bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Empowerment, knowledge conversion and dimensions of organizational learning
Authors: Van Grinsven Marlieke , Visser Max
Published: July 2011

Purpose

Research on antecedents of organizational learning generally ignores the fact that organizational learning is at least a two‐dimensional construct and that its dimensions may be conflicting. This research often fails to investigate the simultaneous effects of antecedents on these dimensions. To address this gap in the literature, this paper aims to discuss the effects of empowerment and knowledge conversion, two factors often considered to be important antecedents of organizational learning.

Design/methodology/approach

The approach adopted involves a review of and reflection on the pertinent literature on learning organizations, organizational learning, empowerment and knowledge conversion.

Findings

It is found that both antecedents have contradictory effects on two dimensions of organizational learning. Empowerment affects second‐order learning in a positive sense, but first‐order learning in a negative sense. Knowledge conversion is positively related to first‐order learning, but negatively to second‐order learning. Thus, it appears that efforts to improve organizational learning on one dimension may have (unintended) effects on the other, unmeasured dimension.

Originality/value

The paper connects disjointed streams of theory and research in a novel way that is of interest and importance to both the academic literature and to organizational practitioners.
Perception on benefits of construction waste management in the Singapore construction industry
Authors: Hwang Bon‐Gang , Bao Yeo Zong
Published: July 2011

Purpose

Increased disposal costs and reduction in number of landfills have created a need for implementing effective waste management in the construction industry. As every construction project is unique in its way of development, benefits from the waste management may also differ from project to project and thus project characteristics should be taken into consideration when implementing the strategy. This study seeks to investigate how different project characteristics affect perception on benefits, from construction waste management, based on the survey results from 66 industry experts.

Design/methodology/approach

A literature review was conducted to gather information on project characteristics and its classification, construction waste management, waste management plan and its benefits. Subsequently, a set of questions was formulated to gain insight and opinion on the selection of project characteristics and particular benefits of construction waste management. A set of questions pertaining to different project characteristics linked with benefits of waste management was sent to each of the personnel for their views.

Findings

The results of this study establishes that the key materials used in projects, project size in terms of total installed costs, and project type have perceptual impacts on benefits from construction waste management.

Originality/value

Understanding how project characteristics will affect the benefits can help the construction industry to identify projects to which the waste management should first be applied, maximizing its benefits.
Relationship between the financial crisis of Korean construction firms and macroeconomic fluctuations
Authors: Kim Sangki , Lee Sanghyo , Kim Jaejun
Published: July 2011

Purpose

This study aims to analyze the relationship between the financial crisis of Korean construction firms and macroeconomic fluctuations.

Design/methodology/approach

In this study, current ratio has been used an acting variable for liquidity ratio, and debt ratio for leverage ratio. GNI (Gross National Income), L (index of Liquidity), exchange rate, interest, and CPI (Consumer Price Index) were used for the macroeconomic variables. VECM consisted of Crt model and Drt model to analyze the relationship between current ratio and macroeconomic variables, and between debt ratio and macroeconomic variables, in order to analyze each model through variance decomposition and impulse response function.

Findings

In Crt model, L is revealed as highly influencing current ratio. In other words, most fundraising is focused on highly capable financial institutes, investment corporations and public funds, since the scale of construction project funds is huge. Such financial sources actually belong to index L (index of Liquidity), but are calculated as current liability in the financial statements of construction firms, knotting an inverse relationship with current ratio. In Drt model, interest is revealed as significant against debt ratio. This seems to be because each construction project needs to raise substantial funds, and the amount to repay is directly influenced by interest fluctuation.

Research limitations/implications

The collected data are limited, as the time series data of current ratio and debt ratio were secured based on the financial statements of the most capable 30 construction firms in Korea. If the sample companies were divided in future research according to scale, in order to analyze the relation between financial crisis and macroeconomic fluctuation by company scale, a more developed result could be obtained.

Practical implications

This study is a useful research to analyze the dynamic relationship between the financial crisis of construction firms and macroeconomic fluctuations. This study can be used to establish a set of countermeasures to apply in the event of macroeconomic fluctuation.

Originality/value

The financial ratios of construction firms are directly used for analysis, making this a more practical analysis than studies of the relationship between macroeconomic fluctuations and the comprehensive indices of construction business.
Conflict management in the Middle East
Authors: Posthuma Richard A.
Published: July 2011

Purpose

This introduction aims to summarize five studies in this special issue on conflict management in the Middle East. These studies highlight how conflict management research relates to important issues in this critical region of the world.

Design/methodology/approach

The five studies were combined into this single issue so that readers can compare, contrast, and integrate scholarship from many countries, including Egypt, Iran, Israel, Lebanon, and Turkey, and cultures in this region.

Findings

The studies show that several conceptualizations of national culture can help in understanding and predicting negotiation and conflict management behaviors in this region.

Research implications

The studies show the need for future research on conflict management in the Middle East and show that theories and methods used in other countries and cultures can be adapted to this region.

Originality/value

Four of the five studies used original data not reported elsewhere and gathered in countries that have not been reported in prior studies.
Management style as a mediator of the power distance‐influence tactics relationship
Authors: Koslowsky Meni , Baharav Hadar , Schwarzwald Joseph
Published: July 2011

Purpose

The paper aims to examine whether power distance and management style predict social power choice and whether management style also acts as a mediator in a model linking all three variables.

Design/methodology/approach

The study was conducted within the Israeli Police Force using regular patrol and special patrol units. A total of 40 captains or officers and 151 policemen/women completed scales assessing power distance, captain's managerial style, and influence tactics chosen by them in conflict situations. The data were analyzed from two different perspectives: captains and policemen.

Findings

Harsh tactics were found to differ significantly by power distance whereas the parallel comparison for soft tactics was not significant. The mediation hypothesis tested separately on both samples was supported only for the subordinate group. Management style added significant variance for explaining the dependent variable and also mediated the relationship between power distance and harsh tactic choice.

Research limitations/implications

Using alternative methods for the research design such as observational data or manipulating the independent variables with different scenarios would provide support for the robustness of the findings.

Practical implications

As power distance is increasing, the need to gain compliance in a task oriented situation increases the usage of harsh influence tactics. Conversely, for a similar power distance but in an interpersonal oriented situation, the supervisor may well decide to apply more soft tactics which are more likely to foster a free exchange of ideas and encourage compliance on the part of the patrolman.

Originality/value

Theoretically, the findings of a mediator effect aids in understanding power strategy choice. Specifically, managerial style is not independent of power distance but rather helps maintain the existing organizational culture. Methodologically, the use of two data sets, supervisors and subordinates, reduces bias attributed to common method variance.
Good organizational soldiers: conflict‐related stress predicts citizenship behavior
Authors: Karam Charlotte M.
Published: July 2011

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to examine employee behavior in times of conflict. The author seeks to examine the relationship between employee conflict‐related stress and engagement in organizational citizenship behavior and to explore cohesiveness as a potential cross‐level moderator of this relationship.

Design/methodology/approach

Survey data were collected as part of a larger study examining organizational citizenship in the Middle East. During data collection armed conflict broke out in Lebanon. A total of 553 employees working in 62 workgroups participated. Hierarchical liner modeling was used to test the hypotheses.

Findings

Contrary to previous research, employees engaged in more OCB when they experienced greater amounts of stress. This relationship is more pronounced in cohesive groups than in non‐cohesive groups

Research limitations/implications

The results extend the understanding of the stress‐OCB relationship within the context of conflict. Furthermore, these findings bring to light the tremendous importance of paying attention to context and the nested‐nature of human behavior.

Practical implications

This study highlights that even under armed conflict; employees continue to work and are willing to put in extra effort at work to help coworkers and the organization in general.

Social implications

The results suggest that extraordinary times call for extraordinary efforts and that employees often meet this challenge through their engagement in behaviors that will contribute positively to the social‐psychological environment of the workplace.

Originality/value

The paper provides a unique examination of employee behavior in times of conflict. It is a rare instance of fieldwork in conflict zones and it adds to the paucity of research within the Middle East.
A cross‐cultural study of coworker trust
Authors: Costigan Robert D. , Insinga Richard C. , Jason Berman J. , Kranas Grazyna , Kureshov Vladimir A.
Published: July 2011

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to examine the relationship between an employee's trust of coworkers and that employee's enterprising behavior. The extent to which cultural dimensions, in‐group collectivism and power distance, moderate the trust‐behavior relationship is considered.

Design/methodology/approach

A rigorous research methodology was employed to minimize potential problems with common method variance. Trust ratings were provided by 135 US, 203 Turkish, 100 Polish, and 86 Russian focal employees. Their 524 coworkers provided enterprising behavior ratings for these focal employees.

Findings

The results show that both cognitive‐ and affect‐based trusts of coworkers is associated with enterprising behavior. The findings also indicate that the affect‐based trust/enterprising behavior relationship is stronger in higher power distance cultures than in lower power distance cultures. In‐group collectivism, however, does not moderate the trust enterprising behavior relationships.

Originality/value

Trust is thought to nurture enterprising behavior in the workplace. This study looks at the relationship between trust of coworkers and enterprising behavior, an under investigated but key behavior in the modern organization. The moderating role of power distance implies that organizational interventions promoting affect‐based trust in coworker relationships may have bigger payoffs as far as behavior change in the high‐power distance context than in the low.
Brand romance: a complementary approach to explain emotional attachment toward brands
Authors: Patwardhan Hemant , Balasubramanian Siva K.
Published: July 2011

Purpose

This research aims to explain consumer attraction to brands when stimulation needs are paramount using the perspective of the Self‐Expansion Model. In doing so, it seeks to identiy brand romance – a more proximal construct to brand loyalty and aims to offer a complementary perspective to understand emotional attachment to brands.

Design/methodology/approach

A series of four studies developed and validated a three‐factor, 12‐item measurement scale for brand romance using exploratory and confirmatory factor analyses. Reliability, convergent, criterion, discriminant and nomological validities were established.

Findings

Brand romance is a reliable, valid, and a more proximal construct that explains loyalty significantly better than attitudes.

Research limitations/implications

Student subjects constitute the sample and the findings are cautiously generalizable to adult populations. Future research should focus on teasing out product category effects, extending generalizability to other product categories and integrating the Attachment Theory perspective with the study's findings to offer a more comprehensive explanation for loyalty.

Practical implications

Consumers are likely to remain loyal to brands to which they are attracted. The brand romance construct captures this attraction. Marketers need to infuse their brands with novel perspectives, resources and identities on a continuous basis to satisfy stimulation needs and keep the attraction strong. This involves creating new brand associations that help the brand to stay relevant.

Originality/value

To the authors' knowledge, this is the first study to apply the Self‐expansion Model to brand relationships. The research contributes a unique perspective in explaining emotional attachment to brands brought on by stimulation needs. It fills a gap in the emotional attachment literature and provides marketers with a tool to monitor consumers' attraction to brands.
Antecedents of intention to purchase mass customized products
Authors: Tang Zhongjun , Luo Jianghong , Xiao Juan
Published: July 2011

Purpose

This paper seeks to empirically identify factors influencing Chinese consumers' intention to purchase customized desk top (PC for short) and their effect levels.

Design/methodology/approach

Survey and structural equation modeling techniques were used.

Findings

This research finds that: attitude toward purchasing customized PC, followed by self‐confidence, and subjective norm influence behavioral intention most significantly; perceived knowledge has a very strong and positive effect on self‐confidence and attitude; and subjective norm and perceived usefulness influence attitude positively. In contrast, a direct effect of perceived knowledge on behavioral intention is rejected. Experience for males and females moderates the confirmed relationships except the relationship between perceived knowledge and attitude for females. Gender for respondents with and without experience moderates the confirmed relationships except the effects of attitude and subjective norm on behavioral intention for respondents without experience and the effect of self‐confidence on behavioral intention for respondents with experience.

Practical implications

It appears that customized PC providers should be aware that mass customization is applicable to markets where consumers are familiar with PC, hold a positive attitude toward purchasing a customized PC, and have confidence in their capability to make an effective decision in purchasing a customized PC.

Originality/value

Little attention has been paid to empirical testing factors and their effect levels on consumers' intention to purchase customized products. No research has been conducted to empirically identify factors influencing Chinese consumers' intention to purchase customized PC and their effect levels, while this research fills this gap.
EPortfolios, professional development and employability: some student perceptions
Authors: Woodley Carolyn , Sims Rob
Published: July 2011

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to explore business students' views about using ePortfolios at Victoria University (VU) in Melbourne. It also examines the extent to which students present ePortfolios to prospective employers in applying for jobs.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper draws on the literature on ePortfolio use and the role of ePortfolios in the recruitment process together with results from an online survey of Professional Development students about the use of ePortfolios and the PebblePad platform.

Findings

An analysis of online responses examines student views about the usefulness of ePortfolios, the PebblePad platform, and the relevance of an ePortfolio assessment task. The findings suggest that few students use or expect to use ePortfolios beyond the assessment requirements and highlight students' polarised views about the usefulness of PebblePad.

Research limitations/implications

VU's Business Faculty needs to adopt a whole‐of‐course approach to embedding ePortfolios in the curriculum.

Practical implications

At VU, ePortfolios are promoted to students as a personal learning system and as a creative means of communicating their employability skills. The findings suggest a need to review how ePortfolios are used, promoted and assessed in VU's programs.

Originality/value

EPortfolios offer a structured, digital space where students can present evidence of employability skills and reflective capacity. While VU's Business students develop an ePortfolio to showcase their skills in one mandatory subject, ePortfolios must be better promoted as offering a medium for students to develop, store, and creatively present themselves to potential employers in a whole‐of‐course approach.
Who needs cyberspace? Examining drivers of needs in Second Life
Authors: Barnes Stuart J. , Pressey Andrew D.
Published: July 2011

Purpose

Human needs and motivation are a central tenet of marketing discourse. In this exploratory study we attempt to understand the factors that drive individuals' higher‐order human needs in a relatively new electronic marketing context, that of virtual worlds.

Design/methodology/approach

The study employs the higher‐order needs from Abraham Maslow's hierarchy (i.e. belonging, esteem and self‐actualization) and a series of drivers related to the characteristics of the virtual world medium, personality characteristics, channel interaction, and demographic criteria. Data is collected via a survey delivered in Second Life (n=404) and analyzed using PLS path modeling.

Findings

Arousal, pleasure, and individualism act as particularly potent drivers of higher‐order needs in virtual world channels, while channel intensity, affinity for technology and gender act as lesser drivers.

Practical implications

An understanding of personal motivations affords us an insight into consumers' needs and wants and is a useful precursor to targeting them and in effectively fulfilling these needs. This has implications not only in a single channel but across multiple channels.

Originality/value

This study represents one of the first attempts to better understand consumer behavior in virtual world channels, and, by so doing, better inform our understanding of personal needs in the modern multi‐channel environment.
Do emerging market firms follow different dividend policies?
Authors: Mollah Sabur
Published: July 2011

Purpose

This study aims to investigate the behaviour of pay‐out policy of Dhaka Stock Exchange (DSE) listed firms preceding and following financial crisis to see whether dividend policy appears as significant measure to protect the general shareholders' interest following the crisis in 1997‐1998.

Design/methodology/approach

Ordinary least square models are tested on DSE data preceding (1988‐1997) and following the financial crisis (1999‐2003), on which no other study has been conducted yet.

Findings

The empirical results fail to trace noticeable improvements in pay‐out policy following the market crisis.

Research limitations/implications

Dividend policy does not appear as a significant measure to protect the shareholders' interest in the emerging market of Bangladesh and regulatory reforms following the financial crisis in 1997‐1998 appears as ineffective in Bangladesh.

Originality/value

The unique features of this study are that it is the first study of this kind in the stock market of Bangladesh and the data are captured preceding and following the financial crisis in 1997‐1998.
Disruption theory as a predictor of innovation success/failure
Authors: Raynor Michael E.
Published: July 2011

Purpose

Executives and managers are in need of research that will elevate the pursuit of successful innovations from a gut‐level, intuition‐driven art to something more closely resembling a science based on repeatable processes with predictable results. this paper aims to address this issue.

Design/methodology/approach

Using Intel Corporation's proprietary data the author conducted a number of experiments designed to test disruption theory's impact on predictive accuracy.

Findings

After training in the rules of disruptive theory MBA students were up to 50 percent more accurate in correctly identifying the survivors and failures, constructing, collectively, a portfolio with a survival rate of up to 15 percent.

Research limitations/implications

Intel's New Business Initiatives (NBI) division provided data on a portfolio of 48 new business ventures that were granted seed financing, a sum that ranged between $250,000 and $2 million, between approximately 1995 and 2005.

Practical implications

Disruption theory can deliver statistically significant and practically material improvement in the ability to innovate successfully. Disruption theory can be used to shape existing innovation ideas in ways consistent with the theory's prescriptions.

Originality/value

As of now the disruption theory of innovation is the only one with evidence to support the assertion that it can improve predictive accuracy.
Strategic M&A: insights from Buffett's MidAmerican acquisition
Authors: Calandro Joseph
Published: July 2011

Purpose

This paper seeks to propose a definition of strategic mergers and acquisitions (M&A) that is illustrated by way of case study. It also aims to introduce the strategic concept of “nascent franchise.”

Design/methodology/approach

The proposed definition is based on existing strategic theory, which was extended to the field of M&A. The supporting case analysis is based on the Berkshire Hathaway‐led acquisition of MidAmerican Energy Holdings Company (“MidAmerican”) in 1999, and was prepared from publicly available financial information.

Findings

Defining strategic M&A in the manner proposed in this paper proved useful in explaining the dynamics of, and post‐acquisition performance of, the MidAmerican acquisition. It also helped to frame the analysis leading to the concept of nascent franchise.

Practical and research implications

The paper's definition of strategic M&A could help reframe deal deliberations for practitioners, and spur research by strategy scholars. Additionally, the concept of “nascent franchise” could be developed in future research conducted by either practitioners or academicians.

Originality/value

Strategic M&A is defined in a manner consistent with the literature, but extended and illustrated in a unique manner. The valuation presented in this paper, and the concept of nascent franchise derived from the valuation, are based solely on the author's work.
Use of photography and video in observational research
Authors: Basil Michael
Published: July 2011

Purpose

This review aims to examine how photography and video have been used in a variety of fields.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper examines how these visual methods have and can be used in marketing.

Findings

Photography and video have important strengths. They help us overcome the typically fleeting nature of observation. They also allow us to record behavior in its situational context, allow for reflection, informants, coding, and use of the behavior or situation for illustration. In addition to their analysis of behavior, visual methods can also be used for the purpose of analysis of environments. Photographs and videos can also reveal insights into the interpretive side of the equation – examining people's focus and interpretation of their behaviors and rituals. This visual information can be qualitative – aiming for naturalistic, descriptive, and “rich” data; they can also be used to quantitatively measure circumstances and events.

Originality/value

Understanding the potential uses of photography and video in observational research as well as their strengths and weaknesses will allow us to gain the most value from their application.
A cultural content analysis of multinational companies' web sites
Authors: Nacar Ramazan , Burnaz Sebnem
Published: July 2011

Purpose

This study aims to analyse the appropriateness of the information content and organization of multinational companies' (MNCs) web sites for Turkish local cultural values with the aim of supporting global brand management decisions.

Design/methodology/approach

In order to gather data for the study, 108 MNCs' web sites are analysed by content analysis which is an objective, systematic and quantitative way of conducting information about communication content.

Findings

It is seen from the analyses that foreign multinationals could adapt their web sites' information content to local markets appropriately and sufficiently. However, the face (language) and the way (menu) that these data are presented were not adapted as compared to information content on their web sites.

Research limitations/implications

This study has mainly considered the company side of web sites and neglects the consumer side. Future researchers interested in this area could also investigate how consumers perceive adaptation activities of foreign multinationals through web sites in their countries.

Originality/value

One of the major decisions MNCs face in using web sites regards how to organize and present the web site content to fit local needs and values. Although adaptation becomes a major concern, there is no standard for the multicultural content of web sites. There are several cross‐cultural studies in the literature which compare countries by correlating the analysed variables with Hofstede's scores. Rather than comparing home and host countries of foreign multinationals based on certain dimensions, it is found to be more appropriate to assess on what terms and to what degree these companies could adapt or standardize their global communication channels, namely their web sites, in Turkey.
Modeling and production of fully ferrous components by indirect selective laser sintering
Authors: Vallabhajosyula Phani , Bourell David L.
Published: July 2011

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to develop a methodology to achieve successful infiltration of indirect selective laser sintered steel components with ferrous alloys and thereby to produce fully ferrous components with desirable properties while preserving part geometry.

Design/methodology/approach

The approach is to generate a “green” part by selective laser sintering (SLS) of ferrous powder mixed with a transient binder in a commercial polymer machine. This part is post‐processed to burn off the transient binder (brown part) and to infiltrate the porous structure with a lower melting point ferrous metal. A critical consideration is loss of part structural integrity by over‐melting after infiltration as a result of chemical diffusion of alloying elements, principally carbon. A predictive model defining the degree of success of infiltration based on chemical equilibrium may be used to select the temperature for infiltration.

Findings

The infiltration temperature should be set such that the equilibrium solid fraction of the final infiltrated part is at least equal to or greater than the brown part solid fraction.

Research limitations/implications

Infiltration temperature must be carefully controlled to prevent melting of the brown part. Effect of alloying elements other than carbon on equilibrium solid fraction is not considered while constructing the predictive model.

Originality/value

This approach can be used to obtain fully ferrous parts with complex geometry and desirable properties using a low‐cost polymer SLS machine.
Design and fabrication of stereolithography‐based aeroelastic wing models
Authors: Zhu Weijun , Li Dichen , Zhang Zhengyu , Ren Ke , Zhao Xinglei , Yang Dangguo , Zhang Wei , Sun Yan , Tang Yiping
Published: July 2011

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to present a novel method to design and fabricate aeroelastic wing models for wind tunnel tests based on stereolithography (SL). This method can ensure the structural similarity of both external and internal structures between models and prototypes.

Design/methodology/approach

An aluminum wing‐box was selected as the prototype, and its natural modes were studied by FEA and scaled down to obtain the desired dynamic behavior data. According to similarity laws, the structurally similar model was designed through a sequential design procedure of dimensional scaling, stiffness optimization and mass optimization. An SL model was then fabricated, and its actual natural modes was tested and compared with the desired data of the prototype.

Findings

The first two natural frequencies of the model presented strong correlation with the desired data of the prototype. Both the external and internal structures of the model matched the prototype closely. The SL‐based method can significantly reduce the total mass and simplify the locating operations of balance‐weights. The cost and time for the fabrication were reduced significantly.

Research limitations/implications

Further investigation into the material properties of SL resins including stiffness and damping behaviors due to layered process is recommended toward higher prediction accuracy. Wind tunnel tests are needed to study the in situ performance and durability of SL models.

Originality/value

Although the paper takes a wing‐box as the study object, structurally similar SL models of entire wings can be obtained conveniently, benefiting from the low‐stiffness material properties of SL resins and the fabrication capacity to build complex structures of SL process. This paper enhances the versatility of using SL and other rapid prototyping processes to fabricate models to predict aeroelastic characteristics of aircraft.
Role of switching costs in the service quality, perceived value, customer satisfaction and customer retention linkage
Authors: Edward Manoj , Sahadev Sunil
Published: July 2011

Purpose

The study attempts to chart out the role of switching costs in the interrelationships between perceived value, perceived service quality, customer satisfaction, and customer retention. The mediating role of switching costs as well as its direct impact is explored among customers of mobile telephone service providers in India.

Design/methodology/approach

The conceptual model is developed based on the existing literature and then the model is validated through the analysis of data collected from customers of mobile services in India.

Findings

The mediating role of switching costs is found to have adequate statistical support and the other direct linkages are also found to be valid. The findings suggest that service firms may benefit from pursuing a combined strategy of increasing customer satisfaction and switching costs both independently and in tandem, depending upon the product‐market characteristics.

Originality/value

The study extends the knowledge about customer retention by bringing in switching costs as a part of the network of relationship involving perceived value, perceived service quality, and customer satisfaction.
Vietnam's state‐owned enterprise reform
Authors: Nguyen Phuc , Crase Lin
Published: July 2011

Purpose

Under the pressure of competition from non‐state‐owned enterprises (non‐SOEs) since the Renovation in 1986, the Government of Vietnam has sought to reform state‐owned enterprises (SOEs) in order to improve their productivity and efficiency. Whilst the theoretical efficiency benefits from the SOE reform have interested many, this study seeks to add empirical insights to this debate using Williamson's transaction cost economics (TCE).

Design/methodology/approach

Organizational integration and transaction costs – two dimensions of firm efficiency – were compared between SOEs and non‐SOEs using multivariate analyses of variance (MANOVA). The analysis was conducted in the context of the within‐firm logistics processes of international multimodal transport (IMT) in Vietnam.

Findings

SOEs were as efficient as non‐SOEs along organizational integration and transaction costs dimensions.

Research limitations/implications

Results of the study contribute to the ongoing research on SOEs reform in Vietnam. They add tentative support to the reform process, although the study also highlights the need for further research incorporating the wider motivation for the SOE reform and/or the broader influence of competition and private ownership.

Originality/value

This study assesses the efficiency of the SOE reform in Vietnam from a perspective that has never been done before, Williamson's TCE.
Voluntary risk reporting to enhance institutional and organizational legitimacy
Authors: Oliveira Jonas , Lima Rodrigues Lúcia , Craig Russell
Published: July 2011

Purpose

This paper aims to explore the factors that affected the voluntary risk‐related disclosures (RRD) in the individual annual reports for 2006 of Portuguese banks. It also explores the extent to which those reports conformed to Basel II requirements in terms of the voluntary disclosure of operational risk and capital structure and adequacy matters.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors conduct a content analysis of the annual reports of a sample of 111 banks. Voluntary operational risk and capital structure and adequacy disclosures were assessed using a list of disclosure categories that were developed from the Third Pillar disclosure requirements of the Basel II Accord.

Findings

Stakeholder monitoring and corporation reputation are crucial factors that explain the risk reporting practices observed. Voluntary risk reporting appears to enhance legitimacy for two major reasons: first, by fulfilling institutional pressures to assure the effectiveness of market discipline; and second, by managing stakeholder perception of a corporation's reputation.

Originality/value

The voluntary RRD observed are shown to be explained by legitimacy theory and resources‐based perspectives. This theoretical framework has not been tested hitherto in explaining the motives for banks to make voluntary RRD.
Legal commentary
Authors: Gray Joanna
Published: July 2011

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to discuss the High Court's rejection of claims made against a UK bank by a US‐based customer in relation to foreign exchange dealing it carried out as agent for its US affiliate based on common law and breaches of COBS Rules (BankLeumi (UK) plc v. Wachner, Queens Bench Division, Commercial Court; Mr Justice Faux).

Design/methodology/approach

The paper discusses this action and counterclaim by the defendant.

Findings

The Judge did not find any of the three causes of action underlying the counterclaim to have any foundation, and he found the defendant liable for the full amount of the claim.

Originality/value

This paper draws attention to investors' attempts to shift trading losses onto the counterparties with or through whom they dealt through the use of common law, fiduciary principles or statutory tort claims. Such claims have no chance of succeeding unless the claimants can establish that they were incorrectly classified as an expert customer. Another point of interest to draw from this decision is to recall that product design and pre‐emptive restrictions on product innovation are once again a prominent feature of current debates on regulatory reform.
Risk‐based approach for designing enterprise‐wide AML information system solution
Authors: Ai Lishan , Tang Jun
Published: July 2011

Purpose

This paper attempts to explain the key elements and associated definitions of the financial institutions' enterprise‐wide anti‐money laundering (AML) information system, and to discuss the technical theory for implementing the information system.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper defines the problems of defensive filing in the suspicious transaction reports, proposes AML practice from objective standard principle to subjective assessment principle, and provides detailed description of enterprise‐wide AML solution.

Findings

As rule‐based AML approach and objective‐standard monitoring principle have led to numbers of practical problems, a significant tendency of regulatory reform is to replace the objective‐standard principle by comprehensive risk‐assessment process with considerations of the enterprise's reality.

Originality/value

The paper presents the latest development in enterprise‐wide AML information system construction, including customer risk evaluation, transaction risk measurement, behavior monitoring technology, link analysis, risk ranking and workflow tools, etc. and major fundamentals and functions of these modules are also discussed.
Supply chain resilience in the global financial crisis: an empirical study
Authors: Jüttner Uta , Maklan Stan
Published: July 2011

Purpose

The objective of this paper is to conceptualise supply chain resilience (SCRES) and to identify and explore empirically its relationship with the related concepts of supply chain vulnerability (SCV) and supply chain risk management (SCRM).

Design/methodology/approach

From a review of the literature the conceptual domain of SCRES is defined and the proposed relationships with SCRM and SCV are derived. Data from a longitudinal case study with three supply chains are presented to explore the relationship between the concepts in the context of the global financial crisis.

Findings

The empirical data provide support for a positive impact of supply chain risk (SCR) effect and knowledge management on SCRES and from SCRES on SCV. SCR effect and knowledge management seem to enhance the SCRES by improving the flexibility, visibility, velocity and collaboration capabilities of the supply chain. Thereby, they decrease the SCV in a disruptive risk event. The positive effects manifest themselves in upstream supplier networks of supply chains as well as in distribution channels to the customers.

Research limitations/implications

The recession caused by the financial crisis has illustrated the importance of SCRES in today's interdependent global economy vividly. However, the concept is still in its infancy and has not received the same attention as its counterparts SCRM and SCV. The study confirms the benefit of resilient supply chains and outlines future research needs.

Practical implications

The paper identifies which supply chain capabilities can support the containment of disruptions and how these capabilities can be supported by effective SCRM.

Originality/value

To date, there has been no empirical study which has investigated supply chain resilience in a disruptive global event.
Supply chain flexibility in an uncertain environment: exploratory findings from five case studies
Authors: Yi Candace Y. , Ngai E.W.T. , Moon K‐L.
Published: July 2011

Purpose

The objective of this paper is to illustrate and examine the different flexibility strategies adopted by supply chain participants as a result of different environmental uncertainties.

Design/methodology/approach

An exploratory multi‐case study, involving five Chinese companies in the textile and apparel industry, was conducted.

Findings

The analysis, based on the supply chain literature, reveals that the unpredictable dynamics of the supply chain can arise from a variety of internal and external sources, including suppliers, operating systems, customers, and competitors. In response to the various environmental uncertainties and risks in the supply chain, four types of flexibility strategy are identified in our case analysis: laggard, conservative, agile, and aggressive. The results also suggest that the adoption of flexibility strategies should match a firm's business environment and that better supply chain responsiveness can be achieved in two ways: by reducing uncertainties and by improving supply chain flexibility.

Research limitations/implications

The key limitation of the study is that it focuses solely on the textiles and clothing industry, which makes it difficult to generalize the results to other industries. Another difficulty arises from the subjective criteria employed in some constructs, such as the perceived aggressiveness of competition, the predictability of customer demand, and the designations of companies in the proposed strategy categories.

Practical implications

The proposed theoretical framework can assist managers in properly diagnosing and deploying supply chain flexibility strategies. The actions identified for promoting supply chain flexibility can also be used to assess the various options for exploiting or acquiring flexibility strategies.

Originality/value

Expanding on the previous research approach of examining flexibility strategies from the perspective of a single firm, this study draws on the multi‐case approach to posit a series of propositions that link the adoption of specific supply chain flexibility strategies to various environmental conditions in a supply chain context and proposes a conceptual framework to illustrate how supply chain responsiveness can be improved in today's volatile market environment.
Gender, fashion innovativeness and opinion leadership, and need for touch
Authors: Cho Siwon , Workman Jane
Published: July 2011

Purpose

This study aims to examine whether gender, fashion innovativeness and opinion leadership, and need for touch have effects on consumers' multi‐channel choice and touch/non‐touch shopping channel preference in clothing shopping.

Design/methodology/approach

A survey was conducted using a convenience sample of 123 male and 154 female US college students. Data were analyzed using PASW Statistics 18 and Analysis of Moment Structure (AMOS) 18.

Findings

Results showed that participants' multi‐channel choice was influenced only by fashion innovativeness and opinion leadership such that consumers high in fashion innovativeness and opinion leadership tend to use more than one shopping channel. Touch channel preference was influenced by need for touch and multi‐channel choice such that participants who had higher need for touch and used more than one channel for clothing shopping preferred local and non‐local stores. Non‐touch channel preference was influenced by fashion innovativeness and opinion leadership and multi‐channel choice. Regardless of gender, those high in fashion innovativeness and opinion leadership who used more than one channel preferred TV retailers, catalogs, and online stores.

Research limitations/implications

Results cannot be generalized to the larger population of other consumer groups. Future research should include other population groups.

Originality/value

This study is the first to investigate the effects of consumers' gender, fashion innovativeness and opinion leadership, and need for touch on their multi‐channel choice and touch/non‐touch shopping channel preference in clothing shopping.
Histories of public relations
Authors: Raaz Oliver , Wehmeier Stefan
Published: July 2011

Purpose

This paper seeks to compare different national PR histories in order to unfold the degree of abstract reflection in PR history writing. It aims to provide some suggestions for a future PR historiography, based on this comparison.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper compares British, German, and US American PR historiography. The study is based on a comparison of 36 PR histories. A triple matrix of theoretization is used in order to differentiate the histories.

Findings

Within the comparison American PR historiography accounts for 24 public relations history approaches, whereas Great Britain (1) and Germany (11) offer fewer histories. However, this richness in quantity does not lead to theoretical diversification. Owing to the paradigmatic obligation to a progressivist understanding, American PR historiography actually entails only one theoretic approach, while its German equivalent includes three different theoretic approaches and British PR historiography – being at its start – at least contains one explicitly non‐progressivist, methodologically well‐informed, fact‐oriented example. Paradoxically, the prevailing American PR historiography, on the one hand, conceptualizes PR as a modern phenomenon but, on the other hand, claims even ancient beginnings.

Research limitations/implications

The corpus of analysis contains only studies that attempt to supply an encompassing overview of (national) PR history.

Practical implications

Public relations managers may use these findings to achieve a more nuanced critical understanding of the history of their occupation, and thereby reflect on its current state, which may lead to intensified ethical endeavours.

Originality/value

The paper presents a pioneer systematic comparison of the three national PR histories, which may lead to enhanced national and general PR historiography. Another value is the establishment of a theoretically informed comparative measuring instrument, which (in future) can also be applied in order to compare and improve other national PR historiographies.
Evaluation of training effectiveness in the Spanish health sector
Authors: Pineda‐Herrero Pilar , Belvis Esther , Moreno Victoria , Duran‐Bellonch Maria M. , Úcar Xavier
Published: July 2011

Purpose

The evaluation of training results in large groups with limited resources is one of the challenges of organisations. This paper aims to provide a methodological approach to facilitate evaluation of training among large groups. The paper presents the tools and the results of an evaluation of a whole training plan on the rational use of medicines addressed to 1,550 health professionals in Spain.

Design/methodology/approach

Two questionnaires were administered to the trainees in order to evaluate transfer of training: one questionnaire upon finishing the training session and another one two months later. A total sample of 351 subjects was obtained from 53 different training programs linked with the rational use of medicines.

Findings

Results show that most of the trainees had improved their professional performance, especially the duties related to the selection and use of medicines. Key factors for transfer, such as motivation and support from the organisation, which are present when the transfer is higher, were also detected.

Practical implications

The research offers an easily applicable tool that can be used by organisations with few resources available for evaluation. The tool allows evaluation of the maintenance of the acquired learning, the particular changes in professional performance that prevail in time, and the factors that contribute to such changes.

Originality/value

This study provides a model to evaluate transfer of training that can be useful for practitioners and researchers who want to evaluate training effectiveness among large groups. It also contributes relevant information about the health sector and about large organisations with a lot of working offices, which could help advancing towards improving the effectiveness of training.