bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The African American consumer revisited: brand loyalty, word‐of‐mouth and the effects of the black experience
Authors: Steven Podoshen Jeffrey
Published: August 2008

Purpose

The intent of this article is to explore whether there is a difference between African Americans and non African‐Americans in the use of word‐of‐mouth and brand loyalty in response to the purchase of durable goods (automobiles). Additionally, this article looks to explore preference for “black‐owned” goods and services and feelings about purchasing goods from firms that once had ties to slavery.

Design/methodology/approach

This article utilizes survey data obtained from over 800 respondents with analysis performed using regression analysis.

Findings

This study shows no significant difference in brand loyalty and word‐of‐mouth between African Americans and non African‐Americans and no significant preference for black owned goods and services. Additionally it was found that while a majority of African American consumers believe that most American firms have ties to slavery, this does not act as a factor in the purchase decision.

Practical implications

This article can help firms plan their marketing strategy in terms of how they will utilize word of mouth where African American consumers comprise a significant part of their target market. Additionally, this research can help firms to understand the context of brand loyalty in terms of looking at different ethnic groups within the USA.

Originality/value

The majority of literature regarding African American consumption patterns is extremely outdated, with most written over 20 years ago. The socio‐economic status of many African Americans has improved considerably, thereby making a fresh look at this group a necessity. This article redresses this deficit
“Tell her she's wrong!” Triangulation as a spousal influence strategy
Authors: Bokek‐Cohen Ya'arit
Published: August 2008

Purpose

The objective of this paper is to focus on a spousal influence strategy that has not been investigated previously by consumer researchers: triangulation. Triangulation is the process by which a third‐party is enlisted to intervene and convince the other spouse; this person can be a friend, a relative, or one or more of the couple's children.

Design/methodology/approach

A survey questionnaire was completed by 192 couples who were asked to evaluate their own and their mates' influence strategies in four different purchase decisions.

Findings

It was found that, in general, men tend to triangulate more frequently than women. Men triangulate most frequently during a vacation decision. Less frequently, triangulation was found regarding a new residence place, followed by Saloon furnishing and TV set. Women tend to triangulate most frequently in a new residence place, followed by a vacation. Regarding all of the third persons which comprised this strategy, with the exception of “ask our child/children”, men reported a significantly greater tendency to ask a third person to influence. Conversely, women reported a significantly greater tendency to ask the child/children to influence their husbands. The longer the marital relationship, the less the use of triangulation strategy among men.

Practical implications

Advertising messages for products that are purchased by a joint decision can encourage or discourage triangulation. If there is a reason to expect that triangulated persons would have a positive attitude toward the product, the message would be more effective if it encourages triangulation, and vice versa.

Originality/value

Findings documented in the paper shed light on the triangulation strategy, a hitherto unexplored aspect in consumer behavior literature. Consumer researchers should take into account the influence of close friends and relatives that might play a role in couple purchase decision processes.
Raising the bar: from corporate social responsibility to corporate social performance
Authors: Rundle‐Thiele Sharyn , Ball Kim , Gillespie Meghan
Published: August 2008

Purpose

Consensus is emerging that companies should be socially responsible although the nature and degree of responsibility continues to be the source of debate. This continued debate allows the buck to be passed. The paper aims to propose a shift in view from corporate social responsibility to corporate social performance (CSP) as a means to assess CSR policies and practices. A harmful product category was chosen to illustrate how corporate social performance using a consumer's point‐of‐view can be assessed.

Design/methodology/approach

Literature concerned with alcohol knowledge was used to design a survey to consider whether consumers were adequately informed about alcohol. A convenience sample was used to survey Australian adults. A total of 217 surveys were analysed.

Findings

Australian alcohol marketers are currently considered socially responsible promoting an “enjoy responsibly message” amongst many other policies and programs. A shift in view from corporate social responsibility to corporate social performance (CSP) would change the outcome. Consumers are not fully aware of safe consumption levels of alcohol and these data are consistent with US and UK studies. A shift in view would suggest that companies need to revise their policies and practices.

Research limitations/implications

This study was based on a small convenience sample that varied slightly from the Australian population. Future studies, on a larger scale, are required to ensure representativeness, while replication in other countries is encouraged.

Practical implications

To meet their social obligations, marketers must ensure consumers are armed with sufficient knowledge to make informed decisions. Consumers need to be able to distinguish between safe and risky alcohol consumption levels and they need to know the number of standard drinks/units in alcoholic beverages.

Originality/value

The paper shows that there is considerable room for improvement from key players in the Australian
Decision '08: event marketing or product sampling?
Authors: Johnson Cindy
Published: August 2008

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to examine commonly relied upon product sampling strategies, direct‐to‐consumer sampling and event sampling, to determine which method can deliver the greatest return on investment in a variety of situations.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper explores information and data collected via case studies in actual programs presented to brands. The trial, sample, and purchase numbers were actual averages from sampling effectiveness studies for these types of programs.

Findings

The paper identifies and segments different types of products and the method by which the products are most effectively implemented into trial and sampling programs. ICOM reveals hard statistics on the return on investment of programs utilizing multiple methods of sampling including point‐of‐use, direct mail and event sampling.

Practical implications

Marketers should follow the STEPS outlined in this study to apply the best brand sampling strategy for a given product. Knowledge of targeted consumer base along with careful pre‐event analysis will deliver the best return on investment for a trial campaign.

Originality/value

The paper reveals reasons for a growing shift in corporate budgeted marketing dollars from event marketing to direct consumer product sampling. While event sampling is not always an ineffective or inferior marketing method,the reader can discover methods for a pre‐event return on investment analysis that will reveal the sampling strategy sure to deliver the most “bang” for the marketing “buck”.
Age cohort analysis in adoption of mobile data services: gen Xers versus baby boomers
Authors: Yang Kiseol , Jolly Laura D.
Published: August 2008

Purpose

This study aims to examine the differences in adoption of mobile data services between two age cohorts (gen Xers and baby boomers). Three elements in the extended Technology Acceptance Model – perceived usefulness, perceived ease of use, and perceived fun – were used to identify the differences in adoption of mobile data services for the two age cohorts.

Design/methodology/approach

A sample of 200 mobile services users drawn from a purchased consumer panel participated in an online survey. Of this sample, 67 gen Xers and 86 baby boomers were used for the analysis (n=153). Multigroup structural equation modeling analysis was used to examine the differences in adoption of mobile data services between the two age cohorts.

Findings

This study found that baby boomers perceived mobile data services as more difficult to use than gen Xers. However, the perception of usefulness of mobile data services was stronger for the baby boomers than gen Xers. Usefulness of mobile data services may be a critical motivator for baby boomers to adopt mobile data services. Mobile data service marketers should focus on mobile data service usefulness when they are targeting the baby boomer cohort.

Originality/value

The results of this study provide insights to assist marketers in developing and positioning appropriate mobile data services to targeted age cohorts during the adoption stage.
Pro‐environmental products: marketing influence on consumer purchase decision
Authors: Pickett‐Baker Josephine , Ozaki Ritsuko
Published: August 2008

Purpose

The objective of this paper is to investigate if marketing and branding techniques can help establish green brands and introduce greener patterns of consumption into contemporary lifestyles in the current context where environmentally friendly products are increasingly available.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper reviews consumer behaviour and advertising to identify how consumers are persuaded to opt for greener products. It reports the results of a consumer product survey using a questionnaire based on the Dunlap and van Liere HEP‐NEP environmental survey and the Roper Starch Worldwide environmental behaviour survey. The respondents were 52 mothers who shop at supermarkets.

Findings

The results show a correlation between consumer confidence in the performance of green products and their pro‐environmental beliefs in general. The findings suggest that most consumers cannot easily identify greener products (apart from cleaning products) although they would favour products manufactured by greener companies, and they do not find the current product marketing particularly relevant or engaging.

Practical implications

The paper suggests that the market for greener products could be exploited more within consumer groups that have pro‐environmental values.

Originality/value

This paper identifies that consumers are not exposed enough to green product marketing communication and suggests the greater use of marketing and brands to promote and sell products that are environmentally friendly and function effectively.
Understanding older shoppers: a phenomenological investigation
Authors: Myers Hayley , Lumbers Margaret
Published: August 2008

Purpose

This research aims to explore the shopping behaviour and needs and wants of the over 55s market. Retail spaces have been most concerned with targeting the young, but the growing importance of the older segment now dictates that retail environments must increasingly communicate with older shoppers.

Design/methodology/approach

Semi‐structured interviews were conducted with senior executives from the retail property industry. Focus groups were conducted with older shoppers to explore their perceived needs and wants.

Findings

Key findings include the need to use “perceived age” rather than chronological age in determining marketing strategies. The importance of shopping as a means of socialisation and a leisure pursuit was emphasised by older consumers and that they see themselves as experienced, astute shoppers who seek quality and service.

Research limitations/implications

The heterogeneity of the mature market was highlighted; outlook and lifestyles of older consumers are likely to continue to change with successive generations. This indicates the need for continued research in this field to fully understand the needs and wants of a diverse and important market segment.

Practical implications

Findings are evaluated in the context of previous research to draw out implications and potential actions points for the retail and shopping place industry, specifically to create aspirational shopping spaces for older shoppers and use targeted brand management to communicate effectively.

Originality/value

The paper provides insights into the needs and wants of older shoppers and highlights that while this group values the shopping environment for social and leisure usage, retailers and shopping places needs to better understand and tailor their offer to benefit from the growing importance of the older shopper.
Customer satisfaction and loyalty: start with the product, culminate with the brand
Authors: Torres‐Moraga Eduardo , Vásquez‐Parraga Arturo Z. , Zamora‐González Jorge
Published: August 2008

Purpose

Studies on customer satisfaction and loyalty have focused on brand rather than product. It is not that brand is not important, but the process of loving a brand starts with a product. Customers appreciate products by themselves, independent of the brand, as shown in their pursuit of satisfaction and development of loyalty. Such appreciation seems to be prominent regarding innovative products when compared to traditional products. This paper aims to investigate this issue and provide a product‐brand typology.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper takes the form of empirical research on a partial application of the typology.

Findings

Results show that the relationship satisfaction‐loyalty is significantly present when evaluating products alone albeit a weaker presence than when evaluating brand alone. Such unequal presence is corroborated in both traditional (bottled wine) and innovative (electronic) products even though it is much stronger in innovative products. The relationship satisfaction‐loyalty is also present when evaluating product and brand combined, indicating that there is an intermediate position between product and brand. In contrast, the literature treats brand and product‐brand as being in the same category thereby diminishing the importance of a useful difference between brand and product‐brand.

Practical implications

There are practical consequences of applying the typology and examining the findings. The relationship satisfaction‐loyalty starts with the product, includes the product‐brand, and culminates with the brand. This process is significantly more important regarding innovative products, such as electronics, as compared to traditional products such as wine.

Originality/value

This study introduces a typology underscoring the pursuit of satisfaction and development of loyalty in three conditions of product presence versus brand presence, that is, product alone, brand alone, and product and brand combined.
Telecom's search for the ultimate customer loyalty platform
Authors: Ferguson Rick , Brohaugh Bill
Published: August 2008

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to present an up‐to‐date examination of the telecommunications industry and attempt to discover how some of the major players are engaging their customers while trying to constantly diversify their service offerings.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper examines, case by case, three major telecommunications companies and identifies current and future offerings as they pertain to service initiatives and customer loyalty and retention. The paper also offers a broader overview of the telecommunications industry as a whole and identifies some major trends in the current landscape.

Findings

The paper finds that companies with sound customer strategies can use this as a differentiator in an increasingly muddled market. In an increasingly competitive market, customer loyalty efforts can play a major part in the attraction of new customers and the retention of current ones. Companies must transition to offer a suite of services as “bundling” strategies proliferate and further ignite pricing wars.

Practical implications

Marketers dealing in the telecommunications arena are entrenched in an exciting era of industry growth. As consumers' choices expand, the importance of a sound customer relationship strategy becomes more and more important for the success of the company.

Originality/value

The paper provides exclusive interviews with representatives from some of the largest telecommunications firms in the industry today. It contains expert analysis and breakdown on loyalty marketing strategies that can complement telecommunications service offerings.
Creating a Web‐Based Tutorial
Authors: Walsh John
Published: August 2008

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to describe the process of creating a web‐based tutorial with interactive leaning components.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper details a step by step outline from assessing the need for instruction through the development, design and posting of an instructional tutorial on the internet.

Findings

The purpose of the tutorial was to help community college nursing students find appropriate resources to support a research paper. Completing the project revealed two valuable lessons to keep in mind when constructing any instructional tool. There must be a true need for the instruction and the instruction must have a simple and basic design.

Originality/value

The paper offers insights into creating a web‐based tutorial.
Development of a Library 2.0 Service Model for an African Library
Authors: Pienaar Heila , Smith Ina
Published: August 2008

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to describe the development of a Library 2.0 service model for an African library.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper focuses on the academic library at the University of Pretoria (UP), South Africa.

Findings

The UP is well on its way to becoming a Library 2/0 library.

Originality/value

This case study may pave the way for other academic libraries to integrate Library 2.0 within their service offering to the benefit of all.
Third‐space scholars: bridging the marketing academy and emerging markets
Authors: DeBerry‐Spence Benét
Published: August 2008

Purpose

This paper seeks to begin a meaningful dialogue on the concept of third space, or “in‐between space”, within the marketing discipline. In the context of scholarly research, third space exists between the academy and places of research, and applies to research agendas involving businesses and consumers in emerging and/or subsistence markets, where study findings often carry significant implications for both theory development and social action. The paper therefore aims to facilitate discussion of defining third space in the context of marketing and to explore its implications for scholars and the academy as a whole.

Design/methodology/approach

By reviewing literature from diverse disciplines, the paper explores how occupying a third space may not always be momentary or short‐lived, as it is most often characterized. Instead, marketing scholars with enduring obligations both to the social action of their work in emerging markets and to the theoretical contributions of their work may enact a third space in ways that make it less transitory.

Findings

The paper introduces three areas (i.e. researcher identity, researcher context, research methods) and the corresponding themes of rediscovering the researcher, living in the global world, and (re)searching epistemologies, ontologies, and methodologies to begin an examination of third‐space marketing scholars.

Originality/value

The issues raised in the paper both respond and contribute to calls for a broader study of culture and business in transformative ways. Moreover, they provide a good starting‐point for further discussion and research on third space by highlighting that the very things one studies indeed affect current ways of theorizing and by reinforcing the need to understand the role of scholars in giving voice to the people and businesses they research.
African culture and business markets: implications for marketing practices
Authors: Darley William K. , Blankson Charles
Published: August 2008

Purpose

This paper seeks to focus on the key underpinnings of African culture and its implications for business marketing practices.

Design/methodology/approach

Using Kluckholn and Strodtbeck's and Hofstede's conceptualizations as a backdrop, the paper provides a synoptic view and modal focus of African culture. Covered are the culture's implications for organizational behavior, buyer‐seller interactions, collaborative partnerships and negotiations.

Findings

The study shows that African culture promotes the principle of reciprocity. In buyer‐seller interaction, respect for the elderly is an important guiding principle. In collaborative partnerships, preference is for the terms of the collaboration to be reached through consultation and consensus. The foreign company needs to pay attention to the softer issues surrounding the relationship and to send a high‐ranking employee‐team. In negotiations, long‐term relationship and win‐win outcome are preferred and encouraged.

Research limitations/implications

The paper uses the term “African culture” as an overarching concept. However, the fact that to propose a monolithic African culture may be inaccurate because of strong national differences is acknowledged. Nonetheless, there are some cultural dimensions common to the sub‐region, including a hierarchical social structure, the importance of kinship, the primacy of the group, the belief in ancestry and existence of a supreme being, and the value attached to the extended family.

Originality/value

The study provides useful and candid insights into African culture that international marketers may take into consideration when dealing with African business markets. It also responds to Nakata and Sivakumar's suggestions for marketing researchers to deepen the study of culture and its implications for marketing in view of the increasing globalization of markets. It is to be hoped that this study leads to further discussion and research on African culture and its implications for marketing.
Culture and design in emerging markets: the case of mobile phones in Russia
Authors: Salmi Asta , Sharafutdinova Elmira
Published: August 2008

Purpose

This paper aims to focus on interactions between old and new cultural influences, investigating consumer preferences for a new type of product – the mobile phone – by looking at the cultural and socio‐economic factors that affect these preferences.

Design/methodology/approach

A total of 22 Russian experts in design and marketing were interviewed in the spring of 2005. The paper takes the viewpoint of Western firms interested in Russian (mobile phone) markets.

Findings

The study shows that the general features (high power distance, femininity, high uncertainty avoidance) characterizing Russian culture affect preferred mobile phone design. Long‐term values are seen, for example, in family orientation, which affects the use of mobile phones. Changing cultural and socio‐economic features are seen in the strict division of consumers into distinct segments. Current aspects of society, such as high level of street crime, are apparent in the desired features of products. The emerging Russian markets seem to consist of very different consumer groups and simultaneously represent both old and new cultural features and norms. Design has become a central tool for affecting product marketing, and an influential community of designers and a design industry are emerging.

Practical implications

Cooperation with the local designers can provide an important competitive edge and support when promoting both industrial and consumer goods in Russia's emerging markets.

Originality/value

Design was earlier neglected and it has only recently started to play a more significant role in production and marketing of products in Russia. Designers can now act as important intermediaries between Russian markets and Western marketers.
Segmentation strategies for non‐profits: mining the emerging market of “black gold”
Authors: McKinley‐Floyd Lydia , Shrestha Nanda
Published: August 2008

Purpose

The purpose of this article is to present a strategic conceptual framework for targeting and mining the emerging market segment of Black philanthropy (black gold).

Design/methodology/approach

This strategic and normative conceptualization utilizes a socio‐historical and socio‐cultural perspective to posit the black gold construct and recommend tactics for mining it.

Findings

Black communities have historically engaged in social justice and self‐help activities for racial equality and advancement and with increasing levels of wealth accumulation now comprise a significant market for philanthropic giving for domestic and global non‐profit organizations. However, in light of Black America's tortured socio‐historical experience and racial/cultural identity, non‐profits must devise a historically‐informed and culturally‐nuanced strategy of relationship marketing to mine the emerging market of black gold.

Practical implications

Domestic and international non‐profits can utilize the proposed strategic conceptual framework to increase their donor and volunteer participation in segmented or minority philanthropy markets.

Originality/value

The proposed framework is strategic in nature, original in conceptualization, and socio‐historical and cultural in its methodological analysis. It can serve as a model, with some contextual modification if necessary, to tap other minority philanthropy markets.
Measuring and reporting public sector outputs/outcomes
Authors: Hoque Zahirul
Published: August 2008

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to report on a study of performance measurement and reporting practices of four government departments in Australia.

Design/methodology/approach

Relying on the “context” and “content” aspects of the institutional and strategic choice literatures, the paper suggests how external institutions such as government regulatory frameworks and internal organizational contexts such as strategic plans may shape the design of performance measurement and reporting of government departments. Texts and contents from archival sources such as published annual reports and department web sites provided insightful and interesting findings.

Findings

The paper reveals that performance measurement systems design as a central thrust to the subject government departments' strategic planning and management framework. Furthermore, content analyses of the data indicate a clear linkage between the recently introduced “managing for outcomes” framework and performance measurement practices of government departments.

Research limitations/implications

This is an exploratory study based on archival documents only, thereby provides limited insights into how organizational managers perceived the relevance and usefulness of performance measurement data. However, textual analysis from archival documents provides a rich description of how measuring and reporting of the economy, efficiency, and effectiveness of today's government organizations could be the interaction of both internal and external contexts within which they operate.

Practical implications

The paper adds to the existing public sector management and accounting literatures by suggesting that the construction and reporting process of performance measurement are crucial and relevant in today's government organizations facing a significant reduction in government funding with increased community demand for quality services.

Originality/value

Experiences in subject government entities will provide a platform for academic researchers and/or practitioners from multiple disciplines to disseminate information on accounting and performance management in the changing public sector worldwide.
Organisational status and efficiency: the case of the Spanish SOE “Paradores”
Authors: Cayón Costa Magda , Vergés I Jaime Joaquim
Published: August 2008

Purpose

The aim of this paper is to provide new evidence on the effect of changes in public enterprises' (PEs) management on their economic performance.

Design/methodology/approach

The approach is case study type and relies on comparative efficiency literature. The paper identifies relevant changes in the organisational status of a large state‐owned group during a period of 20 years; next it measures its annual efficiency indicators, and then evaluates to what extent the observed changes in economic performance can be attributable to the corresponding management reforms carried out.

Findings

It is found that the “corporatisation” (the public entity becoming a limited company) did not produce a significant improvement in its economic performance, even though the change involved a substantial increase in the company's autonomy. This is a finding which is contrary to what is expected from the reading of business economics literature, since corporatisation is considered to be one of the most relevant changes in organisational status of a PE. In contrast, the second relevant organisational change here analysed (1996) when both principal and agent (CEO) were replaced, appears to have really produced an improvement in efficiency indicators. Therefore, the change of both principal and agent seems to have been a determining element to put into effect the possibilities of more company autonomy which were established five years earlier, and including in these possibilities more freedom on output pricing policies.

Research limitations/implications

When analysing performance improvements brought about by a change in organisational status of a PE, a maturing period should be taken into account, for company efficiency to actually improve. Besides, for longitudinal assessment of company efficiency aimed at evaluating an “event's impact”, it would be convenient to rely more on economic efficiency indicators than on productive efficiency indicators if we are concerned with company competitiveness.

Practical implications

Better knowledge of the conditions for a PE's organisational status change should actually be effective in order to improve its efficiency. As one relevant condition, we argue that a given time span should be allowed for some changes in the attitudes and practices of the public company managers as far as the ways of managing and running the company are concerned.

Originality/value

This paper adds to the comparatively scarce literature available of in‐depth longitudinal analysis of the impact of management reforms on PEs, and it is the first in‐depth study of the impact of organizational status changes on efficiency of a large Spanish PE which still pertains to the public sector.
Civic entrepreneurship in Australia
Authors: Rowe Patricia A. , Christie Michael J.
Published: August 2008

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to expand on previous research conducted by Hornsby et al. that examined the corporate entrepreneurship internal factor of managerial attitude.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper develops and tests a group level factor of knowledge, the explication of tacit knowledge and a factor of managerial attitude, namely leadership support that is inherently multi‐level in nature.

Findings

Leadership support is significant at both the dyad level and at the group level of analysis. Ordinary least squares regression supported the main hypothesis, that leadership support has a direct positive impact on explication of tacit knowledge.

Research limitations/implications

Successfully testing the group level significance of leadership support has implications for future research because it is considered an individual level variable. Developing and testing the explication of tacit knowledge construct contributes to research on knowing in organisations because it provides a metric that is an indicator of the explication of tacit knowledge.

Practical implications

These research findings have management implications for the way local government creates innovative top management teams to facilitate local economic and community development.

Originality/value

This paper represents an early contribution to the literature.
Environmental management system adoption by government departments/agencies
Authors: Zutshi Ambika , Sohal Amrik S. , Adams Carol
Published: August 2008

Purpose

This paper seeks to examine the adoption of an environmental management system (EMS) in government departments involved in one Australian state and identify the key factors that contribute to successful adoption.

Design/methodology/approach

Data were collected through semi‐structured interviews conducted with environmental coordinators involved in the EMS adoption. The external consultant appointed by the Environmental Protection Authority who provided the training on behalf of the government departments was also interviewed.

Findings

The results from the analysis shows that environmental coordinators valued the training as it enhanced their knowledge and skills. They experienced a combination of both tangible and intangible benefits. The lack of contribution and support from top management; difficulty in accessing resources; and resistance from employees were the main challenges experienced during EMS implementation. Recommendations made by the interviewees included: providing training to top management to increase their understanding of the EMS process and its benefits; selection of the right champion; provision of adequate resources; and, training of employees.

Research limitations/implications

The findings are based on interviews conducted in only one Australian state and no follow up interviews could be undertaken to track the progress made by various departments.

Originality/value

The findings of this paper are original as no other similar study has been undertaken in this Australian state documenting the experiences of environmental coordinators when implementing an EMS. Our findings have practical implications for public sector organisations and government departments implementing EMS.
Procurement as a shared service in English local government
Authors: Gordon Murray J. , Rentell Peter G. , Geere David
Published: August 2008

Purpose

Small councils may not have access to professional procurement resources – one potential solution is to create a procurement shared service with another council. The purpose of this paper is to focus on evidence of the emergence and existence of inter‐organisational procurement shared services and its benefits; a structural approach significantly different from the intra‐organisational centralised/decentralised organisational models and the use of consortia.

Design/methodology/approach

Case studies, making use of stakeholder, semi‐structured interviews, were used to probe the experience of six English procurement shared‐services covering 15 councils.

Findings

The findings demonstrate evidence of that some smaller councils are benefiting from collaborating in inter‐organisational procurement shared service. The collaborations were engaged in strategic procurement initiatives which would not have otherwise been possible through the use of consortia. However, there was an absence, within the cases, of formal business cases and strategy.

Research limitations/implications

The paper provides evidence that procurement shared services can be inter‐organisational delivering the benefits of intra‐organisational “hard core/soft core” procurement structures and inter‐organisational consortia. The paper also suggests that the benefits gained from procurement shared services have more akin to inter‐organisational collaboration than intra‐organisational shared services. This research is limited in that it only relates to the experience of a purposive sample of small councils that had already decided to pursue a procurement shared service. The research limitations also include the absence of a political perspective.

Practical implications

A procurement shared service appears a viable structural option for smaller councils, whether they have, or have not currently, access to a procurement professional. The research highlights the need to adopt an incremental approach and also sets out suggestions for a strategic approach to shared services procurement strategy.

Originality/value

There is an absence of literature on delivering procurement as a shared service, and shared services in general – in that respect this paper represents research into a new emerging procurement structural model, not previously reported.
Public sector governance reform: the World Bank's framework
Authors: Kulshreshtha Praveen
Published: August 2008

Purpose

Good governance is often regarded as essential for a country's economic development. The World Bank's governance framework has guided development projects and governance reform in many developing nations over the past few decades. The purpose of this paper is to provide an overview of the World Bank's approach towards governance reform in the public sector, especially in developing economies of the world.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper highlights various aspects of good governance that are relevant to the delivery of social and infrastructural services in developing countries. The paper also discusses the strengths and weaknesses of the World Bank's governance framework, especially pertaining to social and infrastructure sectors in developing economies.

Findings

In light of its past experience, the World Bank has expanded the reach of its developmental activities to incorporate governance reform in accordance with the institutional realities prevailing in a developing economy, instead of following a “one‐size‐fit‐all” approach to public sector governance reform. The bank has also encouraged the use of decentralized decision making and private sector participation to achieve greater efficiency, transparency and accountability in the delivery of social and infrastructural services.

Originality/value

The paper provides a useful contribution to the literature concerning the role of international development organizations in formulating strategies that developing economies can follow to pursue public sector governance reform.
Managing the public sector in Botswana
Authors: Hope Kempe Ronald
Published: August 2008

In contrast to the past record, there are now significant indications and evidence which suggest that public sector management in Botswana is being constrained by a number of factors. Examines and analyses the primary factors contributing to those constraints and also discusses the administrative reform responses which have been embarked on by the Government of Botswana in its effort to realign the public sector in the national interest.
Accountability re‐examined: evidence from Hull House
Authors: Oakes Leslie S. , Young Joni J.
Published: August 2008

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to re‐examine accountability in a concrete historical context from the perspective of pragmatism and feminist theory.

Design/methodology/approach

An archival case study of Hull House.

Findings

Both pragmatism and feminist theory of Benhabib provide new insight into alternative conceptions of accountability, conceptions at odds with the prevailing and dominant emphasis on quantitative measures of performance. Further, this paper suggests that this limited view severely narrows the understanding of organizational “success.”

Research limitations/implications

While this research serves to problematize notions of accountability further, it leaves the task of developing alternative practices to future researchers.

Originality/value

This paper contributes in two ways: first, there is a paucity of research linking pragmatism to the actual workings of concrete organizations. This paper begins to fill that gap. Second, this work draws the attention of accounting and other organizational researchers to the important role played by the settlement movement, and particularly Hull House, in the development of contemporary organizations.
Rhetoric, repetition, reporting and the “dot.com” era: words, pictures, intangibles
Authors: Davison Jane
Published: August 2008

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to add to theoretical and empirical work on the rhetoric of narratives and pictures in annual reporting by using the lens of repetition to examine the Annual Reviews of British Telecommunications (BT) plc.

Design/methodology/approach

The study constructs a conceptual framework of repetition in signifiants (from rhetoric) and signifiés (from philosophy, notably Barthes, Deleuze, Eliade and Jankélévitch). Signifiants are established by reference to rhetorical figures based in repetition: anadiplosis, anaphora, alliteration/rhyme and lists. Signifiés are indicated as conscious rhetorical emphasis, and unconscious reflections of sameness and difference; networks and links; and, of particular interest during the “dot.com” years, exuberance and compulsion; differentiation, ritual and reassurance. The framework is used to analyse BT plc's Annual Reviews from 1996‐2001.

Findings

The application of the framework is enlightening: repetition is shown to be prevalent in BT plc's Annual Reviews, especially during the “dot.com” years. Repetition emphasises BT plc's intangible assets; less consciously, repetition reflects BT plc's corporate identity and its participation in the “dot.com” era.

Research limitations/implications

The paper provides a model which may be applied to the wealth of discretionary narratives and pictures in contemporary annual reporting. It would also benefit from the assessment of readership impact.

Practical implications

The analysis is of interest to accounting researchers, practitioners, trainees, auditors and any user of accounting and accountability statements. It illuminates the way in which discretionary words and pictures highlight and supplement accounting information.

Originality/value

The paper augments theoretical and empirical work on the significance of narratives and pictures in accounting.
Disciplinary action against members of the founding bodies of the ICAEW
Authors: Chandler Roy , Edwards John Richard , Anderson Malcolm
Published: August 2008

Purpose

The purpose of the paper is to present an analysis of the disciplinary action taken against members of the founding bodies of the Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales (ICAEW). This exercise illuminates an aspect of accounting's past which has tended to be overlooked in conventional histories of the profession.

Design/methodology/approach

An analysis of the internal records of the ICAEW has been conducted. In addition, the archives of the ICAEW's predecessor bodies, entries in various censuses and contemporary sources have been reviewed for relevant material.

Findings

Analysis of the records of the ICAEW and its founding bodies reveals a number of cases where disciplinary action was taken for breaches of ethical principles. The expulsion of a member, however, was always preceded by an external “prompt” such as the member's conviction on criminal charge, his disappearance or bankruptcy. This perhaps suggests that the early professional bodies were more inclined to protect the private interests of their members rather than the public interest.

Originality/value

The paper's findings add to the literature on the professionalisation of the British accountancy profession. By focussing on the less‐celebrated aspects of the founders' behaviour, this paper puts the success of the profession in achieving public acceptance into sharper perspective.
Motivations for an organisation within a developing country to report social responsibility information
Authors: Azizul Islam Muhammad , Deegan Craig
Published: August 2008

Purpose

The aim of the paper is to describe and explain, using a combination of interviews and content analysis, the social and environmental reporting practices of a major garment export organisation within a developing country.

Design/methodology/approach

Senior executives from a major organisation in Bangladesh are interviewed to determine the pressures being exerted on them in terms of their social and environmental performance. The perceptions of pressures are then used to explain – via content analysis – changing social and environmental disclosure practices.

Findings

The results show that particular stakeholder groups have, since the early 1990s, placed pressure on the Bangladeshi clothing industry in terms of its social performance. This pressure, which is also directly related to the expectations of the global community, in turn drives the industry's social policies and related disclosure practices.

Research limitations/implications

The findings show that, within the context of a developing country, unless we consider the managers' perceptions about the social and environmental expectations being imposed upon them by powerful stakeholder groups then we will be unable to understand organisational disclosure practices.

Originality/value

This paper is the first known paper to interview managers from a large organisation in a developing country about changing stakeholder expectations and then link these changing expectations to annual report disclosures across an extended period of analysis.
Medical waste management practices in a Southern African hospital
Authors: Aseweh Abor Patience , Bouwer Anton
Published: August 2008

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to examine the medical waste management practices of a hospital in Southern Africa.

Design/methodology/approach

A case study methodology was utilised.

Findings

The results revealed that the hospital does not quantify medical waste. Segregation of medical waste into infectious waste and non‐infectious waste is not conducted according to definite rules and standards. Separation of medical waste and municipal waste is however practiced to a satisfactory extent. Wheeled trolleys are used for on‐site transportation of waste. Off‐site transportation of waste is outsourced to a private firm. Incineration is used in the final disposal of infectious waste. Non‐infectious waste is disposed using land disposal method. There is no policy and plan in place for managing medical waste. A number of problems were identified with respect to medical waste management.

Originality/value

The paper gives recommendations with the aim of improving medical waste management in hospitals.
The same day admissions unit for elective surgery: a case study
Authors: Vijay Vardhini , Kazzaz Sarmad , Refson Jonathan
Published: August 2008

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to examine the activity of a purpose‐built elective surgery unit in a busy district general hospital and the patient journey associated with same day admission to the elective surgery unit.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper describes the layout of the elective surgery unit in a busy district general hospital and the associated patient journey. Early challenges are identified and potential cost savings calculated.

Findings

The potential for cost savings in the NHS with purpose‐built units for elective surgery are immense.

Originality/value

An elective surgery unit has not been described in detail before. Apart from its value to the NHS, hospitals in developing countries can benefit from knowing about the early challenges, described in the paper, that were faced.