bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Approaching digital equity: is wifi the new leveler?
Authors: Middleton Karen L. , Chambers Valrie
Published: February 2010

Purpose

Recent reports suggest the shape and size of the digital divide may be changing. This exploratory study aims to examine the relationships between demographic and situational variables and small and medium‐sized enterprise (SME) owners' intentions to adopt and use free public wifi technology.

Design/methodology/approach

A survey study of 158 SME owners in the urban renewal community (RC) of a large Southwestern metroplex investigated the influence of known digital divisors – gender, ethnicity, age, education, and experience – on the adoption and use of wi‐fi technologies. Partial least squares was used to test the hypotheses.

Findings

Contrary to previous research, gender, age, education, and experience were not related to the intention to adopt wifi technology. Ethnicity was significantly related to intent to adopt, but the relationship was small. Ethnicity and age were found to be somewhat related to wifi usage. In marked contrast from earlier research, education, gender, and experience were not significant predictors of usage.

Practical implications

The findings suggest that access to high‐speed wifi has the potential to reduce and/or eliminate the digital divide. The projected changes in the digital divide can be expected to make a significant impact on SME productivity and performance.

Originality/value

This study is one of the first to examine the influence of the adoption and use of public wi‐fi technologies by SME owners on the digital divide.
The impact of project team attributes on ERP system implementations
Authors: Rothenberger Marcus A. , Srite Mark , Jones‐Graham Karen
Published: February 2010

Purpose

The adoption of enterprise resource planning (ERP) systems is a major challenge to organizations. Many implementation teams struggle to ensure the success of such projects. The information systems literature indicates that the team attributes of breadth of experience, empowerment, and cohesion are necessary conditions for project success. This paper aims to investigate how the nature of implementation teams may affect adoption success.

Design/methodology/approach

The research employs a positivist, qualitative field study approach to investigate the role of the implementation team attributes in ERP system adoption. Project success is assessed on three determinants, i.e. support of organizational activities, stakeholder satisfaction, and system acceptance.

Findings

The findings provide new insights as to the extent to which prior assumptions from the information systems literature apply in the ERP system implementation context. The results indicate that team empowerment and cohesion are not necessary precursors to project success as their impact depends on the adoption context.

Practical implications

The circumstances under which the impact of low team empowerment and low cohesion can be alleviated in ERP adoption projects are discussed.

Originality/value

The paper offers explanations as to why certain established assumptions regarding information systems teams and project success may not apply to an ERP adoption context.
The role of exogenous factors in the strategic performance of construction companies
Authors: Isik Zeynep , Arditi David , Dilmen Irem , Talat Birgonul M.
Published: February 2010

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to investigate the role of exogenous factors in the strategic performance of construction companies. A conceptual model is proposed where strategic performance is influenced by a two‐dimensional construct composed of market conditions and strategic alliances.

Design/methodology/approach

A questionnaire survey was administered to 73 construction companies. Structural equation modeling was used to analyze the data and test the hypothesis that strategic performance is impacted by exogenous factors. The individual constructs used in the study passed the internal reliability test, all factor loadings were statistically significant at α=0.05, all goodness of fit indices consistently indicated a good fit, and the hypothesized path coefficient was large and significant at α=0.05.

Findings

The hypothesis was supported by the data and analysis. Indeed, macro‐economic, political, legal, socio‐cultural conditions and the level of competition and demand are expected to impact differentiation strategies, and market/project/partner selection strategies. The quality of the relationships with government agencies and clients is expected to influence client/project/market selection strategies, while the quality of the relationships with labor unions may affect the ability to differentiate by using innovative construction methods, materials and equipment.

Research limitations/implications

It is likely that endogenous factors such as company resources, capabilities and project management competencies also impact strategic performance. But the study is confined only to the exogenous factors of market conditions and strategic alliances.

Practical implications

The findings of the study benefit construction company executives in that they make the executives more cognizant of the market environment and they draw the executives' attention to the importance of alliances with other parties. While market conditions are beyond the control of construction executives, relationships with other parties are somewhat within their sphere of influence.

Originality/value

Only a few studies have ever investigated non‐financial measures to assess the effectiveness of company strategies. Also, exogenous factors which are unavoidable in a project environment were also rarely discussed in the construction management literature. The originality of this study is that it uses non‐financial measures to assess the effects of exogenous factors on strategic performance.
IT‐enhanced communication protocols for building project management
Authors: Ahuja Vanita , Yang Jay , Shankar Ravi
Published: February 2010

Purpose

Building project management requires real time flow of information between all the project team members or the supply chain members. In the present scenario, when project participants are geographically separated, adoption of Information Communication Technology (ICT) enables such effective communication. But strategic adoption of ICT requires that all the supply chain members follow the accepted methods of communication or the communication protocols. The majority of the construction organizations are small and medium enterprises (SMEs). This research, therefore, proposes to focus on developing IT‐enhanced communication protocols for building project management by SMEs.

Design/methodology/approach

The research adopts a sequential mixed methods approach, where data collection and analysis are conducted in both the quantitative and qualitative phases of research.

Findings

The protocols are proposed as a “Strategic Model for Enhancing ICT Diffusion in Building Projects”. The framework for the model is discussed at three levels of study, i.e industry, organization, and people.

Practical implications

While the research was conducted in an Indian context, the research outcome is envisaged to be widely applicable in other countries with due considerations.

Originality/value

The developed framework has implications for national level bodies and academic institutions, organizations, people or project managers and is applicable at the international level after due considerations.
Books, books everywhere, but nary a one in print
Authors: Medeiros Norm
Published: February 2010

Purpose

This paper seeks to review Cushing Academy's recent decision to withdraw the majority of its print book collection in favor of electronic books.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper is designed to conjure thoughts regarding the role of books and their digital future, particularly in light of the Kindle and Google Books project.

Findings

The paper suggests that eliminating print books from a secondary school library may not serve well students who go on to attend universities where print books predominate.

Originality/value

The paper calls attention to the challenges libraries and institutions face in transitioning to electronic books.
Applied digital library project management
Authors: Cervone H. Frank
Published: February 2010

Purpose

This paper seeks to define and describe decision tree analysis as a method for decision making when there are multiple, linearly or hierarchically related decision points that must be considered when determining the optimum choices within a project.

Design/methodology/approach

Using theory and example, the paper relates the use of decision tree analysis to the successful selection of decision points in complex, multistage digital library projects.

Findings

Decision tree analysis is useful as a method for both determining the various courses of action within a project and visualizing these choices in an easily understood format. Decision tree analysis can help a team understand the relationships between issues in a project as well as the consequences of various courses of action.

Originality/value

The paper fills a gap in the digital library project management literature by providing an overview of a tool used in operational research that helps identify an optimal course of action within a complex system of interrelated decisions.
A cross‐Pacific partnership
Authors: Sakaguchi Eiko , Shimada Kenichiro , Wasserstrom Amy
Published: February 2010

Purpose

This paper aims to describe the Prange Children's Book Reformatting Project as an example of bi‐national cooperation to provide the broadest possible access to a collection of historical significance to both nations, when most of the materials are still under copyright.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper examines the joint project between the University of Maryland Libraries' (UM Libraries) and the National Diet Library of Japan (NDL) to preserve and provide access to the children's books in the Gordon W. Prange Collection. It highlights the unique aspects of the project, including its international component, and describes the project's access tools and service products.

Findings

The access tools developed as part of this reformatting project – an online digital collection for the UM Libraries and color microfilm for NDL – each have their limitations. Used in combination, however, these tools can support in‐depth research.

Originality/value

The comprehensiveness of the project (all 8,000 titles are being scanned), the use of digital‐to‐color microfilm technology, and the use of the color microfilm as an access point make this project unique.
Aluka: digitization from Maputo to Timbuktu
Authors: Ryan Deirdre
Published: February 2010

Purpose

This paper aims to describe experiences of collaborative effort to digitize a wide range of scholarly materials from and about Africa

Design/methodology/approach

A brief description of Aluka is followed by two examples of capacity building in Africa, first in Maputo and second in Timbuktu.

Findings

Success in international digitization projects can only be achieved through close collaboration.

Originality/value

The paper highlights a unique project to digitize materials at holding institutions in Africa.
Fashion collaboration or collision?
Authors: Ahn SooKyoung , Kim HaeJung , Forney Judith A.
Published: February 2010

Purpose

This study aims to exploit the match‐up effect to fashion collaborations by distinguishing the consumers' fit association at a cognitive and attitudinal level. It seeks to investigate the mediating role of the match‐up perception by identifying the antecedents of match‐up perception and the attitude formation in co‐marketing alliance.

Design/methodology/approach

A total of 273 Korean women were surveyed to compare the product/brand associations, and assess the level of match‐up perception and overall attitude toward the two fictitious co‐marketing alliance cases.

Findings

The study argued that the match‐up perception mediated between framing criteria and the attitude toward co‐marketing alliance. Usage situation, user identity, and perceived brand equity were valuable factors in the perception of alliance match‐up. This match‐up perception at a cognition level is a necessary condition prior to consumer attitude at an attitudinal level.

Research limitations/implications

The research stimuli are limited to two fictitious alliance cases. Expanding cases to diverse product categories and brands' stimuli enhances the empirical validity. The cross‐cultural approach with diverse regions is further considered for enhancing research reliability.

Originality/value

The study exhibits an innovative fashion collaboration phenomenon. On empirically demonstrating the mediating effect of match‐up perception in the context of co‐marketing alliance, the study suggests the theoretical and practical insights in the Korean and global fashion industries.
US textile sector job loss
Authors: Nelson Hodges Nancy , Lentz Holly M.
Published: February 2010

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to explore the experiences of displaced female textile sector workers.

Design/methodology/approach

A qualitative approach to data collection and interpretation forms the methodological basis of the study. In‐depth interviews were conducted with 14 female employees who were laid off from a large textile manufacturing facility in a southeastern state. Participants were selected through the local community college where they returned to school after losing their jobs.

Findings

A phenomenological interpretation of the responses led to the development of three emergent thematic areas connecting similarities and differences that surfaced across the participants' narratives. Key issues within the thematic areas point to the need for each participant to come to terms with the job loss, both emotionally and financially, and to decide where she would go from there.

Research limitations/implications

The study focuses on women employed at a single manufacturing facility and within a single state in the southeastern USA. Implications of the meanings of participants' experiences for their community and for the future of employment in the US textile sector are considered.

Practical implications

The study provides an interpretation of the impact of textile sector dynamics on the lives of displaced workers and the local community.

Originality/value

The paper offers insight into the human side of industry dynamics and declining manufacturing employment figures. It also sheds light on the extent to which some displaced textile sector workers have pursued the educational options made available through government programs designed to provide assistance with education and retraining.
The relationships of fashion leadership, fashion magazine content and loyalty tendency
Authors: Bailey Lauren R. , Seock Yoo‐Kyoung
Published: February 2010

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to examine the influence of fashion magazine content on consumer loyalty behavior and to analyze the differences in fashion magazine content preference and loyalty tendency toward fashion magazines among the identified fashion consumer groups according to their level of fashion innovativeness and opinion leadership.

Design/methodology/approach

A structured questionnaire was developed to collect data on the variables in the study. The data analysis consisted of exploratory factor analysis, multiple regression, multivariate analysis of variance (MANOVA), analysis of variance (ANOVA), and descriptive statistics including means, frequencies, and percentiles.

Findings

Six fashion magazine content dimensions were identified. The results revealed that fashion magazine content was significantly related to loyalty tendency toward a fashion magazine. In addition, respondents' preference for fashion magazine content and their loyalty tendency varied according to fashion consumer group and their level of fashion innovativeness and opinion leadership.

Research limitations/implications

The study has practical implications for fashion magazine editors and marketers regarding how to incorporate fashion magazine readers' wants and needs in relation to the magazine's content, how to position their magazines for targeting different groups of shoppers, and how to allocate the features of fashion magazines in order to promote readership and loyalty toward the fashion magazine.

Originality/value

Despite the importance of fashion magazines as an information source, little research has been conducted to analyze fashion magazine content and its influence on loyalty tendency.
Tall women's satisfaction with the fit and style of tall women's clothing
Authors: Jones Michelle R. , Giddings Valerie L.
Published: February 2010

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to assess tall women's satisfaction with the fit and style of apparel for tall women.

Design/methodology/approach

A total of 75 US women, who were at least 5 feet 8 inches and between 18 and 54 years old, were asked to rate their level of satisfaction with misses‐size and tall‐size apparel, in general, and with seven garment categories (jackets/blazers/coats, button‐up blouses, pullover tops/sweaters, skirts, jeans, pants, lingerie).

Findings

T‐tests revealed that participants were more satisfied with the fit of tall‐size apparel than with the fit of misses‐size apparel, but were more satisfied with the style of misses‐size than with the style of tall‐size apparel. In addition, participants most frequently used the misses‐size designation to purchase clothing and rated style as more important than fit. Despite reported dissatisfaction with the fit of misses‐size apparel, participants appeared willing to sacrifice fit to have the desired styles.

Research limitations/implications

The study was limited to US women in Southwestern Virginia. Thus preferences affected by regional product offerings may be reflected in the responses.

Practical implications

The paper provides discussion on implications of mass customization in resolving the conflict tall women report between the desire for properly fitting apparel and the desire for current style trends.

Originality/value

No existing empirical research has examined tall women's satisfaction with products specifically designed for their special anthropometric and style preference needs. This research serves as the foundation for extending research for the market segment from an applied and basic research approach.
Estimation of total factor productivity in the Indian garment industry
Authors: Joshi R.N. , Singh S.P.
Published: February 2010

Purpose

The Indian garment industry has witnessed a significant change since the inception of the New Textile Policy 2000 that suggests removing the industry from the list of small‐scale industries with a view to improving its competitiveness in the global market. As productivity is the driving factor in enhancing the competitiveness of any decision‐making entity (firm), a study of total factor productivity (TFP) and its sources can provide vital inputs to a firm for improving its competitiveness. Keeping this as a backdrop, the paper attempts to measure the TFP in the Indian garment‐manufacturing firms; identify sources of the TFP; and suggest measures for the firms to enhance their productivity.

Design/methodology/approach

The study is based on the firm‐level panel data collected from the Centre for Monitoring Indian Economy for the years 2002‐2007. One output variable, namely, gross sale and four input variables, namely, net fixed assets, wages & salaries, raw material, and energy & fuel, have been selected. The DEA‐based Malmquist Productivity Index (MPI) approach has been applied to measure the TFP.

Findings

The Indian garment industry has achieved a moderate average TFP growth rate of 1.7 per cent per annum during the study period. The small‐scale firms are found to be more productive than the medium‐ and large‐scale firms. The decomposition of TFP growth into technical efficiency change (catch‐up effect) and technological change (frontier shift) reveals that the productivity growth is contributed largely by technical efficiency change rather than by technological change.

Originality/value

Earlier studies on the Indian garment industry have applied the partial factor productivity approach, which has several limitations. This paper measures the TFP and identifies its sources through applying a non‐parametric DEA‐based MPI approach. Through this approach, the productivity growth is decomposed into technical efficiency change and technological change. Further, an attempt has also been made to study the variation in the productivity growth rates across location, scale‐size and type of garments.
Virtual knowledge sharing in a cross‐cultural context
Authors: Li Wei
Published: February 2010

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to identify what factors impact employees' online knowledge sharing in a cross‐cultural context.

Design/methodology/approach

A qualitative research design was used. Data were collected from 41 in‐depth interviews with Chinese and American employees who worked for a multinational Fortune 100 company.

Findings

The research discovered that three categories of factors were critical in impacting Chinese and American participants' online knowledge sharing: organizational issues, national cultural differences, and online communities of practice (CoPs). Organizational issues, including performance expectancy, compatibility based on work practice, knowledge‐sharing culture and time pressures, were identified as being important factors that strongly influenced both Chinese and Americans' knowledge sharing. Three major national culture‐related differences emerged as significant: language, different thinking logic, and different levels of perceived credibility of voluntarily shared knowledge. These cultural differences made Chinese participants contribute knowledge less frequently than their US peers. Online CoPs showed both advantages and disadvantages in facilitating knowledge sharing among globally distributed members, and these factors influenced both cultural groups in similar ways.

Research limitations/implications

The findings were based on a single case study from one business sector. Only US and Chinese participants were included in the study.

Originality/value

Research on knowledge sharing among geographically distributed and culturally diversified employees through online systems is still in its infancy. The paper integrates research from multiple disciplines (organizational studies, national culture and online CoPs) to address the literature gap. The findings will assist knowledge management managers to make global knowledge sharing more fruitful in multinational organizations.
Explaining and developing social capital for knowledge management purposes
Authors: Manning Paul
Published: February 2010

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to review the growing literature bridging social capital (SC) and knowledge management (KM). The paper seeks to identify the causal factors for this recent research into the connection between SC and KM, and also to explicate the relationship between the most relevant neo‐capital theories and KM. Further, the paper aims to argue that Granovetter's and Coleman's socially embedded understanding of market activity is the most relevant for examining the SC and KM interface. Finally, the paper seeks to offer guiding approaches drawn from SC literature for enhancing KM performance.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper reviews the SC literature from a KM perspective.

Findings

First, interest in SC from KM scholars is driven by a number of inter‐linked causal factors. Second, SC is significant for KM purposes and can be understood as being complementary to and parallel with other intangible capitalisations, such as human capital (HC) and intellectual capital (IC). Third, there are a number of guiding notions that organisations can adapt to construct and enhance SC for KM purposes. However, SC processes are complicated and context‐dependent and therefore resistant to micro‐management and “one size fits all” prescriptions.

Originality/value

The paper examines the broader context of the SC and KM interdisciplinary meeting place. It argues for an “embedded” theoretical understanding of SC that is most relevant for KM performance, and also explicates the parallel nature of neo‐capital theories from a KM perspective. The paper also suggests a number of guiding approaches that organisations can adapt to analyse and develop their SC for KM purposes.
Modeling enablers for successful KM implementation
Authors: Anantatmula Vittal S. , Kanungo Shivraj
Published: February 2010

Purpose

Given that it is difficult to establish monetary benefits for KM initiatives, this paper aims to present a model that consists of a set of enablers and barriers for successful KM implementation to obtain desired results. The contributions of the research effort should also support organizations in making decisions about improving organizational performance using KM initiatives, and understanding the directional relations among KM factors.

Design/methodology/approach

In the research study, using a literature review, the authors identify a set of enablers of and barriers to successful KM implementation. Using this set of factors, a questionnaire is developed by applying the interpretive structural modeling (ISM) methodology to determine the underlying relations among these factors and to develop strategies for the successful implementation of KM initiatives. As a result of the ISM methodology, the paper presents a model to show its findings.

Findings

The research study findings help to identify important strategies for implementing KM successfully. Further, the study suggests methodologies for KM implementation.

Originality/value

Knowledge is recognized as a critical resource to gain and sustain competitive advantage in business. While many organizations employ knowledge management (KM) initiatives, research studies suggest that it is difficult to establish return on investment of such efforts; however, desired results can be obtained through successful implementation. The paper presents approaches to successful KM implementation.
Uncovering cultural perceptions and barriers during knowledge audit
Authors: Levy Meira , Hadar Irit , Greenspan Steven , Hadar Ethan
Published: February 2010

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to introduce and illustrate the importance of uncovering tacit perceptions during knowledge management (KM) audit, in order to identify cultural barriers that may interfere with KM initiatives. The goal of such KM initiatives is to leverage a firm's capacity to efficiently produce value from knowledge held by employees and embedded in processes. Current audit practices analyze the explicit information gained through interviews and questionnaires, focusing on the organization's culture, existing KM processes and the improved KM processes it wishes to implement. The paper seeks to suggest an approach for uncovering and analyzing tacit perceptions identified through interviews and discussions as an inherent part of KM audit.

Design/methodology/approach

The research was conducted during a KM audit in a large international software development organization. The research methodology was composed of two disciplines. The first, used for data collection, was a knowledge‐engineering and management methodology – the CommonKADS. The second, used for qualitative data analysis, was the grounded theory approach.

Findings

The KM activities currently taking place in the organization include creation, sharing, access, usage, and maintenance. In interviews and discussions, access was the most emphasized activity. The cultural barriers that were identified relate to the KM roles and responsibilities that occur in daily work. A business process analysis revealed different perspectives of KM from different stakeholders.

Research limitations/implications

The findings of this study are based on a large, multi‐located and highly distributed, yet single organization. Additional research needs to be conducted in order to further validate and generalize the findings.

Practical implications

The principle of identifying tacit perceptions and cultural barriers illustrated in the study may be beneficial in any organization. Identifying the issues that need to be addressed before implementing a KM solution is critical for a successful implementation.

Originality/value

The paper introduces the concept of uncovering tacit perceptions in order to identify cultural barriers that may interfere with a KM initiative. For this purpose, an analysis method was developed and used during a KM audit. Using this audit practice prior to a KM project will enable a better understanding of the risks and challenges that need to be managed to ensure success.
Trust and tacit knowledge sharing and use
Authors: Holste J. Scott , Fields Dail
Published: February 2010

Purpose

This study aims to explore the impact of affect‐based and cognition‐based trust of co‐workers on the willingness of professionals to share and use tacit knowledge.

Design/methodology/approach

The relationships were examined through data provided by a sample of 202 professionals and managers in world headquarters of an international organization.

Findings

The levels of both types of trust influence the extent to which staff members are willing to share and use tacit knowledge. Affect‐based trust has a significantly greater effect on the willingness to share tacit knowledge, while cognition‐based trust plays a greater role in willingness to use tacit knowledge.

Research limitations/implications

The data are cross‐sectional and were also collected in one organization. Future studies should consider longitudinal designs across multiple organizations. Alternatively, archival information could be used to measure actual tacit knowledge sharing and use among co‐workers.

Practical implications

The results indicate that both distinct types of trust are involved in decisions affecting transfer and use of tacit knowledge. This suggests that knowledge management efforts may need to include a finer grained view of the nature of the social networks impacting the knowledge transfer and management process.

Originality/value

Previous studies have not examined the differential effects of both affect‐based and cognition‐based trust on employee willingness to share and use tacit knowledge.
The rapid growth of young firms during various stages of entrepreneurship
Authors: Littunen Hannu , Niittykangas Hannu
Published: February 2010

Purpose

This paper aims to examine factors influencing the high growth of new firms in metal‐based manufacturing and business service firms in Finland. It seeks to compare the factors of how new firms achieve a high rate of growth during the first four years and years five to eight.

Design/methodology/approach

The study reported here is part of a longitudinal research project that has followed the development of 200 SMEs in Finnish metal‐based manufacturing and business services since their start‐up in 1990. At the seven‐year follow‐up the present study concentrates on the 86 surviving firms. Logistic regression analysis was used as statistical technique in locating differences between high‐growth and other firms and their owner‐managers in the selected attributes. This paper focuses on Storey's key elements. In search of potential differences in these characteristics between high‐growth firms and other firms, this study compares Finnish firms in relation to founders' motives in starting up on their own account and in their individual background characteristics, changes in strategic factors, changes in networks and management styles during various stages of entrepreneurship.

Findings

The results indicated firstly that there is a clear connection between entrepreneur's know‐how and the high growth of firms. Secondly, the findings of this study demonstrate that external networks as a management capability bring about great competitive advantage, innovations and efficiency, especially during the first four years. However, the findings of five to eight years of development contradict the findings of the first four years. The results show that the use of internal networks has a positive effect on firms' high growth during years five to eight years. Finally, the results show that industry sector affected high growth, especially in specialised metal industry firms, both during the first four years and after five to eight years of development.

Research limitations/implications

The implications of this study for academics, educational institutions, entrepreneurs, and other practitioners are that the so‐called support services of internationalisation and growth for new firms are most important. These support services could be developed with public sector assistance in areas such as financing research, innovation and information technology projects.

Orginiality/value

The paper provides a framework for testing the factors that differentiate growing new ventures during various stages of entrepreneurship.
Prior tacit knowledge and first‐year sales: learning from technology entrepreneurs
Authors: Marvel Matthew R. , Droege Scott
Published: February 2010

Purpose

This paper aims to explore differences in tacit knowledge at opportunity recognition reported by founders of new technology ventures. The paper seeks to shed light on the types of tacit knowledge related to achieving sales within the first year of new technology ventures.

Design/methodology/approach

A survey was administered to 145 technology venture founders during structured interviews across 13 university‐affiliated technology incubators. To investigate tacit knowledge a framework was used comprised of ways to serve markets, customer problems, markets, and technology. The results were analyzed usingt‐tests and logistic regression while controlling for founder's years of work experience. A configuration analysis is presented revealing the patterns of knowledge related to sales in the first year of new ventures.

Findings

The study provides an understanding of how types of tacit knowledge relate to early sales outcomes in the high technology context. Prior hands‐on experiences with development of products or services as well as prior experiences within markets were found vital to achieving first‐year sales for newly created innovations. On the other hand, tacit knowledge of customer problems and technology is, surprisingly, of less importance.

Research limitations/implications

The findings provide insights as to the particular hands on experiences important in achieving desirable venture outcomes. By identifying and developing tacit knowledge in particular areas (prior hands‐on development experience and prior experience within markets) future entrepreneurs may develop an early sales advantage. The results demonstrate how configurations of tacit knowledge link to desired outcomes while highlighting the importance of certain knowledge at the opportunity recognition stage of new product development.

Practical implications

Generation of early sales for new technology ventures is a momentous concern for enterprise development. The ability to identify specific types of knowledge that link to initial sales enables educators and entrepreneurs alike.

Originality/value

The paper develops further a theoretical conceptualization of types of knowledge related to recognizing opportunities. The study contributes to the literature by assessing how patterns of tacit knowledge at opportunity recognition relate to achieving early sales in the context of technology entrepreneurship.
The bias of unhealthy SMEs in bankruptcy prediction models
Authors: Samuel Baixauli J. , Módica‐Milo Antonina
Published: February 2010

Purpose

This paper aims to construct a financial health indicator to define the degree of financial health in order to decontaminate the estimation sample and to make predictions that are not biased by unhealthy firms.

Design/methodology/approach

The binomial logit model is used to examine the likelihood that a firm will go bankrupt. In order to evaluate the accuracy of the estimated models, measures proposed by the Basel Committee on Banking Supervision are applied: cumulative accuracy profile (CAP) and the receiver operating characteristics (ROC).

Findings

The proposed financial health indicator permits the heterogeneity of the firms to be reduced as well as identifying a strong firm sample to estimate the bankruptcy probability accurately.

Originality/value

A drawback of all bankruptcy prediction models comes from the fact that bankruptcy is an example of a homogeneous observable qualitative response while non‐bankruptcy would be expected to be represented by a healthy firm. However, the non‐bankruptcy firms are heterogeneous and their actual probabilities of bankruptcy are non‐observable. The article adds to the previous literature on SMEs' bankruptcy prediction by using a financial health indicator to construct the estimation sample and to make accurate bankruptcy predictions.
Computer acceptance in Greek SMEs
Authors: Chatzoglou Prodromos D. , Vraimaki Eftichia , Diamantidis Anastasios , Sarigiannidis Lazaros
Published: February 2010

Purpose

Owing to the unique computing needs and different IT adoption patterns of SMEs, research findings concerning larger organisations may not be fully generalisable to offer practical assistance for the successful utilisation of computers. This paper aims to focus on factors affecting personal computer acceptance, using data from 278 employees from Greek SMEs.

Design/methodology/approach

An aggregate structural model is developed, based on the technology acceptance model (TAM) and incorporating social influence, management support, perceived service quality and computer satisfaction factors, that was tested using structural equation modelling (SEM).

Findings

The results indicate that perceived ease of use is more powerful in explaining computer usage and satisfaction, whereas usefulness has a strong impact on intention. Moreover, the findings underline the importance of internal (management) and external support in achieving wider computer acceptance.

Research limitations/implications

Factors such as end‐user training, facilitating conditions, self‐efficacy and computer anxiety should be incorporated into the model for a more complete understanding of the factors that influence computer acceptance in SMEs.

Practical implications

The results indicate the importance of ease of use and usefulness perceptions, as well as computer satisfaction. Therefore management should pay special attention to the enhancement of such positive perceptions through adequate support and encouragement.

Originality/value

This is one of the few studies in the literature to incorporate intention, actual usage and satisfaction in a single model, which is tested using data from SMEs. Overall, the final model can explain 60 per cent and 54 per cent of the variance in actual computer usage and computer satisfaction, respectively.
Liquidity management in small firms: a learning perspective
Authors: Ekanem Ignatius
Published: February 2010

Purpose

This paper aims to focus on liquidity management in small firms and how this may be best met. It seeks to present results from eight case study firms to demonstrate different types of learning in small firms.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper uses a qualitative methodology that involves in‐depth, semi‐structured interviews and direct observation, conducted longitudinally in eight case study companies.

Findings

The findings suggest that liquidity management is either based on owner‐manager past experiences, experiences of others or is strongly influenced by industry norms, which are shared rules within the industry, and not based on the calculation of costs and benefits of particular causes of action.

Research limitations/implications

The study is limited to the extent to which it can be generalised to a wider population of small firms. The main implication is that policy makers should facilitate networking opportunities where owner‐managers can interact with external advisors.

Originality/value

The originality and value of the paper is that it conceptualises liquidity management in small firms as a learning process utilising closed and open loop learning.
Ethnic minority businesses and immigrant entrepreneurship in Greece
Authors: Piperopoulos Panagiotis
Published: February 2010

Purpose

The present paper aims to report and analyse empirical data from 391 ethnic minority entrepreneurs and 132 of their family members, from eight different ethnic communities of Albanians, Armenians, Bulgarians, Chinese, Georgians, Indians, Nigerians and Russians in Greece.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper presents empirical data from face‐to‐face interview‐type research conducted between January 2006 and August 2008 in the regions of Attica and Central Macedonia, Greece. The selection criteria used for the inclusion of enterprises in the ethnic minority business (EMB) database were: ethnicity of the business owner; sectors, including traditional sectors and emerging sectors of EMB; and finally location, i.e. in the regions of Attica and Central Macedonia.

Findings

The findings of this research point to the fact that the three theories of “block mobility”, “opportunity structures” and “ethnic resources” complement each other in explaining the process of starting up an ethnic minority business and becoming self‐employed, while the “cultural thesis” seems to stand on its own.

Originality/value

This paper presents the results of the first‐ever large‐scale authoritative analytical research on EMBs and immigrant entrepreneurship in Greece, provides empirical evidence to why and to what extent ethnic groups are attracted to self‐employment, in which economic sectors they develop occupational niches, and how strong family participation and support is in the EMBs, and attempts to go beyond most of the existing literature, which is focused mainly on “Black” or “Asian” ethnic groups. The research makes a contribution by presenting empirical evidence of five “White”, one “Asian”, one “Indian” and one “Black” ethnic group.
Responsibility for and performance of corporate real estate functions
Authors: Hartmann Steffen , Linneman Peter , Pfnür Andreas , Moy Deborah , Siperstein Boris
Published: February 2010

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to identify different organizational models concerning both the functions and responsibilities assigned to corporate real estate (CRE) professionals in European and North American companies, as well as to determine the factors that influence the occurrence of these different management models.

Design/methodology/approach

An empirical survey between 74 major European and 38 North American companies from the banking, energy, telecommunication, and transportation and logistics industries is conducted.

Findings

Five typical models describing the allocation of responsibility of real estate functions within a company and the performance of those responsibilities are identified. Only weak statistical associations are found between these models and certain contextual factors that may influence the choice for a specific model, as well as between the models and certain achievements in CRE. From this, the paper infers that there does not exist one “best practice” CRE management model in a specific situation as often is stated, but instead, various promising organizational models seem to exist.

Originality/value

This paper contributes to a deeper understanding of the organizational variables “responsibility” and “performance” of real estate functions and presents a differentiated view compared to existing research. Specifically, this is the first paper that analyzes and attempts to categorize the various existing approaches to the allocation of responsibility for CRE functions, as well as accountability of the corresponding performance. As such, this paper can therefore serve as an initial point for further research on this topic.
Methods for evaluating office occupiers' needs and preferences
Authors: Niemi Jessica , Lindholm Anna‐Liisa
Published: February 2010

Purpose

Corporate occupiers are among the important interest groups in the real estate business. The whole value network in the real estate sector, consisting of, e.g. developers, investors, and service providers depend on the occupier organizations and meeting their needs and preferences. The purpose of this paper is to investigate the methods applied by the parties in the real estate sector in identifying and evaluating office occupiers' needs and preferences regarding the physical, virtual, social as well as financial elements of the workplace.

Design/methodology/approach

Based on theme interviews with selected Finnish organizations, the applied methods for evaluating office occupiers' needs and preferences are analyzed and presented. The applicability of the methods is evaluated by a set of criteria based on a literature review and the interviewees' responses.

Findings

The paper presents an efficient and relevant evaluation of the applied methods in matrix form. Additionally, recommendations for the development of the methods are suggested.

Practical implications

Analyzing the occupiers' needs and preferences related to physical, virtual, social, and financial elements of offices requires applicable methods. The methods should enable the parties in the real estate sector to analyze the direction of the real estate markets as regards the different elements.

Originality/value

The paper provides a classification and analysis of the methods applied to identify office occupier organizations' needs and preferences. Suggestions for further development of the methods are presented enabling a comprehensive analysis of needs and preferences.
Grade inflation in the college classroom
Authors: Tucker Jan , Courts Bari
Published: February 2010

Purpose

The purpose of this article is to assess the concept of grade inflation in higher education institutions in an effort to determine its prevalence, causes, and strategies that can be implemented to curtail it.

Design/methodology/approach

A literature review of the problem is presented along with several strategies as possible solutions to restraining the problem of escalating grades in the college classroom.

Findings

The problem of grade inflation has been a topic of concern for over a century and there are no quick fixes or simple methods of reversing this trend but there are several alternatives presented which could help curtail this trend.

Research limitations/implications

Most of the research is based on anecdotal research. Very little has been written on how to fix this problem.

Practical implications

This paper brings this issue to the forefront in an effort to engage the reader, college administrators and educators.

Originality/value

The paper begins with an overview of previous research in this area and then moves on to what is currently being implemented to curb grade inflation. The authors then propose several methods and possible solutions that could be implemented to deal with this problem.
Ecoliteracy and Dewey's educational philosophy: implications for future leaders
Authors: Semetsky Inna
Published: February 2010

Purpose

This conceptual paper aims to explore ecoliteracy in education as originated in Fritjof Capra's ongoing efforts to foster ecological awareness through schools. Future leaders as ecoliterate will have developed an enhanced perception, a sense of value‐judgment in experience and sustainable self and other relations.

Design/methodology/approach

The argument is supported by contemporary science of the complementary pairs as based on coordination dynamics.

Findings

The paper presents Capra's work positioning it alongside new “transdisciplinary education”. The paper argues for the critical examination of the particular structure of knowledge able to inform/develop ecoliteracy, as well as of the nature of educational leadership.

Originality/value

The paper revisits John Dewey's philosophy and his pragmatic inquiry as especially significant for developing ecological thinking and presents his method of deliberation as remarkably similar to “imaginative narrative”, one of the methodologies of futures studies.