bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Achieving total quality management using knowledge management practices
Authors: Aboyassin Naser A. , Alnsour Marwan , Alkloub Moayyad
Published: November 2011

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to explore the benefits that can result from the use of knowledge management (KM) principles in achieving total quality management (TQM) in the Jordanian insurance sector.

Design/methodology/approach

Data about KM and TQM were obtained through a survey questionnaire distributed to managers in the insurance industry in Jordan. To arrive at statistically significant conclusions, the authors used variance and correlation analysis.

Findings

The results indicate that KM processes (diagnosing, acquiring, generating, sharing, storing, and application) do influence TQM.

Research limitations/implications

Since this study was limited to the insurance sector in Jordan, caution must be exercised in generalizing the results from this study to other situations in the service sector.

Practical implications

This study provides useful information and impartial advice for managers in the insurance business in Jordan. It also suggests new business practices for the sector.

Originality/value

This study attempts to fill gaps in the literature on Arabian management practices. It may also contribute to developing management practices cross‐culturally.
Exploring the multidimensional role of involvement and perceived risk in brand extension
Authors: Srivastava Kavita , Sharma Narendra K.
Published: November 2011

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to propose and test a conceptual framework specifying the multidimensional role of involvement and perceived risk in brand extension domain.

Design/methodology/approach

A survey research design was applied to test the proposed hypotheses. Three hypothetical extensions of a real brand were selected. A total of 101 respondents participated in the study. Regression analyses was conducted to examine the role of involvement and perceived risk dimensions in brand extension evaluation.

Findings

Results indicate that consumers evaluate brand extension more favorably when it is highly relevant, more pleasurable, and associated with less risk probability. In addition, each facet of perceived risk, namely, financial, performance and psychological, are found to be equally important in making decisions about brand extension.

Research limitations/implications

This paper contributes to the growing body of literature of brand extension. The study provides a new direction to brand managers and marketers to understand the full dynamics of the relationship of consumers with brand extensions. To get more benefit from brand extension strategies, managers should pay attention to involvement and perceived risk associated with extension categories.

Originality/value

This paper is unique in that it identifies the importance of multidimensional nature of involvement and perceived risk to study consumer evaluation of brand extension.
Management accounting systems and organisational culture
Authors: Busco Cristiano , Scapens Robert W.
Published: November 2011

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to explore the nature, roles and dynamics of change of management accounting systems (MAS), in processes of continuous organisational learning and transformation. By studying the interaction between the accounting (and finance) function and the implementation of a Six‐sigma initiative, as the engine for organisational change, the authors seek to uncover the potential of measurement‐based systems of management for aligning business processes with corporate strategies. Such systems sustain continuous processes of transformation by infusing organisational culture with financial and non‐financial metrics of accountability.

Design/methodology/approach

The research is based on a longitudinal case study in which one of the authors had the opportunity to exercise what Schein called the clinical perspective; i.e. combining the role of researcher with that of helper‐consultant. There is mutual interdependence in the relationship between the authors' theoretical framework and the authors' longitudinal case study. While, on the one hand, the case research contributed to the search for an institutional explanation of the evidence experienced and collected, on the other hand, the empirical data are illuminated by the theoretical insights gained from that framework.

Findings

After first discussing cultural change, the authors rely both on the “clinical” position of one of the authors as researcher/helper‐consultant and on the insights provided by Schein's work on organisational culture and Giddens' structuration theory to develop an institutional framework for interpreting the ways in which routinised systems of accountability bind the ongoing processes of cultural transformation across time and space.

Research limitations/implications

Possible limitations are: the conceptualisation of organisational culture as a shared and institutional phenomenon does not take account of wider anthropological aspects (such as the influence of national culture); the role of helper‐consultant as well as researcher may have influenced some of the authors' interpretations; the authors' analysis does not consider macro‐economic variables; and only a small percentage of shop‐floor workers were interviewed.

Originality/value

The paper sheds light on the role of management accounting within organisational processes of transformation far beyond their mere visible enactment. As a result, the authors develop an institutional framework to interpret the linkages between the cognitive dynamics which characterise organisational culture (viewed as shared cognitive schemas) and the behavioural and structural modalities through which they are drawn upon and reproduced by organisational members.
New Zealand funding organisations
Authors: Jiaying Huang Hedy , Hooper Keith
Published: November 2011

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to investigate the funding criteria adopted by funding organisations (FOs) in New Zealand.

Design/methodology/approach

The naturalistic inquiry paradigm is applied and qualitative interview data were collected using semi‐structured interviews.

Findings

The most important finding is that there is a strong pattern emerging as to how the selected FOs determine the allocation of their funds. Outcomes and key people are important criteria for these FOs, while financial information is regarded as less relevant. On balance, the New Zealand funders involved in this study seem to adopt a creative approach to allocating their funds. To explain the lack of performance and financial measurements, it may be that, unlike their for‐profit counterparts, not‐for‐profit (NFP) organisations' managers are not constrained by returns to shareholders, earnings per share and the bottom line. Thus, many of the New Zealand funders' allocations rely on an instinctive feel for the projects proposed and the character of the applicants proposing them.

Research limitations/implications

A limitation of the research is that it was restricted to Auckland and Wellington and only to those FOs which were willing to participate. It is not possible to generalise the results and apply the findings derived based on seven FOs to all the funders in New Zealand. This research is an exploratory study; further research would be appropriate across Australasia to include larger centres such as Sydney and Melbourne where there are many more FOs.

Practical implications

Funders are in favour of a more creative and soft approach to their philanthropic giving. It is hoped that this research will raise an awareness of a strong tendency of FOs to adopt a creative approach to grant‐making rather than the more scientific approach involving financial analysis.

Social implications

The outcomes and key people are important to this grant‐making process, while much financial information is less relevant.

Originality/value

The paper recommends that FOs should pay more attention to financial analysis while preserving the flexibility of a creative approach. Moreover, grant seekers will have a much clearer idea about what sort of information most grant makers actually utilise in their grant decision‐making processes. The additional contribution of this research project is to enrich the existing literature on philanthropic funding in New Zealand.
Obesity and its complications: a survey of inpatients at a secure psychiatric hospital
Authors: Haw Camilla , Rowell Arleen
Published: November 2011

Purpose

Obesity is an important contributory factor to premature mortality and morbidity. The purpose of this study was to survey inpatients at a secure psychiatric hospital in order to determine the proportion that was overweight and obese. Further aims were to identify variables associated with obesity and the proportion of patients being treated for diabetes mellitus, hypertension, and hyperlipidaemia.

Design/methodology/approach

A cross‐sectional survey of 234 adult male and female forensic and rehabilitation patients was carried out using routinely collected data.

Findings

Of the 144 males, 33.3 per cent were overweight and 47.2 per cent were obese. Of the 90 females, 20.0 per cent were overweight and 63.3 per cent were obese. More patients had gained weight in the last three months than had lost it. Being overweight or obese was associated with the prescription of antipsychotic medication and valproate. A total of 30.3 per cent of patients were being treated for hyperlipidaemia, 14.1 per cent for hypertension and 8.5 per cent for type II diabetes mellitus.

Research limitations/implications

The survey was conducted in an independent hospital, thus the results are not readily generalisable to the wider NHS. The authors were unable to report on the prevalence of metabolic syndrome. This is a subject that merits further research.

Practical implications

Obesity is a major challenge in this patient population and requires active management to try and prevent complications. Patients need continuing education about healthy eating and encouragement to take exercise.

Originality/value

There is a paucity of published surveys of obesity and its complications in forensic populations.
The business drivers behind ECM initiatives: a process perspective
Authors: vom Brocke Jan , Simons Alexander , Herbst Andrea , Derungs René , Novotny Stefan
Published: November 2011

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to identify organizational challenges that drive enterprise content management (ECM) adoption from a process point of view.

Design/methodology/approach

The presented results are grounded in both the academic literature on ECM and qualitative data from two case studies.

Findings

The study identifies and discusses 21 contemporary business challenges that drive ECM adoption along the content lifecycle (e.g. regarding the creation, storage, and retrieval of content).

Research limitations/implications

As the scopes of both the literature review and the case studies were limited, the presented account of ECM drivers is not considered exhaustive. The paper can, nevertheless, help researchers to further theorize about ECM adoption and investigate the role that content plays in business process management.

Practical implications

Practitioners are provided with empirically grounded knowledge on the drivers behind ECM adoption. They can, for example, use the results to justify and evaluate ECM investments, or determine the scopes and objectives of their ECM initiatives.

Originality/value

This study is important because the understanding is still vague as to what organizations strive to gain through implementing ECM and what results they can expect from the same.
Topic‐sensitive search engine evaluation
Authors: Dai Na , Davison Brian D.
Published: November 2011

Purpose

This work aims to investigate the sensitivity of ranking performance with respect to the topic distribution of queries selected for ranking evaluation.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors reweight queries used in two TREC tasks to make them match three real background topic distributions, and show that the performance rankings of retrieval systems are quite different.

Findings

It is found that search engines tend to perform similarly on queries about the same topic; and search engine performance is sensitive to the topic distribution of queries used in evaluation.

Originality/value

Using experiments with multiple real‐world query logs, the paper demonstrates weaknesses in the current evaluation model of retrieval systems.
Social media gaming – a recipe for employer brand success
Authors: Freer Tisha
Published: November 2011

Purpose

As part of an ongoing employer brand initiative, Evviva Brands developed My Marriott Hotel, a culinary social media game, for Marriott International that launched on Facebook in June 2011. This article seeks to focus on this initiative.

Design/methodology/approach

Global research insights identified social media and gaming as primary in‐home activities and a path for repositioning the Marriott brand with internal and external target audiences. Focus groups, interviews and ethnographic observations led to key game‐play and design components that would ensure the game delivered operations realities as well as entertainment value.

Findings

The game was designed as a tool for reaching employment candidates in countries like China and India where the service industry is growing but hospitality is not a highly sought career. By managing a virtual hotel kitchen including staff, supplies and ingredients, players are given insights into the world of hospitality and a culinary career at Marriott.

Practical implications

By relying on target audience insights to build a business case, the project received support from key executive leaders throughout the process and their involvement generated over $500,000 in media exposure during the first few weeks of game launch.

Originality/value

As first to market with a hospitality simulation game, numerous observations can be made about the processes that lead to successful game development and global deployment on Facebook's API.
Developing analytical leadership
Authors: Harris Jeanne G. , Craig Elizabeth
Published: November 2011

Purpose

This paper aims to set out key steps in the development, engagement and retention of analytical leaders, showing why they are such a core resource, highlighting the key types of analytical talent and focusing on the core skills needed to attain analytical proficiency.

Design/methodology/approach

The research is based on a comprehensive survey of 799 analytical professionals employed by large US companies across a range of industries carried out in July 2008, as well as on the book Analytics at Work by Thomas Davenport, Jeanne Harris and Robert Morison, which was published in 2010.

Findings

The research identified the core skills requirements for each of the four main types of analytical talent, highlighting the skill set needed by analytical leaders. Where developing and retaining this vital resource is concerned, it was found that analysts who understood their roles were six times more likely to be engaged than those who did not.

Practical implications

Organizations need to take steps to develop, care for and retain their analytical talent. This is a prerequisite for establishing analytical leadership in a recruitment market where competition for analytics talent is increasing all the time.

Originality/value

As well as drawing on exclusive research, the paper shows that Accenture uses case studies based on in‐depth interviews and thought leadership to demonstrate analytical leaders' unique qualities.
Mapping a strategic approach to HR leadership
Authors: Adams Andrea
Published: November 2011

Purpose

This paper aims to discuss the contribution that strategic human resourcing (HR) makes to organizational success and the crucial conversations that HR must orchestrate to truly fulfill its strategic role.

Design/methodology/approach

Strategic HR has the potential to modernize management practice, bringing it into line with the needs of the twenty‐first century organization. The paper acknowledges that while the role of strategic HR is understood, there is often a difference between this understanding and what happens in practice – the “knowing‐doing” gap. To show how this gap can be addressed it presents a case study of building strategic HR capability in a leading retailer. This case study defines strategic HR's role in the case organization and charts its evolution. The process of building strategic HR capability is described in detail, and components of the resulting strategic development plan demonstrate a staged process for embedding strategic capability in the HR team.

Findings

Strategic HR balances business demands with the needs of the organization and its workforce to adapt to change. Effective strategy builders facilitate conversations beyond the bounds of the HR team. They hold the organization's vision and work in the space between this and the organization's “current reality” to create a more sustainable future for all of the organization's stakeholders.

Practical implications

Building strategic HR capability is building HR business leadership. To lead their organizations, HR people must first lead themselves. The case study shows how HR people can build confidence and strategic leadership capability through a planned change process. It also shows how to build appetite and expectation for a strategic HR contribution among line colleagues.

Originality/value

The paper shows the critical importance of strategic HR leadership to today's organizations. It acknowledges that there is often a knowing‐doing gap for HR professionals and an “appetite” gap for line colleagues. Triumpha's strategic HR development framework shows how capability can be developed and put into practice to create a more sustainable future for all of an organization's stakeholders.
Towards an alternative concept of privacy
Authors: Fuchs Christian
Published: November 2011

Purpose

There are a lot of discussions about privacy in relation to contemporary communication systems (such as Facebook and other “social media” platforms), but discussions about privacy on the internet in most cases misses a profound understanding of the notion of privacy and where this notion is coming from. The purpose of this paper is to challenge the liberal notion of privacy and explore foundations of an alternative privacy conception.

Design/methodology/approach

A typology of privacy definitions is elaborated based on Giddens' theory of structuration. The concept of privacy fetishism that is based on critical political economy is introduced. Limits of the liberal concept of privacy are discussed. This discussion is connected to the theories of Marx, Arendt and Habermas. Some foundations of an alternative privacy concept are outlined.

Findings

The notion of privacy fetishism is introduced for criticizing naturalistic accounts of privacy. Marx and Engels have advanced four elements of the critique of the liberal privacy concept that were partly taken up by Arendt and Habermas: privacy as atomism that advances; possessive individualism that harms the public good; legitimizes and reproduces the capitalist class structure; and capitalist patriarchy.

Research limitations/implications

Given the criticisms advanced in this paper, the need for an alternative, socialist privacy concept is ascertained and it is argued that privacy rights should be differentiated according to the position individuals occupy in the power structure, so that surveillance makes transparent wealth and income gaps and company's profits and privacy protects workers and consumers from capitalist domination.

Originality/value

The paper contributes to the establishment of a concept of privacy that is grounded in critical political economy. Owing to the liberal bias of the privacy concept, the theorization of privacy has thus far been largely ignored in critical political economy. The paper contributes to illuminating this blind spot.
The role of credibility in the design of mobile solutions to enhance the social skill‐set of teenagers diagnosed with autism
Authors: Gerdes Anne , Øhrstrøm Peter
Published: November 2011

Purpose

Helping Autism‐diagnosed teenagers navigate and develop socially (HANDS) is an EU research project in progress. The aim of HANDS is to investigate the potential of persuasive technology as a tool to help young people diagnosed, to whatever degree, as autistic. The HANDS project set out to develop mobile ICT solutions to help young people with autism become more fully integrated into society and the purpose of this paper is to present an overview of the design behind the HANDS toolset.

Design/methodology/approach

The topic of credibility is approached from an analytical, as well as an ethical, angle in order to address issues of credibility in relation to designing assistive technological tools. In addition, the authors set out to explore possible ways in which credibility can be evaluated. The paper presents a preliminary method for the evaluation of credibility; but which requires further refinement, as well as empirical support in order to inform us about issues of system credibility. Therefore, the suggested method reflects a working hypothesis which may serve as a springboard for further investigation.

Findings

The authors propose a preliminary method which reveals the necessity of certain preconditions requisite for evaluating the credibility of a system; and, in this way, seek to establish an ethically sound evaluation procedure for analysing credibility, by combining quantitative (i.e. electronic footprints) and qualitative assessments (i.e. dialogue between teacher and learner) of system credibility.

Research limitations/implications

Further investigation of the evaluation process is needed to develop a standard for resolving the credibility of a system. Naturally, such a standard would serve not only as a tool for measuring credibility but also as a didactic tool for scaffolding a pedagogic dialogue between teacher and learner. It becomes important, therefore, to undertake the task of developing this standard in collaboration with the teachers in the HANDS project.

Originality/value

The paper discusses credibility issues and ethical concerns with a view to designing mobile solutions for autism‐diagnosed teenagers. The ideas expressed and developed herein are applicable to many assistive, technological tools available to persons with special needs.
Market development using TQM through system integration and customer service in Asia
Authors: Taddese Fasil , Osada Hiroshi
Published: November 2011

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to address the issue of market development using TQM and identify critical factors that link the two fields to enhance business success of companies in a globalized market.

Design/methodology/approach

Seven Deming Prize winner companies from Thailand and India are objectively and empirically studied through unstructured interview and through award winner documents. Specific cases are studied from each company to support the interview responses.

Findings

The result reveals that: first, TQM facilitates market development by strategically synchronizing product, process/technology, and marketing dimensions of an organization. Second, TQM characteristically and objectively defines customers to strategically manage different and customer‐specific markets. Third, TQM ensures market success in businesses by enhancing market success of customers.

Research limitations/implications

The main limitation to this research is that along with the Deming Award, there are other quality oriented awards such as MBNQA and EFQM. Hence, additional studies from such awards may be helpful to support the authors’ cause. Moreover, the limit in the number of companies studied is also considerable.

Originality/value

This is an original work of the authors and it is not submitted to any other journal or publisher for publication.
Modified (MCp) in the presence of measurement errors
Authors: Zeinal Hamadani Ali , Ebadi Rouhangiz
Published: November 2011

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to introduce a modified MCp by considering the effect of gauge measurement error on the multivariate process capability index.

Design/methodology/approach

In this paper, the effect of measurement system on the quality characteristics appears as coefficient matrix A which changes the variance‐covariance matrix of quality characteristics ∑, into A ∑. In this case, the authors investigate the properties of multivariate index and present adjusted confidence intervals and critical values for capability testing purpose of this index.

Findings

The results show that the simplicity of the obtained index, calculating the true process capability by using empirical process capability and also computing the critical value and power of the process capability testing is simpler in this modified approach.

Originality/value

The results presented in this paper would help practitioners to determine their actual process capability and see if their processes meet the preset capability requirement, and then make reliable decisions.
Towards a comprehensive human resources module for tourism satellite accounts in Egypt
Authors: Eraqi Mohammed I. , Kasem Ayman M. , Hassan Suzan B. , Ragab Ahmad M.
Published: November 2011

Purpose

This research paper aims to develop a comprehensive tourism satellite account‐human resource module (TSA‐HRM) which can complement and enhance the analytical capacity provided by the TSA, allowing for a broader insight into tourism's role in the economy, especially that of Egypt.

Design/methodology/approach

The objectives have been achieved through reviewing the literature in the fields of tourism satellite account (TSA) and its handling of tourism employment. To answer the research questions, one strategy and one method associated with the qualitative approach are used. The strategy refers to the case study, while the method refers to participant observation. An in‐depth analysis of the TSA project in Egypt was performed using the Data Quality Assessment Framework (DQAF) introduced by the International Monetary Fund.

Findings

The results indicate that statistics on tourism‐related employment in Egypt are usually fragmented, difficult to compare and often lack quality, credibility and reliability. Thus Egypt is in need of a way to improve tourism labor market statistics. However, the process of assessment of the TSA project in Egypt shows that Egypt has good experience in implementing the TSA system. The application of the TSA in Egypt at this high level will create a new horizon for improving the quality of tourism employment statistics.

Research limitations/implications

At the time of the research Egypt was in the process of constructing its first TSA, and this of course is considered one of the limitations. Since the introduction of TSA to the Egyptian tourism industry in 2009, the statistical system of tourism has made a considerable contribution to improve the quality of data, based on evaluating some of the DQAF criteria, but there are no results so far. The present situation caused the study to fall within the theoretical framework, without producing any statistics on tourism employment in Egypt according to the proposed TSA‐HRM.

Practical implications

The model proposed will provide detailed data about employment, labor or human resource issues related to tourism in the Egyptian economy, which provides a useful resource for planning policy and decision making.

Originality/value

Considering the research findings, the study developed a comprehensive quantitative (monetary and non‐monetary) and qualitative tourism human resources module of tourism satellite account to extend the analytical capacity of the TSA as well as trace most issues relevant to the tourism labor market in Egypt.
Enhancing tourism destinations through promoting the variety and uniqueness of attractions offered by minority populations: an exploratory study towards a new research field
Authors: Pechlaner Harald , Lange Sandra , Raich Frieda
Published: November 2011

Purpose

Minority areas, with their cultural distinctiveness and a strong tendency to cultivate and preserve cultural identities, can offer guests special added value as tourist destinations. This study seeks to address whether and to what extent locals and guests of tourist areas populated by minority populations perceive and are aware of the uniqueness, variety and potential of the minority in a region.

Design/methodology/approach

Research has already been developed that analyses the inter‐relations between the local population and tourism, but is scarce regarding national minorities and tourism. This paper pursues a new research field focusing on the potential of tourist destinations that offer specialised characteristics due to their cultural, ethnic or minority populations. The authors carried out an empirical study using quantitative, standardised questionnaires in 2008 in two minority areas: South Tyrol, Italy (which has a Ladin minority population) as well as Transylvania, Romania (which has a German and Hungarian minority population). The South Tyrol situation is doubly unusual, because the Ladin minority population is a minority within the German minority region in Italy.

Findings

The study shows that ethnic minority populations can definitely offer added value for holidaymakers in tourist destinations. The special interest and attraction of these types of holiday stay for guests is explained, above all, by the varied cuisine and the locals' proficiency in languages (South Tyrol) as well as the specific architecture and the more extensive cultural offerings (Transylvania). In Transylvania no significant differences and in South Tyrol significant differences in the perception of the special cultural situation by locals and guests have been observed.

Research limitations/implications

This study was confined to 250 interviewees per group and study region, due to budget restrictions. Compared to the volume of research on native population and tourism, research on minorities and tourist activities is quite new. Therefore this research paper provides only an exploratory study and could be developed further.

Originality/value

The paper shows that ethnic minorities, with their customs and traditions, languages and architectural styles, can definitely offer added value for holidaymakers.
Factors affecting ERP system implementation effectiveness
Authors: Maditinos Dimitrios , Chatzoudes Dimitrios , Tsairidis Charalampos
Published: November 2011

Purpose

Enterprise resource planning (ERP) systems enhance productivity and working quality by offering integration, standardization and simplification of multiple business transactions. The present study seeks to introduce a conceptual framework that investigates the way that human inputs (top management, users, external consultants) are linked to communication effectiveness, conflict resolution and knowledge transfer in the ERP consulting process, as well as the effects of these factors on ERP system effective implementation.

Design/methodology/approach

The examination of the proposed conceptual framework was made with the use of a newly developed questionnaire. The questionnaire was distributed to a group of 361 Greek companies that have implemented an ERP system. Information technology (IT) managers were selected as the key respondents of the questionnaire. After the completion of the four month research period (September to December 2008), 108 usable questionnaires were returned (response rate=31 percent approximately). The empirical data were analyzed using the structural equation modelling technique (Lisrel 8.74).

Findings

The main findings of the empirical study can be summarized in the following categories: the assistance provided by external consultants during the ERP implementation process is essential; knowledge transfer is an extremely significant factor for ERP system success; knowledge transfer concerning technical aspects of ERP systems is more important than effective handling of communication, as well as conflict resolution among organizational members; the role of top management support seems to be of less importance that the one provided by users.

Research limitations/implications

The present study is limited by the poor definition of its population (due to lack of available data) and the relatively small size of the sample.

Practical implications

The paper points out areas that adopting companies should emphasize in order to successfully implement an ERP system and, therefore, harvest its potential benefits.

Originality/value

The paper proposes an enhanced conceptual framework that examines vital issues concerning ERP system effective implementation, thus, providing valuable outcomes for decision makers and academics. The originality of the paper lies in its three dimensional approach.
3‐D pose presentation for training applications
Authors: Fox Kaitlyn , Whitehead Anthony
Published: November 2011

Purpose

In the authors' experience, the biggest issue with pose‐based exergames is the difficulty in effectively communicating a three‐dimensional pose to a user to facilitate a thorough understanding for accurate pose replication. The purpose of this paper is to examine options for pose presentation.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors examine three methods of presentation and feedback to determine which provides the user with the greatest improvement in performance. An on‐body sensor network system was used to measure success rates, and address the challenges and issues that arise throughout the process.

Findings

A three‐dimensional interface allows for full control of the camera, and after conducting all of the experiments, the importance of this feature became exceedingly apparent. Though other elements of feedback were able to illustrate specific problem areas, the camera rotation improved some success rates by more than double.

Research limitations/implications

Refinements of visual feedback methods during training could include determining the ideal position for the camera to view the avatar after the rotation to maximize pose comprehension. Future research could also include working towards providing the participant with more specific instructions, verbally or symbolically.

Originality/value

In a traditional setting, such as a yoga class, a physically present moderator would provide coaching to participants who struggled with pose reproduction. However, for obvious reasons, this cannot be implemented in a computer‐based training setting. This research begins to examine what is the necessary user interface for activities that are traditionally very closely monitored.
m:Ciudad: enabling end‐user mobile service creation
Authors: Davies Marcin , Carrez François , Heinilä Juhani , Fensel Anna , Narganes Maribel , Carlos dos Santos Danado José
Published: November 2011

Purpose

Mobile computing enables end‐users to create small services on their mobiles and share valuable and context‐aware information with others. The purpose of this paper is to introduce a platform for end‐user generated mobile services – so‐called microservices.

Design/methodology/approach

As a key component the authors present a microservice description language for user‐driven mobile service creation and platform‐independent service execution and rendering. The paper also gives insight into the authors' visual authoring tool. The chosen design approach is evaluated in two phases: an intermediate evaluation with a small hands‐on trial and an online survey; and a final laboratory test with 24 test users in total.

Findings

The paper provides empirical insights about the methods and motivations of end‐users creating small mobile services. The main purposes of service creation would be mostly to exchange information, stay in contact, and just for fun (on the basis of non‐commercial use). The evaluations also indicate the visual drag and drop approach of putting service blocks together as being the most favored in terms of user satisfaction.

Originality/value

The concepts and findings introduced in this paper will help in designing mobile service authoring environments, which is appealing to software communities/vendors and mobile network operators. The presented platform is, to the authors' knowledge, the first designed and implemented infrastructure enabling end‐user mobile service creation.
Phone bullying: impact on self‐esteem and well‐being
Authors: Drennan Judy , Brown Mark R. , Sullivan Mort Gillian
Published: November 2011

Purpose

Most current research emphasises the benefits of mobile communications for consumers. The purpose of this paper, however, is to investigate the neglected negative effect of “m‐bullying” on young consumers, to expand the understanding of the pervasive impact of enhanced mobile communication.

Design/methodology/approach

Data were collected using a cross‐sectional mall intercept method. The survey instrument comprised of sets of statements about the self and the experience of using mobile phones, followed by a set of demographic questions.

Findings

Findings indicate both genders experience m‐bullying and that levels of self‐esteem were found to have a direct effect on overall well being.

Originality/value

While prior research emphasised the positive aspects of enhanced connectivity, this paper advances understanding of the negative aspects of mobile communications and identified the risk of bullying inherent in continuous communication.
Segmenting young adults through their consumption styles: a cross‐cultural study
Authors: Akturan Ulun , Tezcan Nuray , Vignolles Alexandra
Published: November 2011

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to validate the CSI scale and segment young adults from a developed and a developing country on the basis of their consumption styles as consumers.

Design/methodology/approach

The research was conducted in France and Turkey. To determine the consumption styles, the CSI scale was used. The data were collected from college students aged 18‐24 by a self‐administered questionnaire. To define the segments, cluster analysis was used. The segments are profiled by young adults' demographic characteristics, attitudes towards shopping influence, and reliance on media.

Findings

In both of the countries, four segments were distinguished and defined as “fashion‐brand conscious consumers”, indifferent consumers”, “recreation seekers” and “quality seekers”.

Research limitations/implications

The study was executed in just one city (Istanbul) in Turkey and one city (Toulouse) in France. The study focused on a single product class, apparel products, since young adults act more as decision makers for that product class.

Practical implications

The expectations and attitudes of the identified segments should be taken into consideration while developing marketing programs by firms.

Originality/value

This study examines a cross‐cultural validation of CSI scale for new country settings and segments young adults. Moreover, this study put forwards a cross‐cultural comparison of young adults' consumption segments.
What change, what stay: the mix picture of value system of Chinese business managers
Authors: Xueli Wang , Lin Ma
Published: November 2011

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to investigate the changes of Chinese business managers' values for the last three decades since the open door policy. Moreover, the paper discusses the mix picture, which combines Western and Eastern values, and its influence on management practice.

Design/methodology/approach

Via the seven “value dilemmas” regarding the value dimension proposed by Hampden‐Turner and Trompenaars, the authors surveyed Chinese enterprise managers in 2000 and 2009, then analyzed and compared the data from the questionnaire and the other findings in order to explore the changes of Chinese managers' value system.

Findings

First, the value system of Chinese enterprise managers is subjected to dual influence from Western management philosophy and Eastern traditional philosophy. The value system shows significant consistency. The Chinese managers remain amazingly consistent in their value systems, except one changed dimension – “outer direction” in 2009, and “inner direction” in 2000. Second, the mix picture of Chinese business managers' value system has traditional Eastern philosophy characteristics, such as “particularism”, “diffusion”, “communitarianism”, “synchronous time”, besides, this picture also has “achieved status” and “equality” features which is the result of the influence of open‐door reform. Third, this mix picture of value system forms a great part of Chinese companies' management practice: the “Eastern part” plays a great role in decision making regarding strategy and people issues; meanwhile, the “Western part” works well at operation level and application of specific management tools.

Originality/value

This is the first study to discover the invisible driver behind Chinese management, namely the value system of the business managers, since their value system deeply influences the managerial decision making, as well as the daily operations. The paper's findings provide a new perspective to interpret Chinese management style and explain the management reality in this fast‐growing economy. The paper also adds evidence in the study of the relationship between managerial values and management practice.
Gaining competitive advantage through a low carbon economy: China vs Europe
Authors: Xodo Alberto
Published: November 2011

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to explore the possible developments of the energy sector in 2050. Special consideration is given to the evolution of the relationship between Europe and China.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper draws on the analysis of current trends and news to develop a hypothetical scenario for the energy sector in 2050. A new hypothetical scenario is proposed in which China's role is dramatically shifted from world's largest polluter to that of leader of the green revolution.

Findings

The paper suggests that the countries with the highest standards could gain a competitive advantage by imposing their standards on the other countries. In the specific scenario analyzed in the paper, China is the country that will gain such an advantage by 2050.

Research limitations/implications

The paper's main limitation is the lack of estimations on the likelihood of such a hypothetical scenario.

Practical implications

Practical implications of the paper are the recommendations to European Governments and agencies to take their energy policies one step forward towards low carbon solutions.

Originality/value

The new perspective taken by the paper puts China under a new light and uncovers long‐term strategic implications of recent trends in the energy sector.
A stochastic optimisation framework for analysing economic returns and risk distribution in the LNG business
Authors: Furlonge Haydn I.
Published: November 2011

Purpose

The liquefied natural gas (LNG) business comprises a number of economic activities with inherent risks. The purpose of this paper is to propose an integrated modelling approach, as part of the investment decision‐making process, for optimising economic returns from LNG whilst taking into account uncertainty in various key input parameters.

Design/methodology/approach

Inter‐linked cash flow and pricing models of the LNG chain were constructed. Net present value was maximised based on selection of netback pricing variables and level of investment shareholding. Constraints were placed on the minimum acceptable returns. The risk affinity of the decision maker was captured in the form of a chance‐constrained optimisation problem. A genetic algorithm was applied for numerical optimisation, in combination with Monte Carlo simulations to account for the stochastic nature of the problem.

Findings

Based on the results of a case study, the deterministic solution, having no consideration to uncertainty, was found to be both sub‐optimal and provided an unsatisfactory risk outcome. The stochastic approach yielded an optimal solution with due consideration to risk. Various scenarios show that the choice of the decision variables significantly impacts the trade‐off between risk and returns along the LNG chain to government and investor.

Research limitations/implications

The suitability of the methodology to the operational phase of the LNG business which incorporates different elements of risk, such as market dynamics and logistics, is as yet untested.

Originality/value

This framework may be useful in the formulation of optimal commercial structure of firms, investment portfolio and gas/LNG pricing arrangements for host governments involved in the LNG business.
Kosova's household energy efficiency and fuel supplies
Authors: Bowen Brian H. , Myers James A. , Nixha Agon
Published: November 2011

Purpose

The Kosova Government is promoting energy efficiency and the purpose of this paper is to make a contribution to the efforts being made, in the form of a household survey which visited 2,370 homes in the capital city Prishtina.

Design/methodology/approach

Student teams from the American University in Kosovo (AUK) conducted the survey under faculty guidance and their collected data provide valuable information.

Findings

The survey indicates that Kosova's progress on energy efficiency is not far behind the EU requirements.

Research limitations/implications

The AUK survey results are from the most densely populated area of Prishtina and so these results will be of special interest to the city planners.

Practical implications

The survey indicates that an average of 7.58 m3 of wood is consumed per home annually. From the data for all homes, 78 per cent heat one to three rooms and for the medium‐size category it was 83 per cent. For all homes in the phase 1 survey, 62 per cent spend between 10‐30 per cent of family income on electricity. The weighted average of the electricity costs in a medium‐size home is €63 each Winter month. The government therefore needs to effectively implement appropriate incentives or subsidies to promote a wide household energy efficiency program. Using an average wood cost of €35 to €40/m3 and the 1.525 million m3/year total consumption, the total wood revenue is €60.6 million.

Social implications

There also needs to be thousands of smaller personal investments for household high efficiency wood stoves. Both types of investments will reduce Kosova's environmental problem of particulates from ash.

Originality/value

The combined Phase 1 and Phase 2 surveys are expected to provide the most comprehensive household energy survey ever conducted in the Balkans.