bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Second‐stage events and bondholder wealth
Authors: Thompson Thomas H. , Apilado Vince
Published: January 2010

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to provide a comprehensive initial evaluation of the wealth transfer hypothesis as applied to the second‐stage events and announcements that follow carve‐outs during the period from 1983 to 2004.

Design/methodology/approach

Using daily security prices, such combinations are shown to have multi‐faceted wealth transfers and wealth creation.

Findings

In contrast with the wealth losses found in previous studies, wealth increases are observed for parent stockholders and bondholders in the spin‐off announcement and event phases for combination carve‐outs and spin‐offs. Also, the spin‐off is the most prevalent second divestiture choice for parents with traded debt.

Originality/value

This study makes several contributions to the literature. First, in contrast with recent wealth transfer studies that use monthly bond returns, daily stock and bond returns are used to examine the wealth effect for parent stockholders and bondholders during the announcement and ex‐dates of second‐stage events. Second, in contrast with previous studies that found a wealth transfer from bondholders to stockholders in the spin‐off phase, statistically significant wealth retention was observed for bondholders and for stockholders at spin‐off and other second event announcements. Third, the results reflect that increased collateral from the carve‐out phase lessens the potential for bondholder wealth loss in the spin‐off phase.
Does ownership form in community banking impact profitability?
Authors: Westort Peter , Kashian Russ , Cummings Richard
Published: January 2010

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to examine the profitability of different ownership forms of banks. The two ownership forms are corporations that elect to be taxed as a Subchapter S corporation (limited to 100 shareholders) as opposed to those corporations that do not make this election. The impact this election has on the dividends paid to the investors is examined.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper uses Call Report Data on Wisconsin banks as collected by SNL Securities as its database. The research methodology uses two measures of performance: dividend ratio and accounting return on assets (ROA). The dividend ratio is defined as dividends as a percentage of net income (dividends/net income). Accounting return on investment is net income as a percentage of total assets (net income/total assets) and is a measure of profitability. A number of regressions were created with these as the endogenenous variables and a heteroskedasticity‐corrected ordinary least squares (OLS) model was used.

Findings

Subchapter S banks were found to be more profitable (as measured by ROA). However, when taxes are taken into account, there is no practical difference in profitability between the two types of corporate structure.

Research limitations/implications

By limiting the analysis to Wisconsin, a single state, confusion that may be caused by both state laws (personal and corporate) and local corporate cultures is avoided.

Practical implications

The practical implications of this research can guide the federal government in determining whether this form of stock ownership is a device that reduces or increases federal tax revenues. It can also provide insight to the stockholders of these banks into the differences in profitability these corporate forms offer.

Originality/value

While earlier literature has reviewed the concept of Subchapter S corporations and its theoretical impact, little research has been conducted that tests the actual results. Due to the private nature of the corporate form (these types of corporations are often not publicly traded and have no incentive to reveal private financial records), this original research is the result of the public nature of banks that provide a rich dataset for us to examine.
The effect of stock splits on iShare exchange‐traded funds
Authors: Bandyopadhyay Pia , Hackard James , Tse Yiuman
Published: January 2010

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to examine the pre‐ and post‐split behavior for trades and quotes of iShare exchange‐traded funds (ETFs) that split in June 2005. The objective is to determine whether post‐split changes in the bid‐ask spread, trade turnover, average dollar‐size trade, frequency of small trades, trade price location, and order imbalance support either or both of the two widely examined hypotheses for the motivation for share splits.

Design/methodology/approach

The impact of the iShares split around the split date was studied, using the measures above to examine the support, if any, for each of two hypotheses, broker promotion and/or the trading inconvenience, with regard to the sample and time period under study.

Findings

Bid‐ask spread, average dollar order size, and frequency of small trades were found to fail to reject the broker‐promotion hypothesis, while the increase in post‐split turnover fails to reject the trading‐inconvenience hypothesis. Changes in the trade‐price‐location parameter and in order imbalance fail to support either hypothesis.

Practical implications

Because of the importance of basket securities in the determination of the prices for listed securities, issuers of these securities, investors and regulators should be interested whether the price behavior of splitting iShares is similar to that experienced in other securities.

Originality/value

Numerous studies in the literature have investigated the effects of stock splits on individual securities, but it is believed, none has yet appeared studying the recent splits in iShares.
A practical method to estimate the cost of equity capital for a firm using cluster analysis
Authors: Ingram Marcus , Margetis Speros
Published: January 2010

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to propose and test a method for selecting a portfolio of public firms which can be used for computing the cost of equity capital for a non‐public firm or division of a firm.

Design/methodology/approach

This method relies on cluster analysis and a large sample of firms. Using the accounting data from the firms, portfolios are formed that are expected to have a high degree of within‐group similarity on measures of systematic risk, such as beta. The average beta of the group can be used as an estimate of the beta of the target firm within the group, which is then used to compute the cost of equity capital of the target.

Findings

Cluster analysis shows significant potential to group together firms that are found to have high similarity in systematic risk. Cost of equity capital estimates made using the betas of the proxy portfolio firms are predictive of the measured betas of randomly selected target firms.

Research limitations/implications

This research has shown significant predictive relationships between accounting data and market based cost of capital estimates, but the relationship is noisy, and the fit of the model could be improved with additional calibration.

Originality/value

This approach uses well known data and methodology, but is unique in this application. This suggests many other potentially fruitful applications may be found for cluster analysis in financial research.
Marketing strategy selection, marketing metrics, and firm performance
Authors: Zahay Debra , Griffin Abbie
Published: January 2010

Purpose

This research aims to investigate the relationship between customer‐based performance measures (marketing measures of firm success) and business growth performance (strategy measures of firm success), in the context of strategic marketing positioning decisions and suggests customer‐based metrics may play a key role in measuring overall business achievements.

Design/methodology/approach

This is an empirical survey of 209 business‐to‐business services firms.

Findings

Customer‐based performance (marketing measures) is associated with the choice of generic positioning and segmentation strategies, while strategic positioning choice (i.e. low‐cost vs differentiation) is indirectly, rather than directly, associated with business growth performance. The “both” strategy, where firms simultaneously pursue both low‐cost and differentiated strategies, leads to improved performance in these B2B services firms.

Research limitations/implications

The study potentially has industry‐ and/or service‐specific limitations.

Practical implications

This research suggests that firms that cannot measure performance at the customer level may be failing to understand the outcomes of successful marketing programs and decisions. In addition, this research suggests that both operational efficiency and differentiation are keys to growth in B2B services.

Originality/value

This study reinforces the continued applicability of Porter's generic positioning and segmentation strategies for B2B services but suggests that performance differences between strategies in this context are best captured using a customer‐based measure (share of wallet, lifetime value, retention rate and return on marketing investment) rather than a more general business growth measure.
Managerial trust and NPD team performance: team commitment and longevity as mediators
Authors: Dayan Mumin
Published: January 2010

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to examine the mediating effects of team commitment and longevity between managerial trust and team performance (e.g. team learning and product success), using environmental turbulence as a moderator.

Design/methodology/approach

To test the proposed model, data were collected from 335 team members and team leaders of 107 Turkish new product/project development teams.

Findings

The results of the structural equation model showed that managerial trust (as rated by team members) was significantly associated with team commitment and longevity; and team commitment and longevity significantly mediated the relationships between managerial trust and team learning, and managerial trust and product success. Moreover, the findings showed that the impact of managerial trust on team commitment and longevity was higher when environmental turbulence was high. However, the mediating impact of team commitment was significant regardless of market or technical turbulence; and team longevity had a significant mediating impact if environment was turbulent. Theoretical and managerial implications of the study findings were discussed at the end.

Originality/value

The novelty of the research lies in the empirical test of managerial trust in the context of teams with innovation projects (e.g. product development teams). Furthermore, the inclusion of team commitment and longevity as moderators represents an added value of the study.
The determinants of long‐term relationship on inter‐organizational systems performance
Authors: Hsin Chang Hsin , Wang Hsin‐Wei , Wei Kao Ta
Published: January 2010

Purpose

This study aims to explore the relations among inter‐organizational, organizational, technical factors, inter‐organizational systems (IOS) use, IOS performance and long‐term relationship.

Design/methodology/approach

To test the research hypotheses, this study primarily used LISREL 8.52 to do the SEM in order to ensure the relation across various dimensions. After SEM, path analysis is applied to test each of the hypotheses.

Findings

The findings of this study show that organizations exerting more power on suppliers are more likely to be aggressive in expanding the extent of IOS use. Organizations with strong executive support for IOS are more likely to be aggressive in expanding the extent of IOS use, and the extent of IOS use has significant and positive moderating effects on long‐term relationships and IOS performance.

Research limitations/implications

Future studies may focus on competition pressure and IS compatibility. It may increase the number of samples, while including small companies for the study, in order to achieve generality.

Practical implications

This study found that IOS will not only improve a company's productivity, product quality and costs, but also strengthen the long‐term relationship with their partner. Both buyers and suppliers can pay attention about how to improve and expand the extent of IOS use by three major factors: inter‐organizational, organizational, and technological perspectives.

Originality/value

This study is the first to examine three dimensions of factors (inter‐organizational, organizational, and technical factors) and their interaction with the use of IOS. This study is also the first to simultaneously discuss the relationships among IOS usage, IOS performance and long‐term relationships.
RELQUAL's impact on satisfaction in Norwegian business relationships
Authors: Mysen Tore , Svensson Göran
Published: January 2010

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to develop a RELQUAL‐construct and to test its impact on satisfaction in Norwegian business relationships.

Design/methodology/approach

This study is based upon a survey and random sample of small and medium‐sized companies in Norway. Initially, respondents were contacted by phone and a total of 581 surveys were mailed. A total of 212 surveys were returned, a response rate of 36.5 percent.

Findings

Two principal findings are: business relationships characterized by commitment/continuity and coordination/cooperation indicate a higher degree of a company's perceived satisfaction of the supplier; and business relationships characterized by opportunism/distrust and dependence indicate a lower degree of a company's perceived satisfaction of the supplier.

Research limitations/implications

The RELQUAL‐construct and its impact on satisfaction in business relationships appears to be accurate for those Norwegian business relationships studied, but only further work in examining other companies will verify its universal applicability if it is to be seen as a valid and reliable measurement for other companies' business relationships too. Suggestions for further research are provided.

Practical implications

This study is of managerial interest to executives since it provides a framework of dimensions to be considered in corporate efforts in maintaining satisfactory levels of relationship quality in business relationships.

Originality/value

The RELQUAL‐construct makes a contribution to theory since it proposes a higher order‐construct and measurement instrument for the benefit of other researchers and practitioners in the field.
Business management software in high‐tech firms: the case of the IT services sector
Authors: Hernandez Blanca , Jimenez Julio , José Martin M.
Published: January 2010

Purpose

The aim of the paper is to analyse the acceptance of business management software by focusing on high‐tech firms dedicated to information technologies and belonging to the service sector (IT high‐tech firms).

Design/methodology/approach

The authors have applied an extended technology acceptance model (TAM) which includes variables related to technological compatibility and web procurement. It has been tested through structural equation modelling.

Findings

The results show that IT high‐tech firms must understand the interrelationships that exist between different information technologies (IT) and must, therefore, acquire technological know‐how. This technological knowledge permits firms to improve their perceptions of ease of use and usefulness, obtaining better results when computerising their management.

Research limitations/implications

IT high‐tech firms must be aware that investment in a specific IT may affect the subsequent performance of other IT, due to the synergies derived from the application of complementary systems. Therefore, continuous investment in IT encourages the acquisition of technological knowledge that can be exploited in the computerisation of the main organisational functions and lead to greater overall efficiency.

Originality/value

Studies of IT high‐tech firms based on behavioural models, such as TAM, are in short supply. An understanding of how firms that produce IT as an output also use it as an input in their productive process, allows us to evaluate the importance of acquiring technological knowledge. Moreover, IT high‐tech firms have repercussions in almost all the sectors of the economy because they usually handle the implementation, maintenance and development of IT in other firms.
Enhancement of product development capabilities of OEM suppliers: inter‐ and intra‐organisational learning
Authors: Huang Yen‐Tsung , Chu Wenyi
Published: January 2010

Purpose

Faced with increased global competition, suppliers must continually update their technology and capabilities to effectively respond to the rapid changes in customer requirements. In the original equipment manufacturer (OEM) supply relationships, it is particularly important for suppliers to enhance their product development capabilities by learning from customers. However, few existing studies have empirically explored this issue. This paper aims to fill some of the gaps.

Design/methodology/approach

Based on the organisational learning perspective, this paper investigates learning between the suppliers and customers of OEM relations as well as its impact on suppliers' product development capabilities. Structure equation modelling was used with data collected from 147 OEM supply relations of 117 Taiwanese information technology (IT) companies. The relationships among learning intent, interactive learning, internalised learning, and product development capabilities were examined.

Findings

Results show that suppliers with a high learning intent are able to facilitate inter‐organisational and intra‐organisational learning to enhance their product development capabilities.

Originality/value

The paper proposes and empirically tests a model to explain how the OEM suppliers' product development capabilities are enhanced by the relationships between learning intent, inter‐organisational learning, and intra‐organisational learning.
Revising marketing strategies for supplier selection criteria: small firm approach from the information and communications industry
Authors: Hätönen Jussi , Ruokonen Mika
Published: January 2010

Purpose

Mainly due to their size, SMEs in the ICT industry are often at a disadvantage in supplier evaluation and therefore in the MNC supplier selection process. This paper aims to illustrate how they have realised their weakness and have created innovative strategies for alleviating the uncertainties associated with SMEs and thus for overcoming these natural disadvantages.

Design/methodology/approach

The method of analysis could best be described as multiple‐comparative‐case analysis. The authors have based the paper on existing literature, which is then assimilated into the analysis in the process of theory fulfilment and refinement.

Findings

This paper offers both theoretical and managerial insight by showing that SMEs do not have to accept their weak position in supplier markets, and that they can change the status quo by adjusting their strategies. The findings show that innovative strategies potentially offset the disadvantages of supplier smallness in the ICT industry.

Research limitations/implications

The authors chose a qualitative research method as it facilitates theory building and development in areas in which the extant theory seems inadequate or the phenomenon being examined is complex. Qualitative research also potentially enhances managerial knowledge by providing best‐practice information.

Practical implications

The authors provide insights that hopefully encourage SMEs in the ICT industry not to see their small size as weakness, but as a potential advantage in the form of increased responsiveness, flexibility, and service level compared to their larger rivals. However, to capitalise this advantage, the authors illustrate that SMEs in the industry should aim at increased focus on their core competences and simultaneously seek creative ways to remain competitive in the supplier markets.

Originality/value

Strategies aimed at fighting disadvantages as such have been addressed by marketing scholars only to a limited extent. The originality of this paper lies in its focus on identifying strategies that are aimed at diminishing the strategic weakness of the company rather than those aimed at building strategic strength.
Identity work and play
Authors: Ibarra Herminia , Petriglieri Jennifer L.
Published: January 2010

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to introduce the concept of identity play defined as people's engagement in provisional but active trial of possible future selves.

Design/methodology/approach

Current research and theorizing on the variety of strategies and behaviors used by individuals to tailor, adapt or otherwise change their identities has converged on the notion of identity work to conceptualize these processes. This paper introduces an alternative but complementary notion – identity play – and develops a framework that specifies how identity work and play differ from each other, and proposes a set of ideas about the process of identity play in role transitions.

Findings

The authors theorize that role transitions are a useful context to explore identity play and that just as individuals move between cycles of career stability and professional transitions so may they move between periods of identity work and play.

Originality/value

The concept of identity play provides a useful starting point to explore the multiple, often incoherent and variable nature of the self as well as the process of exploration and discovery necessary for creating new identities.
Learning to play, playing to learn
Authors: Kolb Alice Y. , Kolb David A.
Published: January 2010

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to propose an experiential learning framework for understanding how play can potentially create a unique ludic learning space conducive to deep learning.

Design/methodology/approach

The framework is developed by integrating two perspectives. First, from multidisciplinary theories of play to uncover the underlying play principles that contribute to the emergence of the ludic learning space are drawn. Then the formation of a ludic learning space through a case study of a pick‐up softball league where for 15 years, a group of individuals diverse in age group, gender, level of education, and ethnic background have come together to play are examined.

Findings

The case study suggests that play in a ludic learning space can promote deep learning in the intellectual, physical, spiritual, and moral realms.

Originality/value

This paper uses the play literature to inform the experiential learning concept of the learning space.
An exploration of entrepreneurship and play
Authors: King Kauanui Sandra , Thomas Kevin D. , Sherman Cynthia L. , Ross Waters Gail , Gilea Mihaela
Published: January 2010

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to examine the differences between entrepreneurs who see a connection between spirituality and work and those who do not.

Design/methodology/approach

Data are collected and analyzed in two stages from in‐depth interviews of 112 entrepreneurs. Key differentiators explored are related to money, ethical decision making, definition of success, and the entrepreneurs' desire to live an integrated lifestyle.

Findings

No significant differences are found between the two groups along key demographic attributes; however, when applying characteristics of flow and play to the entrepreneur's work experiences, distinct differences between the groups are found.

Originality/value

These findings suggest that holistically oriented entrepreneurs utilize the business as part of their spiritual path, and create an environment in which work and play are not perceived as separate work‐related elements.
The play of change
Authors: Sandelands Lloyd
Published: January 2010

Purpose

Two claims are made about play that bears on managing change in organizations. First, play is a creative dynamic of human community; and in particular, it is the form taken by love at the boundary of fantasy and reality. Second, play is known, not by analysis via the mind and reason, but by intuition via the body and feeling. To manage change as play is to call upon the possibilities of adaptation and development that lie at the creative edge of love.

Design/methodology/approach

The arguments of the paper are not strictly rational (deductive) or empirical (inductive) but are based upon an “abductive” reading of the literatures on play and managing change.

Findings

Play is key in managing change. Play is the creative enlargement of love involved in healthy and effective adaptation and development.

Social implications

Change in organizations is best taken in the spirit of love that is play. As change calls to love, the greatest changes call to the greatest love of the divine in which all things are possible.

Originality/value

The paper offers a novel theoretical integration of the research literatures on play and managing change. The paper offers a powerful argument for the humane foundations of play and change in love.
Temporal and spatial shifts within playful work
Authors: Hunter Carolyn , Jemielniak Dariusz , Postuła Agnieszka
Published: January 2010

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to present the results of a qualitative study of software engineers' playful behaviors at work.

Design/methodology/approach

The interviewed software engineers come from two European and three American companies. The research is based on ethnographical data, gathered in two longitudinal studies 2005‐2008. The methods used in the study include open‐ended unstructured interviews, participant observations, stories collection, and shadowings.

Findings

It is found that the currently dominant theory of normative control explaining software engineers workplace diminishes leisure and entertainment attributes of knowledge work. Fun at workplace is discovered to be an important, if not crucial, element of everyday programmers' job.

Originality/value

The study contributes to the literature by replying to the call for more research on high‐tech organizational practices, and on non‐job related behaviors at workplace. It reveals playful performance as a constituent for knowledge work and may contribute towards a better understanding of the role played by fun and playful behavior in creative problem‐solving and inventing.
Entry of Spanish tourism firms into new businesses
Authors: Andreu Rosario , Claver Enrique , Quer Diego
Published: January 2010

Purpose

Diversification is one of the most promising strategies for tourism firms, the entry mode choice being an essential decision. For this reason, this paper seeks to analyze the entry mode into new business areas made by Spanish tourism firms in their diversification process. It aims to focus on firm factors drawn on the resource‐based view (RBV) to examine issues such as the link between the new business and the company's original one, its diversifying experience, the reasons for diversifying and the impact of the choice of internal growth, external growth or cooperation agreements. The effects of a fit between the entry mode and the type of diversification on profitability are also considered.

Design/methodology/approach

From a mail survey to Spanish tourism firms 94 entries into new business areas were obtained and a multinomial logit regression applied.

Findings

The results show that both the diversifying experience and the reasons behind the decision to diversify influence the entry mode and support the existence of a link between the above‐mentioned fit and firm profitability.

Originality/value

The paper contributes to providing new empirical evidence about entry mode decisions, with the innovation that it has focused on a group of enterprises, those belonging to the Spanish tourism sector, which had traditionally received less attention within this field of research.
Do institutional investors favor firms with greater brand equity?
Authors: Oak Seonghee , Dalbor Michael C.
Published: January 2010

Purpose

The aim of this study is to investigate institutional investment behavior relating to lodging firms and their brand equity.

Design/methodology/approach

Ordinary least squares (OLS) and two‐stage least squares (2SLS) regressions are used. The dependent variable is institutional investor percentage and the independent variables are advertising expenditures, size, capital expenditures, proxy Q, debt ratio, price, share turnover and year.

Findings

The study found that institutional investors' holdings are positively related to advertising expenditures. There is a significant difference in institutional holdings between lodging firms with advertising expenditures and those without. Institutions favor lodging firms that have lower debt ratios. Institutional investors prefer small firms because they typically offer superior returns.

Research limitations/implications

Further research may be done to see whether individual investors favor firms with brand equity. Additional research may be conducted in other segments, such as restaurants or casinos.

Practical implications

Findings may help lodging managers in raising financial capital from institutional investors; researchers in conducting future research on institutional investors; and educators in better describing institutional investors' important roles to hospitality students.

Originality/value

The paper is the first to show a relationship between institutional investors and advertising expenditures in the lodging industry.
The peculiar impact of higher room rates on customers' propensity to book
Authors: Schwartz Zvi , Chen ChihChien
Published: January 2010

Purpose

This study's goal is to examine how an intensified room rate signal affects customers' perceptions, their propensity to book, and consequently hotels' revenue maximization.

Design/methodology/approach

Subjects were asked to assess quality, sellout risk and the likelihood of getting a better deal based on an advanced booking scenario, where the signal's intensity was manipulated through the level of uncertainty. Analysis was conducted using a GLM multivariate procedure and a polytomous universal model.

Findings

The results suggest that high quoted rates might affect customers' perceptions, their propensity to book, and consequently the hotel's revenues. Surprisingly, the impact of the high room rate signal on the sellout risk perception reversed its direction with the intensified signal.

Research limitations/implications

The results imply that the maximal achievable revenue levels reported in a previous theoretical study ought to be re‐calculated because the assumptions used were not supported by the study's findings.

Practical implications

The study demonstrated yet again that price affects the booking decision beyond the monetary value. It sends a signal that affects several perceptions and shapes the consumers' booking decision. Moreover, the intensity of the signal might change the direction of the impact.

Originality/value

The study is a first attempt to examine price signal intensity and the impact of the signal's strength in an advanced booking environment. The theoretical and practical implications underscore the need to better understand the complex impact that price changes have on consumer reactions and consequently on the effectiveness of hotels' revenue management policies.
Forces driving the growth of the restaurant industry in the USA
Authors: Hua Nan , Templeton Amanda
Published: January 2010

Purpose

The primary purpose of this study is to identify the drivers of the annual growth for publicly traded restaurant firms in the USA.

Design/methodology/approach

Built on previous research, the study constructs an econometric model to systematically investigate growth drivers of the restaurant industry using data from publicly traded restaurant firms in the USA.

Findings

Annual changes in size and market share were found to be positively and significantly related to restaurants' one‐year ahead annual growth. In addition, the annual change of leverage is negatively and significantly related to this growth. However, annual changes in book to market, market risk premium, as well as earnings growth fail to exhibit significance, controlling for franchising, internationalization, and year effects.

Research limitations/implications

Results may not be directly generalizable to all restaurant firms at large, considering that the sample is drawn from only publicly traded restaurant firms. In addition, there may be certain variables that the study did not directly observe but which influence firms' growth. Exploring a combination of both financial and nonfinancial variables may shed more light on the growth issue, especially with a more comprehensive data set.

Practical implications

The paper recommends that restaurant executives should focus on market share, size, leverage, and franchise to improve the annual sales growth for the following year in addition to market risk premium.

Originality/value

The study attempts to provide, for the first time, systematic financial evidence about growth drivers of the restaurant industry employing representative secondary data from publicly traded restaurant firms. Understanding the driving forces behind the growth of the restaurant firms is of great importance to investors, financial analysts and management.
Hospitality managers' knowledge of HIV and HIV education: an exploratory study
Authors: Yap Matthew H.T. , Ineson Elizabeth M.
Published: January 2010

Purpose

This exploratory study aims to determine Asian hospitality managers' (AHMs') perceptions of HIV education in their workplaces and their knowledge of HIV.

Design/methodology/approach

A mixed‐methodology research design gathered quantitative data from 32 English‐speaking AHMs, selected using probability and non‐probability sampling techniques, through a postal questionnaire. In addition, 12 of them agreed to participate in follow‐up telephone interviews to further investigate this research topic. Transformed raw data were analysed using both qualitative and quantitative analytical methods.

Findings

AHMs supported HIV education with a strong understanding of the transmission and treatment of HIV. In addition, they revealed an acceptable level of knowledge regarding its effects on individuals and societies. However, their understanding of its nature, extent and general effects was weak. Based on the imperfection of AHMs' HIV knowledge, they appear to be disseminating incorrect information to their peers and subordinates.

Research limitations/implications

The external validity of the study is affected due to its sensitive nature to generate quantitative data based on 32 respondents.

Practical implications

The development and implementation of workplace education and training programmes required immediate consideration to eradicate misunderstandings regarding the acquisition, transmission and development of HIV.

Originality/value

The exploratory study supplemented the sparse literature addressing HIV knowledge of AHMs and the need of HIV education for hospitality employers and employees in their workplaces to curb the spread of HIV.
Will parental influences affect career choice?
Authors: Chak‐keung Wong Simon , Jing Liu Gloria
Published: January 2010

Purpose

This study aims to examine how the perceptions of hospitality and tourism management (HTM) undergraduates about their parental influences predict their career choice intention with regard to the hospitality and tourism (H&T) industry in China.

Design/methodology/approach

A self‐administered questionnaire containing 22 parental influence attributes was given to both junior and senior students studying HTM programmes. Primary research on students' perceptions of parental influences on career choice has been undertaken in ten universities across five cities in China, with 566 valid samples acquired as a result.

Findings

Three out of six parental influential factors derived from 22 attributes are determined as being the salient predictors for students' H&T career choice intention. Those three factors are “perceived parental supports of the H&T industry”, “perceived parental career concerns about welfare and prestige”, and “perceived parental barriers to career choice”. Demographic differences in parental influential factors are also revealed in the study.

Research limitations/implications

The findings need to be confirmed by further evidence from other countries with different cultures. Future research should investigate students studying different majors, or at various educational levels. The variables of internship experience and colleges or universities being attended also deserve more attention. Another interesting topic would be to study parental influences on career choice from the parents' perspectives.

Originality/value

The knowledge obtained from the study will increase the very limited understanding of the effects of perceived parental influences on career choice, which might then lead to more attraction and recruitment of students to the H&T industry in China.
Temporal changes in factors affecting convention participation decision
Authors: Jung‐Eun Yoo Joanne , Chon Kaye
Published: January 2010

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to examine whether factors that may affect potential attendees' convention participation decision change over time. In today's competitive environment, marketers of associations and destinations make considerable efforts to increase the number of attendees for the conventions they host. Optimizing attendance relies on a clear understanding of the dynamic decision‐making process of prospective attendees.

Design/methodology/approach

The study panel was selected from a pool of hospitality and tourism association members, and they were surveyed with an identical questionnaire on two separate occasions. The 107 paired sets were used for data analysis.

Findings

The study showed that there were significant changes in the effects of the following factors on the convention participation decision: networking opportunities, safety and health situation, and travelability.

Research limitations/implications

The generalizability of the research is limited by its time scope and sample size. A three‐month split between the two sampling periods may not be sufficient to assess the temporal changes. The empirical results of the study can serve as a base to reveal how potential attendees' convention participation decision may change over time. Using the measurement scale, industry practitioners can evaluate the impact of their marketing strategies and assist in changing potential attendees' convention participation decision into one for convention attendance.

Originality/value

The study is the first attempt to assess the dynamic aspects of the convention participation decision‐making process.
What drives word‐of‐mouth in restaurants?
Authors: Longart Pedro
Published: January 2010

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to analyse variables that influence positive word‐of‐mouth (PWOM) in restaurants.

Design/methodology/approach

An experiential survey was conducted in a restaurant, located in a busy area of London. It was divided into two phases to consumers, as two potential triggers of PWOM were compared.

Findings

Satisfaction with food and drink affect PWOM significantly, as does an intangible aspect called “the power of context”. In relation to specific triggers of PWOM, surprises given before customers order have a significant impact on PWOM, but not if offered after the main course is served.

Research limitations/implications

The research was conducted in one restaurant. A cross‐sectional analysis would have been beneficial, since restaurant type or occasion may affect findings. Future research will focus on what the power of context entails in restaurant settings.

Practical implications

Restaurateurs should focus their attentions on offering food and drink of consistent quality and also create something unique or distinctive in their outlets to encourage PWOM. Introducing surprises as a tactic to encourage PWOM will entail a challenging task.

Originality/value

It appears to be the first research of its type and practical actions to encourage PWOM are derived from the research.
Complexipacity, wisdom and education
Authors: Abeles Tom
Published: January 2010

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to explore the impact of the emerging science of complexity and the rise of fast computational capabilities on human understanding of the world and the implications for education.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper presents a scenario in which the skills and experience of individuals are compared to those that can be undertaken by technology.

Findings

The paper points out the complexity that smart computers may have on humans and human society and provides some critical issues that must be considered as technology rapidly presents new, more powerful and sophisticated devices with on‐board artificial intelligence.

Originality/value

The paper concludes that complexipacity may be the blending of education with real world experience, cause with purpose, and humans with fast adders.
1, 2, a few, and many
Authors: Schumann Paul
Published: January 2010

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to: give a brief history of the development of complexity science for people unfamiliar with the details of complexity science; describe the different types of complexity; discuss examples of the types of complexity, and introduce some ideas about how complexity could be introduced into education.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper summarizes other work in the field of complexity science, and organizes the results in a new way with the intent of making a difficult subject easier for the reader to understand.

Findings

Two different types of complexity are described – organized and unorganized. The focus of the paper is on organized complexity of which three categories are described – complicated, chaotic and critical. Examples, descriptions and characteristics of each category are given.

Practical implications

Suggestions are given as to how this transformational science could be integrated into education.

Originality/value

The paper summarizes other work in the field of complexity science, and organizes the results in a new way with the intent of making a difficult subject easier for the reader to understand.
Higher education in management: reinventing the paradigm to gain the capacity to handle today's complexity
Authors: Ramos Viacava Keitiline , Avila Pedrozo Eugenio
Published: January 2010

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to highlight how methodological and educational construction in the realm of higher education in management – which aims to meet the demands of current problems – depends on the recognition of open systems' dynamic complexity at their multiple levels, on the interdependence between ecosphere or ecosystem Earth and organizations and individuals, as well as on the integration of the neurocerebral system (as a complex unit of the whole) based on adaptive decision making as a feature that emerges from the system.

Design/methodology/approach

Having complexity as a background, this paper is based on post‐normal science and interdisciplinary practices to discuss the following points in an interrelated and non‐linear way: multidimensional organizations, decisions and strategies, teaching of strategic skills oriented towards adaptive decision making, metacognitive development and emotion/motivation.

Findings

The adaptive decision perspective adopted by post‐normal science encourages the incorporation of human characteristics and potentialities that are currently neglected in management sciences. Such characteristics and potentialities mean evolving from an understanding of the human mind as an automatic data processor to a logic that allows us to consider the interaction between emotion and cognition as well as between these two and their environment, thus connecting individual‐organization‐society. This paper suggests that teaching/learning strategic skills oriented to adaptive decision making depends on educators and students' metacognitive development and on identifying social and environmental conditions that are capable of promoting the emotional/motivational balance needed for such expression.

Research limitations/implications

There is no empirical proof.

Originality/value

Management studies have been oversimplified by a pragmatic and deterministic orientation. This paper is a contribution to higher education management educators who wish to focus on new elements in these studies, thus preparing management students to act with more awareness and flexibility in an organizational environment that is increasingly complex and ever changing. This environment is beginning to be guided by competitiveness and sustainability in a dialogical way, thus creating complex relations between individuals‐organizations‐society.
On becoming more complex (and what to do about it)
Authors: Owen Jacobs Thomas
Published: January 2010

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to examine an individual's capability to manage complex or “wicked” problems, and to suggest a logic for the design of interventions designed to improve personal complexipacity.

Design/methodology/approach

The suggested logic is based on review of cognitive skill and neuro‐imaging research.

Findings

Fischer's model of successive cognitive stages, based on the operation of successively more demanding cognitive processes, serves as a foundation for intervention suggestions to strengthen executive cognitive processes and thus the ability to create complex mental models. Critical cognitive processes include response inhibition, reflection, and integrative association of differentiated perceptual elements. Intervention design must take into account both basic processes and epistemic cognition (for Tier Three problems).

Practical implications

Global complexity results in large part from intelligent but often covert competition by organizations and governments for scarce resources. Gaining and maintaining competitive advantage is essential for continued organizational and national well‐being. Interventions designed according to the suggested principles should increase personal complexipacity.

Originality/value

Application of these principles should materially enhance the value of interventions designed to strengthen personal capability to manage complex problem solving and decision making.
The capability of young people
Authors: Rossan Sheila
Published: January 2010

Purpose

The aims of this (mainly) conceptual paper are twofold: first, to define “capability” as used within Bioss (what used to be the Brunel Institute of Organization and Social Studies), which is referred to as “complexipacity” elsewhere in this issue – and second, to describe the capability of two young people whose teachers and parents did not recognise their strengths.

Design/methodology/approach

Presents examples of conditions that make the expression of capability difficult, and typically include rules applied too rigidly or too bureaucratically, irrespective of the capability of the person, and also when there is a mismatch between the capability of the person wielding authority (teacher, boss, head of family) and the person who is the object of that authority (pupil, subordinate, children). That mismatch occurs when the capability of the authority‐holder is less than that of the people for whom she/he is responsible.

Findings

What is meant by “capability” is the ability to handle complexity, to juggle many variables at once, and to handle uncertainty and risk. It is clear that the potential level of capability is set at an early age, although that level may not be reached until the individual is past retirement age. The theory, evidence and practice all suggest that people vary in their capability; they develop at different rates; they mature to different levels. But everyone's capability continues to develop over time.

Originality/value

The paper shows that capability certainly exists in young people, whereas wisdom develops later. Capability cannot be taught, but that one can create conditions that allow it to be expressed, and thereby enhanced.