bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Discussion of photo‐elicitation: an ethno‐historical accounting and management research prospect
Authors: Tyson Tom
Published: October 2009

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to critically evaluate Professor Lee D. Parker's call for the use of photo‐elicitation (P‐E) in qualitative accounting and management research projects.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper reviews relevant literature and previous P‐E‐based studies, discusses Professor Parker's paper in detail, and describes the strengths, concerns, and opportunities of P‐E research.

Findings

This paper identifies the unique complexities that P‐E‐based research engenders and alerts researchers to the fact that P‐E may not be the most appropriate method when research questions are primarily concerned with uncovering the ethnography of institutions rather than the perceptions of informants. It concludes that while opportunities for P‐E research abound, researchers must be certain that P‐E is the most appropriate method to generate data.

Originality/value

This paper examines an under‐researched procedure, identifies relevant related studies, and should help intending and existing scholars to evaluate the procedure.
Value in exchange
Authors: Jacobs Kerry
Published: October 2009

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to comment on the apparent conflict between the practice of treating people as commodities on the one hand, and recognising their personal uniqueness and high value on the other.

Design/methodology/approach

Satirical poem.

Findings

Employees risk being treated simply as depersonalised units of productive value.

Originality/value

Points to the attitude of regarding people indifferently at work.
Photo‐elicitation: an ethno‐historical accounting and management research prospect
Authors: Parker Lee D.
Published: October 2009

Purpose

The purpose of the paper is to explore the methodological dimensions and potential of photo‐elicitation, particularly as a historical research tool for archival, oral and critical accounting, and management historians.

Design/methodology/approach

The analysis draws upon the methodological, theoretical and empirical literatures of visual anthropology, visual sociology, visual ethnography, oral history, and visual research methods and develops a methodological agenda for photo‐elicitation research in accounting and management history.

Findings

It reveals the potential for contextualised, interpretive and critical discovery in accounting and management history. The prospect of peeling back of hidden layers and voices is significantly enhanced by the introduction of photo‐elicitation, which offers empowerment not only through the visual triggering of memory but through the negotiation and construction of images themselves.

Originality/value

The prospect of more direct access to organisational and personal experience and context is accompanied by new understandings of multiple voices and fresh narratives. Together, these promise potential insights from the particular to the societal.
Designing and implementing an Australian and New Zealand intensive care data audit study
Authors: Martin Jacqueline , Hicks Peter , Norrish Catherine , Chavan Shaila , George Carol , Stow Peter , Hart Graeme K.
Published: October 2009

Purpose

The aim of this pilot audit study is to develop and test a model to examine existing adult patient database (APD) data quality.

Design/methodology/approach

A database was created to audit 50 records per site to determine accuracy. The audited records were randomly selected from the calendar year 2004 and four sites participated in the pilot audit study. A total of 41 data elements were assessed for data quality – those elements required for APACHE II scoring system.

Findings

Results showed that the audit was feasible; missing audit data were an unplanned problem; analysis was complicated owing to the way the APACHE calculations are performed and 50 records per site was too time‐consuming.

Originality/value

This is the first audit study of intensive care data within the ANZICS APD and demonstrates how to determine data quality in a large database containing individual patient records.
Relationship between stress and performance in a Japanese nursing organization
Authors: Ida Hiromasa , Miura Masako , Komoda Masakazu , Yakura Naonori , Mano Toshiki , Hamaguchi Tsutahiro , Yamazaki Yoshihiko , Kato Ken , Yamauchi Kazunobu
Published: October 2009

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to describe the relationship between job stress, stress coping ability and performance among Japanese nurses.

Design/methodology/approach

Health risk and organization environment as job stress factors, sense of coherence (SOC) as stress coping ability and medical risk indicator and sickness‐absence days as a performance proxy were used to investigate the relationship between stress and performance. Length of professional experience also was included in the investigation.

Findings

The findings suggest a possibility that enriching nurses' professional experiences reduces medical risk. There is also a possibility that raising the SOC, while improving organization environment, contributes to reducing sickness‐absence.

Research limitations/implications

A cross‐sectional study of nurses in a single institution was used. In order to generalize the study's results, it will be necessary to conduct multi‐institutional longitudinal studies.

Originality/value

The present study shows key factors affecting medical risk and sickness‐absence leading to a reduced nursing performance.
Charismatic leadership, change and innovation in an R&D organization
Authors: Paulsen Neil , Maldonado Diana , Callan Victor J. , Ayoko Oluremi
Published: October 2009

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to investigate the effects of the charismatic dimension of transformational leadership on team processes and innovative outcomes in research and development (R&D) teams.

Design/methodology/approach

Data are collected by surveying 34 teams that totalled 178 participants. Surveys measured charismatic leadership style, team identity, cooperative strategies and team innovation.

Findings

Results reveal the importance of managers assuming a charismatic style of leadership to encourage innovation. Charismatic leaders promote team innovation by supporting a sense of team identity and commitment, and encourage team members to cooperate through the expression of ideas and participation in decisions.

Research limitations/implications

The study is conducted in a single R&D organization and future research should explore the influence of these factors in other settings. The measures of team innovation are based on the perceptions of the team members, and future research needs to include a wider variety of data sources over time.

Practical implications

Successful team leaders who employ a more charismatic style facilitate more cooperative interactions in teams. Teams with a strong team identity combined with the exercise of cooperative behaviours are more innovative.

Originality/value

The preliminary model tested enhances the understanding of the importance of the leaders in influencing team processes and innovation. Leaders who are more transformational in style influence followers by affecting their sense of identity. This sense of identity influences how well teams adopt and follow more cooperative strategies to resolve issues and to make decisions. In turn, the model shows how these factors influence team innovation.
From marginalization to phronetic science
Authors: Voronov Maxim
Published: October 2009

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to explore how critical management studies' (CMS) awkward relationship with the world of practice may have allowed it to become a dominated field in academia, which features a nearly exclusive focus on research for theory's sake, a lack of interest or discomfort with practical applications, and a devaluing of non‐academic pursuits. Despite research on oppression, resistance, and emancipation, CMS scholars do not tend to focus on the field's own domination or to ensure that its emancipatory agenda offers any practical impact.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper loosely draws on Bourdieu's notions of habitus and symbolic violence to make sense of his experience of attempting to fit in the CMS community as a scholar interested in practical applications of CMS insights.

Findings

The paper argues that CMS is uniquely positioned to help organization studies become a phronetic science, both practical and capable of addressing questions of power and values, essential to management practice.

Practical implications

The estrangement between theory and practice in CMS is symptomatic of the same phenomenon in the broader organization studies community.

Originality/value

The paper addresses not only how CMS can become a more phronetic science but also the benefits of phronetic research for the broader organization studies.
Effects of conformal coating on anisotropically conductive adhesive joints; a medical perspective
Authors: Kokko Kati , Harjunpää Hanna , Haltia Anna‐Maija , Heino Pekka , Kellomäki Minna
Published: October 2009

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to study epoxy and parylene C‐coated samples. These coatings are used to protect the electronic devices from harsh environments. The effect of these conformal coatings on electronics reliability is considered.

Design/methodology/approach

Epoxy coating is applied using dip coating and parylene C is applied with the vapour deposition polymerisation method. Test chip used is joined using flip‐chip technology and an anisotropically conductive adhesive. Reliability of the test samples is evaluated in a constant humidity test, where test conditions are 85°C and 85%RH. The test lasts 4,000 h. Failure analysis is carried out by cross‐sectioning failed samples and using scanning electron microscopy for closer analysis.

Findings

The results show variation in the reliability of adhesive joints with different conformal coating materials. Failure analysis highlights explicit failure mechanisms. Adhesion testing is also carried out on the test samples after constant humidity testing. The results of these reliability tests indicate clearly that parylene C is a more reliable choice of conformal coating than epoxy.

Originality/value

The paper shows the influence of certain conformal coatings on the reliability of adhesive flip‐chip joints. In medical applications, reliability plays an important role.
Improving high‐temperature oxidation behaviour of Sn‐Zn‐Ag‐Al‐Ga solders
Authors: Yeh T.K. , Lin K.L. , Salam B.
Published: October 2009

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to study the influence of silver on the high‐temperature oxidation behaviour of the Sn‐8.5Zn‐xAg‐0.01Al‐0.1Ga (x=0, 0.1, 0.3 and 0.5) solder alloys.

Design/methodology/approach

The weight gains of the studied solders are measured using thermal gravimetric analyzers (TGA) at temperatures of 250, 300, 350 and 400°C. The weight gains measured are used to compare the oxidation behaviour of the studied solders. The surfaces of the solders are also analyzed with Auger emission spectroscopy (AES) depth profiling and thin‐film X‐ray diffractometry (thin‐film XRD) to identify the elements present on the surface of the studied solders.

Findings

The TGA results show that the weight gains decrease with increasing silver content in the studied solders. It meant that increasing silver content could help improve the high‐temperature oxidation behaviour of the studied solder. AES and thin‐film XRD confirm that the formed oxide layers on the surface of the studied solder are Zn‐based oxide layers.

Originality/value

The findings of this paper will help provide an understanding of the effects of silver on Sn‐8.5Zn‐xAg‐0.01Al‐0.1Ga solder.
Effects of reflow profile and thermal conditioning on intermetallic compound thickness for SnAgCu soldered joints
Authors: Pan Jianbiao , Chou Tzu‐Chien , Bath Jasbir , Willie Dennis , Toleno Brian J.
Published: October 2009

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to investigate the effects of reflow time, reflow peak temperature, thermal shock and thermal aging on the intermetallic compound (IMC) thickness for Sn3.0Ag0.5Cu (SAC305) soldered joints.

Design/methodology/approach

A four‐factor factorial design with three replications is selected in the experiment. The input variables are the peak temperature, the duration of time above solder liquidus temperature (TAL), solder alloy and thermal shock. The peak temperature has three levels, 12, 22 and 32°C above solder liquidus temperatures (or 230, 240 and 250°C for SAC305 and 195, 205, and 215°C for SnPb). The TAL has two levels, 30 and 90 s. The thermally shocked test vehicles are subjected to air‐to‐air thermal shock conditioning from −40 to 125°C with 30 min dwell times (or 1 h/cycle) for 500 cycles. Samples both from the initial time zero and after thermal shock are cross‐sectioned. The IMC thickness is measured using scanning electron microscopy. Statistical analyses are conducted to compare the difference in IMC thickness growth between SAC305 solder joints and SnPb solder joints, and the difference in IMC thickness growth between after thermal shock and after thermal aging.

Findings

The IMC thickness increases with higher reflow peak temperature and longer time above liquidus. The IMC layer of SAC305 soldered joints is statistically significantly thicker than that of SnPb soldered joints when reflowed at comparable peak temperatures above liquidus and the same time above liquidus. Thermal conditioning leads to a smoother and thicker IMC layer. Thermal shock contributes to IMC growth merely through high‐temperature conditioning. The IMC thickness increases in SAC305 soldered joints after thermal shock or thermal aging are generally in agreement with prediction models such as that proposed by Hwang.

Research limitations/implications

It is still unknown which thickness of IMC layer could result in damage to the solder.

Practical implications

The IMC thickness of all samples is below 3 μm for both SnPb and SAC305 solder joints reflowed at the peak temperature ranging from 12 to 32°C above liquidus temperature and at times above liquidus ranging from 30 to 90 s. The IMC thickness is below 4 μm after subjecting to air‐to‐air thermal shock from −40 to 125°C with 30 min dwell time for 500 cycles or thermal aging at 125°C for 250 h.

Originality/value

The paper reports experimental results of IMC thickness at different thermal conditions. The application is useful for understanding the thickness growth of the IMC layer at various thermal conditions.
Reflow profile optimization of μBGA solder joints considering reflow temperature and time coupling
Authors: Bo Tao , Zhouping Yin , Han Ding , Yiping Wu
Published: October 2009

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to present a novel reflow profile optimization method using mechanical reliability estimation of micro‐ball grid array (μBGA) solder joints, based on the heating factor, Qη is introduced, where the coupling effect of reflow temperature and time on the mechanical reliability of μBGA joints is considered.

Design/methodology/approach

The method presented is actualized through vibration fatigue tests. First, a two‐parameter Weibull distribution is used to model the collected data of vibration fatigue lifetime for different Qη. After that, two explicit functions are deduced in a unified mathematic expression form, which give an intuitionistic description of the mean time to failure and reliability of solder joints against induced variable Qη, thus revealing definitely the effect of Qη on the mechanical fatigue lifetime of solder joints suffering from cyclic vibration loading. Finally, for a specified reliability goal, how to choose proper Qη values, based an improved Golden Section Search arithmetic, is discussed.

Findings

Numerical analysis and calculation are performed. The results show that the solder joints made at Qη near 510 have higher mechanical reliability, and those reflowed farther away this optimal value have less reliability.

Originality/value

This paper presents a useful and applicable solution to achieve reflow profile optimization and process control for a quantitative mechanical reliability estimation of μBGA solder joints.
The recycling business for sustainability in Taiwan
Authors: Chen Yenming J. , Wu Tien‐Hua , Chen Yan‐Ling
Published: October 2009

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to examine the recycling business in Taiwan as well as its impacts on the collection, environment, economy, and society, providing a good example of setting up an efficient national paradigm.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper proposes an alternative policy of dynamic rate of recycling fee as Taiwan's current recycling system is not beneficial to spurring design for environment (DfE).

Findings

The paper demonstrates that this improvement will indeed result in changes for entrepreneurs and manufacturers toward green design and financial benefits for flourishing the recycling industry.

Originality/value

Regardless of the progressive success for the current system in Taiwan, a flat rate recycling fee scheme possesses limited inspiration to promote the concept of DfE. In addition to existing literature, the proposed dynamic recycling fee policy demonstrates the increased level of DfE engagement.
The impact of a global logistics integration system on localization service and business competitive advantage
Authors: Chin Lin Yao , Heng Tsai Ping
Published: October 2009

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to discuss the integration of information technology (IT) systems and the strengthening of customer service to raise business competitive advantage.

Design/methodology/approach

The case company uses IT systems to integrate customers and suppliers. In this paper, both are interviewed about how they work together for the development and operation of IT systems. A grounded theory approach is followed to develop the theoretical framework from the empirical evidence.

Findings

This research regards the whole machine industry as having the following influence, beginning with the related innovation business model. Previously, most machine tool companies played the role of product manufacturer, making high‐quality products the goal. This research indicated that not only can Taiwan manufacture high‐quality products but also that it can create product design and support a global localization service to the world.

Practical implications

In this paper, information architecture planning is designed to strengthen the bonds between the clients and the company.

Originality/value

This paper may help global companies concerned with the development, support, and operation of IT systems to look beyond the systems of their collaborative working to consider the effect of supporting a localization service in their systems.
Entrepreneurship and innovation process in the health industry in Taiwan
Authors: Jian Chung Yuan Benjamin , Yi Liu Chun , Ming Kao Kun , Che Hsu Ying
Published: October 2009

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to analyze the development of body fitness equipment in Taiwan from the viewpoint of innovation and the factor of success for innovation.

Design/methodology/approach

The research methods include a literature study and a case study. In addition, the innovation activity of an enterprise is based on the viewpoint of procedure (input‐process‐output). The innovation activity of an enterprise is separated into three phases: innovation motivation, innovation process, and innovation performance.

Findings

The enterprise's competitive advantage and efficiency can clearly be seen, and the reason for the enterprise's success can easily be identified through a structural analysis of the innovation process. The research results indicate four factors for the success of Johnson: mastering technology, good management, employment of diversified talents, and clear brand positioning.

Research limitations/implications

The innovation research model provides a comprehensive summary of the innovation process, stressing innovation activity. The study of the factors of success does not establish quantified or non‐quantified innovation indicators.

Practical implications

The factor of success of innovation is not exactly the same for every company. Sorting and analyzing the individual cases can serve as a basis of reference and act as a guidepost for other companies in similar industries during their business development.

Originality/value

The analysis model of innovation activity can clearly explore the development process of the innovation success of an enterprise. Simultaneously, this research can serve as a role model for other companies when they innovate.
A knowledge‐based view of growth in new ventures
Authors: Saarenketo Sami , Puumalainen Kaisu , Kuivalainen Olli , Kyläheiko Kalevi
Published: October 2009

Purpose

The establishment and growth of new ventures play a major role in wealth creation in most industrialized economies. Consequently, there is much emphasis these days on how to foster their growth, and on determining the fundamental prerequisites. The purpose of this paper is to propose an evolutionary knowledge‐based framework for understanding and testing the linkage between the nature of the firm's knowledge and its growth.

Design/methodology/approach

The empirical analysis is based on an extensive survey of 171 new ventures in the information and communications technology industry.

Findings

The findings indicate the existence of a relationship between some of the proposed knowledge determinants and new venture growth. For example, the ability to scale the firm's knowledge‐based resources in economic terms has an effect on past and future growth as well as on growth orientation.

Research limitations/implications

Whereas there is growing interest in the growth of entrepreneurial new ventures, emerging theories in the area of strategic management, such as the knowledge‐based view (KBV) of the firm, have not often been applied as theoretical bases in studies focusing on this phenomenon. This paper broadens the understanding of new venture growth by scrutinizing the main knowledge determinants, including appropriability (tacitness and patent protection), the threat of opportunism, economies of scale, economies of scope/synergies, and asset specificity.

Practical implications

The notion that different knowledge is needed in the different phases of the new‐venture life cycle is important for practitioners seeking growth. Managers need to analyze the context and business environment with care, and accordingly to choose the right strategy.

Originality/value

This paper broadens the thinking on new venture growth in analyzing the influence of knowledge inside the firm in terms of various theory‐based determinants.
The state of the art in static and dynamic games
Authors: De Giovanni Pietro
Published: October 2009

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to investigate the state of the art in static and dynamic games (or inter‐firm relationships). This research area has changed significantly over the last 25 years through the development of phenomena such as the supply chain and the progressive overcoming of monopolistic and oligopolistic frameworks. By exploring the state of the art in inter‐firm relationships, this paper aims to identify the most suitable research methods to be used by future research in this domain and to highlight the major areas under investigation.

Design/methodology/approach

This research adopts both qualitative and quantitative approaches. The qualitative approach describes the technical differences between static and dynamic methods and gives evidence of their appropriateness when applied to a game. Quantitative analysis transforms some of the information extracted from the qualitative analysis into categorical variables in order to obtain an indication of the major issues still to be addressed.

Findings

The resulting findings identify the extent of the use of static and dynamic modelling in previous research and how their use has changed over time, what resolution methods need to be applied when investigating inter‐firm relationship, what features influence this decision and what research areas still remain unexplored.

Originality/value

The existing literature on the modelling of static and dynamic games lacks an exhaustive review. Several contributions investigate the literature on inter‐firms relationships and review numerous issues, but focus only on static or dynamic modelling. This paper fills this gap by reviewing a number of theoretical papers.
Weaving thickness parameters of “8” shape 3D woven enhancing fabric
Authors: Jihong Liu , Hongxia Jiang , Yuzheng Lu
Published: October 2009

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to deduce the thickness property of three‐dimensional (3D) composite produced by 3D woven enhancing fabric based on an academic model.

Design/methodology/approach

Thickness of 3D composite is determined by the important weaving parameter – the length of binder yarn. According to the shape of pile formed by binder yarn, curve function of pile is supposed. A rapier loom is modified for the 3D woven enhancing fabrics, and the composite is produced based on the fabric. The thickness of composite is produced and the theories results are validated.

Findings

The result of the analysis shows that the curve of pile formed by binder yarn can be expressed as sin function approximately, and there is linear relation between the thickness of composite and the length of pile of binder yarn.

Research limitations/implications

The results cannot be provided to study the relationship of thickness based on different technology of composite.

Originality/value

The paper provides an academic method of calculating the thickness of composite and the relationship between the thickness of composite and the length of binder yarn. The method can reduce the testing time.
A mannequin modeling method based on section templates and silhouette control
Authors: Li Jiyun , Chen Jiaxun
Published: October 2009

Purpose

The fast and easy generation of personalized mannequin is the premise for the accurate 3D measurement for the customers in an electronic made to measure (e_MTM) system. The purpose of this paper is to attempt to propose a new virtual human mannequin modeling technique to meet this requirement.

Design/methodology/approach

The customized human mannequin is constructed by assemblage of the body parts. The body parts including bust, waist and hip segments are achieved by modification of the standard body section templates, while the silhouette obtained from the front and side photos are used to confine the distortion of the parts.

Findings

The main findings are the section template base and assemblage method for mannequin modeling.

Originality/value

The proposed method can free the burden of high cost and inconvenience of 3D scanner in the measurement process of e_MTM system, and in the mean time without loss of measurement accuracy.
Compression plate buckling behavior of fused fabric composites
Authors: Namiranian B. , Shaikhzadeh Najar S. , Salehzadeh Nobari A.
Published: October 2009

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to evaluate some important parameters in plate buckling of fused interlining worsted fabric with different weight and laying‐up direction. The article compares the formability of fused fabric composite by two different methods (Lindberg's hypothesis and fabric assurance by simple testing method).

Design/methodology/approach

Plate buckling compression behavior of fused fabric composite is investigated using a special designed clamp according to Dahlberg's test method.

Findings

The result shows that fusible interlining lay‐up angle significantly influences on buckling parameters. It is indicated that the buckling behavior of fused fabric composite against lay‐up interlining direction is in accordance with interlining buckling behavior. The result of research suggests that the formability behavior of fused fabric composite with interlining lay‐up direction is predictable according to Lindberg's method.

Research limitations/implications

Experimental design is limited at low speed. Further research works are needed to perform buckling behavior of fused fabric composites at higher speeds as well as under cyclic loading conditions.

Originality/value

Compression plate buckling behavior of fused interlining fabrics is predictable against interlining laying‐up direction. The result of this research could be used in the area of garment quality serviceability.
Keeping talents for advancing service firms in Asia
Authors: Zheng Connie
Published: October 2009

Purpose

Skill shortages worldwide have intensified the need for talent management. Few papers examine the pattern of human resource (HR) and talent management practices that help retain competent employees among service multinational companies (MNCs) in Asia. The purpose of this paper is to map out a number of HR practices used by service companies and to examine the effect of talent retention as perceived by MNC managers on service delivery capacity and business growth.

Design/methodology/approach

A survey data of 281 service MNCs in six Asian countries (namely Indonesia, Malaysia, Philippines, Singapore, Taiwan, and Thailand) are used to compare country and sectoral differences. Standard multiple regression analysis is conducted to test the link between HR practices, employee retention, and service firm performance.

Findings

The results confirm that there are statistically significant linkages between HR practices, talent retention and firm performance. In particular, various skill training and development programs are seen to be significantly associated with capacity to deliver quality service and on firm growth as perceived by managers surveyed. Informal recruitment methods that are used more by Asian‐bred firms have contributed to better retention rates. Not all formalised HR practices lead to talent retention; and the degree to which HR is perceived to have impacted on firm performance varies.

Research limitations/implications

The paper focuses on examining the perceptual impacts of human resource management (HRM) practices on firm performance, rather than actual HRM impacts. The interpretation of results should be taken with caution.

Originality/value

Talent management is influenced by country specific variables. This paper shows how important it is for service firms to focus on strategic selection of both formal and informal HR practices in order to deliver high quality service and to drive service firm growth.
Buyer satisfaction and loyalty intention in online auctions
Authors: Chiou Jyh‐Shen , Wu Lei‐Yu , Sung Yi‐Ping
Published: October 2009

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to examine the issue of the influential factors of buyer satisfaction and loyalty toward online auction web sites and online auction sellers. Customers' loyalty toward the online auction web site and seller is also explored.

Design/methodology/approach

An internet survey is conducted on 221 buyers of online auction.

Findings

Loyalty intention toward an online auction seller positively affects a buyer's loyalty intention toward the online auction web site, whereas his/her loyalty intention toward the online auction web site negatively affects his/her loyalty intention toward the online auction seller.

Research limitations/implications

The first is in its cross‐sectional design. Second, this paper examines the antecedents of the online auction web site and the online auction seller in a single country. The findings may have limited generalizability to other countries.

Practical implications

The results of this paper provide less positive news for online auction sellers. Sellers on an online auction web site should be careful in making online auction web site change decisions. Although a seller can secure buyer loyalty intention by providing strong e‐service quality, overall satisfaction and the specific asset investment (SAI), buyers still may not be enthusiastic about moving with the seller to another auction web site.

Originality/value

This paper contributes to comparing the pulling force of the web sites and the sellers, and explains that SAI can affect the buyers through web sites and sellers. There are three parties involved in the model.
Modeling customer equity, SERVQUAL, and ethnocentrism: a Vietnamese case study
Authors: Rosenbaum Mark S. , Wong IpKin Anthony
Published: October 2009

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to explore how the return‐on‐marketing framework and its customer equity drivers (value, brand, and relationship) can be combined with service quality (SERVQUAL) measures to help managers develop strategies for high‐ and low‐ethnocentric Vietnamese customers.

Design/methodology/approach

The services literature is employed to propose a framework. The structure of the framework is evaluated from data obtained from self‐administered questionnaires, which are mailed to an automobile firm's customers. To explore the moderating affect of ethnocentrism, the model's proposed relationships and fit statistics are tested by employing multi‐group comparisons (high‐ and low‐ethnocentrism) through structural equation modeling.

Findings

Ethnocentrism encourages customers to express loyalty and to spread positive word of mouth about Company X, which is a local automobile manufacturer. High‐ethnocentric customers are also less reactive to Company X's value drivers, including product quality, price, and convenience, than low‐ethnocentric customers. However, high‐ethnocentric customers place greater importance on dealership SERVQUAL than low‐ethnocentric customers.

Practical implications

The findings indicate that Southeast Asian managers should consider consumer ethnocentrism a factor that influences marketing planning, as well as ways they can use the return‐on‐marketing and SERVQUAL frameworks for strategic planning. In addition, managers should understand that ethnocentric customers counterbalance their willingness to forgo product quality with augmented expectations of dealership SERVQUAL.

Originality/value

This paper combines the product‐focused return‐on‐marketing framework with the SERVQUAL‐focused SERVQUAL framework to show how these elements influence consumers' future behavioral intentions under the moderating influence of ethnocentrism.
Teacher self‐efficacy and occupational stress
Authors: McCormick John , Ayres Paul L.
Published: October 2009

Purpose

The purpose of this research was to study teachers' self‐efficacy and occupational stress in the context of a large‐scale curriculum reform in New South Wales, Australia. The study aims to follow up and replicate a study carried out approximately one year earlier.

Design/methodology/approach

A theoretical framework, primarily based on social cognitive theory and the teachers' attribution of responsibility for stress model and consistent with the earlier study, was used to guide the research. Data were gathered using a self‐report questionnaire. Analysis was carried out using structural equation modelling, based on results of the earlier study, and partial correlation analysis.

Findings

A more parsimonious model of the related phenomena than had been established by the earlier study was confirmed, suggesting that the context of the educational reform was different one year later, particularly in terms of perceived social support and occupational stress specifically associated with the changes. The important result from the earlier study was replicated – understanding what was required by the reform was negatively associated with teachers' self‐efficacy for the new type of teaching and self‐efficacy for using technology with the new curriculum.

Originality/value

The paper provides insights into teachers' cognitions associated with a major curriculum reform. Results have implications for system administrators and reforming curriculum bodies.
Marketing tactics and parents' loyalty: the mediating role of school image
Authors: Li Chung‐Kai , Hung Chia‐Hung
Published: October 2009

Purpose

This paper aims to investigate how marketing tactics can enhance parents' loyalty in the educational context. Building on extant research, it proposes an integrated framework in which perceived marketing tactics are related to school image, which in turn is related to parents' loyalty.

Design/methodology/approach

Five marketing tactics are selected. A questionnaire is constructed, and data are collected from 1,200 parents of schoolchildren studying in 60 elementary schools in Taiwan. A multiple regression analysis is conducted to analyze the data.

Findings

The results show that the selected marketing tactics all significantly and meaningfully predicted the perception of school image, however promotion tactics were the most effective strategy. In addition school image is an effective predictor of parents' behavior. Finally school image mediates the relationship between marketing tactics and parents' loyalty.

Originality/value

The finding suggests that school administrators can use marketing tactics in order to enhance school image that in turn leads to parents' school choice and word‐of‐mouth.
Statistical applications in two leading educational administration journals
Authors: Byrd Jimmy , Eddy Colleen
Published: October 2009

Purpose

The purpose of this study was to review research published by Journal of Educational Administration (JEA) and the Educational Administration Quarterly (EAQ) over the past ten years to examine the type of research reported and to determine if confidence intervals and effect sizes were being reported as recommended by the American Psychological Association (APA) Publication Manual.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors examined 95 volumes of the identified journals over the most recent ten‐year timeframe. Each empirical study was coded for decisions made during the analysis and information reported. A total of 473 journal articles were examined and included in the study. Descriptive measures were employed to provide insight into the use and frequency of reported confidence intervals, effect sizes, and the type of research that is currently published.

Findings

The results indicated that effect size was being reported in the majority of quantitative studies with limited interpretation. In contrast, no quantitative study examined over the ten‐year timeframe reported confidence intervals despite the recommendations of the APA Task Force on Statistical Inference and guidelines outlined in the most recent edition of the APA Publication Manual. Recommendations for statistical reform in reporting quantitative results in the JEA and EAQ are presented and future direction is discussed.

Originality/value

This paper is valuable for researchers wanting to place their findings in the proper context. By not reporting confidence intervals and effect size information, one does not know the true meaning of their results.
Pragmatics, politics and moral purpose: the quest for an authentic national curriculum
Authors: Bezzina Michael , Starratt Robert J. , Burford Charles
Published: October 2009

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to contribute to the debate on the development of a national curriculum for Australia. The paper challenges stakeholders to interrogate the question of national curriculum, its purpose, values and potential for delivering the type of education Australia wants for its citizens in the twenty‐first century.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper provides a general review of the literature, research and opinion associated with the politics, purpose, leadership and potential for change associated with national curriculum innovation.

Findings

The national curriculum looms as the largest educational change in Australia's history and requires a thorough examination by stakeholders of the purposes and values underpinning it and how such a centralised curriculum can build the learning capacity of the nation. Authentic engagement of teachers, “buy in”, bottom‐up and top‐down strategies, extensive time for negotiations and the engagement of educational and political leaders are seen as important for community ownership of the product.

Practical implications

The paper challenges political and educational leaders to conduct the national curriculum building dialogue at the local, state and national level and to open up previous “givens” to interrogation. It calls for a long‐term process to protect the authenticity and moral purpose of the process and maximise its ownership and potential for change.

Originality/value

The paper addresses the greatest challenge yet to face Australian education, to deliver a national curriculum that delivers authentic learning for the future needs of Australians and Australia. It presents a case for stakeholders to engage the challenge through a professionally informed and morally defensible approach.
Teacher quality and attrition in a US school district
Authors: Kyle Ingle William
Published: October 2009

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to determine whether teachers with high value‐added scores (as a measure of teacher quality) stay or left test grades and subjects in a medium‐sized school district.

Design/methodology/approach

Panel data for this paper encompass teachers providing math and reading instruction and link to individual students in grades 3‐10 from a single Florida school district (2000‐2001 to 2004‐2005). Value‐added modeling is used to estimate a measure of teacher quality, which is entered into binomial logistic regression models.

Findings

This paper finds a negative relationship between reading teachers' value‐added scores and attrition (p<0.05) – a finding consistent with the few that have examined the relationship between value added and teacher attrition. A significant relationship is not found between math value added and attrition. There is also no significant relationship between value added and transferring. Secondary and alternatively certified teachers are more likely to exit tested grades/subjects. Classroom percentages of students enrolled in the free/reduced lunch program (a proxy for poverty) are associated with leaving among math and reading teachers.

Practical implications

Not all turnover is negative. Evidence from this paper suggests that schools are not losing the best teachers from tested subjects and grades – those in which schools and school leaders are held accountable. While there are costs associated with turnover, it can serve as an important matching function between workers and employers.

Originality/value

Only, a few published studies have utilized value‐added scores as the measure of teacher quality and tested their relationship with teacher attrition.
Relationships between teacher organizational commitment, psychological hardiness and some demographic variables in Turkish primary schools
Authors: Sezgin Ferudun
Published: October 2009

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to examine the relationships between teachers' organizational commitment perceptions and both their psychological hardiness and some demographic variables in a sample of Turkish primary schools.

Design/methodology/approach

A total of 405 randomly selected teachers working at primary schools in Ankara participated in the study. Personal Views Survey III‐R and the Organizational Commitment Scale were used to gather data.

Findings

This paper supports the argument that psychological hardiness is a meaningful construct predicting the perceptions of primary school teachers on organizational commitment. Results reveal that psychological hardiness is positively and significantly related to both identification and internalization components of teacher commitment, whereas it is negatively and significantly correlated to the commitment predicated on compliance. Teacher compliance commitment is negatively associated with both identification and internalization. Although gender and years of experience are significant predictors of identification and internalization, the variables of subject specialization and age did not significantly predict all three subscales of teacher commitment.

Originality/value

This paper represents a different approach to organizational commitment by examining teacher commitment under three components – compliance, identification, and internalization. This paper also explores the relationships between organizational commitment and teacher psychological hardiness which is a personality style reducing the negative effects of stress. Results from this study are discussed in relation to practical implications in school settings.
An Australian model of successful school leadership
Authors: Drysdale Lawrie , Goode Helen , Gurr David
Published: October 2009

Purpose

This paper seeks to demonstrate how the principal was instrumental in turning around an underperforming school by using a leadership style that modelled appropriate behaviour, and which was consultative, conciliatory, inspirational and empathetic, through having a clearly articulated whole‐child‐focused educational philosophy, by building relationships and developing staff, and through displaying a range of appropriate personal qualities such as integrity, high energy, sensitivity, enthusiasm, and persistence.

Design/methodology/approach

This was a multiple‐perspective, observational case study that included individual and group interviews with the principal, staff, parents and students, and involved shadowing the principal for a total of three days.

Findings

The four themes found in the original study remained important. In addition, the leadership of the assistant principal, and increasingly that of teachers working in teams, were important for success. During the study it became obvious that to move the school from a good school to a great school would likely require a different approach to leadership, changes to school direction, and new improvement strategies. The principal indicated that she was not able to do this and it was time for a new principal to take on this challenge.

Originality/value

This is part of a larger study that is revisiting case studies of successful principals to explore sustainability of successful school leadership and successful schools.
Successful principalship in Norway: sustainable ethos and incremental changes?
Authors: Møller Jorunn , Vedøy Gunn , Presthus Anne Marie , Skedsmo Guri
Published: October 2009

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to explore whether and how success has been sustained over time in schools which were identified as being successful five years ago.

Design/methodology/approach

Three schools were selected for a revisit, and the sample included two combined schools (grade 1‐10) and one upper secondary school (grade 11‐13). In two schools the same principals were still in post, and in the third school there had recently been a change in principalship. Interviews with the principal and a group of teachers at each school were the major source of new data. Questions that guided the study: What structural and cultural changes can be identified within the schools compared with five years ago? What factors might help sustain success over time?

Findings

The learning‐centred approach identified earlier had been sustained in the schools during the five years. All principals focused on multiple ways of influencing staff motivation, commitment and working conditions, teamwork was a vital characteristic, and they also reported on their struggle to sustain and promote equity and social justice. For the two schools with principals still in post one could hardly detect any change in preferred strategies, but for the third school with the new principal there was a significant change. Although his ethos was closely connected to that which existed at the school five years ago, his leadership approach and the agenda for school improvement were different. As such, the study provides an example of how principals have the power to set the tone and the agenda for school development even though leadership practice is an interactive process involving many people.

Originality/value

The paper provides knowledge about sustainable leadership in a context where new expectations are raised towards schools, and principals are in particular challenged to respond to new and sometimes contradicting expectations.