bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Alliance market orientation, new product development, and resource advantage theory
Authors: Bicen Pelin , Hunt Shelby D.
Published: January 2014

Purpose

This study aims to examine the role of market orientation as a relationship property. This property, labeled “alliance market orientation”, is at the inter‐firm level and is related to the new product development (NPD) activities of alliances. The main objectives of this article are: to define the alliance market orientation; to argue that it is a major factor in NPD alliance success; and to argue that the resource‐advantage (R‐A) theory of competition can provide a theoretical foundation for this concept and explain its contribution to alliances' NPD success.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper is conceptual in approach.

Findings

In their efforts to strengthen relationships, alliances may tend to focus so much time on the relationship factors that they miss market opportunities. As a spanning process, NPD should be informed by both external and internal activities. alliance market orientation assists alliances in guiding NPD activities from outside to inside and vice versa. As a dynamic and disequilibrium provoking process, the R‐A theory of competition can theoretically ground the concept of alliance market orientation and explain its role in NPD alliance success.

Research limitations/implications

This study contributes to business marketing theory in three ways: it extends the concept of intra‐organizational market orientation to an inter‐organizational context; the alliance market orientation concept contributes to understanding the role of idiosyncratic resources in alliances; and the R‐A theory of competition can theoretically ground the concept of alliance market orientation and provide insights to develop it further.

Originality/value

This study is the first to extend the concept of market orientation into inter‐organizational NPD framework and to examine the role of alliance market orientation in NPD alliance success.
Anbar Abstracts Issue
Authors: Pollitt David
Published: January 2014

This special “Anbar Abstracts” issue of the Journal of Business & Industrial Marketing is split into seven sections covering abstracts under the following headings: Marketing strategy; Customer service; Promotion; Product management; Marketing research.
Exploring consumers' opposition motives to the modern retailing format in the Tunisian market
Authors: Amine Abdelmajid , Hendaoui Ben Tanfous Feyrouz
Published: January 2014

Purpose

This study seeks to explore the issue of individual opposition to the organized retailing system in an emerging country. It aims to identify the motivations for rejecting such retail outlets as well as how the resistance that is generated expresses itself and to point out the amazing precocity of the emergence of this resistance in these developing countries.

Design/methodology/approach

In‐depth interviews using the critical incident technique were conducted to explore the reasons for consumers' partial or total defection from mass retailing. Respondents were selected through snowball sampling to identify information‐rich cases using personal and professional social networks.

Findings

The study's results highlight non‐organized individual initiatives of avoidance and defection from hypermarkets in the emerging country under study as opposed to the structured protest movements in developed countries. In addition, the findings show a two‐fold orientation of this resistance: on the one hand towards the hypermarket format as a whole, and on the other towards foreign (as opposed to local) retailers, indicating an incongruency between some Western values associated with the foreign retailers, or even linked to globalization, and the values of the Arab‐Muslim local culture.

Research limitations/implications

Only individual resistance motivations were explored, although their interactions with more collective shared motives for resisting would lead to a fuller understanding of the rejection of hypermarkets. The reason for this choice was mainly because organized movements are still embryonic in emerging countries or at best not sufficiently structured.

Originality/value

This paper extends and enriches knowledge on consumer resistance by showing that even in an immature retail market, consumers are able to reject and oppose the introduction of retail formats that are deemed not to be congruent with local cultural values. It underlines in particular some unusual motives for rejection of imported hypermarkets due to consumers' dislike of, and non‐adherence to, the way modern food stores put forward consumption as a spectacle resulting in voyeuristic behaviour and social marking, and their religiously inspired culture and education that limits consumption and emphasizes the fairness, human and ethical dimensions of commerce.
Classification and retail positioning into strategic groups
Authors: Guan Wei , Rehme Jakob , Nord Tomas
Published: January 2014

Purpose

To understand the potential for various types of retailers, it is essential to appreciate retailer' positioning in the marketplace. Positioning has a critical effect on retailers' competitiveness and performance. Despite the significance and popularity of retail positioning, a few gaps remain that prompt the need for this research. First, little has been written about positioning in the building materials distribution industry, as compared with other retail sectors. Second, the retail classification literature has rarely included positioning as a dimension of retailer characteristics, although, in essence, they are both ways to understand retailer strategy and behaviour. To fill these research gaps, the objective of this research is to contribute to retail positioning research, using the Swedish building material distribution industry as a study setting. Specifically, it has two key goals: to develop a classification framework focusing on the Swedish building material distribution market; and to analyse those distributors by strategic groups and identify their common business priorities.

Design/methodology/approach

This research looked at a majority of building material distributors in the Swedish market. A total of 23 interviews were conducted with managing directors or similar from case companies. Interviews ranged from 40 to 90 minutes in duration. This research adapted materials developed for other purposes in order to enhance and strengthen primary data.

Findings

This study develops a classification framework of building material distributors and provides an overview of distributors operating in the Swedish markets. Drawing on theory from retail positioning and classification, the research result suggests that the studied distributors can be classified into three strategic groups: DIY‐service focused; DIY‐cost focused; and builders' merchant (BM)‐service focused. Research also showed that distinguishing building material distributor by customer type is not as effective as it once was; there is a trend of internationalisation in the Swedish building material distribution industry; and distributors exert growing central control over certain areas, such as purchasing and marketing.

Originality/value

The building material distribution industry attracts little research attention when compared to other sectors, for instance food and grocery retailing. Given this, the value of this article lies in identifying the leading companies in Sweden and offering strategic analysis of their business developments and focus. Insights into building material distributors' supply requirements are provided.
Managing browsing experience in retail stores through perceived value: implications for retailers
Authors: Benhamza Nsairi Zazia
Published: January 2014

Purpose

The objective of this paper is to examine the role of perceived value in managing browsing experience by focusing on its determinants and its consequences in terms of satisfaction and behavioral intentions.

Design/methodology/approach

The data were collected through a survey of 470 browsers frequenting cosmetic stores. Structural equation modeling and ANOVA are applied to test hypothesis.

Findings

The empirical study allowed testing the effect of situational factors (store atmosphere, accompanying, motivation, mood and time of visit) on browsing's perceived value. It has also contributed to identify value's sources which lead to browser's satisfaction and loyalty.

Research limitations/implications

The limitation of this research concerns mainly results' generalization related to methodological issue.

Practical implications

The conclusions offer managers the opportunity to learn more about browsers and how to establish a long‐term relationship with them.

Originality/value

This paper brings new insights by considering browsing as a fully‐fledged experience from which the study of perceived value and satisfaction are of a great interest for retailers who aim to make browsers loyal consumers.
Anbar Abstracts Issue
Authors: Fojt Martin
Published: January 2014

This special “Anbar Abstracts” issue of the International Journal of Retail & Distribution Management is split into six sections covering abstracts under the following headings: Business Strategy; Personnel and Training; Marketing and Customer Service; Logistics and Distribution; Financial Management; Information Technology.
Retail Insights ‐ Winter 1995
Authors: Fojt Martin
Published: January 2014

Much of the literature on strategy focuses on the external environment of the organization; and an external orientation makes sense. Changing markets, for instance, are key drivers of strategic change. But this external focus needs balancing. If the organization is to respond to changing markets then the internal arrangements of the business need to be
synchronized with external activities. The problem is that they do not always do this.
Retail Insights ‐ Autumn 1998
Authors: Pollitt David
Published: January 2014

New research using the PIMS database of business performance shows that businesses delivering better value for money than their competitors are up to 200 percent more profitable than those which do not. The evidence very strongly indicates that where improvements in value for money can be made, profitability will increase over time.
Previous research data demonstrate that market share is a key driver of profitability. The new study was therefore devised to assess the impact on market share of the two elements
of value for money ‐ customer perceived quality and price. It reveals that, overall, quality is nearly 50 percent more important in driving market share upwards.
Retail Insights ‐ Winter 1998
Authors: Pollitt David
Published: January 2014

At the World Bank we are learning that economic development is more of a process of knowledge accumulation than of capital accumulation, all the more pertinent because
the creation and dissemination of knowledge are accelerating rapidly. The stock of understanding of knowledge itself is growing more rapidly as a result of advances in our understanding of scientific principles. In addition, rapid developments in information and communications technologies (in part the results of these advances) are themselves speeding the rate of generating and diffusing knowledge. This is largely being achieved by reducing the cost of codifying and processing information.
Retail Insights ‐ Spring 1999
Authors: Pollitt David
Published: January 2014

One of the things I find most stimulating about customers is how readily they take things for granted. Overnight, today’s innovation becomes tomorrow’s routine ‐ something to be expected. This fact of human behavior is by far the best encouragement I know to pursue a strategy of continuous improvement in service to
customers. For example, until recently it was rare for people serving you in a big shop to use your name. Now it is the failure to use your name that is more likely to be noticed. Using
the customer’s name when he or she offers a credit or banker’s card has become part of the “given”. The service provider gets no competitive advantage in return for the effort involved.
Retail Insights ‐ Electronic retailing
Authors: Fernie John
Published: January 2014

Electronic‐retailing is the buzzword of 2000. Every other press release I receive relates to electronic commerce or Internet shopping. Therefore, it seems appropriate to focus this summer issue of Retail Insights on the subject. The first article by Rowley discusses the phenomenon of shopping bots, the intelligent agents designed to support comparison shopping across a number of Internet sites. She reviews the functions and evaluates the coverage of different shopping bots. In the second article, Wee and Ramachandra assess
the level of cyberbuying activities in China, Hong Kong and Singapore by concentrating on the who, why and what of online retailing.
Information systems innovation in public organisations: an institutional perspective
Authors: Wiredu Gamel O.
Published: January 2014

Purpose

This paper aims to take an institutional approach to the analysis of organisational‐level challenges of information systems (IS) innovation in public organisations. It seeks to answer the question: how can the challenges of IS innovation in public organisations, presented by the interactions between IT and public bureaucracy, be explained and addressed?

Design/methodology/approach

The paper is an empirical study approached with an interpretive philosophy that influenced the gathering of qualitative evidence.

Findings

The analysis reveals the institutional tensions between the low‐entrepreneurial ethos of public organisations and the efficiency principle of information technology (IT).

Practical implications

Public bureaucracy should be adjusted by de‐institutionalising its variable characteristics such as standardised and centralised employee roles and information. Information technology should be adjusted by restraining commitments to and expectations in public organisations.

Originality/value

The paper argues that the primary principle of IS innovation should be institutional adjustments of public bureaucracy and information technology. It informs e‐government policy makers to think primarily about the institutional relations between IT and public bureaucracy.
Coordinating humanitarian information
Authors: Tapia Andrea H. , Maldonado Edgar , Ngamassi Tchouakeu Louis‐Marie , Maitland Carleen F.
Published: January 2014

Purpose

This paper seeks to examine two humanitarian information coordination bodies. The goals of both coordination bodies are the same, to find mechanisms for multiple organizations, engaged in humanitarian relief, to coordinate efforts around information technology and management. Despite the similarity in goals, each coordination body has taken a different path, one toward defining the problem and solution in a more technical sense and the other as defining the problem and solution as more organizational in nature.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper develops case studies of two coordinating bodies using qualitative methodologies.

Findings

The data suggest that coordination bodies which pursue problems requiring low levels of organizational change are more likely to have visible successes. Coordination bodies that pursue a more challenging agenda, one that aims for information management or management of information technology in ways that require organizational change, are likely to face greater challenges and experience more failures.

Research limitations/implications

The paper only examines two coordination bodies at one point in time thus claims can not be made about all coordination bodies and all information coordination efforts.

Originality/value

In a time where coordination bodies are seen as an answer to the problem of information sharing during disasters, it is essential to gain understanding concerning the success of these efforts.
ERP implementation as a broad socio‐economic phenomenon
Authors: Kaniadakis Antonios
Published: January 2014

Purpose

The aim of this paper is to contribute to an understanding of enterprise resource planning (ERP) implementation that goes beyond the restricted time and space limits of a project‐based restructuring effort, and to understanding of it as a broader socio‐economic phenomenon.

Design/methodology/approach

A case study of the adoption and implementation of an ERP in a Greek bank is examined through an extended multi‐level analytical framework based on Pettigrew's “contextualist” and “processual” research model. The metaphor of the ancient Athenian agora is used to theorise the socio‐economic environment around ERP implementation. In‐depth, semi‐structured interviews and documents were used as data.

Findings

Findings suggest that although ERP implementation is seen by the majority of relevant IS literature as happening locally in restricted time‐frame, project‐based efforts, it rather emerges from broader socio‐economic contexts of the agora of techno‐organisational change. Different actors develop bounded understandings (viewpoints) of the agora which they use to navigate and engage it. A viewpoint is also a mechanism to link an actor's local circumstances with broad socio‐economic developments.

Research limitations/implications

The context of financial services/markets offers possibilities for future research around ERP given the ongoing need for integration of legacy systems. Future case studies in financial service organisations could provide a link between frequent financial crises and technological development. Also, future studies of multiple ERP implementations as well as studies focusing on ERP suppliers’ choices, could add a comparative dimension useful to understand alternative agora configurations.

Practical implications

Practitioners should approach ERP implementation as a broad socio‐economic phenomenon instead of a project‐based episode of change.

Originality/value

Originality lies on the development of an extended, multi‐level analytical approach and on the introduction of a new spatial metaphor for understanding the socio‐economic environment around ERP implementation.
Maximizing impact of investments into purchasing and supply management
Authors: Kerkfeld Dieter , Hartmann Evi
Published: January 2014

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to empirically evaluate the effect of resources and capabilities in purchasing and supply management (PSM) on operational performance. Specifically, to examine whether managers who neglect investments into key knowledge‐driven PSM resources will be foregoing the opportunity for a higher performance return from their core supplier‐related capabilities.

Design/methodology/approach

Based on an international cross‐industry survey of 273 major companies, two conceptual models grounded in the resource‐based view (RBV) theory are analyzed for moderation and mediation effects, and provide both researchers and practitioners with means of determining targets for investment prioritization. The models are tested using multiple regression techniques and structural equation modeling.

Findings

The authors' findings suggest that the impact of supply base practices on operational performance is stronger in firms where more advanced PSM resources are deployed; and that these improvements can be explained by a higher leverage of supply base practices on advanced PSM resources.

Research limitations/implications

The paper documents the combined positive effect of knowledge‐driven resources and supplier‐related capabilities on operational performance. Additional resources and capabilities, e.g. PSM integration, deserve further research. A longitudinal survey of relationships would help us to gain a better understanding of sequential relationships between the examined constructs.

Practical implications

This paper will help to guide senior management in balancing investment decisions for PSM development. The applied measurement model can be used to identify specific potential of improvement in individual organizations that can lead to increased operational performance.

Originality/value

The simultaneous consideration of moderation and mediation based on the RBV's conceptualization of resources versus capabilities provided a contribution in PSM. The results support management in maximizing the return of investments into PSM.
Legal analysis of a contract for advanced logistics services
Authors: Olander Mari , Norrman Andreas
Published: January 2014

Purpose

This paper aims to study an advanced third/fourth party logistics (3/4PL) relationship in which the logistics service provider extended normal services by taking ownership of the goods during global distribution. It also aims to describe and analyze the approach to the legal rules a 3/4PL provider and its client company took in their contract, and present some remarks on the extent to which these contract solutions are legally sound.

Design/methodology/approach

A cross‐functional (business law and logistics) approach is applied to a single case study. The main data source is a written contract, complemented by in‐depth interviews with the 3/4PL's managing director. A legal analysis is made from four perspectives of non‐mandatory and mandatory commercial legal rules.

Findings

Issues between the offered service, the legal function and reaction in contracts are pointed out, e.g. doubts regarding the legal risk of sales uncertainty, the ownership of goods, the product liability, and the roles as commercial agent and as freight forwarding agent. These kinds of advanced logistics services are not clearly handled, e.g. in the standard‐form contracts for freight forwarding.

Research limitations/implications

The research is limited to one case and to some aspects of Swedish commercial law, but put in an international perspective. It adds a legal perspective to previous studies on 3/4PL contracts, and it contributes to legal research by its analysis of how firms in real life react to law in their contracts.

Practical implications

Practitioners can get inspiration from an innovative logistics service setup, but also realize what legal challenges to consider when they make their contracts. A tentative approach to aligning logistics' and lawyers' work is suggested.

Originality/value

The paper combines legal and logistics research, and description/analysis of a 3/4PL case where ownership of the goods is transferred to the service provider.
A conceptual framework for information technology governance effectiveness in private organizations
Authors: Mohamed Norshidah , Kaur a/p Gian Singh Jasber
Published: January 2014

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to develop a conceptual framework that examines information technology (IT) governance effectiveness, its determinants, and its impacts on private organizations.

Design/methodology/approach

The research draws on extant literature in IT governance, strategic information systems planning, strategic alignment maturity, information systems security, business and IT alignment, International Organization for Standardization in information systems, and organizational performance to identify determining factors for IT governance effectiveness, IT governance effectiveness factors, and organizational performance.

Findings

The results of review suggest 14 propositions and five factors grouped into determinants including organizational demographics, information intensity, organizational culture, external environment characteristics, and IT function characteristics. Linking organizational practices with strategy, the proposed framework adopts the Balanced Scorecard four perspectives approach for monitoring organizational performance as the impact of IT governance effectiveness. IT governance dimensions in the research comprise structure, process, and relational mechanisms.

Originality/value

IT governance is a part of corporate governance to help organizations manage risks and protect themselves from technology‐related losses. The framework provides a starting point for researchers and practitioners to further examine IT governance practices. For researchers, the framework clarifies the determining factors of IT governance, dimensions of IT governance, and impacts through proposed relationships. For practitioners, the framework can be used to gain insight into the contributing factors of IT governance effectiveness.
Incorporating business strategy formulation with identity management strategy formulation
Authors: Kruger Cornelius Johannes , Noxolo Mama Mavis
Published: January 2014

Purpose

Identity management (IdM) not only improves the process of creating and maintaining digital identities across business systems; it can, if implemented successfully, contribute to the strengthening and positioning of the business for success. In order to have a successful IdM implementation, an organisation must step back to determine a course of action that solves enterprise‐wide issues. Short‐sighted actions can lead to confusion, unnecessary expenses and the delay of beneficial results. The purpose of this paper is to deliver guidelines for the application of strategic management principles regarding IdM implementation, and propose a holistic model incorporating business strategy formulation with IdM strategy formulation.

Design/methodology/approach

A total of ten senior managers involved in IdM implementation projects were interviewed. Face‐to face interviews were conducted, with 30 minutes allocated per participant, and an assistant present to administer the proceedings. Primary data was collected using a semi‐structured questionnaire. Part A of the questionnaire collected the respondent's details and provided definitions of IdM to clarify the concept. Part B consisted of descriptive questions which dealt with the following three categories: IdM as part of the business strategy, IdM challenges in the company, IdM implementation approach used by the company and strategic framework used.

Findings

Findings indicate that IdM is seen as part of strategy and as such IdM implementations consist of a strategic thinking process accompanied by an incremental tactical implementation. Challenges facing IdM centred not on technological issues, but on implementing IdM as a competitive tool. Unfortunately, lack of commitment and external environment analysis; relegate IdM planning to remain on a tactical, rather than a strategic level.

Originality/value

A strategic planning process is presented in this article to model the interdependence between IdM implementation planning and strategic management (business strategy formulation). This model enables the organisation to develop and communicate its vision for IdM, to link IdM and business plans, and to gain the support of the whole enterprise in this endeavour. By leveraging the proposed model, organisations can gain a bird's eye view of IdM as an integral part of the business strategy, and ensure an IdM implementation that has enterprise‐wide support and benefits.
Reliable and secure encryption key generation from fingerprints
Authors: Sheng Weiguo , Howells Gareth , Fairhurst Michael , Deravi Farzin , Chen Shengyong
Published: January 2014

Purpose

Biometric authentication, which requires storage of biometric templates and/or encryption keys, raises a matter of serious concern, since the compromise of templates or keys necessarily compromises the information secured by those keys. To address such concerns, efforts based on dynamic key generation directly from the biometrics have recently emerged. However, previous methods often have quite unacceptable authentication performance and/or small key spaces and therefore are not viable in practice. The purpose of this paper is to propose a novel method which can reliably generate long keys while requires storage of neither biometric templates nor encryption keys.

Design/methodology/approach

This proposition is achieved by devising the use of fingerprint orientation fields for key generation. Additionally, the keys produced are not permanently linked to the orientation fields, hence, allowing them to be replaced in the event of key compromise.

Findings

The evaluation demonstrates that the proposed method for dynamic key generation can offer both good reliability and security in practice, and outperforms other related methods.

Originality/value

In this paper, the authors propose a novel method which can reliably generate long keys while requires storage of neither biometric templates nor encryption keys. This is achieved by devising the use of fingerprint orientation fields for key generation. Additionally, the keys produced are not permanently linked to the orientation fields, hence, allowing them to be replaced in the event of key compromise.
Corporate brand image of financial institutions: a consumer approach
Authors: Bravo Rafael , Montaner Teresa , Pina José M.
Published: January 2014

Purpose

In the banking sector, the importance of consumer's perceptions for business success has been underestimated. For this reason, the present work aims to focus on the corporate brand image construct, analysing how the associations of financial brands are generated and the way such associations influence consumer behaviour.

Design/methodology/approach

A model is proposed that shows which are the main antecedents and consequences of corporate image of financial institutions. This model was validated through structural equation modelling. Data were collected by means of personal questionnaires addressed to 450 respondents.

Findings

Results indicate that consumer perceptions depend on brand familiarity, non‐firm communications and, to a lesser extent, on advertising. The resulting image will be an antecedent of the global attitude to the firm and, directly and indirectly, of the intention to use the branded service.

Research limitations/implications

This study has been aimed at consumers in a specific region of Spain. Moreover, it only analyses well‐known institutions and the most important variables. For this reason, it would be interesting to broaden the analysis to cover different contexts.

Practical implications

Both corporate image and familiarity can be developed by applying thoughtful communication strategies that neutralize the effect of negative non‐firm information. Companies that develop a powerful corporate image should be more appealing to customers.

Originality/value

This study validates a comprehensive model that explains both the antecedents and consequences of corporate image of banks. It also proposes an up‐to‐date corporate image scale and considers the effects of firm versus non‐firm communications.
An alternative measure of relative brand attitudes
Authors: Ishida Chiharu , Taylor Steven A.
Published: January 2014

Purpose

This paper aims to report two studies with the purpose of demonstrating and establishing the efficacy of using an alternative method of operationalizing relative brand attitudes based on Cheung's latent congruence model (LCM).

Design/methodology/approach

Data are collected concerning brand attitudes related to their product (study 1) and retailer (study 2) preferred and best alternative brands. Structural equation modeling is used to demonstrate and validate the LCM model, as well as to relate relative brand attitudes to satisfaction judgments and loyalty behaviors.

Findings

Two separate samples of respondents across two unique marketing settings (product and retailer brands) support the LCM‐based view of relative brand attitude proposed herein. In addition, results suggest that preferred brands are most strongly related to satisfaction with the preferred brand, however, relative brand attitudes are alternatively related to preferred brand loyalty. Thus, relative brand attitudes appear to have both direct and indirect (through satisfaction) influences on brand loyalty.

Practical implications

Practical implications include the availability of a usable method of operationalizing relative brand attitudes in a way that fully utilizes hedonic/utilitarian attitude scale for absolute and relative brand attitudes measures and can control for measurement error. The proposed method thus provides a means to strengthen measurement models associated with relative brand concepts.

Originality/value

The reported studies offer an alternative and practical method of measuring relative brand attitudes in a way that results in practical insights about consumer satisfaction and brand loyalty.
Chinese and American perceptions of foreign‐name brands
Authors: Elena Villar Maria , Ai Di , Segev Sigal
Published: January 2014

Purpose

Previous research is mixed regarding consumer reactions and concerns regarding product brands with foreign‐sounding names. This paper aims to study the perception and purchase intent of foreign‐name brands in a sample of adult US and Chinese consumers.

Design/methodology/approach

US and Chinese consumers completed a 23‐item bilingual questionnaire to assess perceptions of foreign names on brand attitude and purchase intent for low‐involvement products, using two fictitious soft drink products.

Findings

The paper finds that there were no differences between US and Chinese consumers in attitudes towards foreign products or foreign brand names, except in the case of perceived deception. There were differences in perceptions that the product name was not authentic to the country of origin. Differences in purchase intent were driven by product type and price rather than country of origin or brand name.

Practical implications

When there is incongruence between product type and perceived country of origin, favorability for the product diminishes. Price, taste and packaging design may be more important in determining purchase intent.

Originality/value

While previous research looked at foreign brand names for high‐involvement products, this study addresses a low‐involvement product with mass‐market potential. China's and the USA's role as major consumers for global brands makes this study all the more relevant.
An overview of institutional repository developments in the Arabian Gulf Region
Authors: Sajjad Ahmed Syed , Al‐Baridi Saleh
Published: January 2014

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to provide an overview of institutional repository (IR) developments that are taking place in the Arabian Gulf Region.

Design/methodology/approach

The data were mainly drawn from various sources on the internet and by e‐mail contact with the authors' acquaintances in several universities and institutions of the Arabian Gulf region. The approach takes the form of a general review of the open access and IR developments in the Arabian Gulf region.

Findings

The study finds that open access and IR developments are at the early stages in the Arabian Gulf region. There is an imperative need to spur the developments in these areas in order to derive utmost benefits to both researchers/stakeholders and institutions.

Research limitations/implications

The study covers educational institutions of higher learning and research of the Gulf Cooperation countries only, which include Bahrain, Kuwait, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Sultanate of Oman and the United Arab Emirates.

Practical implications

The paper makes a few recommendations, which when implemented, will hopefully further spur the open access and IR developments in the Arabian Gulf region.

Originality/value

The lack of information on open access and IR in the Arabian Gulf region, plus the current interest of the King Fahd University of Petroleum and Minerals University (KFUPM) stakeholders in establishing an IR led to the development of this study. Hopefully, this study will contribute to the already scarce literature in the area of open access and IR fields in the Arabian Gulf region.
Being responsive
Authors: Fox Robert
Published: January 2014

Purpose

This column aims to examine web design methodology given the rapid proliferation of internet accessible devices, and to offer as a solution responsive web design. Responsive web design changes the focus from being device and template centered to being content centered, which is appropriate for the types of services that libraries offer in the web context.

Design/methodology/approach

This is an exploratory column. A brief review of the current literature regarding responsive web design was done prior to writing the column.

Findings

Libraries should benefit greatly, both regarding the time invested in web design, as well as the effectiveness of services offered on the web, if responsive design is adopted.

Originality/value

Responsive web design is relatively new, and is still being explored by professional web developers. Libraries that are able to adopt this methodology early on will be ahead of the curve of rapidly multiplying devices used to access the internet.
Use of computer, internet, and library OPACs among rural and urban postgraduates in Indian universities
Authors: Kumar Shiv
Published: January 2014

Purpose

The purpose of the present study is to take an overview of the use of computers, internet, computer skills and information searching behaviour on the web as well as the OPAC in a university setting among students at the postgraduate level from rural and urban backgrounds in a comparative analogue.

Design/methodology/approach

This survey‐based study utilized the questionnaire as its major data collection instrument. However, the interview method and general observations were also used, whenever required, to supplement the data and make the information more explicit. The data, thus collected, were analysed with the aid of SPSS statistical software. The Chi‐square test was also performed to identify significant comparability among urban and rural background students.

Findings

The study revealed that most postgraduates (95.5 per cent) belonging to rural areas were computer literate. Further, most of them had accessed the web for communication purposes and for locating general and academic information. The results showed no significant differences between rural and urban students for the use of computer and internet, usage patterns of OPAC like search engines and the ease of OPAC use and their expectations from OPAC. The only significant differences found among both groups were for their reactions during unsuccessful searches. Thus, the background of users at the postgraduate level does not significantly affect the use of computer and internet, information searching behaviour patterns on the web and library systems, especially OPAC.

Originality/value

This is a pioneering work to examine whether postgraduates from differing backgrounds searched for information required by them differently through varying information channels for academic purposes in a university library system in India.
The tree‐friendly iPad
Authors: Medeiros Norm
Published: January 2014

Purpose

This article aims to describe the impact that iPad ownership by undergraduates may be having at the author's institution.

Design/methodology/approach

The article considers the iPad's lightweight nature and crisp display as promoting both its carrying and reading appeal.

Findings

The article discusses scenarios fostered by the iPad and emerging tablet products.

Originality/value

The article theorizes that a tipping point has been reached regarding the format preference of print and electronic books.
Open innovation in universities
Authors: Padilla‐Meléndez Antonio , Garrido‐Moreno Aurora
Published: January 2014

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to investigate the main factors affecting researcher engagement in knowledge transfer exchanges (KTE) in an Open Innovation (OI) context, devoting special attention to specific factors such as personal and professional profile, institutional variables, social networks and recognition.

Design/methodology/approach

An extensive literature review was conducted, focusing on current studies concerning the OI concept and research lines, OI and universities, KTE, and the factors affecting researcher engagement in university KTE. Based on this review a conceptual framework was proposed, including four main factors that affect KTE researcher engagement (personal and professional, institutional, social networks and recognition). The assumptions of this framework were explored in an empirical study involving 382 senior researchers, acting as leaders of different research groups, at Spanish universities. This was followed by univariate, bivariate and multivariate statistical analysis.

Findings

Results show that, apart from recognition, most of the proposed factors affect researcher engagement in KTE processes. The social network factors appear to be the most important, as all items were significant in affecting the engagement of researchers in these processes.

Research limitations/implications

Both the study and the statistical analysis are exploratory, therefore results should be treated with caution. Moreover, the data were collected from only one country, hence, in order to improve validity, additional data would be needed.

Practical implications

Social networks (between researchers, businesses, university administrators, University Technology Transfer Office directors, etc.) should be promoted in order to improve researcher involvement in university KTE in an OI context.

Originality/value

There is a lack of research literature discussing factors affecting researcher engagement in KTE processes. Moreover, researcher involvement is a key factor in contributing to the success of KTE. This paper provides a thorough discussion of these factors and proposes a conceptual framework with which they may be studied in the context of OI.
A New Zealand approach to prioritising criminal groups
Authors: Alach Zhivan
Published: January 2014

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to develop a better method for prioritising organised criminal groups, utilising the existing literature on organised crime and risk assessment.

Design/methodology/approach

The study began with an existing prioritisation model, and then involved a review of relevant literature in the fields of organised crime and risk assessment tools. It was then followed by iterative development of a new tool, the Criminal Group Risk Assessment Model (CGRAM), including semi‐structured discussions with subject matter experts to ensure the validity of the tool.

Findings

There is little agreement on key concepts and definitions of organised crime, and perhaps because of this, a large number of prioritisation tools with widely differing methodologies and guiding philosophies. A better tool can be developed through a closer examination of the academic literature and careful consideration of all relevant factors, including control measures and ease of use.

Research limitations/implications

Research was limited by the unavailability of source material on other risk assessment tools, and in particular any documents explaining the conceptual underpinnings of those tools.

Practical implications

CGRAM provides an easy‐to‐use tool for the prioritisation of organised criminal groups and could be of substantial use to law enforcement agencies worldwide due to its universal approach.

Originality/value

While there are many prioritisation tools around, most of them are constrained by a limited conception of organised crime and a seeming lack of attention to the academic literature. CGRAM, while simple and easy to use, is founded on a sound research base and could provide a universal aid to law enforcement agencies.
A framework for assessing impacts of leadership competency on police project performance
Authors: Yang Li‐Ren , Yen Hsiu‐Feng , Chiang Yu‐Fu
Published: January 2014

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is, primarily, to investigate the relationships of the project leader's competencies with job satisfaction, and their impact on project performance. The second objective is to determine whether job satisfaction plays a mediating role in the relationship between leadership competency and project performance. The third objective is to examine the moderating role of project type in the relationship between job satisfaction and project performance.

Design/methodology/approach

To address the primary aims, a questionnaire‐based survey was used to measure the project leader’s competency, the job satisfaction of team members, and the performance of projects in the Taiwanese police departments. The structural equation modeling (SEM) approach was used to validate the research model.

Findings

The results show that job satisfaction mediates the effects of leadership competency on project performance. Furthermore, these results prove that complexity, workload, method, and project duration have a moderating effect on the relationship between job satisfaction and project schedule success.

Research limitations/implications

The research was limited to inspecting projects in the Taiwanese police departments. The data analyzed in this study are project‐specific.

Practical implications

This paper reports on the findings about leadership benefits and provides recommendations for improving police project performance.

Originality/value

This research is the first to provide empirical evidence that supports the expectation of improving police project performance by developing leadership competencies. Findings from this study are helpful to project leaders in deciding whether to develop certain competencies.
Disability and development: the role of language and e‐learning
Authors: Salifu Mahama Edward
Published: January 2014

Purpose

In spite of extensive literature on disability studies, little has been done on disability and development, more so the role of language and learning technologies in all of this. The purpose of this paper therefore is to focus on the crucial role language plays in the inclusion or exclusion of people with disabilities in development and their inaccessibility to learning technologies in northern Ghana.

Design/methodology/approach

Interviews and life history approach in Dagbanli, the local language were used to find out how the use of language affects the participation of people with disabilities (PWDs) in the development of their communities. The use of the local language was to ensure that expressions used to talk about people with disabilities were captured.

Findings

The main findings of the study include stigmatization of people with disability, more so with females. It was also found that these discriminations were conveyed through daily language use, thus constantly reminding people with disabilities of their “class” thereby excluding them from decisions and activities of the development agenda. Education is key and the way out is e‐learning.

Originality/value

This paper provides insights of how Dagombas use language to exclude PWDs. No such study has been carried out in northern Ghana and more precisely among the Dagombas.