bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Mature consumers' selection of apparel and footwear brands and department stores
Authors: Moschis George P. , Ferguson Jodie L. , Zhu Meng
Published: September 2011

Purpose

This study seeks to examine mature consumers' motives in the selection of apparel and footwear brands and reasons for patronizing department stores. Differences in brand‐choice motives are assessed among age cohort groups within the mature consumers segment as well as mature consumer segments defined by various socio‐demographic and lifestyle factors (i.e. gerontographic segmentation).

Design/methodology/approach

A USA nation‐wide random sample of 10,400 head of households was surveyed in regards to reasons for choosing apparel and footwear brands and department stores.

Findings

The results show that older consumers not only differ from their younger counterparts but are also heterogeneous when it comes to reasons for choosing specific brands and department stores. Specifically, price reductions and special sales drive the majority of mature consumers' brand selection, while advice or requests of spouse or other relatives and recommendations of salespeople are important factors in brand selection. Ease of returning products or getting refunds and frequency of items on sale are the main drivers of department store patronization.

Practical implications

Marketing managers should consider preference differences in age and gerontographic segments when creating marketing strategies to serve mature consumers.

Originality/value

Typically, mature consumers are aggregated into a single age segment (e.g. over 55). This study examines mature consumer reasons for selecting apparel and footwear brands and department stores based not just on age, but also on individual characteristics, specifically, gerontographic characteristics. Suggestions for marketing strategies designed to appeal to gerontographic segments are provided.
Morphometry of landslides in Garhwal Himalaya, India
Authors: Singh Ravinder , Pande Ravindra K.
Published: September 2011

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to introduce a simple and convenient method for the landslides study.

Design/methodology/approach

This study is based upon the individual case study of three past landslides which may probably prove fatal in the near future. It is useful for the measurement of the horizontal length, longitudinal length, altitude at different points and area of the landslide. These measurements are very helpful in calculating the valley side gradient, longitudinal gradient of the landslide scarp and the volume of the debris generated due to mass movement.

Findings

Reactivation of slope instability problems were found along these landslides spots, which will create havoc for the people and a problem for the administration in the near future.

Originality/value

The implication in the paper is that structural and non‐structural mitigation and management strategies are needed.
Moral hazard and adverse selection in Chinese construction tender market
Authors: Liu Dehai , Xu Weijun , Li Hongyi , Zhang Weiguo , Wang Weiguo
Published: September 2011

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to understand the root cause of a large number of quality problems in the current Chinese construction market.

Design/methodology/approach

Information economics theory is used to analyze the cause of construction quality problems related to the specific case of the Wenchuan earthquake of China.

Findings

The single low price competition in the construction tender market leads to the serious adverse selection and moral hazard behavior of bidding firms. The main solution to this problem is the introduction and improvement of an independent inspection/supervision mechanism.

Originality/value

The paper systematically analyzes the evaluation method of the lowest price winning bidding policy, which is the fundamental cause of adverse selection and moral hazard problems in the Chinese construction market.
Denture marking: a mandatory procedure to aid forensic identification
Authors: John Jacob , Mani Shani Ann , Nambiar Phrabhakaran , Sulaiman Habesah
Published: September 2011

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to highlight the significance of placing identification marks on dentures.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper reviews the legislation with regard to denture marking in certain countries, various methods of denture marking and describes a simple, inexpensive, paper‐based labelling system.

Findings

Various methods have been proposed for denture marking but it is important to use a method that is simple, practical, affordable and universally acceptable.

Practical implications

The identification of unknown or missing persons by means of denture marking is a very successful method of identification in forensic investigation. It is also useful for patients residing in hospitals and community homes where dentures could be misplaced, particularly during cleaning by personnel where there is a chance of loss or mix‐up. The importance of denture marking should be emphasized by all law‐enforcing authorities and should be promoted among all dentists, towards making it a compulsory routine dental procedure throughout the world.

Originality/value

In Malaysia, denture marking, as recommended by its Ministry of Health, uses a unique coding system which can readily provide information about the wearer in whichever part of the world the person is found. The method applied is simple, practical and affordable and can easily be adapted by others. It can be of great value during times of crisis.
Role‐specific psychological requirements in preparing public transportation staff for disaster response
Authors: Hofinger Gesine , Zinke Robert , Strohschneider Stefan
Published: September 2011

Purpose

Human behavior significantly determines the scale of impact of hazardous situations. If crisis situations are highly dynamic, they can only be managed successfully if both personnel and organization are well prepared. The purpose of this paper is to capture the specific demands disaster management staff are facing, from a psychological perspective.

Design/methodology/approach

General psychological statements based on action theory and organizational theory serve as the starting point for analyzing aspects of cooperation, especially in inter‐professional communication and coordination. The analysis is based on data which were collected in structured expert interviews and observations within the domain of German emergency organizations and public‐transportation companies.

Findings

The findings suggest shortcomings on different levels: individual (restricted routines, unprepared for “out of focus” events); organizational (regulations, training) and political (lack of public preparedness for disaster in underground traffic systems; and restrictions on large‐scale training).

Research limitations/implications

Interviewees have not experienced “real” major disasters, so their answers are not derived from hands‐on experience. Also, generalization to other traffic systems or companies may show different patterns.

Practical implications

Training emergency response staff in public transport systems should include psychological aspects of crisis management in addition to emergency management, e.g. building a shared mental model, and requirements of inter‐professional communication.

Originality/value

Psychological demands of crisis situations in public transport have not yet been a focus of research or training.
Disaster recovery considerations for academic institutions
Authors: Beggan Dominic M.
Published: September 2011

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to examine how an academic institution may more effectively respond to a disaster. In this particular situation the issues are being investigated in the context of a hurricane event. From 2005 to 2008 two hurricanes directly hit Lamar University in Beaumont, Texas. This paper examines the impact Hurricane Ike, the latter of these hurricanes, had on this academic institution. This research shares valuable insight into the vulnerabilities confronting academic institutions during natural disasters and highlights the lessons learned.

Design/methodology/approach

This is a practitioner paper which applies survey data and qualitative interviews of key decision makers.

Findings

Success in the aftermath of this disaster required serious consideration and forethought in institutional preparedness and continuity planning. Specifically, success relied on adequately prioritizing the recovery effort, effectively addressing communication and financial concerns, fostering administrative empowerment in the decision process, and devoting sufficient consideration to the development of alternative academic calendars.

Practical implications

The paper identifies issues of practical significance which academic institutions should consider when developing emergency plans related to natural disasters.

Originality/value

This paper contains new information about the impact of a natural disaster on an academic institution. The issues addressed are of value to comparable institutions in the process of developing their response and recovery plans.
Whose risks? Gender and the ranking of hazards
Authors: Becker Per
Published: September 2011

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to examine if gendered differences in risk perception automatically mean that women and men rank the hazards of their community differently, focusing any risk reduction measures on the priority risks of only part of the population.

Design/methodology/approach

The study applies survey research through structured personal interviews in three municipalities in El Salvador. The data are analysed using SPSS to find statistically significant associations.

Findings

It was found that there are no significant differences between the ranking of hazards of women and men in the studied communities. However, several other parameters have significant associations with the ranking of hazards, indicating that there are more dividing lines than gender that may influence priorities of risk reduction initiatives.

Research limitations/implications

A quantitative study can only indicate how gender and other parameters influence the ranking of hazards. In order to understand why, it must be complemented with qualitative research.

Practical implications

This study indicates that it is vital to communicate with and invite as wide a group of people as possible to participate in the risk reduction process. Not only women and men, but representatives with various livelihoods, income levels, level of education, locations of their dwellings, etc. If not, there is a danger that vital needs and opinions are left out and community commitments to risk reduction measures limited.

Originality/value

The paper presents a new pragmatic argument for wider participation in disaster risk reduction to policy makers and practitioners in the field.
Measuring economic impacts of drought: a review and discussion
Authors: Ding Ya , Hayes Michael J. , Widhalm Melissa
Published: September 2011

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to provide useful information for members of the weather community and policy makers, to help them understand the full scope of drought economic impacts and assessment methodologies, and to help determine the feasibility of future drought mitigation programs.

Design/methodology/approach

To accomplish the objective, the paper reviews the literature of drought economic impact studies in both agricultural and non‐agricultural sectors, summarizes the methods and data employed, compares the various results, and investigates the problems and limitations of previous studies.

Findings

The paper concludes with a discussion of the challenges and directions of future improvement on drought economic impact assessment.

Originality/value

This paper gives a comprehensive review of drought economic impacts and the associated quantitative assessment methodologies, which provides valuable information to rational decisions supporting drought mitigation policies and programs.
Compliance with accounting standards by SMEs in transitional economies: evidence from Vietnam
Authors: Dang‐Duc Son
Published: September 2011

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to report the findings of a survey examining the factors that affect compliance with accounting standards by small and medium‐sized enterprises (SMEs) in the transitional economy of Vietnam.

Design/methodology/approach

The study is in the form of a postal questionnaire survey with accounting practitioners working in SMEs in Vietnam.

Findings

The paper reveals that SMEs’ compliance with accounting standards is limited. An analysis of empirical evidence finds that compliance with accounting standards was largely a legal issue and SMEs perceived little benefits from that. Legal requirements and perceptions of external uses of accounting information were the main drivers of the companies’ compliance with accounting standards. The perception of cost‐benefit relationship and the management and accounting skills had a limited impact on SMEs’ compliance with accounting standards.

Research limitations/implications

Since the study focuses on accounting practitioners in a transitional economy, the generalisability of the research findings is highly contextual and restricted.

Practical implications

Legal requirements were the main factor affecting the SMEs’ compliance with accounting standards. SMEs lacked accounting skills and infrastructure to implement accounting regulations and standards. The accountants were not convinced of costs and benefits associated with the implementation of the accounting standards.

Originality/value

The study contributes to the light literature of accounting standards for SMEs by providing empirical evidence on the practice of accounting by SMEs in transitional economies. The paper reveals the relevance of accounting standards to SMEs and how the application of these standards affects their reporting practices.
Corporate environmental disclosure practices in India
Authors: Sen Mitali , Mukherjee Kuhali , Pattanayak J.K.
Published: September 2011

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to identify the existing status of environmental disclosure practices in Indian core sector companies.

Design/methodology/approach

Waste disposal costs and other environmental liability costs are crucial information to be disclosed by core sector companies as they have direct impact on the environment. A content analysis of the annual reports of select core sector companies across four industries, viz. Oil and petrochemicals, Mining and minerals, Steel and Cement, has been undertaken to study the extent and nature of their environmental disclosures in their annual reports for 2007‐2008.

Findings

The study shows that the level of disclosure of environmental information varies across industries as well as companies and the information revealed in the annual reports is found to be more qualitative than quantitative.

Practical implications

The disclosure made by the core sector companies does not adequately cover the informational needs of stakeholders. However, the increasing disclosure trends can be considered as a first step toward improved environmental disclosure. The study therefore supports the need for a suitable framework for environmental disclosure, such that all the stakeholders can use it as credible information.

Originality/value

This study contributes to the literature by evaluating voluntary environmental disclosures made by Indian core sector companies in their annual report. Further work based on this preliminary finding may be done to assess the status of environmental disclosure for a larger sample of Indian core sector companies.
Franchising: category issues, changing dynamics and competitiveness
Authors: Tariq Anwar Syed
Published: September 2011

Purpose

Within a competitiveness perspective, the main purpose of this paper is to investigate and analyze franchise categories and changing profiles and trends of the franchising industry.

Design/methodology/approach

Based on data from The Franchising Handbook, the study investigates 1,464 franchisors in 67 franchise categories that encompass 445,314 franchisees. The work uses content analysis in the investigation of franchise categories.

Findings

The study finds that franchise categories tend to be diverse regarding their category issues, franchising fees, capital requirements, and category franchisees. The work also provides meaningful implications and future research directions.

Research limitations/implications

The author believes that fast‐growing mid‐sized and newly formed franchisors may need to be included in the survey from the USA and other countries. The study's implications are that the franchising industry requires new business models regarding franchising fees, capital, and sales that are critical in maintaining companies' competitiveness.

Practical implications

Franchisors should pay attention to those fast‐growing franchise categories that may become available in the coming years.

Originality/value

Within the areas of changing franchising and franchise categories, this work provides useful findings for researchers as well as practitioners.
An empirical assessment of Islamic leadership principles
Authors: Ahmad Khaliq , Ogunsola O.K.
Published: September 2011

Purpose

The main purpose of the present paper is to document some Islamic leadership principles of management. The paper equally examines the leadership function as adopted by academic administrators within the International Islamic University, Malaysia vis‐à‐vis Islamic principles of management. The whole process is an attempt to conduct an empirical study of the important role of excellent leadership from an Islamic perspective.

Design/methodology/approach

A combination of revealed sources of knowledge (the Quran and Sunnah) and literature reviews were used to document Islamic leadership principles. Then, a questionnaire‐based survey was used to examine the Islamic leadership principles, approaches, and sources of leadership principles adopted in the university. Use of the scale of statistical measurement was done to test the significance and reliability level.

Findings

It was found that academic administrators were imbued with Islamic leadership principles. The research also showed that servant‐leadership approach is preferably used in conjunction with alternative transactional and transformational styles, while the revealed sources of knowledge (Quran and Sunnah) were given the highest priority as sources of developing leadership principles.

Research limitations/implications

Islamic management is a diverse field. This study is, however, limited to Islamic leadership principles in an organization. Perhaps, this study will be little known to adherents of the conventional management principles, which may stimulate further thinking and debate on the crossing point between Islam and the management of an organization.

Originality/value

It is aimed at providing some knowledge of Islamic philosophy and practice in order to help today's employers and employees carry on everyday activities imbued with Islamic values and cultures.
Strategic issue management as change catalyst
Authors: Perrott Bruce E.
Published: September 2011

Purpose

Under high turbulence conditions, a company's periodic planning cycle needs to be supplemented with a dynamic, real‐time, strategic‐issue‐management system. This paper aims to investigate this issue.

Design/methodology/approach

A case study of a prominent Australian healthcare organization shows the eight steps for how its management used the strategic issue management (SIM) process to identify, rank and address strategic issues in a rapidly changing business environment.

Findings

The paper finds that, for companies entering a period of turbulence, the tracking, monitoring, and management of strategic issues become s imperative so that the corporate, strategy, and capability do not fall out of alignment.

Practical implications

The company's survival may well depend on having a well‐developed process for decision‐makers to rapidly put forth critical rebalancing responses.

Originality/value

In the SIM approach, external issues are manifest as opportunities and threats, and internal issues as strengths and weaknesses. Issues are viewed in the context of the environment, strategy, and capability (E‐S‐C) framework. A 3×3 strategic issue priority matrix is used to map the level of urgency and potential impact of each issue.
Global competition 2021: key capabilities for emerging opportunities
Authors: Ovanessoff Armen , Purdy Mark
Published: September 2011

Purpose

The decade ahead will likely hold abundant opportunities for enterprises with the vision and energy to reach for them. This paper aims to look at how to take the most advantage of those opportunities.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper examines the forces that will drive future growth. Then it reports on what some of the most successful companies are doing to harness those forces. Their focus on three key capabilities offers valuable insights for any enterprise seeking to excel in the coming years.

Findings

Five areas of emerging economic opportunity are identified and the management capabilities to take advantage of them are described.

Practical implications

The companies most likely to be successful in capturing rewards from these opportunities now evolving are those that develop fresh thinking in the way they approach operational excellence, customers, innovation, and the trade‐off between global efficiency and local relevance.

Originality/value

The paper shows how leading companies are building innovative capabilities to master the challenges of the emerging opportunities of the next decade.
Confronting stereotypes: apparel fit preferences of Mexican‐American women
Authors: Newcomb Elizabeth , Istook Cynthia
Published: September 2011

Purpose

This study aims to investigate the apparel fit preferences of Mexican‐American women between the ages of 18 and 25 years old from the Southwestern USA. The study also seeks to analyze the effect of body shape perception, body mass index, and clothing size on apparel fit preferences.

Design/methodology/approach

Data were collected in an online survey using an original fit preference assessment scale. Sampling was restricted in terms of gender, age, subculture, and geography to control for the variability that exists in apparel preferences and the Hispanic market due to these factors. Descriptive and inferential statistics were used to describe the sample's fit preferences for casual pants, tops, skirts, and dresses and to determine whether physical body characteristics impact these preferences.

Findings

Overall, young Mexican‐American women preferred semi‐fitted apparel across all garment categories studied. Physical body characteristics tended to impact on the sample's preferences for close and loose‐fitting garments, with respondents who had narrower waists and smaller body sizes more likely to prefer close‐fitting garments. Respondents who had less defined waists and larger body sizes were more likely to prefer loose‐fitting garments.

Originality/value

Many apparel firms wish to create targeted products for the Hispanic consumer, given the substantial growth in the size and purchasing power of this market. However, firms have frequently had to rely on cultural stereotypes due to a lack of information. The study documented in the paper developed an original fit preference scale to obtain important information that can be used to impact on apparel product development for this consumer.
Men at work: using dress to communicate identities
Authors: Kang Minjeong , Sklar Monica , Johnson Kim K.P.
Published: September 2011

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to investigate young professional men's perceptions and use of dress in relationship to their work identities.

Design/methodology/approach

Data were collected from 49 young men using a snowball sampling technique. Responses were analyzed using techniques outlined by Van Manen.

Findings

Salience of work identity was not connected to participants’ perceptions and use of dress. However, feeling complete in one's work identity was connected. Participants who perceived themselves as incomplete in their work identities used and planned to purchase items symbolic of their professions. Participants also expected to achieve specific outcomes as a result of their dress.

Research limitations/implications

Research findings support tenets of symbolic self‐completion theory.

Practical implications

Men's apparel retailers could promote their apparel as a symbol of qualities young men are interested in expressing and as a means to achieve desired work‐related outcomes.

Originality/value

The majority of research on relationships between dress and identity have focused on women. The paper illustrates that, as men are demonstrating renewed interest in their appearance, research that examines how men relate to and use dress in a workplace context has potential to contribute to extant literature and provide practical implications for merchandising apparel.
Atmosphere in fashion stores: do you need to change?
Authors: Parsons Andrew G.
Published: September 2011

Purpose

The aims of this paper are to establish: a typical women's apparel store environment as a realistic base for measuring the effects of changes; effective environmental stimuli levels; and the effect of repeated exposure on affect.

Design/methodology/approach

A schema of typical stimuli is developed through literature, observing 212 stores, and surveying 39 women's fashion retail GMs. An experiment (n=489) establishes the set of stimuli and effective levels for creating affect for a women's fashion store. Shoppers (n=62) were repeatedly exposed to combinations of the two sets (industry standard and “ideal”) to examine whether decay in affect occurs, and whether changes can mitigate this.

Findings

Interactions between sensory stimuli have a significant effect on fashion shoppers’ affect for a store. Fashion retailers are less differentiated in their use of sensory stimuli than they could be to achieve the responses they expect. Stagnation from repeated exposure can diminish affect for the store whereas small changes in stimuli levels can revitalise and increase affect.

Research limitations/implications

A model of sensory stimuli‐based relationships with shopper affect should incorporate interactions. Empirically, different stimuli can easily be added or substituted within a dimension to test its effect within a factorial design. A model of fashion store atmosphere is likely to require a mediating influence of repeated exposure.

Practical implications

It is worthwhile getting the “correct” package of stimuli for a fashion store's atmosphere. This does not necessarily require wholesale changes; rather small changes in stimuli level can enhance a store.

Originality/value

The paper presents the only study to use a holistic approach to store atmosphere and base effectiveness measures against the fashion industry norm, and consider the effect of repeated exposure.
An assessment of fit and sizing of men's business clothing
Authors: Sindicich Diana , Black Catherine
Published: September 2011

Purpose

This paper seeks to investigate issues with the fit and sizing of commercially available men's business clothing in the USA.

Design/methodology/approach

The functional design process is a conceptual framework used to frame an investigation of fit and sizing of men's business clothing. Data were collected from 322 men aged 20‐55 at two different demographic levels. Sizing and fit of men's shirts, pants, suits and their garment features were reported to investigate fit issues with men's ready‐to‐wear business clothing and their relationships to sizing and overall body composition.

Findings

Results indicated that many men self‐report fit issues with their business clothing, including issues with the key sizing dimensions of their garments. Consumers frequenting specialty stores with high service levels reported fewer issues with key sizing dimensions, but more issues in other areas of the garments. Many respondents did not know their garment size. Some consumers appear to be choosing their garments based on non key measurements to best accommodate their individual shape, while those choosing by their sized measurements may not achieve satisfactory fit in all areas.

Research limitations/implications

The sample was generally located in the southeast United States. Sizing systems and clothing manufacturers vary globally.

Originality/value

Little research into the sizing and fit of men's clothing has been performed. This article investigates self‐reported fit issues to establish a baseline for further studies in the area.
Challenging market conventions
Authors: de Kervenoael Ronan , Canning Catherine , Palmer Mark , Hallsworth Alan
Published: September 2011

Purpose

In the UK, while fashion apparel purchasing is available to the majority of consumers, the main supermarkets seem – rather against the odds and market conventions – to have created a new, socially‐acceptable and legitimate, apparel market offer for young children. This study aims to explore parental purchasing decisions on apparel for young children (below ten years old) focusing on supermarket diversification into apparel and consumer resistance against other traditional brands.

Design/methodology/approach

Data collection adopted a qualitative research mode: using semi‐structured interviews in two locations (Cornwall Please correct and check againand Glasgow), each with a Tesco and ASDA located outside towns. A total of 59 parents participated in the study. Interviews took place in the stores, with parents seen buying children fashion apparel.

Findings

The findings suggest that decisions are based not only on functionality (e.g. convenience, value for money, refund policy), but also on intuitive factors (e.g. style, image, quality) as well as broader processes of consumption from parental boundary setting (e.g. curbing premature adultness). Positive consumer resistance is leading to a re‐drawing of the cultural boundaries of fashion. In some cases, concerns are expressed regarding items that seem too adult‐like or otherwise not as children's apparel should be.

Practical implications

The paper highlights the increasing importance of browsing as a modern choice practice (e.g. planned impulse buying, sanctuary of social activity). Particular attention is given to explaining why consumers positively resist buying from traditional label providers and voluntarily choose supermarket clothing ranges without any concerns over their children wearing such garments.

Originality/value

The paper shows that supermarket shopping for children's apparel is now firmly part of UK consumption habits and choice. The findings provide theoretical insights into the significance of challenging market conventions, parental cultural boundary setting and positive resistance behaviour.
The influence of real women in advertising on mass market fashion brand perception
Authors: Aagerup Ulf
Published: September 2011

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to investigate how the weight of ideal users affects the perception of mass market fashion brands.

Design/methodology/approach

An experiment was carried out in which 640 university students replied to a web survey, rating the brand personality of jeans and shirts according to Aaker's Big Five construct. The garments were worn by thin, overweight, and obese models.

Findings

The findings show that consumers’ impressions of mass market fashion brands are significantly affected by the weight of ideal users. Slender models lead to the most positive brand perception followed by obese models. Overweight user imagery is for pure fashion brand building the least attractive kind.

Research limitations/implications

A limitation of this study is the use of convenient student samples. Consequently, the generalization of the results beyond this convenience sample may be limited. It is further possible, even probable, that high fashion would suffer more from the negative imagery of overweight and obese users than mass market fashion. It would therefore be interesting to replicate this experiment using clothes of higher fashion grade and price.

Practical implications

The demonstrated effects of user imagery support the industry practice of slim ideal female imagery.

Social implications

The results inform the debate over skinny models vs real women in advertising.

Originality/value

Previous research regarding the effectiveness of real women in advertising has been inconclusive. This paper demonstrates not only that model weight affects consumers’ brand perception, but also how.
Forecasting corporate bankruptcy: empirical evidence on Italian data
Authors: Amendola Alessandra , Bisogno Marco , Restaino Marialuisa , Sensini Luca
Published: September 2011

Purpose

The aim of the paper is to investigate several aspects of bankruptcy prediction within both theoretical and empirical frameworks. In particular, it has focused on the comparison of different techniques used to forecast failure through a balanced sample of companies within a geographical area (the Campania region) located in the south of Italy.

Methodology

Business failure has been one of the most investigated topics within corporate finance and the empirical approach to bankruptcy prediction has recently gained further attention from financial institutions. The aim of corporate failure prediction is to have a methodological approach which discriminates firms with a high probability of future failure from those which are considered to be healthy. Starting from the seminal paper of Altman (1968), many other significant contributions have been subsequently made to this field (Ravi Kumar and Ravi, 2007). This paper's approach is to compare different statistical techniques based on the analysis of financial data for the prediction and diagnosis of the risk of bankruptcy.

Findings

The paper investigates the determinants of bankruptcy in a specific geographical area (Campania region). Empirical evidence on a data‐set of the annual reports of a balanced sample of companies for a given time period has been analyzed. These findings aim to make a contribution to current literature as well as to contribute to the elaboration of efficient prevention and recovery strategies.

Originality

Researchers have tended to restrict the scope of their analysis due to the problems related to the collection and storage of financial data. This study focuses on financial information relating to the area of interest in order to provide a comparative analysis of different forecasting techniques.
Internet financial reporting in Turkey
Authors: Bozcuk Aslihan E. , Aslan Sinan , Burak Arzova S.
Published: September 2011

Purpose

This paper aims to investigate internet financial reporting following major regulatory changes in Turkey. Although these regulations only cover publicly listed firms, large unlisted firms also use the internet to disseminate financial information.

Design/methodology/approach

The study surveys the top 500 Turkish industrial firms on the “Istanbul Chamber of Industry 500” (ICI500) to determine whether the regulatory changes led to significant changes in their financial reporting on the internet.

Findings

The percentage of firms providing financial disclosures on the internet doubled from 2003 to 2010. However, problems remain, including the extremely low level of voluntary disclosures (six percent of firms) and the failure of listed firms to provide information other than mandatory disclosures such as financial summaries and ratios. The study finds increases in voluntary disclosures of share price performance and management reports, providing support for the signaling theory.

Originality/value

This study investigates listed as well as unlisted firms and specifically addresses the consequences of regulatory intervention.
The factors influencing consumers’ behaviour on wine consumption in the Turkish wine market
Authors: Nazan Gunay G. , Baker Michael J.
Published: September 2011

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to analyse the factors influencing wine consumption in Turkey. Since a wine consumption culture is a recent development in Turkey, there is a need to examine consumer factors that affect wine consumption to better understand consumers’ buying processes.

Design/methodology/approach

This study presents the findings of a field study conducted in Izmir which has the highest alcohol consumption per capita in Turkey. A sample of 431 wine consumers is used to identify the factors influencing consumers’ behaviour on wine consumption.

Findings

The wine market has been blooming in Turkey in recent years. Wine consumption is influenced by cultural, demographic, consumer attitudes, consumption habits as well as other different factors. A number of socio‐economic and demographic consumer characteristics indicate that these factors influence wine consumption and consumers’ preferences. The study offers important insights into the characteristics of wine consumption and the target market in Turkey.

Research limitations/implications

As an exploratory study, both the scope and the use of convenience samples limit the generalizability of the findings. Further research exploring consumer attitudes to factors such as taste, aroma, certification etc. and a more robust sampling methodology is called for.

Originality/value

This is the first research conducted in Turkey to define the factors influencing wine consumption and provides useful insights into the topic as well as a basis for future studies.
Sustainable workplaces and building user comfort and satisfaction
Authors: Smith Andrew , Pitt Michael
Published: September 2011

Purpose

This paper aims to examine the role of sustainable buildings in providing healthy workplaces in physical and perceptual terms.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper takes the form of a literature review, considering the history of sustainable development in the built environment and its rationale, then widening the scope to consider sustainable, healthy and productive workplaces.

Findings

Sustainable construction has focused on environmental sustainability but this may have contributed to improved health, satisfaction and wellbeing amongst building users. Sick building syndrome and poor indoor air are contributory factors to ill health and reduced productivity but this paper suggests that sustainable building practices will reduce these effects, improving the quality of buildings for their occupants.

Practical implications

This paper argues that building performance measures need to take account of people factors such as employee perceptions and also that the design of workplaces should be regarded as a strategy for productivity enhancement. Management issues should be considered in the design of workplaces. The paper concludes that further research is required into the role of sustainable construction in providing healthy buildings.

Originality/value

The paper makes practical suggestions for corporate real estate and facilities management teams as well as those involved in the design of the buildings. Additionally, it opens suggested avenues for further academic research.
Lease versus buy decision for corporate real estate in the UK
Authors: Barkham Richard , Park Abraham U.
Published: September 2011

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to present evidence on the significance of the strategic determinants of the lease versus buy (LVB) decision for corporate real estate (CRE) in the UK.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper takes an empirical approach using logistic regression technique to explore company and site characteristics for LVB decision for CRE based on a survey involving 2,248 UK firms.

Findings

The results show significance for locational characteristics, size of operations, and physical attributes of the real estate; company size, however, was less significant than supposed, while company preferences came through strongly; sectoral differences were negligible.

Research limitations/implications

The dataset used in this study is based on a 1998 survey of 2,248 property occupiers in the UK. Although the sample size is large, the LVB decision was only a part of the survey.

Practical implications

This paper demonstrates the necessity for a wider framework to fully analyze the LVB decision for CRE, which not only includes finance, but also corporate strategy, locational analysis, and real estate economics.

Originality/value

This paper makes an empirical contribution to the field of CRE research by presenting evidence on the significance of the strategic determinants of the LVB decision for CRE in the UK.
Green offices in Australia: a user perception survey
Authors: Armitage Lynne , Murugan Ann , Kato Hikari
Published: September 2011

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to deepen understanding of what is working and what is not working within green workplace environments. The paper examines management and employee perceptions of their experiences of working in green workplace environments and assesses the effectiveness of such places.

Design/methodology/approach

Being the second stage of a longitudinal study, this paper relies on a data set derived from its survey of 31 management and 351 employee respondents occupying Green Building Council Australia Green Star‐rated offices for more than 12 months.

Findings

The green workplace is a great place to be, at least most of the time, but there is a discrepancy between the views of management who see greater benefits of the green workplace than their employees.

Research limitations/implications

By focussing on green buildings, there is no control to establish a benchmark. Hence, the next stage of the research is a comparable study of a non‐green data sample. Also to be tested is – whilst managers and employees overall report satisfaction with their green workplace, what is the norm?

Practical implications

The findings are useful for green building industry practitioners and for building owners and managers to maximise the benefits of owning and occupying green buildings by highlighting areas that may require particular attention in order to get it right. The results are particularly useful to support targeted efforts to meet the environmental aspects of the workspace needs of employees. This study aims to assist industry practitioners, owner and managers to learn from the experience of current occupiers and thereby assist the design and space management of office space in the future where such considerations will become increasingly important given the international concerns for improved resource management.

Originality/value

With international applicability, a large sample of office space users provides empirical evidence of what works/does not work within the green workplace, i.e. its strengths and weaknesses and provides a good reference point for similar studies in the future, leading to the establishment of clearer, more useful benchmarks of green building occupier satisfaction.
Evaluating economic impacts of corporate real estate activities
Authors: Musil Thomas A.
Published: September 2011

Purpose

Input‐output modeling can accurately forecast the benefits associated with corporate real estate projects. This paper aims to address the economic and employment impact analysis practices used in input‐output modeling and identifies resources for corporate real estate executives when working with community groups and public officials. By understanding this topic, corporate real estate executives can more effectively demonstrate the value of corporate activities to a community. An impact analysis case study is presented that includes an example of economic impact report content. Input‐output modeling is an effective analytical tool for corporate real estate site selection, facilities expansion, and other community relations projects. This study addresses the major issues in corporate/community relationships and focuses on the corporate need to demonstrate project contributions to community economic vitality. As political, special interest, and public views about business expansion and development harden, corporate real estate executives and specialists need to utilize effective tools to balance the debate.

Design/methodology/approach

This study presents a review of input‐output economic modeling techniques, application of the model, key terms, a case study of a $2.1 billion expansion project, and a sample outline of an impact analysis report. This approach provides a good conceptual framework, terms, and the application of an economic and employment impact approach to measuring the total contribution of corporate real estate activities in a community or region.

Findings

Demonstrates methods measuring economic and employment multipliers resulting from direct, indirect, and induced corporate project impacts. The findings will assist professionals responsible for corporate/community relations by enhancing their understanding of economic impacts.

Originality/value

This paper presents an overview of an effective modeling technique that can be used to accurately estimate the community economic and employment contributions resulting from a new corporate real estate project. Emerging corporate/community relations issues are discussed and resources are identified.
Social networks, legal innovations and the “new” music industry
Authors: Preston Paschal , Rogers Jim
Published: September 2011

Purpose

Digital technological innovations are commonly perceived to be radically disrupting the power or role of corporate actors within the music industry and their established industrial practices and interests. In particular, the internet is widely regarded as having produced a “crisis” for the music industry. While such assumptions reflect the predominance of technological deterministic thinking in relation to the music industry, this paper aims to draw upon historical insights from past research on radical technical innovation processes to inform this approach to examining some of the key innovations that have occurred in the music industry in the digital era.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper draws on a range of qualitative data obtained primarily from a recently completed Irish‐based music industry research project, primarily comprised of interviews conducted with key music industry informants and personnel.

Findings

Key findings indicate that ongoing legal innovations, combined with the widespread adoption of social networking sites and other online content platforms are (amongst other factors) serving to maintain and bolster the position of major music copyright owners.

Originality/value

In the context of the contemporary “knowledge economy”, the authors propose paying special attention to one specific area of policy innovation – that related to the intellectual property rights (IPRs) regime. In particular, they place emphasis on the copyright strand of IPRs in shaping the outcome of digital platforms for the promotion and dissemination of music. In doing this, they consider the evolution of a re‐configured music industry “structure” which re‐conceptualises the music artist as an “all‐encompassing bundle” of rights through which a diverse range of revenue streams are increasingly streamlined back to a small handful of major copyright owners.