bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A preliminary test of the validity of a proposed intertemporal stewardship theory
Authors: Pirie Wendy L. , McCuddy Michael K.
Published: October 2007

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to provide an initial test of the validity of an intertemporal stewardship theory. This theory incorporates stewardship considerations, based on a foundation of spirituality, as well as financial considerations into financial decision‐making models.

Design/methodology/approach

Contends that successful contemporary companies incorporate both financial and stewardship considerations into their decision making. Fortune magazine's Global Most Admired Companies list was used to define company success. Using Fortune's reputational criteria, companies were differentiated in terms of level of success. Hypotheses were developed about the articulation of and emphasis on financial considerations and stewardship considerations as evidenced by the corporate mission for highly successful vs less successful companies. The hypotheses were tested using paired t‐tests on mission statement data developed for the top‐, middle‐, and bottom‐ranked companies in each of the global industry categories in the 2002 Fortune magazine list. The intent was to determine if hypothesis‐relevant features of the mission statements significantly differed for the companies that were ranked at the top, middle, and bottom of their industries.

Findings

The results of this analysis indicate that organizational success cannot be achieved by focusing primarily on financial or stewardship considerations, but rather company success depends upon emphasizing both financial and stewardship considerations within the context of a clearly articulated mission focus.

Research limitations/implications

The research should be extended to cover more than a one‐year period. This will result not only in a test of validity over time but also a larger sample size.

Practical implications

The practical implications are threefold – for managers and for business professors and researchers. Managers should ensure that mission statements are sufficiently well articulated and focused, and that both financial and stewardship considerations are sufficiently emphasized. Business professors and researchers should use a new paradigm – incorporating both stewardship and financial considerations – for teaching and thinking about business and for conducting meaningful and realistic research.

Originality/value

The preeminence of financial considerations in business decision making is challenged in this article. We find that the most successful companies incorporate stewardship considerations as well as financial considerations into their decision making, at least as it is reflected in their missions. This article provides evidence that decision making can no longer be devoid of stewardship considerations if an organization is to survive and prosper over the long term.
Re‐evaluating green marketing strategy: a stakeholder perspective
Authors: Rivera‐Camino Jaime
Published: October 2007

Purpose

The present study aims to examine the influence of stakeholders on green marketing strategy (GMS). Marketing literature recognizes that stakeholders play a significant role in influencing organizations and markets, but has not targeted a single integrated approach to examine the relationship between stakeholder management and GMS.

Design/methodology/approach

This research comprised several phases, including the development of a typology of GMS, an analysis of how managers prioritize stakeholders, a study of the influence of stakeholders on GMS, and an analysis of the influence of the organizational context on managers' perception of the stakeholders. The hypotheses were validated using multivariate correlational techniques.

Findings

The study identified the stakeholders associated with GMS and their impact on the strategy adopted by the firms, and established how this is moderated by the firm's own economic sector and organizational characteristics.

Research limitations/implications

Future studies might replicate and extend the research in other industries and countries to ascertain whether environmental concerns have different effects in other contexts.

Practical implications

The surveys on GMS and stakeholder perception undertaken in the present survey are a potential source of information for managers – because they can be used as a self‐diagnostic tool to determine if a firm's attitude to the environment is reactive or proactive.

Originality/value

Results show that the organizational “greening” process is not a linear, one‐dimensional progression, rather an uneven process in which several GMS profiles prioritize different stakeholders. The results also reveal that underlying perceptual, behavioral, and organizational factors influence GMS implementation.
Limit conjoint analysis and Vickrey auction as methods to elicit consumers' willingness‐to‐pay
Authors: Sichtmann Christina , Stingel Susanne
Published: October 2007

Purpose

Limit conjoint analysis (LCA) and Vickrey auctions (VA) are methods for measuring willingness‐to‐pay (WTP) currently under discussion. However, there are hardly any studies comparing the approaches in terms of their applicability and validity. This paper aims to analyze the differences in WTP elicited by the two methods and their validity in high and low involvement situations.

Design/methodology/approach

Data were obtained from 179 online interviews conducted in Germany. Differences in the WTPs elicited were analyzed with a Wilcoxon Signed Ranks Test. For the validation part, a χ2 test of independence was used.

Findings

The results indicate differences depending on the method applied and the involvement situation. Additionally, the study indicates that for low involvement products VA performs better while for high involvement situations the results are not as clear. In terms of validity, both methods do not show satisfactory results.

Research limitations/implications

In order to generalize the findings further WTP comparisons should be done with other survey objects, samples and measurement approaches. The contribution of this paper is to show that there are significant differences in WTP measurement depending on the method used and the involvement of consumers.

Practical implications

Marketing researchers and practitioners are advised to pay special attention to the choice of method when measuring the WTP for a specific product. VA should be preferred in low involvement situations. LCA should not be used in situations where consumers are not interested in the product.

Originality/value

The study presented is the first paper to tackle the issue of influencing factors of WTP measurement systematically.
Consumer complaint behaviour of Asians and non‐Asians about hotel services
Authors: Ngai Eric W.T. , Heung Vincent C.S. , Wong Y.H. , Chan Fanny K.Y.
Published: October 2007

Purpose

This paper aims to test the differences in the consumer complaint behaviour of Asian and non‐Asian hotel guests in terms of culture dimensions. It also aims to examine the relationship between demographic factors (age, gender and education level) and complaint behaviour.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper adopts the Hofstede's typology of culture as a framework to investigate cultural differences and demographic characteristics in the complaint behaviour of hotel guests. A face‐to‐face interview survey is conducted to collect data in this research. Data are then analyzed by various statistical methods such as two‐way contingency table analysis, non‐parametric Mann‐Whitney U and Chi‐square tests.

Findings

The survey reveals that older complainants tend to resort to “public actions,” but people with a higher level of education tend not to complain publicly. In addition, Asian guests are less likely to complain to the hotel for fear of “losing face” and are less familiar with the channels for complaint than non‐Asian guests. They are more likely than non‐Asian guests to take private complaint action, such as making negative word‐of‐mouth comments. The findings also indicate that there is a significant relationship between “complaint encouraging factor” and respondents' nationality and between “effective complaint handling method” and respondents' nationality.

Originality/value

Few studies have focused on the cultural differences in complaint behaviour of Asians and non‐Asian hotel guests in the hotel industry. The result will be most valuable in assisting hotel managers and marketers to better understand the customer complaint behaviour and intentions both from the Asian and non‐Asian contexts, and help formulate strategies and tactics to effectively manage the customer complaint.
Perceived relationship quality and post‐purchase perceived value
Authors: Moliner Miguel A. , Sánchez Javier , Rodríguez Rosa M. , Callarisa Luís
Published: October 2007

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to study the formation of a consumer's attitude towards a supplier, given the identification of the key indicators of perceived relationship quality, and their links with one another and with the perceived value of a purchase.

Design/methodology/approach

Three cities were chosen, in different regions of Spain, and of different sizes. A total of 402 valid interviews were carried out in two industries: tile manufacturing and tourism. The selection procedure was random.

Findings

The results show that the consumer's satisfaction is the main basis for perceived relationship quality. The paper likewise verifies the importance of transaction‐level evaluations for perceived relationship quality. The automatic affective reactions generated in the consumer in the first moments, and the social impact of the purchase, are aspects that determine perceived relationship quality. The paper also looks at the importance of considering commitment as an attitude.

Research limitations/implications

The intention to repurchase should be incorporated, together with the social norms identified, in the model of Fishbein and Ajzen.

Practical implications

To gain a customer's loyalty it is necessary to achieve his/her satisfaction. A supplier must pay attention to customers' trust and commitment throughout all transactions. Suppliers must take care of the quality of their products and the attention given by the contact personnel, paying special attention to certain emotional aspects relating to customers' enjoyment of the product and to their stay in the sales outlet during the process of deciding to purchase.

Originality/value

The paper clarifies two new concepts, perceived value and the quality of the relationship, and empirically verifies the causal relationship between them, in two different industries.
Conceptualizing word‐of‐mouth activity, triggers and conditions: an exploratory study
Authors: Mazzarol Tim , Sweeney Jillian C. , Soutar Geoffrey N.
Published: October 2007

Purpose

Organizations continually seek new ways to achieve competitive advantage and word of mouth (WOM) represents such an opportunity because it has a powerful influence on consumers' attitudes and behaviors. However, prior research offers little insight into what WOM really means. The present study aims to investigate the complexities of the WOM concept and simultaneously examine the triggers that motivate people to offer WOM and the conditions that enhance the chance of WOM occurring.

Design/methodology/approach

A series of six focus groups were undertaken with consumers, these were supplemented by more than 100 critical incident questionnaires.

Findings

Two key WOM themes, termed “richness of message” and “strength of implied or explicit advocacy”, were identified, as well as various triggers and conditions that affect WOM occurrence.

Research limitations/implications

The study was based on two kinds of qualitative research, but quantitative research is required to fully test the derived WOM model. Further, the study focused on WOM from a giver's point of view. Research into WOM from a receiver's viewpoint is also needed.

Practical implications

The present study suggested that WOM activity is more complex than previous research has argued. Managers should consider various WOM facets and, in particular, recognize WOM will be most favorable when it is positive, richly described and conveyed in a strong manner.

Originality/value

The paper developed a WOM model that incorporates these additional themes and provides a basis for future quantitative research into WOM.
A typology of mass services: the role of service delivery and consumption purpose in classifying service experiences
Authors: Ng Sandy , Russell‐Bennett Rebekah , Dagger Tracey
Published: October 2007

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to provide services marketers with a deeper understanding of the elements that characterize mass services. The paper shows that many studies have been conducted within the context of professional and retail services, knowledge of mass service contexts is limited despite the growth of services within this context.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper provides a conceptual overview of mass services and develops a typology for mass services based on an extensive review of the services literature. Specifically, the typology developed classifies mass services on the basis of service delivery and purpose. The typology forwarded, therefore, classifies mass services using a two‐by‐two framework with individual and collective mass services classified as either utilitarian or hedonic in nature.

Findings

The typology found in this paper provides a practical insight into the characteristics of services falling into the classification of mass services. The value of the classification is that managers can better understand the unique aspects of mass services, thus, allowing for a better utilization of limited resources. Moreover, the paper provides insights into a service classification that has received limited research emphasis, yet, is attracting increasing industry attention.

Originality/value

This paper provides academics and practitioners with a framework that has both tactical and strategic implications. These implications include enhancing the customer experience and thus customer retention, resource management, employee training and service management. Given that such a framework has not been forwarded in the literature, the typology presented in the current paper makes an original contribution to the literature.
Passengers' expectations of airport service quality
Authors: Fodness Dale , Murray Brian
Published: October 2007

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to contribute to the development of a conceptual model of service quality in airports by conducting an empirical investigation into passengers' expectations for this service industry.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper is a qualitative exploration of the airport experience from the passengers' perspective was combined with a review of relevant literature to identify variables, to clarify basic concepts and to generate a conceptual model of airport service quality expectations. The paper's quantitative research was used to develop a self‐report scale to measure passenger expectations of airport service quality, to test dimensionality and to evaluate scale reliability and validity.

Findings

Qualitative and quantitative research on nearly 1,000 airport users provided results suggesting that passengers' expectations of airport service quality is a multidimensional, hierarchical construct that includes three key dimensions: function, interaction and diversion.

Research limitations/implications

By bringing together different literatures and research paradigms to conceptualize service quality in a novel environment, the study contributes to the ongoing extension of service quality research. It is limited insofar as efforts to define a global expectations construct may have “homogenized” results.

Practical implications

This paper builds on the extant literature on service quality to propose an approach for measuring passengers' expectations of airport service quality that can serve as a foundation of a concise and easy‐to‐administer self‐report measure for identifying and managing airport service quality strategies.

Originality/value

The paper shows that by going beyond traditional service performance measures used in the airport industry and by introducing new variables to the service quality literature, such as Csikszentmihalyi's taxonomy of activity, this study broadens and enriches both practice and theory.
Hispanic vs non‐Hispanic response to online self‐service tasks: implications for perceived quality and patronage intentions
Authors: Miyazaki Anthony D. , Lassar Walfried M. , Taylor Kimberly A.
Published: October 2007

Purpose

Although internet growth has allowed producers to shift control of service transactions to the customer, little research has examined the effects of this shift. The purpose of this paper is to focus on how the performance of different task types differentially affects consumer responses.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper is a field study using online data collection to examine the US Hispanic market, the fastest‐growing consumer group in the US as well as one of the fastest growing online user groups.

Findings

The paper finds that Hispanic consumers were less affected by the type of task than non‐Hispanic consumers, in terms of perceived quality, satisfaction, and intended patronage. Using constructs from the communications literature, task effects on three communication perceptions were shown to explain the differences.

Research limitations/implications

The results provide support for the notion that more complex (transaction) tasks can lead to lower evaluations than less complex (information) tasks, while also providing some limiting conditions to this result.

Practical implications

The results in this paper suggest that services firms should consider, not only the environment in which the service encounter will be performed, but the type of service task, the type of consumer, and the potential interaction between them. As service organizations move from face‐to‐face to online service provision, they must consider how, online service provision is evaluated by consumers’, and how this affects patronage intentions.

Originality/value

The paper shows the usefulness of communications medium perceptions in explaining the interactive effects of service task and consumer type. It is pertinent to service providers, academic researchers, and consumer groups.
Adaptation in inter‐firm relationships: classification, motivation, calculation
Authors: Schmidt Sven‐Oliver , Tyler Katherine , Brennan Ross
Published: October 2007

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to examine how and why business firms, both as suppliers and as customers, make specific adaptations to their products and processes to meet the particular requirements of another firm with which they are transacting business.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper is based on qualitative interviews with key decision makers in international services business‐to‐business organisations.

Findings

The results show that adaptations cover many areas within a company, and that the explicit costs and benefits of adaptations were calculated only to a limited extent. The paper shows that most of the suppliers investigated make adaptations to meet market and customer requirements, whereas customers make adaptations following an explicit relationship management approach.

Research limitations/implications

Specific adaptation by one firm for another in the context of long‐term buyer‐seller relationships is an everyday fact of life and clearly of importance to the understanding of business marketing strategy. This aspect of business‐to‐business marketing deserves greater research attention.

Practical implications

Managers often have a narrow view of adaptation as the alteration of tangible factors, in particular the product or the production process. By taking a broader view of adaptations – to include personnel/human resources, behavioural and organisational structure changes – managers would open up a wider repertoire of strategies for relationship management, to the benefit of their firms.

Originality/value

Although adaptations are important for competitive success in business‐to‐business markets, the main types of adaptations, their costs and benefits, and the motivation of companies to make adaptations, have been subject to relatively little research, a gap, which this paper seeks to address.
Conceptualizing effectiveness in a non‐profit organizational environment
Authors: Papadimitriou Dimitra
Published: October 2007

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to empirically identify a coherent set of effectiveness measures, which attempts to accommodate the interests and expectations of the most influential constituent groups directly participating in the operation of the Greek national sports organizations.

Design/methodology/approach

The multiple constituency approach to effectiveness provides the theoretical basis for developing the multi‐dimensional measure of effectiveness. A survey design was employed to collect data from 423 respondents from the 20 largest Greek national sports organizations.

Findings

The analysis of the results revealed an interpretable set of effectiveness measures consisting of five dimensions, namely calibre of the board and external liaisons, interest in athletes, internal procedures, long‐term planning and sports science support. The results clearly illuminate the effectiveness‐related expectations of the five constituent groups of the particular context and appear consistent with relevant literature deriving from different sectors.

Originality/value

This study broadens both the meaning and the determinants of organizational effectiveness in an under‐researched organizational context, that of the non‐profit Greek national sports organizations. The findings reported extend understanding about how effectiveness can be conceptualized in the particular context based on the multiple‐constituency approach. Evidence is also provided that the particular set of measures has the potential to provide meaningful insights into the content of the interest groups' expectations, in the particular context.
Boosting government reputation through CRM
Authors: da Silva Rui , Batista Luciano
Published: October 2007

Purpose

The objective of this paper is to point out the potentialities of customer relationship management (CRM) in the building of government reputation by raising key aspects of corporate reputation theory that can be strengthened by similar CRM strategic orientations and supported by the deployment of CRM solutions.

Design/methodology/approach

From a public sector perspective, the authors develop a comparative approach to corporate reputation and CRM premises, concepts, and practices. They draw aspects from both theories that can enable the building and management of corporate reputation in the public sector with the support of CRM solutions.

Findings

Challenging the popular criticism that most public agencies and departments are bureaucratic, slow, and incapable of taking immediate action, governments are striving to revert this negative image by adopting new business approaches and applying new information technologies to optimize their processes. In this context, CRM has a potential value to fulfil government needs to become more responsive to the public.

Practical implications

The considerations raised in this paper provide relevant issues for future research aimed at studying CRM and reputation in the government context. Public managers may benefit from the practical aspects and cases provided in this paper.

Originality/value

A theoretical link is developed between CRM and corporate reputation, bringing a new dimension to the matter. Many public managers are leading projects to adopt customer‐focused strategies without realizing they are also working on government reputation. An attempt is made to bring this awareness to the surface by linking some aspects of corporate reputation theory with CRM. Focusses on the public sector, which usually faces the problem of public cynicism.
Identifying employees' perceptions on organizational obligations
Authors: Bellou Victoria
Published: October 2007

Purpose

This study aims to identify the organizational obligations that are mostly valued by employees and potential variations in perceptions regarding the ideal psychological contract, between employees working in the public and the private sectors.

Design/methodology/approach

A total of 1,145 employees, with 398 being employed in the public sector, participated in the study. The study took place in Greece, where the public sector's particularities provide excellent ground for comparisons with the private sector. Overall, 40 organizational obligations, drawn from existing literature, were adopted to measure employees' view of the desired psychological contract. A comparison based on sectors was made to check for differences.

Findings

Overall ranking of the organizational obligations, based on employee perceptions, is provided. Next, statistical analysis through t‐tests exposed significant variation in seven organizational obligations. In all cases, variations could be attributed to organizational and structural differences between organizations operating within the Greek public and private sectors.

Research limitations/implications

The Greek public sector particularities may limit this study's findings' generalization across all organizations operating within the public sector around the world. Besides, national culture may have also affected the results. Finally, the sample is a convenient one, as no relevant database was available.

Practical implications

According to this study's findings, employees working in the public and private sector have different view of the desired psychological contract. Theoretically, such a finding provides support to previous researchers' suggestions about organizational factors' impact on psychological contract formation. Practically, it seems that effective human resource management necessitates taking organizational factors into serious consideration.

Originality/value

This paper provides information of both theoretical and practical significance with regard to employment relationships.
A post‐modern cultural competency framework for public administration and public service delivery
Authors: Rice Mitchell F.
Published: October 2007

Purpose

The dramatic population growth of Hispanics and immigrants, combined with the issue of diversity, in the United States population raises several important questions about the future role of public administration and the delivery of culturally appropriate and culturally responsive public programs and public services in the post modern era of diversity. What is cultural competency in public programs and public service delivery? Can public agencies become culturally competent organizations? What is a cultural competency model for public administration and public service delivery? Aims to answer these questions that point to the need for a “new” kind of public servant and public service agency provider– one who possesses explicit cultural competency skills to work with racial/ethnic and cultural/linguistic groups in the delivery of public programs and public services.

Design/methodology/approach

Utilizing a literature review approach, the paper examines the concept of culture in public administration and argues that “culture” and “competency” must be tied together thereby leading to a contemporary standard and operational framework for advancing cultural competency in public administration and public service delivery. The article argues that cultural competency can enhance public administration/public service delivery normative values by increasing an agency's ability to work efficiently, effectively, and equitably in the context of cultural differences.

Findings

The paper concludes that there are five reasons for incorporating cultural competency into the study and practice of public administration/public service delivery and moving a public agency toward cultural competence.

Practical implications

Embracing cultural competency in public service delivery recognizes the salience of understanding the cultural context in which any direct public service encounter occurs. Advancing cultural competency presents an opportunity to address the incomplete and often times inaccurate public services and public programs provided to minority populations. A focus on cultural competency increases the relevancy of a public agency's administration, services and programs to the groups that can best utilize them. Having knowledge, awareness, and skills in cultural competency, service delivery professionals are better prepared to do their jobs.

Originality/value

This paper should be of value to both academics and practitioners as they grapple with diversity and immigration issues, public administration, public programs and public service delivery.
Developing an understanding of results‐based management through public value theory
Authors: Try David , Radnor Zoe
Published: October 2007

Purpose

This article aims to report on research undertaken to assess the utility of public value theory in understanding results‐based management from the perception of public sector executives in Canada.

Design/methodology/approach

The research was carried out using a case study approach. Within the case study, the primary data source was 16 interviews with executives leading to the development of a framework integrating public value and results‐based management.

Findings

The findings are presented through the elements of public value theory, as well as findings which fall outside of the explanatory powers of this theory. A framework integrating results‐based management and public value is presented.

Research limitations/implications

The framework must be viewed as an initial study exploring an under‐researched field. The paper focuses on one case study although the interviews within the case study were extensive and it took an interpretative approach, allowing the findings to emerge.

Originality/value

The article reports on empirical research that examined this issue from the perspective of executives. It will engage public value theory in developing an understanding of executive managers' perceptions, behaviours, and responses to changes introduced by results‐based management.
The practitioners' perspective on records management research
Authors: Ryan David , Lomas Elizabeth
Published: October 2007

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to introduce this dedicated research issue of the Records Management Journal

Design/methodology/approach

This paper provides a brief viewpoint on records management research.

Findings

This issue should clearly demonstrate why research is so critical.

Originality/value

This paper provides a brief viewpoint on records management research.
Purposeful data: the roles and purposes of recordkeeping metadata
Authors: Cumming Kate
Published: October 2007

Purpose

Optimising metadata implementation can significantly improve records management practice. This article aims to identify a number of important issues that should be considered in any implementation of recordkeeping metadata in order to optimise that implementation.

Design/methodology/approach

The research presented was part of a doctoral thesis “Purposeful data: the roles and purposes of recordkeeping metadata” which itself was part of a collaborative research project seeking to comprehensively specify and codify recordkeeping metadata. The purposes were identified via a research method known as warrant analysis.

Findings

Literary warrant identified that metadata fulfil seven different purposes: identifying all entities at all levels of aggregation; establishing connections between related entities; sustaining record structure, content and accessibility through time; administering record‐keeping business; documenting the history of recordkeeping events; facilitating discovery, understanding, retrieval and delivery; and documenting metadata attribution.

Practical implications

Recordkeeping systems should be designed with full awareness of the capacities of metadata and following a full assessment of the organisational needs that should be met by the system. Through better system design and well‐considered metadata implementation, records management operations in any environment can be significantly improved.

Originality/value

The paper establishes key roles of metadata and the importance of system design metadata implementation based on doctoral research.
Records management and information processing on construction sites using digital pen and paper
Authors: Craig Nigel , Sommerville James
Published: October 2007

Purpose

This paper aims to present findings from research that evaluate the defects/snagging management process at construction project level and review the potential for the operation of a novel, paper‐based, records management mechanism.

Design/methodology/approach

The design and use of a hybrid electronic/paper‐based snagging management system are discussed. The design and practicalities of the system are considered as a means towards demonstrating that a link currently exists between modern IT systems and traditional, paper‐based methods of document transfer.

Findings

The paper finds that the snagging aspect of construction projects is often overlooked and under‐estimated. Construction projects require systems that facilitate data input and records management processing, thus removing the reliance upon traditional methods of working. A highly advanced digital pen and paper technology is discussed which has the potential to totally revolutionise the collection of information on paper (for all organisations). The IT system can be adapted for a range of processes/needs which aids not only management but also the individuals on the frontline responsible for collecting site‐based records.

Practical implications

The system highlighted has the potential to be adopted within every construction‐based organisation and indeed wider industrial sectors due to its unique adaptability and ease with which features can be incorporated. There are a number of business benefits to be accrued from the adoption of digital pen and paper‐based IT systems.

Originality/value

Extremely novel technology is discussed. The value to the construction industry and wider industrial sectors is the opportunity to continue working using existing processes, whilst at the same time becoming wholly electronic.
Childrens', parents' and teachers' perceptions of child wellbeing
Authors: Sixsmith Jane , Nic Gabhainn Saoirse , Fleming Collette , O'Higgins Sioban
Published: October 2007

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to present an exploration of parents', teachers' and childrens' perspectives on children's understanding of wellbeing with the aim of illuminating and comparing the conceptualisation of wellbeing from these three perspectives.

Design/methodology/approach

The participatory method developed to undertake the study in this paper stems from the adoption of the “draw and write” technique, with children taking photographs rather than drawing and participating in data analysis. Children aged eight to 12 years took 723 photographs representing wellbeing, while a second set of children grouped the photographs into categories. A third set organised these categories, developing and illustrating through schemata the pattern of relationships between categories. This process was repeated for parent and teacher groups drawing on the photographs taken by the children.

Findings

The findings in this paper show that differences emerged between parents and teachers and children and adults. Parents provided a more detailed conceptualisation than teachers. Children included pets where adults perceived school as being more important in children's wellbeing. The identification of the differing perspectives between children and adults suggests that this approach has enabled children to illuminate their own unique perspective on wellbeing. The paper also demonstrates that children can express complex understandings of abstract concepts.

Originality/value

In the paper the findings reinforce the need to gain children's perspectives rather than relying on adult perceptions of children's perspectives, in order to inform quality service, practice and policy developments.
A survey of UK university web management: staffing, systems and issues
Authors: Cox Andrew , Emmott Stephen
Published: October 2007

Purpose

The purpose of the paper is to summarize the findings of a survey of UK universities about how their websites are managed and resourced, which technologies are in use, and what are seen as the main issues and priorities.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper is based on a web‐based questionnaire distributed in summer 2006, which received 104 usable responses from 87 institutions.

Findings

The survey showed that some web teams were based in IT and some in external relations, yet in both cases the site typically served internal and external audiences. The role of web manager is partly management of resources, time and people, partly about marketing and liaison and partly also concerned with more technical aspects including interface design and HTML. But it is a diverse role with a wide spread of responsibilities. On the whole web teams were relatively small. Three‐quarters of responding institutions had a CMS, but specific systems in use were diverse. Sixty per cent had a portal. There was evidence of increasing use of blogs and wikis. The key driver for the website is student recruitment, with instituitional reputation and information to stakeholders also being important. The biggest perceived weaknesses were maintaining consistency with devolved content creation and currency of content; lack of resourcing a key threat while comprehensiveness was a key strength. Current and wished‐for projects pointed again to the diversity of the sector.

Research limitations/implications

The lack of comparative data and difficulties of interpreting responses to closed questions where respondents could have quite different status (partly reflecting divergent patterns of governance of the web across the sector) create issues with the reliability of the research.

Practical implications

Data about resourcing of web management, technology in use, etc. at comparable institutions is invaluable for practitioners in their efforts to gain resources in their own context.

Originality/value

The paper adds more systematic, current data to our limited knowledge about how university websites are managed.
Strategic information systems planning in Malaysian public universities
Authors: Azizi Ismail Noor , Haslinda Raja Mohd Ali Raja , Mat Saat Rafeah , Mohamad Hsbollah Hafizah
Published: October 2007

Purpose

The paper's purpose is to investigate the current status, problems and benefits of strategic information systems planning implementation in Malaysian public universities.

Design/methodology/approach

The study uses dual but mutually supportive strands of investigation, i.e. a questionnaire survey and interviews.

Findings

Malaysian public universities are aware of the importance of SISP. While only one university has implemented SISP, 15 others are either at the implementation or planning stage. These universities are suggested to devote more time, efforts, and resources to successfully implement the SISP initiative.

Originality/value

This is the first study to investigate SISP status and process in Malaysian public universities using a combination of quantitative and qualitative data.
Mobile phone usage for m‐learning: comparing heavy and light mobile phone users
Authors: Mohd Suki Norbayah , Mohd Suki Norazah
Published: October 2007

Purpose

Mobile technologies offer the opportunity to embed learning in a natural environment. The objective of the study is to examine how the usage of mobile phones for m‐learning differs between heavy and light mobile phone users. Heavy mobile phone users are hypothesized to have access to/subscribe to one type of mobile content than light mobile phone users, to have less frequent access to, subscribe to or purchase mobile content within the last year than light mobile phone users, and to pay less money for mobile learning, its content and mobile games than light mobile phone users.

Design/methodology/approach

Data were collected from 436 respondents. An analysis of variance (ANOVA) test was run to examine how the usage of mobile phone for m‐learning differs between heavy and light mobile phone users in terms of access/subscription to several types of mobile content, frequency of access to, subscription to, and purchase of mobile content within the last year, and maximum amount of money paid for mobile learning, its content and mobile games.

Findings

Significant differences can be identified when comparing the usage of mobile phones for m‐learning between heavy and light mobile phone users. It was found that heavy mobile phone users access/subscribe to more than one type of mobile content than light mobile phone users, have more frequent access to, subscription to and purchase of mobile content within the last year than light mobile phone users, and to spend more money on mobile learning, its content and mobile games than light mobile phone users.

Research limitations/implications

Future research should aim at a deeper understanding of mobile phone usage for learning by including new variables and mediating variables and applying a multivariate analysis of data such as structural equation modelling to interpret the results, as this would allow for a simultaneous relationship among endogenous and exogenous variables, serve as a purposeful representation of the reality from which the data has been extracted, and provide a parsimonious explanation of the data.

Practical implications

Mobile content needs to be developed specifically for mobiles, with clear images and good quality sound to enable users to continue to come back and enjoy new segments and features. Mobile phones must be small, reliable, and convenient devices that can provide the full spectrum of information and entertainment options to users.

Originality/value

This research provides a new perspective on mobile phone usage for m‐learning among Malaysian mobile phone users.
Professional identity as the key to career change intention
Authors: Khapova Svetlana N. , Arthur Michael B. , Wilderom Celeste P.M. , Svensson Jörgen S.
Published: October 2007

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to investigate career change intention and its predictors among career change seekers interested in a career opportunity in the information technology (IT) industry.

Design/methodology/approach

Ajzen's theory of planned behavior (TPB) was used to predict career change intention in this group. In addition, we examined the role of professional identity in predicting career change intention. Data were collected in a sample of 225 aspiring IT professionals from four European countries: Austria, Greece, Italy and The Netherlands.

Findings

The findings showed that among four variables assumed to predict career change intention, only professional identity appeared to be a significant predictor.

Research limitations/implications

The study is limited by the use of career change seekers registered in one web‐based recruiting system.

Originality/value

The paper suggests a higher importance of professional identity in prediction of career change intention compared to other factors that constitute Ajzen's theory of planned behavior.
Impact of parent‐child relationship on the career development process of high school students in Ibadan, Nigeria
Authors: Salami Samuel O. , Oyesoji Aremu A.
Published: October 2007

Purpose

The purpose of this paper was to investigate the relationships of parental attachment and psychological separation to the career development process of secondary school adolescents.

Design/methodology/approach

An ex post facto survey research design was adopted. The sample comprised 242 (males=121, females=121) senior secondary school II students randomly selected. Parental attachment, psychological separation, and career development scales were administered on the students. The data collected were analysed using hierarchical multiple regression analysis treating parental attachment and psychological separation as predictors and career development as a criterion variable. Parental attachment and psychological separation (mother scales) separately and significantly predicted career information‐seeking behaviour of participants. However, combined attachment and separation (father scale) could not significantly predict any of the career development variables.

Research limitations/implications

The study utilised cross‐sectional and self‐report measures.

Practical implications

The cultural environment and type of family in which the study was carried out should be considered. Counsellors in Nigeria should assess views of students' parents and peers on career development.

Originality/value

Most previous studies have linked familial factors like parental educational, financial and modelling opportunities with career development. This study reported the relationship of parental attachment and psychological separation with the career development process. Results from this study may enlighten career counsellors, parents and students on the need to assess the relationship between the students and their parents when dealing with their career development problems.
The impact of organisational support for career development on career satisfaction
Authors: Renee Barnett Belinda , Bradley Lisa
Published: October 2007

Purpose

The purpose of this study was to examine the relationship between organisational support for career development (OSCD) and employees' career satisfaction. Based on an extended model of social cognitive career theory (SCCT) and an integrative model of proactive behaviours, the study proposed that career management behaviours would mediate the relationship between OSCD and career satisfaction, and between proactive personality and career satisfaction.

Design/methodology/approach

Public and private sector employees (N=90) participating in career development activities completed a survey regarding their proactivity, OSCD, career management behaviours and career satisfaction.

Findings

OSCD, proactive personality and career management behaviours were all positively related to career satisfaction and career management behaviours mediated the relationship between proactive personality and career satisfaction. There was no support for the career management behaviours mediating between OSCD and career satisfaction.

Research limitations/implications

This study provided support for the extended SCCT model by testing a subset of its proposed relationships using a cross‐sectional approach. The sample surveyed (employees participating in career development activities) and the large proportion of full‐time employees, may limit the generalisability of the findings. Future longitudinal research could more fully test the relationships proposed by the extended SCCT model and include a greater representation of part‐time and casual employees.

Practical implications

The results suggest that there are benefits for organisations and individuals investing in career development.. First, from an organisational perspective, investing in OSCD may enhance employees' career satisfaction. Second, employees may enhance their own career satisfaction by participating in career management behaviours.

Originality/value

This study integrated the predictions of two models (an extension of SCCT and a model of proactive behaviours) to test the influence of environmental (OSCD) and individual difference (proactive personality) variables on career satisfaction. Exploring how organisational and individual variables together influence career satisfaction provides a more balanced approach to theoretical development.