bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A transaction costs approach to purchasing portfolio management
Authors: Luzzini Davide , Caniato Federico , Ronchi Stefano , Spina Gianluca
Published: January 2014

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to propose a theoretically sound and empirically tested classification system composed of purchasing strategic categories as a basis for purchasing portfolio models.

Design/methodology/approach

An international, cross‐industry survey has been designed to assess the characteristics and corresponding strategies of the purchasing categories.

Findings

The paper operationalises the constructs derived from previous scientific contributions related to purchasing portfolio management and transaction cost economics (TCE) to empirically test the purchasing portfolio. In total, four different types of strategic categories have been identified, and distinctive competitive priorities have been found.

Research limitations/implications

Managers might be able to identify different types of purchasing strategic categories, whose characteristics drive specific purchasing strategies. Longitudinal data and more extensive tests of the characteristics of each category might contribute to improving the proposed research framework.

Originality/value

The research overcomes some of the classical limits of purchasing portfolio models, including the absence of a theoretical and empirical basis. In particular, TCE is used to support and expand traditional purchasing portfolio approaches, and a broad empirical base is used to test such an approach.
Modelling the integration‐performance relationship
Authors: van der Vaart Taco , Pieter van Donk Dirk , Gimenez Cristina , Sierra Vicenta
Published: January 2014

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to investigate the impact of different dimensions of supply chain integration on performance, while considering both the interconnections between these supply chain integration dimensions and the effect of context. Specifically, the authors investigate the relationship between two enablers (communication infrastructure and cooperative behaviour) and two practices (planning information and joint improvement), and the moderating effect of supply complexity on their relationship with performance.

Design/methodology/approach

A survey among 145 Dutch and Spanish manufacturers is used to gather data on the buyer‐supplier relationship. Both the sample and two subsamples – for high and low supply complexity – are analysed using SmartPLS.

Findings

The paper finds that two dimensions – communication infrastructure and cooperative behaviour – enable the two collaborative practices: joint improvement and planning information. All mentioned supply chain integration dimensions, except joint improvement are related to performance, but specifically if the supply complexity is high. Among these dimensions the effect of cooperative behaviour is relatively high.

Originality/value

This paper adds to our understanding of how contingencies influence the supply chain. It is the first paper that investigates the moderating effect of the complexity of the process of delivery (supply complexity) on the effectiveness of supply chain integration practices.
Cooperation in the supply chain and lean production adoption
Authors: Moyano‐Fuentes José , Sacristán‐Díaz Macarena , José Martínez‐Jurado Pedro
Published: January 2014

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to empirically examine the impact of the level of cooperation in the supply chain on lean production (LP) adoption. The effect of the level of cooperation with both suppliers and customers with regards to the intensity of LP adoption is examined, as is the joint effect of cooperation and information integration with customers.

Design/methodology/approach

Analysis is carried out on a sample of 84 manufacturing plants that are first tier suppliers to original equipment manufacturers in the Spanish automotive industry. Data were gathered from plant CEOs via a combination of regular mail, e‐mail and internet‐based survey methods. Data are analyzed using exploratory factor analysis and hierarchical regression.

Findings

The results show that while greater levels of cooperation with suppliers do not impact on the intensity of LP adoption, greater levels of cooperation with customers do have a significant effect. Also, the greater the cooperation with customers and the more information integrated with them, the higher the intensity of LP adoption.

Research limitations/implications

The findings stress the importance of having a holistic vision of the supply chain to explain the degree of LP adoption. Further developments include simultaneously studying the role of both information and physical flows along the supply chain in LP adoption, and analyzing the time lag that occurs between a company increasing cooperation with suppliers and customers, and progress being made in the intensity of LP adoption.

Practical implications

Practitioners must be mindful that a greater level of cooperation with customers creates a favourable environment for increasing the intensity of adoption of LP.

Originality/value

This paper contributes to research on the explanatory factors of LP adoption by adding new factors to explain it, including the level of cooperation between supply chain agents and the interaction of information integration and cooperation with customers.
Consumer co‐creation and new product development: a case study in the food industry
Authors: Filieri Raffaele
Published: January 2014

Purpose

The ever changing needs of customers require companies to speed up the new product development process. Thus, the web and social media enable companies to interact and to share knowledge with customers, and to cocreate new products with them. The purpose of this study is to analyze the innovation outputs companies can achieve by involving customers at the “fuzzy front end” of the new product development (NPD) process.

Design/methodology/approach

A case study method has been adopted because the phenomenon under investigation is new, it is hard to find similar researches, and the study attempts to increase researchers’ understanding of such phenomenon. The case study method has enabled the exploration of the strategies used and the results achieved by an international food company, which has involved ordinary customers at early stages of its NPD process, namely at the idea generation and screening stages.

Findings

The case study shows that customers freely provide valuable, original, new, and feasible ideas that can foster product and service innovation, and may also trigger process innovation. Thus, the case study shows how the company has outsourced to customers the idea generation and screening stages of the NPD. The case illustrates how the food company has used the ideas gathered from customers to develop new products and new services. Increasingly, it shows also how the company has gathered strategic information about consumers’ needs and desires (marketing intelligence). Finally, this research discusses the importance of knowledge codification facilitators and of informal, peer‐to‐peer, and transparent communication as enablers of consumers’ ideas sharing.

Research limitations/implications

The single case study approach may prevent the generalization of results.

Originality/value

In marketing and innovation research, there is a dearth of studies on how companies are involving customers through the web at early stages of their NPD process. In addition, there is a lack of in‐depth discussion about the innovation outputs generated through cocreation activities.
The ways companies really answer consumer complaints
Authors: Ryngelblum Arnaldo L. , Vianna Nadia W.H. , Rimoli Celso A.
Published: January 2014

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to question whether companies follow a deliberate strategic internal pattern while responding to consumer complaints or they always offer consumers a fair redress.

Design/methodology/approach

A complaint sample from consumers addressed to the main Brazilian companies in four industries were examined. The responses directly provided to consumers were contrasted to those given after the mediation of Procon‐SP, the main Brazilian consumer protection agency. As an additional source of evidence a documentary research was conducted with other participants of the complaint process.

Findings

Results showed that companies retain or postpone the solution of complaints in order to discourage complainants, but once they appeal to consumer protection agencies their demands are satisfied, even when companies do not fully agree with them. This seems to reveal a strategic intent on their part.

Research limitations/implications

Although the sample examined was not probabilistic, the evidence generated by the data collection and also the documents examined confirmed the results, enhancing the findings.

Practical implications

Government and consumer protection organizations could use this information to envision new ways to perfect regulation in order to avoid a complaint increase.

Originality/value

The results call the attention to the ways companies respond to consumer complaints, suggesting they do have a strategic intent regarding the solutions provided that go beyond offering a fair redress, as is recommended by marketing models highlighting market orientation and consumer satisfaction.
Anbar Abstracts Issue
Authors: Fojt Martin
Published: January 2014

This special “Anbar Abstracts” issue of the Marketing Intelligence & Planning is split into nine sections covering abstracts under the following headings: Marketing Strategy; Customer Service; Sales Management/Sundry; Promotion; Marketing Research/Customer Behaviour; Product Management; Logistics and Distribution.
Intellectual capital: national implications for industrial competitiveness
Authors: Phusavat Kongkiti , Comepa Narongsak , Sitko‐Lutek Agnieszka , Ooi Keng‐Boon
Published: January 2014

Purpose

The paper is based on a project with the Department of Industrial Work (DIW) in Thailand for promoting intellectual capital (IC), which aims to boost the country's long‐term industrial competitiveness. The purpose of this paper is to focus on examining the interrelationships between IC and economic development (i.e. GDP per capita) in Thailand and other neighboring countries in Southeast Asia. The second objective is to identify the IC targets to help enable the DIW to propose future policy initiatives relating to IC.

Design/methodology/approach

The key steps include a selection of IC indicator(s) to assess IC impacts on the country's economic development. There are five countries (Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore and Thailand) to be examined for the IC impacts due to their economy sizes. The methodology involves statistical analysis for understanding the interrelationships and identifying the IC targets for Thailand and the future policy initiatives are derived through the review discussion with DIW administrators.

Findings

Initially, two IC indicators were selected. However, only National Intellectual Capital Indicator (NICI) was statistically significant to the GDP per capita. A further examination revealed that the NICI target for Thailand and a remaining three countries needs to reach 5.0, in order to move from the efficiency‐driven to the innovation‐driven stage. The economic development stages are outlined by the Global Competitiveness Report (published by World Economic Forum) which indicates a GDP per capita over $US 17,000.

Originality/value

The paper underlines the need for the DIW to continue a development of the IC‐related performance indicators for local firms, in both manufacturing and service sectors. In the past, the DIW has encouraged them to primarily measure quality and productivity (including Economic Value Added) as their key non‐financial area. The IC‐related indicators may emerge as one of several alternatives for productivity and quality measurement.
Factors determining firms' perceived performance of mobile commerce
Authors: San Martín Sonia , López‐Catalán Blanca , Ramón‐Jerónimo María A.
Published: January 2014

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to analyse which factors impact firms' perceived performance in mobile commerce (m‐commerce). Introducing the perspective of firms, the paper advances the literature of m‐commerce adoption that mainly focuses on the consumer standpoint.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors complement the technology‐organization‐environment (TOE) framework by adding customer value for the firm and the relationship marketing and fit‐viability approaches. Using a sample of 125 Spanish firms, structural equations models are used to validate measures and test the proposed hypothesis.

Research limitations/implications

The main limitation of this work is the sample size. New studies using larger and more heterogeneous samples in terms of size could consolidate the results achieved in this work, that must be understood as a first step in the analysis of firm m‐commerce adoption.

Findings

Findings show that the perception of performance by firms engaging in m‐commerce depends on the extent to which firms' activity fits mobile business, technological competence and customer value for the firm.

Practical implications

Content providers, operators or payment platforms may find in the paper arguments to favour the incorporation of clients to this new channel.

Originality/value

This is one of the few papers adopting the perspective of firms, since most of the literature approaches the matter from the consumer standpoint.
Agent based decision support in the supply chain context
Authors: Hilletofth Per , Lättilä Lauri
Published: January 2014

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to investigate the benefits and the barriers of agent based decision support (ABDS) systems in the supply chain context.

Design/methodology/approach

Two ABDS systems have been developed and evaluated. The first system concerns a manufacturing supply chain while the second concerns a service supply chain. The systems are based on actual case companies.

Findings

This research shows that the benefits of ABDS systems in the supply chain context include the possibility to increase versatility of system architecture, to improve supply chain visibility, to conduct experiments and what‐if analyses, to improve the understanding of the real system, and the possibility to improve communication within and between organizations in the supply chain. The barriers of ABDS systems in the supply chain context include the difficulty to access data from partners in the supply chain, the difficulty to access data on a higher level of granularity, and the difficulty to retrieve data from other information systems.

Research limitations/implications

The research is explorative in nature therefore empirical data from similar and other research settings should be gathered to reinforce the validity of the findings.

Practical implications

This research provides knowledge and insights on how ABDS systems may be developed and used in the supply chain context and demonstrates its main benefits and barriers.

Originality/value

This research expands the current research of benefits of ABDS systems to the supply chain domain and also addresses the barriers of ABDS systems to a larger extent than previous research. Comparisons to other simulation based decision support systems are also given.
Using trade show information to enhance company success: an empirical investigation
Authors: Bettis‐Outland Harriette , Johnston Wesley J. , Dale Wilson R.
Published: January 2014

Purpose

This paper seeks to provide an exploratory empirical study of the variables that are part of the return on trade show information (RTSI) concept, which is based on the use and value of information gathered at a trade show.

Design/methodology/approach

The research is designed to explore relationships and identify those variables that are a particularly important part of the RTSI concept. The paper provides an exploratory test of the relationship between a series of variables that are related to the value of information gathered at trade shows. Data were collected from trade show attendees approximately 60 days after the trade show. A multiple regression model was developed that explores the relationship between the dependent variable that focuses on information value and the independent variables on various aspects of information acquisition, information dissemination, and information use.

Findings

The final multiple regression model found a significant relationship for several variables and has an adjusted R2 value of 0.552. Four significant independent variables were identified – one each in the information use and the shared information categories and two in the information acquisition category. These findings present an interesting picture of how information is used within an organization after it is acquired at a trade show.

Research limitations/implications

The research is limited by the multiple regression model used to explore the relationships in the data. Also, data from only one trade show were used in the model.

Practical implications

This paper focuses on the intangible, longer‐term benefits as important considerations when determining the value of new trade show information to the firm. The evaluation of trade show information also should include these intangible benefits, such as improved interdepartmental relations or interactions as well as discussions with other trade show participants in finding new uses for information that impacts the company's future success, as well as shorter‐term benefits such as booth activity.

Originality/value

The paper offers a unique approach for determining the value of information acquired at trade shows. Though information gathering has been included as an outcome variable in previous trade show studies, no other research has studied the value of this new trade show information to the company.
Helicopter view: an interpersonal relationship sales process framework
Authors: Wiatr Borg Susanne , Vagn Freytag Per
Published: January 2014

Purpose

This paper aims to offer a two‐dimensional holistic framework for analyzing interpersonal relationships in the sales process in a business‐to‐business (B2B) context.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper takes the form of a literature study of the key concept, i.e. “interpersonal relationship”, three behavior‐based theoretical streams, and an eclectic range of existing models within the existing buyer‐seller literature.

Findings

The framework presented suggests that interpersonal relationships are comprehensible from four perspectives or levels in a sales process – i.e. environment, firm, sales cycle, and sales characteristics. The finding illustrated in the framework is that, in order to understand and manage interpersonal relationships in a sales process effectively, it is valuable to apply a holistic picture, thus including all four levels. This is because dynamic forces exist not only within each layer, but also between layers. In addition, it was found that existing normative directions that focus on managing interpersonal relationships in a sales process are currently contingent upon the level at which the analysis takes place. The findings suggest that future normative directions should instead apply a multi‐perspective approach.

Practical implications

The helicopter view framework of interpersonal relationships in a sales process presented here enables businesses to understand and optimize the interpersonal relationship strategy in their selling process.

Originality/value

By adopting a cross‐paradigm philosophy and a multi‐method approach, this paper offers a new, comprehensive framework for understanding a B2B selling process that focuses on interpersonal relationships. Furthermore, it presents a normative relationship management overview relevant to both academics and practitioners.
Anbar Abstracts Issue
Authors: Fojt Martin
Published: January 2014

This special “Anbar Abstracts” issue of the Journal of Business & Industrial Marketing is split into seven sections covering abstracts under the following headings: Marketing strategy; Customer service; Sales management; Promotion; Product management; Marketing research/customer behavior;
Sundry.
Accounting at home: some interdisciplinary perspectives
Authors: Walker Stephen P. , Llewellyn Sue
Published: January 2014

The paper explores the potentialities for accounting research on the household, individual and family. It is suggested that the home has not been construed in accounting as an arena worthy of academic study due to the preoccupation with concerns in the glamorised and professional world of the “public”. Yet, the social and behavioural implications of the practice of accounting in the home are potentially as profound as they are in institutions which inhabit the public domain. The paper presents a series of vignettes of the manner in which issues pertaining to accounting and accountability have engaged practitioners in other disciplines. It attempts to reveal interfaces between accountants and students of the home drawn from history, law, personal finance, economics and statistics, and sociology. Argues that the accounting academy has a significant contribution to make in the “explosion” of research activity on household‐family systems in their contemporary and historical perspectives. Such participation would also enrich our understanding of accounting as a social and institutional practice.
Effect of minor additions of Fe on bulk alloy microstructure and tensile properties of the low Ag‐content Sn‐1Ag‐0.5Cu solder alloy
Authors: Abdul Ameer Shnawah Dhafer , Binti Mohd Said Suhana , Faizul Bin Mohd Sabri Mohd , Anjum Badruddin Irfan , Xing Che Fa
Published: January 2014

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to investigate the effects of small additions (0.1 and 0.3 wt%) of Fe on the bulk alloy microstructure and tensile properties of low Ag‐content Sn‐1Ag‐0.5Cu lead‐free solder alloy.

Design/methodology/approach

Sn‐1Ag‐0.5Cu, Sn‐3Ag‐0.5Cu and Sn‐1Ag‐0.5Cu containing 1 and 3 wt.% Fe solder specimens were prepared by melting pure ingots of Sn, Ag, Cu and Fe in an induction furnace and subsequently remelting and casting to form flat dog‐bone shaped specimens for tensile testing. The solder specimens were subjected to tensile testing using an INSTRON tester with a loading rate 10‐3 s‐1. To obtain the microstructure, the solder samples were prepared by dicing, molding, grinding and polishing processes. The microstructural analysis was carried out using scanning electron microscopy/Energy Dispersive X‐ray spectroscopy. Electron backscatter diffraction (EBSD) analysis was used to identify the IMC phases.

Findings

In addition to large primary β‐Sn grains, the addition of Fe to the SAC105 alloy formed large circular shaped FeSn2 IMC particles located in the eutectic regions. This had a significant effect in reducing the elastic modulus and yield strength and maintaining the elongation at the SAC105 level. Moreover, the additions of Fe resulted in the inclusion of Fe in the Ag3Sn and Cu6Sn5 IMC particles. The additions of Fe did not have any significant effect on the melting behaviour.

Research limitations/implications

The paper provides a starting‐point for studying the effect of minor additions of Fe on the drop impact and thermal cycling reliability of SAC105 alloy considering the bulk alloy microstructure and tensile properties. Further investigations should be undertaken in the future.

Originality/value

The effect of Fe addition on the bulk alloy microstructure and tensile properties of the SAC105 alloy has been studied for the first time. Fe‐containing SAC105 alloy may have the potential to increase the drop impact and thermal cycling reliability compared with the standard SAC105 alloy.
Contract design and supply chain management in the luxury jewellery industry
Authors: Brun Alessandro , Moretto Antonella
Published: January 2014

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to identify the role of contract design in overcoming critical demand management (DM) issues in the luxury jewellery industry. The goals are the identification of the main critical issues of the DM process and the analysis of the contribution of contract re‐design to solve them.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper follows an exploratory approach using a case‐based methodology. Data are collected through a sample composed of four brand‐owning companies and 37 multi‐brand retailers in the luxury jewellery industry.

Findings

The paper offers insights into contract design in the luxury jewellery industry. In particular, the critical issues of the DM process determined by inadequate contract design are identified, thus highlighting their influence on the critical success factors of luxury companies. In addition to the characteristics the contract should have to overcome the critical issues have been proposed.

Research limitations/implications

The research provides initial insights into the important role of contract management in jewellery luxury companies. To date, the analysis is predominantly qualitative and not sufficiently statistically significant to generalise the results.

Practical implications

This paper raises a number of important issues for jewellery brand owners who are reluctant to consider the retailer's perspective in a collaborative way during the DM process.

Originality/value

This paper is one of the first attempts to study contract design specifically applied to jewellery luxury companies, with a main focus on the DM process.
Retail Insights ‐ Spring 1995
Authors: Fojt Martin
Published: January 2014

Consider this proposition: The object of a business is to understand its customers’ needs and value chain, and to be the first and therefore most profitable to innovate to meet these needs and enhance the customers’ value. Such a management attitude would, we believe, lead to a series of judgements.
Retail Insights ‐ Summer 1995
Authors: Fojt Martin
Published: January 2014

If your company is like most, you are providing your customers with more options, more variety, and more customization than they have ever had before. While that is indeed the
direction in which most firms must move in order to succeed in today’s turbulent markets, you must remember a simple rule: customers do not want more choices. They just want exactly what they want.
Retail Insights ‐ Autumn 1997
Authors: Pollitt David
Published: January 2014

Quality management has come a long way since the obsession with total quality management of the 1980s. Industry leaders and “management thinkers” have increasingly focused on quality initiatives in terms of customer expectations rather than suppliers’ measures. This has helped to ensure that investment in new products and services is market led, which in turn leads to better overall business performance.
Predictors for e‐government adoption in Jordan
Authors: Alomari Mohammad , Woods Peter , Sandhu Kuldeep
Published: January 2014

Purpose

This paper aims to engage with the growing debate on the factors that affect e‐government adoption in the developing country of Jordan. The change from traditional interactions between government and citizens in Jordan to interaction via the web needs further exploration in order to understand the factors that might affect e‐government adoption by citizens. This paper therefore aims to report on a study to identify the main factors that influence citizens' intention to adopt e‐government websites in Jordan, using a theoretical framework consisting of diffusion of innovation theory (DOI) and the technology acceptance model (TAM).

Design/methodology/approach

A survey study of 400 Jordanian citizens who were internet users investigated the influence of the aforementioned factors on the adoption and use of e‐government websites. Multiple regression analysis was used to test the hypotheses.

Findings

Contrary to previous research, trust in the internet, relative advantage, compatibility and perceived ease of use were not found to be significant predictors of intention to use e‐government websites. Trust in government, website design, beliefs, complexity and perceived usefulness were significant factors in Jordanian citizens' intention to use e‐government websites.

Originality/value

This study is one of the few to examine what influences adoption and use of e‐government websites by citizens in the Middle East. The study clearly identifies the relationship between the constructs of “beliefs” (religious views) and website design and e‐government adoption, and explores the influence of attitudes towards e‐government adoption in Jordan. Although previous studies show similarities between the constructs related to DOI (relative advantage and complexity) and those related to TAM (perceived usefulness (PU) and perceived ease of use (PEoU)), this research shows the importance of including these constructs when considering the topic of e‐government adoption in a Middle Eastern country.
Matches and gaps in the green logistics market
Authors: Martinsen Uni , Björklund Maria
Published: January 2014

Purpose

The interface between logistics service providers (LSPs) and shippers is an area that has received little attention in previous research and even less has been done when environmental issues are added to this interface. Nonetheless, the perception among researchers and the industry is that in many instances, supply and demand in this green interface does not coincide. The purpose of this paper is, therefore, to identify the matches and gaps between LSPs' green supply and the shippers' green demand.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper is based on a web‐based survey sent out to Swedish LSPs and shippers. A gap analysis based on mean values and confidence intervals was conducted.

Findings

Findings indicate that the LSPs overachieve when it comes to green categories and also that they are aware of this situation. Shippers, on the other hand, interestingly are not aware of this and they seem satisfied with what they perceive is offered by LSPs.

Research limitations/implications

Contrary to previous research, the paper specifies matches and gaps in the green LSP‐shipper interface. As the survey covered actors in the Swedish market, future research would benefit from similar analyses from other countries.

Practical implications

The findings are of use for LSPs' understanding of shippers' environmental demands, and thereby enable them to adapt better to market demand. Similarly, shippers can use the findings to understand green supply and possibly change their demands accordingly.

Originality/value

This paper adds to the knowledge of the green LSP‐shipper interface. Furthermore, it uses gap analysis, which appears to be something not previously done within environmental logistics research.
Anbar Abstracts Issue
Authors: Fojt Martin
Published: January 2014

This special “Anbar Abstracts” issue of the International Journal of Physical Distribution & Logistics Management is split into six sections covering abstracts under the following headings: Logistics and Distribution Strategy; Supply Chain Management; IT in Logistics and Distribution; Just‐in‐time Management; Accounting for Logistics; International.
Strategic logistics management
Authors: Sandelands Eric
Published: January 2014

For those who like certainty, now is not a good time to be in logistics management ‐ for those who relish challenges, there are plenty to be had. There are challenges not just to the old certainties, but the new certainties which replaced them. Companies have, in recent years, looked to Japan for inspiration, only to find the Japanese economy beginning to falter. Japanese management practices were endorsed by, and imported into, many Western organizations and, when these transplanted practices failed to work, cultural difficulties were cited. It then becomes something of a shock, for example, to see the keiretsu distribution system fall into disrepute, and lean production methods become modified or abandoned by those who developed them.
Numerical investigation of air forced convection in channels with differently shaped transverse ribs
Authors: Manca Oronzio , Nardini Sergio , Ricci Daniele
Published: January 2014

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to investigate the flow and the heat transfer characteristics of a two‐dimensional rib‐roughned rectangular duct with the two principal walls subjected to uniform heat flux. In particular, the main goal is to generate friction and heat transfer data, for different values of p/e with square, rectangular, trapezoidal and triangular shape ribs for Reynolds numbers in the range between 20,000 and 60,000 and different heights and to describe the temperature and fluid‐dynamic fields around the ribs.

Design/methodology/approach

The model is constituted by a two‐dimensional duct. On the duct wall square, rectangular, triangular and trapezoidal ribs are introduced by changing different geometry ratios. Governing equations are solved numerically by means of the finite‐volume method.

Findings

Simulations show that maximum Nusselt numbers are detected in correspondence with dimensionless pitch equal to 12 and 10 for the square, trapezoidal and rectangular ribs, and triangular ones, respectively. Heat transfer rate is at most 2.45 times higher than the smooth duct, when dimensionless height is equal to 0.05, and 1.85 at a dimensionless height equal to 0.02; furthermore, the friction factor is the highest at a pitch ratio of ten for the rectangular, trapezoidal and square ribs while the triangular ones show the maximum values at a dimensionless pitch equal to 8. For Re>40,000 an asymptotic behavior is detected. Best thermal performances are provided by triangular ribs with w/e=2.0 while the rectangular ribs with w/e=2.0 present the lowest friction factor values. Local Nusselt number profiles reveal that the maximum values are detected from three to five times the rib height from the downstream turbulator. Finally, temperature fields and stream function contours are given in order to visualize the temperature distribution and flow pattern in presence of d‐type and k‐type roughness behavior also for triangular ribs.

Originality/value

The paper investigates evaluation of temperature and velocity fields thermal and fluid‐dynamic behaviors (in terms of average and local Nusselt number profiles and friction factors ones) of roughned ducts with different shapes, heights and aspect ratios of ribs in turbulent regime. The thermo‐physical properties of fluid are assumed to be dependent on temperature. The paper is useful to thermal designers.
An evaluation of a secure and trustworthy mobile agent‐based e‐marketplace system
Authors: Patel Ahmed , Qi Wei , Taghavi Mona
Published: January 2014

Purpose

Mobile agent‐based e‐marketplaces are business applications that have been developed as flexible and efficient approaches to help companies or corporations to extend their businesses to outreach larger markets without regional and continental boundaries. Every distributed system is unable to avoid security problems due to the open internet environment. Mobile agent‐based e‐marketplaces are no exceptions. The purpose of this paper is to design and implement a framework and system of a secure and trustworthy mobile agent‐based e‐marketplace to overcome this problem.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors present an analysis and evaluation of a secure and trustworthy mobile agent‐based e‐marketplace, which was specified and prototyped. The experimental results of the implemented system are used to address the evaluation of the system. The discussion of the solution is also presented.

Findings

The evaluation and performance results show that the proposed framework and system have the ability to provide a secure and efficient e‐marketplace environment for trading products. The authors draw conclusions and highlight future work on this specific research area.

Originality/value

The performance and scalability are the two most important issues for mobile‐agent based systems together with their feasibility. The evaluation and performance results are used to reflect the results of the research in its entirety.
A framework for preventing money laundering in banks
Authors: Pramod Vandana , Li Jinghua , Gao Ping
Published: January 2014

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to form a new framework for preventing money laundering by mapping COBIT (Control for Information and Related Technology) processes to COSO (Committee of Sponsoring Organisation) components.

Design/methodology/approach

First, a new framework for preventing money laundering in banks is formed by mapping COBIT to COSO. Further, the potential of the mapped framework to comply with the Bank Secrecy Act requirements is analysed.

Findings

The mapped framework effectively supports all the activities of financial sectors through defining efficient information technology‐based processes and control methods. Information systems play a key role for financial sectors in producing financial statements, managing customer databases, detecting frauds, etc.

Research limitations/implications

Case studies of banks of different sizes, and in different countries are needed. It is necessary to improve the mapped framework by considering Basel III regulations.

Practical implications

COBIT‐mapped‐COSO framework is useful for banks to fight money laundering. While adopting the new framework, an organisation should apply the best practices that suit its operations rather than all the control objectives.

Social implications

The new framework can help banks fight money laundering.

Originality/value

For preventing money laundering through banks, a number of policies and intelligence systems are in place. However, there is no efficient framework that could guide banks to follow these policies and use information technologies. This paper proposes a new framework to target these gaps.
Investigating the drivers of consumer intention to buy manufacturer brands
Authors: Walsh Gianfranco , Shiu Edward , Hassan Louise M.
Published: January 2014

Purpose

Branding literature indicates that consumers buy branded products because they expect higher quality compared with non‐branded products. However, as private‐label brands improve in quality and deliver more value to customers, a reassessment of intention to buy manufacturer brands is pertinent. On the basis of the theory of reasoned action, the authors aim to hypothesize that the perceived quality of manufacturer brands, brand involvement, attitude toward private‐label brands, and perceived product similarity drive purchase intention. In addition, consumers' perceptions of product similarity and age might moderate the relationship between perceived quality and intention to buy manufacturer brands.

Design/methodology/approach

The model and relationships are examined with a large sample of more than 600 consumers. The primary data were collected using face‐to‐face interviews.

Findings

Regression analysis finds support for a direct effect of perceived product quality, brand involvement and attitude towards private‐label brands as well as a moderating effect of age on the relationship between perceived quality and intention to buy manufacturer brands.

Research limitations/implications

The authors suggest implications of the study findings for brand management and marketing theory development, as well as avenues for further research. Amongst others, the authors recommend that brand manufacturers should communicate the quality aspects of their brands more clearly, because consumers' quality perceptions are strongest amongst the antecedents of purchase intention.

Originality/value

Overall, the findings suggest that marketers need to revise their understanding of retail behavior in this area which constitutes the main contribution of the paper.
Navigators for the digital ocean
Authors: Fox Robert
Published: January 2014

Purpose

The purpose of this column is to explore methods in which information professionals can contribute to the intelligence of open discovery systems.

Design/methodology/approach

This is a conceptual column based on experience in this field and a review of the relevant literature.

Findings

There are several ways in which information professionals can contribute to make their discovery systems more robust through careful semantic analysis.

Originality/value

This column explores ways in which the fields of linguistics, semantic analysis, semiotics, and web ontologies can assist information professionals in building responsive and robust back end indexing systems that can be coupled to front end open discovery frameworks.
An evaluation of the Emergency Response Week curriculum
Authors: Sedevic Mark T.
Published: January 2014

Purpose

Police recruits need to be prepared the moment they graduate from the police academy for any type of situation. It is during the initial recruit training phase at the police academy where police recruits need to learn about terrorism and how to respond to a terrorism incident. The purpose of this paper is to examine whether the Emergency Response Week portion of the Chicago Police Academy's recruit curriculum was adequate and provided Chicago Police Department recruits with adequate knowledge of terrorism awareness and the skills necessary to respond to a terrorism incident.

Design/methodology/approach

Descriptive research was used with a non‐experimental fixed design, along with quantitative survey research.

Findings

The results indicated that the Chicago Police Department recruit curriculum in Emergency Response Week was perceived as above adequate by Chicago Police Department recruits. Additionally, the Chicago Police Department recruits perceived their knowledge concerning terrorism awareness and their skill levels concerning responding to a terrorism incident as above adequate following completion of Emergency Response Week.

Originality/value

Previous researchers mostly examined the breadth of police recruit curricula, which has left a need for an in‐depth knowledge base. This research paper probed deeply into the satisfaction of the Emergency Response Week curriculum at the Chicago Police Department Recruit Academy and narrowed the focus from previous studies.
Police decision making: an examination of conflicting theories
Authors: Phillips Scott W. , Sobol James J.
Published: January 2014

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to compare two conflicting theoretical frameworks that predict or explain police decision making. Klinger's ecological theory proposes that an increased level of serious crimes in an area decreases the likelihood an officer will deal with order‐maintenance issues, while Fagan and Davies suggest an increase in low‐level disorder will increase order maintenance behavior of police officers.

Design/methodology/approach

Using a vignette research design, the authors examines factors that may contribute to police officers’ decision to make a traffic stop in four jurisdictions with varying levels of serious crime. Ordered logistic regression with robust standard errors was used in the analysis.

Findings

Analysis of the findings demonstrates that officers who work in higher crime areas are less likely to stop a vehicle, as described in the vignettes. Additional predictors of police decision to stop include vehicles driven by teenaged drivers and drivers who were speeding in a vehicle.

Research limitations/implications

The current research is limited to an adequate but fairly small sample size (n=204), and research design that examines hypothetical scenarios of police decision making. Further data collection across different agencies with more officers and more variation in crime levels is necessary to extend the current findings.

Originality/value

This paper adds to the literature in two primary ways. First, it compares two competing theoretical claims to examine a highly discretionary form of police behavior and second, it uniquely uses a vignette research design to tap into an area of police behavior that is difficult to study (e.g. the decision not to stop).
Property Journals Index 1990‐2000
Authors: Bakewell K.G.B.
Published: January 2014

Compiled by K.G.B. Bakewell covering the following journals published by MCB University Press:
Facilities Volumes 8‐18; Journal of Property Investment & Finance Volumes 8‐18; Property Management Volumes 8‐18; Structural Survey Volumes 8‐18.
Interdisciplinarity: wishful thinking? Experiences at the University of Graz
Authors: Bader Lena , Zotter Victoria
Published: January 2014

Purpose

Interdisciplinarity is necessary to explain or solve complex problems and questions of today's world. Therefore, it's important to analyze the situation within an educational institution to get to know what students think about interdisciplinary work. The purpose of this paper is to try to achieve an insight into how e‐learning technologies (like WebCT) are perceived by students and to what degree information and communication technologies (ICTs) could improve communication and cooperation between students.

Design/methodology/approach

On the basis of two online surveys and the attendance of a course, the experiences and approaches of students were analyzed.

Findings

The results show that most of the students see the positive aspects of interdisciplinary interchange and the benefit of learning from each other, so most of them are open minded regarding interdisciplinarity – an important requirement is given. Information and communication technologies are a good instrument to strengthen the cooperation and communication between students and can further be a helpful device for an interdisciplinary working approach.

Practical implications

Based on these findings, more accesses to interdisciplinary cooperation can be worked out especially in the master program we have analyzed which sees interdisciplinarity as one of its main goals. Knowing that the openness and readiness from students' side is given, the offer for interdisciplinary ways of interchange could be expanded.

Social implications

The results show that the students are open‐minded to other students' knowledge and views, which also shows the mutual acceptance and respect for other opinions. This is very important for teamwork and also for multicultural interchange on an international basis.

Originality/value

Not only in social regard but also for complex questions of science and society in general the results of student's experiences and approaches are auspicious for international frameworks.
Automated carton making, order filling and goods movement lifts material handling to new heights of efficiency
Authors: Bloss Richard
Published: January 2014

Purpose

– Review of the most recent Automate and Promat shows in Chicago with emphasis on the new automation innovations and applications on display. The paper aims to discuss these issues.

Design/methodology/approach

– In-depth interviews with exhibitors of automation equipment and system integrators of automation technology at these dual shows.

Findings

– Automation technology continues to address an ever increasing number of material handling applications.

Practical implications

– Customers may be surprised at the automation innovations and new applications which are appearing in the material handling environment.

Originality/value

– A review of some of the latest automation innovations and applications that one might have seen if they had been on the exhibition floor at the most recent dual Automate and Promat shows.