bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Successful strategies of newly industrialised east Asian firms in Europe
Authors: Chen Ivy S.N. , Wong Veronica
Published: April 2003

This article presents the findings of a study of the successful international marketing strategies and organisational approaches of a group of South Korean, Taiwanese, Hong Kong and Singaporean firms in Europe. Successful firms were found to be more proactive in seeking growth opportunities and were more committed to their markets. They had more aggressive market share objectives, more informal structures and had introduced more products into their target markets. Successful firms had closer relationships with their parent companies and greater autonomy in strategy and pricing decisions. The products of successful firms were also more standardised.
Internet marketing research (1987‐2000): a literature review and classification
Authors: Ngai E.W.T.
Published: April 2003

This paper presents a literature review of, and classification scheme for, Internet marketing (IM) research. The review covers 270 journal articles published between 1987 and 2000 in three types of journals: marketing; economics, business and management; and information systems and information technology. The results show that an increasing volume of IM research has been conducted in a diverse range of areas. A total of 96 percent of the papers were published in the last five years (1996‐2000) of this 14‐year study, and the significance of IM to e‐commerce will increase in the future. The 270 articles are classified into five distinct categories: the IM environment, IM functions, special IM applications, IM research, and other topics. A comprehensive list of references is presented. This review will provide a source for anyone interested in IM research, and will help to simulate further interest in the area.
Leadership style, motivation and performance in international marketing channels
Authors: Mehta Rajiv , Dubinsky Alan J. , Anderson Rolph E.
Published: April 2003

As firms seek to prosper in a fiercely competitive global economy, cooperative inter‐firm alliances among members of the value chain are increasingly being forged. In the area of marketing channels, strategic alliances among international channel partners have become the norm as well. Thus, identification of inter‐firm influence strategies – such as different leadership styles – used by the channel captain to motivate international channel partners becomes increasingly important. More specifically, in administering a firm’s marketing channels, participative, supportive, and directive leadership styles may be effective in eliciting channel partners to exert higher levels of motivation, which, in turn, may be associated with higher levels of performance. The linkages among leadership styles, motivation, and performance are empirically examined on data drawn from a sample of automobile distributors in the USA, Finland, and Poland. International channel management implications are discussed, limitations of the study are identified, and directions for future research are suggested.
Market orientation in the service sector of the transition economies of central Europe
Authors: Hooley Graham , Fahy John , Greenley Gordon , Beracs József , Fonfara Krzysztof , Snoj Boris
Published: April 2003

The Narver and Slater market orientation scale is tested in the context of service firms in the transition economies of central Europe and found to be both valid and reliable. The survey examined levels of market orientation in 205 business to business services companies and 141 consumer services companies in Hungary, Poland and Slovenia. As predicted by the predominantly western marketing literature, those service firms with higher levels of market orientation; were more often found in turbulent, rapidly changing markets; were more likely to pursue longer term market building goals rather than short term efficiency objectives; more likely to pursue differentiated positioning through offering superior levels of service compared to competitors; and also performed better on both financial and market based criteria. A number of different business approaches, however, are evident in the transition economies suggesting that other business orientations may co‐exist with a market orientation creating a richer and more complex set of organizational drivers.
Child care services
Authors: Grace Debra , O’Cass Aron
Published: April 2003

In Australia, the child care industry has experienced substantial growth since 1991 resulting in a proliferation of child care centres throughout the country, to the point where supply of child care places is now in excess of demand. As a result, child care marketers now compete within a turbulent environment where it is vital to satisfy and retain customers in order to survive. Seeks to increase our knowledge of child care services consumption behaviour, and assist the child care marketer to understand their consumers and the difficulties they face as they interact with a service that they do not experience first hand. A self‐administered survey instrument was developed and administered to a sample of child care service switchers. The results indicate significant findings within, and between choice, switching, and post‐switching dimensions. The exploration of decision‐making areas provides a number of practical implications not only for the child care marketer, but also for government policy makers, child care consumers, and service providers in general.
The international advertising practices of multinational companies
Authors: Harris Greg , Attour Suleiman
Published: April 2003

After over three decades of debate, the issue of international advertising standardisation versus adaptation has not resulted in clear conclusions. Previous research indicated that the practice of total standardisation was the exception rather than the rule. Therefore, it became apparent that analytical focus should be placed more firmly on modified forms of standardisation. To this end, a highly sensitive and objective model was developed and used to obtain detailed and precise comparisons between advertisements deployed in different national markets. The results of this study demonstrate that “standardisation” is a flexible policy that can be adapted to a range of circumstances and differing market conditions and not a niche policy that is only suitable for certain types of brands in certain types of market. The study also suggests that rather than focusing on the benefits of total adaptation or total standardisation, the debate should focus more on the benefits applicable to the exact forms of standardisation practiced.
Consumers’ trade‐off between relationship, service package and price
Authors: Odekerken‐Schröder Gaby , Ouwersloot Hans , Lemmink Jos , Semeijn Janjaap
Published: April 2003

Assesses whether consumer segments based on relational aspects, service aspects, or price aspects have different preferences concerning these three key decision‐making variables when buying a car. In addition, assesses consumer segments resulting from simultaneously incorporating relationships, service package, and price. Investigates a large sample of Mitsubishi drivers in The Netherlands emphasizing consumers’ trade‐off between dealer relationship, service package and price. Conjoint analysis showed that dealer relationships (as opposed to price) represent a very important decision‐making variable when buying a car and consumer preferences concerning relationships provide a useful instrument for segmenting markets. Cluster analyses on the basis of three aspects simultaneously revealed that some consumers do value relationships, while others emphasize the service package in their purchase, both opposed to the third segment that is most probably not inclined to be loyal to a car dealer at all. Clearly indicates that different consumer segments can be distinguished on the basis of preferences for relationships and service packages rather than on the basis of price. This knowledge enables car dealers to use their resources more effectively.
Country‐of‐manufacture effects for known brands
Authors: Hui Michael K. , Zhou Lianxi
Published: April 2003

This paper examines the differential effects of country‐of‐manufacture information on product beliefs and attitudes for brands with different levels of brand equity. Results show that when there is congruence between brand origin and country of manufacture (e.g. a Sony television that is made in Japan), the latter information has no significant effect on product beliefs and global product attitude. When country‐of‐manufacture information indicates that a branded product is made in a country with a less reputable image than that of the brand origin (e.g. a Sony television that is made in Mexico), the information produces more negative effects on product evaluations for low equity brands than high equity brands. These results can be attributed to two different perceptual processes through which incongruent country‐of‐manufacture information affects product evaluations for brands with different levels of brand equity.
Examining firm and environmental influences on export marketing mix strategy and export performance of Australian exporters
Authors: O'Cass Aron , Julian Craig
Published: April 2003

This study examines the impact of specific firm characteristics, environmental characteristics and marketing mix strategy on export marketing performance. Data were gathered via a mail survey of firms engaged in exporting. The results indicate that firm characteristics and environmental characteristics impact significantly on both overall performance and marketing mix strategy adaptation by exporting firms. However, the decision to adapt or standardise the marketing mix strategy did not significantly impact marketing performance, implying that either standardisation or adaptation is appropriate and yields comparable performance.
Should marketing managers be concerned about attitudes towards marketing and consumerism in New Zealand? A longitudinal view
Authors: Lysonski Steven , Durvasula Srinivas , Watson John
Published: April 2003

New Zealand has gone through a radical metamorphosis since free market economics were introduced in the mid‐1980s. Marketing managers are particularly interested in the views of consumers about issues dealing with marketing activities. Negative views could signal consumer backlash against free market activities. This study examines the views of consumers from 1986 to 2001 on a range of issues dealing with marketing and consumerism. The results clearly show that consumers are less negative about marketing and consumerism issues since 1986. It seems likely that New Zealand has evolved in terms of the consumerism life cycle over the last 15 years. Marketing managers should continue to remain proactive in their responses to consumer discontents. Implications for New Zealand and for other countries are addressed.
Strategic marketing planning: a grounded investigation
Authors: Ashill Nicholas J. , Frederikson Mark , Davies John
Published: April 2003

Using grounded theory, the authors present an inductive model of strategic marketing planning (SMP) which extends the domain of the marketing planning literature. Based on a field investigation of four large organisations drawn from a single industry using a multiple‐case design, the authors present findings using the views and perspectives of those involved in SMP development and implementation, and identify and group relevant variables into seven major themes or “core categories” that characterise the SMP process. The authors integrate a broad literature search, both within and without of marketing, with the exploratory research results, to develop a grounded theoretical description of multiple layered factors that characterise a SMP process. This grounded “picture” supports the innovative work of Piercy and Morgan, and Greenley and Oktemgil who advocate a broader domain of SMP. We suggest that extending practitioners’ understanding of the nature of these inter‐related factors may lead to better insights of how a SMP process can be managed more effectively.
An evaluation of typologies of marketplace strategic actions
Authors: Pecotich Anthony , Purdie Felicity J. , Hattie John
Published: April 2003

An evaluation of executive perceptions of strategic typologies is presented in the Australian context. Specifically, four strategic typologies (growth versus retrenchment, the product/market matrix, the grand strategy alternatives, and Porter's generic strategies) were compared using confirmatory factor analysis on a set of data obtained from top mangers in Australia. The results tend to support Porter's formulation of cost leadership, differentiation and focus.
The effects of market orientation on trust and commitment
Authors: Farrelly Francis , Quester Pascale
Published: April 2003

There is little empirical research that examines the effects of marketing orientation on the two most important relationship marketing concepts, namely trust and commitment. In this paper, the sponsorship relationship is the focus of an empirical investigation aimed at uncovering the potential effect of market orientation, exhibited by both parties of the sponsorship dyad, upon trust and commitment. By selecting the leading sponsorship property in Australia, the Australian Football League, the majority of key Australian sponsors were included in this study, allowing the authors to draw managerial implications of direct relevance to other sponsors and properties aiming to secure long lasting sponsorship relationships.
Australian marketing managers’ perceptions of the Internet
Authors: Leong Elaine K.F. , Ewing Michael T. , Pitt Leyland F.
Published: April 2003

The Internet is playing an increasingly important role in the marketing activities of organisations across a wide range of industries. While the opportunities afforded by this phenomenon seem readily apparent, there is still much debate and speculation on exactly what impact it will have on marketing. To shed some light on this uncertainty, the present study examines managers’ perceptions of the impact of the Internet on key marketing activities. It employs a quasi‐longitudinal research design involving mail surveys to Australian marketing decision makers. Findings suggest that expectations in 1999 may have been unrealistically optimistic and exaggerated. It would appear that the so‐called “dot.com crash” has led to more realistic and pragmatic expectations among practicing managers in 2001. The study then focuses on differences in perceptions between industries. As expected, divergent views emerge, particularly from within the services sector. Managerial implications are then considered, conclusions drawn and future research directions outlined.
Beyond market orientation
Authors: Darroch Jenny , McNaughton Rod
Published: April 2003

Knowledge is seen as a critical resource, with both tangible and intangible attributes. Effective knowledge management is emerging as an important concept that enables all the resources of firms, including knowledge, to be used effectively. A knowledge‐management orientation is positioned in this paper as a distinctive capability that supports the creation of sustainable competitive advantages such as innovation. Using an instrument to measure a knowledge‐management orientation, which is grounded in Kohli, Jaworski and Kumar's work on a market orientation, this paper identifies four clusters of firms based on knowledge‐management practices that exist within the New Zealand business environment. The clusters are then described according to their innovation and financial performance profiles. The study finds that firms with a knowledge‐management orientation outperformed those classified as market‐oriented. The study also shows a market orientation to be a subset of a knowledge‐management orientation.
Servicing customers directly
Authors: Chow Lilly , Frazer Lorelle
Published: April 2003

This paper analyses operational differences between mobile franchising arrangements and fixed‐site franchises from an agency‐theoretic perspective. Almost 40 per cent of all franchised units in Australia operate as mobile or home‐based businesses, predominantly in service industries where products or services are provided directly to consumers. A two‐stage methodology is reported in this paper, incorporating quantitative and qualitative research methods. In stage one, data obtained from a survey of the population of Australian franchisors in 1998 are analysed to compare operational variables of mobile and fixed‐site franchise units. The second stage of the research employs in‐depth interviews with a sample of mobile franchisors and franchisees to further explore relevant issues. The results confirm the agency theory perspective that start‐up investment risk is lower in mobile units and mobile operations exhibit a higher level of repeat customers than fixed‐site franchises. No significant differences between the two arrangements are revealed in relation to the levels of franchisee monitoring, initial training or essential franchisee experience. This study indicates that agency theory contributes to our understanding of mobile franchising arrangements, yet also suggests the findings are not completely explained by agency theory. The results imply that both monitoring and alignment of incentives have complimentary effects and that both forms of contract are necessary in a franchisor's control system.
The third wave: future trends in international education
Authors: Mazzarol Tim , Norman Soutar Geoffrey , Sim Yaw Seng Michael
Published: April 2003

Describes how the second half of the twentieth century saw the development of a global market in international education. Following the Second World War, the flow of international students undertaking courses at all levels grew rapidly as developing countries sought to educate their populations. By the century’s end, there were an estimated 1.5 million students studying internationally at the HE level. Driving this market expansion was a combination of forces that both pushed the students from their countries of origin and simultaneously pulled them toward certain host nations. By the 1990s, the HE systems of many host nations (e.g. Australia, Canada, the USA, the UK and New Zealand) had become more market focused and institutions were adopting professional marketing strategies to recruit students into fee‐paying programs. For many education institutions such fees had become a critical source of financing. Suggests that the international education industry, HE administrators and managers and academic staff face very significant challenges in the next few years.
Profiles of multi‐level self‐management in schools
Authors: Cheong Cheng Yin , Ming Cheung Wing
Published: April 2003

School‐based management (SBM) or school self‐management has been an important worldwide school restructuring movement since 1980s. This paper aims to map out how SBM in terms of self‐management at the school, group and individual levels is related to school performance at different levels. From a sample of 82 schools, the strength of multi‐level self‐management in school was found to be strongly related to the quality indicators of organizational performance, moderately correlated to the quality indicators of group social norms of teachers, and individual teacher job performances. The profiles of strong and weak self‐management schools were also found to be significantly different in most indicators of school performance at different levels. The findings provide preliminary evidence to support that the success of SBM implementation for achieving school quality depends on the involvement of the school, groups and individual teachers as a whole in continuous self‐management and self‐learning cycles.
Ideology and the symbolic construction of fairness in organizational change
Authors: Watson George W.
Published: April 2003

The theory of an interest‐driven ideology is applied with the intention of revealing ways that ideological discourse constructs perceptions of fairness, legitimacy and defensibility in organizational change. A framework for analyzing ideological content in change discourse is presented and several corporate communications addressing layoffs and the new work relationship are evaluated. Results reveal the many ways that ideologies are invoked in order to influence judgments about organizational change.
Organizational improvisation and change: two syntheses and a filled gap
Authors: Pina E. Cunha Miguel , Vieira Da Cunha João
Published: April 2003

Change has become one of the most studied topics in management research. Although literally hundreds of research initiatives on this theme are carried out annually, there are still important questions in this area that have been left unanswered. There are two, logically possible, modes of change that have yet to be identified and there are at least two tensions that go unresolved: the punctuated versus incremental change and the emergent versus deliberate change tensions. Drawing on a “grounded theory” research on organizational improvisation, we argue that this phenomenon contributes toward filling one of the gaps in a taxonomy of organizational change modes and toward a synthesis between the poles of the two tensions mentioned above.
The branding of management knowledge: rethinking management “fads”
Authors: Collins David
Published: April 2003

This paper offers a critical analysis of recent developments in management knowledge. Observing that detractors have sought to “brand” developments in management knowledge as faddish and insubstantial distortions of the nature of management and the realities of organization, the paper offers a distinctive analysis, which exploits ambiguities in the term “branding” to argue that management fads, so‐called, should be subject to a form of critical analysis, which goes beyond debunking. Dismissing the notion that recent developments in management are faddish and insubstantial, the paper suggests that contemporary developments in management knowledge are, in fact, worthy of a sustained, critical analysis because they have the capacity to shape our understanding of ourselves and our circumstances, and so offer workers and managers new ways to be at work. Focusing attention on the consumption of management knowledge, the paper suggests that we should alter our understanding of the “branding” of management knowledge to acknowledge the similarities between recent developments in management knowledge and “branded” goods such as those produced by Nike.
Merger and acquisition announcements as corporate wedding narratives
Authors: Demers Christiane , Giroux Nicole , Chreim Samia
Published: April 2003

This study uses a discursive perspective to analyze the way in which top managers legitimize change in official announcements. It focuses on the foundations of legitimacy invoked using both Weber's typology, based on modes of authority, and the conventionalist model, stressing the constitutive frameworks that justify collective action. We use a narrative approach to examine four texts intended for employees in the context of mergers‐acquisitions in the Canadian financial services sector. We look at those announcements as wedding narratives. A framework based on the canonical schema and Greimas's actantial model was applied to the texts. The analysis reveals that these narrations of corporate marriages, while describing the same event, give distinct versions of it. These distinctions bring out differences between firms in terms of the foundations of legitimacy invoked, the contribution of the various actors, and the narrative style favoured.
Relationships, the role of individuals and knowledge flows in the internationalisation of service firms
Authors: Lindsay Valerie , Chadee Doren , Mattsson Jan , Johnston Robert , Millett Bruce
Published: April 2003

This article develops a new conceptual model of knowledge flows within international service firms. Our model takes explicit account of the critical role of relationships and the individual as being central to the process of knowledge transfer for service firms. The model is then validated with data collected from five international service firms using critical event analysis techniques. The findings reinforce our contention that the individual plays a critical role in the process of knowledge transfer and that relationships form an integral part of this process. The implications of this finding are also discussed.
The effect of service guarantees on service recovery
Authors: Björlin Lidén Sara , Skålén Per
Published: April 2003

Service guarantees have been attributed the benefit of improving the overall service of a service provider. However, little research has been carried out within the area. This article focuses on one aspect of the service guarantee, the effects that service guarantees may have on service recovery. Critical incident data were collected using the critical incident interview technique with customers of RadissonSAS, a worldwide hotel chain using a service guarantee. One contribution of this article is that the interviews convey that the implicit guarantee may serve as a risk reducer, which contradicts and adds to previous research. Previous research states that only the explicit guarantee has these benefits. In this case, the guarantee does not reduce risk in the purchase or consumption stage, but after the consumption when the service has failed, as the customer finds out about the guarantee in the recovery situation. Another contribution of this article is that service guarantees are found to influence the outcome of service recovery as they affect how employees behave to recover the customer.
Understanding consumer motivation and behavior related to self‐scanning in retailing
Authors: Dabholkar Pratibha A. , Michelle Bobbitt L. , Lee Eun‐Ju
Published: April 2003

Self‐scanning technology is being tested by major supermarket chains as well as other types of retailers across the world, but the success of the new technology from the consumer’s perspective is not yet clear. This study investigates consumer reasons for both using and avoiding self‐scanning checkouts with a view to addressing these practitioner issues. In addition, the study advances theory on consumer motivation and behavior related to technology‐based self‐service in general. Factors driving preference or avoidance of self‐scanning checkouts include attributes of self‐scanners, consumer differences, and situational influences. Reasons for preference of other types of technology‐based self‐service over traditional service alternatives are also explored to determine motivational and behavioral patterns across service contexts. A combination of research methods is used to investigate these issues and offers richer findings than any one method used alone. Implications are discussed for managerial strategy as well as for future research.
Halo in customer satisfaction measures
Authors: Wirtz Jochen
Published: April 2003

Firms usually measure customer satisfaction on an attribute‐by‐attribute basis in order to identify and improve potential weaknesses, and to fortify their strengths in service delivery. However, research has shown that halo can threaten the interpretability of such data. Also, halo is particularly acute in satisfaction measurement of services with a high degree of ambiguous and credence attributes. This paper examines three halo‐reducing methods developed in psychology and organizational behavior in the context of customer satisfaction. The perceived purpose of evaluation (evaluative vs developmental) and the number of attributes measured (few vs many) were examined in an experimental design, and the level of product involvement (low vs high) was examined using a quasi‐experimental design. The data showed reduced halo when the respondents were presented with a developmental rather than evaluative purpose, when more rather than fewer attributes were measured, and when subjects were highly involved with the service.
Electronic commerce development in small and medium sized enterprises
Authors: Subba Rao S. , Metts Glenn , Mora Monge Carlo A.
Published: April 2003

The 1990s have witnessed the proliferation and hypergrowth of the Internet which, combined with traditional IT technologies, is creating a global, and cost‐effective platform for businesses to communicate and conduct commerce. Because of today’s shrinking world, companies must create new sources of competitive advantage almost on a daily basis. This fact becomes critical for small and medium enterprises (SMEs) because they are considered to be a major component of all economies and are generally considered to be flexible, adaptive and innovative organizations, which appears to make them a good fit for electronic (e)‐commerce. The present study presents an in‐depth analysis of the e‐commerce development stages and the facilitators and barriers for SMEs during each stage.
Design of a re‐configurable workflow system for rapid product development
Authors: Tam Samson , Lee W.B. , Chung Walter W.C. , Nam Elizabeth L.Y.
Published: April 2003

This paper presents the design of a re‐configurable workflow system which is based on a product definition schema with the objective to expedite the product development activities. This proposed system is characterised by its ability to cope with unexpected changes during the early stages of product development by re‐configuring the workflow of relevant processes, thereby significantly enhancing the agility of the entire system. A novel approach based on a four‐layered product definition schema is adopted to provide the conceptual foundation for the development of a rapid product design system which has to cope with the frequent change requests due to ever‐changing customer demands in an increasingly competitive marketplace.
Development of a Web‐based enterprise collaborative platform for networked enterprises
Authors: Lee W.B. , Cheung C.F. , Lau H.C.W. , Choy K.L.
Published: April 2003

As the manufacturing market is becoming more global and borderless with respect to national borders, a number of global manufacturing networks have been established, taking the advantage of fast‐growing networking and information technologies. Networked enterprises consist of a number of firms that are geographically dispersed and do not belong to the same head company, a system with central management capability, possessing the ability of central task decomposition/allocation, co‐ordination and monitoring. To ensure appropriate manufacturing operations are assigned to the appropriate firms, to the best interest of the “virtual” consortium, there is a need for the development of a collaborative platform which is capable of facilitating the efficient performance of resources and task allocations. In this paper, the development of a Web‐based enterprise collaborative platform is presented. The applications of the platform on business process management for networked enterprises are also discussed.
A model for assessing ideas for new venture products
Authors: San Samuel H.T. , Chung Walter W.C.
Published: April 2003

This paper describes a process of generating a new product idea based on activities observed in a real‐life case. A model is proposed that adapts the approach used by venture capitalists in developing new products. The application of this model draws empirical data from the field. Sometimes the product idea extracted is already patented; permission may be required from the owner to manufacture by a licensing arrangement, or to modify the product. Even if the product is not patented, it may be advantageous to form a strategic alliance with the current product supplier. The R&D manager of a SME may use it to build a learning system in the firm to screen product ideas from the market for reconfiguration. The use of this model is considered reliable, predictable and less risky. It has the benefits of being low cost and a fast process suitable for the e‐business environment.
Modelling information and communication technology in business
Authors: Jackson Martin , Sloane Andy
Published: April 2003

This paper aims to provide a review of information and communication technology (ICT) models and frameworks in the implementation of one communication technique namely electronic data interchange (EDI). The main body of this paper describes and explains the usage of these tools and any specific industries in which they are applied. The tools are then individually analysed and then compared for similarities, dissimilarities, and their associated attributes. The methodology used divides the models into two categories, electronic data interchange specific and more generic. A set of integrated questions based on conceptual, research, and practical issues are then applied. These answers are rated, using a Likert type scale system, and then compared. This analysis informs the construction of a generic model for inter‐organisational analysis, and conclusions concerning approaches are discussed. The analysis also forms the basis for the model selection process in specific scenarios.
ON HABIRO'S Cn–MOVES AND VASSILIEV INVARIANTS OF ORDER n
Authors: OHYAMA YOSHIYUKI , TSUKAMOTO TATSUYA
Published: April 2003

Recently it has been proved by Habiro that two knots K1 and K2 have the same Vassiliev invariants of order less than or equal to n if and only if K1 and K2 can be transformed into each other by a finite sequence of Cn+1–moves. In this paper, we show that the difference of the Vassiliev invariants of order n between two knots that can be transformed into each other by a Cn–move is equal to the value of the Vassiliev invariant for a one-branch tree diagram of order n.
SATELLITE KNOTS OF FREE GENUS ONE
Authors: OZAWA MAKOTO
Published: April 2003

We characterize satellite knots of free genus one, and know that the set of satellite knots of free genus one coincides with that of satellite knots of tunnel number one.
FINITE ORDER TOPOLOGICAL INVARIANTS OF PLANE CURVES
Authors: OZAWA TETSUYA
Published: April 2003

We introduce three families of topological invariants of stable closed plane curves, which contain infinitely many mutually independent invariants among them. We study the order of these invariants in the sense of Vassiliev. As a consequence, we conclude that there exist infinitely many independent topological invariants for stable closed plane curves with order equal to 1.
LINKING OF RANDOM p-SPHERES IN Zd
Authors: SOTEROS C. E. , SUMNERS D. W. , WHITTINGTON S. G.
Published: April 2003

We consider the number of embeddings of k p-spheres in Zd, with p+2≤d≤2p+1, stratified by the p-dimensional volumes of the spheres. We show for p+2<d that the number of embeddings of a fixed link type of k equivolume p-spheres grows with increasing p-dimensional volume at an exponential rate which is independent of the link type. For d=p+2 we derive similar results both for links of unknotted p-spheres and for "augmented" links where each component p-sphere can have any knot type, and similar but weaker results when the spheres are of specified knot type.
ARNOLD-TYPE INVARIANTS OF CURVES ON SURFACES
Authors: Tchernov Vladimir
Published: April 2003

Recently V. Arnold introduced Strangeness and J± invariants of generic immersions of an oriented circle to ℝ2. Here these invariants are generalized to the case of generic immersions of an oriented circle to an arbitrary surface F. We explicitly describe all the invariants satisfying axioms, which naturally generalize the axioms used by V. Arnold.
NULL-HOMOLOGOUS LINKS IN CERTAIN 4-MANIFOLDS
Authors: YASUHARA AKIRA
Published: April 2003

Let M be a 4-manifold with ∂M ≅ S3 and L⊂ ∂M a link. The link L is null-homologous in M if L bounds a disjoint union of once-punctured, orientable surfaces in M. In a previous paper [1] the author defined null-homologous link in 4-manifolds and gave a necessary and sufficient condition for links to be null-homologous in 4-manifolds. By using this condition, we investigate the sets of null-homologous links in punctured [Formula: see text], [Formula: see text], [Formula: see text] and S2 × S2.
ON ALGEBRAIC STRUCTURES IMPLICIT IN TOPOLOGICAL QUANTUM FIELD THEORIES
Authors: Crane Louis , Yetter David
Published: April 2003

We show that any 3D topological quantum field theory satisfying physically reasonable factorizability conditions has associated to it in a natural way a Hopf algebra object in a suitable tensor category. We also show that all objects in the tensor category have the structure of left-left crossed bimodules over the Hopf algebra object. For 4D factorizable topological quantum filed theories, we provide by analogous methods a construction of a Hopf algebra category.
On the Links–Gould Invariant of Links
Authors: DE WIT DAVID , LINKS JON R , KAUFFMAN LOUIS H.
Published: April 2003

[Formula: see text]

We introduce and study in detail an invariant of (1, 1) tangles. This invariant, derived from a family of four dimensional representations of the quantum superalgebra Uq[gl(2|1)], will be referred to as the Links–Gould invariant. We find that our invariant is distinct from the Jones, HOMFLY and Kauffman polynomials (detecting chirality of some links where these invariants fail), and that it does not distinguish mutants or inverses. The method of evaluation is based on an abstract tensor state model for the invariant that is quite useful for computation as well as theoretical exploration.
WOVEN BRAIDS AND THEIR CLOSURES
Authors: KNEISSLER JAN A.
Published: April 2003

A special class of braids, called woven, is introduced and it is shown that every conjugation class of the braid group contains woven braids. In consequence tame links can be presented as plats and closures of woven braids. Restricting on knots we get the 'woven version' of the well-known theorem of Markov, giving moves that are capable of producing all woven braids with equivalent closures.

As corollary we obtain that a link in which each component is dyed with at least two different colors can be projected on a plane without crossing strands of the same color. The lowest order part of the HOMFLY polynomial of a closed woven braid can be read off directly; a complete characterization of all occuring terms is given.

Finally, a table of all minimal woven braids for the 84 prime knots with at most nine crossings is appended. The average word length and the average number of entries per knot type tune out to be suprising small.
ISOMORPHIC PERIODIC LINKS AS COVERING
Authors: Kwak Jin Ho , Lee Jaeun , Sohn Moo Young
Published: April 2003

In this paper, we introduce a method to construct all ℤn-coverings of a given link L and characterize them up to covering isomorphism. By using this characterization, we show that the number of the isomorphism classes of ℤn-coverings of a link L is equal to the number of crossings of L plus one. As a result, we give a new combinatorial computing of the signature of a periodic link. A counting method for the number of the components of a periodic link is also discussed.
EXCEPTIONAL SEIFERT GROUP ACTIONS ON R
Authors: ROBERTS R. , STEIN M.
Published: April 2003

We show that every group action on ℝ of the fundamental group of an exceptional Seifert fibered space M corresponds to an action on the order tree determined by the space of leaves of a foliation on M.
On Density of the Vassiliev Invariants
Authors: Røgen Peter
Published: April 2003

The main result is that the Vassiliev invariants are dense in the set of numeric knot invariants if and only if they separate knots.
A NOTE ON 4-EQUIVALENCE
Authors: ASKITAS NIKOLAOS A.
Published: April 2003

The simplest potential counterexample to Y. Nakanishi's, 20 year old, conjecture that the 4-move is an unknotting operation is unknotted using 4-moves (Problem 1.59, 3a in the Kirby Problem List) thus showing it to not be one.
THE SIMPLEST HYPERBOLIC KNOTS
Authors: CALLAHAN PATRICK J. , DEAN JOHN C. , WEEKS JEFFREY R.
Published: April 2003

While the crossing number is the standard notion of complexity for knots, the number of ideal tetrahedra required to construct the complement provides a natural alternative. We determine which hyperbolic manifolds with 6 or fewer ideal tetrahedra are knot complements, and explicitly describe the corresponding knots in the 3-sphere. Thus, these 72 knots are the simplest knots according to this notion of complexity. Many of these knots have the structure of twisted torus knots.

The initial observation that led to the project was the abundance of knot complements with small Seifert-fibered Dehn fillings among the census manifolds. Since many of these knots have rather large crossing number they do not appear in the knot tables. Our methods, while ad hoc, yield some detailed information about the knot complements as well as the manifolds that arise from exceptional surgeries on these knots.
ON TANGLE DECOMPOSITIONS OF TUNNEL NUMBER ONE LINKS
Authors: GODA HIROSHI , OZAWA MAKOTO , TERAGAITO MASAKAZU
Published: April 2003

We will discuss tangle decompositions of tunnel number one links, and show that any tangle composite tunnel number one link can be obtained as the union of a quasi Hopf tangle and a trivial tangle. We also consider the uniqueness of tangle decompositions of such links, and show that there are infinitely many tunnel number one links that admit non-isotopic essential tangle decompositions.
Structure of the Kauffman Bracket Skein Algebra of T2 × I
Authors: Sallenave Pierre
Published: April 2003

We give a particularly simple description of the Kauffman Bracket Skein Algebra of T2 × I as a subalgebra of an algebra, the natural action of Sl2(ℤ) upon which appears clearly.
ON ARITHMETIC HYPERBOLIC LINKS
Authors: STEPHAN J.
Published: April 2003

In this article, we construct some arithmetic hyperbolic links L such that S3\L is homeomorphic to ℍ3/Γ where Γ is not conjugate to a subgroup of any Bianchi group. We give two methods of construction illustrated by examples in [Formula: see text] and [Formula: see text].
DEHN SURGERIES ON COMPOSITE KNOTS CREATING KLEIN BOTTLES
Authors: TERAGAITO MASAKAZU
Published: April 2003

We will prove that if some Dehn surgery on a composite knot in the 3-sphere creates a 3-manifold containing a Klein bottle then the knot is a connected sum of two 2-cabled knots.
A NOTE ON ROTANT LINKS
Authors: TRACZYK PAWEŁ
Published: April 2003

We prove that the skein polynomial and the Jones polynomial of oriented links are not changed be the rotation operation of Anstee, Przytycki and Rolfsen [1], provided the rotor part of the diagram is of a certain special type.
An Estimate of Genus of Links
Authors: AKAHO MANABU
Published: April 2003

By using the Seiberg-Witten invariant of 3-dimensional manifolds, we obtain an estimate of genus of links in the three shere.
PERSISTENTLY LAMINAR TANGLES
Authors: BRITTENHAM MARK
Published: April 2003

We show how to build tangles T in a 3-ball with the property that any knot obtained by tangle sum with T has a persistent lamination in its exterior, and therefore has property P. The construction is based on an example of a persistent lamination in the exterior of the twist knot 61, due to Ulrich Oertel. We also show how the construction can be generalized to n-string tangles.
KNOTS WITH BOUNDED CUSP VOLUME YET LARGE TUNNEL NUMBER
Authors: EUDAVE-MUÑOZ MARIO , LUECKE J.
Published: April 2003

We show that there is a family of hyperbolic knots each member of which admits a toroidal surgery and for which the collection of tunnel numbers (hence volumes also) is unbounded. As these are knots in the 3-sphere, the collection of cusp volumes of this family is bounded.
FIRST COMMON TERMS OF THE HOMFLY AND KAUFFMAN POLYNOMIALS, AND THE CONWAY POLYNOMIAL OF A KNOT
Authors: FUJII HIROZUMI
Published: April 2003

We study the first common terms of the HOMFLY and Kauffman polynomials of a knot, which we call the ϒ-polynomial, and the Conway polynomial for the 2-bridge knots and a class of 3-bridge knots. We characterize the ϒ-polynomial using the 2-bridge knots. Then we give some relations between the two polynomial invariants, and as an application, we consider the space of the Vassiliev invariant of order four.
The Curvature of Lattice Knots
Authors: van Rensburg E. J. Janse , Promislow S. D.
Published: April 2003

A result of Milnor [1] states that the infimum of the total curvature of a tame knot K is given by 2πμ(K), where μ(K) is the crookedness of the knot K. It is also known that μ(K)=b(K), where b(K) is the bridge index of K [2]. The situation appears to be quite different for knots realised as polygons in the cubic lattice. We study the total curvature of lattice knots by developing algebraic techniques to estimate minimal curvature in the cubic lattice. We perform simulations to estimte the minimal curvature of lattice knots, and conclude that the situation is very different than for tame knots in ℛ3.
A TYPE 2 POLYNOMIAL INVARIANT OF LINKS DERIVED FROM THE CASSON-WALKER INVARIANT
Authors: JOHANNES JEFF
Published: April 2003

Simple formulas involving only linking numbers and surgery coefficients are presented for computing how the Casson-Walker invariant changes under crossing changes in a framed link presenting a 3-manifold. These formulas greatly simplify computations of the Casson-Walker invariant and can be used to define a type two polynomial invariant of unframed links.
VASSILIEV INVARIANTS ON FIBERED AND MUTUALLY OBVERSE KNOTS
Authors: Stoimenow A.
Published: April 2003

We use the new approach of braiding sequences and the Stanford construction to prove that there is no way to extract information on fiberedness from Vassiliev invariants and that the chirality sensitivity of Vassiliev invariants depends mainly only on the parity of their degree.
Second shortest vertical geodesics of manifolds obtained from the Whitehead link
Authors: AKIYOSHI HIROTAKA
Published: April 2003

In this paper, we determine the second shortest vertical geodesics of cusped hyperbolic manifolds obtained from the Whitehead link. As a corollary, together with the result of [4] this implies that the upper and the lower tunnels for the hyperbolic twist knots are isotopic to the shortest and the second shortest vertical geodesics.
A GENERALIZATION OF ARNOLD'S STRANGENESS INVARIANT
Authors: ARAKAWA HIDEYO , OZAWA TETSUYA
Published: April 2003

The purpose of this paper is to introduce an infinite sequence {Stk}k of mutually independent topological invariants of smooth closed plane curves, which is proved to be a natural extension of the rotation number and the strangeness invariant defined by Arnold in [Ar]. We prove a formula to express Stk by using the invariants [Formula: see text] which are defined in [Oz]. The jumps of Stk at perestroikas of three types (namely cusp point, triple point, and self tangent point perestroika) are investigated, and as a consequence we find that Stk have the order in the sense of Vassiliev equal to 1.
Refined invariants and TQFTs from Homfly skein theory
Authors: BELIAKOVA ANNA
Published: April 2003

We work in the reduced SU(N, K) modular category as constructed recently by Blanchet. We define spin type and cohomological refinements of the Turaev-Viro invariants of closed oriented 3-manifolds and give a formula relating them to Blanchet's invariants. Roberts' definition of the Turaev-Viro state sum is exploited. Furthermore, we construct refined Turaev-Viro and Reshetikhin-Turaev TQFTs and study the relationship between them.
STRANGE QUESTIONS ABOUT BRAIDS
Authors: DEHORNOY PATRICK
Published: April 2003

The infinite braid group B∞ admits a left self-distributive structure. In particular, it includes a free monogenerated left self-distributive system, and, therefore, it inherits all properties of the latter object. Here we discuss how such algebraic properties translate into the language of braids. We state new results about braids and propose a list of open questions.
ON VASSILIEV INVARIANTS NOT COMING FROM SEMISIMPLE LIE ALGEBRAS
Authors: Lieberum Jens
Published: April 2003

We prove a refinement of Vogel's statement that the Vassiliev invariants of knots coming from semisimple Lie algebras do not generate all Vassiliev invariants. This refinement takes into account the second grading on the Vassiliev invariants induced by cabling of knots. As an application we get an amelioration of the actually known lower bounds for the dimensions of the space of Vassiliev invariants.