bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Business process outsourcing: a strategic review on Indian perspective
Authors: Panda Aruna Kumar
Published: November 2012

Purpose

The aim of this paper is to extend a conceptual understanding of business process outsourcing (BPO) and its prevailing practices in the background of the post‐liberalized economic scenario of India. Efforts have also been made to discuss the major work verticals of Indian ITES‐BPO industry, which further reveals the fact of its domain expertise and in‐time delivery of services in a pre‐determined standard with least possible cost that has made India a BPO hub. The later part of the study deals with an empirical SWOT‐analysis that highlights the key factors that have significant bearing to the very flourishment of this sunshine industry.

Design/methodology/approach

The data collected for the analysis are secondary in nature and include various journals, periodicals, survey reports and on‐line business reports/news. The techniques like trend analysis and SWOT analysis in particular have been implemented for the purpose of study.

Findings

The paper found that in addition to the growth of traditional industries, patronization of this emerging sector is also a high necessity, looking at its socio‐economic contribution to the society on one hand and considerable amount of employment creation and income generation capabilities for the bright mass of the country that restrict “brain drain”, on the other hand.

Originality/value

The paper describes, analyses and critiques the outsourcing industry in India with reference to a core theory base. It is expected to be helpful in stimulating the analytical mind of the researchers and industry practitioner of the area for scientific decision making and furthering the research on this particular aspect of business.
An MDA‐based framework for collaborative business process modelling
Authors: Bouchbout Khoutir , Akoka Jacky , Alimazighi Zaia
Published: November 2012

Purpose

This paper aims to present a new approach for developing a framework based on a model driven architecture (MDA) for the modelling of technology‐independent collaborative processes.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper suggests a new collaborative process modelling approach based on an MDA and a metamodelling technique. The research method, based on the design science approach, was started by identifying the characteristics of the collaborative processes, which distinguish them from the classical intraorganizational ones. Then, the generic collaborative business process (CBP) modelling framework is developed based on MDA approach and definition of a set of transformation rules through three layers: business, process, and technical. After that, the core component of the framework was the proposition of a generic CBP metamodel at PIM/MDA level. The specific collaboration participant's business processes (expressed as BPMN model) are generated from the generic CBP model represented as an UML2 Profile activity diagram, which is compliant to CBP metamodel. Finally, as proof‐of‐concept, the architecture of an Eclipse‐based open development platform is developed implementing an e‐Procurement collaborative process.

Findings

The proposed framework for CBP modelling and the generic CBP metamodel contribute towards a more efficient methodology and have consequences for BPM‐related collaboration, facilitating the B2B processes modelling and implementation. In order to demonstrate and evaluate the practical applicability of the framework, the architecture of an Eclipse‐based open development platform is developed implementing a collaborative business application on the basis of an e‐Procurement use case.

Research limitations/implications

There is a need to focus future research efforts on the improvement of the semi‐automatic transformation phase from public to private processes which needs human intervention by adding a suitable interfaces at both sides of the B2B interaction. In addition, the problem of semantic heterogeneities regarding the partner's business process elements (business documents, activity/task names) should be tackled by developing an approach that uses ontology.

Practical implications

Business processes developers find a B2B technology‐independent solution for implementing and using interorganizational information systems.

Originality/value

The paper provides a framework that enables the CBP modelling and integrates a generic CBP metamodel. Currently, to the best of the authors' knowledge, such a generic metamodel and his instantiation have not so far been developed.
Understanding perceived service quality and satisfaction
Authors: Jaber Hossain Muhammad , Islam Anwarul
Published: November 2012

Purpose

The study measures perceived service quality (PSQ) associated with user satisfaction of Dhaka University Library (DUL). To identify the service quality users’ needs and expectations were initially identified. Users’ perceptions of current services were also identified, from which current perceived service performance was identified.

Design/methodology/approach

A modified SERVQUAL instrument was used to survey DUL users. User responses for minimum, expected, and perceived services were calculated. A gap analysis was done to measure the PSQ that reveals two types of service gaps, i.e. positive gap provides quality services, and negative gap indicates the service shortfall. Users’ satisfaction level was also identified. In both cases (assessment of PSQ and satisfaction), “ME” (minimum service level) was used as common comparison standard.

Findings

The outcome of the study shows that “library hours” is the only service item which got the exclusive acceptance and ensured optimum satisfaction of the users, while other items fall short of meeting the user's need.

Research limitations/implications

The present study only identified different problematic areas of DU library services.

Originality/value

Very few attempts have been made to measure the service quality offered by Dhaka University library in Bangladesh. It is hoped that this study will trigger more research on understanding perceived service quality and satisfaction.
Factors required for mobile search going mainstream
Authors: Luis Gómez‐Barroso José , Bacigalupo Margherita , Nikolov Stavri G. , Compañó Ramón , Feijóo Claudio
Published: November 2012

Purpose

This article aims to review the technological and socio‐economic conditions which will influence the development of the mobile search market.

Design/methodology/approach

An expert workshop with academics, industry representatives and market analysts was organised to discuss and analyse the results of an online survey of techno‐economic and socio‐economic aspects concerning the evolution of mobile search.

Findings

Despite clear positive signs, forecasted great expectations around mobile search are not yet supported by economic market evidence. Substantial development work for creating new applications ripe for the mass market is still needed, although there seems to be no fundamental technological barrier to that. Location‐based services, augmented reality, real‐time information search, and social network search and recommendations, have been identified as some of the key trends that may shape the future of mobile search. User demand for innovative mobile search‐based applications is largely taken for granted, but experts lack a clear view on suitable business models that would allow for sustainable economic development.

Originality/value

Innovating is not only inventing. Understanding what drives customers' willingness to use – and to pay for – a product or service is essential in order to design appropriate services and introduce these innovations to the market. There is a growing literature on mobile search‐related technology, but the market context is largely unexplored.
Attitudes towards information ethics: a view from Egypt
Authors: Khalil Omar E.M. , Seleim Ahmed A.S.
Published: November 2012

Purpose

The information technology (IT) related ethical issues will only increase in frequency and complexity with the increasing diffusion of IT in economies and societies. The purpose of this paper is to explore Egyptian students' attitudes towards the information ethics issues of privacy, access, property, and accuracy, and it evaluates the possible impact of a number of personal characteristics on such attitudes.

Design/methodology/approach

This research utilized a cross‐sectional sample and data set to test five hypotheses. It adopted an instrument to collect the respondents' background information and assess their attitudes towards the information ethics issues of privacy, property, accuracy, and access. Egyptian business students at Alexandria University were asked to participate in the survey. A total of 305 responses were collected and analyzed.

Findings

The analysis revealed that students are sensitive to the ethicality of information privacy, information accuracy, and information access. However, students are insensitive to the ethicality of property (software) right. In addition, years of education have a main effect on students' attitudes towards property, and gender and age have an interaction effect on students' attitudes towards access.

Research limitations/implications

The findings of this research are based on a cross‐sectional data set collected from a sample of business students at a public university. Students, however, may make poor surrogates for business or IT professionals. Future similar research designs that employ large samples from Egyptian working professionals and students in other private and public universities are needed to verify the findings of this research.

Practical implications

The findings suggest that the investigated university as well as the other similar Egyptian universities should consider integrating ethics education into their curricula. Teaching information ethics, especially from an Islamic perspective, is expected to positively influence students' information ethical attitudes. The enforcement of the existing property right protection laws should also curb software piracy in the Egyptian market.

Originality/value

It is vital to expand the ethical research currently being performed in IT in order to help bridge the gap between behavior and IT. The findings of this research extend the understanding of students' attitudes towards the information ethics issues in Egyptian culture and contribute to the growing body of knowledge on global information ethics.
SEC adopts consolidated audit trail
Authors: Brigagliano James , Campion Kevin , Katz David , Blake Andrew
Published: November 2012

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to explain the requirements of SEC Rule 613 under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, which requires national securities exchanges and FINRA jointly to develop a national market system plan (NMS Plan) that provides for the creation, implementation and maintenance of a consolidated order tracking system (“consolidated order trail” or “CAT”) as well as the creation of a central repository responsible for the receipt, consolidation, and retention of all order and quote information for NMS securities.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper discusses weaknesses of current, multiple order tracking systems; core features of the framework adopted by the SEC to create a CAT, including the creation of a central repository; key considerations for market participants, including data reporting methods and funding the creation, implementation and maintenance of the CAT; timing and phased implementation of the NMS Plan; security and order types covered by the CAT; persons required to report information to the central repository; reportable events and CAT data elements; timing and reporting to the central repository; ownership, governance and operation of the central repository; access to CAT data; parties required to comply with Rule 613e and the NMS Plan; and governance and operation of the NMS Plan.

Findings

Under the requirements of Rule 613, and through the NMS Plan that must be developed by the exchanges and FINRA, the CAT is intended to provide a comprehensive and uniform tracking mechanism for secondary market activity in all NMS securities.

Originality/value

The paper provides guidance by experienced financial services lawyers.
Investment advisers to ERISA plans and plan asset funds will be subject to new disclosure obligations effective July 1, 2012
Authors: Bogner Ira , Projansky Robert , Weinstein Steven , Scoll Adam
Published: November 2012

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to explain the US Department of Labor's final regulations under Section 408(b)(2) of ERISA, concerning the fact that information investment advisers to ERISA‐covered pension plans and private investment funds deemed to hold the “plan assets” of ERISA‐covered pension plans must disclose regarding the services they provide and the compensation they receive to such ERISA plans.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper summarizes the material provisions of the Final Regulations that apply to investment advisers to funds deemed to hold plan assets, including definitions of “covered service providers” and “covered plans,” a listing of required disclosures, an explanation of disclosure timing and format, and a discussion of possible responses for advisers that are not covered service providers.

Findings

Under the Final Regulations, investment advisers to ERISA‐covered pension plans and private investment funds deemed to hold the “plan assets” of ERISA‐covered pension plans must disclose certain information regarding the services they provide and the compensation they receive to such ERISA plans.

Originality/value

The paper provides practical guidance from experienced financial services lawyers.
Selected FINRA notices and disciplinary actions, June‐August 2012
Authors: Davis Henry A.
Published: November 2012

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to provide selected Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA) Regulatory Notices and Disciplinary Actions issued in June, July, and August 2012.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper provides FINRA Regulatory Notice 12‐29, Communications with the Public, and Notice 12‐38, Short Interest Reporting.

Findings

Notice 12‐29: the SEC has approved FINRA's proposed rule changes to adopt a new set of communication rules that become effective February 4, 2013. They address communications in three categories: institutional communication, retail communication, and correspondence. Among other things, the rules cover approval, review and recordkeeping requirements; content standards; and guidelines for public appearances. Notice 12‐38: the SEC approved amendments to FINRA Rule 4560 to codify the requirement that member firms report only “gross” short interest existing in each proprietary and customer account (rather than net positions across accounts) and clarify that member firms' short interest reports must reflect only those short interest positions that settled.

Originality/value

These FINRA notices are selected to provide a useful indication of regulatory trends.
Perceptions of the Hamilton New Zealand casino upon local residents
Authors: Lockyer Tim
Published: November 2012

Purpose

This paper aims to provide an understanding of the influence of a casino on local inhabitants.

Design/methodology/approach

The research reports on the findings of a longitudinal study conducted over a period of eight years which consisted of three identical surveys of local Hamilton residents to determine perceptions regarding having a casino in town. It was felt that the longitudinal approach could bring richness and new dimension to a quantitative research.

Findings

The study found that over the eight‐year period there were very few changes in the perceptions of local Hamilton residents, both those who had been to the casino and those who had not been to the casino. It was of particular interest to note the gender difference between males and females regarding positive and negative aspects of the casino.

Research limitations/implications

The study reinforces the differences in perception of local people between those who have and have not visited the casino. This indicates that promotional activities to those who have not visited the casino may be beneficial to the overall community views and thus overall perception of casinos.

Originality/value

The paper provides industry with an understanding of the perceptions of local resident attitudes toward casinos over an extended period of time.
A rule‐based system for hybrid search and delivery of learning objects to learners
Authors: Biletskiy Yevgen , Baghi Hamidreza , Steele Jarrett , Vovk Ruslan
Published: November 2012

Purpose

Presently, searching the internet for learning material relevant to ones own interest continues to be a time‐consuming task. Systems that can suggest learning material (learning objects) to a learner would reduce time spent searching for material, and enable the learner to spend more time for actual learning. The purpose of this paper is to present a system of “hybrid search and delivery of learning objects to learners”.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper presents a system of “hybrid search and delivery of learning objects to learners” that combines the use of WordNet for semantic query expansion and an approach to personalized learning object delivery by suggesting relevant learning objects based on attributes specified in the learner's profile. The learning objects are related to the learner's attributes using the IEEE LOM and IMS LIP standards. The system includes a web crawler to collect learning objects from existing learning object repositories, such as NEEDS or SMETE.

Findings

The presented HSDLO system has the ability to accurately search and deliver learning objects of interest to a learner as well as adjust the learner's profile over time by evaluating the learner's preferences implicitly through the learning object selections.

Research limitations/implications

Since real LOM's from SMETE are not much populated, the system is tested with a limited set of attributes. The system is evaluated using a test bench rather than real learners.

Originality/value

The paper proposes a combination of three search techniques in one system as well an architectural solution which can be used for other types of online search engines.
Managing participatory action research in a health‐care service experiencing conflicts
Authors: Gozzoli Caterina , Frascaroli Daniela
Published: November 2012

Purpose

The purpose of the paper is to explore why it was considered useful and how it was possible to conduct a participatory action research (PAR) in a health‐care service experiencing conflictual dynamics (which affected service quality) and on the challenges this entailed. Specific attention is given to the action researchers’ role.

Design/methodology/approach

A methodological reflection is developed starting from theoretical considerations and a case study. In response to the committee group's request concerning the need to better understand and manage the criticalities and conflict episodes faced by a service for sufferers of Alzheimer's disease, the authors proposed and realized a PAR. The PAR is described considering: the process, some outcomes, the functions and actions performed by the action researchers, and the dilemmas and challenges they faced.

Findings

The case study revealed it was fundamental for the action researchers to perform a constant mediating function when conducting a PAR in an organization experiencing conflictual dynamics. How this function was carried out is described. Furthermore, the dilemmas, challenges and risks faced by the action researchers in proposing this PAR are addressed.

Research limitations/implications

In this PAR the main limitations and open issues concern both the possibility of assessing outcomes and processes in a medium to long time frame and the cyclical turnover of patients and caregivers, raising the question of legacy.

Originality/value

In analyzing a specific case, the authors focus upon both the indicators that allowed them to assess usefulness, feasibility and sustainability of the PAR in a conflictual context and the functions assumed, actions realized, and challenges faced by the action researchers.
Autopilot? A reflexive review of the piloting process in qualitative e‐research
Authors: Pritchard Katrina , Whiting Rebecca
Published: November 2012

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to examine an oft‐neglected aspect of qualitative research practice – conducting a pilot – using the innovative approach of “e‐research” to generate both practical and methodological insights.

Design/methodology/approach

Using the authors’ “e‐research” pilot as a reflexive case study, key methodological issues are critically reviewed. This review is set in a broader context of the qualitative methods literature in which piloting appears largely as an implicit practice. Using a new and emerging approach (“e‐research”) provides a prompt to review “autopilot” tendencies and offers a new lens for analysing research practice.

Findings

The authors find that despite an initial focus on “practical” aspects of data collection within their “e‐research”, the pilot opened up a range of areas for further consideration. The authors review research ethics, collaborative research practices and data management issues specifically for e‐research but also reflect more broadly on potential implications for piloting within other research designs.

Practical implications

The authors aim to offer both practical and methodological insights for qualitative researchers, whatever their methodological orientation, so that they might develop approaches for piloting that are appropriate to their own research endeavours. More specifically, the authors offer tentative guidance to those venturing into the emerging area of “e‐research”.

Originality/value

This paper offers insight into an oft‐ignored aspect of qualitative research, whilst also engaging in an emerging area of methodological interest.
A study on the identification of factors affecting the life quality of breast cancer patients
Authors: Somunoğlu Sinem , Tatar Mehtap
Published: November 2012

Purpose

Breast cancer is a type of cancer affecting the health of women in many countries. The aim of this study is to determine the effect of breast cancer and its treatment procedures on the quality of life.

Design/methodology/approach

The study was carried out in Hacettepe University Oncology Hospital and The European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer Quality of Life Questionnaire and Breast Cancer Module were used.

Findings

It was found that 29.8 per cent of the patients were in phase 4 of the disease, 86.8 per cent already had an operation while 84.1 per cent had chemotherapy. There were statistically significant differences between the levels of the life quality for pain dimension in the symptom scale, body image dimension in the module functional scale, sexual function dimension in the module functional scale, arm symptoms dimension in module symptom scale and age groups; the levels of life quality for dyspnoea dimension in the symptom scale, anorexia dimension of the symptom scale, financial difficulties dimension of the symptom scale and the duration of the disease; the levels of life quality for fatigue dimension in the symptom scale, diarrhea dimension in the symptom scale and the phase of the cancer; the levels of life quality for physical functionality dimension in the functional scale, constipation dimension in the symptom scale and receiving chemotherapy. In the light of the findings, attempts to improve health and creation of different behaviours are important for life quality.

Originality/value

This is original research that sheds light on life quality issues for women diagnosed with breast cancer.
Leadership attributes, culture and communism: analyses of cases 1998‐2008 from China
Authors: Liang Qiaozhuan , Meng Yao , Li Shuxiang , Yuan Bo
Published: November 2012

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to track the changes of leadership attributes during the process of social development from 1998 to 2008 in China, and then to explore whether the significant events have potential impacts on the changes of leadership attributes during this time.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors conducted two studies through qualitative approach, based on data collected from Chinese official newspapers (People's Daily and Guangming Daily) covering 216 stories (90 stories in Study 1 and 126 stories in Study 2). The first study focuses on comparing the leadership attributes in 2008 with those in 1998 and 1988 presented in previous research to find out the changes. In the second study, the most significant events are selected during the period of 1998‐2008 and their effects on the changes of leadership attributes are examined.

Findings

The findings show that leadership attributes changed during the ten years and some new attributes are advocated in China. Furthermore, the changes of leadership attributes, especially for non‐business leaders, relate to the occurrence of significant events and reflect the changes of government policies.

Originality/value

Although some literature has explored leadership attributes in China, this study contributes to the extant research in two ways. First, it promotes the use of existing documents as data sources of longitudinal study to track the changes of leadership attributes. Second, it advances the line of inquiry of leadership attributes in China by concentrating on the factors driving those changes.
Entropy – disrupting Ansoff's five levels of environmental turbulence
Authors: Kipley Dan , Lewis Alfred , Jewe Ron
Published: November 2012

Purpose

The paper aims to examine Igor Ansoff's research on environmental turbulence and to extend the paradigm.

Design/methodology/approach

Ansoff's contribution was examined and applied to a variety of situations. The scale as designed did not capture certain strategic surprises.

Findings

The increasingly discontinuous environment requires a modified scaling of depicting changes in the environment.

Research limitations/implications

This study highlights the need for researchers to extend theories and premises due to environmental discontinuities.

Practical implications

A new assessment tool to measure turbulence and discontinuity is provided.

Originality/value

The paper makes a contribution to the understanding of discontinuity in the environment.
The role of ICTs in conflict transformation in Egypt
Authors: Richardson Jayson W. , Brantmeier Edward J.
Published: November 2012

Purpose

The world is now in an era of condensed space and time in which cultural dynamics, including cultural conflict, are increasingly mediated by powerful technologies that hold the potential to accelerate change and create new opportunities. Conversely, these same powerful technologies, and the denial thereof, are used to sustain oppressive conditions and wage war for ideological (e.g. religion and politics) and material purposes (e.g. water, oil, and food). From the power of networking, in addition to the tyranny of isolation, information and communication technologies (ICTs) hold the potential for transformative change, as well as to maintain status quo through oppression and domination. The purpose of this paper is to create a model that attempts to delineate the role of ICTs in catalyzing a peaceful and democratic conflict transformation, while using a snapshot of the Egyptian Revolution of 2011; also to hypothesize that the adoption of modern digital technologies has created a mechanism for protests to achieve their ends through relatively peaceful mechanisms.

Design/methodology/approach

This analysis explores the use of ICTs in the protest process, using a snapshot of the Egyptian protests of 2011. The authors test a model of ICTs for peace and conflict transformation.

Findings

It is found that, in essence, it effectively describes nuances of the modern protest process. However, the researchers propose a modified explanatory model of how ICTs are used, and can be used, for political mobilization on the road toward sustainable peace.

Research limitations/implications

Every protest and every regime change is unique. The model used in this case needs to be tested further in other instances.

Social implications

This model could be used to analyze other protests and uprising to understand an array of stakeholders' needs.

Originality/value

Analyzing those events that are fundamentally being changed through the use of modern technology is a valuable contribution to the field.
Exploitation, profit and theriba‐interest reductionism
Authors: Omar Farooq Mohammad
Published: November 2012

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to provide a critical appraisal of the theme ofzulm(injustice/exploitation) in light of the Islamic finance literature and the general attitude and approach of the Islamic finance industry and its advocates.

Design/methodology/approach

Based on an expanding theoretical and empirical knowledge base about Islamic finance and banking movement, and the emerging understanding about the role of profit and corporate behavior, a critical analysis of the role ofriba, interest and profit in widespread injustice and exploitation is presented.

Findings

On the basis of the behavior of the Islamic finance industry, it seems that the industry's current practices are either neutral to the issue of injustice/exploitation or mirrors the tendencies of the conventional finance. Furthermore, when comparing the exploitative role of interest and profit, the latter seems to be more consequential than generally understood and acknowledged.

Research limitations/implications

Islamic economics/finance literature should have more empirical research in identifying and understanding the nature of exploitation in the contemporary world and in how the current practices or tendencies are minimizing or abetting the challenge of exploitation.

Practical implications

The larger goal of the Islamic finance and banking movement should be to be in harmony with themaqasidof Islam to minimizezulm(injustice/exploitation) in the society.

Social implications

The larger goal of the Islamic finance and banking movement should be to be in harmony with themaqasidof Islam to minimizezulm(injustice/exploitation) in the society.

Originality/value

While the literature of Islamic economics and finance is rather robust, this might be the first work that critically examines theriba‐interest reductionism, especially to focus on its implication for attention of the industry being away from exploitation in general and the relationship between profit and exploitation in particular.
Reflections on LTV, risk and incentives in mortgage markets
Authors: Arne Borgersen Trond , Greibrokk Jørund
Published: November 2012

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to highlight the short run incentives for increasing LTV ratios that develop among mortgagees and mortgagors in the presence of excess return to housing. The paper provides a conventional framework for analyzing the capital structure of housing investments where higher LTV‐ratios comes about as stronger appreciation is met by increased mortgage rates and both mortgagees and mortgagors are short sighted.

Design/methodology/approach

The comment applies a capital structure approach to housing investments, highlighting the return to home equity. The paper distinguishes between price and leverage gains and presents a framework where the excess return to housing provides incentives for increasing LTV ratios. To illustrate, the Norwegian housing market is applied. The paper discusses short run market developments and the potential need for macro prudential regulations while introducing credit risk policy, nominal return targets and risk pricing.

Findings

The implementation of a simplistic capital structure approach to housing investments brings about a framework that allows us to present the incentives for, as well as the risk associated with, higher LTV ratios for both mortgagees and mortgagors. Short sightedness among mortgagees, driven by nominal return targets, allows mortgagors higher LTV‐ratios and increased risk taking.

Originality/value

While standard when analyzing commercial real estate, the capital structure approach – and the formal distinction between price and leverage gains for homeowners – is to the best of the authors' knowledge novel when analyzing housing finance. To understand the mechanisms impacting this playing field is important for both market analysts and regulators.
Assessing gender biases
Authors: Mills Maura J. , Culbertson Satoris S. , Huffman Ann H. , Connell Angela R.
Published: November 2012

Purpose

The purpose of this research is to develop and validate a new gender role stereotypes scale intended to be a short, effective, and modern measure of gender role attitudes.

Design/methodology/approach

A total of 800 participants completed an online survey, with 546 completing a second survey one week later. Recommended scale development procedures were utilized throughout in order to design and test the proposed instrument.

Findings

Item analyses determined a final set of most effective items, while exploratory and confirmatory factor analyses provided support for the eight‐item, two‐dimensional (female stereotypes, male stereotypes) scale (Gender Role Stereotypes Scale – GRSS). Additionally, internal consistency and test‐retest reliabilities were acceptable, as was the construct‐related validity. This study also finds that gender role stereotypes are best examined as a two‐factor construct (male, female), rather than conceptualized as two poles of a unidimensional continuum.

Practical implications

The GRSS has advantages over similar measures, including that it assesses attitudes toward both men and women with only eight items, and includes items that are easily understandable, cross‐culturally appropriate, and modern. Practitioners can use the GRSS to assess potential gender role stereotypes held by management. If managers are found to have highly traditional gender role stereotypes, organizations may be able to intervene before stereotypes affect performance ratings or task assignments.

Originality/value

This paper yields an updated and sound measurement scale to replace outdated scales assessing similar constructs and/or assessing only one gender role stereotype (male or female, versus both). The GRSS allows for the parsimonious, comprehensive, and effective measurement of gender role stereotypes in research and practice alike.
BAME women business owners: how intersectionality affects discrimination and social support
Authors: Fielden Sandra , Davidson Marilyn J.
Published: November 2012

Purpose

The aim of this paper is to explore the intersection between gender and ethnicity in relation to discrimination and the problems encountered in accessing social support (including emotional and instrumental support) experienced by Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic (BAME) women business owners.

Design/methodology/approach

Qualitative data were collected through in‐depth interviews with 40 BAME women small business owners based in North West England. The main aims and objectives of the study were to: investigate the discriminatory experiences of BAME women small business owners related to the intersection between their gender and ethnicity, and to identify the forms (formal and informal) and types (emotional/instrumental) of social support available in relation to their entrepreneurial activities that enabled them to cope with and overcome, the discrimination they may encounter.

Findings

The degree of discrimination experienced was reported as a result of gender, ethnic background or an intersection between both. This was attributed to a number of factors, including stereotypical difficulties in accessing different types of formal social support, e.g. formal business and financial support. Informal support by respondents' families was reported as a key source of both emotional and instrumental support.

Research limitations/implications

This paper is just a starting point for this area of research and, because the sample covers women from a variety of BAME backgrounds, it is not possible to generalise the findings to the wider population of BAME women. However, it does give an indication of what issues need to be considered in the provision of instrumental support for BAME women small business owners.

Practical implications

The paper shows that a key element in the development of a strategy for addressing the needs of the BAME women small business owners is the necessity to appropriately re‐design mainstream business support systems and financial services, in order to provide these women effective access to formal social support.

Originality/value

The experiences of BAME women small business owners have received little attention and this paper offers a unique insight into the relationship between how the intersection between gender and ethnicity impact on experiences of discrimination and social support. Whilst it highlights many intra group differences, it has also demonstrated the lack of homogeneity between and within women from different ethnic backgrounds.
“Winter sports under a summer sun”: the marketing of Sun Valley ski resort in the 1930s
Authors: Esson Dylan J.
Published: November 2012

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to describe the growth of the early ski market and the marketing strategies that the Union Pacific Railroad took in promoting Sun Valley ski resort, one of the most popular early destination ski resorts in the USA.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper uses primary and secondary source material, including ski periodicals, national magazines and the manuscript collection of W. Averell Harriman, the Chairman of the Union Pacific Railroad during the creation of Sun Valley.

Findings

This paper finds that Sun Valley pioneered the western ski vacation by conducting careful market research into not only the snow and weather conditions of western mountains, but also into the habits and economic potential of skiers and winter tourists.

Originality/value

Scholarly work on skiing has primarily looked at the sport from the social and cultural perspective of skiers. Work on entrepreneurial objectives of ski resort designers has largely focused on the period after the Second World War. This is among the first works to analyze entrepreneurial activities and marketing strategies in the ski industry before the Second World War. As a result, the paper challenges the idea that big business only began to shape the ski industry during the Cold War. Instead, this paper shows that large corporations like the Union Pacific Railroad were influential in growing the ski market by building resorts that illustrated the importance of market segmentation to the success of ski areas. In this way, the paper challenges the popular idea that Sun Valley was merely a media sensation and shows that it was a carefully designed business that exhibited a nuanced approach to changes in the ski market.
Did agricultural technological changes affect China's regional disparity?
Authors: Liu Xiaoyun , Wang Xiuqing , Xin Xian
Published: November 2012

Purpose

China's agricultural sector has developed very rapidly in the past 30 years and agricultural technological progress is deemed one of the most substantial factors leading to its rapid agricultural GDP growth. The purpose of this paper is to assess the impacts of China's agricultural technological changes on its regional disparity.

Design/methodology/approach

The study uses a computable general equilibrium (CGE) model of multiple regions and multiple sectors to investigate the impacts of agricultural technological changes on regional disparity. The CGE model structure includes production side, demand side, and market clearing conditions.

Findings

The results suggest that agricultural technological changes significantly reduced China's agricultural regional disparity and accounted for 40 percent reduction in agricultural regional disparity in terms of agricultural GDP per capita. Agricultural technological changes, however, led to an increase in China's overall regional disparity and accounted for 6 percent increase in its overall regional disparity in terms of per capita GDP.

Practical implications

China's GDP has been growing very rapidly since 1978 and agricultural GDP has been playing a decreasing role in China's overall GDP. Regional disparity in non‐agricultural GDP per capita overweighted the equalization of agricultural GDP per capita. The results imply that the Chinese government should resort more to non‐agricultural development to fight against the enlarging regional disparity.

Originality/value

China's agricultural technological changes have led to an increase in China's overall regional disparity while the changes have significantly reduced China's agricultural regional disparity.
Clean development mechanism in North‐South trade
Authors: Ping Lo Chu
Published: November 2012

Purpose

There is great conflict between some developed countries and developing countries regarding attitudes toward reducing global warming (e.g. the USA vs China). The aim of this paper is to argue that open trade doesn't necessarily increase world pollution if clean development mechanism (CDM) is generously undertaken and if the CDM devotes considerable real resources in transfers of the associate abatement technology.

Design/methodology/approach

The impacts of trade on environment can be decomposed into scale, technique and composition effects. This paper incorporates abatement assets into Copeland and Taylor's model to argue that the technique effect stems from an increasing in pollution taxes and in international diffusion of abatement technology; however, the former is fully offset but the latter is facilitated by the CDM.

Findings

While world pollution is jointly determined by the composition and technique effects, in contrast to literature, open trade doesn't necessarily increase world pollution if CDM is generously undertaken with considerable real resources in abatement technology transfers.

Originality/value

Currently, there are more than about one half of the CDM projects that allocate no real resources in technology transfers. This study addresses how voluntary investment of the CDM from the North (e.g. the USA) to the South (e.g. China) might reduce pollution on a global level only if having “generously” technology transfer.
Disaggregated consumer prices and oil price pass‐through: evidence from Malaysia
Authors: Ibrahim Mansor H. , Said Rusmawati
Published: November 2012

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to analyze the oil price pass‐through into consumer price inflation for a developing country: Malaysia. The focus is on whether aggregate consumer prices and different consumer price components or sub‐price indexes are related in different ways to oil price in the long run and in the short run.

Design/methodology/approach

The analysis adopts the Phillips curve framework augmented to include the oil price. In modeling, a proper consideration is given to the integration and cointegration properties of the variables under consideration. Moreover, the asymmetric effects of oil price changes are also examined.

Findings

The paper finds evidence for a long run relation or cointegration of the oil price with only the aggregate consumer price and food price indexes. Moreover, in the short run, the oil price changes have significant bearings on the consumer price inflation, the food price inflation, the rent, fuel and power price inflation and the transportation and communication price inflation. In addition, the short‐run asymmetry in the oil price – food price inflation is also evident. Finally, the authors observe the neutrality of the medical care and health price index to the oil price changes.

Practical implications

The result that the inflationary consequence of oil price hikes is likely to work mainly through the food prices has important implications on the effects of oil price changes on the poor and policy directions to contain inflation.

Originality/value

The paper contributes to existing literature that has a predominant focus on the inflationary effect of oil prices at the aggregate level by looking at the relations between oil price and disaggregated good prices in the long run, short run, or both.
Effective dynamic capabilities in complex product systems: experiences of local Chinese firm
Authors: Su Jingqin , Liu Jing
Published: November 2012

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to explore effective dynamic capabilities for new product development project in complex product systems (CoPS) industries. This paper focuses on developing an exploratory framework for understanding dimensions of dynamic capabilities in CoPS distinguished from mass‐produced goods.

Design/methodology/approach

Based on a review of the literature and in‐depth case studies, this paper used data coding method with ROST CM6.0 to explore dimensions of dynamic capabilities in CoPS.

Findings

The results of the authors' case study of CNR Dalian Locomotive & Rolling Stock Company Ltd suggest that there are three dimensions and six sub‐dimensions of dynamic capabilities in CoPS, which include customer‐oriented perception capability, capability to control multi‐organization network, and absorptive capability on organizational learning.

Originality/value

This study highlights the different dimensions and effects on product innovation in CoPS and the implications of the proposed model for dynamic capabilities in a CoPS environment are discussed.
Developing venture capital system beyond economic capital concept
Authors: Etzkowitz Henry , Zhou Chunyan
Published: November 2012

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to explore an expanding venture capital (VC) system beyond economic capital concept, based on “triple bottom line” of enterprises.

Design/methodology/approach

A complete VC system is given, first of all, and then the gap in the existing VC system is explored. To develop a VC system, the gaps must be filled based on a university‐government‐industry triple helix. Since corporate value view has been changed from one‐dimensional to three‐dimensional, social as well as cultural, and humanistic elements must be considered in a broader VC system. The approaches include developing social capital, cultural capital and promoting risk awareness.

Findings

The VC system in a country/region consists of economic and non‐economic capital investment. Both play important roles in parallel. Social and cultural capital investment will work as “soft capital” to remit the gaps from an insufficient economic capital system.

Originality/value

The policy implication of this paper is that policy makers may give more thought to developing non‐economic capital to fill the VC gaps in either an existing or an expanding VC system.