bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Price And Core Brand Effects On Brand Extension Quality Evaluations
Authors: Lahiri Isita , Gupta Amitava
Published: November 2015

Organizations frequently follow brand extension strategies to launch new products. This paper investigates the impact of the core brand quality, the price of the extension category, and the price of the extended brand on the consumer evaluation of the brand extension. Hypotheses were developed and tested in a survey among 247 consumers using a 2 (high vs moderate perceived brand quality) X 2 (upward vs downward extension) X 2 (high vs low brand extension price) between-subjects design. The findings show that core brand quality is an important factor influencing the success of the extension. Similarly, the price of the brand extension had a significant effect on the quality evaluation of the extension. Also a downward price extension was more likely to be accepted than an upward price extension.
Accounting Research and Policy Making: An Overview
Authors: Deb Joyeeta , Dash Ashutosh
Published: November 2015

Accounting, time and again, is echoed by leading scholars of the discipline as an evolutionary social technology. A look into its history reveals many conflicts, crises, and resolutions in response to changes in environment and social needs. Besides, increasing challenges from non-accounting information sources require continued re-examination of the accounting core. In response to these external events, research agenda have been continuously changing. A great deal of contemporary research in the subject has consistently focused on the process of reporting regulations, particularly on accounting policy formulations. This may be due to the fact that policy formulation is viewed as a social process for which policy makers incredibly consume research information. A systematic overview of research is presented in the paper in order to highlight how research direction in accounting discipline has continuously and consistently been shifting and how it influences policy makers. It becomes apparent that many scholars view accounting research making no substantial progress and we are living with the same accounting model designed a century ago. Keeping in mind the challenges faced by accounting discipline at present, an attempt is made here to make a value addition to the existing scant literature by delving into some important issues in the future role of accounting research.
Investigating the Price Discovery Efficiency of Indian Equity Futures Market
Authors: Gupta Kapil , Singh Balwinder
Published: November 2015

Price discovery and risk transfer (i.e. hedging) have been considered as the pivot functions of the futures market. A market is said to be weak form efficient if the current market price and past price are uncorrelated (i.e. the asset price movements are random). A market is known as semi-strong efficient, if it absorbs and reflects the market information as well as the public information (viz., corporate actions, political announcement, etc.). Strong form efficient market is one which neglects the chances of even insiders to make abnormal profits on the basis of first hand information. Efficient price discovery in the futures market has many advantages for the traders as well as for the regulators. The current study is an attempt to investigate whether Indian equity futures market is efficient and to study whether it provides any significant information during the high-volatility period.
Segmenting Consumers on Their Lifestyle Characteristics
Authors: Krishnan Jayasree , Murugan M. Sakthivel
Published: November 2015

Market segmentation has been considered as one of the most fundamental concept of modern marketing. In order to sharpen the marketing mix, companies have been moving from marketing at aggregate level, called mass marketing to mass customization, to the level of one-to-one marketing where each customer is treated as a separate segment. Lifestyle is an important concept used in segmenting markets and understanding target customers, which is not provided by the study of demographics alone. This paper endeavors to identify the major lifestyle characteristics of the consumers in Chennai and attempts to segment the same on the basis of their lifestyle patterns. Survey method has been adopted to carry out the research. Profiling the segment in terms of the dominant lifestyle and demographic characteristics can help to relate the consumers to their purchasing interests and selection of brand choices.
Exploring the Factors Affecting Career Advancement Opportunities for Women Executives in the Service Sector
Authors: Sandhu H.S. , Metha Ritu
Published: November 2015

Career development for women is becoming an important issue as more and more women are joining the workforce of the country. The main objective of this paper is to explore the factors enhancing career advancement opportunities for women executives. This has been pursued by interviewing 271 women executives working in selected organizations in the service sector in Punjab. Item and reliability analysis and actor analysis have been carried out. The study reveals that the respondents demonstrate a high level of optimism about their career progress within the organizations. The results further indicate that the respondents perceive women assertions as the most important factor for their career development followed by other two factors, namely, societal attitude and organizational work culture in decreasing order of their importance. Women executive feel that they can handle organizational issues themselves, can fight against prejudices of society and are willing to achieve equality with men. The study concludes that women themselves can improve the employment opportunities by being assertive about their needs and wants.
Supply Chain Design Models and Solution Methods: A Review and Directions for Future Research
Authors: Singh Om Pal , Chand Satish
Published: November 2015

Supply chain may be designed both at the strategic level as well as at the operational level. The strategic level model decides the basic structural configuration of the supply chain, i.e. the locations and number of echelons like suppliers, manufacturing plants, distribution centres, retailers, etc. At the operational level, the parameters like inventory levels, production and delivery schedules, etc., are decided to control the day-to-day activities of the supply chain. In the literature, various kinds of models are appearing which have been developed by various researchers. Many performance measures have been used to assess supply chain performance. A wide range of supply chain decision variables, modeling approaches, and solution methods have been adopted by researchers. The objectives of this paper are to: (1) provide a focused review of literature on supply chain design models and their solution methods and (2) suggest directions for future research in this area.
Brand Identities: A Framework for Successful Branding
Authors: Adidam Phani Tej
Published: November 2015

A brand identity is an outward expression of the brand, including its name and visual appearance. The brand's identity is its fundamental means of consumer recognition and symbolizes the brand's differentiation from-competitors. It is important to note that a brand identity refers to the strategic goal for a brand; while brand image is what currently resides in the minds of consumers. How should a brand and marketing manager develop a set of successful brand identities? This paper ties together several extant researches in this area, and provides a comprehensive framework in terms of guidelines for creating and building successful brand identities.
Strategic Competitive Advantages and Value Net Organisation: Conceptual Considerations and Organisational Recommendations for Two- or Multi-sided Service Markets
Authors: Dietl Helmut , Egon Franck , Royer Susanne
Published: November 2015

This paper wants to explain the relationship between forms of value net organization and competitive advantage realization in two- and multi-sided service markets. Based on these considerations organizational recommendations are developed. Therefore, the economic specificities of services in two- and multi-sided service markets are described and analysed. The core of the paper is a contingency analysis with regard to the impact of horizontal, vertical, and lateral forms of value net organization on the competitiveness of service platforms in two- and multi-sided service markets.
The Internationalization of Thai Companies
Authors: Walsh John , Sentell Gerald
Published: November 2015

Thailand is the most economically advanced country of mainland South-east Asia, which is itself a dynamic area in which new firms are developing and economic activities growing at a rapid pace. Some Thai corporations have attempted to internationalize but have, to date, received only limited success in their efforts. When success has been achieved, it has commonly resulted from cross-border activities in Thailand's poorer neighbours or else to have taken advantage of the fact that successful managers are frequently ethnic Chinese and have been able to create personal connections with other Chinese overseas. This has led to some commonality in the internationalization patterns of Thai companies. This paper analyses the background of the internationalization of Thai companies and their limited success. Attention is paid to the role of historical factors and the international education of many Thai executives. It is argued that only when Thai executives (and Thai society more generally) are able to overcome chauvinist associations to Thai styles of management will their corporations assume a place in the international economy
Developing An E-Trading Model for Carbon Emission Credits Generated by Projects Under Kyoto Protocol: The Case of Sri Lanka
Authors: Dasanayaka Sarath W.S.B.
Published: November 2015

This paper explores the existing trading mechanisms for Certified Emission Reductions (CERs), a tradable commodity generated under Clean Development Mechanisms (CDM) of the Kyoto Protocol and proposes an electronic trading system to improve the trading efficiency and the liquidity of the commodity in Sri Lanka. Currently, thirty-five CDM projects are under way in Sri Lanka and most of these projects are power generation plants based on renewable energy sources. Even though most of these projects are financially viable, they would not have been implemented in the absence of additional financial benefits generated by selling CERs due to various reasons including long pay back period, high initial cash outflows and other uncertainties attributed to this industrial sector. These private companies are finding it difficult to attract funding for CERs at a reasonable price compared to market value of substitute products. The existing negotiation process is lengthy and complex and there are many other deviations from perfect market conditions applicable to these trading mechanisms. Due to these reasons, the liquidity of CERs is very low and there is very high price volatility. The average price obtained by local CDM projects for CERs is considerably less than the current market price of substitute carbon products. There are several well-established carbon emission markets in the USA and Europe that facilitates trading of these various different carbon emission products but such a system is not available for trading of CERs in Sri Lanka. Due to the low liquidity of CERs (current price per tonne of CER around 4-8 US$) and many other reasons, only a very small fraction of the potential CDM capacity in Sri Lanka is considered for actual implementation up to now. To avoid these problems and to obtain maximum possible financial benefits from the Kyoto Protocol, an electronic trading system is proposed in this paper to facilitate trading of CERs.
Appreciative Intelligence for Innovation in Indian Industry
Authors: Thatchenkery Tojo
Published: November 2015

Based upon the author's original research and recent discoveries in psychology and cognitive neuroscience, this article explores the promise of Appreciative Intelligence for Indian businesses and public sector agencies. Through on understanding of Appreciative Intelligence, corporate and public sector leaders can enhance their own levels of Appreciative Intelligence and potentially use it for the benefit of their organizations. Appreciative Intelligence is also directly linked to innovation in organizations and industry. By understanding and internalizing the various components and qualities of Appreciative Intelligence, leaders of Indian businesses, public sector; and government can positively contribute to the creation of more innovative organizations. Ultimately, Appreciative Intelligence is tied to the competitive advantage (Porter 1998) of notions.
Impact of ‘Ideal Models’ Being Portrayed by Media on Young Females
Authors: Jalees Tariq , Majid Hira
Published: November 2015

The objective of this study is to identify and select the variables relating to the impact of idealized female models on females, to develop a relationship of the identified variables, to test the developed relationships based on local perception of the females, and to ascertain whether the behaviour and response of the local females are similar to what have been found in western literature. Hypothesis one referred there was a relationship between females that compare themselves with the media models and their self-esteem, satisfaction, and social consequences. Hypothesis two pointed out that there was a relationship between females that compare themselves with the models and dependent variables. The relationships of dependent and independent variables were significant. Hypothesis three mentioned that there was a relationship between females’ high level of media exposure and feeling of depression, stress, guilt, and shame. The coefficients of correlations of independent variable (exposure) with the guilt is non-significant. The relationships of these three dependent variables with the independent variable were significant. Hypothesis four postulated that females with high level of body dissatisfaction would respond positively to products featuring female model endorsers as compared to those who have low level of body dissatisfaction. This hypothesis was accepted.
Competitive Dynamics of Indian Housing Finance Industry
Authors: Bhalla Ashwani Kumar , Arora Parvinder , Gill P.S.
Published: November 2015

The growth in housing and housing finance activities in recent years reflects the buoyant state of the housing finance market in the country. The financing institutions have come to see good value in funding this component of the economy. With a growing number of players, the housing sector is becoming increasingly market-driven. The affordability of housing loans clearly appears to have improved with fast-growing number of borrowers. The market has also witnessed change in lending practices in certain segments to accommodate customer needs, as an offshoot of increased competition and a buyers' market. There seems to be a high intensity of competition among different players of the housing finance industry. But this competition needs to be measured to observe the efficiency of the provision of housing finance services, the quality of housing finance products, and the degree of innovation in the sector; etc. The present paper is an attempt to measure the level of competition in Indian housing finance industry for the purpose of which Herfindahl- Hirschman Index (HH Index) has been used as a tool for measuring the concentration.
Brand Image Formation as a Function of Involvement and Familiarity
Authors: Srivastava Mala , Kamdar Rutu Mody
Published: November 2015

Brand image refers to consumer perceptions and encompasses a set of beliefs that consumers have about the brand. From the consumer’s perspective, a brand provides a visible representation of differences between products. An organization can, through its branding strategies and advertising messages, seek to convey a certain image for the brand. Consumers may, however, evaluate the company’s message through the prism of their own subjectivity. People will use their own interpretations and will respond differently to brands. This subjective evaluation results in the formation of brand image in the mind of the consumer. This paper attempts to understand how consistency of brand image across consumers is affected by the consumers’ involvement with the product category and familiarity with the brand.
Interpersonal Competitiveness - A Study Of Simulation Game Participants’ Behaviour
Authors: Dumblekar Dr Vinod
Published: November 2015

Interpersonal Competitiveness refers to the urge of the individual to accomplish something in any form of human endeavour, and sometimes, prevent others from reaching that goal in that process. This study examined the construct of interpersonal competitiveness (IC) with reference to similar constructs generated in earlier research. It recognised IC as an adaptive characteristic trait of individuals who wish to win in interpersonal situations. A Competitiveness Index of 20 items was administered to 391 students at the end of business simulation games played at three business schools. Factor analysis of the data generated five IC factors, viz., measured aggression, proactivity, intrinsic motivation, winning orientation, and verbal aggression. Interpersonal Competitiveness was found to be an amalgam of willingness and courage to attack, ability to act earlier than others, and an innate eagerness for action, irrespective of material discomforts, gains or rewards. Implications and recommendations for future research are discussed.
The Information Content and Stock Return Behavior around the Stock Splits - Evidence from India.
Authors: Banerjee Dr. Pradip , Banerjee Dr. Prithviraj S.
Published: November 2015

Earlier studies suggest that stock splits are associated with positive abnormal returns around the announcement days and execution days of the event. Although stock splits is an old practice in the west but the phenomenon is relatively new in the Indian context. This paper investigates the market reaction to stock splits using a data set of Indian stock splits from 2000 to 2008. This paper finds evidence of significant positive abnormal returns on and before the announcement and ex-days but it did .not sustain and get reversed after three days. The empirical results further confirm that the abnormal returns and significantly attributed to market capitalisation of the stocks.
Does Firm Size Affect Profitability? An Empirical Investigation Of Indian Textile Industry
Authors: Singla Dr. Harish Kumar
Published: November 2015

The present study examines the relationship of firm’s size and profitability, taking into consideration two size variables i.e. Net sales and Total Assets and three profitability variables i.e. PAT/Net Sales, PAT/Total Assets and ROCE of 142 Indian Textile Companies for a period of 10 years that is, from 2001 to 2010. The hypothesis of firm Size affect profitability was tested using nine regression equations in panel data using fixed effects.

The empirical findings suggest that firm’s size emerges as an important factor affecting profitability. In terms of the direction, the results show mixed evidence; firm’s size is negatively affecting the PAT/Net sales variable, whereas affecting positively to other variables. The study concludes that the validity and the generalization of the findings are pending future research in other industries or sector.
Effect Of Demographic Variables On Customer Perceived Internet Banking Service Quality: Empirical Evidence From India
Authors: Gupta Kamal K. , Bansal Dr. Ipshita
Published: November 2015

This study attempts to analyse the effect of demographic variables on customer perceptions of Internet banking service quality offered by banks in India. Survey of 1350 Internet banking customers was conducted in the National Capital Region (NCR) of Delhi, India. The data were collected with the help of a self-administered structured questionnaire. 22 items using focus group discussions were developed from an initial pool of 60 Internet banking service quality items. Respondents were asked to rate each attribute on a 5-point Likert scale. Six fixed-alternative questions regarding respondent’s gender, age, occupation, education level and income were included in the survey questionnaire. Five dimensions of Internet banking service quality-Security/Privacy, Reliability, Efficiency, Responsiveness and Site Aesthetics were extracted through exploratory factor analysis. Performance of banks on these five Internet banking service quality dimensions was assessed using descriptive analysis as well as hypotheses testing. Gender wise males rated their banks performance higher than females on all the dimensions except Reliability. Youngsters (18-25 years) found their banks most secure and efficient. Occupation wise, students and housewives have given highest ratings to their Internet banking experience. Post graduates and above qualified customers find Internet banking to be most reliable and responsive. Customers in the highest income group (above Rs. 10 lacs) have rated their banks’ performance highest on all dimensions. However, middle income group (Rs. 2-5 lacs) customers found Internet banking services to be most unsecure and falling short on maintaining their privacy. Results of independent samples t-test revealed a significant difference between male and female customers’ perceptions on Security/privacy and Responsiveness dimensions. MANOVA results suggest a significant difference in customers’ perceptions by occupation and income groups whereas no significant difference was found on the bases of age and education level.
Measuring Customer Satisfaction on Webqual Dimension for Online Banking: An Empirical Study
Authors: Goswami Dr. Shubham
Published: November 2015

As e-commerce is becoming increasingly mature, customers are empowered to shape clear expectations for online service quality attributes. Assessing the quality of a Website has received growing attention from academics and practitioners. The current study utilises the expectation-disconfirmation paradigm to gauge service quality and customer satisfaction. This research uses WebQual framework to analyse the gap between perceptions and expectations of the customer, concerning the online banking services. Three dimensions of service quality: usability, information quality and service interaction have been considered for this empirical research. The research methodology was carried out in a cross sectional survey. The result of research showed that services offered have a positive impact and are significant in building customer satisfaction. Nevertheless, this research would render and extend the scope to banks and decision makers to calibrate attributes, configuring services quality for improved customer satisfaction.
Book Review: The Rx Factor: Strategic Creativity in Pharmaceutical Marketing
Authors: Mookerjee Amit
Published: November 2015

The Rx Factor: Strategic Creativity in Pharmaceutical Marketing, Pavan Choudhary, Response Books - A Division of Sage Publications, New Delhi (1997), Price Rs. 275 (Cloth) & Rs. 150 (Paper), pp. 150
Book Review: The 3-D Competitive Space—Managing in the New Economy
Authors: Baxi C.V.
Published: November 2015

The 3-D Competitive Space—Managing in the New Economy G B Prabhat, Tata McGraw-Hill Publishing Co. Ltd., (1997) pp 221
Merging Theories to Explain Recent Retail Evolution
Authors: Bennett Roger C. , Litvack David S. , Singh Devi
Published: November 2015

Retailing theory has failed to explain the massive growth of direct marketing and the evolution of factory outlets and the heightening battle between brands and powerful retail outlets. This is because of the failure of the theory to consider supply side considerations. On the other hand, channel theory largely fails to consider the role of the consumer. We argue that retailing theory must integrate supply side influences if it wants to remain relevant in present circumstances and we suggest that channel theory would be a good place to start this integration.
Nuclear Non-Proliferation Regime and The Soviet Union
Authors: Kapur K.D.
Published: November 2015

An international regime may broadly consist of a ‘set of purposes, norms, rules and procedures’, which are intended to affect, channel, contain and shape patterns of behaviour. Such a “‘regime is cither a conscious creation’ of actors or at least is recognised and consciously used by them regardless of its manner of creation.”1 The nuclear non-proliferation regime which the Nuclear Weapons States (NWS)—USA, USSR and UK, had sought to establish ever since the 1960s fulfils most of the parameters of the international regime.

The germs of the non-proliferation regime can be traced back to the policy of denial and secrecy adopted by the United States and the Soviet Union in the early phases of the development of nuclear energy and technology. The Western Suppliers’ Group (WSG), a precursor of the 1975 Nuclear Suppliers Group (NSG), formed in 1954 at the initiative of the United States, was meant even at that time to control the sales of uranium to prevent the spread of nuclear capabilities. The WSG consisted of South Africa, Britain, Canada, France, Belgium, Australia and the United States.

The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) which was established in 1957 with the concurrence and explicit support of the Soviet Union, was on the one hand meant to provide the peaceful use of nuclear energy and on the other to create an international safeguards system to check and control the diversion of nuclear materials for non-peaceful purposes. Over the years the IAEA with all its safeguard measures has emerged as the key component and instrument of the international non-proliferation regime.
Ideology and Soviet Policy towards Colonial and Ex-Colonial States with Special Reference to India 1917 – 1971
Authors: Surendar T.
Published: November 2015

The success of the Bolshevik Revolution in Russia made Lenin and his successors not only the rulers of the Soviet Union but also mentors of the international communist movement. Inevitably, the question of communist attitude to nationalist movements in the colonial world, and in the post-world War II period, to the new nationalist regimes of the ex-colonial states had to be decided by the Soviet leaders from time to time. This policy naturally changed over the years. The article seeks to analyse the relative influence of ideology and Soviet State interests on the policies enunciated over the years.
Mothers and infants and communicative musicality
Authors: Malloch Stephen N.
Published: November 2015

Using music as a model, mother/infant vocalisations are examined using computer-based acoustic analysis. Past research is summarised which demonstrates the importance of both parties in the mother-infant dyad. Methods are then introduced for analysing pulse, quality and narrative in mother/infant vocalisations. These three elements comprise “communicative musicality”: those attributes of human communication, which are particularly exploited in music, that allow co-ordinated companionship to arise. The analysis of pulse is based on spectrographic analysis, and regular timing intervals are discovered that serve to co-ordinate the mother's and infant's joint vocalisations. Quality consists of both the pitch-contour of the vocalisations, and their timbre. Pitch plots are derived using software developed for this project using a constant Q spectral transform. I examine how the infant and mother structure their joint exploration of pitch space on the small and large scale. Timbre is measured with a variety of acoustic measures — tristimulus values, sharpness, roughness and width. It is found that the mother's voice changes its quality in response to the infant's. Narrative combines pulse and quality — it allows two persons to share a sense of passing time — and the musical companionship is examined that is created between a mother and her baby as she chants a nursery rhyme. It is concluded that communicative musicality is vital for companionable parent/infant communication.
Synchronous chorusing and the origins of music
Authors: Merker Björn
Published: November 2015

The surprising fit between the basic pattern of hominid sociality (inferred from shared features of human and chimpanzee sociality) and one of the models developed to explain the evolution of synchronous chorusing in insects suggests that synchronous chorusing played a role in the late Miocene separation of the hominid ancestors of humans from our common ancestor with the chimpanzee. A detailed evolutionary scenario for this process is presented which implies that the roots of human music extend some five million years into the past. This perspective sheds new light not only on the origins of rhythmic song and dance — and thus of music — but on the relationship between music and language in human evolution and on the cross-cultural ubiquity of rhythmic music and dance in present-day human cultures. It also carries implications for our interpretation of the lack of agreement concerning the very term “music” in different human languages.
Perceptual Musical Analysis: Segmentation and Perception of Tension
Authors: Addessi Anna Rita , Caterina Roberto
Published: November 2015

Recent investigations have studied the processes of segmentation and perception of the points of tension which occur while listening to tonal and post tonal music. The present study aims to investigate the criteria people use to segment and memorise post tonal pieces.
Improving Emotional Communication in Music Performance through Cognitive Feedback
Authors: Juslin Patrik N. , Laukka Petri
Published: November 2015

This study investigates whether cognitive feedback (CFB) can improve the expressive skills of music performers. CFB involves providing performers with information about how their use of cues in the performance compares to an optimal model for emotional communication based on listeners' judgments. Eight guitar players were asked to perform short pieces of music so as to communicate different emotions to listeners. Their performances were judged by fifty listeners. Multiple regression was used to model the cue utilization of both performers and listeners, and the two systems were related by means of the Lens Model Equation (Tucker, 1964). Then, the performers were given CFB and were asked to change their cue utilization on the basis of this feedback. The results indicated that (a) CFB yielded a fifty percent increase in communication accuracy after a single feedback session, (b) the performers reacted positively to the CFB, and (c) the performers showed limited insight with regard to their cue utilization prior to the CFB.
A Perceptual Experiment on Harmonic Tension and Melodic Attraction in Lerdahl's Tonal Pitch Space
Authors: Vega Diego
Published: November 2015

The experiment reported here provides a comparison between listeners' judgments and theoretical predictions on harmonic tension and melodic attraction using Lerdahl's (2001) Tonal Pitch Space theory. A harmonic reduction of measures 1 to 8 from the first movement of Mozart's Piano Sonata, K282 was used for the experiment. The listeners heard the 24 sequential chord pairs from the harmonic reduction and were asked, first, to judge how strongly the two chords were attached to each other and, second, if there was an increase, decrease or no-change in tension in the progression from one chord to the next. The results from the experiment showed a significant correlation between theoretical predictions and listeners' tension judgments. However, a low correlation between Lerdahl's model and the attraction judgments demonstrated that distance in semitones is a more influential factor than anchoring strength in the perception of melodic attraction. This conclusion followed from the high attraction ratings given to repeated chords or adjacent chords in which the bass is repeated or progresses by step. The most interesting result of this experiment, consistent with the theory, is the demonstration that listeners perceive an inverse relationship between tension and attraction. In other words, listeners give high-tension ratings to points of low melodic attraction and vice versa, even when they judge each factor separately. Although we obtained a convergence of results between predictions and listeners' tension judgments and demonstrated a perceptual inverse relationship between tension and attraction, further tests are needed to determine how distance in semitones and anchoring strength combine to give a measure of melodic attraction.
Modal Pitch Space — A Theoretical and Analytical Study
Authors: Tsougras Costas
Published: November 2015

This paper presents an approach to the pitch space of the seven diatonic modes. The proposed theory is an expansion of Fred Lerdahl's tonal pitch space model; its purpose is a more accurate description of the situations involved in the analysis of diatonic modal music. The original methodology and set of algebraic calculating formulae is retained, but it is applied on modal instead of tonal space, on the basis that the latter is a subset of the former. In connection to Fred Lerdahl's theory, melodic motion, chord attraction and various cadence types are described within the modal context. Apart from the calculation of the pitch and the chordal and regional space algebraic representations, geometrical representations of all three levels of the modal pitch space are also included. Finally, the stability conditions arising from the new model are used as criteria to build the time span reduction and prolongational reduction parts of the Generative Theory of Tonal Music (GTTM) analysis of modal music. Two short GTTM analyses of 20th century modal music are being presented to illustrate the new model's analytical use.
The Metaphor of Musical Space
Authors: Spitzer Michael
Published: November 2015

Pitch space and Riemannian space offer divergent perspectives on tonal space in general. This article suggests that cognitive metaphor theory offers a means of understanding Riemannian space as a metaphorical mapping from pitch space; as an extension from a “deontic” to an “epistemic” musical category. My approach differs from other theorists of musical metaphor in considering mappings not between musical structure and extra-musical “real” space, but rather mappings between musical categories themselves. I illustrate this claim by reviewing recent writings both on pitch-space and Neo-Riemannian theory, and an analytical example by Chopin.
A Model of Performing Musicians' Melodic Perception through Transcription of Two-Voice Contrapuntal Music
Authors: Killam Rosemary N. , Baczewski Philip C. , Hayslip Bert
Published: November 2015

This article reports findings from two experiments examining strategies utilized by professional musicians who transcribed a Mozart duet, wherein we explored the possibility that their cognitive processes would be revealed through their transcription strategies on multiple sequential presentations of the same stimulus. We hypothesized that transcription accuracy would be influenced by four factors: Scale degrees, conjunct/disjunct melodic motion, vertical consonance/dissonance, and melody position. In Experiment 1, we reduced the foreground of Mozart's 1783 B-flat Major Duo for Violin and Viola, and used three taped repetitions of the reduction as the experimental stimulus. Participants transcribed the music as the tape played, adding to their transcription during an additional three minutes following each presentation on forms permitting them to see their previous transcriptions, but precluding change of their previous work. Experiment 2 inverted the melodic lines of the stimulus. Our results examined pitch accuracy as the unit of analysis, on each note of the multiple stimuli presentations. Data analysis confirmed the influence of scale degrees, melodic motion and melodic relationship on perceptual accuracy, but showed no influence of vertical consonance/dissonance.
The Application of Q-Methodology to the Study of Criteria Used by Adolescents in the Evaluation of Their Musical Compositions
Authors: Seddon Frederick A. , O'Neill Susan A.
Published: November 2015

This study employs Q-methodology to investigate the criteria adolescents use when evaluating their musical compositions. Thirty-two adolescents (aged 13–14 years) balanced for gender and prior experience of formal instrumental music tuition (FIMT) participated in a Q-sort procedure based on forty-six items. The items were formulated from four sources: specialist music teacher interviews, adolescent focus group discussions, music curriculum documents, and academic papers investigating the assessment of music composition. The resulting data was analysed using factor analysis. In Q-methodology, these factors represent groups of adolescents based on the criteria they considered important for evaluating their musical compositions. Three main groups of adolescents were associated with the majority of participants. The criteria found to be important to each group were interpreted as: (1) composing an appealing piece to a preconceived formula, (2) composing a novel, abstract and interesting piece, and (3) composing an inventive and imaginative piece to a preconceived formula. Comparisons between the criteria used by adolescents and the criteria regarded as important by music teachers are also examined, as well as differences between the adolescents' criteria based on their prior experience of FIMT. Suggestions for future research and the implications of the findings for music education are discussed.
Men's Vocal Behaviour and the Construction of Self
Authors: Faulkner Robert , Davidson Jane
Published: November 2015

The following paper considers the role of vocal behaviour in the construction of Self. It examines evidence from an ongoing research project investigating the nature and function of singing in men's everyday lives. The present article looks at how men create and regulate identity through singing and through the construction of personal narratives about their vocal behaviour. Extensive, informal, vocal-history interviews were carried out with eight men who all sing in a male-voice choir in north-east Iceland. Additionally these men and sixteen others who sing in the same choir, kept one-week vocal diaries, making regular descriptive and reflective entries about their own vocal activity. Using the methodology of Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis (IPA), the study explores personal perceptions of vocal behaviour. Emerging themes suggest that singing is seen by these men as a central concept of Self. Furthermore, these themes appear to correspond closely to the psychological theory proposed by Robert Weber in his recent revision of William James's seminal, triadic model of Self. Data are discussed here in relation to this particular theoretical framework. Men's vocal behaviour appears to be an important technology of Self; that is, a forming agent and defining concept in tripartite elements of body, persona and spirit. Findings illustrate singing's agency in the changing Self and in the maintaining of core and unitary Selfs, and they exemplify ways in which personal identities can be vocally-constructed, performed and celebrated.
A Music Module in Working Memory? Evidence from the Performance of a Prodigious Musical Savant
Authors: Ockelford Adam
Published: November 2015

This article investigates the possible existence and nature of a “music module” in working memory after Baddeley (1986) and Berz (1995). Evidence is gleaned from the performance of a prodigious musical savant in hearing and playing back an unfamiliar piece. His ability to realise internalised auditory images of considerable complexity on the keyboard with immediacy and an unusual technical facility offers a rare opportunity to glean something of the workings of the musical mind in a direct and ecologically valid way — through purely musical responses. These are subject to an initial musicological analysis using “zygonic” theory (Ockelford, 2005a, 2005b), which seeks to explain how the structure and content of the savant's output is derived from the stimulus and from other sources, and how both are woven into a coherent musical whole. The underlying methodological assumption is that the perceived sonic relationships so identified offer powerful evidence of processes that are hypothesised to underlie the learning, storage and retrieval of musical elements in cognition.
Expectancy-Value Motivation in the Context of a Music Performance Examination
Authors: McCormick John , McPherson Gary E.
Published: November 2015

Expectancy-value theory is a well-established cognitive approach to motivational research that focuses on belief systems, specifically, learners' expectations and valuing of activities in which they are engaged. Investigating this area in music we sampled 723 instrumental music learners aged 9 to 19 to determine their expectations for succeeding on a graded music performance examination. The students completed a questionnaire on the day before their performance examination that sampled their responses according to the four constructs in the expectancy-value framework: Attainment value, intrinsic value, utility value and cost. Results are consistent with findings from research on academic learning suggesting that children's judgments concerning the likelihood for succeeding in the music examination are positively associated with the result they actual obtained from their examiner. We conclude from the studies we have undertaken so far, that beliefs student hold, about their own musical capabilities, are powerful predictors and determinants of achievement. These important and crucial components of motivation deserve continued research attention.
The Activity and Artistry of Solo Vocal Performance: Insights from Investigative Observations and Interviews with Western Classical Singers
Authors: Davidson Jane W.
Published: November 2015

This paper draws on data collected from four professional solo classical singers as they prepared and performed the same piece, each working with the same accompanist. It examines their thoughts and feelings — inner mental states — as recalled and expressed in interview, and their perceptible outer states as observed in their physical behaviours. Data were collected from both talk-aloud reflections on the activities of practice, rehearsal and performance, and observer evaluations of rehearsals and performance as observed in video recordings. The aims of these reflections were to investigate: I) the nature of mental and bodily action for technical and expressive musical communication; ii) the nature of social interaction within the rehearsal and performing contexts; iii) overall, this work is undertaken to broaden knowledge and understanding of how an expert vocal performance is prepared, delivered and perceived. Results suggest that a subtle interplay of social and musical communication is necessary to achieve a “good performance”. These ideas are discussed in terms of a social theory relating to how inner and outer mental states are displayed through the body in musical performance.
Musical Character and the Performance and Perception of Dotting, Articulation and Tempo in 34 Recordings of Variation 7 from J.S. Bach's Goldberg Variations (BWV 988)
Authors: Fabian Dorottya , Schubert Emery
Published: November 2015

The performance of dotted rhythms has received considerable scholarly attention in the recent past. Historical musicologists mostly examined it in the context of baroque performance practice while music psychologists studied it primarily in relation to rhythm perception or emotion in music. This paper builds on our previous work that examined the perception of dotting in 34 commercial recordings of Bach's Goldberg Variations and its role in defining perceived musical character. In this study we compare this earlier data of perceived dotting, articulation and tempo with newly measured performed dotting, articulation and tempo in the same 34 recordings. We also investigate the relationship between performed parameters and judged musical character. Correlation analysis indicates a difference between performed and perceived dotting. It also shows that in a baroque piece of music where dotted rhythms are prevalent, performed dotting contributes less to judged musical character than do performed articulation and tempo. The results demonstrate that perceived dotting and judged character are at least as dependent on articulation and tempo as on performed dotting. On the basis of these findings the paper posits that the “dottedness” of an interpretation is more a judgment of musical character than an assessment of rhythmic execution.
The Form of Performance: Analyzing Pattern Distribution in Select Recordings of Chopin's Mazurka Op. 24 No. 2
Authors: Spiro Neta , Gold Nicolas , Rink John
Published: November 2015

Performances of the same piece can differ from one another in innumerable ways and for many different reasons. The aim of the current study is to analyze the timing and dynamic patterns of a large sample of performances in order to explore the musical reasons for both the occurrence of such patterns and the differences in their location and characteristics. The investigation focuses on twenty-nine performances of Chopin's Mazurka Op. 24 No. 2, which features clear four-bar phrases and correspondingly consistent sectional units, but which also has characteristics such as a steady crotchet accompaniment that remain constant throughout. This results in a potential tension between “through-performed” and sectionalized features. In this study we examine the performances accordingly, investigating the relationship between the work's structural and thematic characteristics on the one hand and the timing and dynamic characteristics of performances on the other. Following this, we narrow our investigation of these and other features by undertaking a comparative analysis of three recordings by the same performer, Artur Rubinstein. A toolkit of methods is employed, including an approach that has been little used for this purpose: Self-Organizing Maps. This method enables the systematic analysis and comparison of different performances by identifying recurrent expressive patterns and their location within the respective performances. The results show that, in general, the structure of the performed music emerges from and is defined by the performance patterns. Particular patterns occur in a range of contexts, and this may reflect the structural and/or thematic status of the locations in question. Whereas the performance patterns at section ends seem to be most closely related to the large-scale structural context, however, those within some sections apparently arise from typical features of the mazurka genre. Performances by the same performer over a 27-year span are characterized by striking similarities as well as differences on a global level in terms of the patterns themselves as well as the use thereof.
Über Musik der Zukunft, Science Fiction, Zeit und Bedeutung
Authors: Kalisch Volker
Published: November 2015

Der Frage nach der kulturellen Bedeutung der Musik wird im Horizont philosophisch-anthropologischen Denkens nachgegangen. Als Einstieg wird dafür ein Kulturvergleich besonderer Art gewählt, der die fiktive Begegnung mit “außerirdischer Musik” zum Anlaß wählt, nur um so entschiedener Wesen und Eigenart unserer eigenen Musik zu untersuchen. In dem Versuch einer Benennung musikalischer Wesenszüge gewinnt dabei das Phänomen der Zeitbezogenheit besonderes Gewicht, wie über die spezifische Zeitlichkeit der Musik auf das relationale Gefüge zwischen emotionalen Innenlagen, gesellschaftlicher Kultur und Musik aufmerksam gemacht wird. Auf Konsequenzen daraus für eine soziologische Betrachtungsweise der Musik wird hingewiesen.