bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The performance benefits of being brand‐orientated
Authors: Yin Wong Ho , Merrilees Bill
Published: September 2008

Purpose

This paper aims to undertake an empirical study to investigate the nature and magnitude of potential benefits that accrue to firms that have a high level of brand orientation.

Design/methodology/approach

A quantitative study is undertaken. The sample of firms surveyed included more than 400. The scope of the study included measuring the level of brand orientation among other variables. A conceptual model linking brand orientation and performance is developed and tested.

Findings

The overall structural model fits the data well, giving confidence to interpreting the individual paths within the model. The main result is a very strong positive relationship between brand orientation and brand performance. Brand orientation also exerts another, less direct influence on performance, via brand distinctiveness. Innovation mediates the influence of brand distinctiveness.

Research limitations/implications

The most obvious limitation is that the study pertains to one country only at this stage, pending more applications. The implication for firms is a very strong endorsement of the importance of using branding as a central driver of the entire marketing strategy process. The study identifies a number of brand barriers that stand in the way of becoming brand‐oriented. Recognising these brand barriers may assist firms to make progress towards becoming more brand‐oriented.

Originality/value

This is one of the first studies to quantify the performance benefits of being brand‐oriented. The study is also among the first to include the role of brand distinctiveness as a potential influence on brand performance.
A cross‐national validation of the consumer‐based brand equity scale
Authors: Buil Isabel , de Chernatony Leslie , Martínez Eva
Published: September 2008

Purpose

This study seeks to investigate the measurement invariance of the consumer‐based brand equity scale across two samples of UK and Spanish consumers.

Design/methodology/approach

Brand equity was conceptualised as a multi‐dimensional concept consisting of brand awareness, perceived quality, brand associations and brand loyalty. To test the brand equity scale cross‐nationally a survey was undertaken in the UK and Spain. Measurement invariance was assessed using multi‐group confirmatory factor analysis.

Findings

The brand equity scale was invariant across the two countries. Results show that the consumer‐based brand equity scale has similar dimensionality and factor structure across countries. In addition, consumers respond to the items of brand equity in the same way, which allows meaningful comparison of scores.

Research limitations/implications

Future research could examine the cross‐national generalisability of the brand equity scale using other countries' products and services.

Practical implications

Given that the brand equity scale is invariant across countries, researchers and international marketing managers can use this instrument to measure and manage brand equity across countries. This is suitable for testing theoretical and conceptual relationships in different national settings and allows managers to design and implement efficient international brand strategies.

Originality/value

The study contributes to the scarce literature testing the cross‐national applicability of consumer‐based brand equity. Furthermore, the research enhances consumer‐based brand equity measurement by using a non‐student sample and including a different type of brand associations and multi‐item measures for all the brand equity dimensions.
Online satisfaction, trust and loyalty, and the impact of the offline parent brand
Authors: Horppu Marianne , Kuivalainen Olli , Tarkiainen Anssi , Ellonen Hanna‐Kaisa
Published: September 2008

Purpose

The objective of this paper is to examine online brand relationships, and the linkage between satisfaction, trust, and loyalty on the web site level. The web site is considered to be an extension of the parent brand. It also seeks to explore the effects of offline experiences on web site‐level experiences.

Design/methodology/approach

Hierarchical regression analysis is applied in order to test the hypotheses. The data are based on an online survey (n=867) conducted on a Finnish consumer‐magazine web site.

Findings

The research findings support the results of earlier studies suggesting that satisfaction and trust on the web site level are determinants of web site loyalty. However, they also show that brand‐level experiences affect online satisfaction, trust, and loyalty differently, depending on the consumers' relationship with the brand. Interestingly, in this case the length of user history and registration on the web site had a negative effect on web site trust. Two of the reasons behind this type of result are believed to be the prevalent culture in web site discussion forums and the degree of fit between the parent brand and the brand extension.

Originality/value

The paper synthesises the literature on online and offline brand relationships and brand extension. The results of the study, which was based on a large‐scale survey, give researchers and practising managers alike valuable information on how parent‐brand experiences relate to the attitudes and commitment of customers to online brand extensions. The context of the study, i.e. the magazine publishing industry, has attracted less research attention, even though several publishers have extended their brands online.
Maintenance audit by means of value analysis technique and decision rules
Authors: Carnero Carmen , Delgado Sheila
Published: September 2008

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to show that the increase in competitiveness in relation to requirements regarding quality, availability, safety and service has contributed to demonstrating the need to change the concept of maintenance from a tactical issue to a strategic subject in companies. In order to evaluate the efficiency and effectiveness of the maintenance area, it is essential to carry out an audit that detects and diagnoses the problems that could develop, provides solutions to these dysfunctions and adapts the function of maintenance to the specifications of the standard ISO 9001.

Design/methodology/approach

A maintenance audit is applied to a service company. The methodology applied to design the audit is based on the integration of the weighting technique Simple Multiple Attribute Rating Technique (SMART), the value analysis technique (applied generally to new product design) and an expert system based on rules. The SMART technique provides the weighting between the functions related to sections of the bank entity and through value analysis the limit values for states of functions for each section and the current value for functions of the bank entity can be obtained. By means of decision rules the previous values are interconnected using different first and second level variables to establish the state of the maintenance activities by sections.

Findings

The expert system simulates the behaviour of a human expert specializing in the area, by means of numerous rules and relations between different variables associated with the specific maintenance functions, in order to obtain the maintenance state by sections and the general maintenance state of the bank.

Originality/value

The development of a maintenance audit in a service company, where the number of contributions is very limited, in comparison with manufacturing companies, is presented. Also presented is the integration of decision‐making tools such as the weighting technique SMART with the value analysis technique and rule‐based expert system to create a maintenance audit. The maintenance audit developed can be applied in the context of a continuous improvement environment.
Proactive reliability maintenance: a case study concerning maintenance service costs
Authors: Manuel Inácio da Silva Carlos , Manuel Pereira Cabrita Carlos , Carlos de Oliveira Matias João
Published: September 2008

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to emphasize that the choice of the most appropriate maintenance model and policies is the best way to reduce significantly the maintenance costs as well as to optimize the useful Key Performance Indicators – failure rates, reliability, mean time between failures, mean time to repair, and equipment availabilities.

Design/methodology/approach

In order to implement the Asset Effectiveness Optimization AEO as well as the Overall Equipment Effectiveness OEE, improving productivity in a complex food‐products plant, the paper presents a theoretical and experimental study related to the maintenance costs directly associated with the equipment used in production tasks.

Findings

The developed tool is an efficient method of calculating the maintenance costs and allows one by means of computational simulation to define the most advisable maintenance policy. On the other hand, the proposed relationships are universal and could be used as an economic evaluation indicator for other industries and equipment.

Research limitations/implications

Further research should include the application of the proposed methodology to the similar equipment of other food‐products plants as well as to other different equipment in order to create benchmarking procedures. This generator of technical information is the most appropriate method of optimizing maintenance key performance indicators.

Practical implications

As is well known, equipment availability must be as close to 100 per cent as possible, in order to avoid non‐planned breakdowns with the consequent production losses. Then it is important to adopt the most advisable maintenance policies and practices, the proposed methodology being an efficient tool for evaluating the maintenance performance and, in addition, for optimizing procedures.

Originality/value

The proposed methodology represents an efficient way to evaluate the maintenance performance as well as to choose better maintenance policies and practices in order to reduce costs and increase maintenance key performance indicators.
An optimum condition‐based replacement and spare provisioning policy based on Markov chains
Authors: Wang Ling , Chu Jian , Mao Weijie
Published: September 2008

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to develop a condition‐based replacement and spare provisioning policy for deteriorating systems with a number of identical units.

Design/methodology/approach

The deterioration of units is modeled based on discrete‐time Markov chains, which can be classified into one of a finite number of states. Then, a condition‐based replacement and spare provisioning policy is proposed for deteriorating systems with a number of identical units. This policy combines the condition‐based replacement policy and the (S, s) type inventory policy, where S is the maximum stock level and s is the reorder level. The Monte Carlo approach is utilized for evaluating the average cost rate of the system under the proposed policy. Finally, numerical examples are given to illustrate the performance of the proposed policy, as well as the sensitivity analysis of cost parameters.

Findings

The negative influences of increasing the lead time can be reduced by optimizing the decisions of condition‐based replacement and spare order based on the proposed policy.

Practical implications

This policy would be applicable for jointly optimizing the spare provisioning decisions and the condition‐based maintenance of the units in deteriorating systems (e.g. a group of identical motors included in a fleet of vehicles).

Originality/value

The paper considers simultaneously two aspects that influence condition‐based maintenance decisions: the availability of spares and the deterioration state of units.
Psychological antecedents of career women's fashion clothing conformity
Authors: Piamphongsant Thinada , Mandhachitara Rujirutana
Published: September 2008

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to examine the relationship between independent and interdependent self‐construal and attention to social comparison information (ATSCI) on professional career women's fashion clothing conformity.

Design/methodology/approach

A sample of 207 professional career women aged 21‐50 living in London and New York were interviewed using a structured questionnaire via the internet.

Findings

A partial least square analysis found that interdependent self‐construal has strong and positive relationships with ATSCI, and that this construct, in‐turn, has a strong and positive relationship with motivation to conform. Independent self‐construal has a significant, but unhypothesized, relationship with ATSCI. However, independent self‐construal is significantly negatively related to conformity motivation.

Research limitations/implications

A limitation of the study includes the reliance on internet self‐administered data collection method.

Practical implications

The integrations of the individuals into, and their interactions with, the fashion adoption process is a phenomenon very relevant to marketers in identifying patterns of individual and social influences on fashion clothing tastes.

Originality/value

The findings are valuable because they apply, for the first time, four important psychological constructs to the subject field of professional career women's fashion choices.
The influence of mall environment on female fashion shoppers' value and behaviour
Authors: Michon Richard , Yu Hong , Smith Donna , Chebat Jean‐Charles
Published: September 2008

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to explore how the shopping mall environment influences the shopping experience and approach behaviour of female fashion shoppers.

Design/methodology/approach

Female shoppers were first clustered along the fashion orientation of the stores they patronise. Shoppers' response and behaviour was modelled in an invariant multigroup latent structural path analysis. Paths were initially constrained and then released as required. A total of 286 usable questionnaires were administered using a mall intercept survey method in a regional shopping centre. Participants were probed on their shopping activities, shopping mall perception, product perception, shopping value and approach behaviour toward the mall.

Findings

A favourable perception of the mall atmosphere elicits a positive perception of the merchandise offering and triggers hedonic shopping experiences. The effect of the mall environment, mediated by product perception, significantly impacts the shopping objectives of middle‐of‐the‐road female fashion shoppers. Mall atmospherics has no or little effect on the utilitarian value of low‐ or high‐fashion oriented shoppers. Hedonic response of fashion forward shoppers is not stronger than that of other fashion shoppers.

Research limitations/implications

This study was carried out in one regional mall and should be replicated to other locations and markets. A larger sample would allow the inclusion of additional constructs.

Practical implications

Mall developers and operators are not only in real estate; they are also retailers. The mall environment is central to the perception of merchandise quality, and the shopping experience. Mall operators must be aware that the middle market target group is one that is highly sought after. They should strive to create a tenant mix that satisfies the many layers of fashion shopper needs.

Originality/value

This study represents a first attempt that investigates the integrated shopping experience of fashion shoppers in a shopping mall setting. It segments shoppers on their actual shopping behaviour rather than psychometrics.
Hispanic consumers' shopping orientation and apparel retail store evaluation criteria
Authors: Seock Yoo‐Kyoung , Sauls Nicki
Published: September 2008

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to investigate Hispanic consumers' shopping orientations and their apparel retail store evaluation criteria and to examine age and gender differences in their shopping orientations and retail store evaluation criteria.

Design/methodology/approach

A structured questionnaire was developed to collect data on the variables in the study. The questionnaire was developed both in English and Spanish. Factor analysis was employed to identify Hispanic consumers' shopping orientations and their retail store evaluation criteria. Pillai's trace multivariate analyses of variance were used to examine the hypotheses.

Findings

Six shopping orientation constructs and three constructs of store evaluation criteria were identified. The results revealed that males and females have different shopping orientations and apparel retail store evaluation criteria. Shopping orientation and apparel retail store evaluation criteria also varied across the age groups.

Research limitations/implications

This study has practical implications for apparel retailers regarding how to position their stores in targeting different groups of shoppers and how to allocate their resources and promote products. Additionally, the findings of the study will reveal how to provide an optimal shopping experience to Hispanic consumers so that apparel retailers can develop localized marketing strategies to target the areas with a large Hispanic population.

Originality/value

Despite the importance of understanding Hispanic consumers' apparel shopping behavior, little research has been conducted.
Motivators of fair labor management and the role of top management in the US clothing/footwear industry
Authors: Park Haesun , Rees Kathleen
Published: September 2008

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to examine the effects of motivational factors (suppliers and workers are important stakeholders and corporate image concern) on fair labor management (FLM) and the mediating role of top‐management commitment in the relationships.

Design/methodology/approach

Responses from sourcing managers of US clothing and footwear companies were gathered through a mail survey and analyzed using a mediated regression analysis and a structural equation modeling technique.

Findings

Both the norms in which suppliers and workers are important stakeholders and concern regarding corporate image were significantly related to FLM. The relationship between corporate image concern and FLM was mediated by top‐management commitment and that the relationship between the importance of suppliers and their workers as stakeholders and FLM was partially mediated by top‐management commitment.

Practical implications

Results suggest that changes in the norm, where suppliers and workers are accepted as important stakeholders of the firm, have a direct influence on FLM and that top‐management is requisite in executing FLM orientation and actions in the firms as a response to changing norms and growing pressure in the society regarding labor issues.

Originality/value

Organizational condition for the two commonly cited drivers of FLM to work was discovered.
Fashion and frequency of purchase: womenswear consumption in Britain, 1961‐2001
Authors: Majima Shinobu
Published: September 2008

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to model the relationships between women's outerwear consumption, frequency of purchase and consumer profiles, and to analyse historical changes in particular, using repeated cross‐sectional data on household expenditure.

Design/methodology/approach

A sample of over 20,000 female spenders, aged between 16 and 54 were extracted from UK Family Expenditure Survey (FES). Tobit model, “two‐part” model and pseudo‐panel model were used to estimate consumer demand for women's outerwear, taking infrequency of purchase into account.

Findings

The importance of “fashion” in clothing consumption has risen by two‐fold since the 1960s, measured by purchase probability. Clothing have transformed from durable goods to consumables. Youth, class and women's employment are found to be significantly related to fashion consumption, controlling for the rise in income.

Research limitations/implications

The findings are limited to UK female consumers and to the demographic data that are available from FES. The effects of occasions, serendipity, emotions and weather remain to be assessed in future research.

Originality/value

This paper provides a unique measurement of “fashion” for a comparative social science research across time and space. It promotes the usefulness of the perspective of fashion as a powerful critique against the rationality assumption of neoclassical economics with complementary evidence.
Ethnic identity, consumption of cultural apparel, and self‐perceptions of ethnic consumers
Authors: Chattaraman Veena , Lennon Sharron J.
Published: September 2008

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to investigate whether ethnic consumers' consumption of cultural apparel, and attributional responses related to their consumption, is predicted by their strength of ethnic identification. The study also examined whether the consumption of cultural apparel mediates the influence of strength of ethnic identification on consumers' attributional responses.

Design/methodology/approach

Internet survey research was the chosen methodology for this study. A convenience sample of 106 research participants from four ethnic subcultures in the USA were recruited.

Findings

Regression analyses revealed that strength of ethnic identification was a significant predictor of cultural apparel consumption and attribution of emotions and meanings to the consumption. Further, consumption of cultural apparel perfectly mediated the influence of strength of ethnic identification on consumers' attributions of emotions, and partially mediated this influence on consumers' attributions of meanings.

Research limitations/implications

The study provides valuable implications for channeling apparel product development, merchandising, and retailing to better meet the emotional needs and preferences of ethnic consumers. The main limitation of this study is the use of a non‐representative sample.

Originality/value

Prior research on ethnic consumers' motivations in consuming cultural products is limited. This study fills this gap in the literature at a time when large retailers are seeking to attract ethnic consumers through culturally targeted apparel products and brands.
Use of care labels: linking need for cognition with consumer confidence and perceived risk
Authors: Yan Ruoh‐Nan , Yurchisin Jennifer , Watchravesringkan Kittichai
Published: September 2008

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to investigate the effect of apparel care label information presentation formats (i.e. symbols only, text only, and the combination) and the individual trait of need for cognition on consumers' confidence in and risk perceptions about the post‐purchase activity of care of apparel items.

Design/methodology/approach

A scenario‐based experiment was conducted using a convenience sample of 275 undergraduate students for data collection. MANCOVA was conducted to test the hypotheses.

Findings

The findings of this research suggest not only that the text only format and the combination of text and symbols format are preferred to the symbols only format but also that the text only format was the most preferred among the three formats. Both the text only format and the combination format significantly increased consumers' confidence in and reduced consumers' risk perceptions about their care of apparel items.

Practical implications

The symbols only label does reduce apparel manufacturers' costs. However, because consumers may use care label information as a decision criterion for purchasing apparel items, industry practitioners need to also pay attention to the impact of end consumers' perceptions of these labels on their purchase decisions.

Originality/value

Examination of three different information presentation formats (symbols only, text only, and the combination of symbols and text) adds to the extant literature focusing on mainly two levels of formats (i.e. visual vs verbal).
Comparing fashion process networks and friendship networks in small groups of adolescents
Authors: Kim Hyunsook , Rhee Eun‐Young , Yee Jaeyeol
Published: September 2008

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to gain a better understanding of the “fashion process” by exploring and comparing fashion‐process networks and friendship networks in small groups of adolescents, and to explore the factors involved in the causation of “clothing leadership” and “popularity” in such groups.

Design/methodology/approach

Fashion‐process networks and friendship networks are investigated by sociometric nomination with respect to “clothing acceptance” and “social acceptance” in three age groups of Korean adolescents. The patterns and structures of the networks are analyzed using UCINET 6.0 and Netminer 2.6. Certain factors contributing to “clothing leadership” and “popularity” are measured using Likert‐type scales; these include “clothing interest,” “fashion interest,” and “perceived clothing acceptance.” Other factors of interest (such as “academic grade,” “facial attractiveness,” and “bodily attractiveness”) are rated by peer informants.

Findings

Fashion‐process networks are found to be more centralized and polarized than friendship networks. Clothing acceptance is related to peer acceptance and is found to occur within and across friendship links. Clothing leaders are not necessarily the most popular subjects. The most significant factor determining “clothing leadership” is found to be “facial attractiveness.”

Research limitations/implications

Social network analysis is exploratory in nature and the results cannot be statistically verified. However, a better understanding of the characteristics of fashion‐process networks in small groups assists in bridging the gap between individual adoption of fashion at the micro‐level and fashion diffusion in society at the macro‐level.

Practical implications

By illuminating the dynamics of the fashion process in small groups, the study is of assistance in developing marketing strategies that target adolescents.

Originality/value

The study is original in that fashion process in small groups of Korean adolescents is investigated by social network analysis of “clothing acceptance,” and then compared to friendship networks.
Textile and clothing exports of selected South and Southeast Asian countries
Authors: Tsang W.Y. , Au K.F.
Published: September 2008

Purpose

This paper examines and divulges the impacts of North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) on textile and clothing (T&C) exports from selected South and Southeast (S&SE) Asian developing countries and the NAFTA members to the USA.

Design/methodology/approach

A gravity model of sectoral‐level analysis was employed to analyze the effects of the NAFTA on T&C trade among member and non‐member countries. Regional indicator variables were used to identify the change in the T&C trade effect arising from the free trade area (FTA).

Findings

The increase in T&C intra trade within the NAFTA could be shown by the increasing trend of the regional indicator variables in three consecutive time intervals from 1990 to 2001 in the regression model. However, the indicator variables of both the T&C trade models decline substantially to negative value in the period 2002‐2005. This is consistent with the current situation that the total export trade among the NAFTA partners has trended downwards in subsequent years. The descending trend of the intra‐NAFTA T&C trade could be attributed to the increasing competition from S&SE Asian countries with the gradual phasing out of quotas under the Agreement of Textiles and Clothing and the further elimination of quotas after 2005.

Originality/value

The value of this research in assessing the correlation between NAFTA on the T&C trade can show S&SE Asian developing countries the importance of them within their emerging economy. This study shows the specific impact of the FTA and offers a vital insight on global T&C trade.
Towards a global knowledge‐based development agenda
Authors: Carrillo Francisco Javier
Published: September 2008

Purpose

The purpose of the paper is to introduce the 2008 annual special issue on knowledge‐based development (KBD), from the perspective of the construction of an R&D agenda relevant to the international community of knowledge‐based development (KBD) practitioners and researchers.

Design/methodology/approach

The papers in the special issue are introduced and discussed.

Findings

A number of preliminary exercises around the world show a trend towards building a common KBD research and innovation agenda able to diversify into specialized topics such as urbanism, economics and geography, while maintaining a distinctive set of core issues.

Originality/value

This paper introduces a volume that may contribute to raise new questions and stimulate further research into the potential of knowledge as a leverage to the social and economic development of cities, regions and countries.
Rising knowledge cities: the role of urban knowledge precincts
Authors: Yigitcanlar Tan , Velibeyoglu Koray , Martinez‐Fernandez Cristina
Published: September 2008

Purpose

The paper seeks to investigate the changing and challenging spatial nature of the rising knowledge cities' knowledge precincts.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper reviews the literature on recent knowledge precinct developments within the frame of innovation and urban economic competitiveness. The methodology develops a typological investigation and searches for useful insights for better understanding the fundamentals of knowledge precincts. The study exemplifies cases from Australia as well as other global best practices.

Findings

The paper sheds light on the contemporary knowledge production of rising knowledge cities, and points out the changing spatial agglomeration of knowledge‐intensive industries and the formation of new types of knowledge precincts as the spatial core of knowledge‐based urban development.

Originality/value

The paper provides an in‐depth discussion on the changing spatial concepts of knowledge precincts and their vital role for the knowledge‐based urban development of cities.
The fallacy of knowledge reuse: building sustainable knowledge[1]
Authors: Bennet Alex , Bennet David
Published: September 2008

Purpose

Based on recent neuroscience research, and a deeper understanding of information and knowledge, this paper aims to investigate the characteristics of building sustainable knowledge for communities and cities with a focus on the social process of knowledge mobilization.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper explores the concept of knowledge reuse by providing a new model of information and knowledge consistent with neuroscience and the demands of CUCA, using this model as an analogy to explore the social context of knowledge mobilization with its process of collaborative entanglement, and looking at the concepts of knowledge robustness and sustainability from the viewpoints of individuals and the community.

Findings

Knowledge mobilization is modeled after the associative network of neuronal firings in the human brain. The process of collaborative entanglement among experts and stakeholders not only helps provide specific solutions to current issues, but seeds the ground for continuous community improvement, collaboration, and sustainability.

Practical implications

The paper provides practical ideas and techniques for communities and individuals to move toward knowledge sustainability.

Originality/value

The paper develops a new frame of reference for looking at social knowledge mobilization and knowledge sustainability.
Proximity and knowledge gatekeepers: the case of the Polytechnic University of Turin
Authors: Messeni Petruzzelli Antonio
Published: September 2008

Purpose

The paper aims to investigate how proximity dimensions affect the establishment of different knowledge relationships between gatekeepers and other economic actors involved in their knowledge‐based networks.

Design/methodology/approach

The methodology is based on an inductive research approach, represented by the explorative case study of the Polytechnic University of Turin. The University's knowledge relationships are identified and distinguished through the analysis of its patent joint‐developments, citations, and R&D projects. Then, for each knowledge relationship, geographical, organizational, and technological proximity between the University and the other economic actors are assessed, adopting suitable proxies.

Findings

The data reveal that the University activates collaborative and exploitative relationships with actors characterized by geographical, organizational, and technological proximity. In contrast, collaborative and explorative relationships seem to require actors characterized by more distant technological competencies. Furthermore, the exchange of knowledge by means of non‐collaborative relationships occurs between the University and actors characterized only by technological proximity.

Research limitations/implications

On the basis of this analysis, actors can identify which proximity dimensions assume an important role for activating knowledge flows with gatekeepers. Regarding policy implications, the paper highlights how policy makers should leverage proximities in order to favour and support the exchange of knowledge, hence improving the innovative capability, competitiveness, and attractiveness of regional areas.

Originality/value

This research contributes to shed further light on the nature of the relationships and knowledge flows exchanged by the gatekeepers. In particular, it analyzes how relational attributes can affect the knowledge transfer processes between economic actors.
Places Rated Almanacs and roll out neoliberalism
Authors: Rogerson Robert J. , Tremblay Remy
Published: September 2008

Purpose

This paper aims to examine the context of the emergence of Places Rated Almanacs (PRA), their success as a source of place‐based knowledge, and their limitations as predictors of patterns of migration. The paper addresses whether, as an entrepreneurial product created in the spaces arising from the roll back of the nation state and the foregrounding of the local, competitive marketplace, PRAs continue to have relevance. It examines the utility of this knowledge resource in a new era where specific talent attraction and retention is central to neoliberal strategies for economic development.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper offers an analysis of the correlations between PRA ratings and recent migration patterns is undertaken to explore their explanatory power. The contemporary significance of PRA is examined both in terms of the almanac's resonance with actual patterns of migration in the USA, and its resonance with contemporary debates over talent flows.

Findings

It is concluded that place ratings offer only a partial resonance with actual patterns of mobility. Despite the changing political economic context with new neoliberal agendas in place competition, there is potentially continuing utility of such PRAs. The paper argues that greater engagement with contemporary debates over talent attraction, place attachment and social learning would enhance the knowledge basis of such guides.

Originality/value

Within a knowledge economy, the attraction and retention of key talent has become vital. Place rating guides can be a useful resource as a tool within this neoliberal strategy for economic growth. This paper indicates how the established guides such as the PRA need to be updated to retain their utility.
The new dimensions of collaboration: mega and intelligent communities, ICT and wellbeing
Authors: Passerini Katia , Wu Dezhi
Published: September 2008

Purpose

This paper presents best practices of global and local initiatives for social and economic capital development. It introduces the notion of “megacommunities” representing broad multilateral stakeholder groups that work together for the resolutions of large‐scale health, environmental and social problems. The paper also takes a more local view by discussing a few regional and municipal examples of “intelligent communities” at the forefront of the knowledge economy. These mega and intelligent communities are often the first to adopt information and communication technologies (ICT), especially pervasive broadband technologies services, for achieving superior social, human and economic wellbeing. The objective of the paper is to identify common drivers and characteristics of these communities and how they utilize ICT to promote higher‐level growth.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper takes the form of a general review. The paper introduces the notions of wellbeing, human, social and economic capital. It presents examples of mega and intelligent communities that represent the best practices in the achievement of wellbeing.

Findings

The review finds that technological empowerment – in particular information and communication technologies (ICT) – is fundamental to integrate mega and intelligent communities for social, human and economic wellbeing. Through the best practice examples presented in this research, ICT is regarded as the key driver for supporting a sustainable economic development at the global, regional and local levels. Through ICT, it is viable (and essential) to establish a global knowledge base, shared and contributed to by a variety of experts and professionals throughout the world in different fields.

Research limitations/implications

The paper presents examples based on case studies conducted by the authors and based on reviews of the best practice approaches. Based upon the observation of the key success factors and commonalities among the cases, ICT plays an essential role for the sustainable outcomes from the current mega and intelligent community initiatives. Further empirical testing is needed to demonstrate the success factor relationships introduced in this paper.

Practical implications

The paper raises awareness of relevant initiatives that could be adopted and replicated to facilitate sustainable development.

Originality/value

The value of the paper stems from the link between the macro and micro dimensions of different communities. Using the best practice cases as examples, this paper presents worthy lessons to policy makers, governments, global knowledge management, other practitioners and professionals. In particular, it opens up potential opportunities for more effective and efficient global collaborations through highlighting the role of information and communication technologies in the successful management of community practices.
A paradigm shift in the Arab region knowledge evolution
Authors: Mohamed Mirghani S. , O'Sullivan Kevin J. , Ribière Vincent
Published: September 2008

Purpose

The paper seeks to pinpoint new directions of the evolution of knowledge in the Arab region, and to outline the role of knowledge management principles in constructing the knowledge society.

Design/methodology/approach

The article addresses initiatives towards narrowing the knowledge gap and building an egalitarian knowledge society in the Arab region. It reviews, interprets and relates the relevant literature and sheds the light on the Arab region's future plans.

Findings

The article outlines some of the regionally relevant elements needed for building the knowledge society. It also suggests some means of tapping the diversified workforce's tacit knowledge, reversing the “brain drain,” and building potential leadership models.

Originality/value

This article represents an overview and interpretation of the role of knowledge management as it relates to the effectiveness of concepts such as “knowmadism” and the practicality of “megatribe knowledge.” The article provides rendition and a roadmap for decision makers, knowledge workers, and future researchers in the domain of the “knowledge society” within the Arab region.
Knowledge‐based capital in building regional innovation capacity
Authors: Schiuma Giovanni , Lerro Antonio
Published: September 2008

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to investigate the role and the relevance of knowledge‐based capital as a strategic resource and a source of regional innovation capacity. The paper identifies human, relational, structural and social capital as the four main knowledge‐based categories building the knowledge‐based capital of a region. The role of each knowledge‐based category in determining regional innovation capacity is analyzed. Specifically, the authors discuss the relationships among the knowledge‐based categories and a regional innovation capacity.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper is based on an in‐depth literature review of the knowledge management and regional innovation research stream. The fundamental underlying research questions that have driven the research are: “What are the knowledge‐based capital categories affecting a region's innovation capacity?” and “How do knowledge‐based categories influence regional innovation capacity?”. The paper is conceptual in its nature and aims to delineate a theory‐based framework to drive further empirical research.

Findings

The paper first clarifies the concept of knowledge‐based capital and of regional innovation capacity. These are two key concepts for understanding the role and relevance of the knowledge assets bundles in the creation, development and management of innovation capabilities at regional level. Then the paper explores how knowledge‐based components affect the innovation capacity of a region. This is an issue of great relevance for both theory and practice. From the theory point of view it allows the identification of the main factors characterising the links between knowledge assets and innovation capacity, while from a practical point of view it can provide implications for policy makers for the definition of policies oriented towards the development of regional knowledge asset domains to develop regional innovation capacity.

Originality/value

The paper provides an answer to the need to develop a holistic view of the links between a region's knowledge‐based capital and its innovation capacity. Indeed, most of the studies in the literature have analysed the links between isolated knowledge asset categories and innovation capabilities. The paper, on the basis of a clear definition of knowledge‐based capital and innovation capacity, analyses why regional knowledge foundations make differences in the innovation capacity of regions.
Beyond the digital divide: a conceptual framework for analyzing knowledge societies
Authors: Sharma Ravi S. , Ng Elaine W.J. , Dharmawirya Mathias , Keong Lee Chu
Published: September 2008

Purpose

The research reported in this ongoing study aims to investigate the notion of knowledge assets developed within digital communities in the course of their economic or leisure activities. Ideally, the resulting knowledge is universal, affordable and relevant; this inclusiveness is a hallmark of any information or knowledge society.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors first synthesize the related research literature covering the areas of knowledge‐based economies, knowledge societies and knowledge policies. A model using 13 dimensions is then developed, which the authors claim is critical for creating a knowledge community in the digital economy. The model is validated against critique from a Delphi panel of researchers in the area.

Findings

While creating a knowledge society encompasses dimensions pertaining to infrastructure, governance, talent and culture,intangible assetsare key to sustaining such societies. Governance and culture are instances of such intangibles. Talent may seem to be tangible but the human capacity for learning and development, which leads to an innovative culture, is less so. In any case, time is the essential ingredient for a knowledge culture to come about.

Research limitations/implications

Knowledge societies are not measurable constructs that can be described quantitatively and benchmarked with weighted summations of scores along prescribed dimensions. It would be a fallacy to treat the notion of a knowledge index as a socio‐economic measure of success.

Practical implications

. conclude with a practical view of how the dimensions may be best exploited in the course of a policy discussion on sustainable knowledge societies.

Originality/value

It is hoped that the research will provide a framework for policy makers and analysts to conduct qualitative discussions on creating and sustaining knowledge societies.
The role of trust in the governance of business process outsourcing relationships
Authors: Sue Greenberg Penelope , Greenberg Ralph H. , Lederer Antonucci Yvonne
Published: September 2008

Purpose

Business process outsourcing (BPO) has become so prevalent that a new term, the extended enterprise, has arisen to describe this approach to structuring an organization. The purpose of this paper is to integrate the information systems and the interfirm governance literatures to develop a framework for the role of trust in the governance of extended enterprises.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper uses transaction cost economics (TCE) to identify the elements and stages of BPO relationships. This paper then integrates those elements with the types of trust identified in the information systems (IS) literature to develop a framework.

Findings

TCE identifies three elements that influence the design and function of interfirm relationships: the transaction, the transaction environment and the parties (the client and the vendors). TCE also recognizes three stages in the transaction: contact, contract, and control. The IS literature identifies three types of trust: trusted systems, trusted institutions, and trusted partners. The paper links the two literatures into a framework identifying the type of trust related to each of the TCE elements; it then uses these linkages to identify the types of trust appropriate for each stage of the BPO relationship.

Originality/value

This paper integrates the IS and interfirm governance literatures concerning trust in interorganizational relationships in an effort to offer a framework for building and sustaining trust between BPO vendors and clients and to identify potential directions for future research.
Business process reengineering, empowerment and work monitoring
Authors: Kien Sia Siew , Siong Neo Boon
Published: September 2008

Purpose

This paper aims to clarify the apparent confusion on the work impacts of business process re‐engineering (BPR), specifically, the level of empowerment and work monitoring, through the conceptual lens of Panopticon.

Design/methodology/approach

An intensive case study at the Singapore Internal Revenue Services was conducted. Ninety‐nine employees were also surveyed on their perceived empowerment and work‐monitoring pre‐ and post‐BPR.

Findings

The findings revealed intense work monitoring in the post‐BPR environment. For the redesign of routine processes, tighter work monitoring is coupled with continuous efforts to formalize behaviors, leaving little need or scope for real empowerment. Greater empowerment is evident only in the redesign of non‐routine processes, through a Panopticon‐like combination of greater empowerment and higher work monitoring.

Research limitations/implications

The research suggests the applicability of Panopticon as a conceptual lens in understanding and reconciling the apparent contradictions greater empowerment and heightened work monitoring in reengineered workplace. It suggests the need for future research to begin bridging the disparate empowerment and control literature.

Practical implications

The study shows practitioners how they can leverage the discipline of visibility to orchestrate control creatively in a reengineered environment. The glimpses of post‐BPR workplace also help managers to better anticipate change management issues.

Originality/value

The paper addresses an important issue of BPR work impacts. Its suggestion of Panopticon as a conceptual lens also provides a refreshing look at the traditional issues in BPR.