bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Understanding acceptance of dedicated e‐textbook applications for learning
Authors: Lai Jung‐Yu , Rushikesh Ulhas Khire
Published: June 2012

Purpose

The prevalence of information technology (IT) has been introducing new trends into learning modalities spurring dedicated e‐textbook applications for learning. However, there is only a limited understanding of what factors drive university students' attitudes/willingness to use the new devices for learning. Hence, this study attempts to investigate what factors drive university students to use dedicated e‐textbook applications for learning.

Design/methodology/approach

By integrating previous theories such as the technology acceptance model (TAM), innovation diffusion theory (IDT), and convenience in the form of an integrated model, this study presents a causal model that explores the influence of technological, intrinsic, and extrinsic factors, i.e. convenience, compatibility, enjoyment, usefulness, on university students' attitudes towards using dedicated e‐textbook applications for learning.

Findings

The results of this study suggest that perceived usefulness, convenience, compatibility, and perceived enjoyment all significantly contribute to dedicated e‐textbook application acceptance.

Research limitations/implications

The present research clearly portrays drivers for acceptance of dedicated e‐textbook applications for learning among university students which would be an important topic for current and future research.

Practical implications

The study's findings outline and describe how the dominant factors affect university students' attitudes towards adoption of dedicated e‐textbook applications for learning. By considering extrinsic, technological, and intrinsic factors, such as usefulness, convenience, compatibility, enjoyment, in the stage of product development, practitioners can provide well‐accepted dedicated e‐textbook applications for potential users.

Originality/value

These findings would facilitate development of a more robust understanding of university students' attitudes toward using dedicated e‐textbook applications for learning. It also might assist practitioners developing innovative e‐textbook applications as well as provide directions for researchers interested in developing and testing theories pertinent to e‐textbook applications.
Building a personalized ToC service for the Library of the Wissenschaftskolleg zu Berlin
Authors: Kumar Vinit , Madalli Devika P. , Raj M. Mithun
Published: June 2012

Purpose

This paper aims to share the experiences gained while developing an electronically accessible personalized and categorized current awareness service (CAS) for the Fellows of the Wissenschaftskolleg zu Berlin – Institute for Advanced Study. The paper also aims to communicate the design and technology behind the development of this service.

Design/methodology/approach

A list of journals of interest was compiled. The respective RSS feed links were handpicked from journal web pages. The service was configured to automatically fetch and classify the tables of contents (ToCs) according to the Fellows' interest. The same was presented in a user‐friendly interface.

Findings

RSS feeds from electronic journals can be used as a CAS tool to serve frequently updated information to the desk of the users.

Practical implications

The paper can be used as a starting point by practicing librarians to start similar services in small special libraries to strengthen the library's publicity and outreach activities.

Originality/value

This paper demonstrates how personalized current content service can be provided using open source tools.
Multitarget/multiprotocol client application for search and retrieval of bibliographic records
Authors: Zarić Miroslav , Boberić Krstićev Danijela , Surla Dušan
Published: June 2012

Purpose

The aim of the research is modelling and implementation of a client application that enables parallel search and retrieval of bibliographic records from multiple servers. The client application supports simultaneous communication over Z39.50 and SRW/SRU protocols. The application design is flexible and later addition of other communication protocols for search/retrieval is envisioned and supported.

Design/methodology/approach

Object‐oriented approach has been used for modelling and implementation of client application. CASE tool, Sybase PowerDesigner, supporting Unified Modelling Language (UML 2.0), was used for modelling. Java programming language and Eclipse environment were used for implementation.

Findings

The result of the research is a client application that enables parallel search and retrieval of multiple Z39.50 and SRW/SRU servers. Additionally, the application supports conversion from type‐1 query language, defined by Z39.50 standard, to CQL query language required for search/retrieval from SRW/SRU servers. The application was verified by performing parallel search and retrieval from several publicly accessible Z39.50 and SRW/SRU servers.

Research limitations/implications

The application supports only the use of bib‐1 attribute set for type‐1 queries created according to Z39.50 standard. Hence, only such queries can be converted to CQL notation. The use of other attribute sets is not supported.

Practical implications

The client application is integrated into the BISIS software system, version 4. This enables the cataloguing of bibliographic records retrieved over Z39.50 and SRW/SRU protocol.

Originality/value

The contribution of this work is in client application architecture that enables parallel communication with multiple servers, which can use different communication protocols, Z39.50 or SRW/SRU. Search/retrieval from servers using some other protocol is also supported. This can be achieved by adding new classes that implement protocol specification, and classes for query transformation into notation required by that new protocol, if required.
Application of geographic information system (GIS) in analyzing geospatial information of academic library databases
Authors: Sedighi Mehri
Published: June 2012

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to examine the application of geographic information systems as a decision support system in analyzing geospatial data in the databases of an academic library.

Design/methodology/approach

In this study, after separation, the data on control, classification and coding of the geospatial information existing in an academic library's databases were entered into a geographic information system. Then, using the ArcGIS software and its program (ArcMap), the data were shown, described and analyzed based on existing needs and various indicators.

Findings

After performing various stages of this research, the geographic information system indicates a range of features as follows: display and localization of the research done on different maps; providing a variety of descriptive information on the features available on the system maps; data analysis and evaluation, based on existing needs and various indicators such as research location, university conducting research, date of research, educational course, etc.; evaluation and comparison of universities and research centers with one another in terms of spatial distribution of their scientific geospatial information; performing various calculations to determine and analyze the spatial relationships of data, for example determining distance of research location from the university; and the possibility of reporting a variety of attribute and spatial information of the system.

Originality/value

By using the analysis functions of the system and other logical and various applications, the database can be prepared to answer the questions raised by the users and the results will be very valuable in the process of decision making and planning in academic libraries and research centers.
Instruction and help services in the academic library websites and web pages in Sri Lanka
Authors: Wickramanayake Lalith
Published: June 2012

Purpose

The present study was carried out with the intention of examining what type of instruction applications and help tools have been used to serve clientele via academic library websites and web pages, and how Sri Lankan academic libraries instruct and help users via their library websites and web pages.

Design/methodology/approach

A sample study comprised only 14 academic library websites and web pages out of 223, which were accessible and necessarily presented instruction applications and help tools. Two coding sheets were prepared separately for instruction and help to include classified data, and then the frequency counted from each category by browsing the sample recorded in the coders for analysis.

Findings

The results confirmed that the quality of academic library websites in Sri Lanka in providing online instruction and help was dependent on different variables. The development of above online services remains in its infancy. Most important instruction applications and help tools have not been utilized by the majority of websites in academic libraries. Inaccessibility of such services via the library web reflects not only their malfunction in online instruction and help, but also onsite services of some areas in academic libraries.

Research limitations/implications

Nonexistence of websites or web pages and lack of enough information in library websites caused the exclusion of most of the libraries in the country from inclusion in the sample; this in turn affected this study by limiting it to academic libraries only.

Practical implications

The majority of recommendations originated from the study can be generalized for both web and online service development of any type of library in Sri Lanka.

Originality/value

The deficiency of research on library websites in Sri Lanka provides no clear image regarding the existing situation of online library services. Thus this study contributes towards addressing this gap in the literature and features distinctiveness within the available literature.
A comparison of the influence of electronic books and paper books on reading comprehension, eye fatigue, and perception
Authors: Jeong Hanho
Published: June 2012

Purpose

This paper aims to assess the usability of electronic books (e‐books) and paper books (p‐books) with objective measures, including user comprehension, eye fatigue, and perception.

Design/methodology/approach

A total of 56 sixth‐year public school students participated in this study. This paper was conducted in the following order: pre‐CFF measurement, p‐/e‐book reading, post‐CFF measurement, quiz, and questionnaire. A standard CFF device, a computer with a monitor for reading e‐books, p‐books, desks, and chairs were provided.

Findings

This paper found that there is a significant “book effect” on quiz scores; compared to e‐books, p‐books appear to enable better reading comprehension. Regarding eye fatigue, students had significantly greater eye fatigue after reading e‐books than after reading p‐books. Students were satisfied with the e‐book, but they preferred p‐books.

Research limitations/implications

Students would show satisfaction with e‐books and acknowledge their usefulness, but still prefer p‐books. However, a clearer understanding of this paradox in perception is needed. Further studies should try to explore the students' perceptions of e‐books.

Practical implications

Surprisingly, though, Korean students studied herein, who have had a higher level of exposure to technology than those in other countries, did not show positive behavioral intentions toward e‐books. Overall, the responses from the Korean students suggest that there was general satisfaction with reading e‐books on screen. However, this study also found a discordance in the students' perceptions of e‐books. In this study, most students grew tired of reading on the screen; this tiredness could have an adverse effect on both reading comprehension and the perception of e‐books. In further analyzing user responses, many of the critical remarks were found to refer to the screen/text size or clarity rather than to the e‐book itself.

Originality/value

Although this study suggests that students in general are not yet ready to entirely give up p‐books, e‐books are becoming increasingly common. However, great challenges remain in terms of making e‐book content more available and in enabling improved comprehension and reducing eye fatigue.
The adoption of XBRL in South Africa: an empirical study
Authors: Steenkamp L.P. , Nel G.F.
Published: June 2012

Purpose

eXtensible Business Reporting Language (XBRL) is an important new information and communication technology for the electronic communication of business and financial data. International research shows unacceptably low levels of awareness and adoption of XBRL. This paper aims to investigate the level of awareness of XBRL in South Africa among chartered accountants. Furthermore, it aims to consider the factors influencing adoption of XBRL and the impact of the economic circumstances on the decision to adopt XBRL.

Design/methodology/approach

The research was conducted with data collected through a structured, self‐administered web‐based survey sent to 11,458 chartered accountants. Chartered accountants will be primarily responsible for the implementation of XBRL at organisations.

Findings

The findings are largely in line with international studies, indicating a low level of awareness and slow adoption of the new technology. The major reasons cited for not adopting XBRL are that it is not yet mandatory in South Africa to do so and in the view of the respondents there is not any benefit in adopting XBRL. The results indicated that the economic circumstances did not have any effect on the decision to implement XBRL, be it either to implement or not to implement XBRL.

Originality/value

It is concluded that the business case for XBRL, internationally and in South Africa, should be made stronger for awareness and adoption rates to improve. The adoption of XBRL is, by implication, important and relevant to everyone with an interest in information management.
Developing a Taiwan library history digital library with reader knowledge archiving and sharing mechanisms based on the DSpace platform
Authors: Chen Chih‐Ming , Chen Yong‐Ting , Hong Chin‐Ming , Liao Chin‐Wen , Huang Chia‐Meng
Published: June 2012

Purpose

This work seeks to present a reading annotation and knowledge sharing tool, which can annotate a web page with HTML format archived by the Taiwan libraries' history digital library based on Web 2.0 technologies

Design/methodology/approach

This work adopted DSpace, an open‐source institutional repository system, to implement a Taiwan Digital Library History Library with the reading annotation tool for knowledge archiving and sharing services. A quasi‐experimental design method was employed to randomly assign participants to an experimental group and control group to evaluate differences in the reading performance of learners who used the proposed annotation system. A statistical analysis scheme was employed to evaluate differences in learning performance of learners while reading and learning with the proposed annotation tool.

Findings

The paper finds that annotated digital material provides useful knowledge to readers. The values to those annotating and subsequent readers are the acquisition of in‐depth knowledge and efficient reading. Additionally, the effect on digital libraries is that digital library content grows dynamically as readers contribute knowledge. More importantly, annotated information from different readers has very high potential for the discovery of value‐added knowledge utilizing data mining techniques.

Originality/value

Collecting user‐generated content is a novel research issue in the library sciences field, and few studies have developed useful tools that allow readers to actively contribute their knowledge to digital libraries. This work shows how to implement such digital library systems and how the annotation tool benefits the growth of digital archives and promotes learning performance.
Effects of trustworthiness and trust on loyalty intentions
Authors: Shainesh G.
Published: June 2012

Purpose

The objective of this research is to empirically validate the underlying mechanisms by which consumers develop trust in service providers and investigate the impact of consumer's perceptions of trustworthiness and trust on their loyalty intentions. It also aims to study the differential impact of consumers' trustworthiness beliefs on two distinct aspects of a service, namely the front line employees (FLEs) and management policies and practices (MPPs).

Design/methodology/approach

The paper proposes and empirically validates a parsimonious but multidimensional and multifaceted model of consumer's trustworthiness beliefs, trust and loyalty intentions. Retail banking services in India provide the setting for the study. The analysis was conducted using structural equation modeling.

Findings

The results support a multidimensional and multifaceted model linking the influence of consumers' trustworthiness beliefs related to the competence, benevolence and problem solving orientation of FLEs and MPPs on their trust in FLEs and MPPs and loyalty intentions.

Research limitations/implications

The research highlights that consumers' evaluation of trust operates at multiple dimensions for employees as well as the organization. The study is based on a cross‐sectional survey. A possible extension is to conduct longitudinal studies to map the evolving nature of trust and loyalty over time and customer life stages.

Practical implications

Organizations can measure trustworthiness beliefs and manage them to build trust and reinforce loyalty intentions among their consumers.

Originality/value

The study proposes and validates a parsimonious model of trust and loyalty intentions in the context of retail banking. Thus this research supports and extends the extant knowledge of relationship marketing.
The impact of trust and perceived risk on internet banking adoption in India
Authors: Kesharwani Ankit , Singh Bisht Shailendra
Published: June 2012

Purpose

The main purpose of this paper is to extend the technology acceptance model (TAM) in the context of internet banking adoption in India under security and privacy threat.

Design/methodology/approach

Keeping the TAM proposed by Davis as a theoretical basis, an extended TAM incorporating security‐ and privacy‐related issues for internet banking adoption is conceptualized. The authors have incorporated various inhibitors of internet banking which restrict the use of internet banking adoption under “perceived risk”, and also consider the role of the bank web site as a key determinant of perceived risk and of perceived ease of use in the context of internet banking services.

Findings

The paper reveals that perceived risk has a negative impact on behavioral intention of internet banking adoption and trust has a negative impact on perceived risk. A well‐designed web site was also found to be helpful in facilitating easier use and also minimizing perceived risk concerns regarding internet banking usage.

Practical implications

Financial bank institutions should give attention to the inhibitors or perceived risk factors of internet banking adoption in order to retain existing customers as well as attract new consumers. The study also suggests that banks should build a web site with features to facilitate users' assessment of internet banking services and thus minimize the perceived risk and maximize the perceived ease of internet banking services. Web‐based retailers depending on online payments would also be benefit by incorporating the elements of perceived risk and trust in their own web design and online services.

Originality/value

In addition to the traditional construct of TAM, a new construct of perceived risk has been added. The impact of web site design and trust on internet banking adoption has also been examined and shown to be significant in India in the context of internet banking adoption.
Knowledge production: public management and the market spectacle
Authors: Garrett Terence M. , Sementelli Arthur
Published: June 2012

Purpose

Public management is moving towards more control by executives in the name of the people. Executive knowledge is privileged by initiatives such as new public management and collaborative public management that promote the market spectacle. The purpose of this paper is to employ a “radical,” or critical, interpretation based primarily on concepts and social critiques developed by Marx, by Weber and by Debord, to offer a position, polemic, and perspective regarding the nature and effects of public management on the American polis.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors develop a social critique of bureaucracy and government towards domination governance of the polis primarily by developing and using the theoretical work of scholars such as Marx, Weber, and Debord for this analysis.

Findings

These developments towards more control by executives are corrosive to the last vestiges of representative democracy in the USA.

Originality/value

The question remains as to whether it is too late to reform, or turn back, the onset of the new public managerialism and whether the current condition of public administration is a symptom of the overall market spectacle trend.
Gender‐based occupational segregation in Russia: an empirical study
Authors: Klimova Anastasia , Ross Russell
Published: June 2012

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to examine trends in gender inequalities in the Russian labour market between 1994 and 2001, the early period of the transition to the market economy from the old Soviet Union.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper examines gender occupational segregation using the dataset from a nationally representative longitudinal survey of Russian households, the Russian Labour Market Survey. The occupational segregation index measure developed by Karmel and Maclachlan, known as the KM Index, is applied and extended by decomposing the index into several components.

Findings

The KM Index declined over this period, indicating a reduction in the extent of gender inequality, However, the decomposing of the KM index shows that, in contrast to previous research, the decrease in segregation within individual occupations contributed most of the overall fall in gender segregation. Changes in the overall occupational structure and an increase in female employment contributed, albeit marginally, to an increase in segregation.

Research limitations/implications

Because of the changes which have continued in Russia since 2001, these research results may lack applicability to current emerging economic circumstances in Russia. Therefore, researchers are encouraged to test the proposed propositions further using data for the period 2005 to 2015 once the data become available.

Practical implications

The paper provides rigorous estimates of the trends in gender inequalities at an important period in Russia's economic development and serves as a benchmark for future analysis.

Originality/value

This paper provides new detail on the workings of the Russian labour market during the period of transition and as such provides a base against which changes in gender inequalities since 2001 can be measured.
Restoring pragmatism in American governance
Authors: Wolnicki Miron
Published: June 2012

Purpose

The greatest asset of US capitalism until recently has been a blend of pragmatism with a passion to create the best socio‐economic system in the world. Today the USA is besieged by unprecedented budget deficit, public debt, financial crises, unemployment and rising anti‐governmentalism. The author believes the root cause lies in the elimination of the principles of pragmatism from governance, together with an assumption that the system which triumphed over communism is infallible. The purpose of this paper is not to find proof that an interventionist government would always be better or that higher taxes benefit the economy. Instead, using the examples of various policy mishaps, the paper seeks to prove the superiority of pragmatism over any ideology as a guiding principle of good governance.

Design/methodology/approach

The author uses pragmatism as criteria for impartial, non‐partisan, non‐ideological evaluation of the state of the American economy and the causes for the rise of populist movements in the country.

Findings

Neoconservatives were right to believe that markets do work. They will be needed to find solutions for skyrocketing costs of medicare, medicaid and job displacement caused by globalization. Neoliberals were correct to allow the development of profitable financial sector and give Americans access to cheap credit. However, what has been dramatically missing is a countervailing government economic policy to address increased riskiness of the financial markets, falling labor income, wealth distribution, education, energy dependence and an aging infrastructure. Liberal democrats did not propose comprehensive plan for government economic interventionism also they well understood its importance.

Research limitations/implications

The paper is believed to be the first interdisciplinary (political economy, history, social economics, social psychology) attempt to identify the causes of the declining economic power of the USA.

Practical implications

The paper can improve understanding of complex socio‐economic phenomena by the students of US economy and those who would like to sort out true facts from unproven beliefs and do not understand complex econometric models.

Social implications

The paper can improve understanding of complex socio‐economic phenomena affecting lives of millions of people.

Originality/value

The paper states clearly that the problems of the US economy are not caused by globalization but they originate at home from self‐imposed ideological straitjackets by the decision‐making elites and their departure from traditional US pragmatism.
Comparative welfare state impacts on work quality and job satisfaction
Authors: Westover Jonathan H.
Published: June 2012

Purpose

The vast cross‐disciplinary literature exploring work quality and job satisfaction has linked worker experiences to many individual, organizational, and social outcomes, yet this research has largely failed to shed much light on why cross‐national differences in worker satisfaction and its determinants persist over time. The purpose of this paper to: empirically test (using various bivariate descriptive procedures and comparative OLS regression) significant, cross‐national differences in job satisfaction and its determinants; and explore the reasons for these cross‐national differences, moving beyond the research of social psychologists and organizational behavior researchers, to also include import macro cross‐national factors that directly influence these differences.

Design/methodology/approach

In this research, the author applies and extends Handel's Post and Neo‐Fordist framework for understanding job characteristics and job satisfaction, using non‐panel longitudinal data from the International Social Survey Program (Work Orientations I, II, and III:, 1989, 1997, 2005 – survey questions on job characteristics and job quality) and various welfare state country‐contextual variables.

Findings

OLS regression results of job satisfaction by country show that for countries with relative higher levels of welfare state safety net provisions, intrinsic work characteristics provide greater overall predictability in overall perceived job satisfaction. Once more, extrinsic work characteristics generally have greater salience and predictability in overall perceived job satisfaction in countries relatively lower levels of welfare state safety net provisions. Furthermore, the results clearly show that regardless of country level of welfare state safety net provisions, intrinsic work characteristics add the most overall predictability to perceived job satisfaction of workers within the study countries. Finally, an often accepted job satisfaction model, commonly considered to be widely generalizable across a wide variety of cross‐cultural and cross‐national contexts, actually appears to have a lack of applicability across countries.

Originality/value

What are the key country‐level contextual and global‐macro variables driving these country differences in job characteristics and perceived worker satisfaction? Prior research could not answer this question. However, this research is the first and only empirical inquiry to look at the relationship between macro welfare state country‐contextual factors and job satisfaction. Like many work attitudes, job satisfaction is a dynamic construct that changes in response to personal and environmental conditions. Finally, monitoring job satisfaction over time and in different contexts allows one to better examine and understand the salient factors that affect job satisfaction.
L'Chaim: Jewish holidays and stock market returns
Authors: Mehran Jamshid , Meisami Alex , Busenbark John R.
Published: June 2012

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to investigate the impact of Jewish holidays on US stock market returns.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors use event study and regression methodology to determine abnormal returns on Jewish holidays and windowed periods surrounding the day. In order to seclude the results to Jewish holidays, the authors control for several other known events that impact stock market returns. To substantiate claims of abnormal returns, the authors also use the Fama‐French four‐factor model to seek alpha and evidence returns on Jewish holidays.

Findings

This study shows, during the 1990‐2009 period, an increase in average daily returns 32 times greater on nine Jewish holidays than on the other trading days of the year. The demeanor of the specific Jewish holidays also influences stock market returns, as the market returns increase (decrease) on the joyous (solemn) Jewish holidays. Also, individual investors, rather than institutional investors, are a greater catalyst for the increased returns.

Originality/value

Previous research details increased stock market returns on US holidays and several other events. However, no definable research exists on stock market returns on Jewish holidays. The findings in this paper are valuable to investors who event‐trade, and are also valuable to investors and behavioral‐finance researchers who seek to understand how demeanor and moods may impact buying/selling decisions.
A further analysis of small firm stock returns
Authors: Patel Jayen B.
Published: June 2012

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to compare recent performance of small firms with that of large firms in developed and emerging stock markets.

Design/methodology/approach

T‐tests as well as Wilcoxon Signed Rank test statistics are utilized to test the differences in returns between stock indices. Additionally, ANOVA and median test statistics were conducted to test differences in size premiums over years. Finally, t‐tests as well as Mann‐Whitney U test statistics were conducted to examine the differences in size premiums by market conditions and January over non‐January months.

Findings

It was found that small firms did not generate significantly different returns than large firms in recent years. More specifically, size premiums were not sensitive to market conditions and were not significantly higher in January over non‐January months. These results indicate stock markets no longer exhibit a size effect or a reverse size effect.

Originality/value

The paper contributes to the finance literature by examining the size effect as well as the reverse size effect in developed and emerging stock markets on recent data.
International portfolios and currency hedging: viewpoint of Polish investors
Authors: Stepien Edyta , Su Yuli
Published: June 2012

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to empirically examine the benefits of international equity portfolios from the viewpoint of Polish investors.

Design/methodology/approach

Eight national stock markets are included in the sample and three different portfolio forming strategies – Equally‐Weighted Portfolio (EWP), Minimum Variance Portfolio (MVP) and Tangency Portfolio (TP) – are adopted to construct the international diversified portfolios. In order to reveal the impact of currency hedging, the performance of a non‐hedged versus a fully‐hedged strategy is estimated. Finally, for comparison purpose, performances of the international portfolios from US investors' perspective are also examined.

Findings

Using monthly data from 1999 to 2008, the results show that from an ex post basis, an equally‐weighted global portfolio offers risk reduction opportunities for Polish investors and performance improvement potentials for US investors. In addition, US investors seem to fare better leaving their foreign investment unhedged, while Polish investors benefit from currency hedging. However, ex ante analysis reveals that when short‐selling is allowed, TP outperforms other portfolios and the risk‐adjusted portfolio performance could be enhanced by currency hedging.

Originality/value

In summary, the ex post analysis suggests that global portfolio either reduces risk or improves return. Compared to the domestic portfolio, the international portfolio reduces the portfolio risk while maintaining certain level of portfolio return for Polish investors who experience unusual high volatility in domestic market. On the other hand, an international portfolio yields higher portfolio return with similar risk level, as compared to the domestic portfolio, for US investors who suffer losses in the domestic market. A full currency hedging strategy benefits Polish but not US investors. Hedging or not, the risk of the local stock market is the major contributor to the risk of the equally‐weighted portfolio for both Polish and US investors.
Andersen implosion over Enron: an analysis of the contagion effect on Fortune 500 firms
Authors: Noe Cross Joann , Kunkel Robert A.
Published: June 2012

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to examine how the Andersen implosion over Enron impacted Fortune 500 firms that were competitors of Enron and/or audited by Andersen. This event provides an opportunity to study various contagion effects.

Design/methodology/approach

An event study methodology is used to analyze the immediate financial impact of the Andersen implosion on competitors of Enron and/or firms audited by Andersen. More specifically, how did the announcement of the implosion impact these firms?

Findings

The results support a strong industry contagion effect where Enron's failure benefited the surviving energy/utility firms who could then increase their market shares. The authors find the energy/utility firms not audited by Andersen, on average, experienced an astounding 2.5 percent increase in market capitalization when the audit scandal was announced. In dollar terms, the mean and median market capitalization increases were $226 million and $101 million, respectively. In the aggregate, the 21 utility/energy firms gained $4.76 billion in market capitalization.

Research limitations/implications

The results show the importance of the auditing process and the impact of unethical actions on the firm, their auditor, and their competitors. One limitation is the data are limited to large Fortune 500 firms.

Originality/value

This is the first study, to the authors' knowledge, that evaluates the contagion effect of the Andersen/Enron audit scandal on Fortune 500 firms: in the same industry as Enron; audited by Andersen; and operating in the same industry as Enron and audited by Andersen.
The choice between publicly issued and privately placed preferred stocks
Authors: Wang Qian
Published: June 2012

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to empirically test information asymmetry and agency conflicts hypotheses, as to firm's choices in selling preferred stock in public and private markets.

Design/methodology/approach

Using firm‐level preferred stock issue data, the author uses a multivariate logistic model to see a firm's different preferred stock selling decisions among public market, rule 144A market, and non rule 144A market. The paper examines the impact of the firm's idiosyncratic risk and cash flow volatility.

Findings

It is found that private placement (non rule 144A) firms have higher information asymmetry than public offering firms. In addition, private placement (rule 144A) firms have higher operating risk than public offering firms. The non Rule 144A market and rule 144A market for preferred stocks are significantly different.

Research limitations/implications

This topic can be further studied with more detailed, preferred stock issue data.

Originality/value

The paper extends our understanding of the preferred stock market selling mechanism.
Effects of scenario planning on participant mental models
Authors: Glick Margaret B. , Chermack Thomas J. , Luckel Henry , Gauck Brian Q.
Published: June 2012

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to assess the effects of scenario planning on participant mental model styles.

Design/methodology/approach

The scenario planning literature is consistent with claims that scenario planning can change individual mental models. These claims are supported by anecdotal evidence and stories from the practical application of scenario planning. This research study documents the responses of 129 participants from 10 organizations using the mental model style survey as a pretest and posttest, with scenario planning as the intervention. Paired samples t‐tests were performed between participant pretest and posttest, to test hypotheses on all five factors of the mental model style survey.

Findings

Results provide evidence that scenario planning can change individual mental model styles. More specifically, results show that scenario planning promotes efficiency, social, and systems mental model styles, with moderate effect sizes.

Research limitations/implications

The implications of this research include contribution to the growing body of quantitative studies attempting to document the impact scenario planning has on participants. Implications for future research include the use of control groups to isolate effects of the scenario planning intervention.

Originality/value

The study documents one of the largest sample sizes to date in scenario planning research and makes a clear contribution in clarifying significant changes in mental model styles from pretest to posttest.
Critical issues in research design in action research in an SME development context
Authors: McGrath Helen , O'Toole Thomas
Published: June 2012

Purpose

The main aim of this paper is to develop guidelines on the critical issues to consider in research design in an action research (AR) environment for SME network capability development.

Design/methodology/approach

The issues in research design for AR studies are developed from the authors' experience in running learning sets but, in particular, by an SME owner‐manager learning set established to develop and test theory about network capability.

Findings

The authors present a comprehensive set of research design issues for AR across seven areas – sampling; the facilitator; learning set interaction; set design; measurement; data collection decisions; and data analysis.

Research limitations/implications

While action research is inherently situational in approach, for those researchers wishing to use it to develop or test theory, the authors' framework will provide a benchmark for research design decisions.

Practical implications

The methodology is ideally suited to knowledge exchange settings and for collecting research data in such contexts and, if used in this way, could be an incentive to encourage more academic engagement with practice. Management and organisational development using AR is often reported on, but rarely in an SME context. The paper provides an example of a study conducted in this setting.

Originality/value

The main contribution of this article is to present an implementation framework for research design using AR. In addition, given policy goals now often require firms to collaborate with each other and in partnership with training organisations and universities, it makes sense to develop a mechanism to enhance the understanding of research methodologies that can be used in these contexts.
Training needs analysis for bus depot managers at GSRTC
Authors: Shah Hardik , Gopal Raj
Published: June 2012

Purpose

With rapid industrialization and population growth in the urban and rural areas in India, the demand for public transport has risen sharply. In the fast changing scenario in the public transit sector, the role of a bus depot manager (DM) has also undergone substantial transformation. This paper aims to identify and gauge the organizational and individual training needs of DMs, necessary to design and delivery of effective training.

Design/methodology/approach

Primary data were collected by visiting three bus depots, nine in‐depth interviews with the top management team, 15 in‐depth interviews with DMs, performance data of 15 DMs and a survey of 114 DMs, using open ended questions. After primary analysis a ranking order instrument was designed and administered to 114 DMs.

Findings

The results explored current and future training requirements for the role of bus DMs based on their preference and priority. Seven differentiating competencies and ten priority training areas were identified using “priority index”. Further suggestions have been made for enhancing training effectiveness.

Practical implications

The paper provides practical insights into how to conduct training needs analysis for bus DMs using differentiating competencies and priority index. Training managers may use such tools to identify training gaps in different roles while designing effective training strategies. It provides insights into the role of bus DMs, current and future role requirements, seven differentiating competencies and training gaps in the role of a DM.

Research limitations/implications

The findings are presented based on one single role in one organization only, i.e. DMs of Gujarat State Road Transport Corporation (GSRTC). Replication studies should examine different roles across different functions.

Originality/value

This paper investigates how to identify training needs for depot managers using differentiating competencies and priority index. It provides inferences on how to align business objectives, individual performance and training needs. The tools used are ready‐to‐use and replicable for different roles in medium and large MNCs.
Perceptions of performance: do learners understand as well as they think
Authors: Chow Alan F. , Finney Treena G. , Woodford Kelly C.
Published: June 2012

Purpose

Student/trainee perception of their performance can sometimes be inaccurate. This study aims to look at the accuracy of perception to actual performance in short‐term intervention style training/instruction.

Design/methodology/approach

Two studies conducted using university students in problem solving exercises compared the performance of the students to their actual performance on the designated problems. Following the instructional intervention, the participants were asked to use a presented strategy in solving a target solution problem. Participants were then asked a short series of post‐study questions related to their perception of the learning outcomes. Perception accuracy was measured through analysis of scoring on the target solution problem and the corresponding answers to the post‐study questionnaire.

Findings

In both studies, there was a positive relationship between the score on the target solution problem and the responses to the post‐study questionnaire.

Research limitations/implications

The results of this study are limited to university students in a mid‐sized Southeastern US institution. The results suggest that further study with other subject populations may support these findings.

Practical implications

Findings suggest that students have an accurate awareness of their understanding following an instructional intervention. Educators and trainers can use this accuracy in perception to measure the level of learning following lectures or other learning or training activities. This can provide useful information following classroom lectures, reading assignments, and testing to get a measure of learning, and can also be used following training activities as a measure of transfer of training.

Originality/value

The paper compares students' accuracy of perception to actual performance, and finds that students have an accurate awareness of their understanding following an instructional intervention. This can be of practical benefit to educators and trainers.
Subdivision on reusable garment model
Authors: Liu Hongyan , Zhong Yueqi , Wang Shanyuan
Published: June 2012

Purpose

In order to obtain visually appealing simulation results with smooth cloth surfaces, high resolution meshes are required. Since cloth simulation with high resolution meshes is very time consuming, subdivision of a reusable model is preferred. The purpose of this paper is to adopt an approach for the subdivision of a reusable model, using different subdivision methods.

Design/methodology/approach

In order to obtain visually pleasing reusable garment model, the authors subdivide the model after the conversion to reusable garment model. Two meshes are employed, of which the coarse mesh is used to convert to deformable model while the subdivided mesh, i.e. the refined mesh, is for pleasing modeling results. The modified loop subdivision and modified butterfly subdivision scheme is adopted for the optimization of determining which is more suitable for the reusable model. The authors adopt an algorithm for resolving the collisions happened after the subdivision.

Findings

A 3D reusable garment model obtained from previous work was tested. The experimental results validate this method as a useful and effective approach to resolve collisions after the subdivision process.

Originality/value

The paper presents an approach for the subdivision of a reusable model, using different subdivision methods.
Study on acoustic insulating, air permeating and water vapor transfer properties of fibrous assemblies with density variation using a new apparatus
Authors: Song Wenfang , Liu Qian , Yu Weidong
Published: June 2012

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to describe a new apparatus for testing acoustic insulating, air permeating and water vapor transfer properties of fibrous assemblies with density variation.

Design/methodology/approach

An apparatus is designed and built in order to investigate the acoustic insulating, air permeating and water vapor transfer properties of fiber assemblies with density variation. The apparatus mainly consists of three chambers, just like the structure of a syringe. The three properties can be measured by placing different sensors at the corresponding chambers. The material density variation can be realized by compression.

Findings

The new apparatus can realize the measurement of the three properties with density variation, which provides a new perspective to study the physical property of fibrous assemblies.

Originality/value

The paper introduces a new apparatus for testing acoustic insulating, air permeating and water vapor transfer properties of fibrous assemblies with density variation.