value

This paper builds on an historical background of arguments dating back to 1926, but uses up‐to‐date examples of ways publishers are moving towards change. The paper will inspire debate in the scholarly community.
Provocations on the structure of scholarly writing in the digital era
Authors: Kearns Jodi , O'Connor Brian C. , Moore Francisco B.‐G.
Published: September 2007

Purpose

This paper seeks to urge academic writers to restructure their scholarly writing to reflect the depth of their intellectual message rather than conforming to the structurally simplistic hegemony of the mundane.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors of this paper represent interdisciplinary perspectives in research. Each has grown increasingly disillusioned by dwindling consideration given to the structural integrity of scholarly thoughts in academic writing. This paper does not suggest a solution of strict adherence to some style manual or single format, nor does it suggest a privilege to any particular constraint. Indeed, the authors suggest that the digital environment enables unimagined communication possibilities, and hence a counterpoise to any single rigid structure. New formats require attention to the engineering of message structure. Using historical examples and modern applications from their disciplines, the authors offer provocations on the structures of scholarly writing. They pay particular attention to modern applications of Claude Shannon's information theory and to the introduction of models for understanding the audiences of academic writing.

Findings

Scholarly writing warrants a deep investment of intellectual, personal, and communicative effort. Readers will have different requirements for any individual piece of scholarly writing, but all will be served by the fullest expression of the logic, care, tenacity, and passion that drove the research to fruition. Engineering the scholarly document to contribute to audiences of differing interests and abilities requires careful consideration rather than mere assumption of a generic reader.

Originality/value

Research for this paper yielded few preceding studies that considered document structures for scholarship. Authors of this paper intend to provoke academes to engage in active and intentional reconsiderations of how they choose to say what they have to say, by following the presented examples of writing and tools for measuring structural elements of documents.
Economists on the catwalk – David Warsh: Knowledge and the Wealth of Nations
Authors: Martin Cherryl K.
Published: September 2007

Purpose

“Economists on the catwalk” provides an analytical review of the book Knowledge and the Wealth of Nations by David Warsh, with suggestions for a more comprehensive and accurate approach to the issues involved. Its purpose is to track the changes in economic thinking leading up to, and beyond, the theory of “Endogenous New Growth Theory” put forward by Paul Romer between the mid‐1980s and the mid 1990s, analyzing the part played by the current systems of peer‐review, academic funding and recruitment in university economics departments.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper discusses the book in the context of modern economic theories and developments in the field of economics from a broad‐based historical, global, multi‐cultural twenty‐first century perspective.

Findings

There has been a radical transformation in economic thinking over the past decade that is forcing a re‐evaluation of economic theory and teaching. A different approach to the subject is required to ensure that it remains relevant and applicable in the rapidly changing modern world.

Originality/value

The paper introduces the “waltz motif” theory of economist Peter Jay as a methodology for tracking trends in national economies; the concept of the “Battle of Ideas” in academic disciplines and in our lives; the process of knowledge acquisition; and the impact of the changing social contract. The paper is of particular value to teachers of economics and professional economists interested in an innovative, thought‐provoking approach to their subject and in the future of economic research as it is currently conducted in academic environments.
Review of The Advancement of Learning: Building the Teaching Commons
Authors: Montgomery Beronda L.
Published: September 2007

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to provide a reflective evaluation of the concept of the teaching commons as presented by authors Huber and Hutchings and to summarize expected outcomes from participation therein.

Design/methodology/approach

An appraisal of the book The Advancement of Learning: Building the Teaching Commons is presented to explore the conception of the teaching commons. This review addresses the definition of the teaching commons and explores the establishment of, and participation in, the teaching commons as a means of advancing the scholarship of teaching and learning and for improving student learning.

Findings

A fundamental premise is developed suggesting that the development and utilization of a teaching commons will improve teaching and learning through the provision of a defined safeplace for conversations about teaching and learning and specific avenues to share information about teaching innovations for improving student learning. Sustained faculty engagement in a teaching commons must be supported by formalized institutional recognition and appropriate rewards.

Practical implications

A practical resource for faculty members involved in the scholarship of teaching and learning and for administrators developing teaching and learning centers or resources for utilization by faculty members.

Originality/value

This review examines the definition and establishment of a teaching commons for improving the scholarship of teaching and learning at the college and university levels.
An inconvenient truth – Galileo's Mistake: The Archaeology of a Myth by Wade Rowland
Authors: Martin Cherryl
Published: September 2007

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to critique the book Galileo's Mistake: The Archaeology of a Myth by Wade Rowland; providing additional insights into the subject of the work and trial of Galileo Galilei in the seventeenth century and its relevance to the modern world.

Design/methodology/approach

The case of Galileo is presented as a case study in modern change management.

Findings

The story of Galileo as passed down to us through the centuries has become mythologized and distorted as an example of a clash between religion and science. The facts as they are presented by the author reinforce this myth by applying modern arguments about the relative scope, practice and meaning of both science and religion in a situation where such arguments could not have been applied and were not relevant. Careful consideration of the wider global context reveals more plausible dimensions to the story.

Practical implications

The Galileo case study is a useful vehicle for teaching concepts about truth, knowledge, complexity theory and the potential and reasons for resistance to new ideas.

Originality/value

The paper aims to teach the importance of critically examining facts as they are presented, in terms of both content and context; of considering the wider, global implications and the motivations, strengths and weaknesses of the various players involved in any situation.
The next big idea?
Authors: Abeles Tom
Published: September 2007

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to review David Shaffer's book How Computer Games Help Children Learn.

Design/methodology/approach

This article discusses Shaffer's work and compares this with the ideas of other authors.

Findings

The use of games and simulations in education is increasing, becoming more sophisticated and undergoing serious study in The Academy. The number of articles is increasing and there is increasing pressure to establish credibility through publishing both in academic journals and books.

Originality/value

The new medium of digital learning basically relies on traditional theories of learning. Sometimes a book tells more about an area by its presence rather than by what it provides to advance thinking. As with on‐line learning, Shaffer's book shows that the path to change starts with mapping bricks into clicks and, as such, offers little to challenge the growing commercial arena of serious games being developed, almost as an aside.
Space, growth and technology: an integrated dynamic approach
Authors: Gomes Orlando
Published: September 2007

Purpose

The purpose of the paper is to present an integrated approach concerning intertemporal choices and the location of economic activity under a simple endogenous growth model. The idea is that time analysis concerning the choices about present and future consumption and the choices on the allocation of scientific resources should be combined with a space analysis regarding the dissemination of economic activity through geographical locations.

Design/methodology/approach

Two optimal control problems are considered. These relate to a standard utility maximization set‐up, in which spatial considerations are incorporated, and to a problem of allocation of scientific/technological resources. Steady states and transitional dynamics are addressed.

Findings

It was found that the long‐run steady state does not have to be a state of unchangeable geography – consumption, production conditions and technological progress determine not only long‐term growth but also the long‐term tendency for the economy to geographically concentrate or disperse.

Research limitations/implications

In its essence, the model is just a conventional Ramsey growth model, sophisticated in order to include endogenous location decisions and endogenous technology choices. Further insights can be gained by readdressing the model (e.g. by assuming a monopolistic competition environment instead of a purely competitive set‐up).

Originality/value

The determinants of growth are, on the one hand, the decisions about how to allocate technological resources and, on the other hand, the strength with which productive activities can agglomerate in order to generate increasing returns to scale.
Macroeconomic factors of exchange rate volatility
Authors: Lee‐Lee Chong , Hui‐Boon Tan
Published: September 2007

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to examine the factors of exchange rate volatility from the macroeconomic perspective for four neighbouring ASEAN economies.

Design/methodology/approach

This study has scrutinised the link between macroeconomic factors and exchange rate volatility in both the short and the long run by applying econometrics techniques.

Findings

This study further suggests the link between macroeconomic factors and exchange rate volatility in both the short and the long run for the selected economies. The empirical results, however, indicate that a set of common factors seems to influence the exchange rate volatility, whereby the stock market is a great influence commonly found across countries. The Indonesian rupiah seems to be the most sensitive to the innovations in macroeconomic factors, while the Singapore dollar is the least.

Research limitations/implications

The macroeconomic factors are believed to be the forces behind exchange rate volatility through the presumable rigidities of their exchange rates, resulting from the managed float exchange rate system adopted by those countries. Their capital markets are vital in maintaining exchange rate stability, hence suggesting the imperative role of respective authorities and market players in managing a viable capital market.

Originality/value

Little attention has been given to developing countries' experiment with their exchange rate systems due to their presumed rigid volatility. This study adopts a more sophisticated approach in measuring the volatility of the exchange rate and examines the underlying factors of exchange rate volatility instead of the level of exchange rate.
The UAE growth surge: have information technology and human capital contributed?
Authors: Al‐Khateeb Faisal B. , Darrat Ali F. , Elkhal Khaled
Published: September 2007

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to examine the extent to which information technology (IT) and human capital accumulation have contributed to the recent rapid economic growth of the United Arab Emirates (UAE).

Design/methodology/approach

Well‐established prior theories suggest that both factors are key growth ingredients. Results from cointegration tests confirm these prior theories and support a strong long‐run (equilibrium) relationship linking real economic growth in the UAE with both IT (alternatively defined) and human capital. However, additional tests based on the Gonzalo and Granger technique reveal that human capital plays a particularly significant role in the growth process.

Findings

These results lend support to the notion that good education is a prerequisite before new technologies can produce economic benefits. In contrast with robust long‐run effects, results from error‐correction models indicate that neither IT nor human capital has any significant short‐run effect on real growth.

Originality/value

The paper is of value by demonstrating that efforts to invigorate the education system and the technological infrastructure in the UAE must persist over a long period of time, before they can produce their expected economic benefits.
Approaches to learning accounting: a cross‐cultural study
Authors: Donald John , Jackling Beverley
Published: September 2007

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to examine the relationship between the cultural background of students and their learning approaches in a first year undergraduate accounting program.

Design/methodology/approach

While prior research in this area has more generally focused on the investigation of the approaches to learning by accounting students, there appears to have been little investigation into the learning approaches of students from different cultures who are studying accounting together at the same institution. The paper presents the results of a study of 550 students enrolled in an undergraduate accounting program at a multi‐campus university in Victoria, Australia, which used Biggs' study process questionnaire (SPQ) to assess the approaches to learning utilised by local and Chinese students.

Findings

The results showed that, while there were no significant differences in the use of surface and deep learning strategies by the Chinese and Australian students, there were significant differences in the learning motives of the two groups. Furthermore, the results contradict prior claims that Asian students rely principally on the memorisation and reproduction of factual information as a means of achieving academic success.

Originality/value

The study provides support for the notion that Chinese students may in fact have a culturally induced bias towards seeking understanding through deeper approaches to study.
Attitudes towards plagiarism among undergraduate accounting students: Malaysian evidence
Authors: Smith Malcolm , Ghazali Noorlaila , Fatimah Noor Minhad Siti
Published: September 2007

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to examine undergraduate accounting students' perceptions of factors contributing to plagiarism activities.

Design/methodology/approach

Survey methods were used to investigate the prominence of different factors, and any differences associated with student characteristics.

Findings

The results suggested that factors contributing to plagiarism include lack of awareness, lack of understanding, lack of competence, and personal attitudes. No evidence was found to support the suggestion that either pressure or the availability of internet facilities had increased the incidence of plagiarism. The study provided evidence that a significant proportion of Malaysian undergraduate accounting students in the study had engaged in plagiarism activities to a limited degree; the observed profile was consistent with the incidence of plagiarism activities being associated with academically weaker, male students with a negative attitude to their studies.

Originality/value

The findings have significant implications for educators if they are to improve the detection and punishment of plagiarism activity, and educate potential perpetrators.
Audit committee characteristics and earnings management: evidence from Malaysia
Authors: Mohd Saleh Norman , Mohd Iskandar Takiah , Mohid Rahmat Mohd
Published: September 2007

Purpose

Conflicts between managers and outside auditors may exist in choosing alternative accounting procedures. Since auditors are appointed by the firm, they are subject to dismissal if divergent opinions cannot be resolved. To a lesser extent, financial reports are often negotiated. In order to produce unbiased financial reports, audit committee members are appointed to act independently in order to resolve conflicts between the managers and outside auditors. This study aims to assess the effectiveness of some audit committee characteristics, i.e. the independence of members, size, frequency of meeting and knowledge of the members, to monitor management behavior with respect to their incentives to manage earnings.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper uses discretionary accruals obtained from the established model as a signal of the presence of earnings management.

Findings

The evidence shows that the presence of a fully independent audit committee reduces earnings management practices. It was also found that firms which had more knowledgeable audit committee members and held more audit committee meetings recorded fewer earnings management practices compared with other firms.

Originality/value

This paper is different from prior studies, in that it makes a significant contribution towards enhancing one's knowledge in the interacting role of audit committee characteristics.