bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Information security management objectives and practices: a parsimonious framework
Authors: Ma Qingxiong , Johnston Allen C. , Pearson J. Michael
Published: August 2008

Purpose

As part of their continuing efforts to establish effective information security management (ISM) practices, information security researchers and practitioners have proposed and developed many different information security standards and guidelines. Building on these previous efforts, the purpose of this study is to put forth a framework for ISM.

Design/methodology/approach

This framework is derived from the development of an a priori set of objectives and practices as suggested by literature, standards, and reports found in academia and practice; the refinement of these objectives and practices based on survey data obtained from 354 certified information security professionals; and the examination of interrelationships between the objectives and practices.

Findings

The empirical analysis suggests: four factors (information integrity, confidentiality, accountability, and availability) serve as critical information security objectives; most of the security areas and items covered under ISO 17799 are valid with one new area – “external” or “inter‐organizational information security”; and for moderately information‐sensitive organizations, “confidentiality” has the highest correlation with ISM practices; for highly information‐sensitive organizations, “confidentiality”, “accountability”, and “integrity” are the major ISM objectives. The most important contributor to information security objectives is “access control”.

Research limitations/implications

This study contributes to the domain of information security research by developing a parsimonious set of security objectives and practices grounded in the findings of previous works in academia and practical literature.

Practical implications

These findings provide insights for business managers and information security professionals attempting to implement ISM programs within their respective organizational settings.

Originality/value

This paper fulfills a need in the information security community for a parsimonious set of objectives and practices based on the many guidelines and standards available in both academia and practice.
Process‐variance models in information security awareness research
Authors: Tsohou Aggeliki , Kokolakis Spyros , Karyda Maria , Kiountouzis Evangelos
Published: August 2008

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to study the way information systems (IS) security researchers approach information security awareness and examine whether these approaches are consistent with the organization theory and IS approaches for the study of organizational processes.

Design/methodology/approach

Open coding analysis was performed on selected publications (articles, surveys, standards, and reports). The chosen publications were classified and the classification results are presented, based on a proposed typology.

Findings

The proposed typology allows us to identify different types of research models followed by security researchers and practitioners, and to infer a set of practical implications, for the benefit of those interested in empirically studying information security awareness.

Research limitations/implications

The paper represents a pilot survey, performed in a selected number of publications.

Practical implications

The paper helps researchers and practitioners to distinguish the research models that can be adopted for the study of information security awareness organizational process, by identifying the key dimensions along which they differ.

Originality/value

The proposed typology provides a guide to identify the range of options available to researchers and practitioners when they design their work regarding the security awareness topic. Moreover, it can facilitate the communication between scholars in the field of security awareness.
Efficient anonymous secure auction schema (ASAS) without fully trustworthy auctioneer
Authors: Asgharzadeh Sekhavat Yoones , Fathian Mohammad
Published: August 2008

Purpose

In traditional commerce, an auction is known as a mechanism of determining the value of a commodity that does not have a fixed price. Auctions are exciting and an increasing number of transactions are performed through e‐auctions. But most current auctions cannot address all the important security requirements. Usually, auction systems force bidders and sellers to trust the auctioneer and, on the other hand, do not provide anonymity for bidders and sellers. This paper aims to solve these problems by presenting an efficient anonymous secure auction schema (ASAS) without a fully trustworthy auctioneer.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper analyzes security properties and the complexity of previous works in auction security and then proposes a new ASAS that is more secure and efficient than previous works. Finally, security properties and the complexity of the new schema and previous works are compared with one another.

Findings

The proposed auction protocol does not force bidders and sellers to trust the auctioneer. In addition, it provides anonymity for both of them. Owing to these newly added features and high degree of security of ASAS, it is suggested that its use in high‐value auctions should require tighter security.

Originality/value

The paper proposes a new schema for electronic auctions that is secure and efficient and, in addition, does not force bidders and sellers to trust the auctioneer.
An agent‐based privacy‐enhancing model
Authors: Lee Hsu‐Hui , Stamp Mark
Published: August 2008

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to discuss a privacy‐enhancing model, which is designed to help web users protect their private information. The model employs a collection of software agents. Privacy‐related decisions are made based on Platform for Privacy Preferences Project (P3P) information collected by the agents.

Design/methodology/approach

Based on P3P information collected and user preferences, the software agents play a role in the decision‐making process. This paper presents the design of the agent‐based privacy‐enhancing model and considers the benefits and utility of such an approach.

Findings

It is argued that the approach is feasible and it provides an effective solution to the usability limitations associated with P3P.

Research limitations/implications

The paper focuses primarily on usability issues related to P3P. Consequently, some of the ancillary security‐related issues that arise are not covered in detail. Also the paper does not cover the development of an appropriate ontology in significant detail.

Practical implications

Based on this analysis and extensive testing of the prototype, it is believed that the privacy‐enhancing model presented provides a sound basis for privacy protection on the web. While the emphasis here is on resolving the usability problems associated with P3P, a few straightforward enhancements to the implementation would make it a genuinely practical tool.

Originality/value

The usability of the P3P framework is generally considered its weak point. The paper provides a practical solution to this usability problem. One is not aware of any comparable work.
From learning organization to practically wise organization
Authors: Rowley Jennifer , Gibbs Paul
Published: August 2008

Purpose

Although the notion of wisdom confronts the economic rationale of business organizations, this paper aims to argue that organizations are coming under increasing pressure not only to learn, change and adapt, but also to take actions that are ethically acceptable and respond to the expectations of multiple stakeholders, or in other words to act wisely. Accordingly this article seeks to progress the debate on the relationship between organizational learning, learning organizations and wisdom, in pursuit of a new version of the model of the learning organization, the practically wise organization.

Design/methodology/approach

First, the literature on the learning organization and organizational learning is reviewed with a view to the identification of useful models and concepts. The paucity of reference to wisdom in that literature is noted. The following sections develop the theme of practical wisdom and, the essence of the practically wise organization, respectively. Finally a model for the practically wise organization that is both a virtuous and a learning organization is proposed.

Findings

The paper finds that a practically wise organization is a learning organization whose learning architecture is based on the principles of practical wisdom. Such an organization manages the processes associated with the seven pillars of wisdom: understanding dynamic complexity; developing personal wisdom competency; deliberating towards ethical models; refreshing shared sustainable vision; group wisdom dynamics; deliberated praxis; and embodied learning.

Originality/value

The article is a first step towards extending the theory and practice associated with the learning organization and organizational learning to embrace the multi‐stakeholder, ethically and morally informed perspectives embedded in the notion of practical wisdom.
Rational choice or leap of faith? The creation and defence of a management orthodoxy
Authors: Oliver Nick
Published: August 2008

Purpose

In the 1980s and 1990s enthusiasm for Japanese or “lean” manufacturing methods swept through Western industry. At the time, commentators argued that these methods represented a new paradigm of manufacturing, a radical break with traditional methods. The purpose of this paper is to explore the process of conversion from one paradigm to another, drawing on Kuhn's ideas on the structure of scientific revolutions.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper uses a critical‐incident approach to illustrate the conversion to, and defence of, a particular view of the world. Two incidents are used. The first is a one‐day seminar by a leading proponent in the field, in which the author acted as a participant observer. The second is the response of the UK engineering community to the publication of a report questioning the financial benefits of Japanese or lean manufacturing methods.

Findings

Although the introduction of new management methods is typically justified on rational grounds, this paper argues that, in common with the scientific paradigm shifts identified by Kuhn, enthusiasm for lean methods is based on non‐rational criteria as well as on their apparently superior efficiency. The language used to discussion of lean ideas in the two critical incidents is reminiscent of that used in religious conversions, and the responses to criticism of the methods are analogous to responses to blasphemy in a religious context.

Research limitations/implications

The research is based on analysis of conversion to, and defence of, lean ideas, but it carries implications for many other types of organisational change as well. The findings draw attention to how non‐rational criteria can shape the direction of major programmes of change, and hence the direction and strategies of organisations.

Practical implications

The paper carries implications for the process by which change can be engendered and managed. It identifies the processes by which conversion to new ideas can occur, identifying critical conditions on the part of the purveyors of the ideas (expertness, trustworthiness and personal dynamism) as well as features of the ideas themselves, such as the availability of local demonstrations of applicability, their aesthetic appeal and their ability to predict events and/or solve problems previously considered to be intractable.

Originality/value

The paper represents a novel perspective on processes of organisational change, by likening the process of change to that of scientific revolutions and demonstrating the non‐rational aspects of the change process.
Embodied “inter‐learning” – an integral phenomenology of learning in and by organizations
Authors: Kupers Wendelin
Published: August 2008

Purpose

Based on showing the significance of embodied and relational learning, this paper aims for contributing to a more comprehensive and integral approach to learning in and of organizations and its underlying dynamics.

Design/methodology/approach

Methodologically, advanced phenomenology and an integral framework are used for generating a more comprehensive analysis and relational understanding of learning in organizations.

Findings

Learning in and by organizations is an ongoing embodied, responsive and relational practice. As such it is covering internal and external as well as individual and collective dimensions entangled within an interdependent nexus and developmental context and integral cycle. Based on these findings perspectives on an “inter‐learning” are presented.

Research limitations/implications

Some theoretical and methodological implications are discussed as well as avenues for future research outlined.

Practical implications

Some practical implications and specific measurements for different domains of learning are outlined briefly.

Originality/value

The paper contributes to a needed non‐reductionist, integral and relational understanding of learning in and by organizations. Following a process‐oriented turn, the article provides innovative perspectives on embodied learning as an inter‐relational process, including interior and exterior as well as individual and collective dimensions within an intertwined nexus.
Knowledge management formal and informal mentoring
Authors: Karkoulian Silva , Halawi Leila A. , McCarthy Richard V.
Published: August 2008

Purpose

As businesses continue to forge ahead in the twenty‐first century, knowledge management (KM) has materialized as a significant differentiator. The process of creating new knowledge, sharing, and preserving such knowledge, is crucial for achieving competitive advantage. To gain maximum benefit from new knowledge, it must be efficiently integrated into the organization within a continuous knowledge life cycle. In this respect, mentoring is becoming ever more effective as a means to facilitate knowledge creation and sharing and build intellectual capital. This study aims to examine how both formal and informal mentoring enhances KM in the Lebanese banking sector.

Design/methodology/approach

Professionals in the Lebanese banking sector were surveyed to measure their perception of the impact of mentoring on their willingness to share information within the organization on both a formal and informal basis. A Pearson correlation was conducted to test the hypotheses.

Findings

Results suggest that informal mentoring is highly correlated with KM; whereby the more employees practice mentoring willingly the more knowledge will be shared, preserved, and used within the organization. However, there was little support for formal mentoring.

Practical implications

The results suggest that management should be highly supportive of informal mentoring as a means to capture and retain organizational knowledge. They should design and reward informal mentoring processes within the organization.

Originality/value

This paper adds to the existing mentoring literature by empirically testing the relationship between mentoring and KM.
Family SMEs in Ireland as learning organizations
Authors: Birdthistle Naomi
Published: August 2008

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to investigate whether small and medium‐sized family businesses in Ireland have the potential to be classified as learning organizations.

Design/methodology/approach

The research methodology adopted for this study is that of multiple‐case studies. In this research, personal interviews were selected as the data collection method. On the basis of Eisenhardt's premise that a study of between four and ten cases is suitable for qualitative studies, a total of six owner‐managers of family small and medium‐sized enterprises (SMEs) were interviewed.

Findings

The findings of the case studies support the argument that family businesses have the potential to be learning organizations. However, the extent to which these family businesses are potentially learning organizations depends on the size of the family business and the structure imposed on the business. Micro family businesses struggle to be classified as learning organizations due to the lack of a learning orientation. These businesses lack systems for the monitoring of information and lack the ability to be reactive to market changes. Small family businesses have the potential to be classified as learning organizations. This is due to the fact that small family businesses have learning at the core of their business and systems in place to deal with a learning orientation. Medium‐sized family businesses also have the potential to be learning organizations, although they need to ensure that systems are in place to allow learning to occur.

Originality/value

This paper presents original findings in a highly relevant, but under‐researched field – the family SME as a learning organization.
Earnings management and the market performance of stock dividend issuing firms
Authors: Koerniadi Hardjo , Tourani‐Rad Alireza
Published: August 2008

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to extend the literature on earnings management by examining whether stock dividends provide management with an incentive to manipulate earnings.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper employs a refined accrual model that controls the performance effects in estimating the part of accruals subject to managerial discretion.

Findings

Stock dividend issuing firms increase accruals substantially in the issue year followed by poor earnings and stock price performance in the subsequent year. More importantly, discretionary accruals of stock dividend issuing firms are negatively correlated with the declines in both future earnings and abnormal stock returns.

Originality/value

This paper examines the hypothesis that stock dividend firms engage in earnings management.
Do analysts mislead investors?
Authors: Lo May H. , Xu Le (Emily)
Published: August 2008

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to examine whether financial analysts mislead investors in recognizing the differential persistence of the three cash flow components of earnings, defined by Dechow et al., in forecasting annual earnings.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper uses Mishkin's econometric approach to compare the persistence of the cash flow components within and across the historical, analysts' and investors' weightings.

Findings

It is found that financial analysts' weightings of the cash flow components are more closely aligned with the historical relations than are investors' weightings, both in direction and in magnitude. The degree of analysts' mis‐weighting is economically small and much lower than the degree of investors' mis‐weighting. Moreover, the extent of both investors' and analysts' mis‐weightings of the cash components is generally smaller for firms with greater levels of analyst following, a proxy for the quality of the information environment.

Research limitations/implications

The findings suggest that financial analysts' bias in weighting the cash components of earnings is at best a partial explanation for investors' bias.

Practical implications

This study is important to academics and the investment community that relies upon financial analysts as information intermediaries, because the ability of analysts to incorporate value‐relevant information in their published expectations may impact securities prices.

Originality/value

The study is the first to document the weightings of the cash components of earnings by financial analysts. In addition, this paper provides evidence that financial analysts, as information intermediaries, are less biased than investors in processing not only the accrual but also the cash components of earnings.
ASIC actions: canaries for poor corporate governance?
Authors: da Silva Rosa Raymond , Filippetto Jennifer , Tarca Ann
Published: August 2008

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to investigate whether companies subject to an Australian Securities and Investment Commission (ASIC) action have poorer corporate governance than other companies. Evidence from the USA suggests such a relationship but the issue has not been investigated for Australian firms.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper considers a matched sample of 240 companies, including 120 which were subject to 143 actions relating to; interpretation of accounting standards; the continuous disclosure regime; and other governance matters during the period 1998‐2004.

Findings

We find that companies subject to ASIC actions are less likely to comply with the Australian stock exchange (ASX) best practice governance recommendations and that the main area of difference relates to separation of the roles of the CEO and board chair.

Research limitations/implications

We were able to investigate only 3 of 10 items in the ASX recommendations due to data availability. The sample of ASIC companies is not randomly drawn, thus our results are not generalisable the wider population of listed companies. Capital market consequences of ASIC actions, such as effect on share price, bid‐ask spread, analyst following and cost of capital, are not considered and could be investigated in future research.

Practical implications

The results suggest that, in relation to publicised cases, ASIC is effective in targeting more poorly governed companies, a positive signal for Australian capital markets.

Originality/value

Few papers investigate ASIC's publicised cases and no prior study has linked ASIC cases and corporate governance practices. The findings will be of interest to Australian capital market participants, some of whom question the benefits of corporate governance recommendations.
Ten years of conflict management studies: themes, concepts and relationships
Authors: Ma Zhenzhong , Lee Yender , Yu Kuo‐Hsun
Published: August 2008

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to map the intellectual structure of conflict management studies and to investigate the key themes, concepts, and their relationships of conflict management literature in the past decade.

Design/methodology/approach

Citation and co‐citation analysis and social network analysis were used to trace the development path of conflict management research. The data were collected by searching the SSCI databases, based on 556 journal articles which were published between 1997 and 2006, and their cited references were analyzed and profiled.

Findings

The paper shows that conflict management literature focuses on three key themes: workplace conflict and conflict management styles, cultural differences in conflict management, and conflict management in practice. In addition, research on group conflict and work performance has gained momentum in recent years.

Originality/value

The intellectual structure of conflict management literature has received little attention in spite that a large number of studies have been done on conflict management. This paper will expose researchers to a new way of profiling key themes and their relationships in conflict management area, which will help academia and practitioners understand better contemporary conflict management studies.
Men and women as mediators: disputant perceptions
Authors: Stuhlmacher Alice F. , Morrissett Melissa G.
Published: August 2008

Purpose

The purpose of the paper is to provide a quantitative analysis of existing research comparing perceptions about male and female mediators to understand better the extent a mediator's gender is related to the disputing individuals' view of the mediation.

Design/methodology/approach

Several databases were searched extensively (1967‐2007) for relevant research studies and articles reporting disputant perceptions and mediator gender. Unpublished research was solicited from dissertations, the internet, as well as directly from authors. Articles were screened; those meeting predetermined criteria were included in the meta‐analysis.

Findings

Existing studies indicated that male mediators were perceived more favorably than their female counterparts were.

Research limitations/implications

Despite a very extensive search of existing studies, only five contained the information necessary for this meta‐analytic review.

Practical implications

The results suggest that additional barriers and challenges exist for women, compared to men, in the world of mediation. Considering both the significant results and the lack of existing research on the topic, further research is clearly needed for more definitive advice regarding the training and practice of mediation.

Originality/value

Current textbooks and research on mediation have extremely limited or no information on the role of the gender of the mediators. While gender differences have been researched in regards to negotiation and negotiators, this paper systematically considers perceptions about male and female mediators.
Venture capitalist‐entrepreneur conflicts
Authors: Yitshaki Ronit
Published: August 2008

Purpose

The aim of this paper is to examine the inherent and actual conflicts between venture capitalists (VCs) and entrepreneurs, as well as the possible resolutions of these conflicts.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper is based on 42 semi‐structured interviews conducted with Israeli VCs and entrepreneurs (14 VCs and 28 entrepreneurs). In addition, quantitative data were collected about VCs' scope of involvement and their perceived portfolio performance.

Findings

It was found that conflict is inherent in VCs and entrepreneurs' relations as both parties have different conceptions of the venture and the contractual arrangements. Actual conflicts were found to be associated with VCs' level of involvement and perceived performance. The findings indicate that VCs' strategic involvement is associated with cognitive conflicts and collaboration, whereas VCs' managerial involvement is associated with managerial replacement and affective conflicts. The findings provide an insight into the dynamic nature of conflicts between VCs and entrepreneurs, suggesting that affective conflicts may sometimes evolve into cognitive mode, as managerial replacement enables both parties to restructure their relations.

Research limitation/implications

The findings call for further examination of interorganizational conflicts involving asymmetry of power and resource dependence. In addition, the findings also call for deeper examination of how coordination mechanisms of interorganizational relations come to be a source of conflict and how such conflicts may vary in different contexts.

Practical implications

The findings of this paper suggest that both VCs and entrepreneurs should establish conflict management mechanisms, such as similar conceptions and a shared vision, to ensure better cooperation.

Originality/value

This paper provides an in‐depth insight into the embeddedness of conflicts in VCs and entrepreneurs' relations. The finding of this study contribute to theory building of VCs and entrepreneurs' conflicts suggesting that VCs' cooperation depends on both parties' ability to resolve inherent and actual conflicts.
Trust: an intercultural comparison of consumer perceptions
Authors: Davis James H. , Lee Monle , Ruhe Jack
Published: August 2008

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to examine trust and posit that consumers perceive the trustworthiness of companies from a particular country differently.

Design/methodology/approach

An accepted US model of trust across cultures is tested. A survey questionnaire is used to collect the data from Taiwanese consumers.

Findings

The paper finds that Taiwanese consumers have different levels of trust toward companies from European, North American, and Asian countries.

Research limitations/implications

This study demonstrates that consumers have differential perceptions of the trustworthiness of foreign firms. Further research is needed to determine if the model explains trust equally well in other cultures.

Practical implications

Understanding factors (e.g. trust, costs, and values of product) that influence the success of trading relationships is important to every multinational corporation.

Originality/value

This paper explores the connection between perceptual trust of one particular country's trading partners, various indicators of corruption such as Hofstede's cultural components, the perception of corruption by Transparency International, and various trade activities.
Country image effect on Taiwanese consumers' willingness to buy from neighboring countries
Authors: Lee Tien‐Shang , Chen Feng‐Fu
Published: August 2008

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to develop an integrated model of Taiwanese consumers' willingness to buy from China, Japan, South Korea, and Taiwan.

Design/methodology/approach

Using 284 completed questionnaires, LISREL and multi‐group analysis were employed to examine the relationships among country image, product beliefs, affect, familiarity, world‐mindedness, and willingness to buy.

Findings

The empirical research results showed that country image has no direct influence on Taiwanese consumers' willingness to buy, but it has indirect influence on Taiwanese consumers' willingness to buy via product beliefs. However, affect has both direct and indirect influence on Taiwanese consumers' willingness to buy, and affect is observed to have stronger influence on product belief than on Taiwanese consumers' willingness to buy.

Practical implications

Taiwanese enterprises having ongoing mass production in China are recommended to prominently feature their original Taiwanese brand names and technology cooperation with developed countries to build up positive country image.

Originality/value

By introducing the concept of world‐mindedness, this research generalized the conclusion drawn by earlier research in the context of Taiwan.
Event sponsorship as a value creating strategy for brands
Authors: Papadimitriou Dimitra , Apostolopoulou Artemisia , Dounis Theofanis
Published: August 2008

Purpose

The present research involves corporations that served as Grand National Sponsors of the Athens 2004 Olympic Games and aims to explore whether a strategic approach was employed in the acquisition and management of their Olympic sponsorship.

Design/methodology/approach

A multiple case study analysis was employed, for which data were collected through semi‐structured interviews. The study sample included seven of the ten Grand National Sponsors that signed agreements with ATHOC, the Organizing Committee of the 2004 Athens Olympic Games. Data analysis was organized around five themes inspired by the existing literature.

Findings

With the exception of two firms, the majority of the Grand National Sponsors reported no clear or measurable objectives and limited consideration to strategic or brand‐related initiatives in their decisions to invest in the national Olympic sponsorship program. However, they did report plans to invest resources to leverage their rights, even though in most cases no specific evaluation processes had been designed.

Research limitations/implications

Given that the Olympic Games are organized every four years in a new location, the findings of this research may not find direct application to other markets and organizing committees that implement their own sponsorship programs. Nevertheless, this research did show relatively poor recognition of the role of sponsorship in creating value and building the corporate brand. Corporations considering becoming involved in sport sponsorship and also event organizers are encouraged to adopt a more strategic approach in the sponsorship solicitation and management process.

Originality/value

Existing literature has discussed the role of sport sponsorship in brand management and the communication mix, and has highlighted the benefits for firms that establish long‐term ties with the Olympic Games. The present research adds to that line of work by highlighting if and how a strategic and brand building approach was adopted in the context of national‐level Olympic partnerships.
Consumer innovativeness and consumer acceptance of brand extensions
Authors: Henry Xie Yu
Published: August 2008

Purpose

This paper attempts to examine the relationship between consumer innovativeness and consumers' acceptance of brand extensions.

Design/methodology/approach

This is a conceptual paper that builds upon the extant literature of consumer innovativeness and brand extensions. A number of research propositions are developed in this thought‐provoking work.

Findings

It is proposed that consumer innovativeness exerts considerable influence on consumers' acceptance of brand extensions when extension distance and types of extensions are examined. In addition, product information availability and interpersonal communication/influence (i.e. informative and normative) moderate the relationship between consumer innovativeness and consumers' acceptance of brand extensions.

Research limitations/implications

This study can help marketers develop appropriate and effective marketing strategies to influence consumers' acceptance of brand extensions. This study serves to provide guidance for brand managers and marketers alike in evaluating the potential success of their extended brands. On the other hand, the paper draws from the extant literature and theoretical discussion to develop research propositions. This approach might limit its depth and scope.

Originality/value

As the use of brand extensions intensifies in the marketplace, it is imperative to understand how consumer innovativeness exerts influence on acceptance of brand extensions. This study fills the research void in the literature and contributes to the extant literature by analyzing the relationship between consumer innovativeness and consumers' acceptance of brand extensions.
A comparative study of perceptions toward “scratch and save” promotions in Canada and Korea
Authors: Choi Sungchul , Kim Moontae
Published: August 2008

Purpose

The paper seeks to examine cross‐cultural differences in how consumers evaluate “scratch and save” (SAS) promotions (which are characterized by uncertainty of savings outcomes) between Canada and Korea, where the promotion tool is widely used but the countries have different cultural values.

Design/methodology/approach

An experiment was conducted to examine cross‐cultural differences in SAS promotion evaluations between Canada (n=77) and Korea (n=78).

Findings

SAS promotions effectively stimulate favorable shopping intentions in Canada, a country with a low uncertainty avoidance culture, more so than in Korea, a country with a high uncertainty avoidance culture. However, subjects in Korea show consistently higher savings expectations from SAS promotions than subjects in Canada. Thus, the results report that consumers with the highest savings expectations do not necessarily have the highest intention to shop. In addition, in Korea, a SAS promotion with guaranteed minimum savings is found to be very effective due to reduced ambiguity about its outcome.

Research limitations/implications

The study suggests cross‐cultural differences in the applicability of the disjunction effect.

Practical implications

The findings suggest that when SAS promotions are presented in a country with high uncertainty avoidance, retailers should explicitly indicate the value of the guaranteed minimum savings. By promising guaranteed savings, retailers can reduce consumers' relatively high concerns about unknown SAS outcomes, which results in a greater advantage in building favorable perceptions.

Originality/value

Very little work has been undertaken into SAS promotions and no known empirical research has been undertaken into cross‐cultural differences. This paper fills some of the gaps.
Condoms, cigarettes, and cell phones: does brand advertising increase generic demand?
Authors: Wolburg Joyce M.
Published: August 2008

Purpose

This article aims to stimulate discussion of how the advertising of brands affects the product category by creating generic demand.

Design/methodology/approach

The article outlines the author's personal viewpoint.

Findings

Although greater emphasis has been given to generic advertising's effect on brands, there is evidence that brand advertising can stimulate generic demand.

Practical implications

The article takes the discussion of the issue to a different level.

Originality/value

The article not only explores ways of increasing generic demand, it also provides theoretical explanations for how it can occur.
A factor analysis of international portfolio diversification
Authors: Valadkhani Abbas , Chancharat Surachai , Harvie Charles
Published: August 2008

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to investigate the relationships between stock market returns of 13 countries based upon monthly data spanning December 1987 to April 2007.

Design/methodology/approach

Specifically, the principal component (PC) and maximum likelihood (ML) methods are used to examine any discernable patterns of stock market co‐movements.

Findings

Factor analysis provides evidence that stock returns in a number of Asian countries are highly correlated and, based on the resulting robust factor loadings, they form the first well‐defined common factor. The paper also finds consistent results (based on both the PC and ML methods) suggesting that the stock market returns of developed countries are also highly correlated, and constitute our second factor.

Practical implications

The paper concludes that,inter alia, geographical proximity and the level of economic development do matter when it comes to co‐movements of stock returns and that this has important implications for financial portfolio diversification if the aim is to reduce systematic risks across countries.

Originality/value

Very few previous studies have investigated the benefits from portfolio diversification by using the PC and ML methods.
Price and quantity setting behaviors of a monopolist facing uncertain product demand
Authors: Guru‐Gharana Kishor Kumar , Rahman Matiur , Parayitam Satyanarayana
Published: August 2008

Purpose

This paper aims at theoretical exploration of price and quantity setting behaviors of a monopolist encountering uncertain product demand within the mean‐risk frameworks. In the microeconomic literature, the relationships between price and quantity have been traditionally studied using the expected utility approach. This paper moves away from the traditional assumptions and compares various types of risk‐return approaches and explains why most of the monopoly firms follow pricing strategy instead of quantity setting strategy.

Design/methodology/approach

Price setting behavior and quantity setting behavior monopoly firms were examined with endogenous target value and comparative statics were used.

Findings

Comparison of various approaches reveals that risk‐averse customers might decrease purchases because of the price uncertainty or shift to other suppliers, which may explain why monopoly firms prefer their power over price setting rather than quantity setting.

Research limitations/implications

The present study has introduced some testable propositions by comparing different behavioral models of price and quantity setting behaviors of a monopolist facing uncertain product demand.

Practical implications

This study contributes to understanding of firm's behavior in the face of uncertainty.

Originality/value

The conceptual nature of the paper makes the paper original in its contribution to the existing literature of the theory of firm.
Sectoral efficiency of the Malaysian stock market and the impact of the Asian financial crisis
Authors: Lim Kian‐Ping
Published: August 2008

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to empirically examine the relative efficiency of eight economic sectors in the Malaysian stock market and the impact of the 1997 Asian financial crisis on the reported sectoral efficiency.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper investigates the relative efficiency of stock market using the recently proposed rolling bicorrelation test statistic that is designed to detect nonlinear predictability in stock returns series.

Findings

For the sample period of 1 January 1994 to 31 October 2006, the sector of tin and mining is found to be the most efficient sector, while the properties sector experiences the most persistent deviations from random walk over time. The subsequent sub‐periods analysis reveals that the highest inefficiency occurs during the crisis period for all economic sectors except tin and mining. However, all these seven crisis‐stricken sectors managed to stage a turnaround in the USD pegged period where capital controls were imposed by the Malaysian government.

Practical implications

The Malaysian experience demonstrates that credible policy actions to calm the markets and restore investors' confidence ought to be the priority during turbulent period to avoid deterioration in the level of market efficiency. This provides useful input for market regulators.

Originality/value

The occurrence of market crash or financial crisis is one possible contributing factor of market inefficiency. However, there is a lack of empirical research to formally assess the impact of financial crisis on stock market efficiency, and hence little is known about stock price behaviour during financial turmoil.
Encouraging front‐line employees to rise to the innovation challenge
Authors: Moosa Naveed , Panurach Patiwat
Published: August 2008

Purpose

In the search for innovation, front‐line employees are usually not encouraged to be part of the creative team, even though they may have fresh ideas and genuine insights. However, front‐line employees, those closest to the customers and the work of delivering products and services, have fresh ideas and genuine insights. This paper aims to investigate this issue.

Design/methodology/approach

The article describes how to create a complementary “Front‐Line Innovation” system for stimulating potentially valuable ideas and converting them to innovations that have an impact on competitiveness.

Findings

The implementation of a front‐line program involves a set of six components applied systemically and thoughtfully: people, process, tools, technology, governance, and metrics.

Practical implications

The Front‐line Innovation program surfaces new leaders and gives them the tools to create and act on ideas that are aimed at the most difficult problems facing the organization.

Originality/value

The article shows that a creative front‐line employee is a potent competitive weapon when supported by such a system.
How leading companies are stretching their strategy
Authors: Kachaner Nicolas , Deimler Michael S.
Published: August 2008

Purpose

This paper aims to identify how leading companies are improving their strategy‐development processes to keep up with the transformations in the global competitive environment. The value of any reliable strategic foresight executives can wring from their planning systems can be priceless.

Design/methodology/approach

BCG recently studied the strategy‐development processes of leading companies by interviewing more than 100 executives in 20 firms.

Findings

The study found that leading firms are “stretching” their strategy process – along three mutually reinforcing dimensions: stretching time horizons, stretching their thinking, and stretching the engagement process

Practical implications

Numerous examples of innovative best practices are given, for example: turn issues upside down. Instead of asking how to grow the business, ask how to kill it. Instead of feuding over how to increase resources (a typical budgetary debate), ask how to operate with significantly fewer resources, or even without them.

Originality/value

The paper offers many practical ways to foster reliable strategic foresight, innovative thinking and enhanced strategic creativity.
Has the management of infrastructure assets (IAs) improved with the use of the accrual method in local government?
Authors: Molland Allan , Clift Robert
Published: August 2008

Purpose

The purpose of this study was to investigate how senior accounting staff in Victorian local authorities are recording and reporting infrastructure assets (IAs) with their relevant depreciation in General Purpose Financial Reports (GPFRs) and the decisions made from this information. IAs are long‐lived assets such as roads, drains and bridges. The introduction of Australian Accounting Standard No. 27 Financial Reporting by Local Governments (AAS27), which applies to all Australian local authorities require IAs to be reported in the balance sheet and depreciation to be charged in the operating statement in order to reflect the loss of service potential in the operating period concerned. Before AAS27, the purpose of public sector accounting was to demonstrate that funds have been raised and expended strictly within the authority of the annual budget on a cash basis. The efficiency and effectiveness of decision‐making by users of this cash‐based information was impaired with this short‐term charge/discharge objective. The study was carried out to determine if information provided in an accrual accounting environment would be more efficient and effective for decision making by users than cash‐based information.

Design/methodology/approach

The study included a comprehensive literature review then interviews with 15 chief financial officers from Victorian local authorities. These authorities represented inner metropolitan, outer metropolitan, rural city, large rural and small councils.

Findings

The study reported the implications for change to accrual accounting method in accounting for IAs and the efficiency and effectiveness for decision making by both internal and external users. The question answered is whether the information provided by accrual accounting is used in the management of IAs. In some areas, it has been used and the benefits show from both an efficiency and effectiveness perspective. Concerns with this issue were identified by academics, parliamentary inquires, accounting authorities and local government interest groups.

Originality/value

This study is a comprehensive review of how senior local government accounting management are using the information generated from AAS27 on IAs and what value it has in their decision making.
Stock prices and accounting information: evidence from Malaysia
Authors: Pirie Scott , Smith Malcolm
Published: August 2008

Purpose

As one of the main purposes of financial statements is to provide relevant information for investors, relationships between share prices and accounting variables have been widely researched. Early studies focus mainly on earnings, but attention has turned in recent years to valuation models that include the book value of the equity. Many of these studies cite the residual income model as their theoretical base and, with the growing emphasis on shareholder value, residual income measures are more commonly used in the business community to track financial performance. Given such trends, the purpose of this paper is to review the theoretical background of the residual income model and discuss results of empirical studies that use it.

Design/methodology/approach

The study seeks an understanding of how published accounting information relates to share prices in the developed market in Asia, outside Japan. More specifically, the study aims to extend the international literature in market based accounting research by examining empirical evidence on relationships between share prices and the two summary accounting variables of equity book value and earnings for firms listed on the stock exchange in Malaysia.

Findings

The findings imply that, the two accounting variables summarising the balance sheet and the income statement, respectively, are significant factors in the valuation process, and that managers are justified in using the accounting system as a primary source of information for monitoring financial performance.

Originality/value

These findings should be of interest to other researchers, and to managers and investors who currently use or are planning to use residual income to monitor business performance.