bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Generic technology‐based service quality dimensions in banking
Authors: Ganguli Shirshendu , Roy Sanjit Kumar
Published: February 2011

Purpose

This paper aims to identify the generic service quality dimensions of technology‐based banking and to examine the effect of these dimensions on customer satisfaction and customer loyalty.

Design/methodology/approach

The generic service quality dimensions are identified using an exploratory factor analysis (EFA). Next the reliability and validity of the factors and customer satisfaction and customer loyalty are established through confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) using AMOS 16.0 s/w. The related hypotheses were tested using structural equation modeling using AMOS 16.0.

Findings

The paper identifies four generic service quality dimensions in the technology‐based banking services – customer service, technology security and information quality, technology convenience, and technology usage easiness and reliability. It was found that customer service and technology usage easiness and reliability have positive and significant impact on customer satisfaction and customer loyalty. It was also found that technology convenience and customer satisfaction have significant and positive impact on customer loyalty.

Practical implications

These dimensions of service quality should be viewed as the levers of improving perceived service quality with respect to technology‐based banking in the minds of its current customers. Examining the service quality dimensions' impact on customer satisfaction and customer loyalty for technology‐based banking can offer banks valuable insights regarding which aspects of the service to focus on in order to improve customer satisfaction and loyalty towards the firms.

Originality/value

This paper introduces the concept of generic service quality and its significance for customer satisfaction and loyalty in case of technology‐based banking wherein technology is used to deliver services.
The business school in transition
Authors: Harrington Denis , Kearney Arthur
Published: February 2011

Purpose

This paper aims to consider the extent to which business school transition has created new opportunities in management development, knowledge transfer and knowledge creation.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper is a critical review of knowledge exchange in a business school context with a particular focus on the “translation or management practice gap”.

Findings

Change in the nature of research undertaken in business schools opens up new opportunities for collaboration between academia and practice. The paper points to the need for more innovative forms of research engagement encouraging academic‐practitioner collaboration and practice‐based management development initiatives.

Research limitations/implications

The paper contributes to the debate on innovative forms of knowledge exchange and transfer and helps stimulate further studies examining potential approaches to fostering co‐learning and discovery and participatory forms of knowledge production.

Practical implications

Changes in business school environment and context offer opportunities for new modes of knowledge exchange both in management development and research. Practice based theory offers a new paradigm of management development.

Originality/value

Recent commentators refer to notions of academia and practice as “closed systems and self referential” and point to the requirement for greater attention on knowledge transfer, and to learn from knowledge transfer studies concerning practitioner/research communities of practice, networks and collaborations. The paper addresses this deficiency in the literature and points to key areas warranting further research.
Downsizings, mergers, and acquisitions
Authors: Shook LaVerne , Roth Gene
Published: February 2011

Purpose

This paper seeks to provide perspectives of HR practitioners based on their experiences with mergers, acquisitions, and/or downsizings.

Design/methodology/approach

This qualitative study utilized interviews with 13 HR practitioners. Data were analyzed using a constant comparative method.

Findings

HR practitioners were not involved in planning decisions related to downsizings, mergers, and/or acquisition. Neither the practitioners in this study nor other members of the HR team in their organizations had an upfront due diligence role in these change initiatives.

Research limitations/implications

Additional research is needed to guide HRD practitioners in repositioning their roles so that they are more central to an organization's strategic decisions. Given the method of this study, the findings are not intended for generalization to larger populations. Future research should address the needs of HRD practitioners who are affected by downsizings, mergers, and/or acquisitions.

Practical implications

The primary role of HR practitioners need to be more than transitional activities after these change events are announced. Rather, these practitioners need opportunities during the planning stages to ensure that training and development supports the financial goals of these change events. After these change events occur, HRD practitioners need support for interventions to counter the impact of dismissed cultural artifacts and broken human links.

Originality/value

Study participants explained that failure to identify employee issues in the pre‐downsizing due diligence phase creates a chaotic workplace atmosphere and increases employee fears and stress levels. Participants explained how these change events affect career uncertainty, fear, and stress in employees.
Non‐employee critical HRD: empowerment and communities
Authors: Harvey Brendon
Published: February 2011

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to explore, drawing on the author's experience, the role of human resource development (HRD) in developing individuals, teams and communities.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper adopts a critically reflective methodology rooted in the research practice of the author working alongside communities in the UK.

Findings

A non‐employee critical HRD can foster empowered spaces by which alternative discourses can be held up to the light and critical questions posed. The paper introduces the notion of a different form of empowerment that moves away from the individual to a view of suspension of action, of supporting the exploration of assumptions and taken‐for‐granteds, of identifying constructions of reality by members of communities, and inquiring into the social conditions which play a large part in determining their health and ambitions.

Practical implications

At a time when extensive cuts are being planned for public services, and the discourse of community empowerment becomes more entrenched, consideration of a critical approach to non‐employee HRD is especially timely, for both researchers and policy makers.

Originality/value

Past studies of HRD have focused primarily on the organisational sphere, with little critical consideration of its application to actual community settings and so‐called “service users”.
The implications of the global ecological predicament for economic theory and practice
Authors: Trainer Ted
Published: February 2011

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to outline the implications of the global ecological predicament for economic theory and practice.

Design/methodology/approach

Many current analyses of ecological, resource, economic, greenhouse, energy, etc. problems acknowledge the urgent need for significant changes. However, almost all assume that it will be possible to reform a society based on principles such as economic growth, affluent living standards, market systems, the profit motive and competitive, individualistic acquisitiveness, into a society that is sustainable and just. The first section of this paper sketches the grounds for concluding that this view is clearly mistaken. It shows that consumer‐capitalist society cannot be fixed, i.e. that no amount of reforms leaving its core principles intact can make it into a society that is sustainable and just. The second section derives from this analysis some of the basic principles, which a satisfactory society must, therefore, have. Section 3 deals with the radical implications of these discussions for economic theory and practice.

Findings

The paper shows that when the nature and magnitude of the global ecological situation is understood it is evident that a consumer‐capitalist society cannot be made sustainable or just, and that the irremediable faults are largely due to conventional economic theory and practice.

Social implications

The main sociological implication is that the coming era of scarcity will require radical restructuring of the economy and of economic theory.

Originality/value

Previous critical economic literature has given little attention to the implications of the limits to growth literature focused on in this discussion.
On utilitarianism vs virtue ethics as foundations of economic choice theory
Authors: Jonsson Petur O.
Published: February 2011

Purpose

Economic choice theory is built on utilitarian foundations. The purpose of this paper is to explore whether a foundation of virtue ethics might be more consistent with human nature.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper focuses on utilitarianism vs virtue ethics as foundations of economic choice theory.

Findings

Economic choice theory describes consumer choice in terms that are inconsistent with findings from recent research in behavioral economics, neuroeconomics, and psychology. The consumers' dynamic optimization problem, as outlined by traditional theory, is unsolvable in the sense that it contains too many unknowns. This means that the consumer must approach the problem in a different manner than is usually suggested by the literature. Moreover, new psychological theories of well‐being suggest that we can, to some extent, choose what we want to want and that true happiness is based on our character as much as it is based on our consumption of goods.

Practical implications

The idea that human choices may not be based on consistent preferences calls into question the policy suggestions of the literature on revealed preference and welfare economics. In particular, we cannot rely on past choices to draw inferences on people's preferences.

Social implications

To maximize social welfare, society must value and promote the development of virtue and character.

Originality/value

The paper highlights some of the differences between utilitarian and the virtue ethics perspectives on choice.
Kautilya's model of sustainable development
Authors: Bhalachandran G.
Published: February 2011

Purpose

The purpose of this seminal paper is to present the concept of sustainability in its purest form as conceived by Kautilya and bring out its relevance to the current issues and the areas of concern in the global perspectives.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper goes with the premise that the concept of sustainable development (SD) as enunciated by the western theorists has not been fitted in an integrated framework. An attempt is made in this study, to bring to light an unwritten model of SD of Kautilya, which is universal in approach and relevant to many of the current issues of today.

Findings

The Kautilya's model of SD is an assimilation of idealistic and realistic views of human life. The quintessence of this model is that SD can be realized only if each one in a society lives for the other and all collectively for the welfare of the mankind.

Research limitations/implications

The success of this model depends on the level of understanding, design of socio‐economic and political institutions required, the goals and the means set for oneself and society and the degree of accountability exhibited in implementing the model.

Practical implications

This model can be tailored to suit the requirements of modern society in the short run as well as in the long run.

Originality/value

This paper is original in nature because a modern concept like SD is analytically linked to the development‐design of Kautilya with a view to infusing profundity, realism and applicability to it.
HRM, ergonomics and work psychodynamics: a model and a research agenda
Authors: José Chiappetta Jabbour Charbel
Published: February 2011

Purpose

The objective of this paper is to introduce a dialogue between theoretical frameworks that rarely have contact: human resource management (HRM), ergonomics and work psychodynamics. Although these three fields of knowledge highlight the human side of socially sustainable organizations, no prior study was identified that interrelated them.

Design/methodology/approach

In order to overcome this limitation, a brief theoretical foundation was made on these themes. They were later systematized to form a relational model and a research agenda.

Findings

In light of the proposed model, it is possible to verify that HRM, ergonomics and work psychodynamics have a vibrant relationship that generates important theoretical propositions to be explored by future research.

Originality/value

The paper contributes towards a systemic approach of such important themes, which the human being has as a common denominator, but whose links still require future research. As its main result, we record the need for a more in‐depth understanding of the elements that act in the interface between the formal and prescribed organization and the informal, which stems from social reality. An understanding of this relationship is necessary to building socially sustainable organizations.
Depositors' withdrawal behavior in Islamic banking: case of Indonesia
Authors: Ismal Rifki
Published: February 2011

Purpose

Islamic banks need to manage depositors' deposit withdrawals in a well manner in order to be able to optimize depositors' funds in their portfolio financing. Taking into account the Indonesian Islamic banking industry as a study case, this paper attempts to analyze the depositors' withdrawal behavior. Moreover, it also analyzes the responses of Islamic banks to mitigate such deposit withdrawals.

Design/methodology/approach

First, the paper accommodates the flow of funds of the Indonesian Islamic banking operations. Second, it formulates a liability side model of the competitive Islamic banking industry referring to some ideas from the conventional models. Then, the paper uses linear probability model (LPM) to identify depositors' withdrawal behavior and to analyze the responses of Islamic banks to mitigate deposit withdrawals.

Findings

It is found that depositors withdraw their money if: Islamic banks do not generate incomes from their financing; interest rate goes up; and total deposits tend to decrease. As such, Islamic banks have to anticipate this withdrawal behavior by doing two actions: reserving some liquidity and adjusting return sharing ratio to depositors. The output of this paper should benefit the policy markers and Islamic banks to understand depositors' behavior in withdrawing money and determine appropriate policies to manage it.

Originality/value

The best of author's knowledge, this is the first paper trying to analyze the depositors' withdrawal behavior with LPM model taking into account the Indonesian Islamic banking industry.
New look leaders or a new look at leadership?
Authors: Eacott Scott
Published: February 2011

Purpose

This paper seeks to take up the challenge of complex social, political and cultural influences, uncertain economic conditions, ever advancing technologies and increasingly diverse student populations. The challenge for educational leadership scholars and practitioners is to figure out what their work as leaders should be in new times. The paper aims to discuss the issues.

Design/methodology/approach

Drawing loosely on the theoretical work of Pierre Bourdieu, and a continued research agenda, this paper outlines a framework for educational leadership that can be measured, but is not prescriptive.

Findings

The central argument of this paper is that viewing leadership as a complex social activity that is not directly observable has the prospect of moving scholarship and understanding beyond the superficial measurement of what is directly observed to a thick description of educational leadership.

Originality/value

The framework presented privileges the philosophical and scholarly elements of being an educational leader over the administrative and managerial. It is argued that this is what is needed in the leadership of educational institutions for the future and a framework for preparing the next generation of leaders.
Strategies and policies for Hong Kong's higher education in Asian markets
Authors: Cheung Alan C.K. , Yuen Timothy W.W. , Yuen Celeste Y.M. , Cheong Cheng Yin
Published: February 2011

Purpose

The main purpose of the present paper is twofold: to examine and compare the current strategies and policies that are employed by the UK, Australia and Singapore and to recommend appropriate strategies and policies to higher education institutions and the Hong Kong government and elsewhere that are interested in expanding their efforts in recruiting the growing number of students from other countries who are planning to study overseas.

Design/methodology/approach

The data for this project were obtained primarily from documents and in‐depth interviews. Documents include government reports, policy addresses, official statistics, etc. The in‐depth interviews were conducted in Hong Kong as well as in the four studied cities – Mumbai, New Delhi, Jakarta, and Kuala Lumpur. Interviewees included government officials, academics, higher education institutions’ representatives, consultant generals, and officials from policy bodies.

Findings

It is clear from the findings of this present study that a set of favorable policies and strategies at the national level was behind the success of these competitors. Such policies are not confined to educational policies but are extended to population and employment policies.

Research limitations/implications

Though the study examined policies and strategies employed by three countries, findings from the study may generate useful information to countries that may be interested in exporting their higher education to Asian markets.

Practical implications

The paper suggests that if Hong Kong is to attain success in becoming an international exporter of education services, it may need to adopt favorable policies at institute and system level, and in so doing it can definitely benefit by carefully studying the strategies and policies employed by these three competitors.

Originality/value

Few studies have examined and compared strategies and policies employed by these three key major players of higher education services. This study provides some useful strategies and policy recommendation to education decision makers in Hong Kong and elsewhere that may be interested in entering Asian markets.
Educational administration in Timor Leste
Authors: Macpherson Reynold
Published: February 2011

Purpose

Timor Leste was established as a country in 1999 when the Indonesians relinquished sovereignty and their departing military units and associated militias left most of the educational infrastructure in ruins. Civil disorder flared again in 2006 and the Government invited international military and reconstruction aid agencies in to restore order and reinvigorate development. The Inspectorate was established by law in 2008 to improve the quality and accountability of the school education system. The aim of this paper is to analyse the relationship between a national language policy that favours Portuguese and Tetun, and the establishment and administration of the Inspectorate of the Ministry of Education in Timor Leste.

Design/methodology/approach

The author was embedded in the Inspectorate between January and June 2009. During this period he conducted ethnographic analysis of the administration of two of the largest regions prior to helping develop theSchool Inspector's Manualand a strategic plan for the Inspectorate. This report was derived from those experiences.

Findings

The Inspectorate in the Ministry of Education, led by an Inspector General, has a symbiotic relationship with what is termed in this paper as the “Schools Directorate” led by a director general. Although the Inspectorate is required to improve the quality and accountability of all services provided by the Schools Directorate, a close symbiosis is encouraged between the sister bureaucracies by the Minister of Education, resulting in serious goal displacement in both organisations, degrees of confusion and paralysis in implementation. Four major reasons are identified. The Minister co‐manages the Schools Directorate and the Inspectorate has a chief executive officer. Formal communications in the Ministry are conducted in Portuguese, although very few are competent in this language. Regional directorates and regional inspectorates are required to collaborate closely in review and development planning, while the activities of the latter are funded and administered by the former. The cultural norms of conflict‐avoidance in a post‐conflict context are all pervasive in a setting of scarce resources, to the point where no one is ever fired, even for corruption.

Originality/value

This paper reports baseline research into the development of the Inspectorate and the Ministry of Education.
Multi‐purpose three‐dimensional body form
Authors: Mi Park Sun , Mi Choi Kueng , Ja Nam Yun , Lee Young‐A
Published: February 2011

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to develop a multi‐purpose body form that could be used to develop different types of garments by putting body skins with ease on the standard body form.

Design/methodology/approach

Free form deformation method was used to generate a virtual model upon the basis of the averaged wire frame. The virtual model was made into a real‐life model by a rapid prototyping (RP) process, and then, the standard body form was made by molding the RP. The 3D polygon shell for a body skin got flattened down to 2D patterns and made by a urethane material.

Findings

The standard body form developed by using 3D body scan data better represented the characteristics of the body shapes than the previously hand‐made ones. In addition, by standardizing the production of the body form itself, it is now possible to make body forms into the standards and be consistent in their qualities.

Research limitations/implications

This paper presents the methodology of utilizing 3D body scan data in a garment design, which is possible by incorporating advanced 3D modeling technologies and 3D data of a human body in making body forms. For the mass production of a body skin, it is necessary to develop various special materials simulating soft tissues.

Originality/value

The apparel industry can enjoy cost cutting effects by using this multi‐purpose body form. A company does not have to spend money in purchasing different sizes and shapes of body forms, let alone saving the spaces to store them once purchased.
Technical textiles as a new route to enhance orthopedic casts' properties
Authors: Sherif Fawzy , Roedel Hartmut
Published: February 2011

Purpose

The casts sector is an important sector for orthopaedic textile products. Plaster and plastics casts are widely used in hospitals, pharmacies and health care centers, but they are heavy, not washable and do not offer a suitable fixation for bone fractures (e.g. hand wrist), especially when operated under different swelling conditions. After decreasing of the swelling, the cast is in a hard form and the stabilization effect of the cast is insufficient due to the occurring of distance between the skin and the cast. The purpose of this paper is to develop a new pneumatic cast that depends on Polyvinylchlorid coated fabric as an outer layer, skin friendly internal layers, an air chamber, and metal braces.

Design/methodology/approach

For more comfort, the cast is anatomically formed and the internal layers are made of cotton‐viscose fabrics and Polyester spacer fabrics. The pressure on the injured part can be controlled by using a pneumatic structure.

Findings

The characteristics of the developed pneumatic cast are found to be: easy to use, comfortable, washable, and light weight.

Originality/value

The paper describes the development of a new pneumatic cast that can overcome the difficulties of cast fixation with the injured part of the body: an economic product, that should be easy to use, light weight, comfortable, skin friendly, water resistant, easy to clean, and affordable.
Identification of female body shapes based on numerical evaluations
Authors: Vuruskan Arzu , Bulgun Ender
Published: February 2011

Purpose

Identification of human body shapes has been a key issue to develop sizing standards for ready‐to‐wear and to develop made‐to‐measure applications. Current methods to identify the body shapes are mostly based on subjective/visual determination approaches. The purpose of this paper is to look for numerical evaluation parameters for an objective method in order to classify the body shapes and to build up an automated process link.

Design/methodology/approach

Female subjects were chosen for the experimental design. 3D body scanning technology was integrated in the process for measurement taking and body silhouette detection of the sample group. Based on this sample data set, body shape identification was realized by referees as visual analyses, and additionally, an objective method was tried out by using body dimensions as numerical evaluation parameters. Obtained results with the sample group were inserted in a database and a body shape calculation tool was developed.

Findings

Statistical analyses showed that there is mostly a good agreement between the pairs of the evaluations including the objective calculation methods and the subjective assessments of the referees. The calculation tool was designed as web‐based software in order to integrate with further developments and automation purposes.

Originality/value

A new automatic tool was developed to make the body shape classification objective and repeatable. By integrating this tool to the product development chain, a continuous process link can be provided for the companies through the way for better fitting clothing.
Effect of enzyme treatments on interlock knitted fabric
Authors: Jevšnik Simona , Stjepanovič Zoran , Heikinheimo Lea , Gotlih Karl
Published: February 2011

Purpose

Enzyme treatment technologies are frequently applied in textile processing for the modification of fabric handle appearance and other surface characteristics in regard to cotton and cotton blended fabrics. The purpose of this paper is to understand the impact of enzyme treatments on fabric preparation, dyeing, and finishing processes of woven fabrics. In particular, certain mechanical and surface properties of 100 percent cotton interlock knitted fabrics after treatment with a cellulase enzyme.

Design/methodology/approach

Interlock knitted fabrics were used for this research. These cotton fabrics were treated with experimental Trichoderma reesei cellulases containing different cellulase profiles and treatment was carried out under laboratory conditions. The effects of cellulase treatment on weft knitted fabric regarding mechanical and surface properties were evaluated using the KES‐FB Kawabata evaluation system. The influence of enzyme treatments, friction, and geometrical roughness on the face and reverse side of interlock knitted fabrics were discussed in comparison with untreated interlock knitted fabric.

Findings

After each of the enzyme treatments, the interlock knitted fabrics lost part of their weight and, therefore, they became thinner. Furthermore, the extension properties become higher in both directions with regard to the untreated knitted fabric for all used enzymes and carried out treatments.

Originality/value

The paper usefully analyzes changes in the extension and surface properties of enzyme‐treated interlock knitted fabrics by investigating the influence of whole or enriched endoglucanases celullases of Trihoderma reesei under different treatment conditions.
Smoking in Australian university students and its association with socio‐demographic factors, stress, health status, coping strategies, and attitude
Authors: Sun Jing , Buys Nicholas , Stewart Donald , Shum David , Farquhar Lynette
Published: February 2011

Purpose

This study aims to evaluate the prevalence of smoking amongst university students in Brisbane, Australia and associated risk factors.

Design/methodology/approach

A cross‐sectional design was used for the study. A sample of 2,414 university students aged 18‐30 was examined to estimate the prevalence of tobacco use. Smoking was measured by means of an online survey that inquired about current tobacco use, socio‐demographic characteristics, self‐rated physical and mental health status and attitudes toward smoking.

Findings

The prevalence of tobacco use was 24.9 per cent among male students, 16.6 per cent among female students and 18.8 per cent overall. Low to medium level stress is a strong predictor of smoking in male students. Age and income are significantly related to smoking in female students. For both male and female students, disengagement coping strategies to deal with stressors, feeling not bothered by exposure to smoking, and knowledge of the effect of smoking on health were found to be independently related to smoking.

Research limitations/implications

Factors associated with an increased probability of tobacco smoking were: stress in male students, disengagement coping strategies and holding approval attitudes toward smoking, acceptance of exposure to smoking, and poor knowledge of the effect of smoking on health in both male and female students. It is recommended that active coping strategies, such as exercise and social participation, are the most effective ways of enabling students to cope with smoking cessation and other stressors.

Practical implications

Future initiatives may need to focus on increasing the environmental supports to assist students to actively cope with life stressors, In addition, the implementation of health education programmes, which are designed to modify behaviour via a change in attitudes and beliefs in university, should be examined.

Originality/value

The association between cigarette smoking and morbidity and quality of life among university students is not well documented in Australia. The contribution of this paper is to increase understanding of the association between smoking and life stressors, coping strategies, attitudes and knowledge about the effects of smoking on health in Australia university students.
Mediating effects of coping, personal belief, and social support on the relationship among stress, depression, and smoking behaviour in university students
Authors: Sun Jing , Buys Nicholas , Stewart Donald , Shum David
Published: February 2011

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to investigate whether university students' smoking behaviour is associated with higher levels of stress and depression directly, or indirectly, via the mediation of coping, personal beliefs and social support.

Design/methodology/approach

The study design involves a cross‐sectional survey. Structural equation modelling was employed to explore the relationships between smoking behaviour, stress and depression via the mediating effects of coping resources, personal beliefs and social support.

Findings

The higher the stress and depression levels, the more likely the respondents' were to adopt disengagement coping strategies and to engage in smoking behaviour. Stress was not found to have a significant direct effect on smoking behaviour when depression, active coping abilities and social support were included as mediators in the model. Thus, if stress is high yet coping skills are also high and personal beliefs are anti‐smoking, the likelihood of smoking was low.

Research limitations/implications

Disengagement coping strategies significantly increased the likelihood of smoking when stress heightened depression level. However, stress did not independently increase the chance of smoking when active coping and social support were moderating the effects of depression on smoking behaviour. Personal beliefs also acted as an independent contributor to increase the likelihood of smoking when pro‐smoking beliefs were held by individuals. Overall, this study suggests that personal coping strategies and personal beliefs, with social support, are important protective mechanisms through which stress and depression influence smoking behaviour.

Practical implications

Health promotion programmes to encourage smoking cessation should therefore include measures to encourage young adults to adopt active coping strategies (e.g. exercise, recreational activities) to make interventions effective in reducing smoking rate.

Originality/value

This study identifies important mechanisms that underpin smoking behaviour among university students. The results provide evidence that supports the resilience perspective that personal coping resources, personal beliefs and protective factors, such as social support, are important factors either to lead people to adopt smoking behaviour, or to decrease the likelihood of smoking.
Transforming children's health spaces into learning places
Authors: Nisselle Amy , Green Julie , Scrimshaw Chantel
Published: February 2011

Purpose

Chronic health conditions can cause children extended school absences, creating significant barriers for continued education. Out‐of‐school learning environments, such as hospitals, provide opportunities to maintain children's learning identities during school absences. This paper seeks to present an example of hospital‐based teaching and learning and to explore the challenges of providing child‐centred learning opportunities in this environment.

Design/methodology/approach

A case study narrative describes the underpinnings of child‐centred teaching and learning within a children's hospital. The “Around the World” learning activity is used to discuss the challenges and strategies when fostering learning environments for children with diverse needs.

Findings

The paper highlights how pedagogy is apparent in a children's health setting. Reflective teacher practice translated pedagogical principles into dynamic, situated learning activities that engaged children visiting a hospital Out‐patients area. The display of learning artefacts within Out‐patients helped raise awareness of the learning identities of children within the hospital.

Research limitations/implications

This case study is one example of the learning opportunities that can be fostered within a hospital. The findings have implications for educators in both traditional and alternative learning environments regarding how spaces can be used to “seize the moment” with children in their care. The learning needs of adolescents spending time in hospital also need to be met in developmentally appropriate ways.

Originality/value

This paper illustrates how a hospital, as a traditionally held “health” space, can be reconceptualised as a learning space to accommodate the multiple identities of children and build a shared understanding between education and health professionals of the value of integrating learning into a holistic and child‐centred model of care.
Eye health in New Zealand
Authors: Ahn Mark J. , Frederikson Lesley , Borman Barry , Bednarek Rebecca
Published: February 2011

Purpose

This study seeks to measure the public knowledge, attitudes, and practices related to eye health and disease in New Zealand (NZ).

Design/methodology/approach

A 22‐item survey of 507 adults in NZ was conducted. The survey was developed using interviews and focus groups, as well as comparisons with other benchmark international studies.

Findings

Overall awareness about the importance of eye health is high in NZ, although knowledge about associated diseases (e.g. macular degeneration) is low – this is particularly important, given the risk and cost of preventable vision impairment.

Originality/value

This consumer survey of eye health in NZ, which assessed awareness and access to eye care, provides a foundation for those involved in the provision of eye care health. It is also a first step to further exploring key issues and identifying longitudinal patterns for consumer, provider, and public health dialogue, as well as a baseline for public health campaigns.
The reforms: a political safe haven or political suicide – is the Labour bubble bursting?
Authors: Chambers Clare
Published: February 2011

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to examine the political influence on the reforms proffered for the banking sector.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper is divided into three main parts. First, the paper will examine the background of the financial crisis. The second and main part of the paper is the examination and critique of the White Paper reform proposals. The paper concludes by critically examining the opposition party's reform paper and contrasts the proposals.

Findings

The paper concludes that although the bank regulation needs to be reformed, it is debateable whether it is the time or the place or indeed the party that is right to achieve a successful result at the present time.

Research limitations/implications

The implications for the research is that during the next year banking reforms will undergo further changes, therefore, there will be a requirement to revisit and revise the findings in light of the political agenda of the new government.

Originality/value

This paper offers an original insight into the political influences on banking regulation within the UK.
Global financial architecture, global imbalances and the future of the dollar in a post‐crisis world
Authors: Pakravan Karim
Published: February 2011

Purpose

Financial globalization and global imbalances are two facets of the same phenomenon, which has resulted in the worst global economic and financial crisis since the Great Depression. The purpose of this paper is to analyze the complex interaction of several mutually reinforcing trends and factors – the global monetary easing of 2001‐2004, financial innovation, regulatory failure, in particular in the USA and the UK, US fiscal indiscipline and Chinese currency manipulation – that contributed to the global financial crisis. The key to a return to global financial buoyancy will be the coordinated resolution of the global imbalances over the medium term, as well as the establishment of a strong global financial regulatory framework focusing on both macro‐ and micro‐financial risks.

Design/methodology/approach

In the paper, the author analyzes the role of the interaction of financial innovation, regulatory and global imbalances in the creation of the real estate bubble, shadow banking and the eventual collpase of what the author dubbed the Banking 2.0 structure (1980s).

Findings

The main findings are that these factors contributed to a flattening of the yield curve in 2004‐2006 despite the tightening of monetary policy and growing US fiscal deficits. Moreover, while the US dollar is on a long‐term weakening trend, the lack of alternatives means that it will maintain its role as a reserve currency.

Originality/value

This paper focuses on the role of the global imbalances in triggering the financial crisis and shaping the role of the dollar in the post‐crisis world.
Banking consolidation, credit crisis and asset quality in a fragile banking system
Authors: Ezeoha Abel E.
Published: February 2011

Purpose

The aim of this paper is to identify the major determinants of bank asset quality in an era of regulation‐induced industry consolidation, using the Nigerian case to demonstrate how consolidation can heighten incidences of non‐performing credits in a fragile banking environment.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper makes use of panel data from 19 out of a total of 25 banks operating in Nigeria. A multivariate constant coefficient regression model is adopted as the estimation technique. The dependent variable in the model is quality of bank assets, proxied as the proportion of non‐performing loans (NPL) to total loans; while operating efficiency, profitability, asset liquidity, loans to deposits ratio, predictability of depositors' behaviour, size of bank capital, and board skill constitute the exogenous variables.

Findings

The study reveals that deterioration in asset quality and increased credit crisis in the Nigerian banking industry between the periods 2004 and 2008 were exacerbated by the inability of banks to optimally use their huge asset capacity to enhance their earnings profiles. It shows that excess liquidity syndrome and relatively huge capital bases fueled reckless lending by banks; and that increase in the level of unsecured credits in banks' portfolios ironically helped to mitigate the level of NPL within the studied period.

Research limitations/implications

The findings here should be interpreted with caution. The reason is because of the relatively fewer number of observations and the likely biases associated with the use of pooled regression approach.

Originality/value

This paper is one of the first to investigate the specific impact of banking consolidation on the quality of bank assets in an underdeveloped financial system. Among such countries facing such challenge, the Nigerian case is unique considering that the 2004/2005 banking consolidation in the country was recorded as the largest in the history of banking in Africa. The findings here make clearer the policy/practical implications of using regulation‐induced consolidation to pursue the goal of increased credit flows in a less developed financial system.
Firm size and compliance costs asymmetries in the investment services
Authors: Gabbi Giampaolo , Musile Tanzi Paola , Nadotti Loris
Published: February 2011

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to find out how effectively implemented are measuring approaches to compliance and whether there is a correlation between the measures implementation, financial specialisation and international activity. The authors evaluate if the regulatory framework implies a measure cost asymmetry, depending both on the proportionality principle and on the existence of different supervisors with an heterogeneous set of enforcement rules.

Design/methodology/approach

The analysis is based on a survey involving 84 financial firms (banks, investment companies and insurance companies). Two criteria have been used to interpret the results: the prevailing workability within international and domestic intermediaries; the intermediary typology, creating a distinction between banks other financial intermediaries (FIs) and insurance companies.

Findings

Italian financial firms are sensitive to minimise sanctions, but the reputational impact is becoming more important. International firms are more sophisticated than domestic ones for their ability to measure both the probability of non‐compliance events and their severity. Banks show the highest attitude to adopt insurance or financial contracts to minimise the negative impact of non‐compliant behaviours. Small FIs are late in measuring the exposure and losses due to non‐compliance actions.

Originality/value

Four years after the Basel Document on compliance, a large percentage of firms is still managing the process within a function with different purposes; nevertheless, reputational impact has become more important. Small intermediaries show a lower attitude to implement a risk management approach, with a capital management sensitivity. This finding addresses the question about the existence of size effect which could reduce the compliance attitude.
The metamorphosis of insider trading in the face of regulatory enforcement
Authors: Dorn Nicholas
Published: February 2011

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to explore the prospects for and some foreseeable consequences of more intensive enforcement action against insider trading in the context of the UK, within the EU and international contexts.

Design/methodology/approach

The approach adopted is qualitative, based on the literature and policy papers, examining developments regarding enforcement against insider trading. Explores extent to which regulators are to some extent overcoming their previous ambivalence over enforcement action against insider trading. Examines the Spector judgement from the European Court of Justice. Looks at possible consequences of more robust enforcement on insider trading.

Findings

Three possible consequences are outlined. First, some persons contemplating insider trading may be deterred. Second, risk‐tolerant individuals and firms persist with insider trading, whilst taking some obvious precautions, thus shielding their activities against enforcement. Third, creativity and innovation within the largest, most sophisticated and reputationally cautious firms produce new patterns of trading that cannot legally be described as “insider trading”, for example by commissioning research services, as evidence from the USA suggests.

Practical implications

Information asymmetries within the market might not be reduced, rather they could just become less visible to the regulator. These would be mixed results; any regulator with an ambition to be more than reactive to events would already be thinking about the next move.

Originality/value

The financial market crisis and the regulatory deficiencies that it has exposed provoke greater pubic scrutiny, policy changes and critical research in relation to regulation and enforcement. This paper examines aspects of this ongoing process and contributes to it.
Court of Appeal rules on trust status and client money protection in relation to Lehman Bros funds
Authors: Gray Joanna
Published: February 2011

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to discuss the Court of Appeal's consideration regarding Lehman Bros International (Europe) (in Administration) (Court of Appeal: Civil Division: Lord Neuberger, Lady Justice Arden and Sir Mark Waller). Date of Judgment: 2 August 2010.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper outlines the facts surrounding the case and comments on the decision.

Findings

The court ruled on trust status and client money protection in relation to Lehman Bros funds.

Originality/value

This judgment provides a rare example of the courts' application of the Client Assets Sourcebook rules and guidance in general private law disputes about property ownership and entitlement that invariably arise within the context of insolvency.
Why process improvement training fails
Authors: Lu Dawei , Betts Alan
Published: February 2011

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to explore the underlying reasons why providing process improvement training, by itself, may not be sufficient to achieve the desired outcome of improved processes; and to attempt a conceptual framework of management training for more effective improvement.

Design/methodology/approach

Two similar units within the same financial service group are studied specifically through online surveys, follow up interviews and a subsequent comparative study focusing on the disparity of outcome following the same training activities.

Findings

The research reveals three underlying reasons for the failure of the process improvement training: an un‐sound prerequisite knowledge basis, too short a time span for the feedback dynamics to take effect, and weak cultural commitment in the management population. A training provision framework that put those factors into a structure has been developed.

Practical implications

The study clarifies the relations between many factors and puts emphasis on more fundamental organisational culture change. The developed framework provides direct guidance to process design and implementation to achieve the desired results.

Originality/value

The study represents the original firsthand empirical research over the last three years in a leading edge financial service organisation in the UK, which results in a novel conceptual framework that improves managerial practice.