bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A proposal for an open-source financial risk model
Authors: Ho Hwang Jong
Published: August 2014

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to present a policy proposal for building a new framework for gathering, measuring and disclosing financial risk information in the global economy.

Design/methodology/approach

– The paper examines the current state of the financial risk framework, notes its advantages and disadvantages and proposes a new construct that aims to address some of the shortcomings that are currently in place. The goals of a robust financial risk model are examined to determine the design of the proposed risk framework.

Findings

– The proposed open-source financial risk model separates the dual function that internal risk models perform within financial institutions, first to attempt to optimize the risk–return profile of mostly private economic rent-seeking entities, and second to maximize safety and soundness considerations for the public which is at risk of bearing the consequences of financial actors.

Practical implications

– The model allows widespread use of robust financial risk models.

Social implications

– The model enables a more transparent and democratic process for risk management.

Originality/value

– The study proposes a new global supervisory framework.

Practical implications

– The model allows widespread use of robust financial risk models.

Social implications

– The model enables a more transparent and democratic process for risk management.

Originality/value

– The study proposes a new global supervisory framework.
Supervisory requirements and expectations for portfolio level counterparty credit risk measurement and management
Authors: Jacobs Jr. Michael
Published: August 2014

Purpose

– This study aims to survey supervisory requirements and expectations for counterparty credit risk (CCR).

Design/methodology/approach

– In this paper, a survey of CCR including the following elements has been performed. First, various concepts in CCR measurement and management, including prevalent practices, definitions and conceptual issues have been introduced. Then, various supervisory requirements and expectations with respect to CCR have been summarized. This study has multiple areas of relevance and may be extended in various ways. Risk managers, traders and regulators may find this to be a valuable reference. Directions for future research could include empirical analysis, development of a theoretical framework and a comparative analysis of systems for analyzing and regulating CCR.

Findings

– Some of the thoughts regarding the concept of risk will be considered and surveyed, and then how these apply to CCR will be considered. A classical dichotomy exists in the literature, the earliest exposition upon which is credited to Knight (1921), who defines uncertainty is when it is not possible to measure a probability distribution or it is unknown. This is contrasted with the situation where either the probability distribution is known, or knowable through repeated experimentation. Arguably, in economic and finance (and more broadly in the social or natural as opposed to the physical or mathematical sciences), the former is a more realistic scenario that is being contending with (e.g. a fair vs loaded die, or die with unknown number of sides.) The authors are forced to rely upon empirical data to estimate loss distributions, but this is complicated because of changing economic conditions, which invalidate forecasts that our econometric models generate.

Originality/value

– This is one of few studies of the CCR regulations that is so far-reaching.
The association between subcultures and resistance to change – in a Swedish hospital clinic
Authors: Carlström Eric , Olsson Lars-Eric
Published: August 2014

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to explore the different subcultures and the employees’ preparedness for change at an orthopaedic clinic in a university hospital in Sweden.

Design/methodology/approach

– Surveys were sent out to 179 nurses and physicians. The survey included the two instruments Organisational Values Questionnaire and resistance to change (RTC) Scale.

Findings

– The results suggest a dominance of a human relations culture, i.e. flexibility, cohesion and trust, in the orthopaedic clinic. These characteristics seemed to decrease RTC. Opposite to this, planning, routines and goal setting appeared to increase change-resistant behaviour.

Practical implications

– By predicting potential obstacles in a certain context prior to a change process, resources can be used in a more optimal way. An instrument that pinpoints the culture of a particular healthcare setting may be a useful tool in order to anticipate the possible outcome of change.

Originality/value

– The rational goal/internal processes dimension exerted a stronger association with RTC than in earlier studies. Deeply rooted standards and routinised care models, governed by work schedules, could be an obstacle to introducing a care model based on the individual needs of the patient. There was, however, a surprisingly low RTC. The results are contrary to the accepted understanding of public organisations known to be slow to change.
Emotion, power and identity. Emotional display of envy when taking on management roles in a professional hierarchy
Authors: Sebrant Ulla
Published: August 2014

Purpose

– Drawing on a previous study of organising processes and the construction of identity in a Swedish geriatric clinic, the impact of emotions is brought to the fore in the interpretation of power relations among professional groups. The purpose of this paper is to find a way to interpret emotions as discursively constructed in organising processes.

Design/methodology/approach

– A sequence of critical events is described where leading positions were negotiated at the clinic. Senior physicians and head nurses are highlighted as opposing forces in a struggle where envious emotions seemed to be a driving force in the political interplay. The empirical material in this paper comes from the previous study. It is a set of participant observations and parts of interviews that took place before and after the implementation of a new organisational plan for the clinic.

Findings

– The envious and regressive undertone in the relationships between the actors made them act for egocentric reasons instead of creating new ways of collaborating and learning new leading roles. The power relations of the medical hierarchy were reproduced, which made new ways of relating threatening and difficult to achieve.

Originality/value

– The results of the study confirm that people involved and perhaps in conflict with each other have to be able to, or get help to, make sense of their emotional experiences to employ them constructively. Otherwise they fall back into well-known patterns in order to feel secure. A vital part of learning in change processes is the support to individuals and groups in gaining emotional understanding of themselves and others. Leaders and managers who often are initiators of change ought to be aware of the importance of emotional support in change processes. If they are not, they are destined to be a part of the confusion and unable to lead or support their staff in change processes.
Realizing marketplace opportunity
Authors: Foster Davis Judy
Published: August 2014

Purpose

– The influence of research on decisions concerning black consumers by mainstream marketers between 1920 and 1970 is to be examined. Market opportunity analysis provides a theoretical foundation. The paper aims to discuss these issues.

Design/methodology/approach

– This study is based on examination of rare books, archival and proprietary documents housed at the Hartman Center for Sales, Advertising and Marketing History at Duke University; the Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture at the New York Public Library; the Museum of Public Relations and relevant literature concerning research on black consumers.

Findings

– Mainstream companies were motivated to pursue black consumers on the basis of attractive consumption habits, demographic and psychographic characteristics revealed by informal and formal research available as early as the 1920s. During and after the Second World War, research on black consumers became widely available to corporate executives through the trade press, trade associations, academic literature and internal corporate efforts. White and black scholars, entrepreneurs and marketing professionals were instrumental in collecting, disseminating and interpreting information regarding African-American consumers. Research not only prompted corporate interest in the black consumer market by appealing to profit motives, but also encouraged ground-breaking change in the way that blacks were addressed and portrayed in marketing materials.

Originality/value

– This examination expands the literature by introducing information from materials not previously analysed which explains interest in black consumers from marketers' perspectives. Analysis indicates that economic self-interest, more so than social pressures driven by civil rights efforts, prompted mainstream marketers' interest in black consumers. At the same time, socioeconomic gains associated with civil rights advancements transformed African-Americans into an attractive consumer segment widely recognized by mainstream marketers.
Implementing successful G2B initiatives in the HKSAR
Authors: Kwok Cecili
Published: August 2014

Purpose

– The aim of this study is to study the implementation of G2B initiatives for small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in Hong Kong, focusing on the underlying importance, benefits and challenges.

Design/methodology/approach

– The context of this study was initially established based on comparisons with B2B initiatives. However, it is also learned from the literature that the transformational aspect of e-Government development has not been materialized, whereas the extended web assessment method (EWAM), the three-ring model and DeLone and McLean’s IS success model were therefore identified to derive and build the theoretical G2B success model, thereby developing the online survey instrument of this study. Specifically, a positivist paradigm was adopted to investigate the impact of each G2B success factor on the overall satisfaction with using the G2B systems under examination from the perspective of SMEs, rather than simply placing emphasis on the number of electronic services provided and the investments spent.

Findings

– The research findings were compiled based on both the multiple regression analysis and EWAM analysis results, thus making the necessary improvements in the appropriate service aspects of the G2B systems concerned.

Originality/value

– The main study concluded that prevalent G2B initiatives in Hong Kong have been largely connected to pursuing conservative paradigms in public service provision. The new e-Government strategic agenda is therefore laid out for increasing the overall transparency of new public management based on the provision of resilient-based public services, thereby advancing the democratic empowerment of all the G2B stakeholders involved and also maximizing the multifold effects of value creations.
Enhancing effectiveness of anti-money laundering laws through whistleblowing
Authors: Yeoh Peter
Published: August 2014

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to review inadequacies of anti-money laundering (AML) and whistleblowing laws particularly in the UK financial services sector and suggest various reforms initiatives.

Design/methodology/approach

– The article relies extensively on secondary data analysis including extensive literature review, analysis of applicable cases and evaluation of current whistleblowing and AML laws.

Findings

– The preponderance of defensive reporting particularly in the financial services sector appears to blunt the effectiveness of AML laws in the UK. Working adults generally are unaware or unfamiliar with whistleblowing laws, whereas the laws themselves are also deficient in some ways even though they have been adopted and adapted in various other jurisdictions because of its perceived comprehensiveness. Preliminary indications from money laundering scandals demonstrate how and why early disclosures of wrongdoings through whistleblowing might have helped to reduce the magnitude of the adverse consequences and hence the importance of whistleblowing in the fight against money laundering.

Originality/value

– This article provides the argument that while money laundering is perpetuated by hard-core criminals, it could be aided along by others motivated by profits in the financial system and that those closes to the process and in particular workers when encountering such activities should be encouraged to report these via appropriate channels. This together with further revamping of the suspicious activity reports procedures required under AML laws is argued to be able to contribute to the reduction of defensive reporting thereby enabling enforcement agencies to have more effective focus on remedial actions.
Dirty money in Jamaica
Authors: Alice Young Mary
Published: August 2014

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to examine the current state and future pressures of money laundering on Jamaica and the financial crime connections between the UK and Jamaica.

Design/methodology/approach

– The paper focuses on the primary data collected from a series of semi-structured interviews with members from the law enforcement and financial services sectors of Jamaica. The main objective of the interviews was to secure a range of opinions concerning the problem of money laundering in the country. Interviewees were selected from the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions, the Financial Investigation Division of the Ministry of Finance and Planning, the British High Commission and the Financial Services Commission. The names of all subjects shall remain anonymous to protect the privacy of those who were interviewed.

Findings

– Through the analysis of primary data it will be shown that Jamaica remains vulnerable to money laundering – particularly the proceeds of crime laundered through the remittance sector – despite a legislative overhaul in 2007 to adopt the UK’s Proceeds of Crime Act. Ineffective legislation is most certainly due to generic weaknesses and flaws which are applicable to many Caribbean states, for example, a lack of political will to enforce anti-money laundering regulations, corruption, inadequate police training, lack of resources, a strong remittance sector and geographical positioning along a drug-trafficking route.

Originality/value

– This paper is the first of its kind to comprehensively analyze the money laundering situation in Jamaica, using detailed first accounts from members of the law enforcement and financial sectors.
The SEC’s Municipal Advisor Rule will prompt new practices for market participants
Authors: Bannard David , Groethe Reed
Published: August 2014

Purpose

– To explain the new Municipal Advisor Rule that will take effect on July 1, 2014, which regulates persons and firms that provide advice to municipal issuers and obligated parties regarding municipal financial products or the issuance of municipal securities or that engage in certain solicitation of municipalities or obligors on behalf of third parties.

Design/methodology/approach

– Explains who is treated as a Municipal Advisor, the standards applicable to Municipal Advisors, how the Rule may affect municipal securities issuers and obligated persons (collectively referred to as “Borrowers”) as well as other market participants, describes the exceptions and exemption s to the requirements of the Rule, and concludes with suggestions as to how Borrowers and other market participants may promote the flow of information.

Findings

– The Rule will carry out a requirement of the Dodd-Frank Act, which provides that any party that provides advice to a Borrower regarding municipal financial products or the issuance of municipal securities must register with the SEC and the MSRB as a Municipal Advisor, unless such party qualifies for an exception or exemption under the Rule. Practical Implications: The Rule will change how information flows in the municipal securities market. Some consequences of the Rule may disadvantage Borrowers and other market participants. The Rule may restrict the flow of information provided to Borrowers by participants in the municipal securities marketplace that are not Municipal Advisors.

Originality/value

– Practical guidance from experienced financial services lawyers.
Shareholder activism spreads globally
Authors: Pickering Bomba Abigail , Epstein Steven , Richter Philip , Shine David , E. Sorkin John , Weinstein Gail
Published: August 2014

Purpose

– To inform on recent developments in shareholder activism, a phenomenon well-documented in North America and Europe and now spreading to Latin America, and summarize the key considerations for corporate boards.

Design/methodology/approach

– The article discusses a recent development involving Cartica Capital, a USA hedge fund and minority shareholder in CorpBanca, a Chilean bank pursuing a merger with Itau Unibanco Holding SA, Latin America’s biggest bank by market value, Cartica.

Findings

– Shareholder activism will continue to be an expanding global phenomenon.

Practical implications

– Boards must continue to plan accordingly when structuring a strategic transaction, both in and outside the USA market.

Originality/value

– Practical overview of recent developments in shareholder activism with a review of the key considerations for practitioners.
SEC’s examination program issues a risk alert on investment adviser due diligence processes
Authors: H. Walsh John
Published: August 2014

Purpose

– To summarize and interpret a Risk Alert titled “Investment Adviser Due Diligence Processes for Selecting Alternative Investments and their Respective Managers,” issued by the USA Securities and Exchange Commission Office of Compliance Inspections and Examinations on January 28, 2014.

Design/methodology/approach

– Focuses on investment advisers selecting underlying alternative investment managers. Discusses the scope of the Staff’s observations. Describes several due diligence practices observed by the staff, including seeking greater transparency; utilizing third-party information aggregators, administrators, custodians, and auditors; using more quantitative analysis; and extending due diligence process to include operational and liquidity reviews. Lists several observed warning indicators that could lead an advisor to conduct additional due diligence, request the underlying manager to make appropriate changes, or reject or veto an investment. Identifies both positive and negative compliance practices.

Findings

– The Risk Alert noted several observed risk indicators that could lead an adviser to conduct additional due diligence, request the underlying manager to make appropriate changes, or reject or veto the investment. Advisers can assume that SEC Staff will ask about these risks in future adviser examinations.

Originality/value

– Practical guidance from an experienced financial services and securities lawyer.
How sell side advisors can reduce litigation risk in light of Delaware’s Rural/Metro decision
Authors: Gooding Gregory , Regner William , O'Connor Maeve , Kubek Gary
Published: August 2014

Purpose

– To explain the implications of a March 2014 Delaware Court of Chancery decision that found RBC Capital Markets liable for damages for aiding and abetting breaches of fiduciary duty by the directors of Rural/Metro Corporation in connection with the company’s 2011 sale to an affiliate of Warburg PIncus.

Design/methodology/approach

– Explains the court’s findings and decision, offers procedural lessons for sell-side financial advisors, and recommends what sell-side advisors can do to limit exposure to aiding and abetting claims.

Findings

– The Rural/Metro decision opens the door to additional litigation risk for sell-side advisors. However, Vice Chancellor Laster’s opinion also provides a roadmap for how an advisor can limit that risk.

Practical implications

– Director and financial advisor liability most often results from process failures.

Originality/value

– Practical guidance from experienced mergers and acquisitions and securities and corporate governance lawyers.
SEC staff expands relief from broker-dealer registration under US Securities Exchange Act for intermediaries in private M&A transactions
Authors: Kahn Henry , Welp Robert , Parrino Richard
Published: August 2014

Purpose

– To review the M&A Brokers “no-action” letter issued in February 2014 by the staff of the USA Securities and Exchange Commission that clarifies the circumstances in which intermediaries (M&A brokers) may receive transaction-based compensation for services provided in connection with sales of private companies without having to register and be regulated by the SEC as broker-dealers under the USA Securities Exchange Act of 1934.

Design/methodology/approach

– Examines the new SEC staff interpretative guidance on activities of M&A brokers in light of USA federal securities laws and previous staff no-action letters that address the application of broker-dealer registration requirements to such intermediaries when they render services in connection with purchases and sales of privately-held companies. Summarizes the manner in which the SEC staff’s new position expands the types of private M&A transactions on which intermediaries may advise and broadens the scope of services they may provide without subjecting themselves to Exchange Act registration.

Findings

– The M&A Brokers letter dispels much of the uncertainty existing under earlier SEC staff no-action letters about the scope of permissible activities in which unregistered intermediaries may engage in private M&A transactions. By broadening the scope of those activities under the federal statutory regime governing broker-dealers, the new staff guidance should facilitate the expansion of services provided by M&A brokers without registration and permit greater flexibility for M&A brokers and their clients to structure compensation arrangements. The paper cautions that, absent reform of more restrictive regulation under the securities laws of some states, the prospects for expanded involvement by unregistered intermediaries in private M&A transactions may not be fully realized.

Originality/value

– Expert guidance from experienced securities lawyers.
Fortress Europe? UCITS V and the US Fund Manager
Authors: Jesch Thomas , Renz Hartmut , Culhane Stephen , Firth Simon , Sausen David , Schneider Willys , Williams George
Published: August 2014

Purpose

– To discuss the new UCITS V Directive, recently agreed upon by the European Parliament and Council, which will include safeguards to protect client assets in the event of a depositary’s insolvency and also address remuneration practices that are thought to encourage excessive risk-taking.

Design/methodology/approach

– Summarizes UCITS-V, discusses whether the new remuneration rules are sound, addresses the concern that the UCITS V remuneration restrictions could make it difficult for USA-affiliated advisers and managers to manage UCITS, summarizes next steps and further procedures.

Findings

– From an institutional point of view, deferred remuneration systems will require credit institutions, as well as investment firms and custodians, to ensure sound and sustainable business models that also protect the public. This will be accomplished in part by establishing incentives and compliance systems that foster a risk-aware approach and an awareness by employees that they will profit only if the fund investors or the relevant credit institutions do. UCITS offering materials will need to be evaluated to see if current advisory structures can be maintained while retaining the desired business profile of the fund.

Originality/value

– Practical explanation by experienced lawyers.
Understanding value co-creation in complex services with many actors
Authors: Pinho Nelson , Beirão Gabriela , Patrício Lia , P. Fisk Raymond
Published: August 2014

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to explore the concept of value co-creation in complex value networks with many actors. Electronic health records (EHRs) are innovations that warrant deep study to properly introduce such a complex system.

Design/methodology/approach

– The paper describes a qualitative study based on Grounded Theory to understand value co-creation from multiple actors’ perspectives in a National EHR Service Project: the Portuguese Health Data Platform.

Findings

– Study results enabled further development of the value co-creation concept in complex environments with multiple actors. More specifically they allowed: operationalizing the value co-creation concept by identifying its factors and outcomes, understanding how value co-creation factors and outcomes are interconnected, and understanding of how value co-creation for each actor depends on his/her own actions and the actions of other actors, in a complex set of interactions and interdependencies.

Practical implications

– The findings have implications for service managers seeking to understand how actors participating in the network integrate resources and interact to co-create value. The study highlights the need for designing and managing services to co-create value, not only by enabling dyadic interactions between the customer and the service provider, but also by supporting and enabling value co-creation interactions among different actors in the network.

Originality/value

– This study responds to the need for empirical research on value co-creation in many-to-many contexts and for operationalizing the value co-creation concept.
The discounted cash flow model for property valuations: quarterly in advance cash flows
Authors: French Nick
Published: August 2014

Purpose

There are three approaches to valuation: cost, market and income. As a subset to the income approach, the investment method looks at the pricing of assets that produce income over an investment holding period. The discounted cash flow (DCF) technique or model can be developed to look at the cash flows on a quarterly basis to reflect the actual receipt of the cash flows. This Education Briefing is a overview of the DCF quarterly model and the need to analyse comparables appropriately. The paper aims to discuss these issue.

Design/methodology/approach

The DCF quarterly model can be seen to produce estimates of market value.

Findings

As the use of DCF is developed and expanded, it is useful to be able to model the cash flows appropriately.

Practical implications

The old adage “value as you analyse” applies to DCF valuations. If valuing quarterly, then the analysis needs to be done on the same basis.

Originality/value

This briefing is an overview of the pricing of freehold rack rented properties in the UK.
Dynamic capabilities vs. innovation capability: are they related?
Authors: Breznik Lidija , D. Hisrich Robert
Published: August 2014

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to provide insights into the relationship between dynamic capabilities and innovation capabilities. It links dynamic capability with innovation capability and indicates the ways they can be related.

Design/methodology/approach

– The relationships between dynamic and innovation capability were investigated through a systematic literature review.

Findings

– The review indicates that common characteristics exist between of the both fields, which demonstrate six relationships. Additionally, findings show some inconsistencies and even contradictions.

Originality/value

– In this paper, the authors have compared dynamic capabilities, a relatively new approach in the field of strategic management, with innovation capabilities, a widely recognised crucial domain for sustained competitiveness. Since both areas address issues that are essential to today's environment, future research should seek to clarify both concepts, by undertaking some new research and developing comprehensive and unambiguous framework.
Export success factors of small- and medium-sized firms in Chile
Authors: O. Maldifassi José , Chacón Caorsi Javier
Published: August 2014

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to identify the factors that could help differentiate between successful and unsuccessful small- and medium-sized exporter firms.

Design/methodology/approach

– A causal model of the exporting process was developed from the literature, from which a set of hypotheses was posed and a questionnaire was made. A sample of 37 small and medium exporter firms in Chile was subject to the questionnaire. From the data collected, the critical aspects that could help differentiate between successful and unsuccessful exporting organizations were statistically identified.

Findings

– The following aspects are the ones that could allow the statistical differentiation of successful and unsuccessful exporter firms: incentives at the firm level for increasing output, improved operations planning, international quality assurance certification, large percentage of sales devoted to innovation, highly frequent innovations, qualified and innovative workers, local alliances for innovation, and the possession of strategic allies at destination

Research limitations/implications

– The results of this research can be useful for intending small and medium exporter firms in Chile, as well as for firms in other developing countries. The results are based on a rather small sample of exporting firms in Chile; therefore, the generalizability of the results cannot be assured

Originality/value

– A detailed model of the exporting process of small and medium firm (SMF) was developed that is a contribution of the theoretical framework related to SMFs’ exports. The findings could be used by government agencies to offer better guidance to SMF intending to become exporters
Determinants of best HR practices in Chinese SMEs
Authors: Newman Alexander , Z. Sheikh Abdullah
Published: August 2014

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to examine the factors which determine the adoption of best HR practices in Chinese small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs).

Design/methodology/approach

– Regression analysis was utilized to analyse survey data obtained from 345 enterprises operating across China in a wide range of industrial sectors.

Findings

– Enterprises with greater resources in terms of their size, their relationships with external organizations, their cooperation with foreign partners and the human capital of their CEO were found to be more likely to adopt best HR practices. Contrary to the findings of the existing literature no relationship was found of a relationship between family ownership and the use of best HR practices.

Research limitations/implications

– The cross-sectional design is an obvious limitation of the study. Other limitations relate to the generalizability of the study findings outside the context in which the research was undertaken, and the use of convenience sampling.

Practical implications

– Enterprises should consider building strategic relationships with external organizations and developing cooperation with foreign partners as a way of leveraging human resource expertise at a limited cost.

Originality/value

– This is the first study to examine how differences in the resource endowments of Chinese SMEs influence their adoption of best HR practices.
Does usage level of online services matter to customers’ bank loyalty?
Authors: Levy Shalom
Published: August 2014

Purpose

– This paper aims to evaluate the relationship between the customer’s relative usage levels of online banking services and bank loyalty, and to examine the effect of customer satisfaction with the quality of online banking services and services’ convenience in this relationship. This study proposes a conceptual framework, integrating these factors.

Design/methodology/approach

– Data were collected from among traditional banks’ customers. The study uses a factor analysis method following path analysis, using AMOS 19 and structural equation modeling.

Findings

– The findings show a significant, direct and negative relationship between the relative usage level of online banking services and bank loyalty. However, a positive relationship was found to exist between bank loyalty and customer satisfaction with online service quality. An indirect positive relationship was also found to exist between services’ convenience through satisfaction with online banking service quality.

Practical implications

– The findings advance the idea that computer technology mediation reduces human interaction, and so may detract from customer loyalty. Service policy makers should invest in relation-based attachments with their online customers, enhance satisfaction with online quality service and sustain customer loyalty.

Originality/value

– Examination of the effect of variables related to online bank services usage and bank loyalty. This study contributes more value by understanding the effect of customers’ usage level of online services.
Functional vs relational benefits: what matters most in affinity marketing?
Authors: Koritos Christos , Koronios Konstantinos , Stathakopoulos Vlasis
Published: August 2014

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to classify and compare the importance of the benefits consumers derive from affinity credit card programmes.

Design/methodology/approach

– A random sample of affinity credit card holders of a major Greek athletic club (AC) was surveyed and a multi-group structural equation model was run to assess the hypothesised relationships among the study constructs.

Findings

– Overall, the relational benefits of affinity credit cards outperform the functional ones. However, this finding depends on the number of additional credit cards held by affinity credit card holders.

Originality/value

– The study is the first one to test formally the viability of a core services marketing theory (relational benefits) within the affinity marketing field as a means of explaining consumer behaviour within such a context.
Explanation information and source in service recovery initiatives
Authors: Baker Thomas , Meyer Tracy
Published: August 2014

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to specifically consider two interactional aspects that are likely to contribute to the success of an explanation of why a service failed: the adequacy of information provided and role of the person providing the information.

Design/methodology/approach

– Two empirical studies were conducted using a between-subjects 2 (information: low vs high) × 2 (employee: frontline vs manager) experimental design. The first study was designed to better understand when the information provided might have a more positive impact on the customer. The second study was conducted to understand why the effects exist.

Findings

– In Study 1, an interaction effect was seen that suggests that the most positive outcome is when the manager (vs the frontline employee) provides a full explanation (vs limited explanation) of the mishap. Results from Study 2 indicate that source credibility is in play.

Research limitations/implications

– Participants were asked to respond to service failure and recovery scenarios using the same service context. The means of the outcome variables suggest that the recovery effort could be improved upon with other methods.

Practical implications

– Contrary to suggestions that frontline employees be responsible to resolve service failures, our studies reveal that service recovery initiatives involving an explanation only are best received when the manager provides the customer a full account of what went wrong.

Originality/value

– This research provides empirical evidence of when and why more information regarding the cause of a service failure is most positively received by the customer.
United we stand: quantitative and qualitative methods to assess cooperation
Authors: Gabriele Weston Paul , Vullo Giuseppina
Published: August 2014

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to describe the quantitative and qualitative methods to assess the sustainability of cooperation models within research libraries networks in the humanities.

Design/methodology/approach

– Changing research environment and budget constraints currently are the main challenges of research libraries networks: to cope with this pressure libraries need to build collective capacity through a strong model of collaboration and partnership and foster closer interaction between actors both from the library and the external world. In order to build effective and efficient cooperation models research libraries networks will first need to share a common vision and a well-focused organisation. Nevertheless, a multi-level approach should help them to identify their core functional requirements, the specialised needs of their users and a flexible cooperation structure able to maintain the financial sustainability of the system.

Findings

– After illustrating the current challenges in the research libraries world, and how cooperation and collaboration issues have been connoting library management and activities, this work presents the methodology and the preliminary results of a research project which surveyed the URBS network, an international consortium of 12 libraries from academic and research institutions of several nations (Austria, Denmark, Finland, Great Britain, Italy, the Netherlands, Norway, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, the USA) based in Rome, Italy.

Originality/value

– This paper will be of interest and value to other research library networks or consortia with an interest in the development of new organisational models, and in the evaluation and assessment of their sustainability.
Automated storage and retrieval system: a time-tested innovation
Authors: Heinrich Helen , Willis Eric
Published: August 2014

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to examine the ongoing life cycle of the world's first library Automated Storage and Retrieval System (ASRS) at the Oviatt Library at the California State University, Northridge (CSUN). Born from the pilot project at the California State University Chancellor's Office, CSUN's ASRS was inaugurated in 1991 and cost over $2,000,000 to implement. It survived a devastating 6.8 Northridge earthquake and protected the collection housed within. Almost 20 years later the CSUN ASRS underwent a major renovation of hardware. With the changing concept of library as space and the construction of Learning Commons at the Oviatt, the demand for ASRS capacity is higher than ever.

Design/methodology/approach

– In addition to the history and overview, the paper explores the major aspects of ASRS administration: specifications of storage layout and arrangement of the materials, collection policy for storing materials, communication of retrieval requests and ASRS interface and compatibility with successive Integrated Library Systems.

Findings

– The first ASRS served as proof of concept that a library collection does not lose its effectiveness when low-circulating materials are removed from the open stacks. Furthermore, with the changing concept of library as space and the construction of Learning Commons at the Oviatt, the provision of the nimble, just-in-time collection becomes paramount, and the demand for ASRS increases exponentially.

Practical implications

– Administrators and librarians who consider investing in ASRS will learn about the principles of storage organization, imperatives and challenges of its conception and long-term management on the example of CSUN.

Originality/value

– The paper carries unique qualities as it describes the formation and evolution of the world's first library ASRS. The visionary undertaking not only withstood the test of time and nature, it continues to play a pivotal role in Oviatt Library's adaption to the new generation of users’ demands and expectations.
Determinants of voluntary formation of risk management committees
Authors: Blessy Sekome Nkoko , Taddesse Lemma Tesfaye
Published: August 2014

Purpose

– The aim of this paper is to examine the nexus between firm-specific attributes and a company’s decision to setup a separate risk management committee (RMC) as a sub-committee of the board within the context of an emerging economy, South Africa.

Design/methodology/approach

– The authors analyse data extracted from audited annual financial reports of 181 non-financial firms listed on the Johannesburg Securities Exchange (JSE) by using logistic regression technique.

Findings

– The results show a strong positive relationship between the existence of a separate RMC and board independence, board size, firm size and industry type. However, the authors fail to find support for the hypotheses that independent board chairman, auditor reputation, reporting risk and financial leverage have an influence on a firm’s decision to establish RMC as a separately standing committee in the board structure. The findings signify the role of costs associated with information asymmetry, agency, upkeep of a standalone RMC, damage to the reputation of directors and industry-specific idiosyncrasies on a firm’s decision to form a separate RMC.

Research limitations/implications

– As in most empirical studies, this study focuses on listed firms. Nonetheless, future studies that focus on non-listed firms could add additional insights to the literature. Investigating the role of firm-specific governance attributes other than those considered in the present study (e.g. gender of directors, ownership structure, etc.) could further enhance the understanding of antecedents of risk-management practices.

Practical implications

– The findings have practical implications for the investment community in assessing the quality of risk management practices of companies listed on the JSE. Furthermore, the results provide insights that are potentially useful to the King Committee and other corporate governance regulators in South Africa in their effort to improve corporate governance practices.

Originality/value

– The present study focuses on firms drawn from an emerging economy which has profound economic, institutional, political and cultural differences compared to advanced economies, which have received a disproportionately higher share of attention in prior studies. Thus, the study contributes additional insights to the literature on corporate risk management from the perspective of an emerging economy.
“Talk” about male suicide? Learning from community programmes
Authors: Robinson Mark , Braybrook Debbie , Robertson Steve
Published: August 2014

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to examine the contribution of public awareness campaigning in developing community capacity toward preventing male suicide and explores emerging considerations for suicide prevention programme development.

Design/methodology/approach

– The paper draws on campaign evaluation data, specifically qualitative discussion groups with the general public, to report results concerning campaign processes, and “interim” effectiveness in changing public awareness and attitudes, and then discusses how progress is to be lasting and transformational.

Findings

– The campaign raised the awareness of a substantial proportion of those targeted, and affected attitudes and behaviour of those who were highly aware. The community settings approach was effective in reaching younger men, but there were challenges targeting the public more selectively, and engaging communities in a sustained way.

Practical implications

– The paper discusses emerging considerations for suicide prevention, focusing on gender and approaches and materials for engaging with the public as “influencers”. There are challenges to target audiences more specifically, provide a clear call to action, and engage the public in a sustained way.

Social implications

– The paper discusses emerging considerations for suicide prevention, focusing on gender and approaches and materials for engaging with the public as “influencers”. There are challenges to target audiences more specifically, provide a clear call to action, and engage the public in a sustained way.

Originality/value

– The paper adds fresh evidence of gendered communication processes, including their effects on public awareness, attitudes and engagement. Application of a theory of change model leads to systems level findings for sustaining programme gains.
Ion-selective electrode made with LTCC (low temperature co-fired ceramics) technology
Authors: Malecha Karol , Dawgul Marek , Pijanowska Dorota G
Published: August 2014

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to focus on development and electrical characterization of miniature ion-selective electrode (ISE) for application in micro total analysis system or lab-on-chip devices. The presented ISE is made using low temperature co-fired ceramics (LTCC). It shows possibility of integration chemically sensitive layers with structures fabricated using modern microelectronic technology.

Design/methodology/approach

– The presented ISEs were fabricated using LTCC microelectronic technology. The possibility of ISE fabrication on multilayer ceramic substrate made of two different LTCC material systems (CeramTec GC, Du Pont 951) with deposited thick-film silver pad is studied. Different configurations of LTCC/silver pad (surface, embedded) are taken into account. Electrical performance of all LTCC-based structures with integrated ISE was examined experimentally.

Findings

– The preliminary measurements made for ammonium ions have shown good repeatability and linear response with slope of about 30-35 mV/dec. Moreover, no significant impact of the LTCC material system and silver pad configuration on fabricated ISEs’ electrical properties was noticed.

Research limitations/implications

– The presented research is a preliminary work. The authors focused on ISE fabrication on LTCC substrates without any microfluidic structures. Therefore, further research work will be needed to evolve ion-selective membrane deposition inside microfluidic structures made in LTCC substrates.

Practical implications

– Development of the LTCC-based ISE makes the fabrication of detection units for integrated microfluidic systems possible. These devices can find practical applications in analytical diagnosis and continuous monitoring of various biochemical parameters.

Originality/value

– This paper shows design, fabrication and performance of the novel ISE fabrication using LTCC technology.