bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The equity effect of product endorsement by celebrities
Authors: Seno Diana , Lukas Bryan A.
Published: February 2007

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to outline a conceptual framework that can be used to organise and guide future research into how celebrity product endorsement creates equity for both the endorsed product‐brand and the endorsing celebrity.

Design/methodology/approach

The theoretical perspective adopted in this study is that celebrity product endorsement is a form of co‐branding.

Findings

The central thesis is that both endorser image and brand image serve as mediators in the equity‐creation process of celebrity product endorsement.

Originality/value

Research contributions and directions for future research are provided.
Organisational learning and HRD: how appropriate are they for small firms?
Authors: Saru Essi
Published: February 2007

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to study human resource development (HRD) and organisational learning issues in a small expert organisation.

Design/methodology/approach

This is a qualitative single case study conducted in one Finnish SME. It is part of an ongoing study. It is descriptive in nature and the aim is to find out whether the existing HRD and OL practices are relevant and appropriate in the small context.

Findings

The results reveal that small organisations do consider HRD to be an issue, even though it may not be as visible or official as in larger companies. The HRD, OL or strategy issues merge into the territory of just one man. The case organisation represents the small firm sector very well.

Research limitations/implications

Current literature has established that the models designed for larger organisations are not directly applicable to the small context. Future research should concentrate on finding out what model SMEs use for the development of human resources. This study cannot be generalised because, at this point, it is a single case study.

Practical implications

From the SME perspective, the paper suggests that there is a lot a small organisation can do in terms of human resource practices, even without vast resources.

Originality/value

The paper examines the HRD and OL issue from a practical point of view.
Gendered small‐business assistance: lessons from a Swedish project
Authors: Tillmar Malin
Published: February 2007

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to deal with the design of small‐business training programs and focuses on women business owners, their real needs and the supply of adequate training. How and to what extent are client selection and support needs influenced by the gender system?

Design/methodology/approach

An in‐depth study of an ambitious Swedish project is reported. Interviews with the participating business‐owners and advisors, combined with observations during lectures and coaching sessions have been conducted.

Findings

Even gender‐conscious support organizations may have a biased process of client recruitment, leading to an unintended discrimination of women business owners. The women meet the same obstacles as men but also give witness to the subtle obstacles which originate in the gender‐system.

Research limitations/implications

The study is qualitative and does not aim to provide statistically valid generalizations.

Practical implications

Gender awareness of support organizations is crucial, in client selection as well as in designing programs and when coaching. These business owners need to understand the gender system in order to handle it more effectively. It is argued that special programs are still needed, even in a country like Sweden known for its relative equality between women and men.

Originality/value

The context is interesting and the longitudinal in‐depth approach brought the author unusually close to advisors and participants. It enabled an understanding of what happened over a short period of time in the minds of those involved, regarding sensitive issues.
Effective organizational vision: implications for human resource development
Authors: Foster Rex D. , Akdere Mesut
Published: February 2007

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to examine the existing literature related to organizational vision and discusses its potential implications for human resource development (HRD). Furthermore, the paper aims to provide a forum for debate on the utility and effectiveness of organizational vision and how it is related to HRD and strategic management.

Findings

Examination of the organizational vision literature revealed three commonly addressed themes: the visioning process; vision content selection; and vision implementation.

Practical implications

Implications of these findings for leadership and HRD are presented and include the role of HRD as a strategic partner in the visioning process and the role of leaders in advancing visioning efforts.

Originality/value

Goes some way to fulfilling the need for research in the area of organizational vision, particularly as it relates to leadership, motivation, strategy, and commitment.
A new MPPT method for photovoltaic systems used for hydrogen production
Authors: Tafticht T. , Agbossou K. , Doumbia M.L.
Published: February 2007

Purpose

In most maximum power point tracking (MPPT) methods described in the literature, the optimal operating point of the PV systems is estimated by linear approximations. These approximations can reduce considerably the performances of the PV systems. This paper seeks to provide comparative analyses of different MPPT methods used in photovoltaic (PV) systems and proposes a new approach that uses a nonlinear expression of the optimal voltage in combination with perturbation and observation (P&O) methods.

Design/methodology/approach

First, an analytical model for determining the nonlinear PV optimal operating point is detailed and each equation is explained. Second, a combination of the new method with P&O method is proposed to reduce the PV losses.

Findings

The simulation results showed that the approach improves clearly the tracking efficiency of the maximum power available at the PV modules output. The implementation of this new method will improve PV systems energy production rate and its long‐term storage in hydrogen form.

Practical implications

The simulation results showed that the new approach improves the MPP's tracking efficiency of the PV system on average at 92 percent. The implementation of the developed approach in a PV system with hydrogen storage increased the energy transfer from PV modules to the electrolyzer.

Originality/value

This paper proposes a new approach to determine the maximum power point (MPP) from the measurement of the open circuit voltage of PV modules. A nonlinear expression of the optimal voltage was developed and is used in combination with P&O methods. The proposed approach largely improves the performance of the MPP tracking of the PV systems.
Vibration damping with piezoelectric actuators for electrical motors
Authors: Mininger Xavier , Gabsi Mohamed , Lécrivain Michel , Lefeuvre Elie , Richard Claude , Guyomar Daniel , Bouillault Frédéric
Published: February 2007

Purpose

This paper seeks to study the feasibility of a stator vibration damping using piezoelectric (PZT) actuators applied to switched reluctance motors (SRM).

Design/methodology/approach

A single‐phase structure without moving rotor, but with the same shape as an SRM stator, is introduced to simplify the study and the experimental measurements. Both analytical and finite element methods are used to detail the chosen location and design of the PZT actuators for this structure.

Findings

Experimental results show that PZT actuators with a low voltage allow the decrease of the vibration level due to the electromagnetic forces.

Research limitations/implications

To decrease the vibration level of the SRM stator in the real use of the machine, a closed loop system is necessary. Future works consist of the design of a closed loop numerical controller using an acceleration sensor as strain information.

Practical implications

The proposed damping method gives a new solution for the SRM noise problem that can be useful for people working on noise reduction on this machine.

Originality/value

So far vibration damping of SRM stator was obtained using a command or a geometry “acoustically” optimised, or active vibration with an auxiliary coil. The solution presented here applies PZT vibration damping to the stator with a thickness more important than the one of classical plates used for PZT damping applications.
A measure for Christmas spirit
Authors: Clarke Peter
Published: February 2007

Purpose

The purpose of this research is to show that Christmas spirit is often given as a reason or excuse for the goodwill, generosity and altruism associated with the celebration of Christmas. Despite the influence of the occasion on cultural, financial and economic issues, there has been no specific empirical attention toward the structure or measurement of the concept of Christmas spirit. Research into this popular topic is important, timely and has universal appeal.

Design/methodology/approach

Defining the structure of Christmas spirit drew upon previous academic research about feelings and evaluations. This research employed a process of exploratory factor analysis, correlations, a confirmatory analysis and path analysis that combined the associated constructs. The required information was gathered via a self‐administered survey method where the respondents fell within a sample frame of a parent with at least one child between the ages of three and eight years. A questionnaire package containing two instruments (each of 70 questions), instructions and a self‐addressed return envelope was delivered to five participating schools and seven kindergartens for children to take home to their parents. As a result, 450 acceptable cases were available for analysis.

Findings

Overall, the singular finding confirmed that the multi‐dimensional feelings‐evaluation model, as outlined in this study, is a valid measurement of Christmas spirit.

Practical implications

Future research that incorporates this measure has implications for consumer behaviour theory and the motivation toward Christmas festivities. The findings have consequences for content and themes of advertising, and the scope of brand promotion by owners, promoters and retailers of brands and the associated business activity.

Originality/value

Christmas celebrations are a complex amalgam of motives, strategies, attitudes, rituals, behaviours and relationships. Christmas spirit is an important topic of deep interest to consumer behaviour researchers; being an often‐used, but ambiguous term there is a need for theoretical clarification. Therefore, it is timely to explore and develop behavioural theory related to the celebration because of the festivity's economic and social impacts on society.
Consumer attitudes toward counterfeits: a review and extension
Authors: Augusto de Matos Celso , Trindade Ituassu Cristiana , Vargas Rossi Carlos Alberto
Published: February 2007

Purpose

The purpose of this research is to propose and test a model that integrates the main predictors of consumers' attitude and behavioral intentions toward counterfeits; to help companies understand the main factors influencing consumer behavior toward counterfeits and create effective anti‐piracy strategies.

Design/methodology/approach

An integrated model is proposed following the studies by Ang et al. and Huang et al. A survey with 400 consumers was conducted in the Brazilian market and the Structural Equation Modeling technique was used to test the hypothesized relationships.

Findings

The main contribution of the paper is to show that consumer intentions to buy counterfeited products are dependent on the attitudes they have toward counterfeits, which in turn are more influenced by perceived risk, whether consumers have bought a counterfeit before, subjective norm, integrity, price‐quality inference and personal gratification. The paper reinforces the mediator role of attitude in the relationship between these antecedents and behavioral intentions. Moreover, previous experience with counterfeits consumption does not have a direct effect on behavioral intentions, but only an indirect effect through attitude.

Practical implications

The paper contributes to inform policy makers and managers of brands about the main predictors of consumer's attitudes toward counterfeits. In this way, ads intended to discourage consumption of counterfeits could use the perceived risk as the main message appeal.

Originality/value

This paper investigates the key antecedents and consequences of consumer attitudes toward counterfeits by integrating and testing two recent models dealing with this subject in the marketing literature.
Clustering product launches by price and launch strategy
Authors: Calantone Roger J. , Di Benedetto C. Anthony
Published: February 2007

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to examine the interaction of pricing strategies with other aspects of launch, in particular, timing, logistics/inventory strategy, and coordination with support organizations, and the effect on profit and competitive performance.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper presents an empirical study of 215 recent new product launches, focusing on pricing and other strategic and tactical launch decisions and the resulting profitability and competitive performance. Clusters of new product launches are identified and the profitability and competitiveness of each cluster are discussed.

Findings

The paper finds that some clusters are related to greater success than others. The most profitable and competitively successful cluster contained launches supported by solid market research and marked by good timing decisions. By contrast, the least profitable/successful cluster were higher price launches unsupported by adequate research.

Research limitations/implications

The study is limited by the fact that the sampling frame is made up of members of a professional association of product development and management, and may therefore be more representative of “best practice” in new product development (NPD) than of NPD in general. The authors believe the use of the key informant method is justified in this study, however this method has been criticized in the past.

Originality/value

The pricing decision for a new product is sometimes oversimplified as a “high‐low” or “skimming versus penetration” choice. The study finds that the actual effect of pricing on ultimate success is much more complex, and that one must consider not only price level, but also the timing of the launch, the logistics and inventory strategy, the extent of market research, testing, and planning, and so forth.
Are drivers of customer satisfaction different for buyers/users from different functional areas?
Authors: Chakraborty Goutam , Srivastava Prashant , Marshall Fred
Published: February 2007

Purpose

The aim of this study is to identify the drivers that influence customer satisfaction in a business‐to‐business context.

Design/methodology/approach

A survey‐based field study was conducted in which 1,068 business customers of a manufacturer of hydraulic and pneumatic equipment participated. Buyers/users reported their perceptions about and satisfaction with a supplier's product‐related services.

Findings

Three drivers of customer satisfaction, reliability, product‐related information, and commercial aspects, were identified. The importance of the last two drivers differed depending on the buyer's/user's primary functional area. For respondents from purchasing and management, commercial aspects were found to be more important than product‐related information. For participants from engineering, maintenance, and production, product‐related information was found to be more important than commercial aspects. The reliability driver emerged as the most important regardless of the functional association of respondents.

Originality/value

The study results elucidate the differences between drivers of customer satisfaction for the buyers/users from different functional areas of an organization.
Business‐to‐business negotiating in China: the role of morality
Authors: Al‐Khatib Jamal A. , Vollmers Stacy M. , Liu Yusin
Published: February 2007

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to examine the effects of Chinese executives' preferred ethical ideologies and Machiavellianism on their perceived appropriateness of negotiation tactics as they operate in a nation transitioning from a planned economy to a market economy.

Design/methodology/approach

A self‐administered survey of a sample 300 Chinese managers with budgetary and personnel responsibilities in Tianjin, China was obtained for the purpose of the present study. A series of regression analyses were conducted to test the proposed relations.

Findings

Results from the regression analyses provided partial confirmations for the proposed relationships. Idealism influenced perceptions of false promises, traditional competitive bargaining, and attacking an opponents' network. Perceptions of traditional competitive bargaining, attacking an opponent's network, and inappropriate information gathering were significantly influenced by relativism. Machiavellianism influenced perceptions of traditional competitive bargaining and misrepresentation of information.

Research limitations/implications

Given the existing impediments to sampling and data collection in China, the sampling method used is non‐probabilistic, which calls for consideration of the results as exploratory. The present study's sample is drawn from the Northeastern region of China and since ethical beliefs and orientation in China varies by region, the results of the present study cannot be generalized to the total population of China.

Originality/value

The present study aims to provide the following contribution. First, as most studies in the negotiation ethics literature are focused in Western cultural contexts, this study attempts to fill this gap by investigating the negotiation ethical values of executives from Eastern culture. Second, global firms' executives can better understand the ethical mindset of their Chinese counterparts and utilize this knowledge to efficiently and effectively manage the negotiation process with their counterparts in this important market. Third, public policymakers and researchers can also benefit from this study by understanding the external validity and the degree of ethnocentrism of not only their own code of ethics but also the validity of a universal code of ethic.
Establishing a service channel: a transaction cost analysis of a channel contract between a cruise line and a tour operator
Authors: Ng Irene C.L.
Published: February 2007

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to highlight why service firms have difficulty in establishing channels and how transaction costs increase as a result. The paper shows how such difficulties may be overcome a mechanism that uses service capacity strategically.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper uses a case study approach, and conducts a transaction cost analysis of the archival data of a cruise line along with the contract between the cruise line and a tour operator.

Findings

The results show that service intermediaries aren't able to take inventory and are unable to demonstrate their commitment. Consequently, both parties would be unwilling to establish a contract. However, commitment can be achieved through the intermediary investing in relationship‐specific assets that it could recover, subject to performance. Similarly, the firm could pledge its capacity for its investment in the specific assets. Such a mechanism aligns the interests of both.

Practical implications

This case analyses an actual contract between two service firms and the issues surrounding it.

Originality/value

As contracts and actual company data of this nature are usually confidential, this paper is useful to provide insights into the process of deliberation and formation of service contracts.
The conceptual domain of service loyalty: how many dimensions?
Authors: Jones Tim , Taylor Shirley F.
Published: February 2007

Purpose

The majority of research in marketing now represents loyalty as a multi‐dimensional construct; however, agreement on whether it has two or three dimensions is lacking, and measurement of these dimensions has been inconsistent. The purpose of this paper is to utilize theory from the psychology literature on interpersonal relationships to provide theoretical guidance for examining the nature of service loyalty and to uncover its dimensionality.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper argues for and tests, using survey data from over 300 service customers, a multi‐dimensional conceptualization of loyalty based on theory from the interpersonal psychology literature.

Findings

The findings of this research highlight that service loyalty is similar to loyalty in interpersonal relationships, providing further evidence for the notion that service provider‐consumer relationships can approximate friendships or even romantic partnerships in terms of loyalty‐like responses. It also suggests that to identify truly loyal customers firms should, at the very least, measure loyalty‐related outcomes from both dimensions.

Research limitations/implications

The study was limited to consumer‐based services.

Originality/value

This paper identifies several manifestations of loyalty such as altruism, identification, advocacy, willingness to pay more, and strength of preference that are all‐too‐often ignored in commonly used marketing metrics. Viewing service loyalty in the same manner as pro‐relationship behaviors that develop in friendships and romantic relationships shows promise for the understanding of service loyalty.
An evaluation of reports on the attendance of pupils in out‐of‐school provision
Authors: Reid Ken
Published: February 2007

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to analyse and evaluate Office for Standards in Education (Ofsted) reports on attendance issues within local education authorities' out‐of‐school provision.

Design/methodology/approach

A full cohort of Ofsted reports on inspections of out‐of‐school units, often known as pupil referral units (PRUs), undertaken in England in 2003 were scrutinised. The attendance data were then analysed statistically and geographically by region. The regions designated were the north of England, London and the Home Counties, the Midlands and the rest of England.

Findings

The findings indicate that unauthorised absence rates in PRUs are more than ten times those reported for primary and secondary schools and for local education authorities (LEAs). Overall, unauthorised absence rates exceed authorised rates throughout a majority of PRUs inspected in England in 2003; the exact opposite to schools. There are considerable variations in rates of authorised and unauthorised absence between PRUs within the same regions and within some LEAs.

Practical implications

Ofsted appear to give more latitude towards attendance issues within PRUs than they do in their inspection reports for schools and LEAs. The implications of these findings are considered along with the need for further research.

Originality/value

This is the first article of its kind to analyse and evaluate the implications of Ofsted reports on attendance issues within LEAs out‐of‐school units.
Labour relations in the Spanish public administration in a context of change
Authors: Manuel Lasierra José
Published: February 2007

Purpose

This paper aims to study the development of new forms of management systems such as quality management in the context of the Spanish public administration.

Design/methodology/approach

It reviews the main literature on the topic and relevant policy texts.

Findings

The organisation of work within the private sector has undergone important transformations compared with the model of industrial worker that existed in the mid‐twentieth century. In the public sector, these changes have been less noticeable, at least within the Spanish context. Yet, it has undergone and is still undergoing important changes as far as its economic and social standing, targets and procedures are concerned. Organisational adjustment to such changes has been limited, especially in the area of work organisation.

Research limitations/implications

It is a general overview of key developments.

Practical implications

It is relevant for a discussion of the general trends and dynamic of public sector industrial relations in Spain.

Originality/value

It manages to take an overview of changes in the public sector and point to the uncertain development of a new market approach.
Legal requirements for transparency in appointments and promotions in Swedish higher education institutions
Authors: Svensson Göran
Published: February 2007

Purpose

The purpose of this research is to describe and assess the legal requirements for transparency in appointments and promotions in the higher‐education institutions of Sweden.

Design/methodology/approach

The study uses both qualitative and quantitative approaches to explore legal documents, analyse data, and conduct interviews with leading executives in Swedish higher‐education institutions and administrative bodies.

Findings

Transparency is shown to exist at all stages of documentation and decision‐making procedures. In particular, appeals to the Board of Appeal are rarely approved.

Research limitations/implications

The findings might not be applicable to public sectors in other countries. There is potential for further research to explore transparency in similar procedures in other comparable countries.

Practical implications

Quality assurance and quality control with respect to appointments and promotions in higher‐education institutions might be enhanced by legal requirements for transparency of documentation and decision‐making procedures.

Originality/value

The study provides original research into the administration of part of the Swedish public service and suggests that this might be seen as a potential benchmark for quality assurance and quality control with respect to public access to documentation and decision‐making procedures.
Capacity building for decentralisation in Mexico: a psychosocial approach
Authors: Pick Susan , Xocolotzin Ulises , Ruesga Carolina
Published: February 2007

Purpose

The purpose of this research is to examine which competencies have to be addressed in individual training programs that can help government officials to implement decentralisation policies in Mexico. The paper is based on a psychosocial approach to training seeking to enhance knowledge and skills.

Design/methodology/approach

An extensive structured interview was held with a sample of 75 municipality and state officials, to survey the needs and difficulties experienced by officials in the realization of decentralization measures.

Findings

Results show lack of competencies and agency among the officials in various respects, such as fear of decision making and low self confiidence.

Research limitations/implications

The analysis is based on the perceptions and views of the participants. Further steps will be needed to develop and test an actual training program.

Practical implications

Lack of success of decentralisation is in part attributable to lack of relevant social competencies among officials. This can be addressed by training programs.

Originality/value

The article advocates a capacity building approach that addresses the individual as well as the institutional and policy environment. It focuses on specific beliefs, knowledge, attitudes and skills that enable kinds of behavior changes likely to facilitate decentralization. When individuals develop psychosocial skills, their competency to take initiative, and to confidently and responsibly deal with difficult situations (i.e. agency) is enhanced.
“Always work with a straight back”: the fallacies of modern management and the alternative
Authors: Petersen Verner C.
Published: February 2007

Purpose

The purpose of this article is to show that the tools of modern management which are supposed to promote effectiveness, efficiency and responsible behaviour, may in fact contribute to the opposite, and to present the outline of an alternative based upon new ideas of self‐organisation and value‐based leadership.

Design/methodology/approach

Practical examples are used to discuss and demonstrate the problematic consequences of using management tools like detailed work descriptions, standards, comprehensive measurement schemes, and rule‐based specifications of responsibility. Constructed examples and emerging theoretical concepts are used to discuss and propose an alternative to the use of such tools.

Findings

The discussion indicates that the use of detailed work descriptions, standards, comprehensive measurement schemes, and rule‐based specifications of responsibility will result in mind‐less and care‐less behaviour by employees, while an alternative relying on self‐organisation and value‐based leadership might preserve and enhance insight, motivation and responsibility.

Researchlimitations/implications

The paper is mainly a conceptual discussion using examples.

Practical implications

There are important implications for the management of knowledge intensive companies and institutions. The paper refers to one large‐scale implementation of the alternative in a Danish bank.

Originality/value

The paper represents a first step in constructing an alternative to the tool‐based views of management found in mainstream theories.
Application of quality tools by the Saudi food industry
Authors: Abdulrahman Alsaleh Naser
Published: February 2007

Purpose

The food industry in Saudi Arabia is continually challenged by fierce competition from giant international food processing firms. In spite of that, it constantly shows signs of growth as reflected in its exports. The competition is expected to propagate after joining the World Trade Organization. An investigation identified the readiness and quality status of the Saudi food industry to endure the new challenge and survive the free trade market. The purpose of this paper is to examine the application of the quality tools in the production setups of this industry and to explore signs of TQM to evaluate its competitiveness.

Design/methodology/approach

A sample drawn from the Saudi food industry was exposed to an empirical survey supported by structured interviews to measure the quality standing of the industry. The survey results were statistically analyzed and presented.

Findings

Evidence of the adoption of quality tools and an interest to exploit even more advanced quality measures indicate an encouraging future for the food industry in Saudi Arabia. Moreover, findings reflect enthusiasm of the sector to attain internationally recognized quality awards.

Research limitations/implications

The motives that stimulate the Saudi industry to practice the quality standards were not investigated. Further exploration is necessary to diagnose the roots of these motives and ultimately suggests a set of guidelines to reinforce or alter the existing motives.

Originality/value

The findings of this study contribute to the prediction and formation of the future of the industrial sector in Saudi Arabia, especially after joining the World Trade Organization.
Salt‐free reactive dyeing of cotton
Authors: Chattopadhyay D.P. , Chavan R.B. , Sharma J.K.
Published: February 2007

Purpose

Fibre reactive dyes are very popular for cellulosic garments as they are environmentally safe and having good overall fastness properties. But application of these dyes requires a very high concentration of salt. The salt released from garment dyeing increases salinity in drain water stream which has a negative impact on environmental ecology. The present work aims to eliminate the usage of salt during dyeing of cotton goods with reactive dyes.

Design/methodology/approach

The methodology adopted here, for the elimination of salt in cotton dyeing, was based on the principle of cationisation (to develop a positive charge) of cotton. The same was achieved by subjecting the caustic pretreated cotton fabric samples to a treatment of 1, 2 dichloroethane followed by methylamine to introduce amino groups in the cellulose structure. The treated cotton when dyed from slightly acidic bath generates positive sites due to protonation in the amino group. The reactive dyes being anionic (negatively charged) in solution get attracted to the positive charges on the fibre which eliminates the salt requirements for satisfactory dye exhaustion.

Findings

The investigation was conducted for cold brand, hot brand and highly exhaustive reactive dyes. The modified cotton showed excellent dye exhaustion for all the dyes in the absence of salt. The treatment was found to improve the dye fixation also. The modification was assessed through elemental analysis.

Research limitations/implications

This study may be further extended to viscose material after suitably modifying the treatment conditions.

Practical implications

A pretreatment to cotton which could eliminate the usage of salt in its dyeing with reactive dyes is revealed.

Originality/value

The study explored a newer technique of cotton dyeing without salt usage. Both garment dyeing units and fabric/yarn finishing industries would thus be helpful.
How has the implementation of the UK Freedom of Information Act 2000 affected archives and records management services?
Authors: Shepherd Elizabeth , Ennion Elizabeth
Published: February 2007

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to consider what the impact of the first six months of the Freedom of Information Act has been on archives and records management services in UK public services. The UK Freedom of Information Act was passed in 2000 and came into full operation on 1 January 2005. It gives people, regardless of nationality, a right to be told whether public bodies hold information and to be provided with that information. Similar legislation exists in over 50 countries including the USA, Canada, Australia and Ireland.

Design/methodology/approach

The project undertook interviews with four case study organisations: University College London, the Metropolitan Police, Peterborough City Council and Soham Village College. Using the Department for Constitutional Affairs Model Action Plan, the researchers examined leadership and policy, training and awareness, information and records management, customers and stakeholders and systems and procedures.

Findings

The research showed that the four case study organisations coped well with the requests they received in the first six months of 2005. However, the systems would not have been robust enough had request levels been higher.

Originality/value

Archives and records management services are a key part of FOI and should take an active role in research to establish best practice.
An assessment of well‐being of principals in Flemish primary schools
Authors: Devos G. , Bouckenooghe D. , Engels N. , Hotton G. , Aelterman A.
Published: February 2007

Purpose

The goal of this inquiry is to indicate which individual, organisational and external environment factors contribute to a better understanding of the well‐being of Flemish primary school principals.

Design/methodology/approach

Data from a representative sample of primary schools in Flanders (n = 46) were gathered through questionnaires (principals and teachers) and semi‐structured interviews (principals).

Findings

The quantitative and qualitative outcomes suggest that well‐being is a complex psychological phenomenon affected by a myriad of factors. The analyses indicate that general self‐efficacy and achievement orientedness are significantly correlated with several aspects of positive (i.e. job satisfaction and job enthusiasm) and negative well‐being (i.e. cynicism and personal accomplishment). With respect to school culture and structural characteristics, very weak almost negligible effects are noted. In addition, the analysis demonstrates the significant role school boards fulfill in explaining both positive and negative well‐being. Finally, the role of central government in generally is found to affect well‐being in a negative way.

Practical implications

The findings of this paper provide important information for policy makers concerned with the improvement of the well‐being of primary school principals.

Originality/value

Although prior research investigated the influence of different antecedents on well‐being, several limitations in method and conceptual framework yielded information of which the usefulness must be considered tentative. In this inquiry an attempt is made to overcome these limitations and contribute to the literature in a double way: this study adopts a concurrent mixed method approach of data collection; and well‐being is examined from a positive psychology (job enthusiasm and job satisfaction) and negative psychology approach (burnout), whereas prior research almost exclusively looked at the negative pole of well‐being.
Fashion clothing – where does it all end up?
Authors: Birtwistle G. , Moore C.M.
Published: February 2007

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to investigate how consumers dispose of fashion products and how it might be possible to increase sustainable consumption of textiles.

Design/methodology/approach

Increasing volumes of textiles are being produced, purchased and disposed of in landfill sites, which affect the environment. Research has identified the influences in increased purchase behaviour and the tendency to keep clothing for a shorter time. The primary research, undertaken in three stages, is an exploratory examination of the experiences of UK consumers and charity shops managers. Focus groups and key informant interviews were undertaken to achieve the objectives.

Findings

This qualitative study identifies consumers' lack of understanding of how this behaviour affects the environment and key informant interviews explore how clothing can be re‐used and recycled. The conclusions assess what can be learnt from the data and offer suggestions for future research.

Originality/value

The paper is a new area of research which has global implications.
Occupational stress in the chef profession
Authors: Murray‐Gibbons R. , Gibbons C.
Published: February 2007

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to consider the occupational stress experienced by chefs and the moderating influence of coping behaviour and locus of control on stress outcomes.

Design/methodology/approach

A total of 40 working chefs were surveyed. They were asked to complete an occupational stress questionnaire, the General Health Questionnaire. Differences were sought between gender and locus of control and stress measures, and correlations were carried out between key variables.

Findings

The reported stress was markedly higher than in previous research. Excessive workload, feeling undervalued and communication issues were common and bullying and threats of violence were present for some. Unexpectedly, locus of control was unable to predict stress experiences. Explanations were offered, such as the possibility that those who perceive they have a strong sense of control may believe that this, paradoxically, affords them the opportunity to engage in unhealthy behaviours.

Research limitations/implications

Limitations of the research include the influence of the wider environment, specifically the history of political violence in the province, and its possible effect on stress outcomes. However, this may be negated by the many positive effects peace has brought over the last decade. In drawing conclusions it is important to note the limitations of the sample size and the self‐reporting nature of survey responses. Further research could usefully incorporate well‐being as well as stress measures, including physiological ones. It would be worth exploring further how one's sense of control affects perceptions of stress and, in turn, the coping behaviours engaged in.

Practical implications

Practical implications include the need for managers and head chefs to provide more feedback to employees, to validate their good work and to foster a supportive working environment. Norms in the working environment endorsing aggressive behaviour must be challenged. Staff appraisals should consider the need to have work that involves variety and challenge, especially where changes involve increases in workload.

Originality/value

This paper identifies some important ingredients to reduce distress and it will be of value to chefs and other kitchen staff and, more broadly, to those involved in people management.
Exploring service quality in the health and fitness industry
Authors: Lagrosen Stefan , Lagrosen Yvonne
Published: February 2007

Purpose

The purpose of the paper is to discover quality dimensions for the health‐and‐fitness industry and to examine the salient aspects of the quality‐management practices of organisations in this industry.

Design/methodology/approach

The research in this paper uses a grounded‐theory approach to a multiple case study of 15 companies in the Swedish health‐and‐fitness industry. Qualitative methods in the form of in‐depth interviews and observation are utilised for data collection.

Findings

The paper finds that a framework for fitness quality management is developed and presented. The quality dimensions are found to be “pleasure”, “mental change”, and “physical change”. The main enablers are defined as “relational competence” and “technical competence”. Other indirect enablers are also identified and described.

Research limitations/implications

The paper shows that because the framework is based on qualitative data collection, the relationships are not quantified. This could be an objective of further research.

Practical implications

The framework presented in this paper is useful for managers of fitness companies when designing and managing their activities.

Originality/value

The paper presents a novel framework of the salient features of quality in fitness services – an industry that has received little scholarly attention in the past. This research also contributes to the general understanding of service quality, and demonstrates the usefulness of inductive qualitative methodology in this regard.
Investigating and classifying clients' satisfaction with business incubator services
Authors: Abduh Muhamad , D'Souza Clare , Quazi Ali , Burley Henry T.
Published: February 2007

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to show that a business incubation/incubator program is an enterprise development strategy, aimed at accelerating the process of formation, development, survivability and growth of new enterprises by providing those new enterprises (clients) with a wide range of business assistance including physical facilities, business counselling and networking. This paper presents results of a research conducted to investigate the level of satisfaction/dissatisfaction of the clients with the provision of those assistance services.

Design/methodology/approach

In this paper the level of clients' satisfaction/dissatisfaction with a service is calculated using a proposed framework in terms of the mean difference between the importance of the service and the effectiveness of incubator management in providing the respective service as perceived by the clients.

Findings

The results in this paper indicate that clients were generally more satisfied with facility related services than the counselling and business networking assistances services. However, there are significant differences between the perceived importance attached to a number of facility related services and the effectiveness of those services, suggesting a variation of the level of clients' satisfaction.

Originality/value

These findings have important implications for the management of business incubation programs, which are highlighted in this paper.
Mixed convection heat and mass transfer of non‐Newtonian fluids from a permeable surface embedded in a porous medium
Authors: Chamkha Ali J. , Al‐Humoud Jasem M.
Published: February 2007

Purpose

To consider simultaneous heat and mass transfer by mixed convection for a non‐Newtonian power‐law fluid from a permeable vertical plate embedded in a fluid‐saturated porous medium in the presence of suction or injection and heat generation or absorption effects.

Design/methodology/approach

The problem is formulated in terms of non‐similar equations. These equations are solved numerically by an efficient implicit, iterative, finite‐difference method.

Findings

It was found that as the buoyancy ratio was increased, both the local Nusselt and Sherwood numbers increased in the whole range of free and mixed convection regime while they remained constant for the forced‐convection regime. However, they decreased and then increased forming dips as the mixed‐convection parameter was increased from the free‐convection limit to the forced‐convection limit for both Newtonian and dilatant fluid situations.

Research limitations/implications

The problem is limited to slow flow of non‐Newtonian power‐law fluids in porous media. Future research may consider inertia effects of porous media for relatively higher velocity flows.

Practical implications

A very useful source of information for researchers on the subject of non‐Newtonian fluids in porous media.

Originality/value

This paper illustrates simultaneous heat and mass transfer in porous media for power‐law fluids with heat generation or absorption effects.
A computational fluid dynamics analysis of a PEM fuel cell system for power generation
Authors: Carcadea Elena , Ene H. , Ingham D.B. , Lazar R. , Ma L. , Pourkashanian M. , Stefanescu I.
Published: February 2007

Purpose

This paper aims to present a three‐dimensional computational fluid dynamics (CFD) model that simulates the fluid flow, species transport and electric current flow in PEM fuel cells.

Design/methodology/approach

The model makes use of a general‐purpose CFD software as a basic tool incorporating fuel cell specific submodels for multi‐component species transport, electrochemical kinetics, water management and electric phase potential analysis in order to simulate various processes that occur in a PEM fuel cell.

Findings

Three dimensional results for the flow field, species transport, including waster formations, and electric current distributions are presented for two test flow configurations in the PEM fuel cell. For the two cases presented, reasonable predictions have been obtained, and this provides an insight into the effect of the flow designs to the operation of the fuel cell.

Research limitations/implications

It is appreciated that the CFD modeling of fuel cells is, in general, still facing significant challenges due to the limited understanding of the complex physical and chemical processes existing within the fuel cell. The model is now under further development to improve its capabilities and undergoing further validations.

Practical implications

The model simulations can provide detailed information on some of the key fluid dynamics, physical and chemical/electro‐chemical processes that exist in fuel cells which are crucial for fuel cell design and optimization.

Originality/value

The model can be used to understand the operation of the fuel cell and provide and alternative to experimental investigations in order to improve the performance of the fuel cell.