bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Study of the influence of matter and finishing treatments on the denim garment shade
Authors: Khedher Faouzi , Dhouib Soufien , Msahli Slah , Sakli Faouzi
Published: May 2011

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to study the effect of matter, laundering types, special treatments and their succession applied during the manufacturing process of garment washing on the cloth shade.

Design/methodology/approach

Denim garment manufacturers are interested in finishing cloth to characterizes the aging look of the cloth. The effect of matter, laundering, special treatments and their succession were studied. The treatments have been done on manufactured trousers. One rigorous statistical study is achieved to validate the experimental results.

Findings

The mixed washing is the most degrading for the shade of cloth and appearance of the garment's surface and the succession of special treatments of finishing is demanded to have an increasing whiteness. The finishing resin‐treatment realized before any washing process (stone washing or mixed washing) provokes a slight increase of garment colour resistance.

Practical implications

Information from this study will aid manufacturers of garment washing jeans in selecting the finishing method that suits their marketing/manufacturing plants.

Originality/value

Garment washing is a technology incorporated by garment manufacturers to be able to provide a product in response to consumer's wants. This study of the effect of matter, washing type, special treatments and their succession on garment denim blue jeans shade provides garment manufacturers with information about the methodical line of finishing to obtain the wanted cloth shade.
Pattern classification of fabric defects using support vector machines
Authors: Ghosh A. , Guha T. , Bhar R.B. , Das S.
Published: May 2011

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to address a solution to the problem of defect recognition from images using the support vector machines (SVM).

Design/methodology/approach

A SVM‐based multi‐class pattern recognition system has been developed for inspecting commonly occurring fabric defects such as neps, broken ends, broken picks and oil stain. A one‐leave‐out cross validation technique is applied to assess the accuracy of the SVM classifier in classifying fabric defects.

Findings

The investigation indicates that the fabric defects can be classified with a reasonably high degree of accuracy by the proposed method.

Originality/value

The paper outlines the theory and application of SVM classifier with reference to pattern classification problem in textiles. The SVM classifier outperforms the other techniques of machine learning systems such as artificial neural network in terms of efficiency of calculation. Therefore, SVM classifier has great potential for automatic inspection of fabric defects in industry.
Simultaneous influence of ageing and softener on mechanical properties of knitted textiles during life cycle of garment
Authors: Agarwal Gaurav , Koehl Ludovic , Perwvelz Anne
Published: May 2011

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to examine the influence of ageing and the use of fabric softener during the life cycle of knitted fabrics.

Design/methodology/approach

The low‐stress mechanical properties were evaluated by means of the Kawabata evaluation system for fabric (KES‐F) and universal surface tester (UST) revealing that the tensile, shear, bending, compression and surface properties were altered by both ageing during the wash cycles and the use of fabric softener.

Findings

Machine laundering leaves fabrics with an uncomfortable hand due to the removal of finishes and the harsh mechanical action of laundering, and results in the change in mechanical properties of the fabrics.

Originality/value

The paper identifies the critical mechanical parameters which are influenced by ageing and the use of fabric softeners during life cycle of garments.
Validation of clothing insulation estimated by global and serial methods
Authors: Lee Joo‐Young , Ko Eun‐Sook , Lee Hyo‐Hyun , Kim Jae‐Young , Choi Jeong‐Wha
Published: May 2011

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to examine differences between thermal insulation calculated by a global and a serial method using a thermal manikin, in comparison with human trials.

Design/methodology/approach

A total of 150 single garments and 38 clothing ensembles were assessed using the manikin; 26 seasonal clothing ensembles were selected for human trials.

Findings

The results showed that total insulation of single garments was 16 percent higher in the serial method than in the global method. The difference was higher in garments with smaller covering area per unit garment mass (e.g. winter garments). For seasonal clothing ensembles, the serial values were 39.2 percent (0.18 clo) for spring/fall wear, 62.6 percent (0.15 clo) for summer wear and for winter wear 64.8 percent (0.69 clo) greater than the global values. The clothing insulation by the global method was systemically lower in all 26 seasonal ensembles than values by human trials, which suggests that the values by the global calculation can be more accurately corrected with human testing data.

Originality/value

The paper shows that values by the serial calculation were lower in spring/fall and summer ensembles but greater in winter garments than values collated by human trials. It suggests that the serial values had a lower validity when compared with thermal insulation values collated from human trials.
Idea generation: customer co‐creation versus traditional market research techniques
Authors: Witell Lars , Kristensson Per , Gustafsson Anders , Löfgren Martin
Published: May 2011

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to understand the differences between proactive and reactive market research techniques during the development of new market offerings. The study focused on the financial and innovative performance of traditional market research techniques, such as focus groups and in‐depth interviews, in comparison to more co‐creation‐oriented techniques that are designed to capture customers' value‐in‐use.

Design/methodology/approach

The study was a two‐stage process. Study I, an empirical investigation of 195 development projects in European companies, examined how these companies use different market research techniques and how this relates to the profit margins of new products and services. Study II designed an experiment with 50 users of a consumer good and evaluated the contribution of different market research techniques, based on the degree of originality and customer value.

Findings

Significant differences were found, in terms of both content and originality, between the technique based on customer co‐creation and the two traditional market research techniques (Study II). These findings can help to explain why the relationship between the use of market research techniques and profit margin (Study I) is stronger for co‐creation techniques than it is for traditional market research techniques.

Originality/value

Despite empirical evidence that the application of market research techniques based on co‐creation can lead to original ideas, there is a lack of valid studies regarding how co‐creation techniques perform in relation to more traditional methods of collaboration with customers.
Impact of value congruence on affective commitment: examining the moderating effects
Authors: Zhang Jing , Bloemer Josée
Published: May 2011

Purpose

Value congruence (VC) (the similarity between personal and object‐relevant values (such as a product or service)) rarely appears in studies of services, despite its importance for affective commitment. Existing research also neglects moderator variables. The purpose of this paper is to explore the impact of VC on affective commitment to service brands and examine the moderating effects of selected psychological, situational, and demographic characteristics in two services contexts.

Design/methodology/approach

Four retail clothing brands and four major bank brands provide input for the empirical research. In total, 1,037 respondents completed an online questionnaire with items pertaining to VC, affective commitment, preference for consistency (PFC), switching costs (SC) and demographics.

Findings

The positive impact of VC on affective commitment is stronger when the levels of PFC and SC are higher. Demographic characteristics of consumers, including gender, age, and education, do not moderate the effect of VC on affective commitment.

Practical implications

Increasing VC for all consumers may not be sufficient to secure consumer affective commitment. Instead, service providers should focus on consumers with high levels of PFC or create situations with high SC.

Originality/value

The paper demonstrates how PFC, SC and demographics moderate the relationship between VC and affective commitment.
Contractual governance for public service value networks
Authors: Enquist Bo , Camén Carolina , Johnson Mikael
Published: May 2011

Purpose

The aim of this paper is to explore the links between contractual governance and performance measurement in a value network for public service business, in the context of public transport, by positing service‐dominant logic (S‐D logic) as an alternative paradigm to the conventional goods‐dominant logic (G‐D logic). The paper addresses the following research questions: how does S‐D logic influence contractual governance and performance measurement? How do these influences of S‐D logic on contractual governance and performance measurement affect the governance of public service businesses in a value network?

Design/methodology/approach

The study adopts a qualitative approach, using case studies to undertake an analysis of the role of contractual governance and performance management in the Swedish public transport system.

Findings

The paper demonstrates that the current model of contractual governance and performance measurement is focused on operand resources, and driven by G‐D logic, rather than focused on operant resources, with S‐D logic. The effect of this dichotomy is an effective negation of the professed desire for a customer‐oriented public service system. The paper also develops and proposes a viable model of how a redefined arrangement, based on S‐D logic, could be achieved. The challenge is to govern a loosely coupled value network based on values rather than rules. Another challenge is how to create more sustainable public service based on value‐in‐use for all stakeholders in the value network. When developing a service business based on S‐D logic, it is important to invest resources in accordance with a balanced set of social, environmental and economic perspectives. The current study also contributes to the ongoing discussion of S‐D logic as an open source.

Originality/value

In service research, little attention has been devoted to the links between contractual governance and performance measurement. The paper proposes and develops a novel model of contractual governance and performance measurement based on S‐D logic.
Incentives, organisational identification, and relationship quality among members of fine arts museums
Authors: Camarero Carmen , José Garrido Ma
Published: May 2011

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to explore the relationship between museums and their donor clients (“friends”) by analysing the relative importance of the benefits (material and non‐material) that such friends of the organisation receive, their organisational identification with the museum: and their perceptions of satisfaction, trust, and future commitment.

Design/methodology/approach

Drawing on the tenets of both relationship marketing and social identity theory, the study develops and proposes a model of the relationships among the relevant constructs. This is empirically tested using survey data collected from 231 friends of Spanish museums of fine arts.

Findings

The study finds that positive and significant links exist between: the benefits (material and non‐material) that members receive and their degree of organisational identification with the museum, and organisational identification and certain relational constructs (satisfaction with products and services, trust in the organisation and the intention to maintain a long‐lasting relationship).

Research limitations/implications

The sample is restricted to members of Spanish fine arts museums, thus limiting the generalisability of the findings.

Practical implications

Museums must manage their relationships with members and donors effectively by providing incentives that provide true value. Such benefits generate organisational identification, thus reinforcing the relationship between the museum and its important donors.

Originality/value

From a theoretical perspective, the paper is the first to posit “organisational identification” as the nexus between customer perceptions of non‐profit organisations and the quality of the ongoing relationship between the organisation and its members. From a practical perspective, the study demonstrates the importance of relational policies that promote organisational identification as a means of consolidating relationships with important donors and other members.
Principals' leadership and teachers' motivation
Authors: Eyal Ori , Roth Guy
Published: May 2011

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to investigate the relationship between educational leadership and teacher's motivation. The research described here was anchored in the convergence of two fundamental theories of leadership and motivation: the full range model of leadership and self‐determination theory. The central hypotheses were that transformational leadership would predict autonomous motivation among teachers, whereas transactional leadership would predict controlled motivation. The authors further predicted that autonomous motivation would mediate the relations between transformational leadership and teachers' burnout and that controlled motivation would mediate the relations between transactional leadership and burnout.

Design/methodology/approach

Questionnaires assessing the variables of interest were completed by 122 Israeli teachers.

Findings

Results, based on structure equation modeling, supported the hypotheses, suggesting that leadership styles among school principals play a significant role in teachers' motivation and well‐being.

Research limitations/implications

The school's environment in Western society is characterized by many impositions and pressures that affect teachers' well‐being, as reflected in their quality and intensity of motivation, affect, and burnout. Thus, the present research findings suggest that if the power in educational systems is delegated to school principals, and if the latter are encouraged and trained to be autonomy supportive toward their educational staff, then these steps may potentially facilitate teachers' autonomous motivation, satisfaction, and well‐being.

Originality/value

Few studies have examined the relationship between various styles of leadership and different types of motivation among followers. The present novel study has the potential to fill this gap by empirically studying the relationship between educational leadership and teachers' motivation.
Elements of gender‐related variability in the selection of school advisors in Greece
Authors: Anastasiou Sophia , Papakonstantinou Georgios
Published: May 2011

Purpose

In many countries, including Greece, women are underrepresented in school management positions. Modern societies recognize sex inequalities in management as a significant social problem and implement human resource policies intended to reduce such problems. The purpose of this paper is to assess the level of gender inequality in the recent selection procedure for public school advisors in Greece and to compare the performance of women and men on the different selection criteria.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper compares the scores of male and female teachers in the national assessment of the Greek Ministry of Education, during the 2007 secondary education selection procedure. The data for the 2007 assessment procedure for the selection of secondary education school advisors were obtained. There were 1,137 candidates of whom 404 were selected as school advisors. These groups were analysed and grouped according to different criteria: sex, postgraduate qualifications, work experience, and score in a written examination. The differences in scores between groups were tested for statistical significance using a one‐way analysis of variance. A regression analysis was conducted to investigate the possible relationship between the score before the interview of female and male candidates and the score in the interview process.

Findings

The results indicate that the number of women candidates is lower than the expected number according to the proportion of women and men teachers in secondary education in Greece. Both men and women candidates appear to have scored the highest percentage of their credit points from the interview and not from the other selection criteria. Women achieved significantly better scores in knowledge of foreign languages and the scientific criteria, whereas men scored better in the publication of educational books. Prior to the interview assessment, women scored better than men. After the interview assessment, there were no gender‐related differences. For both men and women, the interview score was not related to the score on the other selection criteria. There is no evidence that women do not posses the average qualifications or merit to be selected as school advisors.

Originality/value

This paper is the first to investigate the elements of gender inequality in the selection procedure for secondary education school advisors in Greece.
Cognitive and institutional predictors of initial trust toward an online retailer
Authors: Eastlick Mary Ann , Lotz Sherry
Published: May 2011

Purpose

Via an initial trust‐building model, the purpose of this paper is to examine consumers' initial trust in an unfamiliar online retailer, considering cognitive perceptions of the retailer and institutional beliefs about the online environment.

Design/methodology/approach

A random sample of 2,000 US households, resulting in 477 usable responses, was surveyed by assigning subjects to one of the two shopping scenarios portraying an online insurance retailer with a weak or strong reputation.

Findings

Structural equation modelling revealed that second‐hand cognitive and first‐hand institutional information have comparable and contrasting effects on purchase intent through formation of initial trust.

Research limitations/implications

Results imply that consumers form initial trust using a combination of cognitive perceptions about the online retailer and consumers' institutional beliefs regarding the online environment. Ways in which researchers and online retailers can shape initial trust formation via these antecedents are suggested.

Originality/value

The influence of an institutional belief, situational normality of the online environment, on initial trust has not been previously investigated by simultaneously assessing relative influences of institutional beliefs and cognitive perceptions of the online retailer.
Music and consumption experience: a review
Authors: Jain Rajnish , Bagdare Shilpa
Published: May 2011

Purpose

The purpose of this review is to examine the influence of music on consumption experience and explore the relationships between musical variables and consumer responses in the context of retailing.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper is based on the review of studies conducted over last 30 years, empirical and conceptual, dealing with a large number of music‐related variables and their impact on various dimensions of consumption experience.

Findings

The studies report that music influences consumption experience at cognitive, emotional, and behavioural levels, specifically with regard to attitudes and perceptions, time and money spend, and moods and feelings, in retail experience. The influence of music is moderated by customer and store profiles, purchase timings, and other ambience factors.

Research limitations/implications

The study provides important insights into critical issues related to influence of music, for future research.

Practical implications

The research brings out important issues for designing musical environment in the retail stores to influence shopping experience and consumer responses.

Originality/value

Based on a critical review of important studies, the present paper proposes a framework to understand the effect of music on consumption experience in retail stores.
Retailers' preparedness for the introduction of third wave (ubiquitous) computing applications
Authors: Bennett Roger , Savani Sharmila
Published: May 2011

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to examine the state of readiness of large UK based retailing companies for the introduction of ubiquitous computing (U‐computing) retailing applications.

Design/methodology/approach

A questionnaire was distributed to a sampling frame of large British retailers, leading to 255 responses. The document contained items concerning, inter alia, a firm's level of preparedness, managerial attitudes towards and support for U‐computing applications, strategic fit and pre‐existing IT capacities.

Findings

A third of the respondents reported the existence of a “good fit” between U‐computing retail applications and their companies' products, activities and core competencies. However, only 20 per cent of the sample appeared to be well‐prepared for the introduction of U‐computing. There was little evidence of the sample enterprises adopting strategic approaches to implementation.

Research limitations/implications

Only a minority of the firms in the sampling frame participated in the research and the sample size was modest. Data were self‐reported and only a single country was considered. The study concerned just large businesses.

Practical implications

The outcomes suggest a widespread “wait and see” approach towards U‐computing among the sample businesses and a distinct lack of strategic thinking regarding implementation.

Originality/value

This is the first empirical study to explore the prospective introduction to British retailing of a new technology that possesses the potential to revolutionise the operations of UK retailing firms.
Factors determining inshopping in rural US communities
Authors: Mullis Katy , Kim Minjeong
Published: May 2011

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to determine factors influencing rural consumers' inshopping behaviours and to examine rural retailers' perceptions of the current rural retailing environment.

Design/methodology/approach

This study was comprised of two phases. In Phase 1, consumer surveys were conducted in three rural US communities. In Phase 2, in‐depth interviews with retailers selected from the same communities were conducted.

Findings

The findings of the consumer surveys supported all hypothesised relationships, except the direct effect of community attachment on inshopping intention. The findings of the retailer interviews provided useful insights as to the challenges rural retailers are currently facing.

Research limitations/implications

The findings have implications for both retailers and community leaders in rural places who wish to improve their understanding of the challenges and opportunities rural retailers face and subsequently develop strategies to promote inshopping behaviours.

Originality/value

This study examined both consumers and retailers in the context of rural retailing. Thus, the findings provide a more complete picture of the current retail industry in rural communities.
Does formality matter?
Authors: Yan Ruoh‐Nan , Yurchisin Jennifer , Watchravesringkan Kittichai
Published: May 2011

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is twofold. First, this study aims to understand whether and how sales employee clothing style would influence consumers' perceptions of store image through their expectations of service quality. Second, this study hopes to uncover how fashion orientation would influence the aforementioned relationship.

Design/methodology/approach

A 3 (formality of employee clothing: formal vs moderate vs casual) × 2 (level of fashion orientation: low vs high) between‐subject experiment design was conducted. Data were collected from 105 university students in a laboratory setting.

Findings

Results indicated that formality of employee clothing (i.e. formal business, moderate, or casual attire) served as a cue in the retail environment for consumers to make inferences about the service quality expected to be provided by the sales employee. Furthermore, formality of employee clothing both directly and indirectly influenced consumers' perceptions of store image.

Research limitations/implications

This study adds to existing literature by uncovering the moderating role of fashion orientation in consumers' service quality expectations and confirms the function of service quality as an antecedent to store image.

Practical implications

Retailers should pay attention to the design of their salespeople's clothing because different clothing styles draw forth different evaluations from customers about the service quality provided in retail stores.

Originality/value

This study investigates the role of clothing formality in influencing consumers' service quality expectations.
The impact of anchor stores on the performance of shopping centres: the case of Sonae Sierra
Authors: Simona Damian Diana , Dias Curto José , Castro Pinto José
Published: May 2011

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to determine the impact of anchor stores on the performance and results of shopping centres and on the prices practiced by other stores. It analyses the customer spill‐over effect of the anchor stores on the Sonae Sierra shopping centres. Incorporated in Portugal in 1989, Sonae Sierra is an international corporation specializing in shopping centres. It is co‐owned by Sonae (Portugal) and Grosvenor (UK) who each own 50 per cent.

Design/methodology/approach

The data collection targeted 35 shopping centres in Portugal and Spain with 1,200,000 square feet (or more), for three consecutive years (2005‐2007). The anchor stores provide about 41 per cent of the total gross lettable area and on average pay only 18 per cent of the total rent collected by the developer. The ordinary least squares and Kruskal‐Wallis statistic (in order to avoid ANOVA assumption violations) are used to test the hypotheses.

Findings

The empirical analysis shows that a greater presence of anchors in a mall directly increases the sales, and consequently the rents of non‐anchor stores in a mall. The authors demonstrate that externalities are internalized by efficient allocation of space and incentives across stores, and also show that the anchor stores increased the malls' customer drawing power, measured as the number of people who visited the mall at a given time, although lately they have had less impact on the sales per person visiting the centres.

Research limitations/implications

This study is limited in that it surveyed only Sonae Sierra shopping centres, hence the results can only be generalized using this model as a basis. Other limitations were an inability to gather data on customer purchasing power in the areas surrounding the Sonae Sierra shopping centres, and the need to safeguard the confidentiality of the information, which did not allow the use of more independent variables for the models.

Practical implications

It is demonstrated that the total sales of the shopping malls are directly influenced by the number of anchors, and that the area allocated to them is a strategic tool.

Originality/value

The paper uses unique data consisting of mall store contracts to study the complex economic issues that arise when stores co‐occupy a large shopping centre.
Comparing Chinese and American attitudes towards complaining
Authors: Ekiz Erdogan H. , Au Norman
Published: May 2011

Purpose

The current research aims to explore the possible effects of attitude towards complaining (ATC) on intention to remain loyal to hotels and to compare Chinese and American ATC in this perspective.

Design/methodology/approach

The sample of the study consisted of Chinese and American graduate students, who were selected through the non‐probability convenience sampling technique. A total of 1,822 questionnaires were found to be useful and data from these questionnaires were tested through SPSS and LISREL statistical software.

Findings

Findings indicate that culture clearly affects ATC and general intention to stay loyal which suggests that practitioners should consider the cultural background of their customers while designing and implementing their service recovery systems. Results show that Chinese respondents tend to forgive and forget failures, whereas Americans seek a remedy from third parties.

Research limitations/implications

Only relationships between ATC and loyalty were investigated in this research; thus inclusion of other dimensions would provide further insights. Although the use of student sample and scenario is well‐justified and a common practice, future studies may consider collecting data from actual tourists. Data analyzed in this research were cross‐sectional and collected using convenience sampling; future studies may use random sampling and consider conducting longitudinal research.

Originality/value

There is a paucity of cross‐cultural research investigating ATC. China and America's current and potential significance in global tourism is undeniable. Moreover, they are ideal examples of their respective culture clusters; thus studying Chinese and American ATC provides significant insights for both industry practitioners and academics.
Wanted: training competencies for the twenty‐first century
Authors: Kalargyrou Valentini , Woods Robert H.
Published: May 2011

Purpose

The purpose of this research paper is to describe the results and implications of the training professionals' competencies in the hospitality industry in the USA.

Design/methodology/approach

A qualitative implicit method, in‐depth interviews using pictures were conducted with ten training professionals, where metaphors were widely used and links between concepts were identified. The qualitative software Atlas ti was used in creating a consensus map: a display showing the required competencies of training professionals in hospitality.

Findings

The training competencies that resulted from the current study are imperative for the effectiveness of training and development such as teamwork, inspiration‐motivation, creativity, mentoring, keeping current, proactiveness, active listening, staying healthy, training measurement, consistency, and love and passion for the profession.

Research limitations/implications

In‐depth interviews using pictures is an implicit research technique that attempts to reveal the unconscious thoughts and opinions of training professionals. The study took place in Las Vegas, Nevada, a unique tourist destination, and the interviewees were employed by large hotel‐casino corporations. Future studies need to research different sizes of hospitality institutions and different tourist destinations.

Practical implications

Human resources management can use the outcome of the study as a guide for compiling competency‐based job analyses for training positions, and consequently recruit and appraise training professionals based on these job specifications. Moreover, the outcome of the paper can be proven beneficial not only for hospitality executives, and future and current training professionals, but also for educators since training and teaching show‐case many similarities.

Social implications

Improved and efficient training will result in lower employee turnover since employees will rate higher in job satisfaction and consequently that will result in better customer service and returning business for the company; a win‐win situation for all involved stakeholders in a hospitality company.

Originality/value

Both hospitality executives and future and current training professionals should find these research results most interesting as they reveal the necessary competencies that will enable them to best train and develop hospitality employees.
Hospitality finance research during recent two decades
Authors: (Shawn) Jang SooCheong , Park Kwangmin
Published: May 2011

Purpose

– The purpose of this study is to understand hospitality finance research through content analysis by examining articles published during the past two decades (1990 to 2009).

Design/methodology/approach

– This study identified subject areas, methodologies, and citations from hospitality finance papers published in four major hospitality journals (Journal of Hospitality
&
Tourism Research, International Journal of Hospitality Management, International Journal of Contemporary Hospitality Management, and Cornell Hospitality Quarterly).

Findings

– A perusal of 113 hospitality finance articles suggested that researchers have focused on several subjects, such as risk management, financing, bankruptcy, and capital structure. Even though qualitative analysis was the most common method in the 1990s, the use of quantitative analyses dramatically increased during the recent decade.

Research limitations/implications

– The data were collected from four hospitality journals. If data were collected from more hospitality journals, the most common subjects and citations might be different from the results of this study.

Practical implications

– This study offers readers a perspective on how hospitality finance research has been conducted recently and also suggests a big picture about the potential direction of future research.

Originality/value

– This study provides valuable information about past and current research streams, as well as the direction of hospitality finance research. Compared with previous review studies, this study concentrated on a specific segment of hospitality research in order to improve basic understanding of what is going on in the hospitality finance research, which has never been examined before.
Hospitality HRM: past, present and the future
Authors: C.G. Davidson Michael , McPhail Ruth , Barry Shane
Published: May 2011

Purpose

– This paper aims to review the past, current and future trends in human resource management (HRM) in the hospitality industry, with a specific focus on large international hotels. The setting of this review is within the context of general HRM theory development.

Design/methodology/approach

– This paper provides a detailed review of the literature, background, issues and trends in HRM. It moves from the generic HR review to examine the hospitality industry and specific identifiable trends and issues. Additionally, personal communication with senior industry executives is used to highlight specific areas.

Findings

– Issues of training and skills development and of service quality are as important in the future as in the past. Technology is now set to revolutionise the way HRM is conducted. Generational change and how Generations X and Y view work require new approaches for HRM. Casualisation and outsourcing will become more dominant methods of employment. Strategic human resource management (SHRM) and its practices have the flexibility to add value to future hospitality firm performance. The future of HRM in the hospitality industry will need to take into account the various trends but will also be influenced by local circumstances.

Research limitations/implications

– This is a conceptual paper based on a review of literature that addresses a large area of both generic and hospitality HRM, and focuses on a specific section of the hospitality industry: large international hotels.

Practical implications

– The paper provides a basis for understanding how the various HRM trends are developing, and addresses the steps required to meet future challenges in the industry.

Originality/value

– The value of the paper is in its identification and analysis of the major trends in HRM and the implications these hold for the future of the hospitality industry.
Tourism
'
s destination dominance and marketing website usefulness
Authors: G. Woodside Arch , Ramos Mir Vicente , Duque Mariana
Published: May 2011

Purpose

– The purpose of this article is to propose and test empirically tourism
'
s destination dominance and marketing website usefulness hypothesis (TDDH). The study proposes a multi-item metric for marketing website usefulness. The main hypothesis is that the usefulness of a destination
'
s marketing website associates positively with the dominance of tourism in the destination.

Design/methodology/approach

– The following ratio defines tourism
'
s destination dominance: the number of tourists visiting annually to a destination
'
s residential population. The method includes creating a multi-item metric for judging the usefulness of a destination
'
s marketing website. The study applies the metric in evaluating the usefulness of 40 destination marketing websites.

Findings

– The study
'
s findings indicate a significant relationship between tourism destination dominance and marketing website usefulness. The effect size of this relationship is small. The small effect size indicates that some destinations with relatively few tourists (relative to the destination
'
s residential population) do include substantial amounts of information in their websites and some destinations with relatively many tourists do not do so.

Research limitations/implications

– The usefulness of a destination
'
s website for potential visitors does not relate substantially to tourism
'
s dominance in the destination. Some destinations with relatively few tourists are highly competent in designing websites that are highly useful for potential visitors.

Originality/value

– Providing a discussion of alternative tourism destination dominance metrics, confirming the view that destination marketing websites vary in their usefulness for potential visitors and offering a metric for testing usefulness are the valuable contributions of the study.
Conflict and its governance in horizontal cooperations of logistics service providers
Authors: Marcus Wallenburg Carl , Simon Raue Jan
Published: May 2011

Purpose

– Horizontal cooperations of logistics service providers (LSPs) have become important for LSPs within the last decades. Owing to the high complexity of these cooperations as observed by Schmoltzi and Wallenburg, the potential for conflict is inherent. This research, therefore, aims to investigate how nature (dysfunctional vs functional) and extent of conflict impact the outcome of these cooperations. Further, the roles of formal and relational governance mechanisms in influencing conflict are analyzed.

Design/methodology/approach

– The research is empirical in nature and employs a theory-driven, confirmatory approach. It utilizes large-scale survey data of German LSPs, which are analyzed using multivariate statistical methods.

Findings

– The research shows that governance mechanisms impact the extent and functionality of conflict: relational governance lowers the extent of conflict and leads to higher functionality of conflicts, while formal governance increases the extent of conflict. Moreover, it is shown that conflicts decrease the overall cooperation performance, whereas – when functional in nature – they have a positive impact on the innovativeness of cooperations.

Research limitations/implications

– The impact of governance on conflicts and of conflicts on outcome may differ depending on the cultural and country-specific setting.

Practical implications

– The results allow mangers of LSP cooperations to adapt their set of applied governance mechanisms and conflict resolution approaches with regard to the improvement of cooperation performance and cooperation innovation.

Originality/value

– This is the first study that analyzes conflict and conflict resolution in horizontal LSP cooperations and shows their interrelation with both governance and performance.
Helicopter routing in the Norwegian oil industry
Authors: Qian Fubin , Gribkovskaia Irina , Halskau Sr Øyvind
Published: May 2011

Purpose

– In the Norwegian offshore oil industry, helicopters have been used as a major mode of transporting personnel to and from offshore installations for decades. Helicopter transportation represents one of the major risks for offshore employees. The purpose of this paper is to study the safety of helicopter transportation in terms of the expected number of fatalities on an operational planning level.

Design/methodology/approach

– Based on an analysis of helicopter accidents, this paper proposes a mathematical model that can aid in the planning of routes for the fleet in order to minimize the expected number of fatalities.

Findings

– A theorem proven in this paper tells that hub-and-spoke configuration is the best way of routing helicopters in terms of minimizing expected number of fatalities. Computational results indicate that the expected number of fatalities may be reduced at the expense of longer travel time by implementing the proposed method into planning of routes for helicopter fleet.

Research limitations/implications

– The main limitation is the present inability to solve large problem instances.

Practical implications

– The suggested tool is able to provide decision makers with a set of solutions from which they can choose the one with the best trade-off between travel time and transportation safety.

Originality/value

– The mathematical model and theoretical results for route planning with a safety-based objective are original.
Beyond satisfaction
Authors: Wu Li‐Wei
Published: May 2011

Purpose

Many studies have documented that satisfaction does not always result in loyalty, and that dissatisfaction does not necessarily result in defection. In response, this study goes beyond satisfaction and proposes the moderating effects of locational convenience, interpersonal relationships, and commitment between satisfaction and customer loyalty across search, experience, and credence attribute services.

Design/methodology/approach

Hierarchical moderated regression analysis was used to test the hypotheses.

Findings

The results suggest that from search attribute services to experience and credence attribute services, the relative importance of locational convenience with regard to retaining dissatisfied customers is likely to decline. Search and experience attribute services that can develop and maintain close interpersonal relationships with their customers are more likely to retain dissatisfied customers. Commitment maintains customer loyalty, even when customer satisfaction is lower across search, experience, and credence attribute services.

Originality/value

This study discriminates dissatisfied customers' loyalty behaviors based on locational convenience from those behaviors resulting from interpersonal relationships and commitment across service types, and thus has significance for the marketing strategies of businesses providing different service types, particularly in terms of dissatisfaction resolution strategies.
The influence of consumer's event quality perception on destination image
Authors: Sung Moon Kae , Kim May , Jae Ko Yong , Connaughton Daniel P. , Hak Lee Jeoung
Published: May 2011

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to examine the theoretical relationship between event quality perceptions of an international sport event and the host city's destination image.

Design/methodology/approach

Reliability and validity of the measurement scale were established through a confirmatory factor analysis (CFA), Cronbach's alpha analyses, and intercorrelation analyses. A structural equation model (SEM) test with maximum likelihood estimation was performed to test the relationship among the research variables using 451 participants.

Findings

The results suggest that event quality perceptions, particularly intangible factors, positively influence the destination image. Theoretical and practical implications are discussed.

Originality/value

To date, there have been few empirical studies examining the relationship between international sport event quality and destination image. Consequently, understanding the role of event quality of an international sport event and the destination image in a tourist's decision‐making process, and their theoretical relationship, will make both scientific and practical contributions.
Mixed convection flows in a vertical plane duct preceded by a sudden expansion
Authors: Moustafa Wahba Essam
Published: May 2011

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to numerically investigate the effects of different heating and cooling scenarios on the flow structure in a vertically oriented plane sudden expansion. Four different heating and cooling scenarios are considered. The scenarios include symmetric or asymmetric heating or cooling of the downstream channel walls.

Design/methodology/approach

The governing equations are formulated using a stream function‐vorticity approach. Second‐order accurate central differencing is used to discretize all terms, including the nonlinear convection terms in the vorticity transport and energy equations. Numerical test cases are simulated for Reynolds number values up to 200 and Grashof number values up to 400.

Findings

Numerical simulations show that symmetric heating results in the reduction and ultimately the elimination of flow separation zones near the channel walls while creating a region of reversed flow in the core. On the other hand, symmetric cooling causes the flow to adopt a wavy structure which significantly enhances heat transfer due to jet impingement effects. Finally, it is shown that asymmetric heating causes the flow to preferentially attach to the high‐temperature wall while asymmetric cooling causes the flow to separate completely from the low‐temperature wall.

Originality/value

The behaviour of fluid flow in a plane sudden expansion under symmetric heating is available in the literature. In the present study, the flow structure under alternative heating and cooling scenarios is investigated for the first time.
Effect of chemical reaction on heat and mass transfer by mixed convection flow about a sphere in a saturated porous media
Authors: Rashad A.M. , Chamkha A.J. , El‐Kabeir S.M.M.
Published: May 2011

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to study the effects of chemical reaction on mixed convection flow along a sphere in non‐Darcian porous media.

Design/methodology/approach

The sphere surface is maintained at uniform temperature and species concentration for both cases of heated (assisting flow) and cooled (opposing flow) sphere. An appropriate transformation is employed and the transformed equations are solved numerically using an efficient implicit iterative tri‐diagonal finite difference method.

Findings

It is found that chemical reactions have significant effect on heat and mass transfer. Comparisons with previously published work are performed and the results are found to be in excellent agreement.

Originality/value

The paper is original and describes how a parametric study of the physical parameters was conducted and illustrates graphically a representative set of numerical results for the velocity, temperature, and concentration profiles, as well as the local skin‐friction coefficient, local wall temperature, and local wall concentration, to show interesting features of the solutions.