bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Measuring the benefits of ERP on supply management maturity model: a “big data” method
Authors: Huang Yung-Yun , Handfield Robert B
Published: January 2015

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to investigate the effects of implementing enterprise resource planning (ERP) systems and the selection of ERP vendors on supply management performance for Fortune 500.

Design/methodology/approach

– The paper adopts the supply chain maturity model adopted by Gupta and Handfield (2011) and used publicly available information such as articles, research report, newspapers to develop objective maturity ratings for four key indicators – strategic sourcing, category management, and supplier relationship management.

Findings

– The analysis results suggest ERP users are more mature than non-ERP users in three key indicators: strategic sourcing, category management, and supplier relationship management. Moreover, SAP ERP users are more mature than non-ERP users in strategic sourcing, category management, and supplier relationship management.

Research limitations/implications

– This study does not account for the longitudinal performance of ERP systems, nor does it account for differences between organizational scope of ERP deployment, global reach, or implementation duration. The authors also did not include other measures of supply chain performance outside of the procurement area. These factors could provide further insights to supply chain performance, and will be an interesting topic for future research.

Practical implications

– This study provides an extensive analysis of how the deployment of ERP systems and the selection of ERP vendors can benefit a company’s supply chain performance. This information is valuable for companies that are considering adapting an ERP system.

Originality/value

– This paper uses innovative an maturity assessment rating approach with publicly available resources to measure supply management performance across different companies. This method is novel and provides valuable insights to how ERP systems and their vendors’ impact supply chain management performance.
Lecturers’ perspectives on how introductory economic courses address sustainability
Authors: Green Tom L.
Published: January 2015

Purpose

– The purpose of this article is to explore sustainability commitments’ potential implications for the curriculum of introductory economics courses. Universities have signed the Talloires Declaration, committing themselves to promoting students’ environmental literacy and ecological citizenship, thereby creating pressure to integrate sustainability across the curriculum.

Design/methodology/approach

– A case study approach involving qualitative research methods and the three largest public universities in British Columbia, Canada, was used. As one component of a larger study, 11 of the 19 economists who delivered the course over the study period were interviewed. The theoretical framework was informed by ecological economics scholarship on how mainstream economic thought represents environment-economy linkages.

Findings

– Findings suggest that universities’ sustainability commitments have not influenced principles of economics curriculum. Sustainability is not salient to lecturers; prospects that mainstream economics departments will integrate sustainability into curriculum in a timely manner without external pressure appear limited.

Practical implications

– While institutions often enthusiastically report on courses that contribute to students’ ecological literacy, identifying curriculum that may confound student understanding of sustainability receives less emphasis. Introductory economics courses appear to merit scrutiny from this perspective.

Originality/value

– About 40 per cent of North American university students take an introductory economics course, relatively few take more advanced economics courses. This course, thus, teaches many students economic theory and the economics profession’s approach to evaluating public policy, and has potential to contribute to knowledge of sustainability. Few studies examine how undergraduate economics curriculum addresses sustainability.
Growing a student organic garden within the context of university sustainability initiatives
Authors: Duram Leslie A. , Williams Laura L.
Published: January 2015

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to examine the evolution of a student organic garden at a large public university, as an example of student initiatives that promote both university sustainability and student-focused sustainability education on campus.

Design/methodology/approach

– The authors conducted quantitative and qualitative analysis to document the evolution of the university’s Local Organic Gardening Initiative of Carbondale (LOGIC), which is the student-initiated and -operated organic garden at Southern Illinois University.

Findings

– The student organic garden evolved in three stages, each of which had specific goals and accomplishments. Stage I (establishment): students in Geography courses took action to get the garden established; key components included funds from a sustainability scholarship and student-initiated camps Green Fund, dedicated undergraduate students, negotiating campus bureaucracy and motivating broad support. Stage II (evolution): a high tunnel was added to the original raised beds garden, a graduate assistant position was filled to manage the garden, additional funds were secured, a permaculture demonstration site was added, the volunteer base was established and LOGIC began being included in campus and community events. Stage III (future) challenges include: consistent leadership, long-term funding, guarantee of land availability, student graduation/turnover and increasing student involvement.

Originality/value

– This paper provides a longitudinal perspective on the evolution of student-led sustainability efforts which require progressive, inclusive action from multiple stakeholders across campus and in the community. Several replicable practices include student leadership in sustainability initiatives, actions for promoting local food in the university structure and methods of negotiating complex institutional settings.
Sustainable campus: engaging the community in sustainability
Authors: Too Linda , Bajracharya Bhishna
Published: January 2015

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to identify the major factors necessary for engaging university campus community in sustainability. While general awareness in sustainability issues has improved in recent years through mass media coverage, this knowledge is not always translated into actual sustainable practice. Studies have indicated that there are many factors for engaging the community in sustainability.

Design/methodology/approach

– A multi-disciplinary literature review is first undertaken to distil the drivers that enhance participation in sustainability programmes by the university community. Next, to illustrate the applicability of the factors identified in the community engagement framework, two case studies are undertaken to highlight the importance of the identified factors in influencing the level of community participation in their sustainability programmes.

Findings

– The 6-P framework for community engagement includes factors such as psychological needs, physical facilities, personal motivations, public perception, price mechanisms and policies. The case studies of two universities’ sustainability projects illustrate that the framework is highly applicable to university communities.

Originality/value

– While research on behaviour change has been undertaken by various disciplines such as urban planning, marketing and psychology, these have been done in isolation. The originality of this paper is therefore achieved by drawing together the knowledge from these well-established disciplines to develop an original 6-P framework. This framework has the potential of assisting university leaders in the development of their community engagement strategy to mobilise and motivate their community members to take practical steps towards building a sustainable campus. However, the robustness of this framework will need to be further validated in future studies.
A cost model for radio access data networks
Authors: Katsigiannis Michail , Smura Timo
Published: January 2015

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to use basic economic theory to examine the relation between the demanded data traffic and the network costs for several network deployment scenarios and find the most preferable deployment strategy subject to specific constraints in near future (2015-2020).

Design/methodology/approach

– The paper identifies the cost structure of radio access networks and explicitly models the network costs as a function of data traffic, both in the short-run (current network) and in the long-run (future capacity expansion scenarios). In the short-run model, the operating cost of the current network is calculated, highlighting the energy cost and its dynamics. In the long-run model, assuming unchanged site infrastructure, the cost analysis provides information for decision-making on network evolution.

Findings

– The results show that the operating cost does not differ significantly from short- to long-run, and the energy cost constitutes a small but remarkable share (around 7 per cent) of total network operating cost. In addition, the paper concludes that the best strategy is not the most cost-efficient strategy but the one which meet the coverage requirements imposed by the regulator when the spectrum is allocated to operators. Finally, the speed of investments in urban regions is driven by the traffic growth, whereas in suburban and rural regions, it is driven by the regulator’s intervention.

Originality/value

– The paper contributes to the improvement of cost modeling for techno-economics by using economic theory and analyzing the energy consumption. In addition, the paper investigates real cases for mobile operators, and provides useful information for decision-making in network evolution.
Business ethics development of working adults: a study in Vietnam
Authors: Nguyen Lam D. , Mujtaba Bahaudin G , Cavico Frank J.
Published: January 2015

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to ascertain if age, gender, management experience and government work experience actually make a difference in the ethical development of respondents in Vietnam, an emerging economy in Southeast Asia.

Design/methodology/approach

– A quantitative self-administered survey was conducted with a convenience sample of Vietnamese working adults obtained through educational institutions, businesses and entrepreneurs and private and public sector organizations. This study used Clark and Clark’s (1966) Personal Business Ethics Scores measure. The Vietnamese version questionnaire was distributed, and a total of 704 surveys were fully completed and analyzed.

Findings

– Statistically significant differences were found in the variables of age, gender and government work experience. Management experience did not lead to any significant differences. Consequently, Kohlberg’s moral development theory regarding ethical development is partially supported.

Research limitations/implications

– This study used a convenience sample population. Future studies can compare specific populations in different parts of the country with similar working backgrounds and demographic variables. The small sample size is not necessarily representative of an entire country or the culture in Vietnam. Furthermore, it would be meaningful to investigate the relationship between ethical development and the demographic variables among other Asian countries near Vietnam. Finally, longitudinal studies can be implemented by future researchers to investigate the effects of changes in demographic variables on moral development.

Practical implications

– Females should be studied more to determine the factors that they consider when making decisions that impact others. Having longer time “socializing” with organizational values might be a stronger influence on ethical behaviors of a person. Vietnamese people are less tolerant for unethical behaviors when they are much younger and when they are much older.

Social implications

– The importance of ethics education programs at the national and organizational levels is underscored as a key element to combat corruption. Several specific recommendations on how to enhance the fight against corruption and bribery were provided.

Originality/value

– This study contributes to the moral development theory research and sheds light on the impact of age, gender, government work experience and management experience gained through the development process on ethical decision-making of Vietnamese people. Academicians, managers, practitioners, government leaders and the like can benefit from the findings of this paper.
Using camera-glasses for the assessment of aggressive behaviour among adolescents in residential correctional care: a small-scale study
Authors: Wettstein Alexander , Scherzinger Marion
Published: January 2015

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to examine naturally occurring episodes of aggressive interaction among adolescents in residential correctional programmes. The aims of our study were twofold. First, the development of a new camera-glasses method, and second, the method's applicability in the study of aggressive adolescents in residential care.

Design/methodology/approach

– Based on a mobile assessment strategy, the paper developed a new methodology for in-the-field recording of environmental conditions in which aggressive behaviour arises. The authors used glasses with an inbuilt camera worn by research subjects to record observational data. In the particular study presented here the authors used camera-glasses to observe the material and social environments of eight aggressive adolescents in a residential treatment programme and of a contrast group of four non-aggressive adolescents living at home.

Findings

– The crucial methodological findings are that camera-glasses successfully record the social and physical environments of aggressive adolescents from their perspective in relation to their environment and interlocutors, and that the camera-glasses method does not generate high reactivity. The results show that aggressive adolescents in residential care use direct and reactive forms of aggression, and that their aggressive behaviours occur predominantly in settings with limited adult supervision. In residential care aggressive behaviour is, paradoxically, an effective strategy for individuals to gain regard and social status among peers and to push their interests among staff.

Research limitations/implications

– An obvious limitation is the reliance on a small sample which limits the generalisation of the results.

Practical implications

– For residential facilities it is crucial to reduce the occurrence of low supervised social situations in order to minimise peer contagion. Furthermore, staff and educators need to be trained to use deescalating response strategies when dealing with adolescents’ aggressive behaviour, precisely deescalating strategies which neither involve acquiescence nor surrender to pressure.

Originality/value

– Our investigations demonstrate that the camera-glasses method is a promising new assessment technique which has applicability in various fields of adolescent research.
Protection of trafficked people in Italy: policies, limits and challenges
Authors: Palumbo Letizia
Published: January 2015

Purpose

– The purpose of the article is to analyse the Italian anti-trafficking system by examining its effectiveness in the protection of trafficked people.

Design/methodology/approach

– The article examines the protection of trafficked people in Italy, focusing in particular on the implementation of Article 18 of the “Consolidated Act of Measures Governing Immigration and Norms on the Condition of Foreign Citizens” (Legislative Decree n. 286/1998), which provides victims with protection and a residence permit independent of their cooperation with the competent authorities in criminal proceedings against offenders.

Findings

– The article demonstrates that, though the Italian legal framework on trafficking is considered one of the most innovative and advanced, especially in the area of victim protection, a number of inadequacies in its implementation undermine the effectiveness of the measures aimed at protecting trafficked people. These concern the absence of a clear and appropriate victim identification procedure; the lack of adequate training in trafficking among professionals; the incomplete application of a procedure called the “social path” for the issuing of the residence permit; the narrow interpretation by competent authorities of the requirements for the residence permit granted to victims; the long lapse of time for the issuing of the residence permit; difficulties in the conversion of the residency permit granted to victims into a work permit; and the scarcity of economic resources.

Originality/value

– The article contributes to scientific and political debates on the effectiveness of anti-trafficking policies.
Rethinking terrorist financing; where does all this lead?
Authors: Tofangsaz Hamed
Published: January 2015

Purpose

– This paper aims to examine whether from a factual standpoint, it is sufficiently reasonable to address the suppression of terrorist financing by analogy with money laundering.

Design/methodology/approach

– The process of terrorist financing will be examined in regard to the funding requirements of terrorists and the methods and tools that terrorists use to raise, move and store their funds. The process of money laundering will be compared with terrorist financing. The role of money laundering in terrorist financing will be discussed. In the core part of this paper, the assumptions justifying the inclusion of anti-money laundering measures to terrorist financing will be challenged.

Findings

– What terrorist financing and money laundering share in common is money. However, there are fundamental differences between them with regard to the sources of funds and the direction of financial flows. None of the elements –“accumulation” and “legitimization”– involved in money laundering are necessarily engaged in the process of terrorist financing. This questions the authenticity of the assumptions which underlie the adopted approach. It also requires further investigation on the effectiveness of the integrated counter-terrorist regime, which will not be covered by this paper.

Originality/value

– This paper provides a comprehensive introduction for those dealing with the greater question of whether the terrorist financing can and should be tackled by anti-money laundering measures.
How do young adult female smokers interpret dissuasive cigarette sticks?
Authors: Hoek Janet , Robertson Cherie
Published: January 2015

Purpose

– This paper aims to investigate how young adult women smokers, a group the tobacco industry has specifically targeted, interpreted dissuasive sticks. Australia’s decision to introduce plain packaging has aroused international attention and stimulated interest in complementary initiatives. To date, research attention has focused on external packaging and few studies have examined the physical objects of consumption – cigarette sticks.

Design/methodology/approach

– We conducted two focus groups and 13 in-depth interviews using purposive recruitment. Data were analysed using thematic analysis.

Findings

– We identified three overarching themes: smoking as an act of overt and conspicuous consumption; cigarette sticks as accoutrements of social acceptability and dissuasive colours as deconstructors of the social façade smokers construct. Dissuasive sticks challenged connotations of cleanliness participants sought, exposed smoking as “dirty” and connoted stereotypes participants wanted to avoid.

Research limitations/implications

– Although small-scale qualitative studies provide rich insights into participant’s responses, experimental work is required to estimate how a wider population comprising more varied smoker sub-groups responds to dissuasive sticks.

Practical implications

– As policymakers internationally consider introducing plain packaging, they should examine whether dissuasive sticks could enhance measures regulating the external appearance of tobacco packages.

Social implications

– Smoking remains the leading cause of preventable death and disability. Plain packaging and dissuasive sticks show considerable potential to reduce smoking prevalence and the burden of ill-health that results.

Originality/value

– This is the first study to explore how dissuasive sticks would distance smoking from the social identity smokers seek. The findings provide a platform for experimental work that estimates the potential behavioural outcomes dissuasive sticks could stimulate.
The four Es of social marketing: ethicality, expensiveness, exaggeration and effectiveness
Authors: Pang Bo , Kubacki Krzysztof
Published: January 2015

Purpose

– This study aims to contribute to the existing social marketing literature by considering young adults’ views and perceptions about social marketing and social marketing campaigns in the context of alcohol consumption.

Design/methodology/approach

– Eighteen interviews were conducted with young adults aged 25-30 years in Australia and the USA. Biographical interviews were used to collect information on individuals’ drinking histories and how their attitudes towards social marketing campaigns have formed during their lives.

Findings

– Four main themes emerge in the study, namely, ethicality (freedom of choice), expensiveness, exaggeration and effectiveness. These four issues represent the main barriers and challenges for social marketers. Future research needs to explore the relationship between the attitudes of the target audience towards social marketing, and the actual effectiveness of social marketing campaigns.

Research limitations/implications

– This is an exploratory study that is limited by its context, sample size and participants’ demographical characteristics.

Originality/value

– This study provides empirical evidence behind challenges and barriers facing social marketing identified by Andreasen (2002).
Bundling of STDs and HIV in Prevention Messages
Authors: Poehlman Jon , Uhrig Jennifer D , Friedman Allison , Scales Monica , Forsythe Ann , Robinson Susan J
Published: January 2015

Purpose

– This study aims to explore peoples cognitive perceptions of HIV and other sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) to inform decisions on message development with regard to message bundling, with limited research on the concept of bundling-related prevention messages and no studies that consider the bundling of HIV and other STD prevention messages.

Design/methodology/approach

– Individual and small-group interviews were conducted with 158 African American men and women to explore perceptions of STDs and communication preferences. Open-ended questions and a pile-sort exercise were used to elicit individuals’ judgments on similarities of 12 STDs, including HIV. Interview data were coded and analyzed for themes and patterns; pile sort data were analyzed using multidimensional scaling (MDS) and cluster analysis to visualize the set of relations identified from the piles.

Findings

– STDs and HIV are associated with stigma, risk behaviors and personal responsibility. The card sorting activity revealed two primary dimensions by which people organized STDs: seriousness and curability. Potential clusters of STDs that correspond to participants described sorting strategies were identified and they may have implications for message bundling. Disaggregation of the data by sex and age revealed slight variations in the relationships of HIV and human papillomavirus (HPV) to other STDs.

Originality/value

– By identifying a set of cognitive attributes people use in organizing the overall semantic domain of STDs, ideas can be generated for how best to combine STD and HIV messages to meet public health communication goals.
Trend spotting and service innovation
Authors: Andreassen Tor W. , Lervik-Olsen Line , Calabretta Giulia
Published: January 2015

Purpose

– Improving the commercial success rate of innovations requires alternative approaches based on social science methodologies for identifying subtle, emerging changes in consumer needs and behaviors. The purpose of this paper is to address this call by proposing trend spotting to guide innovation researchers and service managers towards innovations that are more in accordance with emerging consumer needs.

Design/methodology/approach

– The authors develop, describe, and employ a methodology for trend spotting to derive eight consumer trends that will have a strong influence on their choices. To provide further insights into these trends, the authors label and describe three customer segments as a function of life-cycle. The goal is to provide a framework for identifying innovations that are of higher value consumers.

Findings

– The authors identified eight consumer trends, i.e. Always on the go, Always logged-in, Quality information faster, Nowism, Look at me now, Privacy, Sustainable living, and return on time (RoT), present across the three life-stage segments, i.e. Young free and single, Chaos in my life, and Got my life back.

Practical implications

– For illustration purpose, the authors elaborate on the trend RoT and employ their findings and framework to illustrate how the airline industry may derive ideas for valuable innovations.

Originality/value

– To the best of the authors’ knowledge, this is the first time trend spotting has been employed in the field of service marketing and service innovations.
From service quality to service theory and practice
Authors: Ranaweera Chatura , Sigala Marianna
Published: January 2015

Purpose

– The purpose of this editorial paper is to set out the vision for theJournal of Service Theory and Practice(JSTP).

Design/methodology/approach

– Together with personal reflections of the authors, it is based on a review of literature on the past, the present and the future of service research, an analysis of a broad range of global environmental trends, as well as interviews, communications and feedback from eminent scholars in the field of service research.

Findings

– The paper sets out the expanded aims and scope for theJSTP. It also explains the rationale for the change in title and elaborates upon expectations for manuscripts submitted to the journal.

Research limitations/implications

– It identifies a set of research priorities for the journal and the field.

Practical implications

– It highlights the importance of translating theory into practice by making meaningful recommendations and action plans for firms and managers.

Originality/value

– This paper is written at a time when the journal has been undergoing considerable change, including retitling as well as the complete restructuring of the editorial team. It is also written at a time when the field of service management is being transformed by new approaches and research perspectives. As such, it is both necessary and timely.
A synthesis of empirical internal audit effectiveness literature pointing to new research opportunities
Authors: Lenz Rainer , Hahn Ulrich
Published: January 2015

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to provide a synopsis of what academic literature says about internal audit (IA) effectiveness ten years after Bailey et al. (2003) presented research opportunities in IA. A new set of research questions that may help to bring the best out of IA is proposed.

Design/methodology/approach

– Empirical studies based on internal auditors’ self-assessments (“inside-out”) and empirical studies based on other stakeholders’ perspectives (“outside-in”) are reviewed through an “effectiveness lens”. The “outside-in” perspective is regarded as particularly valuable.

Findings

– First, common themes in the empirical literature are identified. Second, the main threads into a model comprising macro and micro factors that influence IA effectiveness are synthesized. Third, promising future research paths that may enhance IA's value proposition were derived.

Practical implications

– The “outside-in” perspective indicates a disposition to stakeholders’ disappointment in IA: IA is either running a risk of marginalization (IIA, 2013; PWC, 2013) or has to embrace the challenge to emerge as a recognized and stronger profession. The suggested research agenda identifies empirical research threads that can help IA practitioners to make a difference for their organization, be recognized, respected and trusted and help the IA profession in its pursuit of creating a unique identity. This paper wishes to motivate researchers to explore innovative research strategies and probe new theories, as well as benefit from cross-fertilization with other research streams.

Originality/value

– This paper summarizes the state of research on IA effectiveness and proposes a guide for future IA research. It provides pointed questions that may further advance the understanding of what constitutes IA and how IA can enhance its value proposition.
Implementing combined assurance: insights from multiple case studies
Authors: Decaux Loïc , Sarens Gerrit
Published: January 2015

Purpose

– This purpose of this paper is to investigate how to implement a combined assurance program.

Design/methodology/approach

– This paper uses qualitative data obtained through semi-structured interviews with six multinationals at different stages of combined assurance implementation maturity.

Findings

– The paper finds that organizations are still learning through combined assurance implementation because no organization seems to have attained a mature combined assurance program. Nevertheless, our descriptive findings reveal that a successful combined assurance implementation follows six important components.

Research limitations/implications

– One limitation of this study is that, as the organizations studied are at different stages of combined assurance program implementation, data may have comparability issues. Another limitation is that different interviewees were studied from one case to another.

Practical implications

– The results have implications both for organizations that do not yet have a combined assurance program in place and for those currently at the implementation stage. It has also implications for chief audit executives who are good candidates to lead a combined assurance implementation and for regulators, as the study describes combined assurance as an important accountability mechanism that helps boards and audit committees exercise their oversight role properly.

Originality/value

– The study is the first to address combined assurance implementation. It complements the study of the Institute of Internal Auditors UK and Ireland (2010), which identifies the reasons for failed attempts to coordinate assurance activities, by illustrating combined assurance implementation through six international case studies of organizations at different combined assurance implementation stages.
Structural and morphology of silver-crosslinked chitosan thin films for SPR sensor
Authors: Lokman N.F. , Suja' F. , Abdullah H. , Abu Bakar A.A.
Published: January 2015

Purpose

– This purpose of this study is to investigate the structural and morphology of hybrid silver-crosslinked chitosan thin films potentially for surface plasmon resonance (SPR) sensor application. Silver, silver-chitosan and silver-crosslinked chitosan (annealed) thin films also were prepared as controls for this study.

Design/methodology/approach

– Silver was firstly coated on top of the glass substrate by magnetron sputtering method. Different chitosan solutions (with and without glutaraldehyde) were coated on top of the substrate by spin coating method. Annealing treatment was carried out for one of silver-crosslink chitosan sample. The structural and morphology of all the thin films were studied by X-ray diffraction (XRD), field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM) and atomic force microscopy (AFM). The SPR curves also were measured by the SPR sensor with air and deionised (DI) water as analytes.

Findings

– The structure of silver-crosslinked chitosan thin film presented a monoclinic structure with high crystallinity of 131.71 nm at the prominent peak by XRD analysis. The FESEM and AFM analyses revealed the morphology to be rough in surface attributed to enhanced contact with analytes in SPR measurement compared to other thin films.

Research limitations/implications

– In the present study, the glutaraldehyde used to crosslink the thin film increased hydrophobicity and allows for more binding capacity.

Originality/value

– The proposed silver-crosslinked chitosan thin film may prove beneficial for biosensing such as in environmental applications by SPR sensor.
Entering the dragon’s nest: exploring Chinese upper-class consumers’ perception of luxury
Authors: Chen Shan , Lamberti Lucio
Published: January 2015

Purpose

– The purpose of this study is to explore the perception of luxury from the perspectives of Chinese upper-class consumers.

Design/methodology/approach

– Four focus groups, each consisting of six upper-class and experienced luxury consumers, are formed in four cities, Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou and Hong Kong, which are among the most affluent, populated and developed in the luxury market.

Findings

– The findings suggest that Chinese upper-class luxury consumers, indeed, hold different perceptions for luxury in several aspects: price premium is a prestige in contrast to general Chinese consumers’ “value-consciousness”; exclusivity is more valued by the upper-class and experienced consumers; more attention of the upper-class consumers has shifted to individual values from social values; brand value is of high importance; and there exist differences among consumers in different regions.

Practical implications

– The study suggests that luxury brands should recognize the differences between the upper-class customers who are still the core consumers for luxury goods and the middle-class customers who are growing rapidly while designing their marketing strategies.

Originality/value

– The study focuses, unprecedentedly, on the upper-class and experienced Chinese luxury consumers who represent the most valuable group of customers of the luxury brands in the Chinese market. Given the peculiarity of customer behavior in the luxury market, such focus provides a brand new perspective without the noises from the inclusion of consumers with insufficient purchasing power and ineligible experience in luxury consumption.
Drivers of consumer purchase intentions for remanufactured products
Authors: Gaur Jighyasu , Amini Mehdi , Banerjee Pratyush , Gupta Ritu
Published: January 2015

Purpose

– The purpose of this study is to understand whether being relocated to a society where remanufactured products are promoted can change consumers’ perception towards them. Also, the authors wish to identify major underlying factors for remanufactured product purchase intentions. There is strong evidence in the literature that factors such as societal norms, price, age, income, education level, and availability can have significant influence on the behavioral intentions of consumers.

Design/methodology/approach

– The nature of the study is to draw an embedded theory from data itself. To explore the research questions in this study, a grounded theory was used. The authors use a theoretical sampling technique and interviewed 45 India-born consumers residing in the USA for at least a period of more than six months.

Findings

– The results indicate that the level of environmental consciousness, individual values, post-use perceptions, nature of purchase and socio-cultural norms are the major drivers of consumer purchase intentions. Sub-categories of these five drivers are personal and contextual factors. Personal factors include personal attitudes and beliefs, individual personality and environmental consciousness. Contextual factors are societal norms, price, promotion/advertisement, service quality and brand image.

Social implications

– Use of remanufactured products is one of the ways to achieve sustainability. It is not only an environmentally friendly but also cost-effective approach. Given the major drivers identified through this study, firms can focus some on these drivers to improve their carbon footprint and bottom line.

Originality/value

– This study is first to consider the decision-making process of consumer purchase of remanufactured products. In this regard, our study offers some understanding of the entire process through an action diagram.
My-music my-self
Authors: Greenacre Luke , Freeman Lynne , Filby Jared , Ostrovsky Taryn
Published: January 2015

Purpose

– The purpose of this article is to use an extended model of self to understand the consumption of music and similar entertainment products.

Design/methodology/approach

– In-depth interviews using experts within the music field were used to penetrate the private worlds of musical theatre enthusiasts. Multiple qualitative analytic techniques were used to explore the different aspects of the self underlying music consumption.

Findings

– Repeated exposure to musical theatre allowed subjects to refine their consumption of specific performances that reflect the preferred aspect of their extended self. It is found higher order consumption needs are an integral part of the extended self, and form an important basis for consumption decisions. Of particular importance is the reflection of the self that assists others in their consumption choices.

Originality/value

– Present research widely recognises consumers are seeking more than just “entertainment” when they consume an entertainment product, but struggle to characterise what it is consumers are actually seeking. This research provides this insight through an elaboration of the extended self-model.
Adults with learning disabilities known to local authorities in Scotland: a national dataset
Authors: Stuart Claire , McKeown Andrew , Henderson Angela , Trew Chloe
Published: January 2015

Purpose

– Learning Disability Statistics Scotland collects information on adults with learning disabilities who are known to local authorities in Scotland and the services they use. The data collection supports national and local government policy making and is focused on monitoring the implementation of learning disability policy. The paper aims to discuss these issues.

Design/methodology/approach

– Individual level data are requested from all 32 local authorities on adults aged 16-17 who are not in full-time education and those aged 18 and over. Annual data guidance is developed in conjunction with local authorities prior to the collection and is issued to standardise the process and manage avoidable error. The collated data are extracted from local authority administrative data and records are provided on each adult regardless of whether they are currently receiving a service. Anonymisation takes place prior to upload and strict guidelines are followed to ensure it is not possible to identify individuals.

Findings

– The paper provides insights to the project's processes, uses, challenges and future plans. It details the position of the data outputs within a policy context and the role these might play within a broader research agenda.

Research limitations/implications

– This data includes only adults known to local authority services.

Originality/value

– The value of the project lies in its strength as a national social care data set comprised of individual level data. This methodology increases the analytical potential of the data set. This paper will be of interest to those interested in data on learning disability and those with an interest in the analytical potential of an individual level national data set.
Finding the sparkle: storytelling in the lives of people with learning disabilities
Authors: Grove Nicola
Published: January 2015

Purpose

– The ability to tell a story, whether personal or fictional, is a skill which can enable people to build a sense of identity, friendship, community and self-advocacy. However, narrative is rarely prioritised in services. The paper aims to discuss these issues.

Design/methodology/approach

– This paper describes two approaches to the development of storytelling for people with learning disabilities used by the charity Openstorytellers. Reflections from interviews are used to illustrate how individuals view their experiences as storytellers, and the benefits that come in the wake of learning to tell and listen to stories.

Findings

– Storytelling led to an increased sense of purpose, confidence, communication and value. The findings are based on subjective perceptions by the people concerned, and were not obtained through independent research. However, they represent a first step towards evaluating the impact of multidimensional interventions.

Practical implications

– Services need to consider how they enable their members to participate actively in the sharing of experience, and imaginative and creative activities. Storytelling, both mythic and personal, can help to develop social relationships and active participation in one's community.

Originality/value

– Both of the approaches described here (Learning to Tell; StorysharingTM) are innovative approaches which are new in the field of learning disabilities.
Commentary on “Why study the history of learning disability?”
Authors: Bradshaw Jill , McGill Peter
Published: January 2015

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to provide a commentary on “Why study the history of learning disability?” by Goodey.

Design/methodology/approach

– In his paper, Goodey makes the point that the term “learning disability” is not a fixed, stable concept, but one which has changed and evolved over time. This commentary explores the difference between care staff and professional understandings of people with learning disabilities including how these have changed in recent times.

Findings

– Care staff knowledge is likely to be based on direct experiences of particular people with learning disabilities whilst professional knowledge is likely to be based on theoretical concepts of general application. These differences in source of knowledge may interfere with desired collaboration between staff and professionals.

Originality/value

– This commentary suggests that differences in understandings should be recognised and the application of theory to practice is far from simple.
Examining the implementation of ISO 9001 in Indonesian construction companies
Authors: Willar Debby , Coffey Vaughan , Trigunarsyah Bambang
Published: January 2015

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to examine the implementation of quality management systems (QMSs) of Grade 7 (G-7) Indonesian construction companies. This includes the initial motives that have driven the development of QMSs, barriers to effective QMS implementation, the current practice and integration of QMS-ISO 9001 principles and elements, and the performance of contractors implementing such QMSs.

Design/methodology/approach

– A survey was conducted involving 403 respondents (Quality Management Representatives, Managers, and Project and Site Engineers) from 77 G-7 as well as ISO 9001 certified Indonesian construction companies.

Findings

– The main motive for G-7 contractors in establishing and implementing ISO 9001 based QMSs are identified as being to effectively and efficiently control project activities. Respondents apparently do not often experience problems related to QMS implementation. However, issues of management attitude and purpose are identified as barriers that may affect effective QMS implementation. The study highlights the ISO 9001 principles and elements that still require to be more critically applied by G-7 contractors in order to fully implement and improve their current QMS effectiveness. The findings also suggest that, although certified, many G-7 contractors have not yet achieved a satisfactory level of performance to be truly competitive in global markets outside Indonesia.

Originality/value

– To date, only limited research has been conducted into the application of ISO 9001 in the Indonesian construction industry. The research findings reinforced the value of pursuing more effective QMS implementation. They also support current attempts to introduce ISO 9001 QMSs to a much wider base of Indonesian construction companies, particularly small and medium sized contractors and builders.
The links between just-in-time practices and alignment of benchmarking performance measures
Authors: Meybodi Mohammad Z.
Published: January 2015

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to examine if there are links between just-in-time (JIT) practices and consistency of benchmarking performance measures at various levels of organization.

Design/methodology/approach

– A set of ten hypotheses were used to examine the differences between traditional and JIT organizations in the effectiveness of benchmarking performance measures. A questionnaire-based survey data were used to test the hypotheses. The target population was manufacturing firms in Midwestern US; the sample covers organizations in a variety of industries. Out of 91 completed surveys received, 84 surveys were usable resulting in a response rate of 17 per cent. Out of 84 usable surveys, 33 organizations were grouped as JIT and 51 as traditional organizations.

Findings

– JIT organizations are better in recognizing external environmental factors, developing organizational core competencies, building learning organization through knowledge workforce, and using a broad and balanced mix of performance measures that are consistent with organizational strategy.

Research limitations/implications

– Research is general and not industry specific.

Practical implications

– Effective performance measurement is a critical element of organizational success. It requires a thorough understanding of organizational strategy and deployment of the strategy into consistent sub-strategies and action plans.

Originality/value

– The benefits of JIT principles go beyond inventory management. These principles can be applied to other areas such as effective performance measurement.