bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
3-D vision-assist guidance for robots or the visually impaired
Authors: Tsai Du-Ming , Hsu Hao , Chiu Wei-Yao
Published: July 2014

Purpose

– This study aims to propose a door detection method based on the door properties in both depth and gray-level images. It can further help blind people (or mobile robots) find the doorway to their destination.

Design/methodology/approach

– The proposed method uses the hierarchical point–line region principle with majority vote to encode the surface features pixel by pixel, and then dominant scene entities line by line, and finally the prioritized scene entities in the center, left and right of the observed scene.

Findings

– This approach is very robust for noise and random misclassification in pixel, line and region levels and provides sufficient information for the pathway in the front and on the left and right of a scene. The proposed robot vision-assist system can be worn by visually impaired people or mounted on mobile robots. It provides more complete information about the surrounding environment to guide safely and effectively the user to the destination.

Originality/value

– In this study, the proposed robot vision scheme provides detailed configurations of the environment encountered in daily life, including stairs (up and down), curbs/steps (up and down), obstacles, overheads, potholes/gutters, hazards and accessible ground. All these scene entities detected in the environment provide the blind people (or mobile robots) more complete information for better decision-making of their own. This paper also proposes, especially, a door detection method based on the door’s features in both depth and gray-level images. It can further help blind people find the doorway to their destination in an unfamiliar environment.
Professionalism, rewards, job satisfaction and organizational commitment amongst accounting professionals in Uganda
Authors: K. Sejjaaka Samuel , K. Kaawaase Twaha
Published: July 2014

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to examine the extent to which the constructs of professionalism (Hall, 1968), rewards (Bartol, 1979) and job satisfaction (Stamps and Piedmonte, 1986; Hampton and Hampton, 2004) can be used as valid predictors of organizational commitment (Porteret al., 1974) in an emerging economy context.

Design/methodology/approach

– Using pre-existing scales for these constructs, the authors collected data from 277 ICPAU licensees’ and carried out a factor analysis to examine their validity. Given the relevance of the organizational-professional conflict (OPC) debate to performance in public and private sector organizations, the authors use ANOVA to assess whether there are significant differences between CPAs in the private and public sectors. We also develop a structural equation model to assess the extent to which organizational commitment can be explained by professionalism, rewards and job satisfaction.

Findings

– The findings show that the four scales can be used as valid measures in an emerging market environment, albeit with some modifications. The correlations between the study variables are significant (p<0.01) but weak. There are also no significant differences between the scores of private and public sector Certified Public Accountant (CPAs) on professionalism, rewards and organizational commitment. However, there is significantly lower job satisfaction amongst CPAs employed in the public sector. The authors also find that job satisfaction is the best predictor of organizational commitment. Professionalism and rewards are weak predictors of organizational commitment. The fitted model shows that there is a weak fit between organizational commitment and professionalism, rewards and job satisfaction (GFI=0.86, RMSEA=0.086).

Originality/value

– The authors modify the extant measurement scales for use in emerging market conditions and show that with some adjustment, they are robust measures of the study variables. The paper also extends the organizational commitment (OC) debate to emerging market conditions and shows that rewards on their own are not enough to ensure organizational commitment amongst professionals. It is important to improve job satisfaction through more enriching work experience.
Experiencing documents
Authors: F. Latham Kiersten
Published: July 2014

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to invite further consideration of how people experience documents. By offering a model from Reader Response theory – Louise Rosenblatt's Transactional Theory of Reading – as well as examples from research on numinous experiences with museum objects, the author hopes to open further avenues of information behavior studies about people and documents. The goal is to incorporate more aspects of lived experience and the aesthetic into practice with and research of documents.

Design/methodology/approach

– Theoretical scope includes Louise Rosenblatt's Transactional Theory of Reading, John Dewey's concepts of transaction and experience and lived experience concepts/methods derived from phenomenology.

Findings

– Rosenblatt's Transactional Theory explicates the continuum of reader response, from the efferent to the aesthetic, stating that the act of “reading” (experience) involves a transaction between the reader (person) and the text (document). Each transaction is a unique experience in which the reader and text continuously act and are acted upon by each other. This theory of reading translates well into the realm of investigating the lived experience of documents and in that context, a concrete example and suggested strategies for future study are provided.

Originality/value

– This paper provides a holistic approach to understanding lived experience with documents and introduces the concept of person-document transaction. It inserts the wider notion of document into a more specific theory of reading, expanding its use beyond the borders of text, print and literature. By providing an example of real document experiences and applying Rosenblatt's continuum, the value of this paper is in opening new avenues for information behavior inquiries.
Models explaining the perceived outcomes of public libraries
Authors: Vakkari Pertti
Published: July 2014

Purpose

– The benefits of public libraries as perceived by adults in everyday activities, in cultural activities and in career are modeled by multivariate techniques. The paper aims to discuss these issues.

Design/methodology/approach

– The survey data are based on a representative sample of 1,000 Finnish adults ranging from 15 to 79 years. The perceived benefits were modeled by linear regression analysis and by path analysis.

Findings

– The models explain 27-32 percent of the variation in the three benefit types observed. The role and the explanatory power of the factors included in the models vary to a certain extent between the benefit types.

Research limitations/implications

– The results are generalizable at least to small, wealthy welfare states with a well-developed public library system.

Practical implications

– It seems that the public library functions relatively more as a source of information for everyday activities in older age groups, whereas more as a source of information for career in younger age groups. The public library should profile its services accordingly.

Originality/value

– This is first study to model the factors associated with the benefits adults derive by using the public library in the major areas of life.
Critical success factors for ERP implementation in a Fortis hospital: an empirical investigation
Authors: Garg Poonam , Agarwal Divya
Published: July 2014

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to examine the success of enterprise resource planning (ERP) implementation based on five identified items, i.e. top management commitment (TMC), user involvement (UI), business process reengineering (BPR), project management (PM) and ERP teamwork and composition (TWC) factors at Fortis hospital, Bangalore, India. It also tests a number of hypotheses and examines the hypothetical relationships among critical success items and success of ERP implementation.

Design/methodology/approach

– Empirical data were collected via a survey questionnaire/interview technique. A structured interview was planned and conducted with key executives of Fortis hospital who were familiar with success of ERP implementation progress as well as examination of company documentation supported by literature.

Findings

– A significant relationship was found between TMC, UI, BPR, PM and ERP TWC with success of ERP implementation at Fortis hospital.

Originality/value

– The value of this paper is that it presents any hospital wishing to implement ERP with a set of critical success factors. Understanding the critical success factors would lead to a smoother implementation in hospital industry. Although as a single case study the ability to generalize the findings is narrow, support from literature and experiences add the knowledge to ERP implementation in healthcare sector in India.
Factors influencing ERP implementation in retail sector: an empirical study from India
Authors: Garg Poonam , Garg Atul
Published: July 2014

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to explore the factors influencing the enterprise resource planning (ERP) implementation success in Indian retail sector. Additionally, the study also addresses the relationship between factors that influence ERP implementation and the success of ERP implementation empirically. Strategic, Technological, People and Project management are the examined factors.

Design/methodology/approach

– Empirical data were collected through survey questionnaire from practitioner like project sponsors, project managers, implementation consultants and team members who were involved in ERP implementation in retail sector.

Findings

– The results of the study has empirically verified that Strategic, Technological, People and Project management factors are positively influencing ERP implementation success. All four hypotheses were supported by results of the study.

Practical implications

– This study will provide valuable insights to researchers, practicing managers and those who are planning to implement ERP in retail organization.

Originality/value

– Very few empirical studies have been performed to investigate the influencing factor of ERP implementation and types of relationships between factors that influence ERP implementation and the success of ERP implementation in Indian retail sector. This study examines how Strategic, Technological, People, and Project management factors are influencing ERP implementation success in retail sector of India. Therefore, the research can make a useful contribution.
How can a group of procurement experts select suppliers? An approach for group decision support
Authors: Kumar Kar Arpan , Kumar Pani Ashis
Published: July 2014

Purpose

– The application of theories on group decision support is yet to be explored extensively in supplier selection literature, although the literature in both domains is extremely rich, in isolation. The purpose of this paper is to explore the application of group decision support theories for supplier selection.

Design/methodology/approach

– The row geometric mean method (RGMM) of the analytic hierarchy process (AHP) has been used in this study for the prioritization of group preferences under consensus. A case study was conducted to test the theories of consensual group decision making and compare it with other approaches based on AHP.

Findings

– The study establishes that the application of decision support theories for group decision making can improve the supplier selection process. Findings further imply that RGMM is more effective than eigen value method, for group decision making under consensus.

Research limitations/implications

– Methodologically, the study highlights the greater regularity in outcome of group decision making, vis-à-vis individual decision making, for the same decision-making context. Also, it highlights how RGMM is more effective since it preserves reciprocal properties and diversity in preferences better.

Practical implications

– The study establishes that firms can improve supplier selection processes by leveraging on the collective expertise of a group rather than depending on individual decision-making expertise.

Originality/value

– This study explores the application of different theories based on AHP for consensual group decision making. It compares different approaches based on AHP and establishes that RGMM is a superior approach for supplier selection.
An integrated decision support system for ERP implementation in small and medium sized enterprises
Authors: Xie Ying , James Allen Colin , Ali Mahmood
Published: July 2014

Purpose

– Implementing enterprise resource planning (ERP) is a challenging task for small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). The purpose of this paper is to develop an integrated decision support system (DSS) for ERP implementation (DSS_ERP) to facilitate resource allocations and risk analysis.

Design/methodology/approach

– Analytical regression models are developed using data collected through a survey conducted on 400 SMEs that have implemented ERP systems, and are validated by a simulation model. The validated analytical regression models are used to construct a nonlinear programming model that generates solutions for resource allocations, such as time and budget.

Findings

– ERP implementation cost increases along the time horizon, while performance level increases up to a point and remains unchanged. To maximise or achieve a certain level of performance within a budget limitation, CSFs are prioritised as: project management (highest), top management, information technology, users and vendor support (lowest). SMEs are recommended to concentrate effort and resources on CSFs that have a greater impact on achieving their desired goals while optimising utilisation of resources.

Research limitations/implications

– DSS_ERP proves to be beneficial to SMEs in identifying required resources and allocating resources, but could be further tested in case studies for its practical use and benefits.

Practical implications

– DSS_ERP serves as a useful tool for SMEs to predict required resources and allocate them prior to ERP implementation, which maximises the probability of achieving predetermined targets. It also enables SMEs to analyse risk caused by changes to resources during ERP implementation, and helps them to be better prepared for the risks.

Originality/value

– The research contributes to the scarce research on ERP implementation using scientific methods. A novel nonlinear programming model is constructed for ERP implementation under time and budget limitations, facilitating resource allocations in an ERP implementation, which has not been reported in any previous research. The research offers a theoretical basis for empirical studies of resource allocations in ERP implementation.
Consumer style inventory and intent to social shop online for apparel using social networking sites
Authors: M. Kang Ju-Young , K.P. Johnson Kim , Wu Juanjuan
Published: July 2014

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper are to examine: first, whether the consumer style inventory (CSI) consumer decision-making styles were related to opinion seeking using electronic word of mouth (eWOM) in social networking sites (SNSs) and attitudes toward online social shopping using SNSs; and second, whether opinion seeking in SNSs and attitudes mediated the links between decision-making styles and intent to social shop online for apparel using SNSs.

Design/methodology/approach

– The conceptual foundation was based on Engel, Kollat, and Blackwell's model. In total, 304 college students who are SNS users provided usable responses. Structural equation modeling was employed to test the proposed model and research hypotheses.

Findings

– Among the CSI consumer decision-making styles, novelty/fashion consciousness decision-making style was the most important antecedent of opinion seeking using eWOM. The brand consciousness decision-making style was the most important antecedent of favorable attitudes. Novelty/fashion consciousness, brand consciousness, and price consciousness decision-making styles had indirect effects on intent to social shop online for apparel using SNS, mediated by both opinion seeking and favorable attitudes.

Originality/value

– This study contributes to further theoretical understanding of the types of consumers that are drawn to eWOM and their online social shopping behaviors for apparel using SNSs. By identifying individual consumer characteristics, this study can provide retailers with an initial profile of consumers who shop apparel using SNSs. Retailers can use this information to further develop the design of their social shopping sites using SNSs to meet the needs of their customers.
Attributes of apparel tablet catalogs: value proposition comparisons
Authors: (Tsun-Yin) Tung Tracie , (Catherine) Jai Tun-Min , Davis Burns Leslie
Published: July 2014

Purpose

– To comprehend tablet catalog marketing, the purpose of this paper is to obtain an integrated descriptive analysis of tablet catalogs and to compare the value propositions between retailers’ and aggregators’ applications (apps).

Design/methodology/approach

– A total of 28 tablet catalog apps were content analyzed in terms of interface attributes. Next, based on the results, aχ2 analysis was applied to compare the value proposition between retailers and aggregators.

Findings

– The result showed that the value propositions of retailers and aggregators were significantly different in the Context, Customization, and Communication dimensions. In addition, the incongruence of emphasized dimensions among retailers is larger than that among aggregators.

Research limitations/implications

– Because mobile commerce exhibits fast-changing dynamics, the results from collected data may vary in different periods. However, the present results may provide a baseline of longitudinal study. The 8Cs framework expanded from the 7Cs framework may be applied to other studies.

Practical implications

– Retailers who attempt to engage in tablet catalog marketing may use the information and findings to facilitate their decision making. The list of the attributes can be a benchmark for a retailer to evaluate its current tablet catalog app or be a reference for those retailers who are planning to develop one.

Originality/value

– This study identified and demonstrated a need of adding a new “C,” Control, in the previous framework and introduced the expanded framework. In addition, this study provided a set of findings for further research in the area.
The interaction between learning styles, ethics education, and ethical climate
Authors: Lawter Leanna , Rua Tuvana , Guo Chun
Published: July 2014

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to investigate how learning styles and learning spaces interact to stimulate deep learning. Specifically the paper investigated the interaction of learning styles with ethics education and the ethical climate to influence the likelihood of engaging in ethical behavior.

Design/methodology/approach

– Data were collected from two groups of students – those who had completed a business ethics course and those who had not completed a business ethics course. The sample consisted of 180 undergraduate students at a private university in the USA. Data were analyzed using regression analysis to test the hypotheses. A scenario-based measure of the likelihood of engaging in ethical behavior was developed and implemented in the study.

Findings

– Both ethics education and ethical climate had a direct impact on a student ' s likelihood of engaging in ethical behavior. The interaction between learning style and business ethics class significantly impacted experiential learners’ likelihood of engaging in ethical behaviors. Results for non-experiential learners as relates to ethical climate were non-significant, but ad hoc analysis indicates ethical climate significantly impacted likelihood to engage in ethical behaviors.

Practical implications

– The findings have practical implications for how universities should utilize learning spaces both inside and outside the classroom to be stimulate deep learning and be more effective in sensitizing students to ethical behavior.

Originality/value

– The results support using formal and informal learning spaces to stimulate deep learning as it relates to ethics education in universities.
Comparative analysis of International Service Learning Programs
Authors: Pless Nicola M. , Borecká Markéta
Published: July 2014

Purpose

– International service learning is a new trend in management development and a new field of research. International Service Learning Programs (ISLP) are experiential corporate volunteering initiatives designed to give employees the chance to work for a short spell abroad (often in a developing or emerging market) on a service assignment with a partner from the social sector (e.g. NGO, social enterprise). The service assignment is a project defined with a social-sector partner on which the corporate employee works full-time on a pro-bono basis and contributes his/her knowledge and expertise in exchange for a rich learning experience. The purpose of this paper is to focus on the use of ISLP in business firms and conducts a comparative analysis of six programs set up by multinational corporations from three industries (health, technology, and accounting and professional services). It identifies characteristics and similarities among programs, discusses differences, offers criteria for program classification and areas for future research. As such, it is an important starting point for quantitative studies.

Design/methodology/approach –

This is a qualitative study based on six ISLP. The data were gathered through desk research, interviews with program representatives and a structured questionnaire containing closed and open-ended questions.

Findings

– Regardless of the stated aims (which usually stress value for the participants, the company and the communities), most programs had one clear focus (two programs in the area of leadership development, two in the area of community development) while two showed closely linked foci (with slightly greater emphasis on organization development than on the other areas).

Research limitations/implications

– The authors suggest that the type of ISLP has an effect on the learning outcomes. Since companies are still testing usefulness and outcomes of these programs, academic research that provides comparative quantitative data on the outcomes of such programs is of great value for business practice.

Practical implications

– This systematic overview and classification of ISLP is a starting point for empirical program comparisons as well as for the evaluation of different service learning approaches. This could prove very useful for other companies planning to set up or refine their own ISLP to achieve certain outcomes.

Originality/value

– This is the first paper that compares ISLP run by multinational corporations. It identifies a number of category areas in which they differ (e.g. in placement length, nature of the assignment – individual or in teams, learning methods used) and provides a typology for program classification (leadership development, organization development or community development).
Student engagement and learning
Authors: Brown Ann , Rich Martin , Holtham Clive
Published: July 2014

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to assess the impact of a new undergraduate one-term double module called management practice and skills – which sought to change the learning environment for the new intake of undergraduate students based on constructivist ideas aimed at creating a high level of student engagement.

Design/methodology/approach

– Action research focusing on the evaluation stage of the first cycle of an intervention. The intervention is described in a case study explaining the features of the new module combined with the statistical analysis of the hard data collected on the first cohort of students taking the module using mainly correlation techniques.

Findings

– The module design did achieve to a great extent the objective of catering to all learning styles and personalities within the cohort. The results from the first cohort established the elusive nature of the concept of student engagement and the challenge in measuring it quantitatively.

Research limitations/implications

– This is an evaluation of one case example of the application of constructivist ideas in teaching and hence can make no claim to generalisability. The quantitative measure of student engagement was developed for this study – hence it needs to be applied in other situations and tested for credibility. The student data did not include any measures of their views on the module. The collection of their levels of satisfaction at the end of the module and again after two more years at university would offer a richer view of student engagement.

Practical implications

– This type of module makes high demands on the teaching staff. It requires, for example – design effort, tutors with both business and teaching experience, administration of the logistics, expertise in handling moodle. The role of the moodle virtual learning environment is key to delivering the module and to collecting much of the data.

Social implications

– The module design explicitly aims to foster students’ social interaction and create a community of learning among them. It supports students’ personal development, development of individual business and team working skills as well as relevant management theory.

Originality/value

– The paper describes an unusual application of constructivist concepts to teaching in a business degree and the development of an innovative and distinctive approach to the creation of a quantitative measure of student engagement.
The transformational triggers of international experiences
Authors: Clapp-Smith Rachel , Wernsing Tara
Published: July 2014

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to identify the antecedents of the transformational learning process associated with early international experiences. Secondarily, this research aimed to explain how the antecedent “transformational triggers” may contribute to developing intercultural competencies.

Design/methodology/approach

– A qualitative study was conducted using open-ended survey response data regarding the transformational triggers that occurred during a study abroad program. The data were collected from a sample of 82 participants from a Midwestern university in the USA.

Findings

– Four categories of transformational triggers were identified: immersing with local customs and people, experiencing the novelty of “normality,” communicating in a new language, and finding time for self-reflection.

Research limitations/implications

– For a qualitative study, the sample size was sufficient for exploring the types of transformational triggers associated with early international experiences. One limitation of this study is that the sample studied were undergraduate students, or young sojourners, experiencing early, and for some even their first, international experience. Future research can replicate the findings to confirm the same typology of transformational triggers exists for older managers during their early or first international assignment.

Practical implications

– The transformational triggers identified from this study provide managers with an understanding of the type of experiences that are important to developing intercultural competencies. With these triggers, they can design global leader development programs or expatriate assignments to include time and tools to reflect and provide support specific to each type of transformational trigger.

Originality/value

– This study offers the first field study of the transformational triggers associated with developing intercultural competencies from early international experiences.
Risk assessment and operational approaches to managing risk in global supply chains
Authors: Kumar Sameer , J. Himes Katie , P. Kritzer Collin
Published: July 2014

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to provide the organization with a process for assessing risk associated with their supply chain and a framework from which they can build their strategy to manage risk.

Design/methodology/approach

– The proposed process is based on a compilation of research and interactions with supply chain managers in various industries, and these sources provide a specific process to identify how critical the risk is, when to act upon it, and how to manage it. An adapted risk mitigation framework organizes strategies according to the likelihood of disruption and consequences. Included is an industry example used to demonstrate the framework.

Findings

– The variability and uncertainty associated with supply chain risks make disruption difficult to predict. Furthermore, getting information from suppliers about the amount of risk associated with their operation in an attempt to scope one's own risk can be a challenge. Management must consider the amount of risk the organization is going to accept and how much to invest to mitigate it.

Originality/value

– To manage the risk associated with supply chain disruption, an organization must deploy a strategy for assessing it. Once risk areas have been identified, the organization must design strategies which will mitigate the risk. The depth and degree to which risk is mitigated depends upon how risk-averse a company is and what they are willing to invest in this activity.
Energy efficiency in commercial buildings: capturing added-value of retrofit
Authors: Morrissey John , Dunphy Niall , MacSweeney Rosemarie
Published: July 2014

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to investigate, the functioning of value creating configurations and stakeholder interactions in networks of organisations of the retrofit industry for commercial buildings.

Design/methodology/approach

– A value approach was applied to develop a model of retrofit activities. A Europe wide stakeholder engagement, consisting of over 50 face-to-face interviews with key informants with energy efficiency retrofit (EER) knowledge and expertise, informed analyses on flows of both tangible and intangible value for commercial EER projects.

Findings

– Given the need to expand the EER marketplace, the sustainability of EER processes is as important as the sustainability of EER project outcomes. Understanding value creation in retrofit processes is crucial to successfully harnessing the available energy savings potential from the built environment.

Practical implications

– The increasing importance of externalities, such as carbon, means that previously unaccounted for costs are now being considered in business models. For EER projects, the challenge is to respond to this new business environment, while maintaining adequate value for stakeholders. For commercial property developers, this means a growing impetus to understand the value propositions of other EER stakeholders.

Originality/value

– The evaluation of value creation across business relationships such as those of the construction industry has not been conducted in a systematic manner to date. This paper provides a novel application of value analysis. Interrogating materials and monetary flows, value interactions between stakeholders and stakeholder perception of value are vital in fostering the long-term capacity of the EER sector.
Commercial property retrofitting
Authors: Dixon Tim
Published: July 2014

Purpose

– Progress in retrofitting the UK's commercial properties continues to be slow and fragmented. New research from the UK and USA suggests that radical changes are needed to drive large-scale retrofitting, and that new and innovative models of financing can create new opportunities. The purpose of this paper is to offer insights into the terminology of retrofit and the changes in UK policy and practice that are needed to scale up activity in the sector.

Design/methodology/approach

– The paper reviews and synthesises key published research into commercial property retrofitting in the UK and USA and also draws on policy and practice from the EU and Australia.

Findings

– The paper provides a definition of “retrofit”, and compares and contrasts this with “refurbishment” and “renovation” in an international context. The paper summarises key findings from recent research and suggests that there are a number of policy and practice measures which need to be implemented in the UK for commercial retrofitting to succeed at scale. These include improved funding vehicles for retrofit; better transparency in actual energy performance; and consistency in measurement, verification and assessment standards.

Practical implications

– Policy and practice in the UK needs to change if large-scale commercial property retrofit is to be rolled out successfully. This requires mandatory legislation underpinned by incentives and penalties for non-compliance.

Originality/value

– This paper synthesises recent research to provide a set of policy and practice recommendations which draw on international experience, and can assist on implementation in the UK.
Low carbon buildings: a solution to landlord-tenant problems?
Authors: Greenough Richard , Tosoratti Paolo
Published: July 2014

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to identify the factors present in successful energy efficiency investments that might indicate how to resolve the landlord-tenant dilemma in existing and new commercial property.

Design/methodology/approach

– The paper reviews literature to indicate the importance of energy efficiency in buildings and to explore the barriers to such investments, including problematic landlord-tenant relationships. Such relationships have been investigated by the International Energy Agency, and a similar approach is used here in two case studies in new and existing buildings. These studies explore the nature of landlord-tenant relationships and the importance of policy and standards of building performance.

Findings

– In neither case did landlord-tenant issues constitute barriers to investments in energy efficiency, however, these investments were made for other reasons than simple cost savings. Construction of new commercial property to Passivhaus standards ensures a high-build quality and a comfortable building with low-energy costs. The added value to tenants may justify the cost of construction. The cost of investments in energy efficient buildings can also be justified by the enhanced reputation of landlords which may be more valuable than a DEC rating. In neither case was the commercial Green Deal felt to be an attractive funding mechanism.

Practical implications

– Conclusions based on these case studies must be regarded as tentative, so future studies of successful energy efficient buildings should be undertaken to explore the motivation to invest, particularly the relative importance of indirect benefits of energy efficiency.

Originality/value

– One of the case study buildings is exceptionally energy efficient and is the result of a particularly open and effective contractual relationship. Further study of such cases may suggest a new approach to landlord-tenant problems of energy efficiency, even in refurbishment of existing buildings.
Should all service firms follow the recessionary advertising prescription?
Authors: L. Keel Astrid , Bourdeau Brian
Published: July 2014

Purpose

– The purpose of this study is to investigate whether different types of service firms, experience-based or credence-based, benefit equally from the prescription to increase advertising during recessions.

Design/methodology/approach

– The research consists of three steps: using the Hodrick–Prescott (HP) filter to extract the cyclical component of the time series, estimating the level of cyclical comovement and estimating the relationship between comovement and stock price.

Findings

– The results suggest that experience-based service firms benefit financially from adopting the advertising “prescription” that encourages firms to increase advertising during recessions. Credence-based firms, however, experience negative financial returns when they implement the advertising “prescription”.

Research limitations/implications

– The limitations are data from US firms and a smaller sample size. The use of the HP filter may be considered a limitation, as other filtering methods may be utilized. The results suggest that academics’ and practitioners’ advertising “prescription” is not a one-size-fits-all strategy for service firms.

Practical implications

– Managers must be aware that the type of service their firm provides influences whether increasing or decreasing advertising spending during a recession has a positive or negative impact on financial performance. Credence-based firms, such as those in the banking and insurance industries should avoid increasing advertising spending during recessions, as it may lead to negative financial performance. Experience-based firms, such as those in the entertainment and travel industries, benefit financially from increased advertising during recessions.

Originality/value

– This research is first to investigate the differential impact of recessionary advertising on service firms.
Investigating brand equity of third-party service providers
Authors: Grant David , Juntunen Jouni , Juga Jari , Juntunen Mari
Published: July 2014

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to apply theory and techniques from the services and marketing literature to a supply-chain context consisting of a shipper or seller, a customer or buyer and a third-party logistics service provider (3PL) to investigate corporate brand equity resulting from service quality, customer satisfaction and customer loyalty towards the 3PL.

Design/methodology/approach

– A conceptual model was developed from the literature and tested with Finnish industrial firms using an online survey. Data were analysed using structural equation modelling to examine relationships among the four constructs.

Findings

– Hypothesised relationships among the four constructs in the conceptual model were supported; however, the relationship between loyalty and corporate brand equity was weak.

Research limitations/implications

– This investigatory research is based on a one-country sample making transferability and generalisability to other countries difficult.

Practical implications

– The findings of this research should enable 3PL managers to determine those service offerings most important to shippers and customers, develop a service package using such offerings to satisfy their needs and thus build loyalty and corporate brand equity with both.

Originality/value

– This paper adds to our knowledge of these constructs in a supply-chain context, particularly for 3PLs, and provides an interdisciplinary approach to research in the supply-chain domain.
The impact of corporate social responsibility (CSR) performance and perceived brand quality on customer-based brand preference
Authors: Tingchi Liu Matthew , Anthony Wong Ipkin , Shi Guicheng , Chu Rongwei , L. Brock James
Published: July 2014

Purpose

– This paper aims to investigate how corporate social responsibility (CSR) performance (i.e. to the environment, society and stakeholders) and perceived brand quality influence brand preference. The mediating effect of perceived brand quality on the relationship between CSR performance and brand preference is also studied.

Design/methodology/approach

– In 2011, 243 valid responses to questionnaire surveys were collected from a convenience sample in China. Regression analyses were used to test the hypotheses.

Findings

– Customers’ brand preference can be enhanced by CSR performance. Performance in each of the three CSR domains (i.e. environment, society and stakeholders) positively impacts brand preference, although to different degrees. The impact of CSR on stakeholders has the strongest influence on Chinese customers’ brand preference among the three CSR domains. Perceived brand quality was found to be a mediator of the relationship between CSR performance and brand preference.

Research limitations/implications

– This research studies the relationship between CSR performance and brand preference. Results show CSR performance is not the strongest predictor of branding outcomes, its explanatory power is comparatively weaker than that of perceived brand quality. Additionally, we found a mediating effect of perceived brand quality on the relationship between CSR performance and brand preference.

Practical implications

– Brands can be more attractive to Chinese consumers when brands take appropriate investments in CSR activities. A socially responsible brand is not guaranteed to yield a competitive advantage. Instead a competitive advantage will more likely result through the employment of the appropriate CSR strategies, with a focus on stakeholders’ interests.

Originality/value

– The current research contributes to the literature by finding that not all CSR activities are equally effective. Customers in emerging markets still appear to be focused more on the quality of brands and, to some extent, stakeholder CSR practice, as these provide direct benefits to customers. Findings of this study also support the notion that Chinese consumers are beginning to use CSR information to evaluate brands.
Mediating effects between World Games identification and licensed merchandise
Authors: Cheng Lee-Joy , Yeh Chin-Chia , Wong Seng-Lee
Published: July 2014

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to explore consumer decision-making factors related to purchases of licensed merchandise, while focussing on how consumers’ identification with the 2009 World Games (WG), perceptions of quality and attitudes toward collecting, affect the decision-making model with regards to purchasing intention.

Design/methodology/approach

– The research model is based on the study of Kwak and Kang (2009), but also includes an assessment of consumers’ collecting attitudes. A purposive sampling method was adopted and data were collected from 1,985 valid samples via questionnaire surveys during the 2009 WG in Kaohsiung, Taiwan. Structural equation modeling was used to test the decision-making model presented in this study.

Findings

– The results reveal that consumers’ intentions with respect to purchasing licensed merchandise are influenced most by their attitudes toward collecting, followed by the perceived quality of the merchandise. The findings also suggest that the greater the perceived quality of licensed merchandise, the more positive the consumer attitude toward collecting. Lastly, the study finds no direct effect between respondent WG identification and intention to purchase licensed merchandise.

Research limitations/implications

– An exploratory concept proposed in this study, WG identification, is quite different from either event or place identification. In this study, due to its influence on at least two other relationships, the effects of one's attitude toward collecting prove to be much more complicated than the previous literature suggests. Since all data were collected in Taiwan, the research findings may have been influenced by particular local cultural and political factors, and therefore might not be well informed by inferences drawn from western populations.

Practical implications

– It was found that emphasizing the collectability of licensed merchandise is the most effective strategy for increasing consumer purchasing intention and promoting sales of merchandise at similar international events and competitions. This finding should encourage those interested in increasing consumers’ purchasing intention to pay more attention to the importance of licensed commemorative merchandise.

Originality/value

– Due to a lack of first-hand data on the consumption of licensed merchandise at major international events and competitions, little direct empirical research has been done in Taiwan. This study is the first attempt to explore this issue.
A visual interactive method for service prototyping
Authors: Jung Bae Dae , Seong Leem Choon
Published: July 2014

Purpose

– Despite the importance of the service design process, existing prototyping methods still have technical limitations, thus hampering the development of realistic service-experience simulations that can effectively reproduce service delivery situations and environments. In this study, a service-prototyping method based on 3D virtual reality (VR) technologies, the physical environment of a test bed, and related standard management procedures are described. In addition, a service-prototyping process for a servicescape is proposed based on a case study of an actual duty-free shop. The paper aims to discuss these issues.

Design/methodology/approach

– The study adopts a qualitative approach, using case studies to undertake a design and improvement plans for brand guidance structures for the brand observation convenience of customers in a duty-free shop.

Findings

– The findings of the study suggested environmental components and concept of 3D VR based test bed as an effective tool at the stage of service prototyping the core of new service development (NSD), and introduced practical methods for service prototyping in actual duty-free shop. The case study is significant due to the fact that it proved validity and practicality of the methods applied to service prototyping topic derivation and test process through target service analysis rather than optimal alternative selection.

Practical implications

– This study emphasizes the importance of prototyping during NSD and the value of the service prototyping test bed for practical use. It also proposes guidelines for the establishment and management of the test bed.

Originality/value

– In terms of service design research, this study also presented detailed operating procedures and methods through the new concept and in-depth case study of service prototyping using 3D VR technology.
Did you enjoy the library? Impact surveys in diverse settings
Authors: Poll Roswitha
Published: July 2014

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to examine the adequacy of impact surveys for identifying library influence on highly diverse populations.

Design/methodology/approach

– Projects calculating an economic value of library services have become nearly familiar in the last decades, while attempts to identify an influence of library use on people's lives and on society are still somewhat rare. Probably the most suitable and manageable instrument for impact assessment is the survey, whether print or online, used separately or combined with interview techniques. The paper describes recent projects using impact surveys for diverse populations and compares their goals, target groups, and results. The focus is on impact in the sense of changes in people resulting from the contact with library services, not on economic value of libraries.

Findings

– The impact projects that are analysed, though differing strongly in outer conditions, populations and goals, show the applicability of the survey method for impact assessment, but also the need for adapting the method to the specific conditions.

Research limitations/implications

– Studies on library impact are ongoing, and methods are still developing. The paper shows a snapshot of the present situation.

Originality/value

– The paper concentrates on the most-used instrument of impact assessment; surveys. Based on practical examples it shows advantages and challenges of the method and gives recommendations for format and content of surveys in different settings.