bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
To buy or not to buy? A social dilemma perspective on green buying
Authors: Gupta Shruti , Ogden Denise T.
Published: October 2009

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to draw on social dilemma theory and reference group theory to explain the attitude‐behavior inconsistency in environmental consumerism. This research seeks to better understand why, despite concern towards the environment (attitude), consumers fail to purchase environmentally friendly or green products (behavior).

Design/methodology/approach

A survey instrument was developed that used scales to measure eight independent and one dependent variable. In addition, socio‐demographic data were also collected about the study participants. To discriminate between green and non‐green buyers, classification with discriminant analysis was used.

Findings

The framework presented contributes to the environmental consumerism literature by framing the attitude‐behavior gap as a social dilemma and draws on reference group theory to identify individual factors to help understand the gap and suggest ways in which to bridge it. Results from the study reveal that several characteristics of the individual – trust, in‐group identity, expectation of others' cooperation and perceived efficacy – were significant in differentiating between “non‐green” and “green” buyers.

Practical implications

The results of the study offer several managerial implications. First, marketers should reinforce the role trust plays in solidifying collective action. Second, because of the strong influence of reference groups in green buying, marketing communications managers should use spokespeople who are relatable. Third, the study showed that expectation of others' cooperation significantly identifies green buyers. Fourth, to address the perception of personal efficacy, it is important that green marketers emphasize the difference that individual action makes for the collective good.

Originality/value

The research draws on both social dilemma and reference group theories to investigate the determinants of and the mechanisms to explain the rationale behind the attitude‐behavior gap as it pertains to a specific environmental issue – energy conservation.
Do credit card redemption reward programs work in China? An empirical study
Authors: Tingchi Liu Matthew
Published: October 2009

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to investigate how a redemption reward program of credit card works in China. The study also seeks to assess Chinese credit card users' level of awareness about the reward‐point programs. Additionally, the factors affecting the redemption of reward points, one customer loyalty program used by many credit card issuers worldwide, are also identified.

Design/methodology/approach

A telephone survey and a followed regression analysis were conducted in five major cities in China with more than 400 samples.

Findings

Lack of awareness about the reward points programs and the redemption procedure was shown. Low customer awareness about point‐based reward programs and, not surprisingly, low redemption rates were also discovered. The important conditions positively affecting redemption of reward points were found to include awareness of the reward point program, a positive attitude about the incentives, and average frequency of credit card usage. Also, redemption rates were higher for cards that had been issued more recently. Moreover, redemption behaviors and credit card usage habits may be changed in time of financial crisis.

Practical implications

Awareness of reward points programs, redemption procedure, and benefits of redemption of reward points should be increased by better and more effective communication strategy, provided by credit card marketers, to customers or potential customers.

Originality/value

The lower‐middle class market segment in China is studied to provide background information regarding behavior towards credit card reward programs in the banking industry. Additional information is provided towards marketing managers who hold the responsibility of promoting their usage and rewards.
Stock ownership as a motivation of brand‐loyal and brand‐supportive behaviors
Authors: Aspara Jaakko
Published: October 2009

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to explicate the psychological motivations underlying this influence as well as to provide empirical evidence of it. Individuals' consumption psychology and investment psychology have been traditionally viewed as rather separate realms. However, researchers have recently begun to imply that an individual's stock ownership in a company may positively influence his/her brand loyalty towards the company.

Design/methodology/approach

A survey study of 293 individual stockowners of three companies is presented.

Findings

The analysis shows that, for a large proportion of individuals, becoming a stockowner of a company leads to positive, increased motivation to exhibit brand loyalty towards the company, in terms of his/her personal purchases of the company's products. Second, the analysis shows how stock ownership often leads to increased motivation to engage in other brand‐supporting behaviors, such as positive word‐of‐mouth.

Research limitations/implications

The self‐reported data used on individuals' motivations somewhat restrict the results, which can be dealt with in further research.

Practical implications

The findings imply opportunities for managers to benefit from the tendency of individual stockowners to engage in repeat purchasing of the company's products and word‐of‐mouth, so as to increase the sales of the company.

Originality/value

The paper explicates the individual psychology motivations underlying the influence of a consumer's stock ownership in a company on his/her brand loyalty towards the company – and provides empirical evidence of the motivations.
Ten tips to winning at consumer centricity: for retailers and manufacturers
Authors: Ross Brian
Published: October 2009

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to offer retailers and manufacturers tips on adopting a comprehensive consumer‐centric approach to business in order to maintain a competitive edge in the retail marketplace.

Design/methodology/approach

The approach takes the form of exploring the benefits and challenges of adopting a consumer‐centric marketing approach by offering real‐world examples and statistics to retailers and manufacturers in order to aid them in implementing this approach across their own corporate environment.

Findings

Three out of four retailers (75 per cent) identify a consumer‐centric approach as one of the top three most important factors in business success. Despite the challenges of implementing and optimizing a consumer‐centric strategy, such as budget constraints and poor access to data, retailers and manufacturers see consumer centricity as a vital lifeline and a profitable alternative to a strategy based solely on price.

Practical implications

In order to truly influence consumers' brand selections, retailers and manufacturers must understand their consumers and behavior leading up to a purchase. A consumer‐centric strategy can provide a monumental advantage in influencing shoppers and engendering high value consumers.

Originality/value

The paper presents tangible tips and tools to utilize in the real world, along with statistics from 55 retailers and 65 consumer product companies.
Libraries and immersive learning environments unite in Second Life
Authors: Hill Valerie , Lee Hyuk‐Jin
Published: October 2009

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to explore the current impact of virtual worlds on librarianship and identify significant gains in a new mode of information delivery and immersive learning.

Design/methodology/approach

Through exploratory research and observation, the prospective study addresses a very new trend in information delivery and technology within library services.

Findings

Provides evidence of global collaboration among information scientists, significant contributions to library collections, and potential for educational opportunities through immersive learning environments.

Research limitations/implications

A small number of librarians are participating in virtual world librarianship in relation to the profession, due to the mode being a very new one. Future research should include studying the needs of library patrons and information seeking behaviors in virtual worlds along with accessibility, security and sustainability.

Practical implications

The study implies many educational opportunities and potential for information organization, information delivery, multimedia, and immersive learning on a global scale.

Originality/value

This study presents significant evidence that virtual worlds have provided a new medium of information delivery and educational opportunities that librarians are currently embracing and sharing with other fields, including medicine, art, science, and education.
Evolution of electronic resources support: is virtual reference the answer?
Authors: Resnick Taryn , Clark Dennis T.
Published: October 2009

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to describe the further evolution of electronic resources access support at Texas A&M University Libraries with recommendations for incorporating ER support into a virtual reference (VR) service. In a previous article, the implementation of a two‐tiered electronic resources (ER) HelpDesk service was discussed. While an improvement, that service existed in parallel with the library's VR service, requiring separate staff and expertise. After considerable discussion and exploration, it became apparent that the needs of ER support could be met, with some modification, within the VR service.

Design/methodology/approach

A project at the Texas A&M University Libraries sought to utilize an existing VR service, staffed by reference librarians and staff, to expand and improve handling and resolving ER access problems.

Findings

VR software is effective for managing an electronic access problem reporting system. Integrating ER support into VR more broadly and equitably distributes responsibility for access and supports improved service for patrons and increased transparency and functionality for staff who respond to electronic resources access problems.

Practical implications

Virtual reference and electronic resources staff can merge similar responsibilities for better service to patrons.

Originality/value

This article offers experience‐based guidance on utilizing VR technology and staff to effectively address and resolve electronic resource access problems. Our research suggests that there has not been another report of the use of integrating electronic resource problem reporting into virtual reference services.
A simple data grid using the Inferno operating system
Authors: Hancock Brian
Published: October 2009

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to demonstrate the efficacy of using the Inferno operating system to set up a simple data grid.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper demonstrates the set up and concepts of a simple data grid using the Inferno operating system.

Findings

The research finds that a secure but simple data grid can be set up to access documents wherever they may be.

Practical implications

The data grid makes it very simple to move files from machines as if the user was using one virtual machine.

Originality/value

There is no need to use complex systems to set up a data grid, it can be done easily without much overhead.
Farsi lexical analysis and stop word list
Authors: Davarpanah M.R. , Sanji M. , Aramideh M.
Published: October 2009

Purpose

The purpose of this article is to present an aggregated methodology for construction of the stop word list in Farsi language and generate a generic Farsi stop word list.

Design/methodology/approach

The stop word list is extracted based on: syntactic classes, domain dependent, corpus statistic and expert judgments. Some of the main challenges that arise in the Farsi automatic text processing are outlined as well.

Findings

Results from the techniques are aggregated and a general Farsi stop word list containing 927 words is generated.

Practical implications

The created stop word list can affect the efficiency and effectiveness of retrieval and indexing process in Farsi information retrieval system, moreover, it can play an important role during Farsi text segmentation.

Originality/value

Our stop word extraction algorithm is a promising technique; it could be applied into other languages that they have ambiguities in automatic text segmentation.
Role identity and attributions of high‐performing salespeople
Authors: Steward Michelle D. , Hutt Michael D. , Walker Beth A. , Kumar Ajith
Published: October 2009

Purpose

This paper aims to propose and test an exploratory model, illustrating performance differences based on underlying role identities and attributions of salespeople in business markets.

Design/methodology/approach

The sample consists of 60 salespeople from a Fortune 100 high technology firm responsible for managing multi‐million dollar customer projects. Interviews with both salespeople and their sales managers provided the data to examine the relationships among role identities, attributions, and performance.

Findings

The model suggests that higher‐performing salespeople have role identities as sales consultants, whereas lower performers tend to have role identities as technical specialists. Further, those salespeople with sales consultant role identities were more likely to attribute success to relational factors, whereas salespeople with technical specialist role identities were more likely to attribute success to technical factors. There were no significant relationships among role identities and attribution type in unsuccessful customer engagements.

Research limitations/implications

While multiple sources of data were obtained from both salespeople and sales managers, all the respondents were from one large multinational organization.

Practical implications

The link between role identity and attributions provides opportunities for situation‐based sales training programs, and sheds new light on performance differences among salespeople.

Originality/value

The paper isolates role identity as a potential driver of salesperson performance.
Multiplicity of norms in inter‐company cooperation
Authors: Tuusjärvi Eiren , Möller Kristian
Published: October 2009

Purpose

This paper aims to examine the multiplicity of norms in inter‐company cooperation in the context of an SME export group. It will show that the strategic interests of the parties call for more diversity in norms than that identified in existing studies on relational exchange.

Design/methodology/approach

This is a qualitative longitudinal case study of a group of five firms. The theory of relational exchange served as the basis for analysis, interpretation, and context of the research findings.

Findings

This study shows that both relational and discrete norms are necessary for cooperative groups. Furthermore, the paper argues that companies in cooperation have a shared need to retain a certain degree of independence and to develop normative expectations for autonomy while cooperating. Consequently, it suggests a new category of norms: “norms of moderated autonomy”.

Research limitations/implications

The findings are based on limited case material. Thus, future study is required to examine the validity of the suggestions and their applicability in the context of larger companies.

Practical implications

The study suggests that the parties need to be explicit with their interests that form the basis for the emergence of cooperative norms, and to acknowledge the contingent and conflicting nature of these different normative expectations.

Originality/value

The research focuses on the overlooked topic of the independence and maintenance of autonomy in business cooperation. By proposing a new category of norms of moderated autonomy, the study expands the seminal theory of relational contract.
Cross‐cultural marketing strategies for delivering knowledge‐based services in a borderless world: the case of management education
Authors: Javalgi Rajshekhar (Raj) G. , Benoy Joseph W. , LaRosa Richard J.
Published: October 2009

Purpose

Knowledge‐based services range from accounting, engineering, and management consulting to educational services. This paper seeks to explore the nature of management education services and to discuss how business schools can employ cross‐cultural product‐market strategies to enter and serve foreign markets with programs that match the needs of the targeted markets.

Design/methodology/approach

A framework is presented for delivering management education services across borders. Hofstede's cultural dimensions are integrated in recognizing the cultural characteristics of a target country and differing learning styles of students in making market entry decisions and the pedagogical styles that might apply to specific target markets.

Findings

In seeking new globally diverse markets, providers of knowledge‐intensive services such as management education must craft marketing strategies that recognize consumer demand and consumption characteristics as well as service design and delivery options that fit market needs.

Research limitations/implications

Global expansion of management education services and the strategic and tactical considerations that are introduced in the framework can provide a fertile field for empirical research.

Practical implications

The paper develops cross‐cultural “product‐market” strategies that business schools can consider in serving international markets, with product defined as the curriculum, instructional style, and all of the ancillary services that constitute the educational service experience. Generalizability of the findings to other knowledge‐based services is also discussed.

Originality/value

The conceptual framework recognizes a dominant theme in international business, suggesting that internationalization potential depends on service industry characteristics and on specific host country internationalization drivers.
Betrayal? Relationship quality implications in service recovery
Authors: Bugg Holloway Betsy , Wang Sijun , Beatty Sharon E.
Published: October 2009

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to examine whether high quality relationships buffer or magnify the negative impact of a failed service recovery on subsequent consumer attitudes and behaviors.

Design/methodology/approach

A total of 264 online shoppers were surveyed using a structured questionnaire. Respondents were asked to imagine themselves in a hypothetical failed service recovery scenario involving a multi‐channel retailer with whom they shop.

Findings

Results from a MANCOVA analysis and SEM modeling indicate that, following a failed service recovery incident, high quality relationships present a challenge for the service provider. In accordance with the hypotheses, consumers with a high level of relationship quality will decrease their repurchase intentions to a greater extent; more strongly and negatively adjust their overall relationship quality; and react to the service recovery effort less favorably than those with lower levels of relationship quality.

Research limitations/implications

The findings suggest that high quality relationships may “raise the bar” of service recovery management, rather than “buffering” firms from service failure.

Practical implications

Service providers should consider the potential implications of customer relationship quality in their service recovery management efforts.

Originality/value

The study provides empirical evidence of the “double‐edge” issue of relationship quality in service recovery management, illustrating the need to incorporate this variable in future service failure/recovery research.
A multi‐level analysis of customer contact teams
Authors: Wech Barbara A. , Norman Kennedy Karen , Deeter‐Schmelz Dawn R.
Published: October 2009

Purpose

As organizations increasingly rely on teams to provide high levels of customer service, one's understanding and research methods related to teams must expand so that multiple hierarchical levels of an organization are analyzed effectively. This study aims to propose and test a model examining multi‐level team relationships.

Design/methodology/approach

Survey data from customer contact teams in a banking setting were analyzed using hierarchical linear modeling (HLM), a method appropriate for investigating individual and group level variables within an organization.

Findings

Results indicate that team‐member exchange, a group‐level variable, is positively associated with employee performance and organizational citizenship behavior (OCB), and explained variance in outcomes above and beyond that explained by the individual‐level relationship between the supervisor and subordinate.

Research limitations/implications

Analyzing both individual‐ and group‐level variables through HLM explicates team processes and outcomes. While this study examines the banking environment, certainly, teams are an area fertile for additional study in a variety of industries.

Practical implications

The results provide support for the importance of team development and training as organizations increasingly use teams to provide critical customer service. Attention to the employee‐manager relationship and team member interactions will improve performance.

Originality/value

The paper extends understanding of important team member outcomes in an environment that increasingly relies upon teamwork to serve customers. It examines team‐member exchange and its effects on employee performance and OCB in the context of customer contact teams. Additionally, investigates leader‐member exchange in the context of team‐member exchange, a relationship that provides a more robust understanding of team processes.
Good negotiations: strategies for negotiating vendor contracts
Authors: de Jong Mark
Published: October 2009

Purpose

Like most negotiators, librarians often have the best interests of their institution and constituents in mind when haggling with vendors. Although noble, this mindset frequently leads to acrimony, distrust between parties and an unsatisfactory contract or weak relationship. This paper aims to provide exemplars of non‐intuitive negotiating strategies that may strengthen bargaining power and relieve adversarial interactions.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper elaborates on a six‐month contract negotiation with a courier service meant to reduce library‐shipping costs. Three basic strategies were used, and they are presented as exceptional methods for enhancing the bargaining environment.

Findings

Mitigating expenditures wherever possible, but especially within a weakened economy, is often a priority for libraries. By using elementary and good faith bargaining methods when negotiating with vendors, librarians may not only meet their goals but surpass them.

Originality/value

The paper provides readers with three basic negotiating strategies within the framework of an actual contract negotiation. These strategies are discussed as best practices applicable to any contractual bargaining environment.
Long‐term care and maintenance of book carts in libraries
Authors: Kruse Ted
Published: October 2009

Purpose

Book carts are the most basic piece of library equipment. With simple repairs and maintenance, these sturdy pieces of equipment can have an even longer service life. The purpose of this paper is to provide advise on the long‐term care and maintenance of book carts in libraries

Design/methodology/approach

This paper provides a “how‐to” approach to solving common maintenance issues with book carts.

Findings

New book carts can be expensive but simple, cost‐effective repairs can greatly increase their service life.

Originality/value

Repairing book carts is an easy method of reducing library operating costs.
What price preparation?
Authors: Steele Kirstin
Published: October 2009

Purpose

The purpose of the paper is to reflect on the financial advantages and disadvantages of deferring a building renovation project.

Design/methodology/approach

This is a viewpoint paper in which the author attempts to see past her department's inconveniences.

Findings

Postponing the project is likely to be financially advantageous.

Originality/value

It is hoped that readers whose projects have undergone similar false starts will feel less alone, and it is hoped that readers who have been able to renovate or build libraries will better appreciate their experiences.
Library leadership column
Authors: Fitsimmons Gary
Published: October 2009

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to discuss the part that managing skill sets plays in practicing the performance standard of managing people effectively.

Design/methodology/approach

The approach is to differentiate between organizing staff positions around job functions and organizing staff positions around the skills that individuals bring to the positions.

Findings

The findings are that individuals are more productive when they have the chance to use their unique skill sets rather than having to do tasks for which they have little or no skills simply because those tasks are part of a larger function.

Originality/value

The value is in learning how to advance organizational goals through effective use of employee skill sets.
A license to digitally print money
Authors: Maxymuk John
Published: October 2009

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to discuss the implications of the proposed Google Books Settlement for libraries, readers, researchers, authors and publishers.

Design/methodology/approach

The broad effects of the settlement for all categories of users are discussed.

Findings

There appears to be much to like about the proposed settlement for all parties, but there are still a number of concerns for libraries regarding preservation, intellectual freedom, pricing and copyright.

Originality/value

The paper provides an overview of a complex subject that all in the information world must confront.
Cultivating donors with effective programming
Authors: Silverman Emily
Published: October 2009

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to provide suggestions for developing events to engage donors and prospective donors.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper discusses and gives examples of programming to inspire support over time.

Findings

This paper proposes that for some segments of a library's stakeholder base, social gatherings can be effective means to cultivate relationships and build interest in philanthropic support.

Originality/value

The value of this paper is in its suggestions for promoting the library's needs and opportunities through events.
Students' pressure, time management and effective learning
Authors: Sun Hechuan , Yang Xiaolin
Published: October 2009

Purpose

This paper aims to survey the status quo of the student pressure and the relationship between their daily time management and their learning outcomes in three different types of higher secondary schools at Shenyang, the capital city of Liaoning Province in mainland China.

Design/methodology/approach

An investigation was carried out in 14 higher secondary schools (HSS) located in five districts of Shenyang. Both qualitative and quantitative approaches were used, such as interviews and questionnaires.

Findings

The important findings include: the students pressure sources in three different types of higher secondary schools, the strongest pressure felt by the HSS students in China was the pressure from national college entrance examinations (NCEE), the rank orders of other pressures were pressures from parents, from society, from others, from schools, from teachers. The findings also include the relationship between student time management (time for sleep, time for getting up, time spent at schools, time for doing homework) and the students learning, the tests frequency in different types of HSS, the relationship between the tests frequency and student learning outcomes, etc.

Originality/value

To survey the HSS students' pressure causes, to explore the relationship between their time management and learning outcomes, to find out the effective learning factors and strategies will benefit students, teachers and schools worldwide.
The principle of hiring the best available academics
Authors: Dilger Alexander
Published: October 2009

Purpose

Higher education, including research, depends crucially on the people involved, their talents and human capital. Therefore, a university can improve or at least maintain its standing by hiring only the best available academics. Hiring the absolute best may be too expensive for most and is impossible for all. However, it is not too difficult to recognise the relatively best scholars. The real problem is to act on this knowledge instead of following other objectives. That is why detached decision makers like managers, politicians or academics from other institutions may be in a better position than faculty members with respect to senior hirings. This paper aims to address these issues

Design/methodology/approach

The argument is explained in detail and historical examples are given.

Findings

It is shown why and how to hire the best available academics. The existence of many deviations from this rule offers opportunities for those who follow it.

Research limitations/implications

Besides some practical problems, the key intellectual problem is to measure or even define quality in academia. The principle holds nevertheless for any kind of academic quality.

Practical implications

Universities can improve their status by hiring the best available academics.

Originality/value

One simple (formal) principle can structure the recruiting process and thereby change universities for the better.
Strategies and challenges of internationalisation in HE
Authors: Maringe Felix
Published: October 2009

Purpose

Although internationalisation has become a key strategic element of universities across the world, there is little empirical evidence suggesting the nature and extent of integration of internationalisation into the strategic mission of individual institutions. Little is also known about challenges faced by institutions in their quest to integrate internationalisation into their broad strategic choices. This paper aims to address these issues.

Design/methodology/approach

An exploratory study is conducted in six universities in the UK selected from the Russell pre‐1992 group, the post‐1994 group and former colleges of higher education (HE). The study has three distinct but interrelated aims: how internationalisation is conceptualised in the study institutions; the available evidence for its structural integration into the university services and understanding the perceived challenges institutions face in the quest to integrate the idea as a broad strategic element of those institutions.

Findings

There exist a range of distinct barriers working against the full integration of the concept into the institutional cultures. These include: conceptual and structural deficiencies in the organisation of institutional internationalisation; over emphasis on human exchange initiatives over cultural integration efforts and increasing undercurrents of feelings among staff and students of local neglect at the expense of global attention.

Originality/value

The paper creates a sound basis for a more broad‐based study across the HE sector. Specifically, the paper suggests that the increasing cultural diversity in UK HE brought about in part by internationalisation and also by general human migration occasions new thinking and practices in organisational and management terms to address the needs of the “mosaic or cultural melting pot” phenomena characterising the increasingly multicultural HE learning environments.
Linking trust in the principal to school outcomes
Authors: Chughtai Aamir Ali , Buckley Finian
Published: October 2009

Purpose

The main purpose of this paper is to examine the effects of faculty's trust in the school principal on three school outcomes, namely, self‐reported in‐role job performance (IRP), organizational citizenship behaviour (OCB) and learning goal orientation (LGO). Furthermore, this paper aims to highlight the role of organizational identification (OID) and work engagement (Eng) in explaining the linkage between trust in the principal (TIP) and the three outcome variables.

Design/methodology/approach

Survey data are collected from 130 high school teachers in Pakistan. Hierarchical multiple regression analyses are used to test the research hypotheses.

Findings

The results of this paper revealed that OID and Eng fully mediated the relationship between TIP and IRP; whereas, they partially mediated the effects of TIP on OCB and LGO.

Research limitations/implications

The data used in this paper are cross‐sectional and hence causation cannot be determined. Additionally, the data for this paper are collected from a single source, which may create problem of common method variance. Nevertheless, the results of this paper provide ample testimony to the fact that faculty TIP is a key determinant of school effectiveness.

Originality/value

This paper extends the literature by providing insights into two processes through which TIP can affect performance and learning orientation of teachers.
Knowledge management initiatives at a small university
Authors: Gill Avninder
Published: October 2009

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to address the knowledge management (KM) challenges faced by the administration of a small university which does not have a mature research culture.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper follows both technocratic as well as ecological approaches to develop a sustainable KM. Strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats analysis has been used to assess the problem environment.

Findings

The paper investigates the main issues faced by a small university to enhance its research reputation and identifies key components of a KM system that can be established to achieve these objectives.

Research limitations/implications

KM is of paramount importance for most organizations and a university is no exception. Although knowledge is constantly being accumulated but it cannot be taken for granted. In the absence of a KM system to facilitate the growth and transfer of knowledge, knowledge base can easily be eroded. This is truer for universities engaged in imparting applied knowledge in business, trades, and technology‐related areas.

Originality/value

Most of the reported applications of KM in the education sector are limited to localized applications of information technology (IT). The present paper provides a comprehensive approach for institute‐wide KM by looking at the problem from both the ecological as well as the IT perspective, therefore, providing a more sustainable KM culture. There‐in lies the value of this paper.
Icon, iconography, iconology
Authors: Davison Jane
Published: October 2009

Purpose

This paper aims to explore the entangling of economic, social and cultural values which circulate in visual branding, reflect business practice and add intangibles to organisations.

Design/methodology/approach

The study is placed in the context of the difficulties and shortcomings of accounting for brands. A conceptual framework is constructed, based in critical theory from arts disciplines, notably from the thought of Barthes, Panofsky and Peirce. The icon is a primary denotation or representation. Iconography is a secondary level of coded meaning. Iconology is an interpretation that calls on the unconscious. Intermingling of the icon and the logos is considered. This accounting context and arts framework are used to compare the financial statements of the Bradford & Bingley Bank with its visual branding.

Findings

The financial statements are almost silent regarding brands, in line with regulation. In response to the greater competition that accompanied deregulation and globalisation, the Bank's lending and funding practices become more innovative. The visual framework reveals a changing iconography and iconology where class, detectives, music hall and the bowler‐object may be discerned. An iconology is suggested of dreamlike connotations and magical powers in the collective unconscious. The Bradford & Bingley have actively managed their visual branding to reflect and appeal to a changing society, and a more competitive business environment.

Research limitations/implications

The study provides a model which may be applied to visual aspects of financial reporting and branding. It would benefit from an assessment of readership impact.

Practical implications

The analysis is of interest to accounting researchers, practitioners, trainees and auditors. It illuminates the ways in which visual branding interacts with business practices and conveys intangible values that are not reflected in the accounts.

Originality/value

The paper augments theoretical and empirical work on visual images in accounting.
Media richness, user trust, and perceptions of corporate social responsibility
Authors: Cho Charles H. , Phillips Jillian R. , Hageman Amy M. , Patten Dennis M.
Published: October 2009

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to determine whether the presentation medium of corporate social and environmental web site disclosure has an impact on user trust in such disclosure, and to examine the effect of media richness on user perception about corporate social and environmental responsibility.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper's methodology is a three‐by‐two between‐subjects design experiment, manipulating presentation medium and industry type. Participants viewed social and environmental web site disclosures and completed and communicated their perceptions of trust and the experimental companies' corporate social responsibility.

Findings

The presentation medium richness of social and environmental web site disclosures is positively associated with: trusting intentions, but not trusting beliefs, of web site users; and user perception of corporate social and environmental responsibility.

Research limitations/implications

As with all controlled experiments, the research design focused on internal validity to maintain control over the task design, manipulation, and measurement of variables. While this required trade‐offs with external validity, the task was designed based on real‐world scenarios to maintain high levels of external validity within the experimental setting.

Practical implications

The paper provides evidence that corporations could use enhanced web‐based technology to potentially mislead users regarding their performance in the social domain.

Originality/value

The paper extends the visual disclosure literature by examining the richness of the image/visual media, and investigates whether user perceptions are impacted by the variations in its richness.
Ensuring legitimacy through rhetorical changes?
Authors: Laine Matias
Published: October 2009

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to shed further light on how corporate environmental disclosures are used to respond to institutional pressures stemming from the social context.

Design/methodology/approach

Interpretive textual analysis is applied to discuss how the environmental disclosures of a leading Finnish chemical company developed during the period 1972‐2005. This discussion is accompanied by an analysis of the social and institutional context in which the company has been operating. The development of the disclosures is reflected against changing social and institutional pressures identified from the perspective of new institutional sociology.

Findings

The results show that during these 34 years there have been major transitions in the rhetoric used by the case company in its environmental disclosures. These transitions coincide with changes in the social and institutional context. It is argued that the case company has adjusted its disclosures to respond to the varying institutional pressures in order to maintain a legitimate position in society.

Research limitations/implications

The subjective nature of the interpretive approach and the use of a single case limit the generalisability of the results. However, the longitudinal approach is argued to produce valuable insights on how corporate disclosures are used as a communication tool to portray the organisation in a certain light.

Originality/value

The study adds to a growing body of literature using interpretive approaches in deconstructing corporate disclosures. The influence exerted by social and institutional pressures on corporate disclosures is highlighted, further research avenues can therefore be proposed.
Construction and effects of markets in a local authority in New Zealand
Authors: Ochoki Nyamori Robert
Published: October 2009

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to make intelligible the rationalities and mechanisms through which markets have been proffered as alternatives or complements to traditional welfare‐based provision and the effect of this development on the subjectivity of workers.

Design/methodology/approach

The research involved collection of archival data, personal encounters and in‐depth interviews with managers, staff and elected representatives at a local authority in New Zealand. Michel Foucault's concept of governmentality is mobilised to interpret these data.

Findings

The paper finds that the mandatory changes required by legislation are associated with efforts to constitute local authority workers as business‐like subjects through disciplinary mechanisms and technologies of the self. While markets have permeated this local authority, with some managers and staff claiming to work in a business‐like manner and transact with each other as customers, these discourses have not vanquished the traditional concern of working for one organisation to serve the community.

Research limitations/implications

While the results of this study are not generalisable to other contexts, they show how the introduction of New Public Management in a specific context is associated with a contest between the traditional discourses of community and public service, and the more recent ones of enterprise and customer. The paper illuminates the pathologies associated with these new technologies and how their implementation is often divergent from the rationalities in the name of which they are promoted.

Practical implications

The paper will contribute to ongoing debate on how best to deliver public goods and services and especially, the limits and potential of markets.

Originality/value

The paper's mobilisation of Foucault's governmentality framework in the study of a local authority case study in a contemporary setting is relatively unusual.
On leaving a job
Authors: Deller‐Evans Kate
Published: October 2009

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to celebrate the sense of opportunity arising from realising that one is not trapped in a toxic job.

Design/methodology/approach

Satirical poem.

Findings

Deciding to leave a job can be uplifting.

Originality/value

Addresses the relief felt when an unhappy employee resolves to leave a job that has turned sour.
No‐one now is at my desk
Authors: Evans Steve
Published: October 2009

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to raise the issue of transition problems in organisations when employees are taken for granted.

Design/methodology/approach

Satirical poem.

Findings

Employers need to consider the risk of not dealing adequately with staff grievances.

Originality/value

The paper addresses the negative impact on an employer of staff departure from the perspective of the former employee.
Asian‐Indian physicians' experience with managed care organizations
Authors: Misra Ranjita , Modawal Arvind , Panigrahi Bhagaban
Published: October 2009

Purpose

There is anecdotal evidence that ethnic minority physicians are underrepresented in managed care contracts. The purpose of this paper, therefore, is to determine ethnic Asian‐Indian physician‐managed care organization experience and job satisfaction in the USA by age, gender, region and percent of patients in managed care organizations.

Design/methodology/value

A random (nation‐wide) mail survey was conducted of 254 physicians who were American Association of Physicians of Indian Origin (AAPI) members during the period 1998 to 2000. Managed care experience was categorized into physician satisfaction; service quality rating; service limitations; difficulties acquiring and maintaining managed care contracts; and financial impact.

Findings

Physicians in solo and group practice relied heavily on managed care enrolled patients. Limitations providing care to patients was a more serious problem than for those in staff‐model health maintenance organization and hospital/clinic‐based practices. Physician satisfaction was not significantly related to board certification, practice type, region and managed care participation. However, practice staff participating in managed care had the highest number of board‐certified physicians.

Research limitations/implications

There was a low response rate (37 percent) to data collection using questionnaires.

Practical implications

The paper underlines ethnic minority physicians' capability to get managed care contracts.

Originality/value

This is the first national study of Asian‐Indian physicians and their managed care organization experience. Asian‐Indian physicians are over‐represented in the medical profession and hence the paper will interest those working and dealing with managed care organizations and their patients.
Patients' views on quality of care and attitudes towards re‐visiting providers
Authors: Wilde‐Larsson Bodil , Larsson Gerry
Published: October 2009

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to explore the relationship between patients' service quality perceptions and their attitudes towards visiting the same healthcare provider again.

Design/methodology/approach

All patients visiting one of 121 (public) primary healthcare centres in a Swedish region between January and March 2005, who were 16 years or older and capable of communicating, were invited to participate. Responses were obtained from 22,170 patients (75 per cent response rate). Patients evaluated service quality using the “Quality from the Patient's Perspective” (QPP; modified short version) questionnaire. Potentially confounding variables such as age, sex, educational level, illness and self‐reported health condition were also assessed. Data were analysed through generalised linear mixed effects model analysis and multiple regression analysis respectively, using both individual‐ and organisational‐level (primary healthcare centre) data.

Findings

Approximately 10 per cent hesitated about continuing to visit the same care provider. Favourable service quality evaluations made a statistically significant contribution to the odds of reporting no hesitation about re‐visiting the same primary healthcare centre.

Originality/value

Patients' care experiences appear to have an effect on post‐care‐episode attitudes (and possibly behaviours). It is suggested that effects on care‐proximal aspects, such as hesitation about visiting the same provider again, could be an important link to more distal phenomena such as general health status.