bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The design of everyday identity
Authors: Maler Eve
Published: June 2009

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to examine trends towards “user centricity” in web‐based digital identity technologies, and analyse these technologies in light of universal principles of human‐centred design and usability in order to recommend future directions.

Design/methodology/approach

Web users' habits and relevant usability research are analysed and requirements for identity‐enabled online interactions are proposed given this context. Modern identity technologies of various types are then studied to assess their ability to satisfy the requirements.

Findings

The results of these analyses point towards a possible explanation for the lack of wide adoption of today's user‐centric solutions.

Research limitations/implications

Based on the findings of the analyses, practical implications and recommendations are offered.

Originality/value

The paper's discussion of usability factors to consider and its set of final recommendations in light of these factors are new work that may be useful to identity management developers and deployers looking to achieve better user adoption, as well as to researchers and innovators in the fields of social networking and vendor relationship management.
A unified strategy for search and result representation for an online bibliographical catalogue
Authors: Zhitomirsky‐Geffet Maayan , Feitelson Dror G. , Frachtenberg Eitan , Wiseman Yair
Published: June 2009

Purpose

One of the biggest concerns of modern information retrieval systems is reducing the user effort required for manual traversal and filtering of long matching document lists. Thus, the first goal of this research is to propose an improved scheme for representation of search results. Further, it aims to explore the impact of various user information needs on the searching process with the aim of finding a unified searching approach well suited for different query types and retrieval tasks.

Design/methodology/approach

The BoW online bibliographical catalogue is based on a hierarchical concept index to which entries are linked. The key idea is that searching in the hierarchical catalogue should take advantage of the catalogue structure and return matching topics from the hierarchy, rather than just a long list of entries. Likewise, when new entries are inserted, a search for relevant topics to which they should be linked is required. Therefore, a similar hierarchical scheme for query‐topic matching can be applied for both tasks.

Findings

The experiments show that different query types used for the above tasks are best treated by different topic ranking functions. To further examine this phenomenon a user study was conducted, where various statistical weighting factors were incorporated and their impact on the performance for different query types was measured. Finally, it is found that the mixed strategy that applies the most suitable ranking function to each query type yielded a significant increase in precision relative to the baseline and to employing any examined strategy in isolation on the entire set of user queries.

Originality/value

The main contributions of this paper are: the alternative approach for compact and concise representation of search results, which were implemented in the BoW online bibliographical catalogue; and the unified or mixed strategy for search and result representation applying the most suitable ranking function to each query type, which produced superior results compared to different single‐strategy‐based approaches.
Information portal development and practice at Shanghai Jiao Tong University Library
Authors: Jin Yi , Peng Jia
Published: June 2009

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to relate how Shanghai Jiao Tong University Library integrates its resources and services, the functions realised and technologies adopted in order to meet user's information needs in a simple, convenient and personalised way. As information resources become more web‐based, disparate and distributed, libraries are facing the challenge of how to provide information efficiently to their users. A promising approach is to integrate resources and deliver services via a portal.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper analyses existing portal features, needs and functions, and carries out the approach to meet portal requirements through resource integration and service integration supported by MetaLib, SFX and Web 2.0 technologies.

Findings

Portal requirements can be met by resource integration and service integration. Methods to achieve cross searching, ways to enhance resource linking, and integration of library, subject and personalisation services are analysed and concluded. The service framework is depicted in the end.

Research limitations/implications

Since the analysis is not based on an exhaustive list of portals and as technologies are always developing rapidly, the methods and functions to achieve information integration and provision presented in this paper perhaps are not complete and may need to be adjusted and amended. Work is also needed urgently to develop and establish related standards and protocols for service collaboration.

Practical implications

This paper should be helpful for libraries that plan to provide services to their users via information portals, or to develop or evaluate portal systems or products.

Originality/value

This paper analyses and concludes methods and functions to meet portal requirements through resource integration and service integration supported by MetaLib, SFX and Web 2.0 technologies. It discusses the service collaboration and depicts the service framework.
Resource discovery through social tagging: a classification and content analytic approach
Authors: Hoe‐Lian Goh Dion , Chua Alton , Sian Lee Chei , Razikin Khasfariyati
Published: June 2009

Purpose

Social tagging systems allow users to assign keywords (tags) to useful resources, facilitating their future access by the tag creator and possibly by other users. Social tagging has both proponents and critics, and this paper aims to investigate if tags are an effective means of resource discovery.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper adopts techniques from text categorisation in which webpages and their associated tags from del.icio.us and trained Support Vector Machine (SVM) classifiers are downloaded to determine if the documents could be assigned to their associated tags. Two text categorisation experiments were conducted. The first used only the terms from the documents as features while the second experiment included tags in addition to terms as part of its feature set. Performance metrics used were precision, recall, accuracy and F1 score. A content analysis was also conducted to uncover characteristics of effective and ineffective tags for resource discovery.

Findings

Results from the classifiers were mixed, and the inclusion of tags as part of the feature set did not result in a statistically significant improvement (or degradation) of the performance of the SVM classifiers. This suggests that not all tags can be used for resource discovery by public users, confirming earlier work that there are many dynamic reasons for tagging documents that may not be apparent to others.

Originality/value

The authors extend their understanding of social classification and its utility in sharing and accessing resources. Results of this work may be used to guide development in social tagging systems as well as social tagging practices.
Five‐year impact factor data in the Journal Citation Reports
Authors: Jacsó Péter
Published: June 2009

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to examine the five‐year journal impact factor (JIF) score of the Journal Citation Reports (JCR).

Design/methodology/approach

The paper looks at one of the important enhancements to the JCR, the new five‐year journal impact factor (JIF) score. This element complements the traditional JIF scores and data. The new indicator addresses the criticism against the short citation window for evaluating the performance of nearly 8,000 scholarly and professional journals on a medium term.

Findings

It may be feasible that some of the other proposals presented by the best scientometricians for improving the JIF and its alternatives will be implemented in various specialty editions of JCR. Particularly interesting would be the adding of scores computed through diachronous instead of or in addition to synchronous measurement; creating new indicators based on the level of uncitedness of articles in journals; and calculating percentile JIF, JIF point averages and/or JIFs based on article count, with or without self‐citations.

Originality/value

The five‐year mid‐term JIF complements very well the short‐term two‐year JIF for indicating the prestige, reputation and influence of the journals through the prism of the average productivity of journals and the citedness counts of articles published in the journals for a longer time span. As mentioned above, breaking down the various indicators by disciplinary and subdisciplinary categories, or even by the language and the country of publication of the journals (not the country affiliation of the authors) can provide further insight into the landscape of scholarly publishing.
Learning on the move: how m‐learning could transform training and development
Authors: Donnelly Kirstie
Published: June 2009

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to aim to help those in the learning and training community understand the potential applications and practicalities of mobile learning, and how it can be exploited to improve competitiveness – particularly important in this difficult economic climate.

Design/methodology/approach

Based on recent academic research and on piloted initiatives, the role of mobile learning in improving organizational performance is explored in a step‐by‐step guide.

Findings

In today's highly mobile and competitive world, organizations need to change the way in which they provide skills training for employees. As traditional forms of learning become less common, mobile devices, such as MP3 players and PDAs, will increasingly be used to help train and support the performance of staff.

Originality/value

This article is of considerable practical importance to learning and development managers, as it outlines the most important aspects of mobile learning and how it can be used to improve organizational performance.
Reframing practice: creating social learning networks
Authors: Bartlett‐Bragg Anne
Published: June 2009

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to demonstrate that social learning networks can be implemented and achieve greater results than traditional e‐Learning initiatives.

Design/methodology/approach

A case study is used to illustrate the social learning networks framework and pedagogical underpinnings.

Findings

The case study shows significant outcomes not previously experienced in face‐to‐face taught environments. However, there are inhibtors to successful implementation and these are highlighted for the reader.

Originality/value

The future of online learning lies with the development of social learning networks, but the value will only be experienced if organizational learning practitioners re‐frame their practices to enable learners to share, collaborate, build knowledge, network and learn.
Using wikis for organizational learning: functional and psycho‐social principles
Authors: Moskaliuk Johannes , Kimmerle Joachim
Published: June 2009

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to aim to identify principles that make wikis an effective application when they are used within an organization. Those principles are supposed to make wikis a successful instrument for organizational learning.

Design/methodology/approach

The article makes a distinction between functional and psycho‐social principles and emphasizes their impact on organizational learning.

Findings

The functional principles (quick and easy editing; wikilinks; no hierarchical hypertext structure; revision and topicality; collaborative product; scalability and flexibility) may be regarded as the constitutive attributes of wikis. The psycho‐social principles (openness; self‐organization; autonomy; interest and personal relevance; diversity; serendipity effect) are not directly associated with wikis as a tool, but refer to the application context.

Originality/value

The article explains the functional and psycho‐social principles in detail. This will help organizations and knowledge‐management executives to employ wikis in an efficient way and avoid their disadvantages. Thus, the functional and psycho‐social principles can be a valuable starting point for applying wikis successfully in various organizational scenarios.
Litigating disciplinary proceedings against the SEC and FINRA: it sometimes pays
Authors: Rubin Brian L. , Cannon Christian J.
Published: June 2009

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to determine with statistics whether respondents should litigate or settle enforcement actions with the SEC or FINRA.

Design/methodology/approach

All SEC administrative and FINRA litigated decisions from October 1, 2007 to September 30, 2008 were reviewed to see, among other things, how often the staff succeeded in proving its charges and, when it did, what penalties were sought and awarded. The approach is empirical, designed to inject meaningful quantitative data into the decision of whether to litigate.

Findings

The research shows, among other things, that respondents rarely win on liability but are usually successful in persuading SEC ALJs or FINRA panels to impose substantially lower sanctions than the staff sought.

Research limitations/implications

The primary limitation is that it is usually not known what terms were offered to settle cases by the staff prior to the complaint being filed.

Practical implications

The implication is that respondents in SEC and FINRA cases should consider more carefully whether to litigate rather than settle.

Originality/value

The statistics in the study are new and provide new evidence confirming prior years' studies. Any potential SEC or FINRA respondent would be interested in the statistics presented here.
Group of Thirty issues road‐map for financial reforms
Authors: Crowley Daniel F.C. , Heiman Bruce J. , Miller R. Charles , Morgan Philip J. , Perlow Mark D. , Tang David K.Y. , Shah Page Karishma
Published: June 2009

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to summarize the Group of Thirty's recommendations and explain how they relate to other concurrent financial market regulatory initiatives in the USA, UK, and Europe.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper summarizes the report's four core recommendations, describes how they relate to recent reports by the US Treasury Department, the US Chamber of Commerce, and Committee on Capital Markets Regulation, and discusses how they may signal the direction of forthcoming domestic and coordinated international regulation.

Findings

Momentum has been building for consolidation, increased oversight, and international coordination of the legal and regulatory framework that governs the financial industry. The report has an unabashedly pro‐regulatory agenda.

Originality/value

The paper provides helpful reference on the current direction of international financial institution regulation
Summary of selected FINRA regulatory notices and disciplinary actions, January‐March 2009
Authors: Davis Henry A.
Published: June 2009

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to provide excerpts of selected Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA) Regulatory Notices and Disciplinary Actions issued from January to March 2009 and a sample of disciplinary actions during that period.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper provides excerpts from FINRA Regulatory 09‐12, Auction Rate Securities; 09‐13, Threshold for Single Arbitrator Cases; 09‐14, Trading Ahead of Customer Limit Orders; 09‐17, Investigations and Formal Disciplinary Actions.

Findings

The SEC has defined reporting requirements for settlements of customer disputes involving auction rate securities, raised the threshold for single arbitrator cases to $100,000, approved alternative means for calculating minimum price‐improvement obligations that firms must provide to trade ahead of customer limit orders, and provided guidance on its enforcement process to improve transparency into its regulatory framework.

Originality/value

These are direct excerpts designed to provide a useful digest for the reader and an indication of regulatory trends. The FINRA staff is aware of this summary but has neither reviewed nor edited it. For further detail as well as other useful information, the reader should visit www.finra.org
The economic importance of vacation homes from the Tourism Satellite Account (TSA) perspective
Authors: Frenţ Cristi
Published: June 2009

Purpose

This paper aims to show how the effect of vacation home tourism can be quantified within the Tourism Satellite Account (TSA). TSA is a statistical standard recommended by international organizations such as UNWTO, Eurostat and OECD, that measures the economic importance of tourism in the same way as the system of national accounts.

Design/methodology/approach

The research focuses on the analysis of a conceptual framework for the statistics of vacation home tourism as it is reflected in the international statistical standards 2008 International Recommendations on Tourism Statistics (IRTS) and Tourism Satellite Account: Recommended Methodological Framework (TSA: RMF). In addition, the analysis is exemplified by some TSA country results referring to vacation homes/second homes. In these illustrative examples calculations are made in a simple manner to show that vacation homes are a component of the main TSA aggregates – internal tourism consumption and tourism value added.

Findings

Computing the share of vacation homes reveals that the figures obtained vary from country to country, providing an index for the “level of economic importance of vacation homes”. However, the level of economic importance of vacation homes depends heavily on the measurements each country decides to include in their TSA in relation to vacation homes and consequently the international comparability of data could be affected.

Research limitations/implications

It was possible to calculate the contribution made by vacation homes to TSA aggregates only in those countries where the figures relating to this aspect of the economy were published/disseminated.

Originality/value

Computing the contribution of vacation homes to the main TSA aggregates produced quantitative results, showing that vacation homes do make a contribution to the tourism economy.
Customer performance measurement in facilities management
Authors: Tucker Matthew , Pitt Michael
Published: June 2009

Purpose

A lack of effective and accessible customer performance measurement research is evident within the facilities management (FM) industry. The purpose of this paper is to enhance the level of performance measurement sophistication by developing the strategic application to measure customer satisfaction in FM.

Design/methodology/approach

Through an extensive literature review, this paper researches the application of customer performance measurement in FM through a strategic management context.

Findings

The development of a customer performance measurement system (CPMS) for FM is introduced. The CPMS consists of four stages, combining quantitative benchmarking techniques with qualitative analysis in order to produce strategic objectives for business process improvement.

Research limitations/implications

The CPMS framework is currently being tested. This paper should firstly be interpreted as an introduction to the theory and process behind the CPMS, whilst secondly in providing an update on the preliminary research findings from stage 1.

Originality/value

The level of sophistication of customer performance research within FM is limited. This paper aims to increase the accessibility and applicability of strategic customer performance measurement in FM to both FM customers and providers.
Promoting performance and the quality of working life simultaneously
Authors: Ramstad Elise
Published: June 2009

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to answer the question: how can organizations be developed in such a way that it improves simultaneously performance and the quality of working life (QWL). The focus is particularly on diverse organizational and management practices and the nature of development process.

Design/methodology/approach

The empirical data consist of self‐assessments of development projects implemented at workplaces as a part of the Finnish Workplace Development Programme (1996‐2005). The self‐assessments have been gathered separately from management, staff and experts used in the project. The data are based on a sample of 1,113 responses from 409 development projects. The research approach is solution‐oriented, seeking factors that can promote concurrent improvements in both performance and the QWL.

Findings

Concerning the work, management and organizational practices the findings show that comprehensive development of organization, i.e. implementation of practices is associated with simultaneous improvement in performance and the QWL. Second, concerning the nature of development method, the study shows that employee participation in planning and implementation phase, close collaboration during the process, the methods used by the experts and external networking were related to simultaneous outcomes at workplaces.

Originality/value

This paper makes a contribution to the debate on the effects of organizational development on performance and the QWL, and adds some new empirical findings. It also emphasizes the increasing importance of discussion between organizational development and innovation literature in the future.
Bootstrap methods for analyzing time studies and input data for simulations
Authors: Novoa Clara M. , Mendez Francis
Published: June 2009

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to present bootstrapping as an alternative statistical methodology to analyze time studies and input data for discrete‐event simulations. Bootstrapping is a non‐parametric technique to estimate the sampling distribution of a statistic by doing repeated sampling (i.e. resampling) with replacement from an original sample. This paper proposes a relatively simple implementation of bootstrap techniques to time study analysis.

Design/methodology/approach

Using an inductive approach, this work selects a typical situation to conduct a time study, applies two bootstrap procedures for the statistical analysis, compares bootstrap to traditional parametric approaches, and extrapolates general advantages of bootstrapping over parametric approaches.

Findings

Bootstrap produces accurate inferences when compared to those from parametric methods, and it is an alternative when the underlying parametric assumptions are not met.

Research limitations/implications

Research results contribute to work measurement and simulation fields since bootstrap promises an increase in accuracy in cases where the normality assumption is violated or only small samples are available. Furthermore, this paper shows that electronic spreadsheets are appropriate tools to implement the proposed bootstrap procedures.

Originality/value

In previous work, the standard procedure to analyze time studies and input data for simulations is a parametric approach. Bootstrap permits to obtain both point estimates and estimates of time distributions. Engineers and managers involved in process improvement initiatives could use bootstrap to exploit better the information from available samples.
An empirical analysis of the efficiency of online auction IPO processes and traditional IPO processes
Authors: Hensel Nayantara
Published: June 2009

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to examine whether the online auction mechanism in the USA is more effective at pricing initial public offerings (IPOs) than the traditional book building process.

Design/methodology/approach

The analysis compares the performance of online auction IPOs with traditional IPOs issued in the same industry area and in the same year to assess the differences in first day mispricing and its persistence. The paper compares the characteristics of firms choosing the auction process relative to the traditional process. It also uses regression models to examine whether online auction IPOs had a significantly lower first day price increase than traditional IPOs.

Findings

The results indicate that for 60 percent of the auction IPOs, over 40 percent of the traditional IPOs issued in that year and in that three‐digit Standard Industry Classification (SIC) area had greater mispricing. The mispricing of online auction IPOs relative to traditional IPOs persist over time for 50‐80 percent of online auction IPOs. Regression analyses controlling for industry effects, year effects, size of the issue, and type of traditional underwriter (low, medium, and high volume underwriters) suggest that the auction's first day price surges are not significantly lower than those of traditional underwriters. Moreover, high volume traditional underwriters have statistically significantly higher first day price surges than low volume traditional underwriters, supporting the theory that they intentionally misprice to benefit their preferred clients. Firms choosing the auction process tend to be smaller in terms of the number of shares of their IPO and their annual sales than firms choosing the traditional IPO process. There is some overlap in industry sector and age, although this varies by year.

Originality/value

This paper suggests that the auction process may not be as efficient in pricing IPOs as was initially intended and that there are opportunities for further innovation and improvement.
The lead‐lag relationship between stock index options and the stock index market
Authors: Kim Sol , Joon Kim In , Oh Nam Seung
Published: June 2009

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to examine the price discovery role of the Korea Composite Stock Price Index 200 (KOSPI 200) stock index options market in contrast to other developed options markets.

Design/methodology/approach

The price discovery roles of the stock and options markets using the error‐correction model derived from the co‐integration relationship are examined. Various analyses are conducted. First, Heston's stochastic volatility option pricing model is employed to confirm its usefulness, and compare the results with the Black and Scholes (BS) model. Second, whether the out of the money (OTM) options purchased by individual investors have a stronger price discovery role than options with other moneyness is examined. Finally, whether options have a stronger price discovery role in bullish or bearish markets than in normal markets is tested.

Findings

It is found that stock index prices lead implied index prices estimated from option prices using both BS and Heston models. In regards to the OTM options, the lead‐effect of real stock index to implied index prices holds. Also it is shown that there is a weak rise in the lead effect of the options to the stock index, but the lead effect of stock index market rules over that of the options market.

Originality/value

The paper examines the price discovery role of the KOSPI 200 stock index options market in contrast to other developed options markets and the results indicate that the consensus on the Korean financial markets may be incorrect.
Performance evaluation of resource allocation strategies for new product development under different workload scenarios
Authors: Wang Kung‐Jeng , Lee Yun‐Huei , Wang Sophia , Chu Chih‐Peng
Published: June 2009

Purpose

Resource scarcity is a major difficulty facing firms that engage in new product development (NPD) projects. The purpose of this paper is to understand how resource allocation strategies affect NPD performance and which strategy is the best alternative, a research and development (R&D) process model is constructed using system dynamics.

Design/methodology/approach

Moreover, resource allocation strategies are categorized into two types: design‐stage‐first strategy and manufacturing‐stage‐first strategy, and several important indicators of performance evaluation are defined. Then different workload scenarios are developed to test the relationships between resource allocation strategy and various NPD performance measures.

Findings

The most important finding from simulation results is that a firm should allocate its resources into early development stage first in order to obtain superior R&D performance.

Originality/value

This paper has successfully constructed new system dynamics model for quantifying the performances of R&D process.
Developing an integrated dynamic model for evaluating the performance of research projects based on multiple attribute utility theory
Authors: Najmi Manoochehr , Ehsani Rahim , Sharbatoghlie Ahmad , Saidi‐Mehrabad Mohammad
Published: June 2009

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to develop an integrated dynamic model, based on empirical findings, which can be used in research centers for evaluating the performance of research projects by using multiple attribute utility theory.

Design/methodology/approach

In developing the model, the measures by which the performance of research projects could be evaluated are identified by Delphi method and group decision making. These measures are categorized into three general success factors of time, cost and quality. Then a multi‐attribute utility function is applied to integrate these dimensions to determine the utility resulting from the performance of the project.

Findings

Through literature review it is evident that some evaluation techniques such as checklists, scoring models, analytical hierarchy process and engineering economic techniques have been developed for evaluating performance of projects. The present model complements and improves upon the existing models.

Research limitations/implications

The parameters of model are determined based on research center's policy but they may be changed for other research centers. So the model depends on the expert's view. The model is not considered advantageous in situations where project gets ahead of program.

Practical implications

The model is tested in an engineering research institute and the comparison is made with the results of the existing models.

Originality/value

The advantage of proposed model is its flexibility, dynamism and the capability to revise the model based on any changes in the objectives and policies of the research center.
Managing “quality failure” in China: lessons from the dairy industry case
Authors: Enderwick Peter
Published: June 2009

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to provide an analysis of the problem of “quality failure” in China using as an illustration the recent case of melamine contaminated dairy products.

Design/methodology/approach

This conceptual paper examines whether it is possible to anticipate the incidence of quality fade and, if so, what can be done to minimise the likelihood of such problems occurring. Drawing on theoretical frameworks of alternative transactions governance modes, the discussion highlights the interaction between environmental operating conditions and effective governance modes.

Findings

The discussion suggests that it is possible to anticipate quality and safety problems and identifies the key environmental conditions in China that contribute to the problem of quality deterioration. Analysis of three primary transaction governance modes – contracts, hierarchy and trust – and local operating conditions reveals a dairy industry which, in contrast to many of the developed economies, is highly fragmented, politicised, ineffectively regulated and characterised by corrupt and opportunistic behaviour.

Originality/value

The dairy industry case provides a concrete application of recent conceptual analysis of quality and safety concerns in emerging markets. This case allows the derivation of recommendations on appropriate management practices for maintaining quality in the challenging business environment of China.
Emerging trends in financial markets integration: the Indian experience
Authors: Misra Arun Kumar , Mahakud Jitendra
Published: June 2009

Purpose

Financial sector reform measures, which were initiated in 1991, have provided some degree of maturity and integration of different segments of India's financial markets. The purpose of this paper is to articulate the impact of financial sector reform measures on integration of various segments of financial markets in India.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper surveys various methodologies for measurement of financial integration and uses the recently developed technique of co‐integration in a VAR framework to assess the extent of integration of various segments of India's financial markets.

Findings

The paper concludes that the financial market integration is inconclusive in India. Only a few segments of money market, Gilt market and foreign exchange market are integrated. Interest rate parity does not hold in India's case, which indicates poor evidence in support of international integration of domestic financial markets. Similarly, the analysis of the relationship between domestic saving and domestic investment does not support international integration. The study of co‐integration of Nasdaq and Bombay sensitive index (BSE), also revealed absence of international integration.

Research limitations/implications

Owing to non‐availability of time series data, the paper could not consider the mutual fund market, pension market and various derivatives markets in the overall process of assessment of financial integration. However, the impact on the findings is minimal, as these markets are not so far developed in India.

Practical implications

The findings have significant practical implications particularly in the formulation of policies on management and interventions in the money market, foreign exchange and equity markets and in the overall formulation of monetary policy for the economy.

Originality/value

This paper presents a quite comprehensive research study on financial integration in India and is original, particularly in the area of application of the co‐integration technique for assessment of financial integration.
Determinants and persistence of research and development investments
Authors: Othman Radiah , Ameer Rashid
Published: June 2009

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to investigate the determinants and persistence of research and development (R&D) investments in Malaysia.

Design/methodology/approach

The approach involves a regression analysis.

Findings

The regression analysis shows that lagged absorbed slack defined as the ratio of selling and administrative expenses to total sales and sales growth have positive affect on the R&D expenses, whereas diversification has negative impact on R&D expenses after controlling for leverage and profitability of the firms. Persistence in the firm‐level R&D expenses is found. Occasional tendency among firms to cut down R&D spending over the period of 2000‐2005 is found.

Research limitations/implications

Sample size is a limitation.

Practical implications

The findings have implications for the corporate governance and innovation charter of the firms.

Originality/value

The paper provides useful information from Malaysia regarding the determinants and persistence of R&D investments.
Exploring socially responsible behaviour of Indian consumers: an empirical investigation
Authors: Singh Narendra
Published: June 2009

Purpose

With growing consumerism in the country, Indians need to behave in a socially responsible manner for its sustainable development. This study sets out to explore the extent of the relationship between the demography and socially responsible behaviour of Indian consumers.

Design/methodology/approach

A slightly modified SRCB scale developed by Antil and Bennet with 34 Likert‐type items along with a few demographic questions is introduced among two equal groups representing urban and rural consumers, because they almost equally contribute to the country's GDP.

Findings

Urban respondents scored high in all demographic categories in comparison with rural consumers. Gender‐wise, the behaviour was quite symmetrical in both the groups. Education‐wise, inverse relationship is noticeable between the SRCB‐mean values and educational‐level; it may be due to the respondents' continuing education. The inference is reinforced while analyzing the SRCB‐values across the age groups. Interestingly, younger ones particularly, the females are demonstrating high scoring on the SRCB‐scale. Analyzing according to income‐level revealed significant difference only for urban consumers. The lower‐income category score high because they are non‐earning (students) or have just begun earning.

Research limitations/implications

The implications for green marketers are to focus on young consumers and more particularly the female population for creating loyal segment and gaining competitive edge. The policy makers need to promote urbanization for sustainable living and creating awareness of clean‐green living. Young Indians are identified as being more promising and socially responsible than their elders.

Originality/value

The paper makes an attempt to identify an insight into Indian consumers in terms of their socially responsible consumption behaviour. It presents a base for future studies on consumer social responsibility.
Relationship between environmental disclosures and corporate characteristics: a study of large manufacturing companies in India
Authors: Pahuja Shuchi
Published: June 2009

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to test the influence of selected company‐ and industry‐related variables on environmental disclosure practices (EDPs) of the large manufacturing Indian companies.

Design/methodology/approach

The work was done in three phases. In the first phase, an index of environmental disclosure was constructed consisting of 23 items of environmental information. Opinions of chartered accountants were obtained on the importance of each of these items in making sound investment and other decisions. Using this index, in the second phase, EDPs in the annual reports of 91 large manufacturing companies were examined for a period of three consecutive years. Environmental disclosure score (EDS) percentages were calculated for each of the companies for all the three years. The relationship between EDS percentages and ten selected variables was analyzed with the help of the multiple regression technique in the last phase.

Findings

The results provide strong evidence in support of the influence of variables size, profitability, sector, industry and environmental performance on EDPs.

Research limitations/implications

The work involves analysis of EDPs of large manufacturing companies in India only. Non‐manufacturing and small companies were excluded from the scope of the work. Disclosure of environmental information by other media like stand‐alone corporate environmental report (CER) and internet was not considered. It was felt that further research was necessary to find the impact of other factors like country origin, organizational culture, experience with pressure groups and media profile on disclosure practices.

Practical implications

It was felt that environmental reporting should be made mandatory in India at least in the major polluting industries. Companies should also voluntarily try to provide audited environmental information in the annual reports to build credibility and trust among corporate stakeholders.

Originality/value

The paper presents empirical evidence of EDPs of large manufacturing companies in India. It provides an insight into the factors that cause a difference in these practices.
Addressing and measuring small business social responsibility in the African context: a stakeholder framework
Authors: Yao Dzansi Dennis , Pretorius Marius
Published: June 2009

Purpose

The aim of this paper is to provide a systematic and sound framework for addressing and measuring business social responsibility (BSR) in small and micro enterprises with specific focus on the African context.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper is theoretical but has practical applications. The approach was to use principles of BSR from the literature to create a framework for addressing BSR issues in smaller ventures that operate in the African environment. Developing the framework involved operationalizing the linguistic meaning of BSR into observable indicators for it to be measurable. This involved the breaking down of the concept of BSR into dimensions and eventually into measurable elements.

Findings

The framework identifies customer‐, employee‐, and community‐related issues as the key BSR activities of African small businesses. Environmentalism is not a major concern for most of these businesses because they are mostly retail and services in nature; hence their impact on the environment will be so low that they need not concern themselves with environmental issues.

Research limitations/implications

Critics will point out the absence of environmental issues as a major limitation. However, the authors believe that such activities are typically associated with large industrial ventures. Thus, given their nature, it is unlikely small businesses will concern themselves with such activities.

Originality/value

There is a need for a framework that captures the African context. This paper fulfils that need by proposing a framework for micro and small ventures with possible inclusion of medium enterprises based on the stakeholder theory. Academics will find it useful in their research efforts. Fund managers will also find it useful as a tool for evaluating small business BSR performance. Small business owners will have a benchmark in performing their social obligations. Finally, consumers, businesses, citizens, NGOs and society at large can use it in distinguishing credible and effective socially responsible SMMEs from those that are not.
Refugees in Jordan: sociological perspective
Authors: Simadi Fayez A. , Nahar Ghazi S.
Published: June 2009

Purpose

This paper aims to provide a thorough historical, legal, or political narrative of the refugee camps in Jordan.

Design/methodology/approach

The study has analyzed three parts: the first part attempts to clarify Jordan's policy toward Palestinian refugees and their socioeconomic status in Jordan. The second part examines the refugee settlements in Jordan as social systems and applies Parsons' four functions system (AGIL). The third part analyzes the interrelationships between refugees and local host communities from the perspective of Coser's conflict functionalism.

Findings

Results indicated that the Palestine refugees have found in Jordan a second home to protect them and help them to survive in dignity. And Coser's functional conflict theory seems more applicable to the refugee situation in Jordan than Parsons' theory.

Originality/value

The study offers some new information and data about the situation of Palestine refugees in Jordan that are very limited or not offered in the libraries.
Understanding health, culture, and empowerment in a disability context
Authors: Yeoh Poh‐Lin
Published: June 2009

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to understand the different kinds of health‐promotion activities undertaken by Chinese individuals in managing their disability from multiple sclerosis (MS).

Design/methodology/approach

The theory of control behavior was used in this study to understand the different kinds of primary and secondary health‐coping strategies used by participants and their impact on intra‐ and inter‐personal empowerments. Using semi‐structured interviews, interpretive phenomenology was used to elicit and analyze attitudes and behaviors of Chinese participants' management of MS.

Findings

Unlike previous studies which only emphasized the tangible aspects of physical health, the current paper suggests the importance of viewing health benefits in a more holistic manner. It was clear from the Chinese participants that “disability” and “healthy” were not viewed as two separate concepts. Being healthy does not mean an absence of disease but as role functioning, energy and vitality, social relationships, and emotional well‐being. The exploratory paper also found that empowerment outcomes involved an interaction of both the inter‐ and intra‐personal components and, at the same time, were driven by primary and secondary control‐related preferences.

Research limitations/implications

Future research should include individuals with other disabilities and different demographic and socio‐cultural characteristics to confirm the generalizability of the findings uncovered here.

Practical implications

The impact of culture and contextual/situational variables on individual's choice of primary and secondary control strategies has important implications for developing health strategies across different ethnic minority groups.

Originality/value

The results provide support for the view that there are two dimensions to the process of patient empowerment. Rather than emphasizing primary control strategies, individuals can empower themselves by maintaining a balance between primary and secondary control strategies with respect to their health‐related goals.
Price discrimination by pharmaceutical companies across Central American countries
Authors: Rojas Mariano
Published: June 2009

Purpose

Price becomes a main instrument for rationing pharmaceutical drugs in Central America as a consequence of pro‐market reforms implemented in the 1980s. Under market‐rationing conditions, people's access to branded drugs does depend on their purchasing power and on the vector of prices they face. The purpose of this paper is to study the regional pricing strategy followed by pharmaceutical firms across Central American countries. These countries differ in such economic factors as per capita income, income distribution, market size, and nature and extent of their social‐security system; thus, there are conditions that foster the implementation of price‐discrimination practices across the region.

Design/methodology/approach

The investigation takes advantage of a large database with information about prices of identical drugs sold across Central American countries and produced by 17 large pharmaceutical companies. Regression analyses are used to study whether price discrimination exists in Central American drug markets and what pricing strategies are followed by different pharmaceutical companies.

Findings

Results show that there are significant differences in the prices of identical drugs across the Central American countries, as well as that pharmaceutical companies follow different pricing strategies.

Originality/value

Cross‐country price comparisons are usually based on constructed price indices, which imply losing detailed information about the products being compared. This investigation uses prices of identical drugs, rather than constructed price indices, to study cross‐country price differences by pharmaceutical companies across the Central American region. The study of price discrimination is crucial to understanding how markets end up rationing such an essential product as pharmaceutical drugs.