bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A content analysis of advertising in a global magazine across seven countries
Authors: Nelson Michelle R. , Paek Hye‐Jin
Published: February 2007

Purpose

This research examines global advertising strategies and tactics in a global media brand for a shared audience across seven countries (Brazil, China, France, India, South Korea, Thailand, and USA).

Design/methodology/approach

A content analysis of advertisements in local editions of Cosmopolitan magazine compares the extent of standardization in execution elements (advertising copy, models) across product nationality (multinational, domestic) and category (beauty, other).

Findings

Local editions deliver more multinational than domestic product ads across all countries, except India. Overall, multinational product ads tend to use standardized strategies and tactics more than domestic product ads, although this propensity varies across countries. Beauty products (cosmetics, fashion) are more likely to use standardized approaches than are other products (e.g. cars, food, household goods).

Research limitations/implications

The research only examines one type of magazine and for one type of audience.

Practical implications

A global medium such as Cosmopolitan offers international advertisers an opportunity to reach a shared consumer segment of women with varying degrees of standardization, and that even in Asian countries, some standardization is possible.

Originality/value

This is the first multi‐country study to examine advertising executions for global advertising strategy within a transnational media brand. Unlike previous studies that advise against global strategy in Asia, we find that contemporary advertisers are practicing some global advertising strategies, but to varying degrees.
Consumer animosity: a literature review and a reconsideration of its measurement
Authors: Riefler Petra , Diamantopoulos Adamantios
Published: February 2007

Purpose

Consumer animosity has gained considerable attention in international marketing literature as a determinant of foreign product purchase behaviour. The purpose of this paper is two‐fold: first, a state‐of‐the‐art review of consumer animosity research is presented and specific issues for future research on consumer animosity are raised. Second, potential problems associated with the measurement of consumer animosity are highlighted and an alternative perspective for operationalizing the construct is proposed.

Design/methodology/approach

First, a critical literature review on empirical consumer animosity studies is undertaken. Second, exploratory empirical results are presented, based on unprompted questioning, to identify both targets of animosity by Austrian consumers and underlying reasons for such animosity. Third, a MIMIC model overcoming the shortcomings of the current operationalizations of the consumer animosity construct is proposed.

Findings

The exploratory study on Austrian consumers demonstrates that animosity targets of consumers cannot be considered as being given, i.e. consumers differ in their animosity targets, and there may be a number of (different) reasons causing animosity feelings such as economic, political, religious or personal.

Originality/value

This paper reveals a set of problematic issues in current consumer animosity research and offers concrete approaches to overcome the latter. In particular, a formative measurement approach consistent with the conceptual definition of the construct is suggested and described.
An empirical investigation of the relationship between government revenue and expenditure
Authors: Gounder Neelesh , Narayan Paresh Kumar , Prasad Arti
Published: February 2007

Purpose

Understanding the relationship between government revenue and government expenditure is important from a policy point of view, especially for a country like Fiji, which is suffering from persistent budget deficits. The aim of this paper is to investigate the relationship between government revenue and expenditure for Fiji.

Design/methodology/approach

The Johansen test for cointegration and Granger causality test are used to conduct the empirical analysis.

Findings

The key findings are that: government revenue and government expenditure in both the aggregate and disaggregate sense are cointegrated; in the short‐run government expenditure Granger causes government revenue in an aggregate sense, departmental expenditure Granger causes aggregate revenue, and there is bidirectional causality running between government expenditure and customs duties; and in the long‐run there is evidence of fiscal synchronization, implying that expenditure decisions are not made in isolation from revenue decisions.

Research limitations/implications

This fiscal synchronization has not been able curb the current account deficit in Fiji. Moreover, the confirmation of the spend‐tax attitude of the government does not bode well for the level of investments and skilled human capital in Fiji as this may perpetuate tax increases in the future. Given that the Fiji Government is currently trying to rein in the escalating level of fiscal deficit, it is an opportune time for them to engage in extensive expenditure reforms.

Originality/value

The findings of this paper should allow policy makers to make informed decisions. Furthermore, the paper is different from others because apart from examining the revenue and expenditure in an aggregate sense, it also considers the different components of revenue and expenditure.
Analysing firms' failures as determinants of consumer switching intentions
Authors: Antón Carmen , Camarero Carmen , Carrero Mirtha
Published: February 2007

Purpose

The objective of this work is to provide evidence of customer switching intentions as a complex phenomenon involving a series of firm actions – service quality failures, unfair price, low perceived commitment and anger incidents – and factors relating to the purchase situation or the consumer that also play an important role as moderators in the dissolution process.

Design/methodology/approach

An empirical study has been carried out in the case of customers of car‐insurance firms.

Findings

Results demonstrate the existence of some factors that have a weak influence on the switching intention – service quality and company commitment – and other factors that have a strong influence and precipitate the consumers' decisions – price changes and critical incidents. This study also underlines the moderator role of knowledge about alternatives and switching costs in this process.

Practical implications

This findings show that a continuing dissatisfaction with the firm as a consequence of a quality that is poorer than expected does not influence individuals as much as a change in the price policy or a one‐off incident in which consumers experience a strong unease.

Originality/value

This work provides empirical evidence about the existence of various determinants of switching: variables that weaken the relationship and variables that precipitate dissolution. These categories had already been discussed theoretically in previous work, but their effect had not been tested. Moreover, it advances in the idea that switching intention may fundamentally be conditioned by consumers' level of involvement and their knowledge about other alternatives.
Relationships and performance of trade intermediaries: an exploratory study
Authors: Fung Patrick K.O. , Chen Ivy S.N. , Yip Leslie S.C.
Published: February 2007

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to examine the impact of relationship coordination on the performance of trade intermediaries.

Design/methodology/approach

This study uses a model of interfirm governance involving multiple members – customers, suppliers and a firm's internal members. In supply chains involving more than two members, the dyadic approach to studying business relationships is inadequate. Dyadic relationships are often influenced by other connected relationships. Thus, this study provides a broader understanding of relationship management in the supply chain.

Findings

A major task of intermediaries is to facilitate the flow of materials, information and resource along the supply chain. Growth in outsourcing and competition between supply chains have created a need for intermediaries to manage relationships with other members in the supply chain. How should intermediaries manage these relationships for success? Are there positive linkages between supplier relationship management, customer relationship management, intermediary business processes and intermediary performance? The findings of this study will help intermediaries to improve overall performance and to contribute to global trade.

Originality/value

This preliminary study should prompt further investigations into how internal and external relationships can be integrated for superior performance in global trading operations.
Strategically focused training in Six Sigma way: a case study
Authors: Pandey Ashish
Published: February 2007

Purpose

The purpose of the current study is to examine the utility of Six Sigma interventions as a performance measure and explore its applicability for making the training design and delivery operationally efficient and strategically effective.

Design/methodology/approach

This is a single revelatory case study. Data were collected from multiple sources. In depth interviews of Six Sigma champion, black belt and green belt executives were conducted for understanding the Six Sigma interventions in HR function in general and in training functions in particular.

Findings

Application of Six Sigma approach was found to be helpful for better alignment of training function in MNC bank with the organizational requirements. Six Sigma changed the role of the function towards proaction. Research limitations/implications – This study has usual limitation of single case study research. Moreover, the impact of Six Sigma and its dependence on organizational structure, organizational culture, leadership role, social embeddedness, role stress etc. are identified as areas for future research.

Practical implications

The study brings out the applicability of Six Sigma approach for HR department and training function.

Originality/value

The paper delineates the application of Six Sigma approach in training function. It explores the applicability of this approach to ensure the training effectiveness by pulling the training function closer to internal and external customers' requirements and by its strategic alignment with organizational goals.
Harmonics cancellation using SVPWM shunt active power filter
Authors: Djeghloud Hind , Benalla Hocine
Published: February 2007

Purpose

The paper aims to explain the investigation of the space vector modulation (SVPWM), in shunt active powers filters (APFs) field, for controlling the generated current.

Design/methodology/approach

With the inclusion of the SVPWM control technique, the proposed topology of the two‐level shunt active power filter (APF), based on IGBTs, besides its efficiency in harmonics cancellation and power factor correction, contributes in switching power losses reduction.

Findings

The paper provides an extended theoretical study and a detailed explanation of the application of the SVPWM on shunt APFs, and demonstrates how power losses can be reduced by limiting the switching process to the two thirds of the pulse duty cycle.

Research limitations/implications

Simulation and experimental validations will still be requested as to the accuracy of the model and the applicability to the polluted electrical power systems plants.

Practical implications

The paper formulates an easy mathematical method to investigate the SVPWM algorithm with clarification of its various steps. It offers a benefit to people engaged in theoretical and practical research in APFs, inverters, and PWM modulation strategies.

Originality/value

Since, there are few studies which clarify the application of the SVPWM on APFs, the paper may help to understand the mathematical implementation of this control strategy both for controlling the APF current and for gating signals generation.
Kautilya on institutions, governance, knowledge, ethics and prosperity
Authors: Sihag Balbir S.
Published: February 2007

Purpose

Both researchers and policy makers have increasingly focused their energies in exploring the sources of economic growth. The purpose of this paper is to explore the very first ideas on the sources of economic growth of Kautilya during the fourth century BCE.

Design/methodology/approach

Kautilya's non‐technical statements on economic growth are presented as a formal model of economic growth.

Findings

Kautilya believed that institutions are a prerequisite to economic growth and good governance, knowledge, ethical conduct and economic growth are interdependent. That is, Kautilya believed in the virtuous cycle of economic growth.

Research limitations/implications

Kautilya's model of virtuous cycle implies that Kaufmann and Kraay specify an incorrect model to test the virtuous cycle model of economic growth.

Practical implications

Although it is a challenge to empirically estimate Kautilya's model if estimated appropriately, it could help in partitioning the Solow residuals into contributions made by technical progress and good governance towards economic growth.

Originality/value

The paper amounts to rewriting the history of economic thought.
Network mobilizer
Authors: Mouzas Stefanos , Naudé Pete
Published: February 2007

Purpose

The aim of this paper is to identify how companies mobilize other companies in their surrounding network to work within the plans they develop.

Design/methodology/approach

A conceptual model is developed and its applicability is illustrated by a case study involving a manufacturer‐retailer network within Europe.

Findings

The study identifies five different challenges that managers need to consider when attempting to mobilize other actors in their networks: developing network insight; introducing new business propositions; concluding the deal; developing the social contract; and achieving sustained mobilization.

Research limitations/implications

Although based on a manufacturer‐retailer network, it is believed that the proposed model has far wider managerial implications, achieved through the identification of the different challenges.

Practical implications

The model is explained in some depth, and its practical implications explained via the case study.

Originality/value

The development of a theoretical model of network mobilization based on a network view of business‐to‐business relationships.
Business‐to‐business marketing as a key factor for increasing service revenue in China
Authors: Gebauer Heiko , Wang Chunzhi , Beckenbauer Bernold , Krempl Regine
Published: February 2007

Purpose

This study seeks to examine how Chinese culture affects business‐to‐business marketing strategies and service revenue in manufacturing companies.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper used a combination of qualitative research approaches, namely interviews, longitudinal study and bi‐polar case studies. The sequence of the qualitative research approaches was chosen to maximize internal and external validity.

Findings

The findings expose the impact of the characteristics of Chinese culture on a firm's potential to generate high service revenues in business marketing.

Research limitations/implications

The study has possible location‐ and industry‐specific limitations.

Originality/value

The implicit logic for increasing service revenue starts with overcoming typical and, in some respects, limiting cultural characteristics. These characteristics limit business‐to‐business marketing for increasing service revenue. Monitoring the effects of Chinese culture and gaining an understanding of how they have to be managed provides some guidance for managers to generate high service revenues.
An exploration of relational customers' response to service failure
Authors: Hedrick Natalie , Beverland Michael , Minahan Stella
Published: February 2007

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to examine how customers with different relational bonds respond to the same service failure. In particular, the framework to service failure and recovery devised by Fournier and Mick is applied.

Design/methodology/approach

To uncover rich emotional and cognitive responses to service failure, in‐depth interviews with eight former and current patrons of an Australian opera were used.

Findings

Three types of relationship were identified: satisfaction‐as‐love (SaL), satisfaction‐as‐trust (SaT) and satisfaction‐as‐control (SaC). Each responded to the same failure in different ways. SaL customers had emotional bonds with the product category and thus reaffiremed their loyalty following the failure. SaT customers saw the service failure and inadequate recovery as a breach of the brand's implied promise and thus excited the relationship. SaC customers took charge of the situation, using their status to improve their situation and then defended the brand.

Practical implications

The findings indicate the importance of customizing service recovery strategies, in this case to those customers with the strongest emotional bonds to the brand, not the product class.

Originality/value

This is the first paper to examine how relational customers respond to service failure and identify how different customer‐brand relationships result in different post‐failure reactions and expectations of service recovery.
Influence: a key to successful leadership
Authors: Hoy Wayne K. , Smith Page A.
Published: February 2007

Purpose

The purpose of this article is to examine and condense the literature on influence and persuasion.

Design/methodology/approach

The article identifies basic principles of influence in the theoretical and research literature, which are supported by empirical study.

Findings

Ten principles of influence were identified, empirical support for each was given, and implications for educational leaders were discussed. In brief, ten basic strategies for educational leaders are proposed to persuade and influence students, teachers, and parents – ten principles of influence.

Practical limitations

The propositions identified are a beginning not an end, and caution must be used to prevent the unethical use of each principle.

Originality/value

This study refines Cialdini's six principles of persuasion and add four more of our own to round out ten basic strategies educational leaders can use to persuade and influence students, teachers, and parents – ten principles of influence.
Marketing blood drives to students: a case study
Authors: Leigh Laurence , Bist Michael , Alexe Roxana
Published: February 2007

Purpose

The aim of this paper is to motivate blood donation among international students and demonstrate the applicability of marketing techniques in the health care sector.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper uses a combination of focus groups and a questionnaire‐based survey.

Findings

The paper finds that donors primarily find gratification from their altruistic acts through awareness of their contribution to saving lives. Receiving information on how each individual donation is used is seen as a powerful means of reinforcement. Practical benefits such as receiving free blood test information are also useful motivators, while communicating the professionalism of the blood collection techniques are important for reassuring the minority of prospective donors who expressed fears about possible risks associated with blood donation.

Research limitations/implications

Since this was a small‐scale study among Hungarian and international students in Budapest, further research is necessary to validate its results among other demographic groups.

Practical implications

Findings were reported to the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies in Hungary in order to increase blood donations among students in Hungary. Subject to validation through further research, applying recommended approaches in different countries and other demographic groups is suggested.

Originality/value

This is the first research paper on motivation toward blood donation among international students and offers new and practical suggestions for increasing their level of participation in blood drives.
The managerialistic ideology of organisational change management
Authors: Diefenbach Thomas
Published: February 2007

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to shed some light on the reasons and circumstances why strategic change initiatives based on new public management and managerialism go wrong. In particular, how such change initiatives are being justified, communicated, perceived, and implemented within organisational discourses and politics. It reveals personal and group interests behind ideologies, and what change management of this type is really about.

Design/methodology/approach

A strategic change initiative at a large Western‐European university (“International University” – IU) had been investigated between 2004 and 2005 based on qualitative empirical research. Data were gained primarily through semi‐structured in‐depths interviews with IU's senior managers. The findings were triangulated by referring to internal documents and academic literature.

Findings

The case study reveals a whole set of typical characteristics of managerialistic change management approach and how it is communicated. The paper provides insights into the narratives, organisational politics and ideology of change management processes. It draws the attention to the downsides of top‐down change management approaches, to ideologies and interests behind such initiatives as well as intended and unintended consequences.

Research limitations/implications

Academics and practitioners might be motivated to concentrate (more) on the values, ideologies, and interests which are behind “rational” management recipes, to see management and organisational behaviour more differentiated and from a critical perspective.

Originality/value

Organisational change management is usually described on the basis of traditional strategy approaches and concentrates on “technical issues”. By drawing the attention to senior managers' perceptions and interests, and how they pursuit change management objectives on the basis of ideologies, it becomes clearer that allegedly “rational” and “objective” strategic solutions are contested terrain and objects of organisational politics.
The role of retail internationalisation in the establishment of a European retail structure
Authors: Myers Hayley , Alexander Nicholas
Published: February 2007

Purpose

The research presented here builds a picture of the direction of international expansion and the merging of retail structures. The research aims to consider European cross border expansion by considering the flow of investment as represented by the operation of retail outlets.

Design/methodology/approach

The data used in this research relates to the international activity of retailers in 23 Western European countries. Data were drawn from industry sources which included national and international trade associations, retail company news releases, government departments, trade magazines, and direct contact with individual companies. This data were then used to plot the cross‐border operations of European retailers.

Findings

The patterns established from the data set suggest that retail internationalisation within Europe is occurring on a significant scale and that there is an emerging pan‐European retail structure. The findings presented here also show that there is strong evidence of intra‐regional linkages within Europe. That is there is a particularly strong flow of retail activity between markets that are geographically and culturally proximate.

Originality/value

By looking at retail outlet numbers rather than the number of retail operations or fascias owned by international retailers in different markets, the paper adds a new dimension to understanding the development of pan‐European retail structures.
The impacts of competitive entry on pricing in the Finnish retail grocery market
Authors: Uusitalo Outi , Rökman Maija
Published: February 2007

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to explore the impacts that a new retailer entering a previously stable market has on the domestic retailers' pricing behaviour. The paper describes and analyses the context of the entry of the hard discounter chain Lidl into the Finnish market.

Design/methodology/approach

To illustrate the effects of competitive entry on pricing behaviour of competitors, prices of 20 grocery items were collected from three different chains and three market areas in three different points of time. Based on these data the pricing initiatives of the entrant and the reactions of the domestic competitors are described and analysed in terms of four dimensions: competition, geographical, assortment, and time.

Findings

The analysis reveals that the domestic retailers reacted to the intensifying price competition by engaging in selective price changes. Both price cuts and price increases were detected.

Originality/value

The paper provides empirical insights about the impacts of intensifying competition on pricing.
Rural retailing: a sector in decline?
Authors: Paddison Andrew , Calderwood Eric
Published: February 2007

Purpose

The paper seeks to review dynamic forms of rural retailing, by location, that have innovated through a mixture of actions leading to growth, adaptation, diversification and differentiation.

Design/methodology/approach

Reviews relevant academic literature and draws upon contemporary policy‐related material that details recent innovation within the sector. A rural retail typology by location is presented: retailing within market towns, village shops and stand‐alone retailing forms (farm shops and speciality rural retail outlets).

Findings

Since, the nature together with form of what characterises dynamic and innovative rural retailing differs by location, the typology is based on the above schema. First, market towns have used growth and differentiation opportunities as strategic foci. Second, innovative village shops have applied strategies that seek to counter their structural weaknesses, harness the community and yield new revenue streams. Third, the manner in which stand‐alone retailing forms, such as farm shops together with speciality rural retail outlets, have grown and developed is reviewed.

Practical implications

Reviewing dynamic forms of rural retailing allows for a greater understanding of the operational needs for success. A lack of relevant research is cited together with examples.

Originality/value

Stereotyping rural retailing is erroneous since marginalised enterprises are juxtaposed against more innovative forms. Contrary to perceptions of rural decline, the sector is multi‐faceted with prospering sub‐sectors. The paper focuses on these more dynamic and innovative forms of rural retailing. Much of the previous focus in this sector has been on negative issues and decline. A synthesis of the key contributory phenomena is presented.
The use of the internet as a marketing channel for Irish speciality food
Authors: Canavan Orla , Henchion Maeve , O'Reilly Seamus
Published: February 2007

Purpose

Online shopping is one of the most rapidly growing forms of shopping and provides a global shop window for producers who wish to sell and market their products. This paper seeks to investigate the internet as an alternative distribution channel for Irish producers of speciality food products.

Design/methodology/approach

Primary data collection involved consumer focus groups, a producer web audit, producer depth interviews and an e‐mailed online producer survey.

Findings

Consumers of speciality food appear to trade off the convenience and variety potentially available with online shopping for the sales experience associated with more traditional outlets, particularly speciality food outlets and direct sales channels. Nonetheless, the internet can be a significant sales channel for some speciality food producers with products of specific attributes, e.g. high value goods, and products with elaborate and gift‐oriented packaging and for those targeting consumers with previous purchase experience. For the majority of producers, the internet can complement other marketing channels and its role in managing information and relationships may be more important than online sales. Significant challenges exist for speciality food producers to use the internet as a significant sales channel.

Originality/value

The paper considers food as a category comprising a number of different types of products based on their search, credence and experience characteristics. It applies this categorisation to speciality food and examines the influence of these characteristics on the role of the internet as both a sales and marketing channel in Ireland. It uses both consumer and producer perspectives in the analysis.
Understanding the causes of the bullwhip effect in a supply chain
Authors: Paik Seung‐Kuk , Bagchi Prabir K.
Published: February 2007

Purpose

This study attempts to determine the relative contribution of each of the causes of the bullwhip effect and to identify which causes of the bullwhip effect have relatively significant impacts on the variability of orders in supply chains.

Design/methodology/approach

Computer simulation models are developed. A fractional factorial design is used in collecting data from the simulation models. Statistical analyses are conducted to address the research objectives.

Findings

When all of the nine possible causes of the bullwhip effect are present in the simulation models, the following six factors are statistically significant: demand forecast updating, order batching, material delays, information delays, purchasing delays and level of echelons. Among these six factors, demand forecast updating, level of echelons, and price variations are the three most significant ones.

Research limitations/implications

Simulation models for the beer distribution game are developed to represent supply chains. Different supply chain structures can be constructed to examine the causes of the bullwhip effect.

Practical implications

In order to mitigate the bullwhip effect, supply chain managers need to share actual demand information and coordinate production and distribution activities with their partners.

Originality/value

This study measures the relative contribution of each of the causes of the bullwhip effect and provides evidence that transparent and accurate information flow and supply chain coordination could be a key to reduce the amplification of demand in supply chains.
Menu engineering and activity‐based costing – can they work together in a restaurant?
Authors: Raab Carola , Mayer Karl
Published: February 2007

Purpose

This research paper aims to examine whether using menu engineering (ME) together with activity‐based costing (ABC) for menu analysis gives new insights about true menu profitability. The traditional ME approach only uses food cost to determine the contribution margin of individual menu items. This combined approach uses both food and traceable operating costs to estimate contribution margins more accurately.

Design/methodology/approach

An improved menu engineering model was developed and tested in a buffet restaurant in Hong Kong. Direct observation of restaurant activities allowed most costs to be traced (not simply allocated) to individual menu items.

Findings

The results found that only three of 20 dinner menu entrées were profitable. This unique insight would not have been possible using traditional ME methods alone. The results also showed that ABC methods are applicable to a buffet‐style restaurant.

Research limitations/implications

Only a single restaurant and only the dinner menu were examined in this study. Future research should apply the model used herein to other restaurant types located in different geographical areas in an effort in order to validate the approach.

Practical implications

The paper suggests that ME can be improved upon by first assessing variable costs using ABC methods. Thus, the extra effort required to apply ABC in a restaurant appears to be worthwhile.

Originality/value

The paper combines two disparate analytic techniques (ME and ABC) in a new approach that reveals a menu's true profit and loss picture. The paper also makes several modifications to the traditional ME approach.
A holistic approach to expatriate success
Authors: Avril Alizee B. , Magnini Vincent P.
Published: February 2007

Purpose

The paper seeks to illustrate that a holistic selection, training, and organizational support approach encompassing variables such as the expatriate's family status, emotional intelligence, dietary and exercise habits, and his/her learning orientation is needed to enhance the odds of the expatriate's success.

Design/methodology/approach

The argument brought forth in this article is the product of a literature review drawing upon multiple streams of current research.

Findings

The holistic approach to expatriate selection, training, and organizational support detailed in this paper should be employed by multi‐national hotel corporations.

Practical implications

This information should benefit hoteliers since the industry is currently experiencing a high rate of expatriate failure.

Originality/value

No research to date has addressed the issue of expatriate failure from this holistic viewpoint.
Hospitality internships in Cyprus: a genuine academic experience or a continuing frustration?
Authors: Zopiatis Anastasios
Published: February 2007

Purpose

The primary purpose of the research study conducted was to investigate hospitality internships and improve such practices within the distinct environment of the hospitality industry of Cyprus by acquiring new knowledge, related to and of value to its primary stakeholders.

Design/methodology/approach

The unique characteristics of the three groups under investigation necessitated the utilization of different research methods and techniques – an approach known as methodological triangulation.

Findings

While the findings reliably measure the Cyprus‐specific environment, the author argues that the particular strategies produced can effectively be implemented in other countries.

Practical implications

By comparing and contrasting the views and expectations of all stakeholders involved, the author recommends specific strategies for improving the quality and enhancing the value of internship practices for hospitality students.

Originality/value

The paper is of value to all hospitality stakeholders, since it can serve as a guide for the provision of a pedagogically sound internship experience to students.
Customer based brand equity: evidence from the hotel industry
Authors: Kayaman Rüçhan , Arasli Huseyin
Published: February 2007

Purpose

The paper aims to explore interrelations of the four brand equity components; brand awareness, brand loyalty, perceived quality and brand image in hotel industry and improve the conceptualization of customer‐based hotel brand equity.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper is based on the recommendations of previous studies, the scale constructed to measure consumer‐based brand equity included brand awareness, brand loyalty, perceived quality and brand image. The present study used a sample of 345 actual customers from 11 different countries whose accommodation in North Cyprus hotels was used to test the relations of the proposed model Path analysis.

Findings

The findings in this paper support the three‐dimensional model of customer‐based brand equity in hotel industry. Brand awareness dimension was not found significant in the tested model for hotels. The present study contributes to the understanding of customer‐based brand equity measurement by examining the dimensionality of this construct.

Research limitations/implications

Further research in this paper should attempt to examine brand equity across many different hotel categories. This will give the opportunity to make comparisons between different hotels' products and this concept. Furthermore, intra relationship of customer based‐brand equity components on the hotel performance needs to be investigated.

Practical implications

The paper shows that hotel managers and executives should try to influence; perceived quality, brand loyalty, brand image and brand awareness in their organizations and design their service delivery process by considering relations between customer based brand equity components.

Originality/value

The principal contribution of the paper is that it provides important insights into the development and measurement of customer based hotel brand equity scale and limited hotel brand equity literature.
Modelling of the thermosolutal convection and macrosegregation in the solidification of an Fe‐C binary alloy
Authors: Han Z.Q. , Lewis R.W. , Liu B.C.
Published: February 2007

Purpose

The motivation for this work is to establish a model that not only includes the main factors resulting in macrosegregation but also retains simplicity and consistency for the sake of potential application in casting practice.

Design/methodology/approach

A mathematical model for the numerical simulation of thermosolutal convection and macrosegregation in the solidification of multicomponent alloys is developed, in which the coupled macroscopic mass, momentum, energy and species conservation equations are solved. The conservation equations are discretized by using the control volume‐based finite difference method, in which an up‐wind scheme is adopted to deal with the convection term. The alternative direction implicit procedure and a line‐by‐line solver, based on the tri‐diagonal matrix algorithm, are employed to iteratively solve the algebraic equations. The velocity‐pressure coupling is handled by using the SIMPLE algorithm.

Findings

Based on the present study, the liquid flow near the dendritic front is believed to play an important role in large‐scale transport of the solute species. The numerical or experimental results in the literatures on the formation of channel segregation, especially those about the location of the initial flow as well as the morphology of the liquidus front, are well supported by the present investigation.

Research limitations/implications

The modelling is limited to dealing with the thermosolutal convection of two‐dimensional cases. More complicated phenomena (e.g. crystal movement) and 3D geometry should be considered in future research.

Practical implications

The present model can be used to analyze the effects of process parameters on macrosegregation and, with further development, could be applied as a useful tool in casting practice.

Originality/value

The numerical simulation demonstrates the capability of the model to simulate the thermosolutal convection and macrosegregation in alloy solidification. It also shows that the present model has good application potential in the prediction and control of channel segregation.
Women in management: reflections and projections
Authors: Schein Virginia E.
Published: February 2007

Purpose

A major barrier to women's progress in management worldwide continues to be the gender stereotyping of the managerial position. The purpose of the paper is to examine how this “think manager – think male” attitude has changed over the three decades since the author's initial research and to consider the implications of the outcomes for women's advancement in management today.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper reviews the author's research, first conducted in the 1970s and replicated in the USA and internationally, on gender stereotyping and requisite management characteristics.

Findings

The overview reveals the strength and inflexibility of the “think manager – think male” attitude held by males across time and national borders. Over the last three decades corporate males in the USA continue to see women as less qualified than men for managerial positions. Internationally, the view of women as less likely than men to possess requisite management characteristics is also a commonly held belief among male management students in the USA, the UK, Germany, China and Japan.

Practical implications

Women's continued progress depends on recognizing the intractable nature of these negative attitudes and continually seeking ways to ensure that these attitudes do not derail their success. The need to maintain and expand legal efforts is discussed. An argument is also made for challenging the “corporate convenient” way of working and restructuring managerial work to facilitate a work and family interface.

Originality/value

Based upon three decades of research, the paper highlights the importance of maintaining and increasing efforts to ensure that women advance to positions of power and influence in organizations worldwide.
A systematic review of social marketing effectiveness
Authors: Stead Martine , Gordon Ross , Angus Kathryn , McDermott Laura
Published: February 2007

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to review the effectiveness of social marketing interventions in influencing individual behaviour and bringing about environmental and policy‐level changes in relation to alcohol, tobacco, illicit drugs and physical activity. Social marketing is the use of marketing concepts in programmes designed to influence the voluntary behaviour of target audiences in order to improve health and society.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper is a review of systematic reviews and primary studies using pre‐specified search and inclusion criteria. Social marketing interventions were defined as those which adopted specified social marketing principles in their development and implementation.

Findings

The paper finds that a total of 54 interventions met the inclusion criteria. There was evidence that interventions adopting social marketing principles could be effective across a range of behaviours, with a range of target groups, in different settings, and can influence policy and professional practice as well as individuals.

Research limitations/implications

As this was a systematic paper, the quality of included studies was reasonable and many were RCTs. However, many of the multi‐component studies reported overall results only and research designs did not allow for the efficacy of different components to be compared. When reviewing social marketing effectiveness it is important not to rely solely on the “label” as social marketing is often misrepresented; there is a need for social marketers to clearly define their approach.

Practical implications

The paper shows that social marketing can form an effective framework for behaviour change interventions and can provide a useful “toolkit” for organisations that are trying to change health behaviours.

Originality/value

The research described in this paper represents one of the few systematic examinations of social marketing effectiveness and is based on a clear definition of “social marketing”. It highlights both social marketing's potential to achieve change in different behavioural contexts and its ability to work at individual, environmental and wider policy levels.
Managing quality improvement of eLearning in a large, campus‐based university
Authors: Ellis Robert A. , Jarkey Nerida , Mahony Mary Jane , Peat Mary , Sheely Stephen
Published: February 2007

Purpose

This paper seeks to discuss the characteristics that shape a model to manage eLearning in a large, predominantly campus‐based university. It focuses on how such a model can provide a sustainable approach to supporting eLearning for more than 40,000 students while still managing basic quality assurance for the University executive and the individual disciplinary needs of faculties.

Design/methodology/approach

Prior research and theoretical issues related to a generalised course development and teaching process are discussed followed by an analysis of a case‐study from a large metropolitan Australian university. The case‐study illustrates key aspects of the management model providing insights into how staff are empowered and supported to develop meaningful eLearning resources for students, how quality improvement is managed, and how organizational learning takes place.

Findings

Following the analysis of how key aspects of the model relate to the university discussed in the case study, several challenges for quality improvement at the level of both course and university are identified. The case‐study reveals the complexity of quality improvement strategies, which (mainly due to the fact that eLearning complements the face‐to‐face learning experience) require a relational and embedded approach. Key principles for managing eLearning development and evaluation for campus‐based universities are abstracted from the case‐study and offered as a guide to universities who face similar challenges

Research limitations/implications

Although not all aspects of the case‐study can be applied to other contexts, the key principles of the proposed management model are likely to apply to other campus‐based universities which share the same focus on integrating eLearning in sustainable ways but also wish to foreground quality assurance issues.

Originality/value

The paper integrates the discussion of theoretical approaches and models for eLearning management in higher education with the description of a case‐study from a large, diverse, campus‐based university, while highlighting the complexity and practical challenges of implementing such a model.
Linking experience and learning: application to multi‐project building environments
Authors: Anh Thi Lê Mai , Brønn Carl
Published: February 2007

Purpose

The ability to learn is an important organisational resource. The purpose of this paper is to identify issues involved in achieving transfer learning across large construction projects in the building sector. The focus is on linking experiences gained in the operation and maintenance phase of one project to the earlier construction phases in subsequent projects.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper presented is conceptual in nature.

Findings

Evidence from the construction industry clearly indicates that significant economic benefits can be realized by improving the experience transfer learning process across projects. Despite the industry's significant investments in computer‐based management systems, experience and research shows there are other factors that have a significant impact on this learning process. A framework for diagnosing an organisation's learning characteristics is identified. This framework includes both the structural dimension of the formal organisation and the cultural dimension of the social relationships within the organisation.

Originality/value

Improved feedback from the operative and maintenance phase has the potential to reduce total life cycle costs for future construction projects. Using Kim's OADI‐SMM model of organisational learning, this paper applies a diagnostic instrument that focuses on the organisation's structural and cultural characteristics to identify breakdowns in experience transfer and learning. Awareness of the factors that inhibit experience transfer and learning can contribute to improving industry performance.
Simplicity and complexity in anthropology
Authors: Ingham John M.
Published: February 2007

Purpose

This paper aims to o review understandings of complexity in anthropology.

Design/methodology/approach

A number of works in the field of anthropology are discussed.

Findings

Anthropologists generally agree that human behavior is complex, although they differ about the meaning of complexity. For many in this era of postmodernism, it involves emphasizing cultural differences and social contexts. Earlier interests in underlying cultural meanings and structures, meanwhile, have become somewhat passé. Nonetheless, some social anthropologists, encouraged by chaos science, continue to explore hidden meanings and structures. While there is much to like in their attention to ethnographic detail, one concern is their metaphorical use of the science of chaos. Another is failure to deal with intention and agency.

Originality/value

Lévi‐Strauss doubts that psychoanalysis has anything substantial to contribute to anthropology. This conclusion helped to set the stage for postmodernist anthropology, and its consequences are evident in the works under review here.