bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Derivative beliefs and evaluations
Authors: Sheinin Daniel A. , Dubé Laurette , Schmitt Bernd H.
Published: November 2008

Purpose

The purpose of this research is to examine how consumers form beliefs and evaluate derivatives (e.g. handheld computers) and branded derivatives (e.g. Palm handheld computers). The aim is to study how consumers combine two categories (e.g. “handheld products” and “computers”) to form beliefs, how the similarity between the categories influences beliefs, how the addition of a brand changes beliefs, and how the presence of brand associations impacts on evaluations.

Design/methodology/approach

Three laboratory experiments to test hypotheses were conducted.

Findings

Results of the studies show the modifier (e.g. “handheld” in handheld computer) dominates derivative beliefs, but the nature of its dominance changes with category similarity. Brand effects are surprisingly limited in belief formation due to modifier dominance. Brand beliefs only transfer to branded derivatives when the brand fits with the modifier category. The presence of brand associations induces more positive evaluations of branded derivatives when the brand fits with the modifier category and, under certain circumstances, when it fits with the header‐category.

Research implications/limitations

The presence of multiple concepts (e.g. Palm handheld computer) is common in line and brand extensions, yet little research has examined such complex products. Their comprehension can be better predicted by utilizing conceptual combination theory.

Practical implications

Managers can better determine what kinds of line and brand extensions are best suited for their brands.

Originality/value

The originality and value lay in utilizing the conceptual combination approach to more deeply understand which extensions are best suited for which brands. This helps fill a gap in the literature on consumer perception of multiple‐concept extensions.
Price bundling and framing strategies for complementary products
Authors: Arora Raj
Published: November 2008

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to investigate the effectiveness of price bundling and message framing on attitudes, intentions, and beliefs about attributes of teeth whitening products. Although each of these variables, message framing and price bundling, has been explored individually, few attempts have been made to investigate them jointly. This study is based on a full factorial design that allows for testing of interaction effects. Second, the market for whitening products is maturing, resulting in a target market that is gaining knowledge about these products. Thus, we use knowledge as a covariate in the above investigation to determine if the communication strategy should be changed as the product moves from introduction to maturity.

Design/methodology/approach

The study is based on a 2 × 2 factorial design with price bundling (bundle price – individual price) and framing (positive – negative). The setting for the study is a hypothetical brand name of teeth whitening products.

Findings

The results reveal a mixed picture with respect to effectiveness of pricing and framing on attitudes and intentions. The effect of price bundling is not significant on attitudes; it is significant on intentions. Framing has a greater impact on intentions than on attitudes. Nevertheless, the interaction effects are significant on both attitudes as well as intentions. Finally, the impact of knowledge as a covariate is significant.

Research limitations/implications

Caution is advised in extrapolating the results beyond the issues investigated in the study.

Practical implications

The findings help marketers in formulating effective marketing strategy using both price bundling and message framing strategies.

Originality/value

Although price bundling and message framing have been explored in marketing studies, the research is lacking on the combined effects of these two important variables. The findings show a significant interaction effect of pricing and framing on changing attitudes and intentions. Prior research recommends using negative framing. The present research shows that for bundle products, a positive framing approach is desirable.
Price knowledge structures relating to grocery products
Authors: Pechtl Hans
Published: November 2008

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to conceptualize several dimensions of product‐price knowledge and to develop measurement variables that qualify a person's product‐price knowledge. Assuming product‐price knowledge is a multidimensional construct, the relationship between its dimensions is to be investigated and consumer characteristics are to be analyzed according to whether they influence these dimensions.

Design/methodology/approach

Drawing on existing research, the paper theoretically develops a framework that proposes a taxonomy of product‐price knowledge and leads to a road map to identify determinants that probably affect a person's product‐price knowledge. Applying data on 319 shoppers, a path model simultaneously estimates the internal structure of the specified dimensions of product‐price knowledge, and determines the influence of the selected consumer characteristics on product‐price knowledge.

Findings

The proposed taxonomy sees product‐price knowledge as encompassing not just isomorphic prices, i.e. actually or formerly perceived and recalled prices. Rather, inferential prices, such as the normal price, or the upper reservation price for a product, as well as knowledge about price‐setting conditions and confidence in memorized prices, comprise important elements of a person's product‐price knowledge. As a result, there are several measurement variables to qualify a person's product‐price knowledge. The empirical results identify price mavenism, price consciousness, the use of a shopping list, and shopping frequency, as determinants of the accuracy and size of, and confidence in, one's product‐price knowledge, even though the impact structure is not uniform. There are some indications that formerly encountered price stimuli represent a relatively obsolete part of a consumer's product‐price knowledge.

Research limitations/implications

Research on product‐price knowledge should not be restricted to measuring the accuracy of recalled paid prices. Size of product‐price knowledge, and confidence in one's price knowledge, are identified as measures that are at least equally important to qualify a person's product‐price knowledge as accuracy. Furthermore, size and confidence are also additional dependent variables in analyzing determinants of consumers' product‐price knowledge. This is important for researchers and practitioners.

Originality/value

The proposed taxonomy and the empirical results lead to finer grained understanding of product‐price knowledge as a multi‐dimensional construct and its determinants.
Fair price: research outside marketing
Authors: Maxwell Sarah
Published: November 2008

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to summarize the current research in disciplines outside marketing that applies to price fairness: research by behavioral economists, primate behavior researchers and social neuroscientists.

Design/methodology/approach

The approach is descriptive, summarizing the extensive research into fairness being done in disciplines other than marketing.

Findings

Research outside marketing indicates that a fair price is a preference. It has social utility that is independent of the economic utility of a low price. Consumers can actually harm themselves to punish what they perceive to be an unfair price. Conversely, a fair price triggers the reward center of the mind, stimulating happiness. The research also indicates that the response to a fair or unfair price is emotional: fast and automatic. The strength of that emotional response to unfairness varies across people. However, despite the variation in reactions, to ignore the concern for fairness is to miss a major motivation in economic decision making.

Originality/value

The fairness research in other disciplines both supports and informs the marketing research into what constitutes a fair price and how people respond to price (un)fairness.
Cross‐cultural comparison of interactivity and advertising appeals on antismoking web sites in the United States and South Korea
Authors: Yu Hyunjae (Jay) , Paek Hye‐Jin , Bae Bumjun
Published: November 2008

Purpose

This study aims to examine the content of health promotional web sites in two culturally distinct countries, the USA and South Korea, by investigating the level of interactivity and types of advertising appeals presented on antismoking web sites.

Design/methodology/approach

Antismoking web sites in the two countries were collected through the three major search engines (msn, Yahoo and Google) using relevant keywords. The final sample contained a total of 89 web sites (USA=67, South Korea=22) that met the condition of promoting antismoking behavior rather than just selling antismoking products. Three bilingual coders were hired for the analysis.

Findings

The South Korean antismoking web sites presented significantly higher levels of interactivity than their USA counterparts. By contrast, there is hardly any differentiation between the two countries in the amount of advertising appeals used on the health web sites.

Research limitations/implications

Even though antismoking is certainly an important global issue, the findings related to antismoking web sites may not be generalizable to various other health‐related topics. Future research should replicate our findings on interactivity and advertising appeals in the context of various health issues.

Practical implications

To cross‐cultural researchers, the results provide more theoretical and practical rationales for cross‐cultural differences beyond such well‐known typologies as Hofstede's Individualism/Collectivism and Hall's high‐low context.

Originality/value

This study provided at least two useful findings for practitioners and researchers: better definition of the roles of cultural differences in the level of interactivity and the types of advertising appeals in promoting health information online and a broadening of the scope of cross‐cultural advertising research to health promotional contexts online.
“Usability + usefulness = trust”: an exploratory study of Australian health web sites
Authors: Fisher Julie , Burstein Frada , Lynch Kathy , Lazarenko Kate
Published: November 2008

Purpose

The aim is to explore users' reactions to health information web sites from the perspective of trust, retrieval of relevant information and ease‐of‐use, and to establish the link between perceived quality, trust, and usability.

Design/methodology/approach

An analysis of three Australian health web sites was undertaken. A usability test was conducted on those three web sites resulting in 207 completed user evaluations. The evaluations included both quantitative and qualitative data.

Findings

The three investigated health information web sites do not meet the needs of health consumers. More details such as how information is selected to engender greater trust need to be provided. The retrieval of relevant information could be improved through the implementation of functionality such as spell checking and information differentiation. Finally, ensuring web sites are easy to use contributes to the level of trust users have in a web site.

Research limitations/implications

This was a relatively small study investigating only three generic Australian health web sites, the results however suggest that a larger study looking at other health web sites is needed.

Practical implications

For government agencies developing health information web sites more attention needs to be paid to the design of these web sites if users are to be encouraged to use the web site and return. The research suggests that effective health information web sites must be perceived to be of reliable quality, be trustworthy, have some level of intelligence to assist in the retrieval of relevant information, and be easy to use.

Originality/value

Although there is much research relating to the relationship between web site design and trust for e‐commerce transactional web sites this work has not been undertaken for web sites designed for information retrieval, in particular little work has been done of health information web sites. This paper fills in some of the gaps.
The role of Internet addiction in online game loyalty: an exploratory study
Authors: Lu Hsi‐Peng , Wang Shu‐ming
Published: November 2008

Purpose

The paper's aim is to explore the factors that affect the online game addiction and the role that online game addiction plays in the relationship between online satisfaction and loyalty.

Design/methodology/approach

A web survey of online game players was conducted, with 1,186 valid responses collected. Structure equation modeling – specifically partial least squares – was used to assess the relationships in the proposed research framework.

Findings

The results indicate that perceived playfulness and descriptive norms influence online game addiction. Furthermore, descriptive norms indirectly affect online game addiction through perceived playfulness. Addiction also directly contributes to loyalty and attenuates the relationship between satisfaction and loyalty. This finding partially explains why people remain loyal to an online game despite being dissatisfied.

Practical implications

Online gaming vendors should strive to create amusing game content and to maintain their online game communities in order to enhance players' perceptions of playfulness and the effects of social influences. Also, because satisfaction is the most significant indicator of loyalty, vendors can enhance loyalty by providing better services, such as fraud prevention and the detection of cheating behaviors.

Originality/value

The value of this study is that it reveals the moderating influences of addiction on the satisfaction‐loyalty relationship and factors that contribute to the online game addiction. Moreover, while many past studies focused on addiction's negative effects and on groups considered particularly vulnerable to Internet addiction, this paper extends previous work by investigating the relationship of addiction to other marketing variables and by using a more general population, mostly young adults, as research subjects.
Evolving debates in online communication: a graph analytical approach
Authors: Prabowo Rudy , Thelwall Mike , Hellsten Iina , Scharnhorst Andrea
Published: November 2008

Purpose

The aim of this paper is to analyse the structure of evolving debates in online discussion forums to see how science‐related debates evolve over time.

Design/methodology/approach

A graph‐based approach is applied to analyse the structure of graphs of connected terms in online debates. A number of different graph properties, such as the Densification Power Law (DPL), diameter (γ) and effective diameter (δ), are used to observe the properties of the graphs over time.

Findings

The graphs of connected terms obey the DPL and the effective diameters (δ) of the graphs tend to shrink as the debates progress. Slight fluctuations can occur, however, when new terms are integrated into the graphs. These two properties suggest that a graph of connected terms can be modelled through a number of blocks of terms, each of which becomes densely connected over time as indicated byδand DPL plots.

Originality/value

This paper proposes observing the dynamic changes of evolving debates by using graphs of connected terms. The structures and properties of these graphs may be useful for understanding the evolution of public debates about controversial science‐related topics, such as embryonic stem cell research, and to track debates that can potentially explode into major issues.
Exploring individual communication power in the blogosphere
Authors: Ko Hsiu‐Chia , Yin Chun‐Po , Kuo Feng‐Yang
Published: November 2008

Purpose

Viewing the blog technology as an integral part of the current social‐technical environment, this research aims to investigate whether the main influences on message diffusion within a blog community originate from external mass media channels or internal interpersonal communication channels.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors employed the innovation‐diffusion model and the OLS estimating method to study message diffusion of two documentary films on the Wretch, the largest blog community in Taiwan.

Findings

The results indicate that the mass media is the main source of message diffusion and that the internal communication power may increase as the opinion leader promotes these messages.

Research limitations/implications

Other factors that may influence message diffusion such as topic, design characteristics, and the existing social network have not been included.

Practical implications

For practice, the result indicates that the mass media and the blog might complement each other.

Originality/value

This research is one of the first that attempts to apply the innovation‐diffusion model to analyze message diffusion within the blog community.
E‐commerce and socio‐economic development: conceptualizing the link
Authors: Boateng Richard , Heeks Richard , Molla Alemayehu , Hinson Robert
Published: November 2008

Purpose

E‐commerce is diffusing into developing countries (DCs), and is assumed to help deliver the international development agenda. But how can the connection between e‐commerce and socio‐economic development be conceptualised? The aim of this paper is to analyse that connection by drawing from the development studies discipline to take a broader perspective on e‐commerce than that so far provided by firm‐level research.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors adopt a literature survey approach, drawing their conceptual foundations from development studies, and supplementing this from the e‐commerce literature.

Findings

The paper develops a new, integrated model that explains the way in which e‐commerce can contribute to socio‐economic development.

Research limitations/implications

This new model can help provide a foundation for future research on e‐commerce in DCs; research on e‐commerce policy as well as impact assessment research.

Practical implications

The discussion and model provide development agencies, governments, consultants and business people working in DCs with a clearer sense of the contribution e‐commerce can make; assisting them in prioritization, planning, and evaluation of e‐commerce projects.

Originality/value

The paper provides the first integrated perspective on the broader contribution of e‐commerce to the growth and development of DCs.
It is not only mentoring
Authors: Hetty van Emmerik I.J.
Published: November 2008

Purpose

The paper aims to follow social exchange theory and group social capital theory, to predict positive relationships between (informal) mentoring and various support resources for two types of performance (i.e. perceptions of individual and team performance).

Design/methodology/approach

The associations of individual‐level mentoring and team‐level support with job performance were examined in a cross‐level field study using data from 480 teachers working in 64 interdisciplinary teams.

Findings

Multilevel analyses showed that after controlling for having a mentor, those teachers with more team‐level support resources scored higher on self‐reported job performance and perception of team performance. In line with expectations, the association between mentoring and individual job performance was stronger for teachers scoring high on team‐level support (i.e. support from informal networks and support from team orientation). One basic assumption of the present study was a positive relationship between individual‐level mentoring and job performance. Surprisingly, such a direct relationship between mentoring and job performance was not found: only the moderating relationships mentoring appeared to be associated with job performance.

Research limitations/implications

In the present study, only a global measure of mentoring was used (only yes or no) and this measure did not differentiate between mentoring functions and/or outcomes. However, future research could benefit from including more differentiated measures of mentoring to be able to predict more precisely how various support measures are linked with job performance.

Originality/value

Typical dependent measures in mentoring research include career success, career satisfaction, income, promotions, etc. However, with increasing emphasis on working in teams, there is a need to expand the criterion domain and to include a team level measure. Therefore, a distinction was made between the perception of individual job performance of the respondents and the perception of team performance of the team where the respondent is working in.
Factors associated with job content plateauing among older workers
Authors: Armstrong‐Stassen Marjorie
Published: November 2008

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to identify personal and work environment factors associated with the experience of job content plateauing among older workers.

Design/methodology/approach

Two cross‐sectional studies, each including two samples, were conducted. In each study, one sample consisted of a diverse group of older workers and the other sample was composed of older nurses.

Findings

Work centrality and learning self‐efficacy were significantly negatively related to job content plateauing especially for older managerial and professional employees. Perceived organizational support and perceived respect from the organization, supervisor, and work group members were significantly negatively related to job content plateauing for both the diverse group of older workers and older nurses.

Research limitations/implications

The average level of job content plateauing was below the scale midpoint, suggesting older workers who are most susceptible to job content plateauing may have already exited the labor force. Future research is needed to identify variables that mediate the relationship between personal and work environment factors and job content plateauing.

Practical implications

Employers need to ensure that older workers with high work centrality and learning self‐efficacy are provided with challenging jobs that foster learning new skills. Equally important is to signal to older workers that they are valued and respected through HR practices targeted at older employees and respectful treatment from their supervisor and work group members.

Originality/value

This paper identifies personal and work environment factors not previously examined in relation to job content plateauing with a specific focus on older workers.
Roles of personality, vocational interests, academic achievement and socio‐cultural factors in educational aspirations of secondary school adolescents in southwestern Nigeria
Authors: Salami Samuel O.
Published: November 2008

Purpose

This paper seeks to examine the roles of personality, vocational interests, academic achievement and some socio‐cultural factors in educational aspirations of secondary school adolescents in southwestern Nigeria.

Design/methodology/approach

A survey research design was adopted. The sample comprised 430 (males = 220, females = 210) secondary school students. Data personality, vocational interests, academic achievement, socio‐cultural factors and educational aspiration were obtained from the students. Hierarchical multiple regression analysis was used to analyse the data.

Findings

The paper finds that specific personality, interest dimensions, academic achievement, socio‐economic status and demands from extended family were significantly related to the students' educational aspirations.

Research limitations/implications

The cross‐sectional correlational research design does not permit cause‐and‐effect inferences to be made. Use of a single‐item survey to assess educational aspirations may limit the results. Future research may add more items to assess educational aspiration.

Practical implications

The adolescents' personality, vocational interests, academic achievement and socio‐cultural factors should be identified and included in the career counselling process by counselling psychologists.

Originality/value

This research provides basis for the need to consider personality, interests and socio‐cultural factors in addition to cognitive attainment when explaining the adolescents' educational aspirations.
Understanding the use of intimidation as a response to job tension
Authors: Coleman Gallagher Vickie , Harris Kenneth J. , Valle Matthew
Published: November 2008

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to investigate the relationship between job tension (JT) and the use of intimidation in the workplace, as well as positive and negative affectivity as two potential personality trait moderators of this relationship.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper hypothesizes that employees would use more intimidation when they perceive higher levels of JT based on a fight response. Furthermore, it hypothesizes that when JT was high, people high in negative affectivity would use more intimidation in the workplace due to trait activation, whereas individuals high in positive affectivity would use less intimidation due to greater resource pools. The hypotheses was tested with a sample of 134 employees from a wide range of occupations and industries who completed an online survey measuring their levels of felt JT, usage of intimidation behaviors, and self‐reported affectivity.

Findings

Hierarchical moderated regression analyses revealed that JT was positively related to intimidation usage. The analyses also showed support for negative affectivity as a moderator, such that high levels of intimidation occurred when JT and negative affectivity were both high. Positive affectivity did not moderate the relationship.

Originality/value

Although persons high in negative affectivity are particularly vulnerable to the effects of JT, organizations must be aware of the potential for behaviors (e.g. intimidation) that can result from felt tension. Prior research has primarily viewed tension as an outcome variable; the research conceptualizes tension as an antecedent in the stressor‐strain‐outcome paradigm. Intimidation is shown to be an outcome of workplace tension – a behavioral reaction to psychological strain that is an attempt to protect valued resources.
A practical approach for risk‐adjusting performance
Authors: Calandro Joseph , Lane Scott , Dasari Ranganna
Published: November 2008

Purpose

Risk management has grown increasingly popular in recent years due to the recognition that risk should be as actively managed as performance. A key objective of risk management is to evaluate performance in the context of the relative volatility in which business operations are undertaken. However, accomplishing this has generally proven difficult. This paper aims to present a practical approach for risk‐adjusting performance.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper presents a practical risk‐adjustment methodology that is based on a popular statistical measure. The utility of the approach is demonstrated in two practical examples: the first is an industry example and the second is an M&A example.

Findings

The results of the research suggest that the risk‐adjustment approach presented here could become an important part of both performance management and risk management programs.

Research implications/limitations

The approach detailed in this paper facilitates the practical risk‐adjustment of select performance measures and risk measures. As this is an introductory paper, further research could be conducted on the specifics of the risk‐adjustment process as well as the strategic context in which measures are risk‐adjusted.

Originality/value

This paper introduces a practical approach of risk‐adjusting performance that was inspired by a popular statistical measure, which is demonstrated in two practical examples.
Delivering sustained performance through a structured business process approach to management
Authors: Mackay David , Bititci Umit , Maguire Catherine , Ates Aylin
Published: November 2008

Purpose

This paper aims to demonstrate the performance benefits of adopting a business process perspective to managing a business and, through grounded research, propose a revised business process architecture which builds upon recent advances in business process thinking.

Design/methodology/approach

A brief review of business process terminology and architecture is presented. A set of perspectives is developed which is used to structure summary field notes from grounded research conducted in a UK manufacturing plant of a Fortune 500 corporation. A management system model of the case study company is proposed, which in turn is used to modify the existing business process architecture.

Findings

Business management processes are modelled and analysed as observed in the field and compared to recent models of “Manage Processes”. It is discovered that Manage Processes have an architecture which is core to their ability to sustain competitive advantage. It is also shown that adopting a business process architecture perspective when direction‐setting and controlling the business can deliver superior business performance and sustained delivery of value.

Research limitations/implications

The model is developed from grounded research in one organisation only and therefore requires further testing by means of further case studies (although steps are taken to ensure the initial validity of the model). Also, the model is still relatively high level and further case studies should be used to create more detailed practice models for the processes.

Practical implications

The model developed is sufficiently generic to be tested with other organisations, and with the addition of further case studies a useful maturity model workbook could be created. This could aid practitioners in the analysis and improvement of the performance management process from a business process architecture perspective.

Originality/value

This is the first analysis of recent “Manage Process” models from an in‐depth, grounded approach and a new “Manage Process” architecture is proposed.
Building board expertise through key supporting processes
Authors: Roy Marie‐Josée
Published: November 2008

Purpose

Although board expertise has been identified as an important determinant of board performance, some surveys are still reporting that the overall level of board expertise is insufficient to carry out current and emerging roles. Consequently, companies must ensure that board members have the required skills and knowledge. This study aims to examine three board processes aimed at developing and improving board expertise.

Design/methodology/approach

Based on disclosures in the corporate governance guidelines of 100 leading US companies, the study focuses on three board processes, i.e. director nominations, orientation and education programs, and board performance evaluations.

Findings

Based on the initial findings, it is found that most companies in the sample were in compliance with stock exchange requirements and provided information on director nominations, orientation and education programs and board performance evaluations. All too often, however, the companies disclosed generic, non‐specific information; this provides little reassurance that the proper processes are in place to promote companies' long‐term interests.

Research limitations/implications

By examining these key board processes, the paper contributes to the governance literature by providing empirical evidence on this important topic and offering guidance to companies examining board processes aimed at improving directors' overall expertise.

Originality/value

By focusing on disclosures in corporate governance guidelines, the authors also gain insight into decisions made by companies under increased pressure from securities regulators and other stakeholders to provide increased transparency on governance issues.
Development of a framework for manufacturing excellence
Authors: Sharma Monica , Kodali Rambabu
Published: November 2008

Purpose

Manufacturing excellence means to be the best in the field at each competitive priority and to demonstrate industry best practices. Over the years there have been many pioneering efforts in the direction of the assessment and implementation of manufacturing excellence through various frameworks, but none of the existing frameworks was found to be suitable for the Indian scenario, and the completeness of existing Indian manufacturing excellence frameworks was also found to be lacking. Hence this paper aims to focus on the development of a new framework for providing direction and guidance to an organization in achieving manufacturing excellence in Indian industry.

Design/methodology/approach

A literature review was carried out to provide a brief overview about the 23 frameworks of manufacturing excellence/world‐class manufacturing as proposed by various researchers, consultants, international agencies and individuals. An attempt is made to propose a new framework for manufacturing excellence using the comparative analysis of the existing frameworks along with the domain knowledge of the concept of manufacturing excellence and through discussion with experts.

Findings

The outcome of this research is a framework of manufacturing excellence.

Research limitations/implications

The proposed framework for manufacturing excellence needs to be validated through an empirical approach or by a clinical approach utilizing a case study.

Originality/value

Through comparative analysis, some unique elements/attributes were identified which represent the pillars of manufacturing excellence and through domain knowledge some more elements/attributes have been added. Sub‐attributes/sub‐elements for various pillars have also been identified.
Performance measurement: learning from the past and projecting the future
Authors: Bourne Mike
Published: November 2008

Purpose

This paper aims to review the developments in performance measurement over the last 20 years, reflecting on the past and projecting into the future.

Design/methodology/approach

The author presents a personal reflection on research and practice.

Findings

The paper identifies seven issues for management, seven issues for research and three enduring dilemmas.

Originality/value

The paper highlights a number of areas where developments from academic and practitioner co‐creation have not been widely adopted in practice.
Little enthusiasm for enhanced CDD of the politically connected
Authors: Johnson Jackie
Published: November 2008

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to determine whether countries are implementing enhanced customer due diligence (CDD) for financial transactions with the politically connected.

Design/methodology/approach

Public information in relation to ratification of the UN anti‐corruption resolution, mutual evaluations of anti‐money laundering systems and Transparency International's (TI's) corruption reports are used to determine governments' attitudes to corruption and enhanced CDD recommended as best practice by the financial action task force (FATF).

Findings

It was found that low levels of compliance with recommended best practice when handling transactions with politically exposed persons, amongst the countries examined, are leaving the global financial network open to abuse by those in public office.

Research limitations/implications

The release of mutual evaluation reports by the FATF and regional anti‐money laundering bodies has been of immense importance in determining the level of compliance with FATF recommendations. However, until a similar exercise is conducted on a global scale the true situation facing the global financial network cannot be determined.

Practical implications

The lack of scrutiny of financial transactions of the politically connected puts the global financial system at risk and allows corruption at the highest levels to flourish.

Originality/value

Publication of the mutual evaluations of both FATF members and non‐member countries provides an opportunity, not previously available, to analyse the compliance with FATF recommendations across counties around the world. Given the TI findings, levels of corruption increasing and the involvement of public officials at the highest level, it is important to understand how transactions with the politically connected are being handled.
Money laundering: from failure to absurdity
Authors: Haynes Andrew
Published: November 2008

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to examine the UK law relating to money laundering in the aftermath of the three statutory instruments that came into effect in December 2007. In particular the suitability and impact of the law is considered.

Design/methodology/approach

The method adopted is to analyse the current content of the law and consider whether the approach utilised in its drafting will result in the aims behind the law being achieved.

Findings

The result of this analysis is to conclude that the law as drafted is not designed in a way that can be effectively applied and that in addition the entire approach is flawed. In particular there are five key areas where problems arise: there is a requirement to report suspicion or knowledge of criminal offences or proposed terrorist acts but not other proposed criminal offences; the requirement to report only relates to information that comes into the reporter's possession in the course of their trade or profession; the 2007 Regulations create requirements that many of those on whom they are imposed will not be able to effectively apply; the new s.333A appears to limit the offence of tipping off to the regulated sector but will not work as drafted; and in addition there are clear human rights issues associated with the overall regime.

Originality/value

This original and topical paper explains the law as it now exists and provides analysis of its impact and undoubted failings.
The measures on combating money laundering and terrorism financing in the PRC
Authors: Ping H.E.
Published: November 2008

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to make objective comments on China's comprehensive measures on combating money laundering and terrorism financing, and to put forward some recommendations for improvement.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper based on the financial action task force (FATF) evaluation report, describes the fight against money laundering and terrorism financing in China, analyses the gap still remaining between China and the international standards, and points out the future efforts to be made.

Findings

China has made significant progress in implementing anti‐money laundering and combating the financing of terrorism measures in the last decades, gaps however are still remained. The future efforts to be made are as follows: criminal legislation and administrative measures should be improved or supplemented; human resources and institutional resources should be supported and international cooperation should be further strengthened.

Originality/value

This paper presents a comprehensive description of, and comments on, the efforts on China's anti‐money laundering and combating the financing of terrorism, which would be beneficial to policy makers and relevant administrators.
Combating money laundering in Malaysia
Authors: Shanmugam Bala , Thanasegaran Haemala
Published: November 2008

Purpose

The aim of this paper is to highlight the importance of countering the dangers posed by money laundering activities and the measures taken to date by the Malaysian authorities in this respect.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper achieves this by looking at the current money laundering trends in Malaysia, followed by a detailed account of the initiatives taken by the Malaysian authorities to curb such activities. These proactive initiatives range from the enactment and implementation of the Anti‐Money Laundering (AML) Act 2001, the establishment of the Financial Intelligence Unit of the Central Bank of Malaysia and the Southeast Asia Regional Centre for Counter‐Terrorism which work with international enforcement agencies, to the requirement of suspicious transaction reporting amongst professional accountants and lawyers and more.

Findings

Malaysia continues to make a broad and sustained effort to combat money laundering and terrorist financing flows within its borders.

Practical implications

The practical implication of this paper is to stress the importance of keeping abreast with the increased challenges posed by money laundering, especially via the internet and the vital need for the banking and financial sector to invest heavily in transaction monitoring devices/software and training in AML detection, in order to tackle the menace.

Originality/value

This paper makes for a useful read for practitioners, academics, policymakers and students alike.
An overview of the anti‐money laundering laws of Hong Kong
Authors: Kwok David Y.K.
Published: November 2008

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to provide an overview of the anti‐money laundering laws of Hong Kong, in particular the Organised and Serious Crimes Ordinance.

Design/methodology/approach

An analysis of the legislation with respect to anti‐money laundering as well as relevant case law.

Findings

Hong Kong authorities are serious about fighting money laundering crimes. The statutory scheme in Hong Kong is comprehensive and in line with international standards.

Originality/value

By discussing the key statutory provisions and the important cases, this paper provides a comprehensive overview of the anti‐money laundering laws of Hong Kong. This paper is of value to lawyers, prosecutors, academics, law students, etc. in not only Hong Kong, but in the region including mainland China.
Development of anti‐money laundering regime in Russia
Authors: Subbotina Natalya
Published: November 2008

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to analyze the domestic anti‐money laundering (AML) regime in Russia in its prevention pillar with the aim to test its compliance with the international standards.

Design/methodology/approach

The comparative approach is used to analyze domestic regulations with the focus on the four key elements of the prevention pillar of any AML regime – customer due diligence, reporting, regulation and supervision and sanctions – for compliance with the main international documents regulating AML activities of the countries.

Findings

The domestic AML regime in its prevention pillar which was created in 2002 has undergone significant changes. It is still far from complete and is being improved over time. No matter how the regime functions in reality, it mostly formally complies with the international AML requirements.

Research limitations/implications

In using a comparative approach it has been necessary to see how compatible the created regime is with the international norms.

Practical implications

The compliance is, however, conditional. The formal legislative compliance does not characterize the efficiency of the existing regime. How this legislation is applied in practice is the topic of the next step of our analysis.

Originality/value

The efficiency of the global AML regime is a summarized efficiency of the domestic AML regimes. The most difficult part is to measure such efficiency. The more regimes are analyzed the more conditions are created for the assessment of the global regime efficiency.
Politically exposed persons (PEPs): risks and mitigation
Authors: Raymond Choo Kim‐Kwang
Published: November 2008

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to consider the risks posed by politically exposed persons (PEPs) and explain the money laundering risk when entering into financial transactions and business relationships with PEPs. Risk mitigation by regulated entities and corruption prevention strategies are also outlined. To minimise money‐laundering risks associated with PEPs, legislation will need to adapt to deal with threats that organized criminals and terrorists seek to exploit. Future directions for research in relation to PEPs are also identified.

Design/methodology/approach

An analysis of how regulated entities can reduce their risk of money laundering when entering into financial transactions and business relationships with PEPs is presented.

Findings

It was found that there is a need to harmonise legally enforceable obligations targeting PEPs. PEP monitoring, arguably, should be extended to individuals holding prominent public functions in their own jurisdictions, individuals exercising functions not normally considered prominent but who have political exposure comparable to that of similar positions at a prominent level, and individuals holding important positions in private sectors such as CEOs of listed companies. Regulated entities in the private sector need to play their part to mitigate their risks such as conducting ongoing environmental scans of risks of money laundering and the financing of terrorism.

Originality/value

This paper improves awareness of the potential money laundering risks when entering into financial transactions and business relationships with PEPs and makes several recommendations to mitigate the risk posed by PEPs.
From “fat pigs” and “red hats” to a “new social stratum”
Authors: Atherton Andrew
Published: November 2008

Purpose

This paper aims to explore the development and implementation of enterprise policy in China, and the emergence of intermediaries and local strategies designed to encourage SME development.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper is based on interviews and workshops held with local and national government in 2003 and 2006, and informed by reference to and analysis of the policy and academic literature.

Findings

The dynamics and nature of local implementation of national enterprise legislation are mapped out, indicating an interactive dynamic between central government directive, local government adoption and response, and localised dynamics of enterprise and economic development. This “three‐way” model provides a nuanced explanation of local implementation of national enterprise legislation.

Practical implications

The framework can be used at the municipal level to understand how national enterprise legislation can be implemented. The framework also points to wider patterns of local implementation of national government legislation.

Originality/value

The paper provides a detailed model of local policy implementation, using the SME Promotion Law as a specific case of legislation.
Developing the small business market for business development services in Chengdu
Authors: Smallbone David , Xiao Jianzhong , Xu Lei
Published: November 2008

Purpose

The purpose of the paper is to assess the state of the business development services (BDS) market in Chengdu, with a view to identifying demand and/or supply side deficiencies, which public policy might help to address.

Design/methodology/approach

The data are drawn from two surveys undertaken in Chengdu between November 2005 and January 2006.

Findings

The research shows there are small firms that are active users of BDS, reflecting the emergence of non‐state owned enterprises in the city. The survey also shows evidence of unfulfilled latent demand, with a particular reference to sales and marketing advice and helping firms to access sources of finance. In addition, the survey of BDS providers shows that some are sensitive to the needs of small firms, although the latter are typically under‐represented in their client base.

Practical implications

The findings suggest that the BDS market in Chengdu is underdeveloped from a small business perspective, which can be illustrated by pointing to both demand‐ and supply‐side deficiencies. It can be argued that this is an important policy issue, if small enterprises are to fulfil their potential contribution to local economic development, particularly in relation to the development of non‐local sales.

Originality/value

This research adopts an “evidence‐based” approach to inform policy development.