bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Contaminated properties, trespass, and underground rents
Authors: Krause Andy , Throupe Ron , Kilpatrick John , Spiess Will
Published: April 2012

Purpose

This paper seeks to extend the literature on property damage assessment by incorporating the right of exclusion as a compensable component to damages. The paper aims to go on to illustrate methodologies to estimate as a rent this damage component.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors develop a conceptual framework from which to examine the value of underground storage space with special reference to situations in which migrating contamination from commercial operations have invaded private real property. Specifically they view this invasion as a compensable violation of the right of exclusion. This underground storage analysis uses the three approaches common to traditional appraisal (income, sales and cost) to estimate the value of underground storage caused by migrating contamination.

Findings

Conceptually the paper finds that underground storage can be easily valued with existing appraisal methods. Using contamination scenarios paired with actual market data from the South‐Eastern USA, the paper shows an example of each of the three methods for valuation. It concludes by reconciling the estimated values and supply additional issues to consider when valuing underground storage.

Practical implications

Contaminated properties analysis and damages have focused on the right of transfer when estimating damages to real property. Other portions of the bundle of rights also require examination.

Originality/value

This is the first discussion of underground trespass in relation to contaminated property coupled with an empirical example to address the right of exclusion and estimated rents due for use of adjacent properties as a storage facility.
Analysis of intellectual capital disclosure – an illustrative example
Authors: Mat Husin Norhayati , Hooper Keith , Olesen Karin
Published: April 2012

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to provide an analysis of intellectual capital (IC) disclosures in annual reports (mandatory and voluntary) and draw attention to the specific issues related to the methodology used i.e. content analysis. The focus is to incorporate all forms of IC disclosure – narratives, numbers, and visual images – into the analysis as well as highlight the need to study both quantity (extent) and quality of disclosure.

Design/methodology/approach

Using content analysis, this paper analyzes 30 of Malaysia's largest public‐listed companies from the IC disclosure of 2008 annual reports. The results are used to discuss specific methodological issues such as the usage of an IC index, choice of unit of analysis, quantity versus quality, presence/absence versus multiple disclosures, and the usage of narratives, numbers, and visual images.

Findings

This paper proposes that themes are the most appropriate recording and counting unit to analyze IC information combining narratives, numbers, and visual images. The discussion finds, among others, that while quantity and quality are highly related, quality of disclosure provides the most insights into the disclosure behavior adopted by companies.

Practical implications

This paper provides methodological guidelines to future IC researchers interested in analyzing the quantity and quality of IC disclosure.

Originality/value

To the best of the authors' knowledge, so far there are no studies published that provide a detailed discussion on ways to capture the quantity and quality of IC information disclosed in annual reports using all three forms of disclosure – narratives, numbers, and visual images.
RFID deployment protocols for indoor construction
Authors: Razavi Saiedeh N. , Montaser Ali , Moselhi Osama
Published: April 2012

Purpose

Location awareness is essential to decisions pertinent to tracking and progress reporting, as well as to safety in construction projects. However, these applications have been mostly limited to the outdoor environment, where satellites for positioning information are in view. Recent studies on indoor location sensing systems are now overcoming this limitation and offering significant potential on construction practices, and radio frequency identification (RFID) is the most widely utilised technology for such application. The purpose of this paper is to address a wide range of protocols that are vital for RFID deployment for indoor construction. The paper identifies deployment settings to provide data acquisition with higher accuracy for indoor location sensing in construction.

Design/methodology/approach

A computational platform was designed to assess and evaluate the most suitable condition related to deployment of reference tags in construction. In this platform, a number of protocols and parameters are presented and their performance is evaluated. The evaluation scenarios were performed on a construction facility in Montreal, as well as in a controlled lab environment. The computational platform used for the study comprises the use of passive reference RFID tags and K Nearest Neighbour algorithm (K‐NN) for course‐grained detection of target's location and its classification into pre‐defined zone areas.

Findings

The studies resulted in a number of observations, findings, and lessons learned for RFID deployment in construction. The results indicate that: the speed of the reader is in direct relationship with the detection error rate; zone configuration effectiveness is in direct relationship with the deployed RFID read‐range; error rate on the controlled environment is significantly lower than rates in construction site; and stationary reader performs better than moving reader.

Originality/value

The paper's findings are expected to be of considerable value to researchers and practitioners involved in the utilisation of RFID technology in construction. The paper provides a set of helpful protocols for the deployment of passive RFIDs for automated onsite management of construction operations.
Emerging team practices in global product development
Authors: Kalyandurg Niranjan , Akhilesh K.B.
Published: April 2012

Purpose

This case study feature aims to focus on team performance in a global product development environment and endeavors to enable managers and leaders of global teams to benefit from the insight.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper outlines a case study conducted in an organizational setting spanning a period of five years. The researchers studied a department consisting of product development team members in an emerging region and report findings in the context of existing concepts.

Findings

Based on the case study, it is observed that global product development teams are similar to other teams and are governed by structure, task, leadership and team processes. The distance and culture aspect of global teams tend to have additional challenges. Some of these challenges can be mitigated by enabling a robust team design, the right team composition, common processes, alignment with structure, focused training and development, consistent performance and evaluation mechanisms, as well as implementing knowledge management systems and having senior management support.

Research limitations/implications

Usage of global teams for product development is rapidly increasing and the understanding of team performance is critical for their success. This case study is based on an actual product development team engaged over a period of five years. The insights gathered provide a practical perspective of global team functioning that can be used for further exploration and research.

Practical implications

The case study findings can be used by practicing managers, leaders of global teams and organizations to help them understand various factors and implications that may reduce global team challenges in a product development scenario. Some of the best practices suggested in the study may help those creating a global team.

Originality/value

The case study illustrates some of the practical aspects of a global product development function. The approach into examining the functioning of a working team over a period of time helps provide a valuable and coherent view of a complex phenomenon. The factors uncovered during the study help provide a basis for further research.
Leadership fit for the information age
Authors: Trevor Jonathan , Kilduff Martin
Published: April 2012

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to look at how the nature and contribution of leadership is evolving in step with developments in the environment and our organizations.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors argue that a collective or network leadership strategy is most suitable for the information age. This is based upon research and executive education and consultancy engagements with a range of organizations around the world and draws upon published research by the authors. They share further a case study of a public sector organization in the UK working to implement a network leadership strategy to transform a complex, bureaucratic structure into a lean, agile and knowledge rich one.

Findings

Organizations need to let go of previously held notions of leadership in order to embrace a new leadership concept and strategy more suited to today's environment. Future organizations will necessarily rely upon knowledge‐intensive networks of highly connected and autonomous talent, empowered to rapidly converge on singular intersections of common interest without guidance from above. Such co‐ordination will not be achieved through centralized command and control, but through network leadership – in effect, self‐direction in the interests of a common purpose and guided by shared values.

Practical implications

Enabling coalitions, coexistence and collaboration within and across networks will be the characteristic qualities of the new leadership.

Originality/value

This article is of value to organizations seeking to transform their capabilities and structures to embrace the contribution of the many and not simply the few. It addresses issues resonant with all organizations, irrespective of sector or geography, and argues that leadership in the information age requires us to challenge many closely held truths such as the inimitability of natural leadership qualities and traditional methods of work organization in favour of network‐based approaches.
Organizational learning measurement and the effect on firm innovation
Authors: Tohidi Hamid , Mohsen Seyedaliakbar Seyed , Mandegari Maryam
Published: April 2012

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to propose and validate a measurement scale to capture organizational learning capabilities (OLC) and examine how OLC affects innovation. There are several models in the literature that have been generated by statistical data from manufacturing firms. This paper presents a structural equation model in order to measure OLC in Iranian ceramic tile manufacturers. The proposed model has five dimensions – i.e. managerial commitment and empowerment, experimentation, risk taking, interaction with the external environment and openness and knowledge transfer and integration – and is evaluated by 23 items.

Design/methodology/approach

Data were collected from 18 Iranian ceramic tile manufacturers. The survey was sent to employees of the business section of each factory and a total of 173 valid questionnaires were obtained and used to test the research model, employing confirmatory factor analysis (CFA), a particular analysis of structural equation modeling methods.

Findings

In the validation process, both the principal components and the confirmatory factor analyses clearly corroborate the existence of the five dimensions mentioned in the theoretical work. Likewise, the scale provides information that could be used by those managers wishing to improve learning capability in their firms. In addition, the results show that the OLC has a positive impact on innovation.

Originality/value

This research suggests that that organizational environments that facilitate learning are more innovative. In addition, the OLC literature shows that OLC has a significant impact on the effectiveness and performance of the organization. Therefore, it is essential to find a valid measurement that can evaluate OLC in an organization. The five‐factor model introduced in this paper is a practical way to measure OLC. As a result, managers can determine which organizational learning issues are strong and which are weak; this is a hint for improvement.
E‐service quality model for Indian government portals: citizens' perspective
Authors: Bhattacharya Debjani , Gulla Umesh , Gupta M.P.
Published: April 2012

Purpose

E‐government implementation evolves through different stages of maturity, enforcing changes in strategies at each level. The transitions of service maturity phases pose continuous challenges to service providers in assessing the e‐service quality of web‐based services used in government. This study is conducted to propose a multi item scale for assessing the e‐service quality of government portals involving transactions.

Design/methodology/approach

Factors influencing the e‐service quality of government portals were identified from an extensive review of research performed by academic scholars and practitioners. A questionnaire was designed based on a review and interviews with users of e‐government applications and was used to conduct a survey of fully operational portals. Responses were obtained and quantitative analyses were performed on the data to develop a scale. This scale can help in evaluating citizen perceived quality of e‐services.

Findings

Seven constructs – i.e. citizen centricity, transaction transparency, technical adequacy, usability, complete information, privacy and security and usefulness of information – were identified from the analyses, which can be used to assess the demand side service quality of government portals.

Practical implications

Despite a well‐structured, national‐level plan on e‐government and adequate funding in India, most of the projects under the scheme are far below the expectation level of citizens. Technology‐enabled applications have promised easy access to government services with economic gain in certain cases, but they have not ensured citizens' satisfaction. Improved service quality based on citizens' need and expectation can reduce the gap between design and reality and act as positive trigger for adoption of e‐government. This study can help government portal developers get an insight into users' needs to improve the design and implementation of online services. The issues are significant and cannot be overlooked in practice.

Originality/value

The paper is original and a research study. It provides an understanding of citizens' perceived quality of e‐services and adoption behavior within the framework of the web‐based environment of government services.
An analysis of methodologies utilised in e‐government research
Authors: Irani Zahir , Weerakkody Vishanth , Kamal Muhammad , Mohammed Hindi Nitham , Osman Ibrahim H. , Latef Anouze Abdel , El‐Haddadeh Ramzi , Lee Habin , Osmani Mohamad , Al‐Ayoubi Baydaa
Published: April 2012

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to analyse the research design, methodologies and approaches utilised in electronic government (e‐government) research studies published in the last decade (2000‐2012).

Design/methodology/approach

A profiling approach is employed to analyse 114 (out of 3,934 from 2000 to 2012) e‐government publications (with specific focus on user satisfaction) including examining variables such as country of research, sample size, type(s) of respondents, data collection methods, and statistical tools and techniques employed.

Findings

Among the research design, methodologies and approaches adopted in the extant e‐government research studies, the quantitative research based approach supported by statistical analysis was the most dominant approach applied by authors in the last decade. Few studies were found to use qualitative‐based approaches such as case studies and interviews.

Originality/value

The prime value and uniqueness of this research lies in presenting the type of research design, methodologies and approaches used in studies that focus on issues surrounding user satisfaction in e‐government research. This has been achieved by synthesising existing publications in Electronic Government: An International Journal (EG), Electronic Journal of Electronic Government (EJEG), International Journal of Electronic Government Research (EJEGR), Transforming Government: People, Process and Policy (TG:PPP), Government Information Quarterly (GIQ), Public Administration Review (PAR), Public Administration: An International Quarterly (PA), Journal of Public Administration Research and Theory (JPART), and Local Government Studies (LGS).
Integrating addiction and mental health networks to improve access to treatment for people with alcohol and drug‐related problems: a qualitative study
Authors: Fonseca Francina , Gilchrist Gail , Torrens Marta
Published: April 2012

Purpose

Improvement in Access to Treatment for People with Alcohol and Drug Related Problems (IATPAD) was a European study that detected barriers and facilitators to accessing treatment for patients with alcohol and drug‐related problems. This article seeks to compare the findings from a qualitative study with patients and staff in Catalunya (Spain).

Design/methodology/approach

The paper describes a multi‐centre, qualitative study. A purposive sample of 47 staff, from a randomly selected sample of the three main entrance points to treatment for patients with alcohol and drug problems in Catalunya, were recruited from: Out‐patient General Psychiatry Centres (CSMA); Out‐patient Addiction Centres (CAS); and Primary Care Centres (CAP). In addition, open‐ended responses were collated from 142 additional staff on barriers and facilitators to accessing treatment for patients with alcohol and drug problems and how these barriers could be improved. A total of 25 patients from two CAS were interviewed in‐depth. The framework approach was used to interpret qualitative interviews.

Findings

The main barriers and facilitators to accessing treatment identified by staff and patients were patients' motivation, centres' opening hours, staff attitudes, the provision of information about services, and the co‐ordination and integration of different services – mainly the mental health and addiction sectors.

Originality/value

This paper describes and compares the main barriers and facilitators to accessing treatment from both staff and patients' point of view. Recommendations are made in order to improve service accessibility for patients with addiction problems and those with a dual diagnosis.
“Acute concerns”: is the mental health workforce equipped and supported to meet complex needs?
Authors: Hughes Elizabeth , Brown Yvette , Tummey Robert
Published: April 2012

Purpose

The focus of this paper is to consider the findings of a survey, which aims to identify the types of training that acute mental health staff could access, in relation to workforce development and substance misuse issues in acute mental health care.

Design/methodology/approach

An electronic survey was developed and distributed using work email lists to all clinicians who worked in acute mental health services across a region in England. Not all NHS organisations agreed to participate.

Findings

A total of 89 clinicians responded to the survey, some failed to indicate their consent, therefore the results of the 77 that did are presented. The main finding was that most acute care staff had only accessed mandatory training such as risk assessment. Many staff had not been trained in the use of psychosocial approaches. Drug and alcohol specific activities were performed on the whole only “sometimes”.

Research limitations/implications

It was not possible to determine the total number of potentially eligible staff who were sent the survey, therefore, response rates cannot be calculated. It is possible that the findings may not be generalisable to other services. There may be bias in those who choose to respond to an electronic email, in terms of those who had access to a computer or who were more IT literate. In addition, the survey did not specifically set out to examine substance misuse issues as its main focus.

Practical implications

Acute care staff work with service users with increasingly complex needs. Creative and cost effective ways of facilitating access to training and support must be found as a priority to ensure that staff have the competencies to identify and manage substance users effectively in acute mental health settings.

Originality/value

The findings reinforce previous studies highlighting the deficit in access to psychosocial interventions training for acute care staff.
Ijarah contract: a practical dilemma
Authors: Zafar Fahad
Published: April 2012

Purpose

This purpose of this paper is to highlight the weakness in vehicle Ijarah contract.

Design/methodology/approach

A real life example of a vehicle Ijarah contract was studied in which a customer gets a car from an Islamic bank and then misuses the system.

Findings

The case study provides a path for more research on Ijarah contract for vehicle leasing. Islamic bankers should take into account the amount of down payment requested besides the fulfilment of other criteria. Vehicle Ijarah contract is only appropriate when the amount of deposit or down payment requested is below 40 per cent threshold, otherwise a diminishing Musharakah contract should be preferred.

Research limitations/implications

The research is only on one case reported in one of the Islamic banks in Pakistan. The solution is also by only one Shariah scholar. The future research should be on similar contract at entire Islamic Banking Industry. Views of all top Shariah scholars should be taken to mitigate such kind of risks for Islamic banks.

Practical implications

This paper would trigger management of all Islamic banks to alter the structure of their vehicle Ijarah contracts.

Social implications

Islamic bankers would be warned against making a vehicle Ijarah contract with individuals wanting to contribute more than a down payment, just for the sake of cheating the system.

Originality/value

This paper is of great importance to the management of Islamic banks as this would raise flag against any future losses due to loopholes in the structuring of contracts.
Peacemaking youth programmes in Northern Ireland
Authors: McKeown Shelley , Cairns Ed
Published: April 2012

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to review psychology‐based programmes, which were developed to bring together children and young people from Protestant and Catholic backgrounds following the outbreak of the conflict in Northern Ireland.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors focused on reporting findings from early research papers and reviews as well as more recent studies. They examined the role of holiday schemes and then the development and evaluation of inter‐school contact schemes.

Findings

The findings highlight the strengths and weaknesses associated with peace programmes for youth in Northern Ireland. The paper argues the importance of these programmes for conflicted societies, provided that they are based on current research.

Originality/value

The authors believe the work from Northern Ireland reviewed here has important implications for activities aimed at improving intergroup relations in other societies. These findings will be of interest to researchers, policy makers and practitioners alike.
Workplace bullying and stress within the prison service
Authors: Brewer Gayle , Whiteside Emma
Published: April 2012

Purpose

Consequences of workplace bullying include increased stress, poor physical and psychological health and low job satisfaction. Workplace bullying is particularly prevalent in professions that may involve a degree of aggression. Despite this, little information exists about the nature of workplace bullying in a prison context. The current study aims to investigate the presence of workplace bullying at one British prison.

Design/methodology/approach

Employees (n=72) were invited to complete the Work Harassment Scale and the Work Stress Symptom Scale.

Findings

A standard multiple regression revealed that direct experience of bullying significantly predicted stress. Factor analyses identified four types of bullying experienced and three types of bullying witnessed by prison employees. Subsequent analyses revealed that experiencing one specific bullying behavior (i.e. dismissive of individual and their work) predicted physical, psychological and behavioral symptoms of stress. Witnessing one form of bullying (i.e. dismissive, personal attack and threats) also predicted the physical and psychological symptoms of stress.

Research limitations/implications

The study is reliant on self reported data and employs a relatively small sample.

Practical implications

Dismissive behavior in particular is associated with employee stress. Interventions should prioritise this type of workplace bullying.

Originality/value

Few studies have considered the nature of workplace bullying in a prison context. The current study details the prevalence of bullying amongst prison employees, the extent to which bullying impacts on employee stress, and the components of bullying that may be most harmful.
Attitudes towards victims and perpetrators of hypothetical rape scenarios involving intoxication: an application to the UK
Authors: Ferguson Kerry , Ireland Carol
Published: April 2012

Purpose

The aim of this study is to investigate the influence of binge drinking behaviour and ambivalent sexism on attitudes towards hypothetical victims and perpetrators of acquaintance rape.

Design/methodology/approach

The research sample comprised 189 students. All were provided with a fictional rape scenario, depicting varying levels of perpetrator intoxication or varying extents to which an intoxicated victim was able to recall providing consent. Participants were then asked to rate their opinions of victim and perpetrator responsibility. They also completed the Ambivalent Sexism Inventory (ASI), the Attitudes towards Rape Victim Scale (ARVS), and a measure to assess respondent binge drinking behaviour.

Findings

Respondents attributed more responsibility to intoxicated victims of acquaintance rape than victims who were not intoxicated. Respondents classified as non‐sexist had more victim empathy than respondents classified as ambivalent sexists. Respondents' binge drinking behaviour did not impact on attributions of victim responsibility.

Research limitations/implications

Fictional rape scenarios are utilised in the current research. The research literature highlights the difficulties posed by the presence of uncontrolled variables (such as the description of the victim) within hypothetical scenarios. The findings reported here should therefore be generalised with caution. Recommendations for future research are suggested.

Practical implications

The study has practical implications in developing an understanding of legal decision making and factors influencing the potential secondary victimisation of victims.

Originality/value

The paper adds to the current literature in attempting to explore the influence of respondents' binge drinking behaviour on attitudes towards intoxicated victims.
Dealing with trauma as an intervention for aggression: a review of approaches and the value of reprocessing
Authors: Worthington Rachel
Published: April 2012

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to explore the impact of trauma with specific consideration to the neurological impact this has on information processing and potential links with aggression.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper provides a summary of the literature in relation to theories of aggression and trauma. The paper considers how the two may interact and overlap and considers a theoretical rationale for why addressing trauma through a treatment such as Eye Movement Desensitization Reprocessing (EMDR) may assist to reduce aggression.

Findings

The paper argues that the experience of trauma may contribute to inputs which may take a person closer towards engaging in aggression. This is consistent with information processing models and unified models of aggression such as the General Aggression Model. Factors that were specifically identified included physiological hyper‐arousal, hostile attributions of stimulus, and neurological impairments. In addition, the paper also argued that there is evidence that as a result of trauma, a person's ability to provide cognitive accounts for the function of their behaviour may also be impaired because of the reduced interactivity between the two prefrontal hemispheres.

Research limitations/implications

The paper argues that as a result, interventions designed to reduce aggression may benefit from including additional elements which directly assist clients to process emotional information and that a reprocessing treatment such as EMDR could assist to reduce levels of emotional arousal and improve treatment effectiveness. Differences in the way in which EMDR is carried out and the variances in treatment protocols used should be attended to increase the reliability of future research.

Originality/value

Current modes of aggression therapy have focused on exposure based and cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT). However, there is evidence that EMDR has benefits over exposure and CBT approaches because of the way in which cognitive verbal accounts of the trauma are not required and because EMDR does not require the individual to have insight into their trauma experience and the link with aggression.
Latino informal immigrant entrepreneurs in South Texas
Authors: Pisani Michael J.
Published: April 2012

Purpose

The purpose of the paper is to shed light on Latino informal immigrant entrepreneurs within a specific border zone in South Texas. Three research questions inform this study: What is the demographic profile of the Latino informal immigrant entrepreneur? What is the occupational profile of the Latino informal immigrant entrepreneur? What is the business profile of the Latino informal immigrant entrepreneur?

Design/methodology/approach

In total, 198 Latino informal entrepreneurs in South Texas were interviewed, through a purposive sampling design, between 2005 and 2008.

Findings

The major findings establish a benchmark for Latino informal immigrant entrepreneurs.

Originality/value

The value of the research is the provision of empirical insights into an otherwise understudied population.
Arab American entrepreneurship in Detroit, Michigan
Authors: Smith Ola Marie , Tang Roger Y.W , San Miguel Paul
Published: April 2012

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to examine the pathways to success of Arab American entrepreneurs in the Detroit Metropolitan Area, and how Arab American businesses impact the local Detroit economy.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors conducted extensive search of literature and in‐depth interviews with experts, entrepreneurs, CEOs and other senior executives of two large Arab and Chaldean community organizations. In addition, the authors also conducted site visits at community centers and the Seven Mile project in Detroit and Dearborn, Michigan.

Findings

The authors discovered several pathways to success important to Arab American entrepreneurship: start‐up capital provided by families and friends, training and education, support networks and support organizations in Detroit. In addition, some organizations, local churches and mosques have provided many essential services needed by new Arab American entrepreneurs. The authors found that the theory of middleman minority and the enclave economy theory provide very useful explanations for the phenomenon of Arab American entrepreneurship in Detroit. However, the natural business incubator model, first developed by Greene and Butler, best explains the success story of Arab American entrepreneurs in Detroit, Michigan.

Originality/value

The paper identifies some important pathways to the success of Arab entrepreneurship in Detroit, Michigan. The authors expand the natural business incubator model first developed by Greene and Butler by including the names of local organizations that play active roles in assisting Arab entrepreneurs in Detroit and Dearborn, Michigan.
Organizational ethnography between toolbox and world‐making
Authors: Yanow Dvora
Published: April 2012

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to take account of organizational ethnography in its historical and methodological context, on the occasion of the inauguration of theJournal of Organizational Ethnography.

Design/methodology/approach

This essay brings together some current issues and concerns in one form of “marked” ethnography.

Findings

This essay touches on the questions: what is organizational ethnography and why is it re‐emerging now?; and on related questions, on its way to engaging some of the key methodological issues in organizational ethnography that today merit attention.

Originality/value

The paper may be of value to readers who are interested in the method and in one researcher's conceptual‐methodological take on it.
Exploring small family‐owned firms’ competitive ability
Authors: Intihar Andrew , Pollack Jeffrey M.
Published: April 2012

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to highlight points of differentiation for small family businesses, relative to larger “big box” retailers, which may provide marketing‐oriented competitive advantages.

Design/methodology/approach

From a conceptual perspective, the authors illustrate how small family‐owned businesses may be able to successfully compete against big box retailers by differentiation in three key areas.

Findings

The authors conclude that small family businesses may be able to successfully differentiate themselves from the larger big box retailers by: establishing a relationship with customers based on trust; competing on value (not price); and focusing the business on serving a specialized segment of the market.

Practical implications

The paper offers theory‐based advice for practitioners, as well as thoughts on future directions for academic research.

Originality/value

Much of the research that has been done on family‐owned businesses has focused on the characteristics of the family operating the firm, and how they interact with one another while running the business. Less attention has been given to the exploration of points of differentiation for small family retailers, relative to big box retailers, and how these areas may provide marketing‐oriented advantages. Thus, this work offers substantial benefit for practitioners and the authors’ suggestions for future research will benefit academics.
Vinamilk: from local cooperatives to international corporation
Authors: Walsh John
Published: April 2012

Subject area

Marketing.

Study level/applicability

This case study would suit any class that deals with the interaction between the nature of business and society and is rooted in a specific basis in developing Asia. The particular nature of the class could be used to shape the subsequent discussion if necessary: a marketing class would focus on the need for development of the local market and consumer behaviour, while a management class might be more interested in the issues relating to an appropriate ownership structure in an emerging market in a company based on an amalgamation of smaller units likely to have been run by technicians (farmers) or party functionaries.

Case overview

Vinamilk is a Vietnamese company that has grown from humble beginnings as a collection of small-scale dairy co-operatives until the current time when it is one of the largest and most successful companies in that country and recognized as a significant developing Asian success. It has managed this while operating in a product category that has had very little tradition in Vietnam and for which demand has had to be created in order to enable the company to expand. The success of Vinamilk has now made it possible to imagine an international or a transnational future in which it would no longer be tied to its Vietnamese home or to be required to support government-supported developmental goals such as supporting employment and using local inputs. A debate is taking place, therefore, about the nature of the continuing relationship between firms and the public sector in a rapidly developing nation.

Expected learning outcomes

The objectives include: evaluation of the nature of the business-state relationship; evaluation of the nature of the home environment with respect to its attitude to business; and understanding better the nature of emerging markets and their interaction with international markets.

Supplementary materials

Teaching notes are available for faculty. Please consult your librarian for access.
Being there, teleography andThe Wire
Authors: Parker Martin
Published: April 2012

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to question some of the assumptions about warm proximity which animate the idea of ethnography as a largely naturalistic mode of enquiry.

Design/methodology/approach

Watching television and having a think.

Findings

That the history of ethnography can be told as a process of bringing “them” closer to “us”, and this account culminates in the idea of watching a TV show as a mode of academic enquiry.

Originality/value

Largely depends on whether anyone is actually convinced by the argument.
Organisational autoethnography
Authors: Doloriert Clair , Sambrook Sally
Published: April 2012

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to review and organise the autoethnography literature: to explore the obstacles of and opportunities for autoethnography in organisation research; to support PhD students and supervisors who have chosen this methodological route to more clearly define their autoethnographic positions and choices; and to propose new research directions for organisational autoethnography.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors critically summarise autoethnography as a contemporary approach to organisational ethnography by looking back, looking at the present, and looking to the future. The authors briefly consider the historical and disciplinary development – and vehement critique – of autoethnography, trace its shifting epistemological positions and introduce three emergent “possibilities” of organisation autoethnography.

Findings

The authors highlight how autoethnography can tell stories otherwise silenced; exploring the mundane, ignored and distorted in current academic life, past and other work experiences, working with others through collaborative or co‐produced autoethnography in exciting new organisational contexts.

Originality/value

This paper is one of the first attempts to review autoethnography as a contemporary approach to organisation autoethnography.
Having an eye for it: aesthetics, ethnography and the senses
Authors: Warren Samantha
Published: April 2012

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to discuss participant‐led photography as a response to the author's need for an “aesthetic approach” to ethnography during fieldwork, including the importance of an embodied, sensory orientation to ethnography in organizational contexts.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper reviews a range of literature and draws on the author's experiences to support a conceptual argument.

Findings

There is currently scant attention to the sensory dimension of ethnographic practice and the paper puts forward an agenda for future research.

Research limitations/implications

Suggestions are made as to how aesthetic and/or sensory ethnography can support changing landscapes of organizational research.

Originality/value

In drawing together multidisciplinary literature, the paper advances the agenda of ethnographic research in organizational life.
Recovery potential and conservation options for elasmobranchs
Authors: Ward‐Paige C. A. , Keith D. M. , Worm B. , Lotze H. K.
Published: April 2012

Many elasmobranchs have experienced strong population declines, which have been largely attributed to the direct and indirect effects of exploitation. Recently, however, live elasmobranchs are being increasingly valued for their role in marine ecosystems, dive tourism and intrinsic worth. Thus, management plans have been implemented to slow and ultimately reverse negative trends, including shark‐specific (e.g. anti‐finning laws) to ecosystem‐based (e.g. no‐take marine reserves) strategies. Yet it is unclear how successful these measures are, or will be, given the degree of depletion and slow recovery potential of most elasmobranchs. Here, current understanding of elasmobranch population recoveries is reviewed. The potential and realized extent of population increases, including rates of increase, timelines and drivers are evaluated. Across 40 increasing populations, only 25% were attributed to decreased anthropogenic mortality, while the majority was attributed to predation release. It is also shown that even low exploitation rates (2–6% per year) can halt or reverse positive population trends in six populations currently managed under recovery plans. Management measures that help restore elasmobranch populations include enforcement or near‐zero fishing mortality, protection of critical habitats, monitoring and education. These measures are highlighted in a case study from the south‐eastern U.S.A., where some evidence of recovery is seen in Pristis pectinata, Galeocerdo cuvier and Sphyrna lewini populations. It is concluded that recovery of elasmobranchs is certainly possible but requires time and a combination of strong and dedicated management actions to be successful.
Pacific sleeper shark Somniosus pacificus trophic ecology in the eastern North Pacific Ocean inferred from nitrogen and carbon stable‐isotope ratios and diet
Authors: Courtney D. L. , Foy R.
Published: April 2012

Stable‐isotope ratios of nitrogen (δ15N) and lipid‐normalized carbon (δ13C′) were used to examine geographic and ontogenetic variability in the trophic ecology of a high latitude benthopelagic elasmobranch, the Pacific sleeper shark Somniosus pacificus. Mean muscle tissue δ13C′ values of S. pacificus differed significantly among geographic regions of the eastern North Pacific Ocean. Linear models identified significant ontogenetic and geographic variability in muscle tissue δ15N values of S. pacificus. The trophic position of S. pacificus in the eastern North Pacific Ocean estimated here from previously published stomach‐content data (4·3) was within the range of S. pacificus trophic position predicted from a linear model of S. pacificus muscle tissue δ15N (3·3–5·7) for fish of the same mean total length (LT; 201·5 cm), but uncertainty in predicted trophic position was very high (95% prediction intervals ranged from 2·9 to 6·4). The relative trophic position of S. pacificus determined here from a literature review of δ15N by taxa in the eastern North Pacific Ocean was also lower than would be expected based on stomach‐content data alone when compared to fishes, squid and filter feeding whales. Stable‐isotope analysis revealed wider variability in the feeding ecology of S. pacificus in the eastern North Pacific Ocean than shown by diet data alone, and expanded previous conclusions drawn from analyses of stomach‐content data to regional and temporal scales meaningful for fisheries management.
A review of the application of molecular genetics for fisheries management and conservation of sharks and rays
Authors: Dudgeon C. L. , Blower D. C. , Broderick D. , Giles J. L. , Holmes B. J. , Kashiwagi T. , Krück N. C. , Morgan J. A. T. , Tillett B. J. , Ovenden J. R.
Published: April 2012

Since the first investigation 25 years ago, the application of genetic tools to address ecological and evolutionary questions in elasmobranch studies has greatly expanded. Major developments in genetic theory as well as in the availability, cost effectiveness and resolution of genetic markers were instrumental for particularly rapid progress over the last 10 years. Genetic studies of elasmobranchs are of direct importance and have application to fisheries management and conservation issues such as the definition of management units and identification of species from fins. In the future, increased application of the most recent and emerging technologies will enable accelerated genetic data production and the development of new markers at reduced costs, paving the way for a paradigm shift from gene to genome‐scale research, and more focus on adaptive rather than just neutral variation. Current literature is reviewed in six fields of elasmobranch molecular genetics relevant to fisheries and conservation management (species identification, phylogeography, philopatry, genetic effective population size, molecular evolutionary rate and emerging methods). Where possible, examples from the Indo‐Pacific region, which has been underrepresented in previous reviews, are emphasized within a global perspective.
Shifts in elemental composition, methylmercury content and δ15N ratio during growth of a High Arctic copepod
Authors: CHÉTELAT JOHN , AMYOT MARC , CLOUTIER LOUISE
Published: April 2012

1. We examined how ontogenetic development in a calanoid copepod from the High Arctic, Limnocalanus macrurus, influenced its elemental composition (carbon, nitrogen, phosphorus), methylmercury (MeHg) content and stable nitrogen and carbon isotope ratios in populations from nine lakes.

2. Population structure explained 33–83% of among‐lake variation in the C, N and P composition of the biomass. Biomass dominated by early‐stage copepodites had a greater P content, which declined in more mature populations, as indicated by significant changes in % P and the molar N/P ratio. Carbon and lipid contents increased with the proportion of adult biomass. Copepod populations sampled in warmer waters had a greater proportion of adult biomass, and water temperature was the most significant environmental variable explaining elemental composition.

3. A δ15N enrichment of 3.3 ± 1.0‰ was associated with copepodite development. Gut contents of L. macrurus showed no evidence of animal (invertebrate) prey, indicating no change in trophic position.

4. Unexpectedly, MeHg concentration was negatively correlated with the proportion of adult biomass. However, this trend was not significant after correcting MeHg concentration to non‐lipid dry mass, suggesting a lipid dilution effect in more mature copepods. Lake surface area, rather than ontogeny, best explained MeHg concentrations in L. macrurus.

5. Ontogenetic influences on chemical constituents of this common Arctic copepod, particularly δ15N ratios and uncorrected MeHg concentrations, highlight the relevance of developmental processes for studies of food webs and mercury in species‐poor High Arctic lakes.
Metapopulation dynamics of a diadromous galaxiid fish and potential effects of salmonid aquaculture
Authors: VANHAECKE D. , GARCIA de LEANIZ C. , GAJARDO G. , THOMAS C. J. , CONSUEGRA S.
Published: April 2012

1. Direct ecological effects of biological invasions have been widely documented, but indirect genetic effects on native species are poorly known. In many cases, this is because of the lack of information on the genetic structure of species affected by invasions.

2. We used microsatellite DNA loci to estimate the genetic structure and gene flow patterns of Galaxias maculatus, a galaxiid fish endemic to the southern hemisphere, which is increasingly being threatened by salmonid invasions.

3. Analysis of nine diadromous populations of G. maculatus in Chilean Patagonia (an area heavily impacted by farming of non‐native salmonids) indicates that dispersal is mostly a passive process, seemingly driven by wind and currents and resulting in high gene flow and weak population structuring.

4. Gene flow was asymmetrical, with three populations acting as sources and six populations acting as sinks. Sinks had lower habitat quality and had a greater incidence of adults than sources, which consisted mostly of juveniles.

5. Rivers invaded by salmonid escapees experienced significantly higher aquaculture pressure than rivers where salmonid escapees were apparently absent, but no effect on genetic diversity of G. maculatus could be detected.

6. We discuss whether salmonid aquaculture might affect the demography and connectivity of galaxiid metapopulations: indirectly through habitat alteration and directly through escapes of predatory fish.