bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Understanding structural and cultural impediments to ICT system integration
Authors: Anumba Claire E.H. , Dainty Andrew , Ison Stephen , Sergeant Amanda
Published: January 2007

Purpose

Despite a substantial investment in construction information and communications technology (ICT) in recent years, the structure, culture and ingrained working practices of the sector are such that the industry's organisations represent problematic arenas for their successful implementation. In order to better understand the factors affecting the integration of a new ICT within the industry, this paper seeks to examine the implementation of a geographic information system (GIS) aimed at facilitating an aspect of the labour market planning process within the construction sector. The paper explores the interplay of structural, social and technical factors which, when combined, can complicate the implementation of ICT systems.

Design/methodology/approach

In the case study presented, the considerable potential of the system to facilitate the implementation of a labour market initiative was affected by a range of internal and external factors. An analysis of the implementation process and the socio‐technical systems that surround it shows how these factors combined to delimit the abilities of the system to meet the needs of the organisation.

Findings

The findings of this work have clear resonances for an industry renowned for its conservative culture and slow uptake of new technologies. They also underscore the importance of developing flexible implementation approaches which are able to cope with an organisation's external environment and changing requirements.

Originality/value

The lessons learned are used as the basis for a set of recommendations for enabling construction organisations to better prepare themselves for ICT implementation in the future through proactive planning and end‐user engagement.
Making sense of research quality assessment
Authors: Lansley Peter
Published: January 2007

Purpose

For many academics in UK universities the nature and orientation of their research is overwhelmingly determined by considerations of how that work will be graded in research assessment exercises (RAEs). The grades awarded to work in a particular subject area can have a considerable impact on the individual and their university. There is a need to better understand those factors which may influence these grades. The paper seeks to address this issue.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper considers relationships between the grades awarded and the quantitative information provided to the assessment panels for the 1996 and 2001 RAEs for two subject areas, built environment and town and country planning, and for three other subject areas, civil engineering, geography and archaeology, in the 2001 RAE.

Findings

A simple model demonstrating strong and consistent relationships is established. RAE performance relates to numbers of research active staff, the production of books and journal papers, numbers of research studentships and graduations, and research income. Important differences between subject areas are identified.

Research limitations/implications

Important issues are raised about the extent to which the new assessment methodology to be adopted for the 2008 RAE will capture the essence of good quality research in architecture and built environment.

Originality/value

The findings provide a developmental perspective of RAEs and show how, despite a changed methodology, various research activities might be valued in the 2008 RAE. The basis for a methodology for reviewing the credibility of the judgements of panels is proposed.
“Negative interference” between Australian construction professionals' work and family roles
Authors: Lingard Helen , Francis Valerie
Published: January 2007

Purpose

The paper sets out to describe the testing of a model of work and family life among a sample of professional and managerial employees in the Australian construction industry. The model positioned work‐family conflict as a variable linking experiences in one domain (i.e. work or family) with outcomes in the other domain.

Design/methodology/approach

A survey exploring experiences of work and family life was conducted among employees of one large private and one large public sector construction organization in Queensland, Australia. Regression analyses were performed to test the validity of the work‐family interface model.

Findings

The model was partially supported in that time and strain‐based demands in the work domain were linked to family functioning via work interference with family. However, time and strain‐based demands in the family domain were not linked to work role outcomes via family interference with work.

Research limitations/implications

The survey was cross‐sectional so the causal direction of relationships could not be ascertained. Longitudinal research is needed to establish the causal direction of the work‐family relationships supported by the research. Further research is also required to examine the effectiveness of strategies designed to reduce work interference with family life in the construction sector.

Practical implications

The asymmetry in the relationship between construction employees' work and family lives indicates that the family life of professional and managerial construction employees in Australia is more susceptible to interference from work than work life is susceptible to interference from family life.

Originality/value

Provides evidence that, when construction professionals and managers face obligations in one role that interfere with the enactment of a second role, performance in the second role suffers.
A functional and symbolic perspective to branding Australian SME wineries
Authors: Mowle James , Merrilees Bill
Published: January 2007

Purpose

This study proposes investigating the branding of small to medium‐sized enterprise (SME) wineries in an Australian context. By taking a qualitative approach, the theory building research seeks further to understand branding from the perspective of the SME winery, and in doing so, go some way in addressing the current deficit in the literature.

Design/methodology/approach

Bhat and Reddy's conceptualisation of brand functionality and symbolism is used as a branding framework to underlie the research. A multiple case study design was adopted as a research method to provide case data on eight SME wineries. Data were collected through in‐depth interviews with the owner/manager of each winery, direct observation and document analysis.

Findings

The findings are presented in the form a model of SME winery branding, which, in addition to distinguishing two approaches to branding, highlights the functional and symbolic values inherent in the brand. The findings endorse the notion that brands can simultaneously have both functional and symbolic appeal. More radically, the emergent model suggests interdependence between the functional and symbolic properties of branding.

Practical implications

Practically, the findings highlight the importance of developing the symbolic values associated with the brand, which represent a more sustainable competitive advantage.

Originality/value

By establishing a tentative theory on SME winery branding, this study has begun to address the current deficit in wine marketing literature and has set a foundation for further research.
Successful brand management in SMEs: a new theory and practical hints
Authors: Krake Frank B.G.J.M.
Published: January 2007

Purpose

Brand management in small to medium‐sized enterprises (SMEs) is an area of study in its infancy. Although considerable literature has been published about brand management in general, all theory and case studies are based only on multinationals. This article proposes providing the results and conclusions of exploratory research into this subject, and into SMEs in particular.

Design/methodology/approach

To understand the precise role of the entrepreneur and to provide answers to five research questions, a qualitative study based on in‐depth interviews with mainly middle‐sized companies was undertaken. Striking results were obtained from this exploratory research.

Findings

The paper shows the reader what the role of brand management in SMEs is and all the variables that influence it. It also presents a new model for brand development in SMEs, one that highlights the importance of the internal role of brand management in such an organization. An important finding is that passion for the brand throughout the company is a very important factor, initiated by an active role of the entrepreneur him/herself to achieving brand recognition. It does not cost anything and the impact appeared to be significant. Of course creativity is indispensable in this process.

Practical implications

The change that directors of a relatively small company should make is to place brand management in a top position in their daily mind set. Achieving brand recognition starts inside the organization itself.

Originality/value

For the first time in history extensive research in brand management in SMEs has been combined with the creation of various new theories, resulting in many practical recommendations. These are recommendations that can be used by the reader in his or her own organization.
How screening criteria change during brand development
Authors: Saunders John , Wong Veronica , Stagg Chris , Mar Souza Fontan Mariadel
Published: January 2007

Purpose

Despite the increasing sophistication of new product development (NPD) research, the reliance on traditional approaches to studying NPD has left several areas in need of further research. The authors propose addressing some of these gaps, especially the limited focus on consumer brands, evaluation criteria used across different project‐review points in the NPD process, and the distinction between “kills”, “successes”, and “failures”. Moreover, they propose investigating how screening criteria change across project‐review points, using real‐time NPD projects.

Design/methodology/approach

A postal survey generated 172 usable questionnaires from a sample of European, North American, Far Eastern and Australian consumer packaged‐goods firms, providing data on 314 new product projects covering different development and post‐commercialization review points.

Findings

The results confirm that acceptance‐rejection criteria vary through the NPD process. However, financial criteria dominate across all the project‐review points. Initial screening is coarse, focusing predominantly on financial criteria. Fit with organizational, product, brand, promotional, and market requirements dominate in the detailed screen and pre‐development evaluation points. At pre‐launch, decision‐makers focus on product, brand, and promotional criteria. Commercial fit, production synergies, and reliability of the firm's market intelligence are significant discriminators in the post‐launch review. Moreover, the importance of marketing and channel issues makes the criteria for screening brands different from those of industrial markets.

Originality/value

The study, although largely descriptive and involves a relatively small sample of consumer goods firms, offers new insights into NPD project evaluation behavior. Future, larger‐scale investigations covering a broader spectrum of consumer product sectors are needed to validate our results and to explain the reasons behind managers' decisions.
Brand extensions: brand concept congruency and feedback effects revisited
Authors: Thorbjørnsen Helge
Published: January 2007

Purpose

The aim of this research is to examine the effects of congruent and incongruent brand concept extensions on consumer attitudes towards the extended product and feedback effects on the parent brand. Moreover, brand familiarity is proposed as an important moderator variable in determining feedback effects on attitude to the parent brand.

Design/methodology/approach

An experimental research design was applied for testing the set of hypotheses put forth. The product category of wrist‐watches was utilized as setting. A total of 205 respondents participated in the study.

Findings

The study finds general support for the importance of brand concept congruency when it comes to feedback‐effects, whereas no significant differences between congruent and incongruent extensions are found for attitudes to the extension itself. Brand familiarity is found to be an important moderator on parent brand feedback effects.

Research limitations/implications

Before concluding on the moderating role of brand familiarity in this context, one needs to build a stronger nomological network around this variable. Moreover, the effects observed in this study should be extended and tested for other product categories and preferably also with other methodological approaches.

Originality/value

The study results reemphasize the importance of investigating brand feedback effects when launching category extensions. Also, the research provides new insight into the role of parent brand familiarity when evaluating the potential risks and rewards of conducting brand concept extensions.
Inland technology: the quest for genuine replicas
Authors: Pitta Dennis
Published: January 2007

Purpose

Proposes exploring a unique approach to the new product development process and its implications for new product developers

Design/methodology/approach

The case was written after in depth interviews with company managers and customers.

Findings

Provides information and a description of an innovative guiding philosophy applied to new product development.

Research limitations/implications

As with most case studies the situation, industry response and results are pertinent to this particular company. There may be limitations in generalizing to other industries or other companies.

Practical implications

Demonstrates a reactive approach to new product development. Also illustrates a successful means of interacting with government markets.

Originality/value

The case reflects a successful strategy based on establishing a trusted expert position in an environmental protection industry. That position allowed the company to act as a pollution avoidance advocate and to gain effective access to decision makers within their customer companies. Within this industry, the strategy is effective and may be emulated.
Buyer behavior and procedural fairness in pricing: exploring the moderating role of product familiarity
Authors: Shehryar Omar , Hunt David M.
Published: January 2007

Purpose

This research proposes studying how consumers' familiarity with products impacts the degree to which consumers are sensitive to a seller's violation of procedural fairness norms in pricing. Past research has either studied the role of familiarity or the role of fairness in influencing consumer behavior. However, it is unclear how familiarity and fairness combine to influence consumer behavior. The present research proposes filling this gap.

Design/methodology/approach

An experiment is designed to manipulate consumers' perceptions of procedural fairness of a seller's pricing tactic, and consumers' levels of familiarity with a product. Each variable is manipulated to be either high or low. Thus, outcomes are observed for four purchase conditions.

Findings

Results indicate that the degree to which consumers rely on procedural fairness to evaluate a product is related to consumers' level of familiarity with a product. Consumers who are less familiar with a product are more likely to rely on procedural fairness to form purchase intentions. Also, unlike their more knowledgeable counterparts, consumers who are less familiar with a product are more likely to equate procedural fairness with perceived quality.

Research limitations/implications

The research stresses the need to differentiate between the roles played by procedural and distributive fairness in shaping consumer behavior. The authors study only procedural fairness, but a natural next step for future research is to study simultaneously the role of both facets of fairness.

Practical implications

The results of our study underscore the importance of following procedural fairness norms especially for retailers who deal in product categories where the pace of innovation is so rapid that it creates a large dispersion in knowledge of product attributes among consumers. The study' findings suggest that in such situations, consumers may rely excessively on cues that signal a seller's adherence to or violation of social norms relevant to business practices. Thus, the authors encourage sellers to monitor keenly levels of product knowledge among their customer base. This would enable sellers to identify situations that merit an enhanced sensitivity to upholding social norms such as procedural fairness.

Originality/value

The paper brings to attention the interaction between consumers' familiarity with a product and procedural fairness in pricing. Although an expectation of procedural fairness underlies all exchanges this research identifies consumers' familiarity as a variable that influences the degree to which procedural fairness is relied on in shaping consumer behavior.
Effective marketing of small brands: niche positions, attribute loyalty and direct marketing
Authors: Jarvis Wade , Goodman Steven
Published: January 2007

Purpose

This paper aims to explain the structure of the market from the perspective of small brands and to discuss marketing strategy implications.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper uses revealed preference data of the Australian wine market, comprising 4,000 wine shoppers' purchases over a 12‐month period. Standard brand performance measures such as penetration and purchase frequency are applied to the data to define niche and change‐of‐pace brands. Using the same data, price tier loyalty is measured using polarisation, and discussed in relation to the attribute offering required and the direct marketing approach required for true niche positions.

Findings

The empirical results show that both niche and change‐of‐pace positions are prevalent in the wine market and small wineries, within a direct marketing channel approach, should target higher price points with branded wines but also lower price point products as well. The results suggest that attribute levels that are change‐of‐pace are unsustainable for small brands and can only be undertaken by large brands with the appropriate marketing resources.

Research limitations/implications

The authors conceptualise that small brands should focus on attribute levels that have excess loyalty. Large brands can absorb attribute levels that are change‐of‐pace. This conceptualisation requires further discussion, particularly from the strategy literature, as well as further empirical testing.

Practical implications

Whilst “niche” positions are the holy grail of some teaching and much practitioner endeavour, this paper has presented data that demonstrate the need for managers to ascertain if the position they occupy is in fact a niche or a change‐of‐pace position.

Originality/value

This paper fulfils a need by using revealed preference behavioural data to highlight different strategies for small and large brands. Behavioural analysis and papers in the past have emphasised the strength and tendency towards large brands without offering insight into small brand strategies.
Customer and brand manager perspectives on brand relationships: a conceptual framework
Authors: Jevons Colin , Gabbott Mark , de Chernatony Leslie
Published: January 2007

Purpose

To provide a conceptual framework to help researchers and managers understand the complex factors affecting the associations between brands.

Design/methodology/approach

Brand extension, co‐branding and other associative techniques together with an increasingly communicative environment are resulting in an increasingly complex set of networks and relationships between brands, with singular and multiple relationship forms. There are two key perspectives on these complex relationships, that of the customer and that of the brand owner, i.e. what is seen at the point of transaction and what is expressed by the various brand constructors. Two key perspectives on brand relationships are used that of the customer and that of the brand owner, to describe and discuss an analytical classification of these relationships.

Findings

A conceptual synthesis of the dynamics of brand networks and business relationships is presented and a 2 × 2 matrix is developed to classify and describe the four categories that emerge.

Practical implications

Different management strategies for different types of business‐brand relationships are suggested.

Originality/value

The conceptual synthesis is new and some uses of the classification for researchers and brand managers are suggested.
Price perceptions, merchant incentives, and consumer welfare
Authors: Lichtenstein Donald R.
Published: January 2007

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to review the research demonstrating the consumer's erroneous and unfounded perceptions of prices, which can have severe negative consequences on consumer welfare.

Design/methodology/approach

This is a review paper of previous research on the price/quality relationship and the effects of advertised reference price on consumer's price acceptance.

Findings

The major findings are that you do not necessarily get what you pay for and your idea of what an item should cost is influenced by advertised prices even when they are totally unbelievable.

Originality/value

The value of this paper is in sensitizing the reader to the ways in which sellers, perhaps unconsciously, can take advantage of consumers' price misperceptions.
Economics and marketing on pricing: how and why do they differ?
Authors: Skouras Thanos , Avlonitis George J. , Indounas Kostis A.
Published: January 2007

Purpose

The purpose of this general review paper is to provide a comparison and evaluation of the treatment of pricing by the disciplines of economics and marketing.

Design/methodology/approach

It is from three perspectives that the marketing and economics approaches to pricing are reviewed, namely, buyers' response to price, firm's determination of price, and industry‐ or economy‐wide role of price.

Findings

A comparative review of the relevant marketing and economics literature shows that there are important differences between the two disciplines in their treatment of pricing. Marketing demonstrates a richer and more empirically based treatment of the pricing issue from the buyer's perspective, while economics is unchallenged from the economy‐wide perspective. The differences found between the marketing and economics approaches to pricing are mostly due to their different historical origins, primary concerns and doctrinal evolution. In contrast, interdisciplinary loans especially from behavioral science have made possible considerable advances in marketing, particularly in the understanding of the buyer's perspective.

Originality/value

Previous reviews of the pricing literature do not attempt to provide a direct comparison and evaluation and offer no explanation for the observed differences among the economics and the marketing disciplines regarding their treatment of the pricing issue. The value and originality of the current paper lies in the fact that it represents the first attempt to provide such a comparison and evaluation.
Good news! Behavioral economics is not going away anytime soon
Authors: Cox Donald
Published: January 2007

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to defend the fast emerging field of behavioral economics which, like marketing, does not require that consumers be rational and, also like marketing, draws on multiple disciplines to answer research questions on consumers' economic behavior.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper presents recent work showing how behavioral economists are posing interesting and significant questions and answering them in novel ways.

Findings

The basic finding is that behavioral economics has already developed a rich research tradition. It has made a major contribution to understanding economic behavior. It will not soon disappear.

Originality/value

The value in this paper is in demonstrating that there are multiple approaches to understanding consumers' pricing behavior.
Hyperchoice and high prices: an unfair combination
Authors: Maxwell Sarah
Published: January 2007

Purpose

The purpose of the paper is to investigate the effect of the number of choices on judged fairness and willingness to purchase.

Design/methodology/approach

A survey‐based study was conducted with a between‐subject, two×five design having two levels of price ranges (high/low) and five levels of complexity (1, 3, 7, 11, and 21 choices). A total of 519 surveys were completed with a minimum of 42 respondents per cell.

Findings

Greater choice initially has a positive effect on consumers' likelihood of purchase and their judgments of the fairness of the price. But too much choice has a negative effect, thereby creating an inverted “U” response curve. The effect of choice set size, however, is only triggered when combined with a high price. When the price is low, the number of choices has no effect on the judged fairness of the price and likelihood of purchase.

Practical implications

The practical implication is that, although consumers like to have choices, there is no increased benefit to increasing the number of choices as long as the price is low. And there is a declining benefit from increasing the number when the price is high. Since there is a managerial cost to providing choices, it appears prudent to only provide between three and seven.

Originality/value

The value of the paper is in demonstrating that, although some choice is beneficial in overcoming the negative impact of a higher price, too many choices can be detrimental in causing confusion.
Brand management and the challenge of authenticity
Authors: Beverland Michael
Published: January 2007

Purpose

The purpose of this article is to provide an overview of the challenges that the widespread desire for authenticity presents for brand managers.

Design/methodology/approach

Provides a viewpoint essay.

Findings

Authenticity requires brand managers to downplay their overt marketing prowess and instead locate their brands within communities and sub‐cultures. Brands should become members of communities and appeal to more timeless values, while also delivering to members' needs.

Research limitations/implications

Studies of how brands develop images of authenticity are needed. Case histories drawing on multiple sources of data of brands are also needed. Research into how consumers define authenticity is required.

Practical implications

Brand managers must open up their brands to members of a community, downplay their overt marketing prowess, and appeal to the timeless values of that community. Brand managers should decouple and downplay their real business acumen in favour of appealing to social norms.

Originality/value

Brand management models assume that brand marketers provide brands with meaning. This view is challenged, arguing that brand meaning is derived from the day‐to‐day interactions between the brand and subcultures. The article also challenges the view that marketers should necessarily appear proficient at what they do, instead calling for marketers to downplay their role in order to be more effective.
Young consumers and perception of brands in Hong Kong: a qualitative study
Authors: Chan Kara
Published: January 2007

Purpose

The purpose of the article is to explore young people's perceptions of the desirability of brands and brand ownership in Hong Kong using drawings and open‐ended questions.

Design/methodology/approach

A total of 48 Chinese children aged 13 to 19 were asked to draw what comes to their minds for two statements: “This young person has a lot of new and expensive branded goods”; and, “This young person does not have a lot of branded goods”. After drawing, respondents were personally interviewed to answer four questions associating possessions of branded goods with happiness, friendship, and personality traits.

Findings

Analysis of the drawings and interviews indicated that there were significant differences in young people's perceptions of someone with or without a lot of branded goods in terms of type of possessions, leisure activities, observable qualities and personality traits. Respondents were more likely to relate possessions of branded goods with happiness, friendship, and self‐esteem. A person with a lot of branded goods however, was perceived as arrogant, wasteful, vain and superficial. A person without a lot of branded goods was perceived as easygoing, friendly and down‐to‐earth. Results demonstrate that respondents were able to appreciate the value of possessions based on emotional attachment, personality association and social meaning. The results supported John's model of consumer socialization that children and young people in the reflective stage of consumer socialization could understand fully the value of possessions.

Practical implications

Markets and advertisers that target young Chinese consumers should be sensitive to their negative association of personality traits and possessions of branded goods with arrogance and wastefulness. They can encourage the instrumental materialism of how to use branded goods to enhance friendship and to achieve self‐defining goals.

Originality/value

Based on these findings, three hypotheses were proposed about young people's perceptions of possessions that can be further tested in a quantitative survey.
Message framing effects on price discounting
Authors: Gendall Philip , Hoek Janet , Pope Tracy , Young Karen
Published: January 2007

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to report the results of two experiments designed to examine the effect on consumers of the way in which price discount messages are expressed, or “framed”.

Design/methodology/approach

Both studies involved stated‐preference choice modelling experiments. The aim of the first experiment was to test the hypothesis that a price reduction framed in dollar terms is more effective for high‐priced items, whereas a price reduction framed as a percent discount is more effective for lower‐priced items. The aim of the second experiment was to determine which of four alternative ways of expressing the same 33 per cent price discount – cents off, percent discount, or one of two volume discounts – is most effective.

Findings

For two “low‐priced” items, potato chips and cola drinks, the framing of a price discount had little or no effect. However, for two ”high‐priced” items, stereos and computers, framing a discount in dollar terms was significantly more effective than expressing it as a percent off discount. For three fast moving consumer goods the most effective framing of the same price discount depended on whether the product concerned was amenable to stockpiling. For tinned spaghetti, which is relatively cheap and easy to store, volume discounting was more attractive than a monetary discount, whereas for bottled water and semi‐soft butter, which are more expensive and bulkier, the opposite was true.

Originality/value

For high‐priced products, it is better to express price discounts as dollars or cents off than as a percentage off; the opposite may be true for low‐priced products, but this is much less certain. However, if using a volume promotion, “buy x get one free” is likely to be more effective than “y for the price of x”.
Universities: a prime example of branding going wrong
Authors: Jevons Colin
Published: January 2007

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to present a call to action for universities to practice what they preach in developing and communicating differentiated brands.

Design/methodology/approach

Reviews some recent literature on university branding and contrasts this with other industries.

Findings

For the benefit not just of intending students, but also for the benefit of potential and existing staff as well as research clients and graduate employers, universities should develop meaningfully differentiated brands to communicate their strengths.

Research limitations/implications

University brand managers should seek to clearly differentiate their offerings from the competition. Aspects of a university's brand attract students, staff, and industry seeking staff or consultancy.

Originality/value

The large amounts of expenditure on university marketing would be more efficiently used if the principles of brand management taught within them were applied properly.
New product introduction at TyRx Pharma, Inc.
Authors: Amsbaugh Pamela , Pitta Dennis A.
Published: January 2007

Purpose – To describe a practice that has implications for new product introduction within and outside the medical products industry. Design/methodology/approach – The case describes a systems approach to new product introduction that includes a number of non‐marketing factors. The organization's original name has been retained. One of the authors is an executive with the company and used both internal and publicly available data to write the case study. Findings – The case provides information and a solid action approach to new product launch. The subject company designed a comprehensive launch strategy that involved new product modification as well as selection of appropriate price and distribution strategies. The results offer direct implications for new product development teams in the drug and medical implements industries. Research limitations/implications – As in all case studies, the specific conditions found in one organization may not be found more generally in others. Readers are cautioned that the conclusions drawn in the case may have limited applicability. Practical implications – The case depicts a professional implementation of a new product launch. Other organizations may find the technique of value in their own efforts. Originality/value – The case is a unique implementation of a new product launch strategy that has a comprehensive foundation. It offers lessons that may be applied to other companies faced with similarly competitive, regulatory and technological environments.
Factors that may influence or hinder use of instructional technology among accounting faculty
Authors: Ahadiat Nasrollah
Published: January 2007

Purpose

To determine what factors influence faculty's decisions to use technology in their classes, what factors prevent them from use, and whether there are differences among faculty by gender, ethnicity, rank, sub‐areas, etc. in using instructional technology.

Design/methodology/approach

A survey instrument was used to measure attitudes toward technology among accounting educators. The instrument included three separate sections. The first section was devoted to examining factors that could influence faculty's opinion to use technology for teaching. The second section focused on issues that could possibly discourage faculty from use of technology. For these two sections a five‐point Likert scale was developed with possible responses ranging from “not important” to “critically important”. The third and final section was designed to provide demographic information for classification purposes and testing of the research questions.

Findings

The results demonstrate that while accounting faculty value technology greatly and do use it in teaching, significant differences exist in their views toward it. Several factors were found to influence faculty's attitudes toward integration of technology. Conversely, there are other factors that tend to hamper widespread integration.

Research limitations/implications

The research was conducted among US accounting faculty, which perhaps limits its usefulness elsewhere or in other disciplines

Practical implications

University‐sponsored incentive programs and financial support could encourage faculty to further incorporate technology and its various dimensions in their classes. Furthermore, administrators should make the necessary arrangements for faculty to attend training seminars designed to provide them with technical support.

Originality/value

This study provides empirical evidence that is useful to both faculty and administrators in integrating technology in education.
An exploration of student internet use in India
Authors: Fusilier Marcelline , Durlabhji Subhash
Published: January 2007

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to explore behavioral processes involved in internet technology acceptance and use with a sample in India, a developing country that can potentially benefit from greater participation in the web economy.

Design/methodology/approach

User experience was incorporated into the technology acceptance model (TAM) and the theory of planned behaviour (TPB) to predict intentions to use the internet as well as self‐reported usage. Data were collected from 269 college students with a questionnaire methodology. Hierarchical multiple regression analysis was applied to test each theory, as well as user experience, and the variables' interactive effects on the criterion of internet usage intentions.

Findings

Both TAM and TPB were supported in their predictions of internet use intentions and usage. Although a main effect for user experience did not emerge, it did significantly interact with components of both theoretical models, suggesting that it has a complex influence on internet user intentions.

Research limitations/implications

The self‐report criteria are a limitation. Future research should employ more objective measures of internet use. Also, antecedents of internet use might be explored in other developing economies.

Practical implications

To encourage internet usage intentions, it appears worthwhile to create in potential users a sense that the technology is useful, easy to use, and that others have expectations regarding its usage.

Originality/value

Findings suggest that theories of technology acceptance developed in the Western world may also apply in India.
Management information system based on the balanced scorecard
Authors: Kettunen Juha , Kantola Ismo
Published: January 2007

Purpose

This study seeks to describe the planning and implementation in Finland of a campus‐wide management information system using a rigorous planning methodology.

Design/methodology/approach

The structure of the management information system is planned on the basis of the management process, where strategic management and the balanced scorecard approach have important roles.

Findings

The balanced scorecard approach is useful not only in accomplishing the objectives, measures and targets of the institutional strategy but also in the planning of the management information system.

Practical implications

The findings of the study are useful for educational administrators, project managers, software developers and usability specialists.

Originality/value

This study contributes to the knowledge and practice of campus‐wide information systems applying the balanced scorecard approach as a basis for the management information system to translate the strategy into action.
Implementing e‐learning in Northern Ireland: prospects and challenges
Authors: Uhomoibhi James O.
Published: January 2007

Purpose

Aims to examine trends in the development of e‐learning in Northern Ireland, report on existing policies, practices and issues affecting its implementation across the sectors.

Design/methodology/approach

The present study draws on e‐learning policies and strategies that have been developed for Northern Ireland. Examples were drawn from case studies in schools and institutions and analyzed. Resulting knowledge and technology transfer across the sectors were evaluated.

Findings

E‐learning and the use of ICT is playing key role in shaping teaching and learning in Northern Ireland. Its implementation is providing innovative and creative ways for knowledge and technology transfer. It is facilitating the establishment of a skilled community and workforce for a knowledge society. Associated with the positive changes and opportunities of the technological capabilities are some challenges and risks, some of which involve reaction of individuals and organizations to changes and dealing with the problem of increasing digital divide.

Practical implications

This paper critically evaluates some of the benefits of e‐learning in a society experiencing significant changes and assesses its potential in addressing the growing digital divide.

Originality/value

Highlights recent advances in e‐learning in the higher and further education sectors in the region and addresses some of the implications for the public, private and voluntary sectors.
Configuration and management of a cluster computing facility in undergraduate student computer laboratories
Authors: Cornforth David , Atkinson John , Spennemann Dirk H.R.
Published: January 2007

Purpose

Many researchers require access to computer facilities beyond those offered by desktop workstations. Traditionally, these are offered either through partnerships, to share the cost of supercomputing facilities, or through purpose‐built cluster facilities. However, funds are not always available to satisfy either of these options, and university departments are under increasing pressure to obtain the maximum return on investment. The purpose of this paper is to describe the development of a low‐cost cluster computing facility using existing workstations in undergraduate computing laboratories.

Design/methodology/approach

Drawing on a previous feasibility study, experiments were conducted with cluster configurations of increasing size to determine the benefits and drawbacks. This was followed by identification and resolution of problems, and assessment of effects upon existing users of the computers.

Findings

A working cluster was built to supply the needs of researchers, with almost no impact upon existing users and at very little cost.

Research limitations/implications

At present, the workstations can only be used as a “processor farm” and it is unclear how MPI type processing may be achieved, because there is no guarantee of the number of workstations available at any specific time.

Practical implications

Any institution requiring access to high performance computing can build a useful resource from existing computers at minimal cost. The usefulness of the resource depends on existing computers being under utilised.

Originality/value

The novel aspect of this work is that the facility was built using existing student computing laboratories.
Customer relationship management in higher education
Authors: Seeman Elaine D. , O'Hara Margaret
Published: January 2007

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to explore customer relationship management (CRM) in a higher education setting.

Design/methodology/approach

The development and implementation of a CRM project in a state community college was examined as were the benefits realized by implementing CRM. As colleges increasingly embrace distance learning and e‐business, CRM will become stronger and more pervasive. Viewing students as customers provides a competitive advantage for higher education and enhances a college's ability to attract, retain and serve its customers. Semi‐structured interviews were conducted with individuals involved with the planning, development and implementation of a statewide CIS system. Student support personnel were additionally interviewed.

Findings

The benefits of implementing CRM in a college setting include a student‐centric focus, improved customer data and process management, increased student loyalty, retention and satisfaction with the college's programs and services.

Research limitations/implications

The entire community college system has not implemented the project. Rather, only the phase one colleges have implemented at this juncture.

Originality/value

Viewing students as customers provides a competitive advantage and enhances a college's ability to attract, retain and serve its customers. As colleges increasingly embrace distance learning and e‐business, CRM will become more pervasive.
Mobile phone applications in academic library services: a students' feedback survey
Authors: Shahriza Abdul Karim Nor , Hawa Darus Siti , Hussin Ramlah
Published: January 2007

Purpose

This study seeks to explore the utilization of mobile phone services in the educational environment, explore the nature of mobile phone use among university students, and investigate the perception of university students on mobile phone uses in library and information services.

Design/methodology/approach

The study used a review of literature to investigate about the nature of wireless phone application in education institution and a survey to collect data from 206 undergraduate students from two academic faculties in a Malaysian public university to explore the respondents' perception and the nature of wireless phone use.

Findings

The respondents' perceptions on the application of wireless hand services in the context of library and information services were found to be very positive. A high majority of the respondents indicated their willingness to become the users of such services if offered.

Research limitations/implications

Limitations in this study are related with the ability of the result to be generalized to other user groups. More research needs to be conducted on the interface design and retrieval to fit information in a much smaller application device that is also limited by a smaller bandwidth.

Practical implications

The findings should assist information providers such as libraries and telecommunication service providers in designing the system that allows for effective access to various information and library services using mobile phones.

Originality/value

This study should be an eye opener for both the researcher and the practitioners that the wireless application services are still lacking, despite the increasing needs from the users.
Modelling routes towards learning goals
Authors: Tattersall Colin , Janssen José , van den Berg Bert , Koper Rob
Published: January 2007

Purpose

This paper aims to define the need for a route modelling language in e‐learning, identifying requirements and candidate languages, before providing a recommended approach.

Design/methodology/approach

Several sources of requirements are drawn from the literature then used to review available approaches to route modelling. The best candidate is then applied in a number of case studies to check its applicability.

Findings

An existing open standard, IMS learning design, is identified as meeting the requirements. To date the standard has been applied in a different area, so the match to the route modelling problem is favorable.

Research limitations/implications

The scope of the work excluded an examination of requirements arising in the lifecycle management of routes; further investigation should check this point.

Practical implications

Practical application is hampered by the lack of an appropriate e‐learning infrastructure in which to apply the approach. Pilot infrastructures should become available in the next 18 months to two years.

Originality/value

The work puts an existing e‐learning specification in a new light, avoiding the need to develop a new language. Since tools and experience with the specification are already available, prospects for its adoption in a new role are favorable.