bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Towards an evaluation framework for eParticipation
Authors: Macintosh Ann , Whyte Angus
Published: April 2008

Purpose

The paper seeks to demonstrate the use of a range of perspectives and methods to evaluate eParticipation initiatives. It aims to argue that there is a need for coherent evaluation frameworks employing such perspectives and methods, the better to understand current eParticipation applications and learn from these experiences.

Design/methodology/approach

A case study of eParticipation evaluation for four local authority led projects from the “top down” stream of the UK Local e‐Democracy National Project is presented.

Findings

Applying the eParticipation framework resulted in an assessment that was considered fair by participants. However, the framework needs further development. More consideration needs to be placed on how and when to use tools in which contexts, also, on how to combine tools to enable inclusive engagement. The evaluation timescale meant important aspects of the framework were downplayed.

Research limitations/implications

Further research is needed in two main areas; first, on the applicability of eParticipation tools to particular contexts, and second, to integrate fieldwork methods to assess social acceptance of eParticipation and represent the diversity of views obtained from citizens, community groups and other stakeholders.

Practical implications

The paper describes the application of the framework, demonstrates the importance of a multi‐method approach, and outlines some barriers to using it.

Originality/value

The described framework is a basis for further development since eParticipation evaluation is in its infancy despite strong advocacy of evaluation in e‐government research and practice literature.
Addressing coordination problems in information intensive processes for public management innovation
Authors: Celino Adele , Concilio Grazia , Pontrandolfo Pierpaolo , Scozzi Barbara
Published: April 2008

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to propose a methodological framework for assessing coordination in information intensive processes in a perspective of government innovation needs.

Design/methodology/approach

In the literature on e‐government most of the assessment efforts challenge mere technological issues, completeness of supplied services, and number of users “attracted”; we describe a methodological framework for addressing coordination problems in information‐intensive processes, explore the potential effectiveness of the proposed approach within an e‐government system managing authoritative procedures in Natural Parks, and finally discuss strengths and limitations of the methodology.

Findings

Provides the framework for testing the proposed methodology in developing land use permissions in natural parks.

Research limitations/implications

The proposed methodology considers that governmental procedure are well monitored and known with respect to information flows, individual tasks and performances. The applicability of the proposed methodology in government processes can present some limitations when dealing with complex and inter‐institutional procedures whose information flows and roles are not clearly identifiable. Moreover, the methodology is dedicated to sequential procedures.

Practical implications

Although other and in some cases more complex methodologies are available to assess coordination, the suggested methodology is easy to be applied and needs information that is not difficult to be acquired. It provides support to improve the analyzed process as it estimates the coordination load involved by different ways to implement it.

Originality/value

The paper approaches the e‐government assessment problem focusing on the opportunity for the organization to learn about itself and producing organizational innovation.
E‐government adoption in Europe at regional level
Authors: Williams
Published: April 2008

Purpose

The aim of this investigation is to examine the level of adoption of e‐government at the regional level in Europe in terms of eight different categories addressing both services provided, internal capacity in terms of training and policies, and perceived barriers to e‐government.

Design/methodology/approach

A survey approach was employed to achieve the overall aim of the study, based on existing survey instruments and informed by the requirements of policy makers. A survey of 1,021 municipalities across seven European regions was conducted in order to ascertain the development of e‐government.

Findings

The findings suggest that despite e‐government being heavily promoted throughout the Europe, there is relatively little commonality across regions evident to date. The study identifies a number of areas for improvement within the eight categories investigated.

Research limitations/implications

The desired minimum confidence level and confidence interval was not realised across all regions. It would be appropriate to conduct further investigations which include larger (non‐UK) administrative bodies in order that progress made by comparable organizations may be evaluated. Although the study includes results from municipalities in seven regions, it would be desirable to expand the scope of the investigation.

Originality/value

The primary value of this paper lies in the size of the sample derived at regional rather than national level, the resulting data extending our understanding of the adoption of information and communication technologies within municipalities at regional level in Europe.
Public sector information system critical success factors
Authors: Rosacker Kirsten M. , Olson David L.
Published: April 2008

Purpose

Project management literature contains an evolving body of research addressing critical success factors. The majority of these studies have focused on projects completed within private sector organizations or, in a few cases, a mix of public and private sector organizations. Given the distinct qualitative differences that exist between private and public sector entities, it would be naive to blindly apply the lessons learned from prior studies to public sector information technology (IT) project management. This paper seeks to investigate public sector information system critical success factors.

Design/methodology/approach

Using a survey research methodology and the project implementation profile, this study empirically tests the critical success factors proposed and confirmed in the existing management literature as important to information system project implementation success within the context of public sector IT projects.

Findings

This research effort strongly suggests that significant differences exist between private and public sector IT projects with respect to critical success factors. Specifically, the application of critical success factors to project management within the unique public sector environment appears to be a reasonable course of action; however, the order of importance or dominance of each factor differs from that reported in prior research focusing on private sector efforts.

Originality/value

The findings of this study will serve as a useful and practical guide for both experienced and new state government information project managers as they seek to understand the key steps and processes that must be addressed throughout the life cycle of an IT implementation project.
The watch as cultural icon
Authors: Hall Dennis R.
Published: April 2008

Purpose

To explore the evolution and function of the wristwatch as a contemporary cultural icon.

Design/methodology/approach

To apply the concepts of iconography and of postmodern cultural theory to the general history of watches and to examine the meaning watches in contemporary culture.

Findings

Because the watch oscillates between use and signal values, the watch enjoys a distinct iconic status in contemporary American culture, evoking a host of often conflicting associations: those allied to work, productivity, enterprise and success, on the one hand, and those related to self‐indulgence, status luxury and excess, on the other hand. The development of cheap electronic movements ought to have spelled disaster for the watch both as a business and as a cultural icon, but beginning in the 1980s the watch aggressively fought back within the signal economy to represent a postmodern sense of the concept of time and culture.

Research limitations/implications

Wrist watches have a much fuller history, technical and cultural, than reported here and many more metonymic associations than those considered in this paper.

Practical implications

Considering the wrist watch, a common bit of material culture, as a cultural icon enables one better to consider and to appreciate the iconicity of common objects, as well as the iconicity of places and people.

Originality/value

This paper models a way of considering the meanings of things, applicable to the host of technological things that increasingly fill daily life: cell phones, PDAs, Blackberries, laptop computers, and the like.
Going where the Joneses go: understanding how others influence travel decision‐making
Authors: Currie Russell R. , Wesley Franz , Sutherland Paul
Published: April 2008

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to examine if an evoke set exists for pleasure travelers based on the past and future travel destinations of their peer groups.

Design/methodology/approach

Researchers distributed a questionnaire to university students enrolled in the same program. The literature review suggests four ways in which peers can influence individuals: not to travel influence, direct influence, indirect influence, and shared goal of future destination influence. Results from the respondents provide data for correlation analysis based on these four types of peer influence.

Findings

The findings support previous researchers demonstrating a strong influence of peer reference groups on service purchase decisions, specifically tourism destination choice. Given a relatively small sample population, all four types of peer reference found support in the data.

Research limitations/implications

Limitations are related to sample size and the homogeneity of the sample. Because, the respondents were in the same life stage, their peer groups were similar to all. Consequently, no comparative analysis specifically identifying peers and the degree of proximity at different stages of life was possible.

Originality/value

Very few studies focus specifically on the nature of peer group influence on service purchase behavior, related specifically with travel destination decision‐making. By recognizing travel patterns of individuals and understanding the influences causing these patterns, tourism marketers and planners have a greater understanding of the mechanisms of peer influence in pleasure travel destination choice.
Facilitators and constraints in leisure travel participation: the case of the southeast of Portugal
Authors: Silva Oriana , Correia Antónia
Published: April 2008

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to analyse facilitators and constraints of Portuguese south‐eastern residents face when making decisions for leisure travel participation.

Design/methodology/approach

The inquiry anchors on a case study research, supported by a theoretical sampling and data triangulation. The main findings result from an interpretative and comparative analysis of 48 long interviews.

Findings

The research findings suggest that the main determinants of leisure traveling decisions of Portuguese south‐eastern residents are motivations, travel companion, time and money. The study finds 35 other factors, most of which classified as structural factors. It also suggests that the decision to take leisure travels derives from the tourist's causal historical wave, and that most of the factors which influence the decision are aggregate ones rather than individual.

Research limitations/implications

The study limitations derive from the geographical and sampling scope of analysis, restricted to 48 Portuguese south‐eastern interviewees; but, it raises some interesting ideas which, if applied to a more extensive sample, may contribute to give insights of the usefulness of the ecological systems theory to explain tourist consumer behavior.

Originality/value

The study is the first to explore the decision for travel leisure participation from an ecological perspective in Portugal.
Classifying wine festival customers
Authors: Houghton Meg
Published: April 2008

Purpose

To provide a better understanding of the relationship between wine festivals, winery visitation and wineries in order to determine whether wine festivals are an effective promotional tool.

Design/methodology/approach

Primary data identifying the characteristics of festival patrons was gathered from regional wine festivals in Australia, then compared with Hall's stratified, New Zealand wine tourist market segments to ascertain whether the “right type” of consumer is attracted to wine festivals.

Findings

The study concludes that wine festivals are successful promotional strategies that attract a diverse mix of consumers including the preferred consumer type, namely those with a high predilection to purchase wine.

Research limitations/implications

The study was conducted in a wine growing area of south eastern Australia. Case studies of other regions would be of interest to determine the reliability of the findings.

Originality/value

Previous studies of wineries and events approach from a wine tourist's perspective. From a winery's perspective however, successful wine festivals are those that not only attract consumers wishing to trial and buy wine products but ultimately lead to ongoing brand recognition and loyalty. This study specifically considers the juxtaposition of wine festivals and their patrons and therefore the effectiveness of this promotional strategy.
Aesthetic labor, rocky horrors, and the 007 Dynamic
Authors: Quinn Bernie
Published: April 2008

Purpose

To ascertain if the use of attractive staff is common practice within the hospitality industry in Edinburgh.

Design/methodology/approach

A qualitative approach by a series of semi‐structured interviews. The researcher took an instinctive humanist approach to this study. A sample of 3, 4 and 5 star hotels, bars and restaurants were included. The focus of the research developed from ascertaining if attractive staff were common place into one that, some organisations use more sophisticated techniques to have customers literally buy‐in to the goods and services on offer.

Findings

Open admission from respondents, that they use attractive staff. However, aesthetic labor is strongly supported by the use of emotional labor as the worker needs to have a certain empathy with the customer. Furthermore, the aesthetic worker is supported by the uniform, the environment in which the service encounter takes place and provides a performance in which the customer actively participates. The highly developed manner that the organisation induces the customer to perceive when in this environment lead the researcher to propose a 007 Dynamic that happens, as the customer takes on an almost “James Bond” like persona.

Research limitations/implications

A relatively small sample but is perhaps indicative of contemporary hospitality industry common practices.

Practical implications

Hospitality management are using less highly “hard” skilled employees and focusing more on the “soft” skills of new workers.

Originality/value

Customers are susceptible to subliminal messaging from staff appearance, their empathy and environment.
Communities of disentrepreneurship
Authors: Honig Benson , Paul Dana Leo
Published: April 2008

Purpose

To examine communities that temporarily demonstrated successful social and economic success, but regressed, or may have cycled through periods marked by unusual success and unusual failure.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors analyse events in two communities that have experienced disentrepreneurship.

Findings

The authors attribute three main forces accountable for community disentrepreneurship: a failure in community leadership that allows the continuation of path dependent patron‐client relationships, peripheralisation resulting from both geographical and infrastructure constraints, and failure to adequately diversify the economic environment. It is believed that further study of communities that have experienced such cycles is both warranted, and essential.

Practical implications

A useful source of information for academics as well as for town planners, policy‐makers and economists.

Originality/value

This paper addresses a largely overlooked area of the landscape.
Entrepreneurial and market orientation relationship to performance
Authors: Todorovic Zelimir William , Ma Jun
Published: April 2008

Purpose

First, this paper aims to examine the role culture plays on the relationship between entrepreneurial orientation (EO) and market orientation (MO) and its consequent impact on firm organizational performance. Second, the nature of the EO‐MO correlation itself and its effect on organizational performance is considered.

Design/methodology/approach

Reviews of literature in EO and MO serve as a foundation of the development of conceptual arguments. Utilizing Hofstede's data, five countries with the lowest GDP and five countries with the highest GDP were plotted on a two dimensional plot to validate the findings.

Findings

Entrepreneurial organizations in collectivist societies face lean resource environments. The effectiveness of strategic orientations (EO or MO) should not be assumed to be uniform.

Research limitations/implications

This paper does not include empirical validation of the argument. Further empirical research should be done in different cultural contexts.

Practical implications

There has been relatively little research that examines the relationship between strategic orientations, such as EO and MO, and their antecedents and consequences on organizational performance in different cultural contexts. This paper represents an attempt to do so from multicultural perspectives.

Originality/value

This paper informs entrepreneurs of how their EO, MO, and their firms' performance are influenced by one cultural dimension: individualism/collectivism.
Factors influencing entrepreneurial intensity in communities
Authors: Heilbrunn Sibylle
Published: April 2008

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to explore the factors influencing entrepreneurial intensity. More specifically the study addresses the following objectives: propose a way to measure entrepreneurial intensity within the community context in order to determine entrepreneurial activity over a period of ten years, detect the factors influencing the entrepreneurial intensity, and finally locate Kibbutz communities on the entrepreneurial grid.

Design/methodology/approach

Kibbutz communities are the level of analysis. Using a comprehensive questionnaire, a sample of 60 Kibbutzim – constituting 22 percent of the population of Kibbutz communities in Israel – was investigated over a period of ten years. The same questionnaire was administered to the same sample Kibbutzim (Kibbutzim is the plural of Kibbutz) in 1994, 1997 and 2004. Collected data include number and types of enterprises, economic strength, organizational size and age, and features of organizational structure and culture.

Findings

Quantitative data analysis revealed a significant increase of entrepreneurial activity of Kibbutz communities in terms of frequency, degree and intensity of entrepreneurship. Organizational size and age have an impact on entrepreneurial intensity as well as the existence of an “entrepreneurial vehicle.” On the entrepreneurial grid Kibbutzim are moving from the incremental/periodic cluster towards the dynamic cluster, but few meaningful breakthroughs can be observed.

Research limitations/implications

More research is needed in order to understand the interrelationship between community environments and entrepreneurship. The major research limitation of this paper constitutes the fact that only Kibbutz communities were investigated.

Originality/value

The paper utilizes the concept of the entrepreneurial grid for an empirical analysis of community entrepreneurship.
Social capital and co‐leadership in ethnic enterprises in Canada
Authors: Paré Sylvie , Menzies Teresa V. , Jacques Filion Louis , Brenner Gabrielle A.
Published: April 2008

Purpose

To identify the influence of ethnicity and ethnic social capital on entrepreneurial practices such as the co‐direction of a firm, and more particularly on aspects of venture creation, management, and business development.

Design/methodology/approach

The research was based on a field survey carried out in the cities of Montreal, Toronto, and Vancouver. The authors study the entrepreneurs who had partners in their firms. The sampling technique, known as “snowball sampling,” did not concentrate specifically on firms with co‐leadership structures, but targeted all entrepreneurs in the ethnic groups concerned; the interviewers asked respondents to identify other potential candidates in the same ethnic group. The participation rate was not measured systematically.

Findings

Co‐leadership, while fairly common and having a clear impact among Italian entrepreneurs, is not necessarily as popular in the other groups. Cultural features may have an influence here, and the structuring effects of the entrepreneur's social capital are certainly a factor. The findings helped build an emergent conceptual model to show the place of co‐leadership in the creation and development of social capital used in the management of ethnic firms.

Research limitations/implications

Public policy makers must take into account that trust and reciprocity will have an impact on the style of partnership selected. Other qualitative and quantitative data are needed to help understand the various factors and impacts of co‐leadership. Also, examination of the individual and joint inputs and outputs of the partners is an important and timely area of study.

Practical implications

This may have implications in designing public programs to help ethnic entrepreneurs.

Originality/value

This is one of the first studies to examine co‐leadership in the context of ethnic entrepreneurship. With the importance of immigration, this is crucial to understand how to help the success of ethnic businesses and therefore the integration of immigrants in our societies.
Making a connection: tasting rooms and brand loyalty
Authors: Fountain Joanna , Fish Nicola , Charters Steve
Published: April 2008

Purpose

There is growing research on the value of winery tasting rooms/cellar doors as an avenue for relationship building with consumers resulting in greater brand loyalty. This paper aims to examine the role of tasting rooms in this regard in an Australasian context.

Design/methodology/approach

The research was exploratory, designed to explore a full range of visitors' experiences at the winery tasting room, using a modified form of mystery shopping combined with focus groups.

Findings

Establishing brand loyalty through a winery tasting room experience requires more than just good wine or good service quality, rather it results from an experience which is personalised and which establishes an emotional connection between the visitor and the winery, their product and winery staff. Generally smaller wineries were making this emotional connection more effectively than larger wineries. By contrast, staff at small and larger wineries alike were making little effort to establish concrete links to instil brand loyalty with the wine tourist post‐visit by encouraging repeat visitation or promoting their mailing lists or even eliciting wine sales.

Research limitations/implications

The research focused on a relatively small number of consumers in Australia and New Zealand and thus may not be immediately generalisable to other markets.

Practical implications

The research highlights numerous areas for improvement in the organisation of tasting room encounters and the training of staff, noticeably with regards to making lasting connections with visitors resulting in future brand loyalty; issues which could be addressed by winery managers.

Originality/value

The paper gives depth to results previously reported by researchers on the role of service provision at the tasting room to the overall winery experience, and adds perspectives on the effectiveness of efforts to establish brand loyalty and maintain post‐visit contact with the winery visitor.
A model and exploratory study for promoting professional sales in winery visitor centers
Authors: Olsen Janeen , Thach Liz
Published: April 2008

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to present a model for promoting professional sales in winery visitor centers, as well as the results of an exploratory study to test the model.

Design/methodology/approach

A survey methodology was used to evaluate the sales behavior of winery personnel in three popular wine tourist regions of California, USA. In total, 284 mystery shopper evaluations were completed and analyzed. In addition, a professional sales model for winery visitor centers was developed based on secondary sources drawn from the literature.

Findings

Results indicate that some of the winery visitor centers have adopted professional sales techniques and trained their staff to perform these tasks, but there is still ample opportunity to improve. Sales presentations could become more interactive in many cases, and relationship and trust building actions could be emphasized more.

Research limitations/implications

The study was limited to three wine regions in California, and only provides descriptive statistics of service and sales in the tasting room. Further testing of the model in new locations with expanded statistics would be useful.

Practical implications

The study highlight effective professional selling tactics used in winery visitor centers which could be adopted by managers. It also identifies areas for improvement.

Originality/value

This paper introduces a new model on professional sales in winery visitor centers. This is the first of its type to be applied to the wine industry for direct to consumer sales.
Using winery web sites to launch relationships with Millennials
Authors: Nowak Linda I. , Newton Sandra
Published: April 2008

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to examine the attitudes of Millennial wine consumers and determine if positive evaluations of the winery's web site lead to increased trust in the winery and perceptions of product quality, higher levels of brand equity, and increased purchase intentions. The tasting room experience will be evaluated for consistency with the image created by the web site and the meeting of Millennial expectations during the web site visit.

Design/methodology/approach

In total, 122 young people (Millennials) with an average age of 23 were asked to visit winery web sites and then evaluate the web sites for quality and perceptions formed relating to the overall image of the winery and its products. The participants were then asked to visit the winery and evaluate their winery experience and its products.

Findings

Web site quality was a significant predictor of increased trust in the winery and perceptions of the quality of the wine. Web site evaluations of brand equity carried over to influence evaluations of brand equity after the tasting room experience. When visiting the winery, the more the customers' expectations were exceeded, the higher the level of customer satisfaction with the tasting room experience.

Research limitations/implications

The research findings were based on a small convenience sample of 122 undergraduate US business students from Northern California. Future research should study larger and more diverse samples of the Millennial consumer.

Practical implications

Wine brands attempting to attract the Millennial customer should consider paying close attention to the design, development, and maintenance of a web site that appeals to the savvy Millennial consumer.

Originality/value

The potential for web sites to impact young adults' perceptions of the winery's image, trust in the winery, perceptions of wine quality, and intentions to visit the winery based on these perceptions has not previously been examined.
Trust and online wine purchasing: insights into UK consumer behaviour
Authors: Quinton Sarah , Harridge‐March Sally
Published: April 2008

Purpose

Buyer trust is needed to begin any purchasing relationship whether the exchange is to take place online or offline. In the online environment, instilling trust is critical to the formation of a purchasing relationship owing to the perception of increased risk on the part of the would‐be consumer. The purpose of this paper is to investigate whether the elements of trust that influence potential consumers differ between on and offline wine purchasing.

Design/methodology/approach

An interactive data collection tool was employed, in the form of an internet based questionnaire that focused on what influences a consumer of wine to trust enough to purchase online for the first time. This paper reports the findings based on a permission‐based email sample of more than 1,000 current consumers who professed to buy wine.

Findings

The findings demonstrate that there is a difference in the elements of trust that consumers use to determine whether or not to purchase wine online and offline.

Practical implications

The authors suggest that the services marketing mix holds relevance for those online retailers who wish to attract consumers of wine for the first time. The paper concludes with recommendations for marketers on how to influence the initial wine purchase.

Originality/value

This paper's value lies in the comparison between on and offline trust and initial buying behaviour. It provides insight into the initiation of trust and the formation of relationships between customers and providers by identifying the elements that instil trust.
What do rents tell us about house prices?
Authors: Hargreaves Bob
Published: April 2008

Purpose

Since 2000 house prices have risen much more rapidly than rents. This has resulted in questions being raised about the traditional relationship between residential rents and property values. The objective of this paper is to determine if changes in private sector residential rents can be used to forecast changes in New Zealand house prices. The hypothesis being that there is a strong linkage between income and value in both the share markets and commercial property markets and the same effect is likely to be true for housing.

Design/methodology/approach

The relationship between changes in residential rents and changes in house prices over the period 1993‐2005 was determined by using correlation analysis. Cross correlations were calculated with rents leading and lagging house prices by seven half yearly periods. These calculations were computed for all New Zealand and the three main cities (Auckland, Wellington and Christchurch).

Findings

The highest correlation coefficients between rents and house prices occurred when rents lagged house prices by six months. This finding supports the contention that rents drive house prices and not vice versa.

Research limitations/implications

The main limitation with the study is the private sector data only covers a relatively short time period (1993‐2005). Longer rental time series are unreliable because they include periods when social housing rents were set at market levels and longer periods when rents were subsidised.

Practical implications

Housing in New Zealand appears to be over priced because with net yields generally less than half mortgage interest rates there is an over reliance on capital gain that is not supported by rental income.

Originality/value

The study identifies the effect of net migration on rents and explains why rental supply tends to lag demand.
An empirical study on the positive externality of building refurbishment
Authors: Yau Yung , Wing Chau Kwong , Chi Wing Ho Daniel , Kei Wong Siu
Published: April 2008

Purpose

The paper's objective is to empirically study the effects of building refurbishment on the prices of the dwelling units in a contiguous housing estate in Hong Kong.

Design/methodology/approach

In a congested living environment like Hong Kong, it is difficult, if not impossible, to have a view unobstructed by buildings. As such, the quality of views is dependent on the aesthetic quality of surrounding buildings. It is likely that poorly maintained buildings will impose negative visual effects on their immediate surroundings. Refurbishing these poor buildings should, therefore, reduce or even counter this negative externality. To study the positive externality brought about by building refurbishment, a hedonic price analysis was conducted on a set of panel data consisting of property transactions in a large housing estate located in Pokfulam. This estate was chosen because its adjoining buildings underwent refurbishment in 1998.

Findings

The results showed that the refurbishment increased significantly the prices of those properties which faced refurbished buildings, keeping other things constant. The increments, on average, amounted 6.6 per cent of the prices of the properties.

Research limitations/implications

Building refurbishment can have various scopes and scales but this study did not consider how the characteristics of the building refurbishment affected the prices of neighbourhood properties.

Practical implications

Given the problems of aging buildings in most urban areas, the results presented significant practical implications for building refurbishment and urban renewal as a whole. Developers or property owners may be lured to invest in the refurbishment of adjacent dilapidated properties with a view to enhancing the values of their own properties.

Originality/value

Although previous studies analytically suggested that building refurbishment created positive externality, this study is the first attempt to explore this connection.
Regional house prices
Authors: Wilhelmsson Mats
Published: April 2008

Purpose

The aim of this study is to investigate why housing prices differ between regions, and to estimate the speed‐of‐adjustment.

Design/methodology/approach

A variety of factors explains the differences in the prices of single‐family houses. Changes in disposable income over time and across regions as well as the cost of capital are important determinants. The model is based on a DiPasquale and Wheaton model where the developments of the house prices are a function of macroeconomic factors such as economic growth, changes in employment and interest rate. It is estimated on a two‐equation error correction model: first, the long‐run price equation and, second, a short‐run price model.

Findings

The estimates suggest that the speed‐of‐adjustment ranges from 16 to 78 per cent (around 50 per cent on average) depending on the region. In regions with a low population density, higher price adjustment rates are observed. Moreover, the speed‐of‐adjustment is higher in an upturn economy than in a downturn reflecting that negative housing stock adjustments is much slower than positive adjustments.

Originality/value

The main contribution is that the speed‐of‐adjustment to the long‐run equilibrium price for 21 regions is estimated instead of at a national level and, furthermore, cyclical asymmetry in responses is tested and such differences are found. It is estimated that the rate of adjustment to long‐run equilibrium price varies considerably between regions.
Do we really understand homeownership rates? An international study
Authors: Gwin Carl R. , Ong Seow‐Eng
Published: April 2008

Purpose

This paper attempts to fill two gaps in the homeownership literature identified by Dietz and Haurin: homeownership in less developed countries and the effects of race, ethnicity and income on tenure choice.

Design/methodology/approach

United Nations data from 1993 and 1998 are used to offer a cross‐country analysis of the determinants of homeownership rates. Consistent with the previous literature, this study confirms that the price‐to‐rent ratio is an important factor in tenure choice and increases in income are associated with increases in the percentage of consumers who choose to own. However, these relationships seem to hold generally only for higher income developed countries.

Findings

In contrast to the previous literature that finds race and ethnicity account for a significant portion of the differences in US homeownership rates, this study finds no evidence that these determinants account for differences across countries. The authors investigate the rule of law and find it is closely correlated with income measures which may indicate that countries with stronger laws encourage higher homeownership rates. Finally, capitalist/(formerly) communist regime differences do not appear to explain cross country differences in homeownership rates.

Research limitations/implications

This research is limited by the scope and quality of the UN data.

Practical implications

The paper offers insights from the international evidence for the potential of selected policies to increase domestic homeownership rates and identifies several avenues for future international homeownership research.

Originality/value

This paper provides an initial empirical analysis on international homeownership in an attempt to fill gaps in the homeownership literature.
A new customer‐oriented participation method for communicative planning
Authors: Majamaa Wisa , Kuronen Matti , Kostiainen Juha , Heywood Chris
Published: April 2008

Purpose

This paper aims to examine the identification and engagement of future inhabitants in urban planning processes using a new “public–private–people partnerships (4Ps)” participation method, where public, private and people are in partnership. This form of participation gives new information, related to consumers’ residential choice, unlike those environments produced by using other participation methods.

Design/methodology/approach

The empirical study is based in innovation theory where end‐users are primary stakeholders in the innovation process, and even innovators themselves. A case study of a new participation method based on a two‐phase internet questionnaire is used to research practical solutions in integrating end‐users into urban planning process.

Findings

This paper demonstrates that the widely used theory of communicative action in planning and its aim of increasing citizens’ activity in planning and development processes can be developed to the stage that it also includes future inhabitants as stakeholders. Thus urban planning processes become innovative and customer‐oriented through their openness, end‐user orientation and interpretative nature.

Originality/value

The case study findings indicate that the new participation method described here gives flexibility and benefits to all stakeholders and is a method to create consumer desirable neighborhoods. Engaging future inhabitants in planning processes opens previously unseen potential for including consumerist possibilities for cities and developers. This paper illustrates that this new 4Ps participation method makes comprehensive participatory planning and development possible through giving an opportunity to include consumers’ opinions and needs into an alternative to traditional communicative planning.
The impact of Feng Shui on residential property prices in Western cultures
Authors: Bond Sandy
Published: April 2008

Purpose

To determine if the ancient Chinese tradition of Feng Shui affects residential property prices in a Western setting (“Western” and “the West” refers to the cultures and peoples of the mainlands Europe, the Americas, Australia, and New Zealand.)

Design/methodology/approach

Two approaches were adopted to measure the impact of Feng Shui design principles on property prices. First, a case study approach using a paired sales analysis was adopted to compare sales transaction prices of Feng Shui designed condominiums with sales prices of condominiums that were built without this design feature. Second, sales transaction data were analysed using multiple regression analysis in a hedonic pricing framework.

Findings

The results were mixed but provide preliminary evidence that Feng Shui impacts positively on property prices in the West.

Research limitations/implications

Firstly, the units were sold as “designer ready”. Prices for these units exclude floor coverings, painting, kitchen and bathroom fittings, appliances, counter tops and plumbing fixtures. A more precise adjustment was not able to be made as the actual build‐out cost for each unit was not available. However, it was felt that the average rate was a reasonable proxy for the cost of a build‐out. Secondly, the case study includes sales of Feng Shui designed units in only one building. A more reliable result would have been achieved had the data set included several buildings constructed using the principles of Feng Shui.

Practical implications

With the rise in popularity of the use of Feng Shui design in Western homes, understanding the effects of this on property values is important to both property valuers and investors of such property.

Originality/value

Research on the impact of cultural beliefs on residential property values in the West is limited. This paper provides a contribution to understanding the value affects of such beliefs, specifically those relating to Feng Shui.
Global outsourcing of back office services: lessons, trends, and enduring challenges
Authors: Lacity Mary C. , Willcocks Leslie P. , Rottman Joseph W.
Published: April 2008

Purpose

To identify key lessons, trends and enduring challenges with global outsourcing of back office services.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors extract lessons, project trends, and discuss enduring challenges from a 20 year research program conducted by these authors and their extended network of co‐authors and colleagues.

Findings

The authors identify seven important lessons for successfully exploiting the maturing Information Technology Outsourcing (ITO) and Business Process Outsourcing (BPO) markets. The lessons require back office executives to build significant internal capabilities and processes to manage global outsourcing. The authors predict 13 trends about the size and growth of ITO and BPO markets, about suppliers located around the world, and about particular sourcing models including application service provision, insourcing, nearshoring, rural sourcing, knowledge process outsourcing, freelance outsourcing, and captive centers. The authors identify five persistent, prickly issues on global outsourcing pertaining to back office alignment, client and supplier incentives, knowledge transfer, knowledge retention, and sustainability of outsourcing relationships.

Originality/value

The authors present some experimental innovations to address these issues.
Emerging shared service organizations and the service‐oriented enterprise
Authors: Janssen Marijn , Joha Anton
Published: April 2008

Purpose

Service‐orientation enables new organizational forms and organization initiate shared service centers (SSCs) to become shared service organizations (SSOs) or service‐oriented enterprises (SOEs). Services can be performed in‐house, shared or outsourced. However, this form of organization faces significant challenges and to date not much research has focused on capturing experiences in this domain. The aim of this paper is to identify critical management issues in the development of service‐oriented arrangements.

Design/methodology/approach

The research used a combination of literature and case study research, whereby literature provided the theoretical foundations and the case study is used to identify the critical research challenges.

Findings

Technological developments enable a service‐oriented approach, leading to new organizational forms and a shift towards a more market‐oriented type of control. The SOE is an enterprise that is modularized in business domains and organized around SSCs. New products can be created by orchestrating the services provided by the service centers, and this orchestration is expected to become a core capability. Service centers display varying levels of modularity, which influences the sourcing options. In our case study, the SSO and SOE emerged and evolved out of SSCs, and as a result an incremental, staged approach should be adopted with regard to its implementation. The main critical management issues are a carefully executed strategy, the redesign and reorganization of activities and roles, the standardization of processes, applications and the underlying IT architecture, and management of the transformation by involving all stakeholders.

Research limitations/implications

The SOE is explored using a single case study, which although it provides in‐depth insight, limits statistical generalization. Further research should focus on the benefits, drawbacks and risks of these concepts. In addition, the bundling and orchestration of services need to be investigated.

Practical implications

This type of change is often technology driven. Companies should address the critical management issues when they adopt a more service‐oriented approach at a business level.

Originality/value

To date, there are very few empirical studies that look at SSO and the SOE. This paper offers a contribution by investigating a real‐life case study, analyzing the kind of organization involved, and identifying the challenges and issues.
Printing industry offshoring: perspectives from US based printers
Authors: Rothenberg Sandra , Hira Ron , Tang Zhi
Published: April 2008

Purpose

This paper aims to report on how US printers perceive offshoring trends in the printing industry, and explore how they are responding to its opportunities and challenges.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors relied on data collection comprising three stages: exploratory interviews, an industry survey, and follow‐up interviews.

Findings

Many printers perceive offshoring as a threat, and some groups are being affected by it. Firms that offer quick and variable printing and/or non‐standard IT services (with the exception of data management) are less likely to suffer from job loss due to the offshoring. To respond to the threat of offshore outsourcing, printers are trying to either focus on “safe” products, introduce new services, or offshore themselves. Most US printers do not have a global footprint, so few have taken advantage of the opportunities opened up by globalization, by offshoring their supply chain or selling abroad.

Research limitations/implications

Due to a low response rate, performance data are not in the analysis. This limitation is common for researchers of the printing industry where little public data are available.

Practical implications

While many US printers are feeling the negative effects of offshoring, few are taking advantage of its benefits.

Originality/value

Most offshoring studies to date have relied on publicly available data, which has significant limitations. This study uses a mix of both survey and interview data to attain a more nuanced view of how the US printing industry is being affected by, and responding, to offshoring.