bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Building a personal brand through social networking
Authors: Harris Lisa , Rae Alan
Published: September 2011

Purpose

The “digital divide” between the “haves” and the “have nots” in the developed world is now less about access to the web than it is about understanding how to actively participate in the networked society. The paper shows how people with the skills, time and confidence to navigate and manage the online chaos will gain access to new career opportunities, find audiences for their work and enrich the lives of others. Those without such initiative risk being marginalized or left behind.

Design

This work draws upon the results of an ongoing research project which is investigating the use of new technologies by entrepreneurs and small businesses in the South East of England.

Findings

The paper demonstrates how various online services such as blogging and social networking can be harnessed to develop and enhance a personal brand.

Practical implications

Finding a job and managing career progression increasingly involves understanding how today's networks work and how to deploy them effectively to build a personal brand, both online and offline.

Originality/value

The paper provides practical guidance on building a personal brand for business or career development, based on lessons learned from “early adopters” in the field.
The corporate strategy function: improving its value and effectiveness
Authors: Brunsman Barry , DeVore Stacey , Houston Andrew
Published: September 2011

Purpose

Very few functions seem as well‐positioned as the corporate strategy function to create value. Even the name, corporate strategy, suggests access to critical information and decision‐makers, as well as distinctive contributions to the organization's most important decisions. Yet many corporate strategy functions find that their contributions are limited and they are unable to have significant, tangible impact. Understanding the opportunities to increase the value of the corporate strategy function allows managers and executives to make purposeful change to tune the function to the organization's needs.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors interviewed managers and executives responsible for the corporate strategy function in 11 different companies across multiple industries. These interviews identified several approaches to providing the corporate strategy function, the keys to their success, and their limitations. A simple matrix was developed that allows the corporate strategy function to be characterized and identifies opportunities to increase the impact of the function.

Findings

The authors found that increasing the impact of the corporate strategy function involves increasing the complexity of the function's contribution (e.g., from simple analysis to solution design) or increasing the scope of that contribution (e.g., from process support to solution implementation). Increasing complexity or scope requires changes to the function's organization, processes and people competencies.

Originality/value

Increasing the impact of the corporate strategy function has clear implications – better decisions are made, important initiatives are more likely to succeed, and the strategy function is better able to meet the organization's unique needs.
The long‐run equity performance of zero‐leverage firms
Authors: Lee Hongbok , Moon Gisung
Published: September 2011

Purpose

This paper aims to contribute to the existing finance literature on capital structure by examining the long‐run equity performance of the firms that employ extremely conservative debt policy – zero leverage for three or five consecutive years.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper measures the long‐run equity performance of zero‐debt firms with two commonly used methods: the buy‐and‐hold abnormal returns following Barber and Lyon, and the Fama and French three‐factor models. The four‐factor models are also used to check the robustness of the result.

Findings

The authors find that zero‐debt firms perform better over the long run based on the calendar‐time portfolio regressions after adjusting for Fama‐French factors. The results indicate that the persistent lack of debt in the capital structure seems an important determinant of stock returns, and the impact of extreme conservatism in debt policy is not fully captured by the theoretical and empirical risk proxies, such as beta, size, book‐to‐market, and momentum.

Practical implications

The benefit of the present article for investors and portfolio managers is the identification of an additional important determinant of stock returns.

Originality/value

This paper is the first article that thoroughly investigates the long‐run stock returns of the firms that choose to stay debt free over an extended period of time.
The role of high‐technology services in the knowledge economy
Authors: Matoušková Zdeňka , Czesaná Věra
Published: September 2011

Purpose

The main aim of this paper is to test the ways in which the role of high‐technology services (HTS) in the economy of European Union (EU) member countries changes and the extent to which the development of HTS depends on the quality of human resources.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper adopts comparative and cluster analysis of statistical data published by Eurostat.

Findings

The empirical analysis approved the growing proportion of HTS in both employment and gross value added in the EU as a whole. However, there are great differences among individual member states that can be grouped into four clusters. HTS have a significantly higher proportion of tertiary educated employees, belong to young sectors and show a higher rate of participation in continuing education. HTS development is closely related to information communications technology (ICT) literacy of the population of the country, on the one hand, and on its economic standards, on the other.

Research limitations/implications

The major findings constitute a starting‐point for more thorough national analysis and for setting measures supporting HTS development, especially through the availability of an appropriately educated labour force.

Practical implications

The growing proportion of HTS in the economy is an important feature of knowledge economies; therefore it is necessary for politicians to have information about the development of this sector.

Originality/value

HTS has been little researched in a detailed way to date. This paper tries to indicate all the important features that should be further and more deeply analysed.
From abstract to actual: art and designer‐like enquiries into data visualisation
Authors: Hohl Michael
Published: September 2011

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to suggest that physiological experience can contribute to the comprehension of visualisation of scientific data, especially artistic approaches.

Design/methodology/approach

A number of relevant case studies are used to establish the rationale.

Findings

“Objective” or neutral data visualisation does not exist. Every visualisation process relies on human definitions or mediation. Based on this premise, interdisciplinary collaborators can use methods from design and art to actively design the usability of data visualisation together with their perceived aesthetic, ambiguous and imaginative dimensions in order to create a multi‐layered human experience of data.

Research limitations/implications

Physiological engagement in combination with rich, ambiguous experiences are no substitute for scientific data visualisation but an evocative medium for the public communication of science, such as at science centres or science museums.

Practical implications

Clear support of interdisciplinary collaborations and systematic application of methods to create aesthetic experiences from scientific data.

Social implications

Potentially novel, engaging and evocative sensual experiences with data visualisations around themes, such as climate change, sustainability and ecology.

Originality/value

The paper suggests that systematically complementing methods from art and design in order to emotionalise intellectual experiences could be considered an unorthodox yet highly effective novel approach.
Research rules for library ethnography
Authors: Seadle Michael
Published: September 2011

Purpose

The aim of this paper is to introduce the second part of the theme issue on “user research and technology” and to discuss testing online digital library resources using methods from ethnography and cultural anthropology.

Design/methodology/approach

This editorial reviews the literature and research design methods.

Findings

Library and information science as a field is changing and the requirements for top quality research are growing more stringent. This is typical of the experience of other professional fields as they have moved from practitioners advising practitioners to researchers building on past results.

Originality/value

The results of current research need not merely be interesting, but in so far as possible, testable and reproducible.
Correlation analysis between users' educational level and mobile reading behavior
Authors: Zhang Liyi , Ma Wei
Published: September 2011

Purpose

This paper aims to investigate the use of mobile reading among Chinese college students and to provide a statistical analysis of correlation between the users' educational level and their mobile reading behavior. The result can be used as a reference for the differentiated marketing of the mobile reading service provider.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper is based on an online questionnaire oriented to Chinese college students, including undergraduate and graduate students. The questionnaire includes questions related to the profiles and mobile reading behaviors of the respondents. The survey lasted from 15 April to 15 June 2010 and 479 responses were received.

Findings

Mobile reading is in its early stages of development and has huge market potential in China. The pay‐reading service only makes up a small, slowly growing share. Well educated users are more inclined to pay for academic papers while other users prefer online literature. In general, mobile reading services have yet to become more and more popular by improving user segmentation, expanding the scope of service and conducting precise price marketing in China.

Practical implications

This study can help mobile reading service providers to gather information on user behavior and launch better mobile reading services.

Originality/value

The paper is one of the first to investigate the market of mobile reading in China. The paper provides suggestions for further improvement of the mobile reading service and help service providers better understand users' demands. Also it may provide some useful information for further research in mobile reading.
Using screen capture to study user research behavior
Authors: Imler Bonnie , Eichelberger Michelle
Published: September 2011

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to report on how researchers at Penn State University used video screen capture technology to learn more about student usage of the library's databases.

Design/methodology/approach

The process of identifying and implementing a novel way to capture and analyze the human‐computer interaction is outlined and discussed.

Findings

Because of the drawbacks associated with both formal, direct physical observation of research participants and videotaping participants, video screen capture technology is chosen as a better way to track human‐computer interaction.

Practical implications

Video screen capture technology is an inexpensive, user‐friendly way to enhance electronic resource usability studies in any library. Research files can be easily exported into coding software for data analysis.

Originality/value

The paper examines a new, non‐invasive way to capture student research behavior. It shows how any library could use this same technology to conduct research on how their resources are being used by their user population.
Use of web technology in providing information services by south Indian technological universities as displayed on library websites
Authors: Balaji B. Preedip , Kumar Vinit
Published: September 2011

Purpose

This paper aims to discuss the present status of using new generation web technology, social media and Web 2.0 features among the technological university library websites in south India. It seeks to assess the library websites as a primary platform and one‐stop portal for information services and to examine how much library websites are effective in providing web‐based information services.

Design/methodology/approach

The library websites of the technological universities in south India were evaluated on the basis of a relative weight checklist. The criteria for the checklist were drawn on the basis of availability of websites for library, resource discovery tools, access to scholarly content and Web 2.0 tools. The various issues and challenges in adapting new web technologies in the academic environment are discussed.

Findings

Using the current web development technologies and deploying for mainstream web information services is not widespread as web information services are yet to take off widely in academic libraries. The majority of university libraries are found to be working in the conventional library settings and the diffusion rate of web information services is relatively low.

Originality/value

As this is an assessment of the existing online information infrastructure facilities of the engineering universities in south India, the awareness of web‐based information services, their viability, and service values can be enhanced. More emphasis to improve upon the current learning, online educational facilities and benchmarking electronic information services for sustainability is highlighted.
Human capital planning in higher education institutions
Authors: Khasawneh Samer
Published: September 2011

Purpose

The primary purpose of this study is to determine the status of human capital planning in higher education institutions in Jordan.

Design/methodology/approach

A random sample of 120 faculty members (in administrative positions) responded to a human capital planning (HCP) survey. The survey consisted of a pool of 38 items distributed over five dimensions (i.e. planning, analyzing, organizing, directing, and monitoring).

Findings

The results of the study indicate that based on participants' perceptions, the higher education institutions under study have a strong level of HCP. Examples of HCP include identifying sources of relevant employment and workforce data, establishing competency models, training internal talent, updating and ensuring the accuracy of all job descriptions, and establishing organizational learning practices that encourage employees to engage in lifelong learning. The results also indicate that there are no significant differences in assessing the status of human capital planning based on the gender of participants and their university affiliation. However, significant differences were detected based on type of position only on the planning and monitoring dimensions in favor of department chairs.

Originality/value

A number of theoretical and practical recommendations are suggested for the field of study.
Enhancing university business curriculum using an importance‐performance approach
Authors: Daud Salina , Abidin Nurazariah , Mazuin Sapuan Noraina , Rajadurai Jegatheesan
Published: September 2011

Purpose

This study seeks to investigate the potential gap between important dimensions of business graduates' attributes and the actual performance of these graduates in their post‐graduate employment. These graduates have completed a business‐related degree from the business management faculty of a higher education institution (HEI) located in Peninsular Malaysia. The dimensions of attributes and the performance of these graduates are considered in four broad areas, namely, knowledge, skills, abilities, and personality.

Design/methodology/approach

A questionnaire seeking responses from managers reflecting their importance ratings of essential attributes for business graduates, and the corresponding performance ratings of the graduates in these attributes, was distributed to managers of all companies employing the graduates from the business school. Importance‐performance analysis was used to evaluate the managers' perceptions of these graduates and to determine their actual performance. The graduates' information was obtained from the records of the HEI's alumni.

Findings

The results of this study reveal that managers attach different weights to different aspects of graduates' performance. Therefore, curriculum development should be directed towards attributes that are expected of these graduates and are relevant to the needs of the market and industry. This will allow for corrective action to take place to improve perceived problem areas.

Research limitations/implications

Since this research is a case study of business management faculty graduates, future nationwide research could be carried out on graduates from all HEIs employed in different industries and involving different levels of management and employment to determine whether a consistent pattern is discernable.

Originality/value

There are only a few studies that have included employer research surveys with the intention of evaluating factors contributing to graduate performance and improving the business management curriculum of HEIs in Malaysia.
Does market context impact payoffs to internationalization?
Authors: Elango B.
Published: September 2011

Purpose

International strategy literature has shown that market context varies in terms of importance to international operations and competition. The purpose of this paper is to examine the role of market context in influencing the relationship between internationalization and performance.

Design/methodology/approach

Using cluster analysis, this study categorizes market context into two distinct groups: global and multidomestic. Later, it investigates the internationalization‐performance relationship for 263 firms distributed across two market contexts.

Findings

Support for an inverted U‐shaped relationship was found in the case of market contexts which have global characteristics, while a U‐shaped relationship was found in the market contexts which have multidomestic characteristics. Additionally, findings indicate that the moderating influence of diversification on the internationalization‐performance relationship varies by the market context of the firm.

Originality/value

The paper seeks to contribute to one of the most critical issues in the international strategy literature, namely, the linkage between internationalization and firm performance. While many studies have been conducted on the topic of internationalization and performance, specific research linking market context and the internationalization‐performance relationship has been lacking. The paper's findings offer strong support to the notion that the nature of the relationship between internationalization and performance varies by market context. Implications for managerial and researchers are presented.
The impact of online shopping demand on physical distribution networks: a simulation approach
Authors: Lim Hyunwoo , Shiode Narushige
Published: September 2011

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to study how cost efficiency and the reliability of a physical distribution network are affected by changes in online shopping demand and to suggest how logistics service providers can respond to such changes.

Design/methodology/approach

Based on a discrete event simulation approach, possible adaptive measures to online shopping demand increase are tested at three levels of decision making in parcel distribution network: priority assignment in the main hub (operational), introduction of sub‐hubs (tactical), and increase in the hub‐terminal capacity (strategic). The feasibility of the simulation is tested with parameters adopted from the logistics service data of an existing major parcel carrier in South Korea.

Findings

Findings from the simulation model suggest that the existing physical distribution network can improve its cost efficiency and service reliability by evolving into a more centralized network structure with increased capacity of transshipment facilities if the online shopping demand is expected to increase consistently over the long run.

Practical implications

This research will help logistics service providers to have good insights into performances of their distribution networks at different levels of demand and to devise a plan for adaptation to meet future demand.

Originality/value

This paper provides a framework to understand the complex relationship between network configurations, service levels, costs, and other decision‐making processes with respect to changes in online shopping demand based on a simulation approach.
Analysis of the bullwhip effect with order batching in multi‐echelon supply chains
Authors: Hussain Matloub , Drake Paul R.
Published: September 2011

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to analyze the effect of batching on bullwhip effect in a model of multi‐echelon supply chain with information sharing.

Design/methodology/approach

The model uses the system dynamics and control theoretic concepts of variables, flows, and feedback processes and is implemented using iThink® software.

Findings

It has been seen that the relationship between batch size and demand amplification is non‐monotonic. Large batch sizes, when combined in integer multiples, can produce order rates that are close to the actual demand and produce little demand amplification, i.e. it is the size of the remainder of the quotient that is the determinant. It is further noted that the value of information sharing is greatest for smaller batch sizes, for which there is a much greater improvement in the amplification ratio.

Research limitations/implications

Batching is associated with the inventory holding and backlog cost. Therefore, future work should investigate the cost implications of order batching in multi‐echelon supply chains.

Practical implications

This is a contribution to the continuing research into the bullwhip effect, giving supply chain operations managers and designers a practical way into controlling the bullwhip produced by batching across multi‐echelon supply chains. Economies of scale processes usually favor large batch sizes. Reducing batch size in order to reduce the demand amplification is not a good solution.

Originality/value

Previous similar studies have used control theoretic techniques and it has been pointed out that control theorists are unable to solve the lot sizing problem. Therefore, system dynamic simulation is then applied to investigate the impact of various batch sizes on bullwhip effect.
Improving low‐income parents' fruit and vegetable intake and their potential to impact children's nutrition
Authors: Prelip Michael , Le Thai Chan , Toller Erausquin Jennifer , Slusser Wendy
Published: September 2011

Purpose

The purpose of this research is to test a comprehensive nutrition program developed specifically to target low‐income parents of young school‐aged children and determine whether the programme‐resulted in changes in parents' knowledge, attitude, self‐confidence, and behaviours related to both their and their child's nutrition in relation to fruit and vegetable intake.

Design/methodology/approach

This study used a quasi‐experimental pre‐test/post‐test design in which parent centers were selected to participate as either intervention or control sites. The primary method of data collection was self‐administered questionnaires.

Findings

The results show significant positive changes in parent knowledge, food behaviors, and home environment. No changes were observed in parents' attitudes; however, parent attitudes were high at baseline.

Practical implications

This work reinforces the importance of developing well designed interventions that specifically target the intended audience and intended outcomes.

Originality/value

This is one of the few studies that have examined the potential and value of nutrition‐focused intervention targeting low‐income and predominantly Hispanic populations with the potential goal of impacting children.
Understanding the risks in China's PPP projects: ranking of their probability and consequence
Authors: Ke Yongjian , Wang ShouQing , Chan Albert P.C. , Cheung Esther
Published: September 2011

Purpose

Based on the Chinese government's increased public‐private partnership (PPP) experience in the last decade, they have made a lot of efforts to improve the investment environment. This paper hence aims to conduct a more up‐to‐date evaluation of the potential risks in China's PPP projects.

Design/methodology/approach

As part of a comprehensive research looking at implementing PPP, a two‐round Delphi survey was conducted with experienced practitioners to identify the key risks that could be encountered in China's PPP projects. The probability of occurrence and severity of the consequence for the selected risks were derived from the surveys and used to calculate their relative risk significance index score.

Findings

The results showed that the top ten risks identified according to their risk significance index score are: government's intervention; poor political decision making; financial risk; government's reliability; market demand change; corruption; subjective evaluation; interest rate change; immature juristic system; and inflation. Further analysis was conducted on these risks so that the possible consequence, the most impacted parties, and the preferred allocation are discussed. Recommendations on commercial principles or contract terms between the Chinese government and private consortium are also provided.

Originality/value

These up‐to‐date findings concerning the probability and consequence of key risks would provide a valuable reference for private investors who are planning to invest in infrastructure projects in China.
Ethics management for the construction industry
Authors: Man‐Fong Ho Christabel
Published: September 2011

Purpose

Managing ethics has come to be considered a management discipline, especially since the birth of business ethics and social responsibility movements in the 1960s. However, there seems to be no comprehensive review and synthesis of ethics management literature in construction. This research aims to address the theory‐practice gap by providing a critical review of the ethics decision‐making literature.

Design/methodology/approach

The study examines critically the ethics decision‐making literature from the 1980s to 2008.

Findings

Three research focuses, relating to the construction industry in ethical decision making, are identified: empirical studies on examining the associations between variables (individuals, situational/organisational, moral intensity) and employees' ethical behaviour in construction organisational contexts; continuous application of behavioural science theories to develop an appropriate ethical decision‐making model for the industry; and research on group and/or organisational level behaviour ethics.

Research limitations/implications

The study identifies, draws together, and integrates existing theories and research, with a particular emphasis on ethical decision‐making models, to present the key contributions in the realm of ethics decision making.

Practical implications

The paper highlights the role of management (both as an academic discipline and from a practitioner perspective) in bridging this gap.

Originality/value

The research adds value to the literature on ethics management, where limited knowledge exists in the construction industry.
The adoption and diffusion of eLearning in UK universities
Authors: Hardaker Glenn , Singh Gurmak
Published: September 2011

Purpose

This exploratory study seeks to identifythe factors that influence the adoption and diffusion of instructional technology at five prominent universities in the UK. The study aims to examine the organisational factors that enable and inhibit organisational adoption and diffusion of innovation.

Design/methodology/approach

A qualitative exploratory case approach has been adopted to address the research question. In total, 36 semi‐structured interviews were conducted at five universities in the UK. The five diverse approaches to adoption and diffusion of instructional technology were examined; top‐down, integrated top‐down, bottom‐up, research‐driven and project‐driven approach.

Findings

For this research eLearning is conceptualised as innovation situated in the interplay between structure and individual and how this leads to adoption and diffusion. The paper argues that senior management need to acknowledge the need to bridge the gap between “local context” and top‐down strategic change. The findings suggest that there are tensions between “signification of meaning”, “power and dominance” and cultural norms in adoption and diffusion of eLearning.

Research limitations/implications

The implications of the research are significant in understanding the diversity of approaches to the adoption and diffusion of elearning. This provides insight for other universities in successfully managing the application of e‐learning.

Originality/value

Giddens's structuration theory provided a sensitising framework for understanding the dialectical nature of adoption of eLearning within five universities in the UK. The tensions between institutional structures, such as strategies, training, access to technology, technical support and time resources, and levels of adoption can be captured by dialectic of control in Giddens's Theory of Structuration.
Creating the strategic learning environment at City University London
Authors: Quinsee Susannah , Bullimore Anise
Published: September 2011

Purpose

This paper aims to describe the creation of a new approach to the implementation of educational technologies at a UK Higher Education Institution. Driven by changes in technology, an evaluation of the virtual learning environment (VLE) provided the opportunity to reassess the application of technology to the curriculum. However, such an evaluation and subsequent implementation is not about technology but a social process of negotiation and stakeholder engagement. The paper seeks to explore the narrative of the evaluation to offer lessons to other institutions.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper takes a storytelling approach as this enables greater emotional engagement with the reader as well as the description of the social and organisational aspects of such a VLE evaluation. This approach enables the difficulty of change in complex organisations, such as a university, to be addressed more fully.

Findings

Key lessons from the evaluation of the VLE and resulting creation of the strategic learning environment (SLE) are drawn, which can be of use to other institutions. The main finding is the fact that such evaluations and implementation of educational technologies are not about technical factors but about opportunities and threats presented by such technologies to the educational experience. These findings also inform future development of the SLE at the institution.

Originality/value

This paper will be of interest to institutions that are undertaking evaluation exercises of their educational technology provision as well as those that are implementing new technologies or considering large‐scale organisational change.
The health of people with autistic spectrum disorders
Authors: Emerson Eric , Hatton Chris , Hastings Richard , Felce David , McCulloch Andrew , Swift Paul
Published: September 2011

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to summarise what is known about the health of people with autism spectrum disorder (ASD).

Design/methodology/approach

The paper aims to update the unpublished review and scoping paper undertaken by Swift for the Foundation for People with Learning Disabilities; provide a conceptual framework for understanding the key determinants of the poorer health outcomes experienced by people with ASD; undertake a brief option appraisal of existing sources of data that may be of value in addressing the mortality and morbidity of people with ASD; and establish future research possibilities.

Findings

The limited literature suggests higher rates of mortality and morbidity among people with ASD.

Originality/value

A simple conceptual framework for understanding the key determinants of poorer health of people with ASD is proposed. Options for studying the mortality and morbidity in ASD using existing data sources are also appraised and recommendations are made for future research in the area.
Detecting potential technological fronts by comparing scientific papers and patents
Authors: Shibata Naoki , Kajikawa Yuya , Sakata Ichiro
Published: September 2011

Purpose

This paper seeks to propose a method of discovering uncommercialized research fronts by comparing scientific papers and patents. A comparative study was performed to measure the semantic similarity between academic papers and patents in order to discover research fronts that do not correspond to any patents.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors compared structures of citation networks of scientific publications with those of patents by citation analysis and measured the similarity between sets of academic papers and sets of patents by natural language processing. After the documents (papers/patents) in each layer were categorized by a citation‐based method, the authors compared three semantic similarity measurements between a set of academic papers and a set of patents: Jaccard coefficient, cosine similarity of term frequency‐inverse document frequency (tfidf) vector, and cosine similarity of log‐tfidf vector. A case study was performed in solar cells.

Findings

As a result, the cosine similarity of tfidf was found to be the best way of discovering corresponding relationships.

Social implications

This proposed approach makes it possible to obtain candidates of unexplored research fronts, where academic researches exist but patents do not. This methodology can be immediately applied to support the decision making of R&D investment by both R&D managers in companies and policy makers in government.

Originality/value

This paper enables comparison of scientific outcomes and patents in more detail by citation analysis and natural language processing than previous studies which just count the direct linkage from patents to papers.
Biomedical technology growth: a case study of forecasting in pulsed electromagnetic field therapy
Authors: Pretorius Leon , Winzker Dietmar H.
Published: September 2011

Purpose

The aim of this paper is to explore the benefit of forecasting emerging biomedical therapy technologies as well as the rate of diffusion of resultant biomedical products in the context of management of technology.

Design/methodology/approach

The research method is exploratory using a case study approach. Techniques such as bibliometric analysis and the Bass diffusion model are utilized to assess the growth rate and market penetration of pulsed electromagnetic field therapy (PEMF) as a technology.

Findings

The penetration and growth rate of user acceptance of the technology in a global context are simulated across a 15‐year period. The technology forecasting model is also used in a case study to simulate the penetration of a product using ten years' medical application data of a patented pulsed electromagnetic field for biomedical therapy application in the global context. Useful correlation between bibliometric data for PEMF and real data for the case study is illustrated.

Research limitations/implications

The research is limited to the case of PEMF data presented. Further research may be done on other PEMF technology applications.

Practical implications

Aspects of a holistic management model that was developed for high technology companies are invoked in the practical realisation of the professional paradigm shift required when an emerging biomedical therapy technology is in the process of becoming mainstream.

Originality/value

It has been shown that technology diffusion traces exist for PEMF therapy technology as is evident from the bibliometric PEMF global data presented. Furthermore it is possible to simulate the PEMF therapy technology diffusion process with a Bass diffusion model incorporating innovation imitation and market size coefficients.
Proactive neighbor localization based on distributed geographic table
Authors: Picone Marco , Amoretti Michele , Zanichelli Francesco
Published: September 2011

Purpose

A large set of valuable applications, ranging from social networking to ambient intelligence, may see their effectiveness and appeal improved when supported by the large‐scale, real‐time tracking of mobile devices, either carried by humans or embedded into vehicles. A centralized approach, where few servers would collect position data and provide them to interested consumers, would hardly cope with the resource demand of the foreseen huge increase of users interested in location‐based services and with the flexibility needs of emerging user‐generated services. The purpose of this paper is to propose a decentralized peer‐to‐peer approach to cope with these requirements, for which positioning information flows directly among mobile devices incurring in limited data exchange.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors propose a decentralized peer‐to‐peer approach for which positioning information flows directly among mobile devices incurring limited data exchange. A peer‐to‐peer overlay scheme is introduced called distributed geographic table (DGT), where each participant can effectively retrieve node or resource information (data or service) located near any chosen geographic position. Next, the authors describe a DGT‐based localization protocol that allows each peer to proactively discover and track all peers that are geographically near to itself.

Findings

The authors provide a performance analysis of the protocol by simulating several 1,000 users that move across an urban area according to realistic mobility models. The results show that the solution is effective, robust, scalable and highly adaptable to different application scenarios.

Originality/value

The new contributions of this paper are a general framework called DGT, which defines a peer‐to‐peer strategy for mobile node localization, and a particular instance of the DGT that supports applications in which every node requires to be constantly updated about the location of its neighbors.
Collaborative development of trusted mashups
Authors: Fox Ronan , Cooley James , Hauswirth Manfred
Published: September 2011

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to identify the gap that currently exists between enterprise and consumer‐focused mashup tools in terms of personalized, trusted collaboration. The authors describe how Sqwelch, a semantically enabled mashup maker, addresses this gap during the design of mashups and in their execution.

Design/methodology/approach

Sqwelch enables the composition of mashups based on the concept of trust explicitly specified by users through a visual interface. Taxonomies are used to enable lightweight mediation of payloads delivered through a publish/subscribe mechanism.

Findings

The authors demonstrate the use of Sqwelch as a proof of concept in the remote delivery of healthcare, and how Sqwelch has been used to address areas of trust and collaboration in the delivery of telehealth services.

Originality/value

Integrating trust and collaboration across the boundaries of enterprises is required where sensitive data are transferred across those boundaries in the expectation of the delivery of a service. Across these boundaries, the authors find variations in users' skills, their expectations, and their responsibilities. The prototype described here enables users to discover, compose, share and collaborate in the day‐to‐day use of systems that match personalized requirements.
A survey on self‐organized semantic storage
Authors: Mühleisen Hannes , Walther Tilman , Tolksdorf Robert
Published: September 2011

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to show the potential of self‐organized semantic storage services. The semantic web has provided a vision of how to build the applications of the future. A software component dedicated to the storage and retrieval of semantic information is an important but generic part of these applications. Apart from mere functionality, these storage components also have to provide good performance regarding the non‐functional requirements scalability, adaptability and robustness. Distributing the task of storing and querying semantic information onto multiple computers is a way of achieving this performance. However, the distribution of a task onto a set of computers connected using a communication network is not trivial. One solution is self‐organized technologies, where no central entity coordinates the system's operation.

Design/methodology/approach

Based on the available literature on large‐scale semantic storage systems, the paper analyzes the underlying distribution algorithm, with special focus on the properties of semantic information and corresponding queries. The paper compares the approaches and identify their shortcomings.

Findings

All analyzed approaches and their underlying technologies were unable to distribute large amounts of semantic information and queries in a generic way while still being able to react on changing network infrastructure. Nonetheless, as each concept represented a unique trade‐off between these goals, the paper points out how self‐organization is crucial to perform well at least in a subset of them.

Originality/value

The contribution of this paper is a literature review aimed at showing the potential of self‐organized semantic storage services. A case is made for self‐organization in a distributed storage system as the key to excellence in the relevant non‐functional requirements: scalability, adaptability and robustness.
Perceived health value of ready meals and side dishes: regional and gender differences
Authors: Labrecque JoAnne , Dufour Jean‐Claude , Charlebois Sylvain
Published: September 2011

Purpose

This study aims to examine gender differences in consumption frequency, perception of health value and enjoyment associated with two categories of convenience foods – snacks, and ready meals and side dishes – among university students in French and English Canada, the United States and France.

Design/methodology/approach

In total, 376 women and 324 men replied to a self‐administered questionnaire that included general questions on attitude toward health and specific questions on consumption frequency, perception of health value and enjoyment attributed to products in both categories.

Findings

Variance analysis brought to light differences in gender within each regional group. Overall, perceived health value of ready meals and side dishes, while slightly negative, is less negative than for snacks, whereas greater enjoyment is attributed to snacks. For all regions combined, men attribute a less negative health value to snacks and ready meals and side dishes than women do, and derive more enjoyment than women from ready meals and side dishes, whereas women enjoy snacks more than men do.

Originality/value

This study clarifies the specific food habits of young people aged 18 to 25 regarding convenience foods, a rapidly growing category that could aggravate the trend toward obesity.
Danish and Chinese adolescents' perceptions of healthy eating and attitudes toward regulatory measures
Authors: Chan Kara , Prendergast Gerard , Grønhøj Alice , Bech‐Larsen Tino
Published: September 2011

Purpose

This article aims to examine young consumers' perceptions of healthy eating, contexts where healthy or unhealthy eating are practiced, and their evaluation of regulatory measures that discourage the consumption of unhealthy foods in two different markets.

Design/methodology/approach

A convenience sampled survey was conducted of 386 Danish and Chinese adolescents using a structured questionnaire.

Findings

Results showed that perceptions of healthy eating were generally based on concepts such as balance and moderation. Unhealthy eating was most frequently practiced at parties and in festive periods. Hong Kong respondents were more likely to associate eating habits with healthy eating than Danish respondents. Danish respondents were more likely to practice healthy eating at schools than Hong Kong respondents. Making tanks of cold water freely available everywhere was perceived to be most effective in discouraging the consumption of soft drink. There were age, gender and market differences in attitudes toward selected regulatory measures that discourage the consumption of soft drinks.

Research implications

Health educators and public health campaign designers should design health communication messages that target different perceptions of unhealthy eating, as well as different unhealthy eating contexts. Policy makers should be aware of the difference in local environmental conditions when designing regulations to encourage healthy eating.

Originality/value

The study is an innovative attempt to examine adolescents' perception of healthy eating and attitudes toward food regulatory measures in more than one consumer market.
Hospital ability to attract international patients: a conceptual framework
Authors: Al‐Amin Mona , Makarem Suzanne C. , Pradhan Rohit
Published: September 2011

Purpose

The volume of international patients has been growing in the past 15 years, with developing countries gaining a larger market share. The international patients market is lucrative, given that hospitals may be able to attract an affluent clientele, and many patients from foreign countries who seek care require complicated procedures and treatments. The purpose of this paper is to build on previous work in the international business and health services fields, to develop a model that predicts a hospital's ability to attract international patients.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper is a synthesis of the literature on export ventures and patient choice to predict a hospital's “export” performance.

Findings

It is estimated that around 70,000 foreign patients travel each year to the USA to receive inpatient medical care. These patients not only benefit hospitals and medical professionals but also benefit the local community through money spent in hotels, restaurants, shopping, etc. Strategic management, international business, and health services research fields can help us understand how hospitals can be more competitive in attracting international patients. The authors propose that the following dimensions affect a hospital's export performance: hospital resources (hospital attributes, international competence, management commitment, and strategy); institutional environment; and domestic hospital industry factors.

Research limitations/implications

More empirical work is required to test the authors' model.

Originality/value

Most of the studies done on international patients were descriptive in nature. This is the first paper that builds a conceptual model to help us understand what determines a hospital's performance in the international patients market.
Continuing the evolution: towards sustainable HRM and sustainable organizations
Authors: Ricardo de Souza Freitas Wesley , José Chiappetta Jabbour Charbel , César Almada Santos Fernando
Published: September 2011

Purpose

This article aims to put sustainability as a new step in the evolutionary pathway of human resource management (HRM).

Design/methodology/approach

This article provides a literature review on the evolution of HRM and we reflected how HRM can contribute to organizational sustainability.

Findings

The study presents a sustainable HRM as a new step in HRM evolution. The study argues that sustainable HRM is completely necessary to achieve sustainable organizations and a more sustainable society.

Originality/value

Sustainability is becoming a key concept and a key element in the future of organizations, but little is known about the role of HRM in this process.