bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The reciprocal impact of vertical service line extensions on parent brands
Authors: Boisvert Jean
Published: November 2012

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to examine the extent to which perceived extension innovativeness, extension quality, and consumer involvement affect reciprocal attitudes toward a newly launched vertical service line extension and the parent brand.

Design/methodology/approach

An empirical investigation using a survey methodology was conducted with a sample of 664 respondents representative of the target population. Three pre‐tests were conducted. Partial least squares structural equation modeling and analysis of variance helped test the complex paths of nominal, mediating, and moderating variables.

Findings

Extension innovativeness, extension quality, and consumer involvement positively mediate the relationship between the new extension and the parent brand. In addition, parent brand perceived innovativeness negatively moderates the impact of extension innovativeness on attitudes toward the parent brand. Perceived quality of the extension does not solely mediate a reciprocal attitude but is partially mediated by extension innovativeness.

Research limitations/implications

Future studies should investigate different types of services and consumer goods to generalize the results. Other dimensions of involvement could also be tested.

Practical implications

This study provides key findings to managers who are responsible for launching newly‐created upscale service extensions. When evaluating a new vertical service line extension, consumers actively process the available information. Thus, marketers must be careful to communicate the quality and the innovativeness of a new service because both factors can dynamically influence reciprocal attitudes toward the parent brand.

Originality/value

This article brings new insights as well as closing an important theoretical gap in the literature regarding the complex dynamic effects of perceived innovativeness, quality, and involvement in a context of a vertical service line extension during launch as it reciprocally impacts attitude toward the parent brand.
Pre‐recovery and post‐recovery emotions in the service context: a preliminary study
Authors: Ozgen Ozge , Duman Kurt Sumeyra
Published: November 2012

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to analyze the mediating role of pre‐recovery emotions on the relationship between severity of service failure and post‐recovery positive and negative emotions and to examine the mediating role of justice perceptions on the interaction between pre‐recovery and post‐recovery emotions.

Design/methodology/approach

Quantitative data were collected in the form of questionnaire which was applied to 238 respondents. The respondents include the consumers who experienced a service failure followed by a service recovery. In this study, post‐recovery positive and negative emotions were dependent variables whereas severity of service failure, pre‐recovery emotions and three dimensions of justice perceptions were the other main variables. In line with this purpose, eight hypotheses aiming to clarify the relations among these variables were tested using correlation and hierarchical regression analysis.

Findings

The results suggest that post‐recovery negative emotions were affected by pre‐recovery emotions with the mediating role of distributive justice perceptions. The findings of this research reveal that dealing successfully with pre‐recovery emotions and integrating these emotions with favorable distributive justice perceptions have critical importance in mitigating the post‐recovery negative emotions.

Practical implications

During service recovery, service providers must concentrate on positive and negative emotions concurrently. Besides, managers also have to take pre‐recovery emotions into consideration and exert a special effort on distributive justice in order to decrease the intensity of post‐recovery negative emotions. Selection of recovery types, the effects of these on distributive justice perception and responding promptly to prevent pre‐recovery negative emotions are critically important for service providers.

Originality/Value

This study differs by focusing on pre‐recovery and post‐recovery emotions within a holistic view, which recommends the service providers an alternative perspective for being more proactive.
Developments in tax e‐filing: practical views from the coalface
Authors: Lymer Andy , Hansford Ann , Pilkington Katy
Published: November 2012

Purpose

Electronic filing (e‐filing) of personal tax returns has become a global trend in developed countries. An increasing number of individual UK taxpayers are seeking help from tax advisers as ambitious e‐filing targets increase the interaction between taxpayers, tax agents and government departments. This article aims to review the attitudes to information and communications technology (ICT) adoption between these three groups.

Design/methodology/approach

This article has partly built on the work of Walsh and White, who use Moore's “Technology Adoption Life Cycle” to examine e‐filing adoption by taxpayers and tax preparers in the USA. However, this article uses a mixed methodology that the authors argue is more suitable for the wider issues found in the UK.

Findings

The results confirm that small/medium sized tax agent firms are more likely to be technology enthusiasts/early adopters of e‐filing for their individual clients. As their business policies are more likely to be directly driven by technology enthusiasts, they have fewer issues with the incomplete e‐filing system available at the early stages of its roll out and were more motivated by the visible benefits available from adopting e‐filing. Larger firms have been slower and appeared more reluctant to embrace e‐filing of personal tax returns being concerned that engaging in HM Revenue and Customs controlled systems and targets would compromise their internal systems, ICT integrity and control of complex tax cases.

Practical implications

This split in e‐filing attitudes by tax agents supports Moore's “chasm” argument for technology adoption processes, implying solutions for widening participation found appropriate for other domains could be equally applicable in this domain. The article reflects on these findings and proposes practical solutions that build on prior research to assist the government in achieving the future ambitious targets for e‐filing.

Originality/value

This paper reports the results of a national survey of tax advisers, supported by follow‐up interviews, addressing the development of e‐filing for personal taxation in the UK.
Profiling customer perceived service quality expectations in made‐to‐order housing construction in Australia
Authors: Forsythe Perry John
Published: November 2012

Purpose

The study aims to assist contractors in strategically managing customer satisfaction by applying marketing theory to housing construction. It specifically aims to investigate service quality as an input to pre‐purchase (pre‐contract) expectations in the made‐to‐order housing construction market.

Design/methodology/approach

A theoretical model is developed from the literature concerning the formulation of expectations during the pre‐purchase decision process. Data from 51 detailed telephone interviews with customers undertaking live housing projects are analysed using both thematic analysis and qualitative comparative analysis.

Findings

A revised model is provided, which includes a dimensionalised set of traits to suit housing construction customers. Strings of traits are then used to develop holistic customer profiles, including situations where service quality is fully present in critical pre‐purchase expectations and where it is totally absent (i.e. price and product design dominate instead).

Practical implications

The model and profiling technique offer a generalisable basis for contractors and others involved in housing delivery to better understand customer expectations, thus making it possible to better manage customer satisfaction.

Originality/value

The research contributes to new knowledge by providing a systematic means of understanding customer behaviour at a depth that is not apparent in the current body of literature. Theory is also developed in a way that has practical application, i.e. customer profiles can be used to assist daily marketing and management operations.
Fund flows and past performance in Australian managed funds
Authors: Gupta Rakesh , Jithendranathan Thadavillil
Published: November 2012

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to examine the various segments of the managed funds market to establish if there is any significant difference in the way the assets are allocated into various asset categories and if investors base their investment decisions based on the past performance of the fund.

Design/methodology/approach

An average investor who does not possess superior investment knowledge may base their investment decision on the past performance of funds resulting in flow based on past performance. This study uses a panel regression model to test the relationship between net flows and past excess returns.

Findings

Significant differences are found in asset allocation between the retail and wholesale segments. Retail investors prefer less risky investments compared to wholesale investors and have lower preference for overseas investments. The results indicate that investors base their investment decisions on the past performance of funds, with the retail segment showing a higher level of influence of past performance, as compared to the wholesale segment. The results further show less evidence of a reaction to risk among the managed investment categories.

Practical implications

Fund managers use fund performance for marketing purposes and results of the study may be of importance to the managers and investors in understanding this objective. The findings are also of significance for policy makers in terms of understanding investor behaviour.

Originality/value

This is the first study of the Australian managed funds industry (including wholesale and retail funds) that tests the link between past performance and fund flows. The study includes data until June 2008, which includes a period when a number of policy changes occurred in Australian superannuation industry.
Does capitalization enhance efficient risk undertaking?
Authors: Dalla Pellegrina Lucia
Published: November 2012

Purpose

In light of the current debate on bank capital requirements, the purpose of this paper is to investigate the relative impact of capitalization on risk‐taking efficiency in Islamic and conventional banks. The author tests whether changes occurring to the capital structure of such different types of intermediaries unevenly affect their behaviour in terms of risk‐taking efficiency.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper conducts an empirical analysis using data for the period 2001‐2011 by means of both standard regression methods and stochastic cost frontier techniques.

Findings

Results provide evidence that more capitalized Islamic banks are associated to less risky positions in terms of their asset structure. In particular, the latter exhibit higher liquidity standards and a lower incidence of non‐performing loans compared to other banks. This has delayed positive effects on profitability and no substantial impact on efficiency. On the other hand, highly capitalized conventional banks tend to shift from more traditional lending activities to investment in other (profit generating) assets. Such strategy increases profitability and efficiency, although raising impaired loans.

Research limitations/implications

This study does not address potential endogeneity concerns that might affect the variables at stake, hence mainly providing indications in terms of correlation between phenomena rather than causality.

Practical implications

The analysis has important practical implications when considering capital adequacy as a regulatory tool for managing the risk of Islamic banks' activity, following principles similar to those recommended by the Basel committee.

Originality/value

The original contribution of the paper to the literature consists of comparing the effects of capitalization in different types of banks, and results can be usefully exploited by policymakers wishing to tailor banking regulation on the specific model of banking they are entitled to regulate.
Mobile applications and 4G wireless networks: a framework for analysis
Authors: Yang Samuel C.
Published: November 2012

Purpose

The use of mobile wireless data services continues to increase worldwide. New fourth‐generation (4G) wireless networks can deliver data rates exceeding 2 Mbps. The purpose of this paper is to develop a framework of 4G mobile applications that utilize such high data rates and run on small form‐factor devices.

Design/methodology/approach

The author reviews existing literature of mobile applications development and proposes using network‐related characteristics to create a conceptual framework of these applications.

Findings

Combining traffic symmetry and latency yields a 2×3 framework with six categories that characterize current and emerging 4G mobile applications, such as augmented reality, mobile social networking and m‐health.

Research limitations/implications

With the advent of high‐speed 4G networks, completely new mobile applications can be developed to leverage such high data rates, and a framework of such development efforts is highly desirable.

Originality/value

The framework is developed based on a perspective of technical characteristics because these characteristics intrinsically constrain the kinds of broadband mobile applications that can be developed. The framework should be useful in exploring opportunities of mobile application development and guiding future research in this area.
Digital business ecosystem prototyping for SMEs
Authors: Herdon Miklós , Várallyai László , Péntek Ádám
Published: November 2012

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to survey, systemize and analyse the e‐readiness of small and medium‐sized enterprises (SMEs) and determine which new technologies can be applied to build a digital business ecosystem (DBE) for SMEs. Based on the results of a survey, the authors' objectives are to propose an adequate solution system that uses open source solutions for the SME through the development of a prototype based on a DBE concept.

Design/methodology/approach

On the resulting principal components, the authors applied the variance analysis and built two LISREL (a linear structural equation system involving multiple indicators of unmeasured variables) models. LISREL can handle a wide array of problems and models. Based on a survey, an open source prototype solution was developed based on DBE philosophy.

Findings

The authors defined different clusters. An SME can then find within the clusters further methods that could be important for their business. The authors developed two LISREL models, aiming to examine the factors that impact the use of the community applications and how they impact them, as well as the factors that impact the increase of the on‐line sales. Based on the survey, a prototype system was designed and created that can be used for the set‐up of digital business networks.

Practical implications

The paper proposes an adequate solution system that uses open source solutions for the SMEs through the development of a prototype based on a DBE concept.

Originality/value

Building DBEs helps to create and operate value chains that help enterprises to extend their markets. Through their help, the inquirers and buyers get to know the elements of the value chain, and can therefore make decisions much easier. The paper shows how to define e‐attributes of SMEs and clusters to build and use a DBE system for them.
Revisiting the global market for higher education
Authors: Mazzarol Tim , Soutar Geoffrey N.
Published: November 2012

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to review the changes in the international education sector that have taken place over the decade since the authors' book,The Global Market for Higher Educationwas published in 2001.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper is an expert opinion that draws on global trends in the international education sector.

Findings

Since the publication of the authors' book, the global market for higher education has changed significantly. A decade ago competition was between a few mainly English language instruction countries in the developed world. The principal destination country was the United States followed by Britain, but with Australia, Canada and New Zealand actively competing. In 2012, competition has expanded, with former sending nations (e.g. Singapore, China, India) becoming destinations. Competition among established nations has also intensified.

Originality/value

This paper provides a strategic overview of the state of international education and a unique perspective on the trends that have shaped and will continue to shape this industry into the future.
Chinese students' complaining behavior: hearing the silence
Authors: FitzPatrick Mary , Davey Janet , Dai Lijuan
Published: November 2012

Purpose

Despite the competitive internationalization of higher education, international students' responses to dissatisfaction (consumer complaining behavior or CCB) are not well understood in New Zealand. While studies show that many factors, including culture, influence CCB, the None‐Action mode in particular has been largely overlooked by researchers. The purpose of this paper is to examine Chinese student's CCB.

Design/methodology/approach

The study employed a qualitative exploratory focus group design examining Chinese students' CCB. Data were analyzed in two stages. First, data were coded into various CCB modes. Next, data relating to the specific mode of None‐Action were thematically analyzed. Five key themes for None‐Action were revealed: Futility, Inadequate Information, Fear of Consequences, Complexity, and Internalization.

Findings

This exploratory research found a high level of None‐Action responses. It was apparent that culture was highly influential in participants' CCB responses and that these None‐Action responses had an affective dimension.

Research limitations/implications

Understanding None‐Action responses to dissatisfaction among international students in higher education is critical if universities are to avoid adverse funding consequences. There are cultural and personal implications for students and strategic implications for higher education institutions in understanding Chinese students' Non‐Action. The exploratory nature of the research means that it is designed to stimulate thought and debate on how to expand the body of knowledge on this mode of CCB.

Originality/value

The research highlights the importance to higher education institutions of understanding the cultural and service‐specific explanations for Non‐Action as a response to student‐consumer dissatisfaction.
The uses of Facebook© technologies in Hospitality curriculum on an experiential learning platform for a new generation of students
Authors: Harris Christopher W.
Published: November 2012

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to examine the applications of the social networking software, Facebook, currently practiced by “expert user” faculty teaching within a Malaysian Higher Education Hospitality Diploma programme. Of particular interest is whether the faculty experiences with Facebook reveal its functional appropriateness for use on an experiential learning platform. The aim is also to prompt further research and experimentation with the medium on teachers and students.

Design/methodology/approach

Phenomenological: the researcher uses a focus group to enable the essence of teachers' experience in the utilisation of Facebook as a teaching and learning tool within the syllabus of their taught subjects in a shared hospitality curriculum to emerge.

Findings

The experiences divulged in the focus group reveal the use of Facebook as an “effective” medium for reflective purposes in relation to experiential teaching and learning activities and as a mechanism for reflective and extrapolative cognition on experiential or practical classes.

Originality/value

This lies in the focus on actual Facebook use within the syllabi of a Faculty “community of practice”. It also lies in the focus of the paper on applications within a Hospitality curriculum. In relation to marketing, the visual materials discovered to be uploaded by teachers and students on Facebook are perhaps the real teaching and learning experiences of students that could be used by marketers for promotional purposes utilising the paradigm of experiential marketing and a service‐dominant logic.
Non‐bank financial institutions regulation and risk‐taking
Authors: Ofoeda Isaac , Abor Joshua , Adjasi Charles K.D.
Published: November 2012

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to examine the relationship between regulation of non‐bank financial institutions and their risk‐taking behaviours in Ghana.

Design/methodology/approach

The analysis is performed using data derived from the Bank of Ghana Database during a five‐year period, 2006‐2010. Correlated Panels Corrected Standard Errors model is used to estimate the regression equation. Capital adequacy requirements and the restrictions on non‐bank financial institutions' (NBFIs') ability to take deposits are used as proxies for regulatory pressure. The study also used the ratio of risks weighted assets‐to‐total assets, the ratio of non‐performing loans‐to‐net loans and the Z‐scores of NBFIs as measures of risk.

Findings

The results of the study show a negative relationship between minimum capital adequacy requirement and the risks weighted assets of NBFIs. This indicates that, asking NBFIs to keep higher minimum capital adequacy ratio results in reducing their risk‐taking. The results also indicate a positive relationship between regulatory pressure and risk weighted assets of NBFIs. The paper however found a negative relationship between restrictions on deposits and the risk of insolvency. The findings suggest that, non‐deposit‐taking NBFIs have higher risk weighted assets and are more prone to the risk of insolvency than deposit‐taking NBFIs.

Originality/value

The value of this study is in respect of its contribution to the extant literature on financial regulation and risk‐taking of NBFIs.
Development of the carer well‐being and support (CWS) questionnaire
Authors: Quirk Alan , Smith Sarah , Hamilton Sarah , Lamping Donna , Lelliott Paul , Stahl Daniel , Pinfold Vanessa , Andiappan Manoharan
Published: November 2012

Purpose

A psychometrically validated measure is needed to evaluate outcomes in carers of people with mental health problems, including dementia. This study aims to develop and validate the Carer well‐being and support questionnaire (CWS).

Design/methodology/approach

Development and evaluation of the measure was conducted in three phases. The authors deconstructed an existing questionnaire (CUES‐C) to produce a long version measure. This was trialed with carers to reduce the number of items and a preliminary evaluation of the psychometric properties of the remaining items was undertaken. A second field test was conducted with the item‐reduced questionnaire measure to evaluate acceptability, reliability and validity.

Findings

The CWS well‐being scale shows moderate acceptability and good reliability and validity. The CWS support scale shows moderate acceptability and good reliability; validity testing for the support scale is limited by the lack of appropriate validating measures.

Practical implications

The CWS is a reliable, valid measure of carer well‐being and support, reflecting important aspects of carers' lives.

Originality/value

This paper provides researchers and practitioners with a tool that can be used to measure and address areas of support for carers. This is important in assessing the effectiveness of new interventions and approaches.
Engaging clients with personality disorder in treatment
Authors: Jinks Mary , McMurran Mary , Huband Nick
Published: November 2012

Purpose

This paper seeks to highlight the findings from a research project on improving treatment engagement for clients with personality difficulties.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors provide an overview of the studies conducted to date. These are a systematic review of the literature examining non‐completion of psychosocial treatment by people with personality disorder, a systematic review of assessments to measure treatment engagement, and a Delphi survey of both staff and patients' views on factors that impact on engagement in psychosocial treatment for this client group.

Findings

Poor engagement with psychosocial treatment is an issue for clients with personality disorder and rates of non‐completion are high. Discontinuation of treatment is associated with adverse clinical outcomes. Although a number of assessments exist for measuring engagement, none can be described as comprehensive and few are adequately validated. Engagement factors identified from the survey were broadly in keeping with previous work, but additional factors specific to this client group were identified. A treatment readiness model for people with personality difficulties is described.

Practical implications

Research outputs from the project are a set of specifications for good practice in facilitating engagement, and a web‐based training package aimed at helping staff improve their understanding of their clients' engagement issues.

Originality/value

The findings will be useful to service managers as well as clinicians working directly with people with personality difficulties. Improving client engagement will improve clinical outcomes and service cost‐efficiency.
Motivations and benefits for attaining HR certifications
Authors: Lester Scott W. , Dwyer Dale J.
Published: November 2012

Purpose

The aim of this paper is to examine the motivations and benefits for pursuing or not pursuing the PHR and SPHR.

Design/methodology/approach

Using a sample of 1,862 participants, the study used multinomial logistic and hierarchical linear regression to test six hypotheses.

Findings

Participants pursuing SPHR were more likely to report intrinsic motivations pursuing certification, while PHR respondents were more likely to report extrinsic reasons. Other‐driven reasons were not significant predictors. Respondents not pursuing certification saw a lack of perceived benefits. Non‐pursuers of SPHR were concerned about time constraints. The pursuing and non‐pursuing groups did exhibit differences in their demographic and commitment profiles.

Research limitations/implications

The sample is limited to only those professionals active in their local SHRM chapters. The data were cross‐sectional. Future research needs to address the validity of Human Resource Certification Institute (HRCI) certification and the lack of empirical research on the connection between certification and objective measures of job performance.

Practical implications

Results regarding perceived certification benefits suggest that organizations could run into retention problems if HR professionals continue to view marketability as the top benefit and view pay and promotion as unaffected by certification. The profiles of pursuers and non‐pursuers suggest that HRCI should target younger, less educated professionals when promoting the PHR and highlight increased marketability as the key benefit. Furthermore, HRCI should target those with high levels of affective commitment when promoting the SPHR.

Originality/value

The paper provides some of the first empirical evidence for why professionals pursue or do not pursue PHR and SPHR certification.
The portability of career‐long work experience
Authors: Mahony Douglas M. , Klimchak Malayka , Morrell Daniel L.
Published: November 2012

Purpose

The aims of this paper are to expand understanding on the portability of work experience and to understand how an employee's level of propensity to trust interplays with perceived value of previous career‐long work experience to affect on‐the‐job performance.

Design/methodology/approach

A sample of 127 new employees of three newly opened locations of a national full‐service restaurant chain were surveyed during the orientation phase of their jobs. This was followed up three‐four weeks later by job performance ratings from supervisors.

Findings

The higher the perceived value of previous work experience the stronger the relationship between industry work experience and job performance. Also, the higher the perceived value of previous work experience the weaker the relationship between propensity to trust and job performance.

Research limitations/implications

Because this study concentrated on a single firm in a single industry, generalizability to other industries may suffer.

Practical implications

Employees that seek to find value in their current jobs may be more valuable in their future jobs. Also, employees who lack valuable prior work experiences will need to rely more on their propensity to trust other employees if they want to perform well at their new jobs.

Originality/value

The study explains the reasoning behind prior inconsistencies in the work experience‐job performance literature by introducing the concept of perceived value of previous work experience and explaining how this relates to propensity to trust in a newcomer relationship.
Risk factors affecting building maintenance under tropical conditions
Authors: De Silva Nayanthara , Ranasinghe Malik , De Silva C.R.
Published: November 2012

Purpose

The factors contributing to maintenance cost include the life‐long environmental factors that the building is exposed to during its useful life as well as parameters relating to the design, construction and maintenance processes. The performance of risk associated with these factors decides the future maintenance requirements of buildings. Ignoring these risks factors generally result in high maintenance costs. The purpose of this paper is to identify the maintainability risk factors and their implications on maintenance costs.

Design/methodology/approach

A survey based methodology was used to establish the risks factors of building maintainability. A sample of high‐rise buildings was selected to evaluate these risk factors that were identified through an extensive literature review and survey of substantive experts. Further, these risks factors were applied to a real case study.

Findings

A total of ten risk factors of maintainability were identified in relation to high‐rise buildings. They were analyzed using a case study and the implications on maintenance cost were evaluated. The results show that there is a considerable reduction in maintenance cost when these risks are minimized.

Research limitations/implications

The research was limited to the USA and its six biggest cities. The results presented are predominantly qualitative and the results rely on extensive evaluation.

Originality/value

The paper provides useful information to the designers and users on the maintenance problems related to buildings. Also it highlights critical risk conditions that should be considered to minimize maintenance costs.
Evaluating organisational climate through IC lens: the case of a public hospital
Authors: Carlucci Daniela , Schiuma Giovanni
Published: November 2012

Purpose

During the past two decades a renewed interest about the role of intangible resources in determining performance of public services organisations has risen. This is particularly valid for healthcare (HC) services. HC services are knowledge intensive services basically founded, as the vast majority of their outputs, on intangible resources. Recently, some scholars have examined the relevance of organisational climate (OC) for gathering outstanding performance in HC services. Literature suggests that OC is a multifaceted concept deeply rooted in intangible resources of an organisation. Several intangible resources intervene to shape OC. Based on this consideration, the study seeks to show, through an action research (AR) project, how intellectual capital (IC) provides a useful and fresh frame for analysing intangible components of OC and planning initiatives for their effective management.

Design/methodology/approach

The study is based on the action research methodology.

Findings

The AR project highlights that analysing OC according to an IC based perspective supports the planning of management initiatives aimed to improve climate and its components and, in turn, the “value” embedded in services outcomes.

Practical implications

The examination of OC according to an IC based perspective is proposed both as a tool for identifying elements of OC which are hindering productivity, reducing effectiveness and quality of HC services and as a tool for supporting managers in designing management initiatives aimed to enhance organisational performances by leveraging OC.

Originality/value

This paper shows how the adoption of an IC lens to disentangle and examine OC can enhance the analysis of components of climate and the identification of initiatives for their effective management.
Institutional constraints and SME growth in post‐communist Albania
Authors: Xheneti Mirela , Bartlett Will
Published: November 2012

Purpose

This paper aims to investigate business growth in post‐communist Albania using an institutional perspective.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper takes an institutional perspective, which emphasises the role of institutional change in enabling/constraining business growth whilst allowing for entrepreneurial objectives and motivations to be taken into account. The analysis is based on firm‐level data collected through a survey questionnaire in April‐July 2004. The paper uses principal components analysis and a regression model to explain the factors that determine the pace of business growth of small firms.

Findings

The analysis offers important insights into the nature of entrepreneurship in a post‐communist setting. The age of the firm, the age, education, qualifications and work orientation of the entrepreneur, insufficient information and corruption, explain the differential growth of firms. Older entrepreneurs grow faster suggesting unfulfilled aspirations during communism as well as their access to wider professional, social and possibly also political connections. The positive effect of corruption on business growth suggests that an ability to cope with a corrupt environment has been a necessary entrepreneurial skill during a period of chaotic change in social and formal institutions that has characterized transition in Albania.

Originality/value

This research can be of special interest to studies of entrepreneurship in institutional transformation contexts, and it contributes especially to the accumulation of knowledge on transition economies by looking at the little researched case of post communist Albania.
Motivations of migrant entrepreneurship in Greece: a factor analysis approach
Authors: Liargovas Panagiotis G. , Skandalis Konstantinos S.
Published: November 2012

Purpose

The past decade has shown a remarkable growth in entrepreneurship among immigrants in Greece, while their contribution to Greek society is still clouded by issues of social integration, crime, exclusion, racism and discrimination. The purpose of this paper is to empirically identify the motivations that are responsible for migrant entrepreneurship in the case of Greece.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors use the principal component factor analysis technique in order to investigate common factors that might explain underlying beliefs about the perceived variables. The research questionnaire includes open‐ended and closed questions to collect the necessary information in order to provide insights into a variety of critical factors which determine the start and existence of ethnic firms.

Findings

It is found that the intention to become an entrepreneur depends on family survival needs, immigrant community ties, personality features or traits and market infrastructure and general conditions of the Greek economy.

Originality/value

The findings of this study provide important insights into the perceived and actual motivations encountered by immigrant entrepreneurs in Greece and allow for implications to be made to both owners and government policies.
Calibrating risk for violent political extremists and terrorists: the VERA 2 structured assessment
Authors: Elaine Pressman D. , Flockton John
Published: November 2012

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to outline the process of risk assessment for terrorists and violent political extremists and to present an example of such an approach. The approach proposed is referred to as the VERA 2 or violent extremism risk assessment protocol (Consultative Version 2).

Design/methodology/approach

A review of the knowledge base relating to risk assessment and risk assessment methodology was undertaken with a focus on relevance to individual terrorists and violent extremists. The need for a specific approach for the risk assessment of terrorists that differs from approaches used for ordinary violent criminals was identified. A model that could be used for the risk assessment of terrorists was identified with pertinent risk indicators. This was structured into a protocol referred to as the VERA (Consultative Version 2). The approach is intended to be applied to different types of violent extremists, terrorists and unlawful violent offenders motivated by religious, political or social ideologies.

Findings

First, risk assessments of adjudicated terrorists and violent extremists should be undertaken with risk indicators that are relevant to ideological motivated violence. Indicators used for ordinary common violence differ in substantive ways from those relevant to terrorists and therefore may have questionable relevance for the assessment of risk in terrorists. Second, it is possible to construct an evidence‐based risk assessment approach for the range of violent extremists and terrorists using a structured professional judgment approach with pertinent risk indicators. The VERA 2 is an example of this type of risk assessment protocol for terrorists and unlawful violent extremists.

Research limitations/implications

Risk assessment tools that have been developed for ordinary violent criminals and members of organised criminal gangs should be used with caution with terrorists, violent extremists and other perpetrators of ideologically motivated unlawful violence. Specific risk assessment approaches for terrorists with relevant indicators should be used. At this time, terrorist oriented approaches such as the VERA 2 are to be considered consultative and used as an add‐on to other established approaches.

Originality/value

There are few transparent, structured risk assessment approaches that use indicators specifically relevant to violent political extremists and terrorists. One new approach, the VERA 2 is outlined in the paper using risk indicators that differ in substantive ways from those used for other ordinary violent criminals.
The use of LibQUAL+ by European research libraries
Authors: Voorbij Henk
Published: November 2012

Purpose

One of the aims of the LIBER strategic plan 2009‐2012 was to stimulate the use of LibQUAL+ by European research libraries. The purpose of this study is to investigate how far this initiative has been successful.

Design/methodology/approach

All 385 LIBER libraries were invited to complete an online survey, mounted on Survey Monkey. The questionnaire was meant for all libraries, whether or not they performed a user survey during the last five years and, if so, whether or not they used LibQUAL + as the survey instrument.

Findings

The study shows that the use of LibQUAL+ in Europe is widespread and that there is a great potential for further growth. LibQUAL+'s strong areas are the ease of administering and opportunities for benchmarking. A weak area is the user unfriendliness: 50 per cent of the libraries having experience with LibQUAL+ find the survey difficult to complete for the participants. Carrying out a LibQUAL+ survey has great practical implications. More than 75 per cent of the respondents took measures to improve their performance on weak areas or to promote their existing services better among the user community. About one third established new services.

Practical implications

The results point at the need to improve the user friendliness of LibQUAL+.

Originality/value

This is the first study that covers the experience of European research libraries with LibQUAL+ on a broad scale.
Knowledge management – time to focus on purpose and motivation
Authors: McGurk John , Baron Angela
Published: November 2012

Purpose

Knowledge management (KM) is a key driver of organisational growth and development. It is a major conduit for the development of varying organisational capitals, and pivotal to learning, innovation and employee engagement. It is the authors' belief that KM has over‐focused on structures, processes and technologies and not enough on learning, innovation and engagement. This paper aims to discuss these issues.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper draws on experience and research from within the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development in the UK since 2000 and up to 2012, as well as external research sources.

Findings

This lack of alignment can be attributed to three issues: the often diffuse and vague nature of the concept itself; the undue focus on tracking, capturing and storing KM assets; and the lack of a coherent organisational purpose and focus for knowledge management.

Practical implications

The paper suggests that by focusing on the three key areas of learning, innovation and engagement, both a business rationale for KM and a “why bother” focus for employees can be developed, as well as contributing to sustainable organisation performance.

Originality/value

The paper examines knowledge management and links it to core HR processes.
US$500 and a click: investing the “crowdfunding” way
Authors: Gelfond Stuart H. , Foti Anthony D.
Published: November 2012

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to provide a preliminary explanation of “crowdfunding,” as defined in the Jumpstart Our Business Startups (JOBS) Act, subject to more specific rules that will be issued by the SEC later in 2012.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper provides an introduction to crowdfunding followed by preliminary explanations of the criteria for securities offerings that are exempted from traditional registration, requirements for brokers or funding portals that serve as crowdfunding intermediaries, disclosure and other requirements for the issuing company, the types of companies that would be likely crowdfunding issuers, significant risks and pitfalls potential crowdfunding issuers need to consider, and the potential effects of crowdfunding on a company's prospects for later‐stage funding such as venture capital.

Findings

The success of crowdfunding will likely depend on whether the rules to be defined by the SEC allow for a lean, efficient process for early stage capital raising or a complicated set of rules that makes crowdfunding unappealing or costly to startups and small issuers.

Originality/value

The paper provides practical guidance from experienced financial services lawyers.
Applying a lean approach to identify waste in motor carrier operations
Authors: Sternberg Henrik , Stefansson Gunnar , Westernberg Emma , Boije af Gennäs Rikard , Allenström Erik , Linger Nauska Malin
Published: November 2012

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to develop a waste framework for motor carrier operations by adapting the classical 7 waste framework, and furthermore, to validate it by collecting empirical data from several motor carrier operators.

Design/methodology/approach

The chosen approach includes three steps, starting with analyzing qualitative data from a literature review and an interview study. The interviewees were experts from carrier operations, the lean field, carrier technology providers and carrier service buyers. The findings were validated with qualitative and quantitative studies at five motor carrier operators.

Findings

The finding of this paper is a waste framework adapted to motor carrier operations that has been based on the classical 7 waste framework. This provides a structured framework of inefficiencies found in motor carrier operations.

Originality/value

Previous literature is scarce on both holistic approaches to describing waste in carrier operations and in‐depth studies of day‐to‐day transport operations. It is also a novel approach to use a waste framework for transport operations.
Flexibility requirements concerning the design of synchronous e‐learning systems
Authors: Jahn Matthias , Piesche Claudia , Jablonski Stefan
Published: November 2012

Purpose

Today's requirements concerning successful learning support comprise a variety of application scenarios. Therefore, the development of supporting software preferably aims at modular design. This article discusses requirements regarding flexibility of e‐learning systems and presents important principles, which should be met by successful systems. The purpose of this paper is to achieve a highly flexible system as follows: first of all, the system itself should be capable of easily being integrated into other systems. Second, the approach should allow easy integration of new components, respectively, existing resources without the need to adapt the whole system.

Design/methodology/approach

Guided by the results of previous projects and by various experiences in online education the importance of modular structures of an effective architecture as well as for the system usage were discovered. Accordingly, existing e‐learning systems were examined and some deficiency regarding support of synchronous learning activities were found.

Findings

The architecture of the Meeting Room Platform (MRP) is introduced as an example implementation of synchronous communication and collaboration systems. In addition to fulfilling explained flexibility requirements, it is configurable in a way so that the user can choose a set of services he wants to provide in online meetings.

Originality/value

With aforementioned aspects of flexibility in mind, the concept of the MRP system differs from existing systems and constitutes a new approach in designing synchronous e‐learning environments. Finally, various use cases as described in this article show the benefit of this approach more detailed.