bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A human adventure – an address to the Interval Symposium 2013
Authors: Henri Chevrier Claude
Published: March 2014

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to explore the operationalizing of a philosophy of humanization of hostel care and the challenge to such development presented by the proposed adoption of the “housing first” approach (“Chez Soi D’Abord”) in Paris.

Design/methodology/approach

– The paper is a translation of the transcript of an address given by the author to a symposium of psycho-analytic therapists working with the homelessness resettlement services in their quarter of Paris. It is a narrative of service development, described in some practical detail, with philosophical and psycho-analytic depths.

Findings

– A philosophy of care and social education is replacing the philosophy of surveillance that had characterized earlier development of hostels. Psycho-analytic concepts, based on the writings of Lacan, help to understand the importance of addressing the profound psycho-social dislocation of individuals subject to the implicit violence of their situation.

Originality/value

– This is the first known paper in print and in English to describe the development of a psychologically informed environment in homelessness resettlement in France.
A study of Islamic banks in the non-GCC MENA region: evidence from Lebanon
Authors: M. Bizri Rima
Published: March 2014

Purpose

– This purpose of this paper is to investigate the status of Islamic banking in Lebanon, through addressing the perceptions of existing and potential clients. The study has two objectives: one is to identify and measure the factors that clients perceive as important in deciding to patronize an Islamic bank, and the other is to draw a client profile for Islamic banks operating in Lebanon.

Design/methodology/approach

– The literature review provided the theoretical framework this study builds on. A survey instrument was developed and the data were analyzed using SPSS (19.0). To draw the client profile, the researcher conducted cluster analysis followed by discriminant analysis. To identify and measure the Islamic bank selection criteria, the researcher used factor analysis followed by regression analysis.

Findings

– Findings show that clients consider five variables in deciding whether or not to patronize Islamic banks. These variables are trust in Islamic banks and their true compliance with Sharia, customers’ familiarity with Islamic modes of finance, cost of financing and other transactions, accessibility of Islamic banks, and the quality of service offered by those banks. The study was also able to delineate the significant attributes of IB clients, raising the issue of changing the target market segment.

Research limitations/implications

– This study employed a usable sample size of 199 questionnaires collected from one MENA region nation, Lebanon. It may be useful to probe the research questions of this study using a larger sample size collected from several MENA region nations, in order to reach a more validated conclusion. In addition, it may be equally useful to assess other demographic and psychographic variables as distinguishing factors among client clusters, for the purpose of reaching a deeper understanding of Islamic bank clientele in this region.

Practical implications

– It is suggested that Islamic banks consider the five factors identified in this study, while preparing their marketing strategy, for the purpose of increasing their market share in the non-GCC MENA region. It is also suggested that Islamic banks approach the so far neglected market segments, rather than sticking to their traditional clients.

Originality/value

– This paper is the first to investigate the status of Islamic banks in Lebanon. The findings of this study will help refocus the marketing strategies of Islamic banks in Lebanon. They may also apply to other developing non-GCC countries in the MENA region.
Postcolonial feminist analysis of high-technology entrepreneuring
Authors: Ozkazanc-Pan Banu
Published: March 2014

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to examine identity formation and networking practices relevant for high-technology entrepreneuring or the enactment of entrepreneurship in Silicon Valley by Turkish business people.

Design/methodology/approach

– Guided by postcolonial feminist frameworks, the author conducted a combination of ethnographic and auto-ethnographic fieldwork at high-technology conferences in Silicon Valley by focussing on talk and text as relevant for understanding entrepreneuring. Through a reflexive stance, the author analyzed observations, conversations, and experiences inclusive of her own positionality during the research process as they related to entrepreneurial identity formation and networking.

Findings

– During business networking conferences taking place among Turkish business people in Silicon Valley, women and older males became marginalized through the emergence of a hegemonic masculinity associated with young Turkish male entrepreneurs. In addition, local context impacted whether and how actors engaged in practices that produced marginalization and resistance simultaneously.

Originality/value

– The research is of value for scholars interested in understanding how identity formation and networking in high-technology entrepreneuring take place through gendered practices and ideas. Scholars interested in deploying postcolonial feminist perspectives will also benefit by understanding how key analytic tools and research methods from these lenses can be used for conducting fieldwork in other contexts.
Exploration and exploitation in mergers and acquisitions
Authors: Lin Liang-Hung
Published: March 2014

Purpose

– The central concern of organizational learning and corporate strategy has, in recent decades, focused on the rational choice and appropriate balance between exploration and exploitation. Dividing mergers and acquisitions (M&As) into related and unrelated M&As, this study applies the exploration vs exploitation construct to examine how different M&A strategies affect exploration and exploitation of the combined firm, how post-acquisition integration affects exploration and exploitation of the combined firm, and how organizational ambidexterity affects post-acquisition performance. The paper aims to discuss these issues.

Design/methodology/approach

– Organizational and industry level data were drawn from the top 1,000 Taiwanese electronic and computer firms reported by 2009 China Credit Information Service, an authorized credit-rating company in Taiwan. The companies are classified into four industries: computer and associated equipments manufacturing (SICs 271x, 274x, 276x); integrated circuits (SIC 261x), opto-electronics and telecommunication (SICs 264x, 272x, 277x) and electronic components (SICs 262x, 263x, 264x, 269x, 275x). Questionnaires were distributed to general managers of the top 1,000 electronics companies.

Findings

– This investigation of Taiwanese electronic and computer firms revealed that related acquisitions with high degrees of acquisition integration positively affect the combined firm's exploitation; unrelated acquisitions with high degrees of R&D expenditure and acquisition experience positively affect the combined firm's exploration. The firm's ability of simultaneously pursuing exploitation and exploration positively affects its post-acquisition performance.

Originality/value

– The contribution of this study is to understand how acquisitions influence exploitation and exploration. With regard to the relationship between acquisition and exploitation/exploration, this study finds that unrelated acquisitions enhance exploration, whereas related acquisitions enhance exploitation.
Unfulfilled expectations and promises, and behavioral outcomes
Authors: Fu Chi-jung , Cheng Chin-i
Published: March 2014

Purpose

– The paper aims to provide a better understanding of psychological contract (PC) constructed by examining the relationships among unfulfilled expectations, unfulfilled promises, and employee behavioral outcomes.

Design/methodology/approach

– This study used a cross-sectional survey with data collected at three separate times, each one month apart to reduce the possibility of common method biases. The data were collected from multiple sources of 250 employee-supervisor pairs.

Findings

– First, both unfulfilled expectations and promises were related to employees' negative behavioral outcomes. However, unfulfilled promises were likely to trigger stronger negative behavioral outcomes, such as a decrease in loyalty to the organization and job performance, and an increase in complaining and intention to leave the organization. Second, different dimensions of unfulfilled PCs trigger different types of behavioral outcomes. Specifically, unfulfilled transactional contracts were likely to trigger employees' withdrawing behaviors, such as intent to quit and carelessness of job performance. Similarly, unfulfilled relational contracts were likely to influence employees' extra-role behaviors, such as increased grumbling and decreased loyalty.

Originality/value

– This study contributes to the PC theory in three ways. First, PCs were discussed in multiple perspectives, employees' expectations and employer's promises, which contained different meanings about employees' behavioral outcomes. Second, the contents of PCs were evaluated in multiple dimensions, transactional contents and relational contents, as they were related to different types of work-related behaviors. Third, this study was conducted in Taiwan to reveal how employees react to unfulfilled PCs in a high-context cultural environment.
Reverse logistics information system success and the effect of motivation
Authors: T. Hazen Benjamin , Huscroft Joseph , J. Hall Dianne , K. Weigel Fred , B. Hanna Joe
Published: March 2014

Purpose

– Information systems (IS) play a substantial role in managing reverse logistics (RL) processes. However, the RL literature rarely takes a holistic approach to examining the “success” of IS employment. Drawing on the rich literature base from the IS field, the authors explore IS Success theory in the context of RL. Considering Diffusion of Innovation theory, the authors also examine the effect of motivation on IS utilization. In doing so, the authors provide scholars and practitioners with insight into the factors affecting the success of a RL IS. The paper aims to discuss these issues.

Design/methodology/approach

– Based upon DeLone and McLean's IS Success theory, the authors develop the model to consider information quality, IS utilization, and RL cost effectiveness (as a proxy for net benefits). The authors disaggregate RL into two processes and thus consider the model from two perspectives: the process of receiving returns from customers (inbound) and the process of returning products to suppliers (outbound). The authors survey 136 RL professionals and employ partial least squares modeling for data analysis.

Findings

– For both inbound and outbound path models, information quality is significantly and positively related to IS utilization; in turn, IS utilization is a significant predictor of net benefits. For inbound, RL goals provide significant motivation to drive IS utilization. For outbound, RL challenges provide significant motivation for IS utilization.

Originality/value

– The authors bring IS Success theory into the context of RL. Additionally, by investigating the topic from both inbound and outbound perspectives, the findings suggest differences between inbound and outbound RL processes.
Design of service capacity for the ground crew at the airport check-in counters
Authors: Xin Zhuo , Lin Danping , Huang Youfang , Cheng Wenwen , Chong Teo Chee
Published: March 2014

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to present an integrative approach for the problem of service capacity design for the ground crew at the airport check-in counters.

Design/methodology/approach

– Using data collected from the airport check-in counters, several characteristics of the service demand were studied. First, many service time-dependent operating characteristics are addressed over a specified time window to evaluate the problems from the current ground crew allocation. Second, a linear programming model is developed to determine the optimal number of check-in counters to open over the specified time window based on the case study. In addition, sensitive analysis is conducted to further explore the dependency effect of the factors as well as improve the model. Third, the shift adjustment of the ground crew allocation is provided so as to satisfy the given service demand.

Findings

– Numerical results indicated the effectiveness in the improvement of the human resource utilization of the proposed approach. The superiority of performance is illustrated in terms of less counters to be opened and decreased daily working hours.

Originality/value

– The study is novel by applying the integrated approach so as to design a proper service capacity and thus the service supply and demand can be balanced.
Transforming the service idea – a communication and learning process
Authors: Gottfridsson Patrik , Stålhammar Anna
Published: March 2014

Purpose

– This paper is about service innovation processes and especially about how an idea about a new service proposition is realized and gradually transformed during the process. The purpose of this paper is to describe and explain the process by which the idea of what should be developed is formed.

Design/methodology/approach

– Empirically this study is built on two case studies from the public transport context. The cases studied are long-term and involves a number of different actors from different organizations put together to deliver a new system solution regarding information- and ticketing systems.

Findings

– The findings indicate that the service ideas gradually develop throughout the service innovation process; some of the changes are that distinct that they could be described as turning points. The reasons for the changes of the ideas are sometimes the renewed awareness that the involved actors get from communicating and learning from each other's, other times the turning points occur as a result form confrontation with the outside world, and what is their perceived as necessary and possible to do.

Originality/value

– The study is novel in several respects: the notion of the transformation of the service idea during a service innovation process is introduced; it provides an empirical analysis of the knowledge transformation process during a service innovation process, and it applies traditional innovation perspective in a new context.
The impact of customer knowledge and customer relationship management on service quality
Authors: Tseng Shu-Mei , Wu Pin-Hong
Published: March 2014

Purpose

– Enterprises realize that customers are their most important asset and recognize that a high level of customer satisfaction can only be achieved by enhancing service quality. Thus, how enterprises acquire customer knowledge by which to initiate and maintain customer relationships, as well as to enhance service quality has become an important issue. The paper aims to discuss these issues.

Design/methodology/approach

– This study uses a questionnaire and statistical analytical techniques to explore the impact of customer knowledge and customer relationship management (CRM) on service quality.

Findings

– The results indicated that customer knowledge has a positive influence on service quality and CRM is the partial intervening variable between customer knowledge and service quality. That is, customer knowledge enhances the CRM, while CRM, in turn, increases service quality and provides competitive advantages.

Research limitations/implications

– This research explored the impact of customer knowledge and CRM on service quality based on the company's perception and there was no validation on the customers' perception of the company. Therefore, it is suggested that future research should involve company staff, current customers, and latent customers to strengthen the triangulation.

Practical implications

– The results found that customer knowledge is indeed an important source of competitive advantage. Hence, enterprises should acquire valuable customer knowledge in order to enhance the relationship with customers, as well as enhance their service quality.

Originality/value

– There is still little related literature investigating the relationships amongst customer knowledge, CRM, and service quality. Hence, this study applies questionnaire methods as the main research tools in order to conduct an in-depth investigation into the influence of customer knowledge and CRM on service quality. Furthermore, this research is expected to provide enterprises with valuable suggestions for management practices.
Exploring logistics performance management in supplier/retailer dyads
Authors: Forslund Helena
Published: March 2014

Purpose

– The first purpose of this study is to explore logistics performance management practices and lessons learned in some supplier/retailer dyads across retail industries. A second purpose is to suggest a continued research agenda for logistics performance management across retail industries.

Design/methodology/approach

– Case studies are conducted in four supplier/retailer dyads in different retailing industries in Sweden. The analysis is of a cross-case character and uses a pattern matching approach.

Findings

– Large differences in practices within and between dyads are found. Some problems were indicated: lack of trust; difficulties in developing a collaborative culture; difficulties in relating metrics to customer value and lacking IT support. A previously unknown obstacle, the internal collaboration with category management, was identified. A good example was found in an industry standard. State-of-the-art descriptions, international comparisons, exploring the interface with the stores and combating identified problems were found to be relevant topics for continued research.

Research limitations/implications

– The limitations are mainly related to the small number of cases, but since the purpose of this study is exploratory, this should be acceptable. The theoretical contribution is a first step in the expansion of knowledge on logistics performance management from manufacturing to retailing companies.

Practical implications

– The practical contribution includes insights in the shape of descriptions and lessons learned in different retail industries.

Originality/value

– No identified study has explored logistics performance management as a whole across retail industries with a dyadic approach.
The impact of store flyers on store performance: a format and customer related approach
Authors: Luceri Beatrice , Latusi Sabrina , Tania Vergura Donata , Lugli Gianpiero
Published: March 2014

Purpose

– The study aims to investigate the impact of store flyer characteristics on store performance for different formats (hypermarket and supermarket) and customer segments (additional and regular shoppers). Specifically, the paper tests propositions on how flyer duration, variety of featured purchasing options, the category and brand mix on feature and the method used to communicate the deal price affect store traffic and sales.

Design/methodology/approach

– Data were made available for analysis by a grocery chain that utilizes a hi-lo pricing strategy. To test the hypothesis a multiple linear regression analysis was used.

Findings

– Results indicate that optimal store flyer configuration is related to the store format. Moreover, the response to flyer promotion programs varies across customer segments in relation to their degree of store loyalty.

Research limitations/implications

– Findings can assist marketers to develop more effective promotional strategies with regards to the bundle of promotions to be offered and the way they should be communicated. Future research should extend the analysis to other retailers and trading areas. Furthermore, it would be useful to replicate the analysis by separating the impact of in-store activities and store flyer effects.

Originality/value

– This is the first attempt to analyse flyer impact on store performance for different formats and customer segments. Prior research is confined to supermarkets, although the enhancement of store traffic is related to format size. Moreover, the traffic and sales implications of store flyer composition have so far been analysed in an aggregate manner, disregarding customers' shopping patterns.
Analysis of nanofluids as a means of thermal conductivity enhancement in heavy machineries
Authors: Jain Ayush , Hassan Rizvi Imbesat , Kumar Ghosh Subrata , Mukherjee P.S.
Published: March 2014

Purpose

– Nanofluids exhibit enhanced heat transfer characteristics and are expected to be the future heat transfer fluids particularly the lubricants and transmission fluids used in heavy machinery. For studying the heat transfer behaviour of the nanofluids, precise values of their thermal conductivity are required. For predicting the correct value of thermal conductivity of a nanofluid, mathematical models are necessary. In this paper, the effective thermal conductivity of various nanofluids has been reported by using both experimental and mathematical modelling. The paper aims to discuss these issues.

Design/methodology/approach

– Hamilton and Crosser equation was used for predicting the thermal conductivities of nanofluids, and the obtained values were compared with the experimental findings. Nanofluid studied in this paper are Al2O3 in base fluid water, Al2O3 in base fluid ethylene glycol, CuO in base fluid water, CuO in base fluid ethylene glycol, TiO2 in base fluid ethylene glycol. In addition, studies have been made on nanofluids with CuO and Al2O3 in base fluid SAE 30 particularly for heavy machinery applications.

Findings

– The study shows that increase in thermal conductivity of the nanofluid with particle concentration is in good agreement with that predicted by Hamilton and Crosser at typical lower concentrations.

Research limitations/implications

– It has been observed that deviation between experimental and theoretical results increases as the volume concentration of nanoparticles increases. Therefore, the mathematical model cannot be used for predicting thermal conductivity at high concentration values.

Originality/value

– Studies on nanoparticles with a standard mineral oil as base fluid have not been considered extensively as per the previous literatures available.
The influence of partially textured slider with orientation ellipse dimples on the behavior of hydrodynamic lubrication
Authors: Ji Jinghu , Fu Yonghong , Bi Qinsheng
Published: March 2014

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to investigate a partially textured slider of infinite width with orientation ellipse dimples in liquid application.

Design/methodology/approach

– In this paper, the pressure distribution of lubrication between a partially textured slider and a smooth sliding slider is calculated by the multi-grid method. For the same dimple area, the influence of the ellipse dimple with geometric parameters, and distribution and orientation on the hydrodynamic lubrication is evaluated in terms of the dimensionless average pressure for a given set of operating parameters.

Findings

– In the present work, the magnitude of the dimensionless average pressure seems proportional to the slender ratio. Consequently, the slender ratio may be chosen as large as possible based on fabrication techniques. The longer axes of ellipse dimples placed parallel to the direction of sliding always show the better hydrodynamic effect. Furthermore, the results show that the ellipse dimples can greatly improve hydrodynamic effect of partially surface textured slider of infinite width by proper design of these texturing parameters.

Originality/value

– This paper develops a partial surface texturing infinitely width slider with orientation ellipse dimples for improving hydrodynamic lubrication.
Friction mechanism and lock-up friction coefficient prediction for sinter bronze friction materials
Authors: Wang Yanzhong , Wei Bin , Ning Keyan , Han Ming
Published: March 2014

Purpose

– This research investigated the mechanism of wet friction plates of engagement and solved the problem that the lock-up friction coefficient of sinter material could not be obtained but from experiments for a long time. The paper aims to discuss these issues.

Design/methodology/approach

– Including four steps: surface topology sampling and reconstruction, fractal parameters obtaining and fractal surface simulating, micro-contact mechanics model and friction coefficient fractal model, and experimental verification.

Findings

– After running in stage of the friction plates, the fractal dimension would reach a dynamically stable stage for a long time. The proportional coefficient K expresses the correlation between the base hardness and the asperities shear strength. The model could be property for one or more working condition via adjusting the coefficient K. The experiment data of friction coefficient are increased as the load magnified both in the model prediction and experiment practice. The trend is different from other models.

Originality/value

– This research is original and it is supported by national defense project. It would be served for tracked vehicles to solve the defect in transmission system. The friction coefficient is obtained via solving the tangential force in MB model. The surface topography could be reconstructed by laser topography instrument and the parameters could be received by program.
Personality disordered women in secure care: a treatment evaluation
Authors: G. Long Clive , Dolley Olga , R. Hollin Clive
Published: March 2014

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to assess the effectiveness of a gender-specific group treatment programme for personality disordered (PD) women in a medium secure psychiatric setting.

Design/methodology/approach

– In all, 56 consecutive admissions with a primary diagnosis of personality disorder (mostly borderline type) and co-morbidity were assessed according to their participation in, and benefit from, a core set of five manualised group treatments that focused on social and interpersonal deficits, instability of mood and problematic substance use. A single cohort pre-test post-test comparison design was used with evaluation based on global change over an amalgam of self-report group specific outcome measures.

Findings

– In all, 70 per cent of patients attended three or more core groups, with attendance for each group ranging from 85 to 53 per cent. Between 65 and 77 per cent of patients showed a significant improvement on pre-group psychometrics. Patients who achieved a significant positive change in one group tended to do so in others. In all, 85 per cent of patients who completed two or more groups had overall positive direction of change scores. Those who benefited from treatment engaged more quickly, were more likely to have been admitted from hospital, to have previously engaged in therapy and to score lower on measures of impulsivity and personality pathology.

Research limitations/implications

– In a clinically representative study the absence of a control group limits the extent to which observed changes can be attributed to described interventions.

Practical implications

– Findings reflect the importance of providing a broad clinical approach to changing cognitive behavioural functioning with PD patients in secure settings. They also highlight the need to improve ways of engaging patients at an earlier stage of hospital stay and of increasing the acceptability and uptake of relevant group treatments. Further evidence-informed service developments are needed to meet these challenges.

Originality/value

– The study adds to a small literature on the clinical impact of a gender-specific group treatment programme for PD women in secure settings.
Diagnosing antisocial behavior and psychopathy
Authors: Juni Samuel
Published: March 2014

Purpose

– Psychopathy and antisocial personality are controversial disorders with alternate behavioral and dynamic formulations. As such, diagnostic approaches are often fragmentary and inconsistent. The purpose of this paper is to delineate the various conceptual parameters and to propose a comprehensive diagnostic approach.

Design/methodology/approach

– A model is presented based on the congruence and differences among various categories of psychopathic and antisocial personality disorders and their clinical manifestations. Diagnostic approaches are critiqued and evaluated. Specific assessment tools and measures are recommended based on referrals and symptomatology.

Findings

– Key factors of low frustration tolerance, poor social intelligence, aggression-driven psychopathy, sadism, and superego impairment are shown as central in the differential diagnostics of antisocial individuals.

Originality/value

– The model enables the differentiation of problematic behaviors which may appear similar but require different forensic, legal, diagnostic, and intervention strategies.
Towards the incorporation of activity-based learning and reflection into Botswana information systems development practice
Authors: Selaolo Tjongabangwe , Lotriet Hugo
Published: March 2014

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to report on a co-design process that was initiated between government and the private sector in Botswana to redesign current ISD practice with particular focus on finding a solution for learning failure. Learning failure was analysed retrospectively using concepts of “task conscious” and “learning conscious” learning.

Design/methodology/approach

– On the basis of a typical Botswana ISD project in which the lead researcher participated, inefficiencies and shortcomings in the standardised Botswana ISD process in terms of full utilisation of learning processes to support systems success were examined. Through the Developmental Work Research (DWR) methodology, which is based on Cultural-Historical Activity Theory (CHAT) principles, IS practitioners from government and the private sector, together with users collaborated to redesign the current Botswana ISD work practice in order to address this shortcoming.

Findings

– The result has been the incorporation of activity-based learning and reflection into a proposed improved ISD practice framework for Botswana.

Practical implications

– Through collaborative redesign between government and industry, a new Botswana ISD practice model that incorporates activity-based learning and reflection has been designed, and findings from examination of the model suggest that it has potential to address current learning deficiencies and thus contribute to efforts of avoiding IS failures. There have also been contributions to DWR resulting from the way in which the methodology was applied.

Originality/value

– This is the first known study that uses concepts of “task-conscious” and “learning-conscious” learning to analyse learning retrospectively and at the same time adopting the DWR methodology in the social context of a developing country such as Botswana.
A webometric analysis of online health information: sponsorship, platform type and link structures
Authors: Groselj Darja
Published: March 2014

Purpose

– This study aims to map the information landscape as it unfolds to users when they search for health topics on general search engines. Website sponsorship, platform type and linking patterns were analysed in order to advance the understanding of the provision of health information online.

Design/methodology/approach

– The landscape was sampled by ten very different search queries and crawled with VOSON software. Drawing on Roger's framework of information politics on the web, the landscape is described on two levels. The front-end is examined qualitatively by assessing website sponsorship and platform type. On the back-end, linking patterns are analysed using hyperlink network analysis.

Findings

– A vast majority of the websites have commercial and organisational sponsorship. The analysis of the platform type shows that health information is provided mainly on static homepages, informational portals and general news sites. A comparison of ten different health domains revealed substantial differences in their landscapes, related to domain-specific characteristics.

Research limitations/implications

– The size and properties of the web crawl were shaped by using third party software, and the generalisability of the results is limited by the selected search queries. Further research exploring how specific characteristics of different health domains shape provision of information online is suggested.

Practical implications

– The demonstrated method can be used by organisations to discern the characteristics of the online information landscape in which they operate and to inform their business strategies.

Originality/value

– The study examines health information landscapes on a large scale and makes an original contribution by comparing them across ten different health domains.
Taking the environment online
Authors: Haider Jutta
Published: March 2014

Purpose

– This paper aims to explore the construction and configuration of environmentally friendly living through making visible the link networks that surround personal greener living blogs. The following questions guide the exploration: which types of organisations/actors structure the issue network of green living blogs as it emerges through links? How do these links contribute to carving out thematic areas as particularly influential for the construction of what greener living is seen to mean?

Design/methodology/approach

– Mixed method, a link and co-link analysis of 46 personal blogs carried out with the IssueCrawler tool, is backed up by a qualitative textual analysis of central personal green living blogs to contextualise the resulting networks.

Findings

– The resulting network shows an issue space that is divided in two halves: one half where green living is largely an issue of relating outwards (e.g. by broaching consumption) and another half which is inwards oriented (e.g. beauty products, personal well-being). A large integrative centre of mainly personal blogs functions as a hub for different notions of greener living, structured around pleasure vs a problem focus, and along inwards vs outwards orientation.

Research limitations/implications

– The empirical material consists of a sample of Swedish language blogs, which has implications for the outcome of the study.

Practical implications

– The study intends to contribute to laying the ground for developing adequately targeted and multi-faceted (online) information campaigns to inform about environmentally friendly living.

Originality/value

– The results can contribute to expand understanding of environmentally friendly living as it is represented online and thereby add value to comprehend and target parts of society. This paper contributes to the area of environmental information, which is an important and topical yet under-researched area in information studies. The IssueCrawler tool is used in a concrete empirical study in information studies.
An empirical model of four processes for sharing organisational knowledge
Authors: Tsai August
Published: March 2014

Purpose

– This study aims to introduce an empirical model which incorporates newsgroups, knowledge forums, knowledge assets and knowledge application processes to share organisational knowledge. Therefore it seeks to illustrate an application for integrating knowledge management (KM) into the business process.

Design/methodology/approach

– The Taiwanese contingent of an international certification body – also a council member of the International Organisation for Standardisation (ISO) – was selected for a case study. A hybrid technology infrastructure was designed and employed to implement the proposed model. Based on knowledge value added validation, the proposed KM model provides a set of new operating systems for sharing knowledge within an organisation.

Findings

– Although many theories regarding implementation of KM in organisations have been proposed and studied, an application model for practical integration of various modern principles to share organisational knowledge is strategically important. Therefore a model that integrates principal KM applications into the business process, and the measurement of the resulting benefits, has been developed.

Originality/value

– Knowledge is a valuable asset for an individual in today's economy; nevertheless the acquisition of such an asset relies heavily on knowledge sharing within an organisation. The author has proposed an exclusive hybrid platform with an empirical process model to address innovative approaches and practical values of KM within an organisation.
Why people use Twitter: social conformity and social value perspectives
Authors: Yoo Jaeheung , Choi Saesol , Choi Munkee , Rho Jaejeung
Published: March 2014

Purpose

– Based on social conformity and social value perspectives, the authors aim to empirically examine the critical role of social influences on Twitter user behaviour.

Design/methodology/approach

– An integrative structural model is developed to explain how social influences, which are divided into social conformity and social values, work with other salient factors such as the utilitarian and hedonic values to affect the use of Twitter. The partial least square method was used to verify the proposed model with usable data from 204 adult Korean Twitter users.

Findings

– Social conformity positively affects the frequent use of Twitter and it is mediated through perceived values such as the hedonic, utilitarian and social appearance values associated with Twitter use. While social appearance negatively affected the trustworthiness of information shared on Twitter, the social capital effect on Twitter use was insignificant.

Research limitations/implications

– This study has some limitations for general applicability of the results: the samples include only adult users in Korea, and it is a cross-sectional study for a specific social networking service. This study theoretically disentangles the complicated nature of social influences by proposing two distinct constructs (social conformity and social values) and empirically verifying their significant roles in Twitter use.

Practical implications

– Practitioners should recognise that the hedonic value of Twitter is the key factor that affects both the quantity and quality of information shared on Twitter. In addition user motivations for pursuing social appearance in SNSs might cause a user to distort the information that they produce.

Originality/value

– This study provides unique implications related to the role of social conformity, social values and user behaviour on Twitter.
Policing firearm violence
Authors: Wyant Brian
Published: March 2014

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to generate information about the contours of police responsiveness, focussing on how quickly and precisely police make firearm arrests after a shooting incident.

Design/methodology/approach

– Using a modified version of the Knox close pair method, a spatio-temporal clustering technique, over 11,000 shooting incidents and firearm arrests between 2004 and 2007 in Philadelphia, PA were analyzed.

Findings

– Police are responding quickly and in a geographically targeted fashion to shootings. Across Philadelphia elevated patterns of firearm arrests were approximately two and a half times greater than would be expected if shootings and firearm arrests lacked a spatio-temporal association. Greater than expected patterns of firearm arrests persisted for roughly one-fourth of a mile and for about one week from the shooting incident but the strength of these associations waned over space and time. The pattern of police response varied slightly across different police divisions.

Research limitations/implications

– The current method uncovered spatio-temporal patterning and determined when these patterns were significantly different from what would be expected if the events were completely independent. Specific events and processes surrounding each event are not known.

Practical implications

– Findings can help inform the knowledge about police behavior in terms of how police produce arrests.

Originality/value

– The patterns observed here provide more micro-level detail than has been revealed in previous studies regarding police responsiveness to firearm violence while also introducing a more integrated spatially and temporally specific framework.
An integrated theory for the practical application of “governance-based policing”
Authors: A. Ferrandino Joseph
Published: March 2014

Purpose

– This paper aims to reconcile the different theoretical approaches of the next stage of community policing – third-party policing, post-modern policing, community-based policing, public self-policing, community governance and public safety governance – into a cohesive theoretical framework through the integration of the new governance of public administration, systems theory and community development theory.

Design/methodology/approach

– This paper reviews the existing literature of community-oriented policing (COP) and the concepts of new governance of public administration, then reconciles the two to create a management framework of governance-based policing.

Findings

– COP falls short in many areas because it represents a natural system orientation and a technical-assistance approach to community development. The next stage of community policing requires an open system founded in the self-help approach to community development and new governance principles.

Practical implications

– This work addresses the shift from hierarchies to networks as well as detailing the responsibilities of police management to transcend the shortcomings in the current iteration of community policing. It brings a modern public management view (new governance) into policing more cogently and completely than it has been done before.

Originality/value

– This work is unique to the community policing literature through the application of new governance, systems theory and community development theory to understand the shortfalls of COP and formulate a more cohesive theory of the next evolution of police service delivery.
Fire and rescue service community safety initiatives: measuring impact
Authors: Simpson Thomas , Wheatley Dan , Brunsden Vivienne , Hill Rowena
Published: March 2014

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to discuss methods of capturing the impact of fire and rescue service (FRS) community safety work which directly aims to reduce the occurrence of specific incidents.

Design/methodology/approach

– The impact assessment method described focuses on addressing one of the major problems with regards to attributing outcomes to FRS community safety work; the influence of external factors. This paper looked to assess the incident trends within a case study UK FRS within the context of the following external data sets: first, incident trends within other UK FRSs; second, demographic trends; and third, incident data from other public services.

Findings

– There were instances, either across the whole region served by the case study FRS, or within specific districts, where evidence suggested a strong likelihood of the community safety work of the case study FRS contributing towards an observed reduction in incidents. These findings were established through filtering the impact of widespread external factors, which could impact upon incident figures.

Research limitations/implications

– The utility of this impact assessment relies upon FRS consistently recording the specific aims and focus of individual community safety activity, so that any positive outcomes can be attributed to a particular group of community safety initiatives.

Originality/value

– This paper discusses how an evaluation process, to determine the likelihood of community safety impacting upon incident numbers, can be practically applied to a FRS.
Moving beyond the ASBO? A review of the proposed anti-social behaviour measures and their implications for children
Authors: Wigzell Alexandra
Published: March 2014

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to explore the anti-social behaviour (ASB) measures for under-18s contained in the Anti-social Behaviour, Crime and Policing Bill, examining how they differ from the current ASB framework and their likely implications for young people and society.

Design/methodology/approach

– The paper is based on desk-based research of the proposed and existing ASB measures. It also draws on the author's experience as a parliamentary campaigner on the Bill for the Standing Committee for Youth Justice.

Findings

– The paper finds that there is little difference in the substance of the proposed and existing ASB measures for under-18s. The key change of note is that the new powers will be easier and quicker to obtain, which is likely to be particularly counterproductive for children and young people.

Originality/value

– This paper will be valuable to practitioners seeking to understand the new ASB proposals and their likely implications for practice and society.
Particles flow identification in pipeline using adaptive network-based fuzzy inference system and electrodynamic sensors
Authors: Khairalla M. , Rahmat M.F. , Abdul Wahab N. , Thuku I.T. , Tajdari T. , Yusuf Abdulrahman Amuda
Published: March 2014

Purpose

– An identification model for materials flow through a pipeline is presented in this paper. The development of the model involves fuzzy C-means clustering, in which different flow regimes can be identified by every adaptive network-based fuzzy inference system (ANFIS). The paper aims to discuss these issues.

Design/methodology/approach

– For experimentation, 16 electrodynamic sensors were used to monitor and measure the charge carried by dense particles flow through a pipeline in a vertical gravity flow rig system. Four ANFIS models were also used simultaneously to provide the expected output on thresh-holding and were evaluated for ten different flow regimes, which produced satisfactory results at high flow rate.

Findings

– The observations made on the four ANFIS models in the flow identification experimentation (in ten different flow regimes) have shown convincing and satisfactory results at high-flow rate of the particles.

Originality/value

– Electrodynamic sensors have shown strong sensing capability in identification of dense-particle flows within a conveyor; and also proven capability to operate effectively in harsh industrial environments due to their firm and simple structures. Moreover, it has been verified that these sensors can conveniently be applied in flow regime identification of solid particles.