bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Stakeholders' Activisms: Indigenous Peoples' of Sarawak Resistance against the State Government and Corporations
Authors: Rafi Yaacob Mohd , Wong Loong
Published: November 2008

Purpose

This paper aims to problematise the notions of both “corporate social responsibility” and “stakeholder theory”. In particular, it seeks to challenge the promises it claims to hold regarding social responsibility and community engagement.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper provides a discussion of indigenous stakeholders’ activism in Sarawak, Malaysia.

Findings

It is shown that despite the rhetoric of corporate social responsibility and stakeholderism, there is a clear failure of the state government and corporations to actively involve local affected communities. In so doing, both the state and corporations have rendered the local indigenous peoples, a significant and legitimate stakeholder, powerless, redundant and inevitably compromised both the development and management process. The paper also suggests that community engagement can be problematic for indigenous peoples and for it and stakeholderism to be efficacious, they need to involve the discourse of rights and activism within Sarawak and Malaysia.

Originality/value

The paper offers insight into the indigenous peoples at Sarawak resistance against the state Government and corporations, Focusing on stakeholder activism.
Averting the Catastrophe of Cyberspace
Authors: Shaw Julia J.A.
Published: November 2008

Purpose

To address the impact of information technology on culture and society, in particular the potential for control and manipulation afforded to state, government and unregulated corporations, by the medium of sophisticated communication networks. The paper sets out to expose the corporate world's manipulation of IT and the multi‐media as it exercises a powerful coercive force, constituting a legitimating principle for economic and cultural domination. It is suggested that the relentless progression of science as profit and the individual as profit‐generating automaton constitutes the subversion of a world rightly ordered by human principles. The paper calls for the ethical regulation of cyberspace, necessitating a philosophical approach and one which prizes human endeavour.

Design/methodology/approach

Examples from the technosocial world taken from across a range of uses, providers and users are explored according to their impact on everyday life. The ontological and phenomenological nature of the technological medium is also explicated with reference to various academic sources including Castells and Bauman. A sociological / philosophical / ethical approach is adopted by reference to the writings of inter alia Baudrillard and Kant.

Findings

The traditional territories of communication in which social exchange takes place have been dislocated and we have formed new attachments to the pervasive replacement technoculture and technologies. Many examples evidence the extent to which human values and achievements are increasingly organised around various enslaving technological mediums. Cyberspace is in need of a regulatory framework, one which has an ethical basis.

Originality/value

Presents an alternative perspective on a significant topic.
The Bologna Process: Implementation and Developments in Portugal
Authors: Fátima David , Abreu Rute
Published: November 2008

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to discuss the implementation and developments of the Bologna Process in the Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) as a new paradigm of the European system of higher education, in general, and of the Portuguese system, in particular.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper uses firstly, higher education system statistics; secondly, Government and European Union documents; and thirdly, academic papers that conceptual frame the issues under discussion.

Findings

Portuguese HEIs are engaged in the Bologna process, but it shows some contradictions within the higher education system. One of these contradictions is the restructuring of the degrees and cycles had led to the apparently destruction of the binary system (universities and polytechnics) which existed in for more than 30 years. Another contradiction is carry out common European priorities and, at the same time, maintaining the national culture, language, education systems and HEIs autonomy. Although, the system promotes the cooperation between HEIs and increases the research, the innovation and the sustainable development, at a national level, as well as, an international level.

Practical implications

HEIs need to promote the strategic function of higher education and it demands a constant adaptation of the conceptual field, especially, in the social, economic and technological perspectives. These perspectives will assurance the enhancement and the preservation of quality of teaching/learning. These will improve the education for sustainable development that it develops higher growth and better educational performance.

Originality/value

Provides empirical evidence about the social dimension of the higher education system and analyse the Bologna Process in the HEIs.
Pease Drum and Tank Recycling and Reconditioning: The Impact of Legislation and Limitations on Being Green
Authors: Jahdi Khosro S
Published: November 2008

Purpose

The purpose of this paper, which has been to a large extent based on a recently completed PhD thesis, is to examine the case of Pease Drum and Tank Recycling and Reconditioning Company based in Leeds.

Findings

Legislation and the nature of industry have been the prime drivers of the company's green efforts. However, despite the MD's genuine commitment to green issues and the impact of legislation, limitations are imposed directly or otherwise on the degree and extent of caring for the environment.

Design/methodology/approach

The company MD participated in an interview carried out in 1999 as part of primary research for a PhD in green marketing, however, attempts at the second interview with the new owners of the organisation in 2003 were not successful.

Originality/value

This paper illustrates how organisations that are required by legislation to be green comply and in this case go beyond mere compliance.
Tourism Industry Working Practices and Its Impact on a Geo‐brand Image
Authors: Freire Joao , Crowther David
Published: November 2008

Purpose

This article is a result of a much broader investigation that was seeking to understand which factors composed a geo‐brand. It is argued that not only should products and services develop a system of brand management focused on their identity which helps develop a coherent execution, places should also develop a similar brand management system. This paper aims to investigate perceptions of the branding of a location.

Design/methodology/apporach

The methodology is based upon interviews conducted with local people and with tourists to the location.

Findings

One of the most interesting findings of this on going research was the realisation that a main and significant factor on a geo‐brand is its local people. Moreover and after some considerations it was concluded that this factor was essentially composed by people who work for the tourism industry. Interestingly it was then concluded that management and entrepreneurs from the tourism industry had a major responsibility and impact on a geo‐brand.

Practical implications

In order to achieve a satisfactory service performance, the local geo‐brand authorities should develop tools to scrutinize how entrepreneurs and managers train and motivate their staff. In this case the tourism boards should control directly or indirectly performance in different establishments. As revealed in Spain, a bad experience might jeopardise the overall competitive stand. No doubts that tourism boards have the obligation to, not only inform entrepreneurs and managers on how they should care for the tourists, but also granting some kind of incentives in order to achieve excellence in services since a good or bad experience will have an impact on the overall brand. If “local people” has such a relevant role on a geo‐brand, which might even affect its competitive position in the market, than extra consideration should be given to this factor. In addition, and because this factor is partly controllable, than it is reasonable to argue that there should be some kind of central managerial tools that helps to monitor employees performance.

Originality/value

Aversion to the use of marketing tools and to the geo‐brand conceptual management is a mere signal of misunderstanding for what a geo‐brand is and for what it can do to society. It has been argued that geo‐brands (brand applied to places) might be a practical solution to promote local development and fight the standardisation tendency of a globalised world.
Corporate Sustainability in the Portuguese Financial Institutions
Authors: Peneda Saraiva Paulo , Silva Serrasqueiro Zélia Maria
Published: November 2008

Purpose

This work draws on important issues that are related to all socio‐economic agents. We refer to Sustainability, Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) and Socially Responsible Investments (SRIs), arguing on the clear benefits they provide to companies and financial institutions. The main empirical objective of this work is to show a theoretical framework for the existence and supply of non‐financial information on financial products by financial institutions in the Portuguese Investment Market (comprising of Banks and Fund and Investment Companies – FIMCs).

Design/methodology/approach

Overall, 55 Banks and 41 FIMCs, were analysed, totalling 96 observations for analysis. The paper studies the supply of non‐financial information (i.e. social and environmental information) regarding the financial products in the Portuguese investment market (comprising of Banks and Fund and Investment Management Companies). Through surveys’ analysis, which were sent to 96 of these financial institutions, we conclude that the supply of these informations’ sets is practically inexistent.

Findings

Overall, the conclusions point to the fact that financial institutions surveyed are very much behind in this new framework and related tools, when considering similar financial institutions outside Portugal. There are some institutions that do provide, but when compared to other European and non‐European countries, the discrepancy is huge. It is concluded that much needs to be done in this field, starting with a clear definition of the benefits and costs of providing non‐financial information.

Originality/value

At the academic level, the authors have not found any good study neither on CSR nor on SRIs done by Portuguese researchers nor on its Market. A priori the authors felt that the Portuguese Banks and The Fund and Investment Management Companies were not committed to Sustainability issues, because they believe that for these business agents, Sustainable Development still means, Environmentalism. Through this study the authors seek to provide an image of how the Investment Market is to regards to Sustainable issues, in Portugal, and thus help financial institutions and economic agents (e.g. bank managers, portfolio managers, among others) to know more about these issues that are important to any company.
Personnel's Perceptions in Three Finnish Companies: Local CSR vs. Global CSR?
Authors: Mattila Merita
Published: November 2008

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to provide new aspects to corporate social responsibility (CSR) research, especially in a Finnish context. The aim is to compare personnels perceptions in three case companies (a forest company, a cooperative bank and a retail cooperative): how the contexts and aims of practising CSR are understood? Special focus is in the organizational form: to compare CSR in one exchange‐listed and in two cooperative companies (local vs. global CSR).

Design/methodology/approach

In Finnish companies CSR is taken into account quite well. Though, in this paper the personnel's perceptions are studied further by content analysis. The interview data consist of three different levels: the top management, the middle management and the employee level.

Findings

Provides information about each company, comparing the personnel's perceptions in different hierarchical levels. The organizational form is also an important factor in CSR, since two of the case companies are cooperative (the bank and the market) and the forest company is an exchange‐listed company. This brings new interesting aspects to the context of CSR.

Research limitations/implications

The research context is Finnish, so there might be limitations when applying the results to countries very dissimilar to Finland.

Practical implications

A useful source of information about CSR “inside” the companies: getting the personnel perspective.

Originality/value

This paper brings more information about CSR seen by the personnel: very often CSR is studied through stakeholders/owners/customers etc., but this paper gives the insider picture about CSR in Finnish companies.
The Current State of Corporate Social Responsibility Among Industrial Companies in Malaysia
Authors: Janggu Tamoi , Joseph Corina , Madi Nero
Published: November 2008

Purpose

The main aim of the study is to find out the level and trend of CSR disclosure pattern of industrial companies in Malaysia and its relationship with companies' characteristics.

Design/methodology/approach

Content analysis is used to analyse the data from the corporate annual reports of the companies from 1998 to 2003. Samples are selected using simple random sampling technique.

Findings

Research findings, inter alia, indicate that there is positive relationship between CSR and companies' turnover but no apparent relationship is noticed with companies' capital. Relationship between CSR and companies' profitability is also found to be positive but weak. More disclosure by local companies as compared to their foreign counterparts is another noteworthy finding. Overall, CSR level of industrial companies in Malaysia is increasing both in terms of amount of the disclosure and the number of participating companies.

Research limitations/implications

The use of annual reports may not give a complete picture of the disclosure practices as the company may use other medium to disseminate the information. In addition, his study focuses on industrial companies in Malaysia. Thus all conclusions derived cannot be generalized to other industries.

Originality/value

The current research is the only study in Malaysia thus far that covers a disclosure pattern of six years thereby widens the horizon of CSR research. Besides that it extends the previous research to cover new variables such as individual and corporate ownership, influence of the chairman's race on the disclosure and exploring the disclosure pattern by paid‐up capital.
Evolution of Reporting on Corporate Social Responsibility by the Companies in ISE National‐30 Index in Turkey
Authors: Nalan Altintas N. , Adiloglu Burcu , Taylan Altintas A.
Published: November 2008

Purpose

The Purpose of the paper is to demonstrate the evolution of reporting on corporate social responsibility (CSR) in Istanbul Stock Exchange companies.

Design/methodology/approach

In order to monitor the evolution of reporting on CSR relevant information in the 2003, 2004 and 2005 annual reports of the ISE‐30 Index Companies were examined. The data collected were used to study in depth the following issues: information disclosed related to corporate governance; environmental policy; and social policy.

Findings

The study highlights that the companies' attitude towards CSR is encouraging and they try to fulfill their duties as a corporate citizen regarding the social responsibility.

Research limitations/implications

The study covers only 20 companies, which were in the ISE‐30 Index for all of the three years in order to provide comparable information. Since the annual reports of two of these 20 companies cannot be obtained, the research was conducted on the annual reports of the remaining companies that published their annual reports in their websites.

Practical implications

According to the study, the listed companies' disclosures on CSR are not at a desirable level in respect of the best practices. The study reveals that the Turkish companies should give more weight to reporting, especially on environmental and social issues.

Originality/value

Although similar research had been conducted in various countries, this is one of the first studies related to reporting on CSR conducted in the ISE‐30 Index in Turkey.
Customer‐owned Firms and the Concept of Regional Responsibility: Qualitative Evidence from Finnish Co‐operatives
Authors: Jussila Iiro , Kotonen Ulla , Tuominen Pasi
Published: November 2008

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to introduce the concept of regional responsibility and to provide a deeper understanding of customer‐owned co‐operatives and their social embeddedness.

Design/methodology/approach

First, extant conceptions of corporate social responsibility are discussed, concentrating on two approaches; the one employing stakeholder theory and the one employing resource‐based view of the firm. Second, co‐operatives as a form of economic organization that have a natural interest in engaging in regionally‐oriented corporate social responsibility practices are studied, including active participation in regional strategy processes and local and regional development. Finally, the concept of regional responsibility is illustrated by analysing qualitative data.

Findings

Regional responsibility is in the core of customer‐owned co‐operatives' CSR. Co‐operatives are tentative to their customer‐owners, employees and other regional stakeholders. Regional responsibility also means the utilization of the region's resources and advocacy of local interests. In fact, co‐operatives may be considered as ‘flagship enterprises’ in their regions, promoting the businesses of the whole network of economic actors linked to them. Co‐operatives engage also in non‐business related activities to support the surrounding community.

Research limitations/implications

While this study helps to understand regional responsibility of customer‐owned firms, as such the findings are limited to the context of this study.

Originality/value

The paper analyzes co‐operatives' social responsibility from a regional perspective and introduces the concept of “regional responsibility”.
Corporate Social Responsibility: Future Prospects in the Turkish Context
Authors: Dincer Caner , Dincer Banu
Published: November 2008

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to determine the most successful companies on social responsibility issues based on the data collected through a field survey and to see the corporate social responsibility (CSR) approach of the five most mentioned companies, their future projects, and their main social investment drivers in order to clarify the future prospects of CSR in the Turkish context.

Design/methodology/approach

In this study, data was collected from two sources, at first; a survey is conducted on consumers. Second, face‐to‐face interviews are realized to illuminate the future prospects on CSR issues of these firms and to elucidate their vision.

Findings

Not surprisingly, the most appreciated companies on CSR have a pro‐active approach. However, this should not be taken as a reality of Turkey since these companies are leaders in the field. The most important issues according to consumers and these managers, and the main basic principles of the companies making a CSR investment, are determined.

Research limitations/implications

Though the aim of this study had been to examine the future prospects of CSR projects in Turkey, the interviewees didn't give details about their future projects. It is also impossible to make generalizations for Turkey with the data collected from consumers as it was collected only in the Istanbul urban area. Concerning the interviews, only five firms are included in the second part of the study.

Practical implications

The study enriches the extant literature and provides future research areas as well as insights and basic principles for managerial use in determining the most suitable CSR strategies and investing for CSR projects.

Originality/value

As the subject of the study is open to continuous development, this study shows the current situation on CSR issues via the leader companies in Turkey according to consumers.
Corporate Social Responsibility and Affirmative Action Program
Authors: Roy Prashant , Alam Mohsin
Published: November 2008

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to identify the responsibility of the growing private sector in India towards society and how it can contribute to the providing social justice in the Indian society.

Design/methodology/approach

Only doctrinal method of research has been adopted because of time constraints.

Findings

During the course of the research, the hypocritical approach of corporates was revealed, especially in the context. On one hand, the corporates are resisting any legislation which would forcefully push them towards affirmative action; but on the other hand no such initiative has been taken up by them to stop the government from doing so.

Research limitations/implications

Any sort of field study was impracticable.

Practical implications

At the time of writing, the government's mood is swinging towards passing legislation to‐persuade the corporate sector to participate in providing affirmative action to the lower strata of the society.

Originality/value

This is one of the first researches in this area and not many people have actually written about CSR and affirmative action put together.
No Principals, No Principles and Nothing in Reserve: Shell and the Failure of Agency Theory
Authors: Crowther David , Ortiz Martinez Esther
Published: November 2008

Purpose

Agency Theory is normally used to explain the relationship between the managers of a corporation and its owners, or shareholders, and to legitimate the payment of share options, and other remuneration mechanisms, to those managers on the basis that this will align the interests of the managers of a corporation with those of its owners. The paper aims to argue that this outworn legitimation is not just based on a bankrupt theory but is actually deleterious to corporate performance, managerial behaviour and the relationship between managers, shareholders and other stakeholders.

Design/methodology/approach

The approach is to examine the behaviour of the managers of The Royal Dutch/Shell Group of Companies (“Shell”) as they have continued to reinterpret accounting regulations, reclassify oil reserves and re‐report past and probable/possible future performance of the company.

Findings

The argument is predicated in the assertion that in the relationship between owners and managers of such a corporation there are actually no principals and therefore there can be no agents. Furthermore, the rewards structure developed from the theory provides a motivation for managerial misrepresentation leading to a situation in which principles are defunct. The Social Contract between all stakeholders to a corporation has been reinvigorated as a basis for sustainable performance, with consequent implications for the behaviour of all parties to the contract.

Originality/value

The paper illustrates that evidence abounds showing that corporations do not have any sense of social responsibility and do not feel constrained by any kind of ethical code, no matter what their corporate literature states, but that there are an increasing number of stakeholders to organisations who are demanding accountability – and forcing corporations to respond accordingly.
“Thou Shalt not be Good Enough”: (Mis)understanding CSR
Authors: Riese Juliane
Published: November 2008

Purpose

The paper's purpose is to improve understanding of corporate social responsibility (CSR), by critically examining two assumptions taken for granted in capitalist market economies as well as economic theory, and their consequences for CSR.

Design/methodology/approach

The two assumptions of resource scarcity and the necessity to outperform competitors, and their consequences for one's understanding of CSR are discussed. Some criticisms of CSR are reviewed in this context.

Findings

The paper argues that the named assumptions put pressure on individuals and induce fear, inhibiting individual reflection on the ends and consequences of economic activity. Moreover, if individuals look to organizations for alleviation of fear, this will inhibit such reflection on the organizational level. This lack of reflection leads to CSR being interpreted and practised in narrow ways, for example, as a public relations measure unconnected to core business. Thus, in order to arrive at a more holistic understanding and practice of CSR, the basic assumptions of scarcity and outperformance must be addressed.

Originality/value

The paper positions the CSR concept, as well as the problems and criticisms related to it, in a broader historical, cultural and psychological context.
A Study of Corporate Philanthropic Traits among Major Malaysian Corporations
Authors: Bin Amran Azlan , Lynn Ling Lim , Sofri Yahya
Published: November 2008

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to comprehend the whole phenomenon of corporate philanthropy in Malaysia by studying the traits of companies that make significant contributions to society. Specifically, it looks at firms' ownership structures and specific characteristics and their influence on the extent of corporate philanthropy.

Design/methodology/approach

This study employs Agency theory as the basis for explaining philanthropic behaviour of Malaysian companies. A total of 100 public‐listed companies were selected from the top 200 companies based on market capitalization as listed on the Bursa Malaysia. The ownership structures and firm characteristics of the selected companies were tested against the extent of corporate philanthropy in order to see the relationship among the variables. In addition, multiple regression analysis was used to test the hypotheses.

Findings

The findings of this study reveal that ownership structure does have some influence on corporate philanthropic activities. This is consistent with the proposition of Agency theory. In addition, the size factor is also found to be a significant determinant of philanthropic tendency among Malaysian companies.

Practical implications

In view of the increasing importance of corporate philanthropy in the overall context of corporate social responsibility and nation building, this study serves well in providing an insight into the determinants of corporate philanthropic tendencies in Malaysia. By doing this, it extends the horizon of the study done by Prathaban and Rahim on the levels of firm charitable contributions.

Originality/value

This paper offers an important explanation of the factors that influence corporate philanthropic tendency, particularly in the Malaysian context.
Corporate Social Responsibility and the Fetter of Profitability
Authors: Scott Simeon
Published: November 2008

Purpose

The purpose of the paper is to examine five themes arising from definitions of corporate social responsibility (CSR): responsibility to the community and society; promoting democracy and citizenship; reducing poverty and the inequality between rich and poor; employee rights and working conditions; ethical behaviour. The paper also aims to evaluate three important articles on CSR, and investigate conceptual value added, with reference to these five themes.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper uses a Hegelian dialectical method to analyse CSR. This method is used to evaluate Friedman's classic 1970 article, the 2004 Christian Aid Report, the 2006 Corporate Watch Report and the conceptual value added aspects of CSR.

Findings

The evidence suggests strongly that, irrespective of the subjective will of CEOs, corporate profitability acts as a fetter to authentic social responsibility.

Practical implications

As CSR tends to be reduced to a range of marketing techniques, of varying degrees of sophistication, the paper calls for a discussion on ways in which producers and distributors can become authentically responsible to the societies in which they operate.

Originality/value

An analysis of CSR that employs Hegelian dialectics provides a means of explaining the relevance of the contradictions inherent in contemporary corporate and consumer behaviour. A study of these contradictions helps us to understand the widely reported gulf between the theory and practice of CSR advocates. Such an understanding is likely to be of value to those academics, students and others seeking to theorise, and bring into being, authentic social responsibility.
Corporate Social Responsibility and the Empowerment of Women: An Indian Perspective
Authors: Jatana Renu , Crowther David
Published: November 2008

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is both to argue that CSR has a role to play in the empowerment of women in India and to show that this is actually happening.

Design/methodology/approach

The research is based on reported information from Indian companies.

Findings

The paper makes a link between these two topics which has not been made before.

Practical implications

The paper has a practical implication both for Indian companies and for companies elsewhere in the world in terms of their concern with corporate social responsibility.

Originality/value

The paper's value is in broadening and defining the concept of CSR and its implications.
Accounting Ethics Education in Turkish Public Universities
Authors: Tunca Caliyurt Kiymet
Published: November 2008

Purpose

Ethics education in accounting has become more of an issue after the Enron collapse. The aim of the study is to evaluate the importance given to accounting ethics education in business schools in Turkey and to discuss the possible problems by comparing the results with developed countries.

Design/methodology/approach

For the evaluation of the ethics education in Turkey, a questionnaire was sent to all accounting departments of business schools.

Findings

In this study low rates of ethics education in Turkey were found but, if an academician has received accounting ethics education, he/she is shown to be more likely to teach ethics.

Originality/value

These experiences would be a good guide for Turkish academics for development of ethics education in accounting programmes of business schools.
Challenges for Bangladesh to conquer avian influenza
Authors: Haider Muhiuddin , Nahar Ahamed Shamsun , Leslie Teresa
Published: November 2008

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to increase awareness about the issues the world and, more so, Bangladesh faces in overcoming avian influenza. Also, the purpose is to examine whether the avian influenza situation and communication strategy adopted in the country follows risk communication principles.

Design/methodology/approach

An extensive literature review using recently published works, government documents, and organizational reports is employed.

Findings

If not controlled, avian influenza has the potential to become a global pandemic with extremely high morbidity and mortality rates. Bangladesh presently has policies and programs in place to attempt to control the virus but many challenges, such as the implementation of an effective risk communication strategy, remain.

Originality/value

This paper identifies a wide variety of sources that would be useful information for policy makers and program managers.
Painkiller purchasing in the UK
Authors: Paddison Andrew , Olsen Kine
Published: November 2008

Purpose

The aim of this paper is to explore, through exploratory qualitative research, how perceptions of involvement and risk, for female consumers, influences their information search and product evaluation decision‐making for over‐the‐counter (OTC) painkillers.

Design/methodology/approach

In‐depth interviews were conducted amongst 25 female OTC painkiller purchasers from one pharmacy. Females are more engaged with and have a greater likelihood to use OTC medication. Despite the benefits of applying qualitative approaches when researching self‐medication, there are few self‐care qualitative studies.

Findings

Despite the greater availability and awareness of OTC medicines, the purchasing process is still underpinned by inherent risk. Alongside base levels of involvement, painkillers had situational importance with there being unease as to the risk involved. Consumers felt uncertainty as to the worth of their knowledge and this was compounded by a lack of informational clarity. Finally, the risk of side‐effects and the relative importance of subjective beliefs often took precedence during evaluation.

Research limitations/implications

Information needs to be made more accessible, whilst there is scope to capitalise upon family history as interpersonal sources were deemed to be empathetic. As the study was conducted once in a “local” setting, the time span and level of interactivity could be extended by studying consumers “lived experiences”. Triangulated research amongst related parties, such as pharmacists, could build on this exploratory study.

Originality/value

OTC medicine sales have grown with self‐medicating consumers purchasing painkillers the most frequently. Previous research has stemmed from medical sociology, pharmacy practice and public policy, and there is a lack of contemporary (UK) consumer behaviour research on OTC painkiller purchasing.
Marketing “smart” medical innovation: physicians' attitudes and intentions
Authors: Carter Ella
Published: November 2008

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to investigate physicians' attitudes toward smart fabric medical innovation and more specifically to examine how perceived ease of use and perceived usefulness affect physicians' attitudes and intention to use smart fabric technology.

Design/methodology/approach

Data for this study were collected using a web‐based survey instrument delivered via email to a randomly selected group of physicians (n=207) responses with no missing data). Physicians were chosen because physicians' acceptance is key to social acceptance of smart medical innovations, whether as an instrument to further their efforts to monitor patients through telemedicine or to expand their diagnostic capabilities.

Findings

Significant effects were found for the direct relationships between attitude and intention to use and between perceived ease of use and perceived usefulness. However, the relationships between attitude on intention to use, perceived usefulness on intention to use and perceived ease of use on perceived usefulness were not statistically significant.

Originality/value

Smart fabric technology is a recent development that has received widespread attention in textile industry publications as well as consumer market publications, but relatively little in medical journals. Even though many of the applications are still limited to military situations, the diffusion of these “smart” innovations into mainstream markets has the potential to significantly impact numerous lives. This is especially true for smart fabrics that have been developed for medical markets because these innovations have the potential to save lives, alter the way physicians practice and impact significantly the quality of care provided to patients.
Social enterprise in Europe: recent trends and developments
Authors: Defourny Jacques , Nyssens Marthe
Published: November 2008

Purpose

Twelve years ago, the concept of social enterprise was rarely discussed in Europe, however it is now making significant breakthroughs in European Union (EU) countries. Within this context, the purpose of this paper is to synthesize major evolutions experienced by social enterprises across Europe and the key challenges they are facing; and specific members of the EMES European Research Network provide a more in‐depth update as to current trends and debates in their respective countries

Design/methodology/approach

This paper is based on a comparative analysis of the different institutions (legal frameworks, public policies, supporting structures, public procurement policies …) which support the development of social enterprises in the different EU countries. To delimit the field, the paper relies on the “ideal‐type” social enterprise as defined by the EMES network: “Social enterprises are not‐for‐profit private organizations providing goods or services directly related to their explicit aim to benefit the community. They rely on a collective dynamics involving various types of stakeholders in their governing bodies, they place a high value on their autonomy and they bear economic risks linked to their activity”.

Findings

It was found that although the concept of social enterprise itself has not gained the same recognition in all EU countries (and is even still poorly understood in several of them), the reality is that growth and social enterprise are being experienced in most EU countries.

Originality/value

If the concept of social enterprise is on the public agenda of several EU countries, the understanding as well as the institutions to support their development vary from one country to the other. This paper provides a comparative analysis of this heterogeneous but rich landscape.
Innovation in social enterprise: achieving a user participation model
Authors: Rotheroe Neil C. , Miller Liz
Published: November 2008

Purpose

The place of social enterprise in providing innovation in the delivery of services previously undertaken by the public sector is currently receiving much attention, as is service user participation in the delivery of services. The purpose of this paper is to investigate the propensity of a service delivery model to positively influence service users' goals, fulfil their own expectations and life chances.

Design/methodology/approach

A case study of a social enterprise, providing services to children with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) and their families. The paper takes a Kantian perspective on the position of service users as ends in themselves, is informed by social capital theory and is carried out as a single case study with survey, interviews and triangulation.

Findings

The service delivery model is found to increase social capital and assists in the reduction of social exclusion and in the building of local sustainable development. It delivers positive social outcomes and the importance of innovative capacity in the social enterprise sector is demonstrated.

Originality/value

Lessons from the participatory service delivery model are felt to be transferable to other service delivery areas. Improvement in public sector understanding is shown to need attention in this context.
Corporate social responsibility (CSR) information disclosure by annual reports of public companies listed at Indonesia Stock Exchange (IDX)
Authors: Mirfazli Edwin
Published: November 2008

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to provide empirical proof concerning the social focus of responsibility information disclosure – dominant in annual reports of basic and chemical industries groups – and how the company's group type affects the amount and focus of social disclosure in a company's annual report.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper explains and describes data characteristics employed in the research. Annual reports are analyzed by content analysis method.

Findings

The results show that the main foci of social disclosure from companies registered at the Indonesia Stock Exchange are labor theme (51.60 percent), followed by customer theme (19.40 percent), society theme (14.70 percent) and environmental theme (14.30 percent), respectively. Hypothesis test proved that there is no significant difference in the presentation of social disclosure amount in all themes between companies in the basic and chemical industries group or in the variety industries group.

Research limitations/implications

The composing of a social disclosure list tends to be subjective and it is possible to omit certain items that are supposed to be disclosed by the company.

Practical implications

The paper shows that it is necessary to pay increased attention to the social environment, considering that companies and society are equally important.

Originality/value

This paper describes the importance of amount, manner, and the reason behind a company's social responsibility disclosure.
Towards an Islamic international financial hub: the role of Islamic capital market in Malaysia
Authors: Yusof Rosylin Mohd. , Shabri Abd. Majid M.
Published: November 2008

Purpose

In line with the government's policy to promote Malaysia as an international hub for Islamic banking and finance, the purpose of this paper is to evaluate the dynamic effects of both Islamic and conventional stock markets on foreign portfolio investments.

Design/methodology/approach

First, the paper explores the short and long‐run relationships between (FPI) and three markets, i.e. the goods, money, and securities market. Second, the paper attempts to examine the relative importance of the three markets in accounting for variations in FPI. Consistent with earlier studies, the goods market variable considered is real income (Y). The money market variables tested are the broad money supply (M2), treasury bill rate (TBR) and the US Federal Fund rate (FFR), while the security market is represented by both Kuala Lumpur Shari'ah Index (KLSI) and Kuala Lumpur Composite Index (KLCI).

Findings

The findings of the study indicate that among the three markets studied, the securities market in Malaysia (both conventional and Islamic) is the most significant market in attracting FPI into the economy. This implies that to a certain extent, the government's effort in promoting Malaysia as the international hub for the Islamic capital market has been successful.

Originality/value

The paper suggests that further efforts need to be enhanced in promoting Malaysia as the International hub for the Islamic banking and finance. The paper's findings shed some light on the policy ramifications pertaining to attracting foreign investors into the ICM in Malaysia and in moving towards a more globally competitive capital market.
Islamic bond issuance: what sovereign debt managers need to know
Authors: Jobst Andreas , Kunzel Peter , Mills Paul , Sy Amadou
Published: November 2008

Purpose

The most popular form of Islamic finance is commonly referred to as sukuk – wholesale, asset‐based capital market securities. The purpose of this paper is to enhance the general understanding of essential policy considerations in the creation and development of sukuk markets.

Design/methodology/approach

This policy paper reviews the key developments in the sukuk market and informs a debate about challenges and opportunities going forward. The paper presents a qualitative analysis of economic, regulatory and legal issues that warrant consideration.

Findings

The paper finds that while the sukuk market continues to generate strong interest by new issuers in Muslim and non‐Muslim countries alike, some critical constraints arising from continued legal uncertainty and regulatory divergences still need to be overcome. As issuers weigh the costs and benefits of sukuk issuance in a broad policy context, continued efforts will be required to overcome a series of economic, legal and regulatory issues.

Originality/value

The paper presents, for the first time, a structured analysis of sukuk markets aimed at identifying key considerations for sovereign debt managers, especially in non‐Muslim countries.
Mobile Children: Small Captives of Large Structures?
Authors: Jensen An‐Magritt
Published: November 2008

All over Europe more parents are living apart and children increasingly commute between two homes. This article explores children’s mobility. Two questions are raised. First, do children with ‘modern’ (consensual unions) family background, commute more? Second, can mobility between parental homes impinge on children’s everyday welfare? In conclusion, the article discusses whether commuting is solely in the child’s best interest. Could it be argued that children’s welfare is sacrificed for parent’s interests, and even ‘captives’ of a globalised society in need of people ‘lighter on their feet’? The case of Norway is used to illustrate a general developmental pattern.
Role of STAT6 and SMAD2 in a model of chronic allergen exposure: a mouse strain comparison study
Authors: Hirota J. A. , Ask K. , Fritz D. , Ellis R. , Wattie J. , Richards C. D. , Labiris R. , Kolb M. , Inman M. D.
Published: November 2008

Background
Asthma is a disease characterized by variable and reversible airway obstruction and is associated with airway inflammation, airway remodelling (including goblet cell hyperplasia, increased collagen deposition and increased smooth muscle mass) and increased airway responsiveness. It is believed that airway inflammation plays a critical role in the development of airway remodelling, with IL‐13 and TGF‐β1 pathways being strongly associated with the disease progression. Mouse models of asthma are capable of recapitulating some components of asthma and have been used to look at both IL‐13 and TGF‐β1 pathways, which use STAT6 and SMAD2 signalling molecules, respectively.

Objectives
Using brief and chronic models of allergen exposure, we utilized BALB/c and C57Bl/6 to explore the hypothesis that observed differences in responses to allergen between these mouse strains will involve fundamental differences in IL‐13 and TGF‐β1 responses.

Methods
The following outcome measurements were performed: airway physiology, bronchoalveolar lavage cell counts/cytokine analysis, histology, immunoblots and gene expression assays.

Results
We demonstrate in BALB/c mice an IL‐13‐dependent phosphorylation of STAT6, nuclear localized in inflammatory cells, which is associated with indices of airway remodelling and development of airway dysfunction. In BALB/c mice, phosphorylation of SMAD2 is delayed relative to STAT6 activation and also involves an IL‐13‐dependent mechanism. In contrast, despite an allergen‐induced increase in IL‐4, IL‐13 and eosinophils, C57Bl/6 demonstrates a reduced and distinct pattern of phosphorylated STAT6, no SMAD2 phosphorylation changes and fail to develop indices of remodelling or changes in airway function.

Conclusion
The activation of signalling pathways and nuclear translocation of signalling molecules downstream of IL‐13 and TGF‐β1 further support the central role of these molecules in the pathology and dysfunction in animal models of asthma. Activation of signalling pathways downstream from IL‐13 and TGF‐β1 may be more relevant in disease progression than elevations in airway inflammation alone.