bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Fairness perceptions and satisfaction with components of pay satisfaction
Authors: Jawahar I.M. , Stone Thomas H.
Published: May 2011

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to integrate two streams of research and investigate the associations of different forms of justice perceptions on attitudinal reactions to four components of compensation: pay level, pay raises, benefits, and structure and administration In doing so, it responds to calls for more primary studies linking interactional justice perceptions to pay satisfaction.

Design/methodology/approach

In total, 151 technology professionals employed at an international consulting company were surveyed to investigate hypotheses. Structural equation modeling was used to test the model.

Findings

As hypothesized, distributive justice was related to satisfaction with pay level, procedural justice to satisfaction with benefits, raises and pay structure and administration, and informational justice to pay level and structure and administration.

Research limitations/implications

The primary limitations of this research are the cross‐sectional research design and a single source of survey data.

Practical implications

Since pay dissatisfaction is significantly related to numerous employee outcomes and attitudes toward pay meditate the relationship between compensation and work outcomes, understanding the role of perceived justice may facilitate managers' ability to influence pay satisfaction. HR policies and managers' behaviors can influence pay satisfaction as much or more than actual pay (distributive justice). For example, results for informational justice suggest pay satisfaction can be increased by clearly and candidly explaining and communicating the organization's procedures and processes.

Originality/value

This paper is the first to examine associations between the four‐factor justice model and components of pay satisfaction and demonstrate that informational justice adds additional explained variance for pay level, raises, and structure and administration.
Authenticity and well‐being in the workplace: a mediation model
Authors: Ménard Julie , Brunet Luc
Published: May 2011

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to investigate the link between authenticity at work and well‐being. First, the relationship between authenticity at work and hedonic and eudemonic well‐being indexes is assessed. Second, the mediating role of meaning of work in the relationship between authenticity at work and subjective well‐being at work is investigated.

Design/methodology/approach

In total, 360 managers from public organizations completed self‐reported questionnaires. Multiple hierarchical regressions were used to assess the hypotheses.

Findings

Cognitive and behavioral components of authenticity at work explained a significant proportion of variance in each hedonic and eudemonic well‐being indexes. Authenticity is positively associated with well‐being at work. Moreover, meaning of work is a partial mediator of the relationship between authenticity and subjective well‐being at work.

Practical implications

The results suggest that meaning of work is a mechanism in the relationship between authenticity and subjective well‐being at work. The study highlighted a growing need to promote authenticity within organizations since it has been associated with public managers' well‐being.

Originality/value

To the authors' knowledge, this is the first study showing the positive relationship between authenticity and well‐being in the workplace amongst public organizations managers. It sheds a very new light on the importance of authenticity in work settings and on how it could be linked to meaningfulness in managerial roles.
The service‐enabled customer experience: a jump‐start to competitive advantage
Authors: Gopalani Anees , Shick Kevin
Published: May 2011

Purpose

Today, almost all manufacturers provide after sales support services. But these services are usually the same across all of a company's product segments, and warranty terms and product support services are typically the same across the industry. Executives believe that if they invest in upgrading services, competitors would follow and eventually customers would no longer see differentiation or value, while the firm is left with higher costs. As such, service operation is not considered strategic to company.

Design/methodology/approach

The article defines what is meant by service enabled customer experience. Each of the six stages of customer buying processes – demand generation, browse and research, configure and quote, shop and transact, fulfill and support, and optimize experience are examined to assess services role – and their effects on loyalty and advocacy are examined. A case study and lessons learned form implementing Service Enabled Customer Experience (SECE) are provided.

Findings

Manufacturers have an opportunity to break free of the cycle of low customer loyalty and low margins by pursuing a Service Enabled Customer Experience strategy. This approach has been shown to increase customer loyalty and advocacy, ultimately increasing market share. Implementing Service Enabled Customer Experience strategy requires a shift in how services are viewed by the organization. But for those willing to make the commitment, the rewards are significant.

Originality/value

A well designed service program, targeted to the right segments and tightly integrated with the firms' operations can differentiate a brand, increase loyalty and provide a lasting competitive advantage.
Brand value: does it belong on the balance sheet?
Authors: Gelb Betsy D. , Gregory James R.
Published: May 2011

Purpose

The authors offer the viewpoint that a requirement to put the value of intangible assets like brands on a company's balance sheet may be in prospect – and that such a requirement would benefit businesses.

Design/methodology/approach

Brands and elements of brands like a package can be valued, the authors assert, and describe an experiment to value the Gateway “cowbox” package. In the study, 61 university students saw identical ads for a computer, except that half saw one with a generic name, half with the name Gateway, and half of each of these two subgroups saw a “cowbox,” the other half no package.

Findings

The box did not influence the price respondents who saw the Gateway name in their ad said they would expect to pay for the computer. However, the box's presence in an ad for the “no‐name” computer boosted the expected price from $515 to $648.

Originality/value

If one brand element has a measurable value, investors have a right to know that value. The same applies for the brand as a whole. Furthermore, managers benefit from directing marketing dollars to the promotion of valuable brand elements, to associate them in the public mind with their brand.
Sensemaking of complexity: leadership in financial services
Authors: Raghavendran Satish , Rajagopalan Priti S.
Published: May 2011

Purpose

Unprecedented complexity is reshaping the financial services industry and presenting formidable challenges to financial services leaders and their organizations. “Sensemaking of Complexity: Leadership in Financial Services,” highlights seven leadership principles that could help leaders and their organizations respond effectively to the complexities inherent in financial services today.

Design/methodology/approach

After in‐depth secondary research on the topic of leadership and events in the financial services industry, the report offers a novel and holistic approach to managing complexity in today's marketplace.

Findings

Beyond the leadership principles, the research suggests that values, competencies and motivations – or “VCMs” – are like an organization's DNA, or the building blocks of organizational behavior, and therefore the basis for real improvement across an organization's many dimensions. VCMs play a critical role in the outcome of change initiatives and an organization's capacity to adapt, yet they are often overlooked in the leadership dialogue.

Practical implications

VCMs that are well aligned with the seven leadership principles can help empower the effective functioning of organizational levers – such as intelligence and risk management, corporate governance, business models, talent processes and organizational culture – and enhance an organization's ability to adapt to complexity, drive strategic agendas, and improve day‐to‐day operations.

Originality/value

Unprecedented interdependencies in the financial services industry may require a move away from the status quo of many leadership strategies, which tend to deal with complexity in a disjointed fashion. Instead, leaders may need to uncover and understand the interconnected root causes of complexity within their organizations and in the marketplace. We believe a focus on leadership principles and the right set of values, competencies, and motivations to support them can help leaders and their organizations systematically and holistically react to and manage their complicated competitive environments.
Whose customers are they?
Authors: Jackson Stuart E.
Published: May 2011

Purpose

Many product organizations recognize the benefits of outsourcing manufacturing of key components or even entire product lines to China and other low labor cost countries. But while the cost savings are obvious, many product companies fail to grasp the parallel risk of their own distributors or retailers by‐passing them to source products directly from offshore suppliers. The author discusses case examples of companies that do a good job of anticipating and addressing this threat through a range of approaches to building strong connections to end customers. The author proposes six key strategies for companies in this situation.

Design/methodology/approach

In this article, Jackson cites a number of case examples of businesses that have built strong connections to end customers even though they typically reach these through distributors or retailers. Examples industries included in the article are durable consumer goods and medical products. The author then draws lessons that can be applied broadly by any company concerned about the risks of distributors or retailers sourcing private label product directly from off‐shore suppliers.

Findings

The author proposes six priorities for defending against disintermediation by distributors and offshore suppliers: acknowledge the urgency of the threat; reinforce brands; find new ways to link to customers; look for mass‐customization opportunities; enter into creative partnerships; be serious about services.

Originality/value

This article sheds light on the risk of disintermediation for product companies using offshore suppliers, and strategies that can be used to mitigate this.
Knowledge transfer as interaction between experts and novices supported by technology
Authors: Wilkesmann Maximiliane , Wilkesmann Uwe
Published: May 2011

Purpose

The aim of this paper is to link two sides of knowledge transfer (obtaining and providing knowledge), represented by the interplay between experts and novices, possibilities of technical support, and individual and organizational outcomes. An heuristic is developed to link up these different aspects and focus on practical application of some of them; the authors seek to answer the following research question: how can the organization support activities that would encourage knowledge transfer between novices and experts?

Design/methodology/approach

The authors used interviews, document collection, and observations on‐site to gain insights into knowledge management and e‐learning activities at Lufthansa, a German airline company, beginning in 2004, with the first qualitative investigation, in the form of telephone interviews. Over the following six years, the authors followed up with archival analysis and in 2010 conducted interviews with four experts who are responsible for knowledge management and e‐learning at the group level at Lufthansa. All interviews were recorded, transcribed and coded, then a qualitative content analysis was conducted. The interviews were complemented by several demonstrations of the system during a visit on‐site.

Findings

Every person can be simultaneously a novice and an expert in different fields of knowledge. Novices and experts need organizational leeway which allows time for creating “knowledge nuggets” (providing knowledge) and for learning (obtaining knowledge). The Lufthansa example shows that organizational leeway, the convergence of e‐learning and knowledge management in the form of rapid e‐learning, and introduction of knowledge transfer methods that provide opportunities for employees to obtain and provide knowledge, i.e. practice knowledge transfer on the job.

Originality/value

The contribution of this paper is that the authors develop an heuristic, which explains technically supported knowledge transfer processes among novices and experts, and their individual and organizational outcomes. The heuristic helps to classify knowledge transfer processes and their outcomes.
Engaging knowledge management learners through web‐based ICT: an empirical study
Authors: Menkhoff Thomas , Tze Yian Thang , Yue Wah Chay , Yue Kee Wong
Published: May 2011

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to examine how to successfully blend an e‐learning module into a knowledge management (KM) course aimed at getting KM students interested in the respective subject matter (= KM) in a web‐based learning environment.

Design/methodology/approach

Based on data obtained from 138 undergraduate business management students at a university in Singapore, practical aspects of effectively implementing an e‐learning system with a focus on KM are analyzed and the importance determined of three conceptual variables in the context of successful blended learning approaches: online faculty to student interaction, social presence and personal e‐learning experiences.

Findings

The study shows some positive correlations between online faculty to student interaction, the degree of presence in a web‐based learning environment, as well as personal e‐learning experiences as potential drivers of students' desire to learn more about the subject matter KM.

Research limitations/implications

There has been reliance on self‐reported data in both the strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats study and the student survey. The causal effects of students' perceptions on actual learning need to be explored in a future study with a larger sample size.

Practical implications

To increase students' acceptance of a web‐based KM course, instructors must ensure quality interaction between them and their students, strong social presence via intrinsically rewarding group interactions and enriching, personal e‐learning experiences on the basis of real‐life KM problems. Games, systematic performance monitoring and graded knowledge tests are critical, too.

Originality/value

This study highlights several good design features of an effective student interface vis‐à‐vis the development of an effective online learning environment from the perspective of KM student learners. Implications for e‐learning designers and instructors, as well as issues for further research, are outlined.
Incorporating a knowledge perspective into security risk assessments
Authors: Shedden Piya , Scheepers Rens , Smith Wally , Ahmad Atif
Published: May 2011

Purpose

Many methodologies exist to assess the security risks associated with unauthorized leakage, modification and interruption of information used by organisations. This paper argues that these methodologies have a traditional orientation towards the identification and assessment of technical information assets. This obscures key risks associated with the cultivation and deployment of organisational knowledge. The purpose of this paper is to explore how security risk assessment methods can more effectively identify and treat the knowledge associated with business processes.

Design/methodology/approach

The argument was developed through an illustrative case study in which a well‐documented traditional methodology is applied to a complex data backup process. Follow‐up interviews were conducted with the organisation's security managers to explore the results of the assessment and the nature of knowledge “assets” within a business process.

Findings

It was discovered that the backup process depended, in subtle and often informal ways, on tacit knowledge to sustain operational complexity, handle exceptions and make frequent interventions. Although typical information security methodologies identify people as critical assets, this study suggests a new approach might draw on more detailed accounts of individual knowledge, collective knowledge and their relationship to organisational processes.

Originality/value

Drawing on the knowledge management literature, the paper suggests mechanisms to incorporate these knowledge‐based considerations into the scope of information security risk methodologies. A knowledge protection model is presented as a result of this research. This model outlines ways in which organisations can effectively identify and treat risks around process knowledge critical to the business.
Micro‐via approaches for reducing solder voiding
Authors: Liu Ping , Gu Xiaolong , Zhao Xinbing , Liu Xiaogang
Published: May 2011

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to evaluate the influence of microvia design on solder joint reliability and to present a printed circuit board (PCB) microvia design approach capable of reducing or eliminating voiding in solder joints.

Design/methodology/approach

Five different types of via‐in‐pad designs were incorporated into a test vehicle and their performance evaluated using a variety of standard reliability tests.

Findings

Solid vias, composed of 99.5 percent pure copper can be used to eliminate voiding in solder joints. Such vias are also much more robust than those employing metallic paste or other filled materials. Solid vias with flat surfaces have been shown to be able to meet the requirements of common reliability test standards and to offer a process compatible with traditional PCB manufacturing.

Research limitations/implications

The occurrence of voiding in solder joints has been shown to be significantly influenced by microvia design. Although a design is reported for reducing/eliminating voiding, other factors that can cause voiding should be investigated. Also, further extended accelerated reliability testing could be undertaken to determine comparative long‐term reliability.

Originality/value

Serious voiding in solder joints is a major threat to the quality and reliability of electronics assemblies, mainly due to its role as a stress concentrator and particularly with the move to lead‐free assembly. Methods for reducing and eliminating the occurrence of voiding are needed by electronics assemblers and this work proposes one such method that can be implemented at the circuit board design stage.
The evolution of organic solderability preservatives (OSP) from a temporary protectant to a leadership position in surface finishing chemistry
Authors: Carano Michael
Published: May 2011

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to present an overview of the evolution of organic solderability preservatives (OSP) technology from a temporary anti‐tarnish to an approved process for the lead‐free assembly of high‐reliability printed circuit boards (PCBs).

Design/methodology/approach

As this is an informational paper, the main approach was to compare and contrast various types of OSP molecules and their fitness for use.

Findings

The active ingredient of an OSP is one of the most important ingredients that can help to improve the heat resistance, which becomes much more important in conjunction with lead‐free solder. The latest OSP shows excellent stability, even at more than the peak reflow temperatures used with lead‐free solders. The success of any OSP process is highly correlated to process control and maintenance and OSP formulations are not created equal. The thickness of the film is only one difference. However, the key differentiators for OSP coatings are the overall ability of the organic film to resist oxygen penetration and humidity; and withstand the higher temperatures of lead‐free assembly. The author suggests that original equipment manufacturer (OEMs), contract manufacturers and PCB fabricators perform testing and qualification of OSPs using industry‐accepted reliability and solderability testing methods.

Research limitations/implications

This work represents the author's extensive experience with OSP technology, as well as the results of a collective collaboration with Shikoku Chemical Corporation. The findings represent reliability and solderability testing carried out in various manufacturing sites including cooperation with certain OEMs that are users of circuits fabricated with OSP technology.

Originality/value

This paper details how critical advances in OSP technology have enabled improvements in solderability and reliability over earlier commercial generations and have further enhanced the solderability of lead‐free assemblies.
Coating thickness measurement of thin gold and palladium coatings on printed circuit boards using X‐ray fluorescence
Authors: Dill Simone , Rößiger Volker
Published: May 2011

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to compare the performance of X‐ray fluorescence (XRF) instruments with different detector systems (proportional counter, positive intrinsic negative and Si drift detectors) for measuring thin Au and Pd coatings on printed circuit boards and to investigate different ways of background treatment. It also aims to provide and certify suitable reference materials which are similar to samples used in production.

Design/methodology/approach

XRF measurements were performed with different instruments and detector types. The quantification of the reference materials is based on XRF, gravimetric analysis and Rutherford backscattering (RBS).

Findings

The well‐established X‐ray instrumentation for coating thickness measurement, with proportional counter detectors, are not very suitable for measuring thin ( < approx. 100 nm) coatings of gold and palladium due to the poor energy resolution of the proportional counter‐tubes. Systems with semiconductor detectors achieve results that are more reliable with a significantly higher accuracy. A correct background treatment is especially important for very thin coatings. The composition of the base material has to be taken into account by the software evaluation algorithm for each measurement. A global base subtraction performed prior to the measurement can achieve better repeatability, but can also lead to incorrect absolute values.

Research limitations/implications

If small measuring spots (e.g. 150 μm) have to be realized with semiconductor detector systems, special X‐ray optics (polycapillaries) have to be used to obtain an intensity comparable to that offered by proportional counter devices. This will be the subject of a further publication.

Originality/value

The paper provides an overall review and results for different types of instruments (detectors) and compares different background treatments. Suitable reference materials have been developed for precise and traceable measurements. Their quantification is based on gravimetric analysis and RBS. The standard‐free energy dispersive X‐ray fluorescence (ED‐X‐ray fluorescence analysis (XRFA)) was used for interpolation of the gravimetric data for thin coatings. For the region below 100 nm, measurement uncertainties of less than 1 nm can be achieved.
Testing and long‐term monitoring within printed circuit board cleaning technology
Authors: Svetský Štefan
Published: May 2011

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to present the development and implementation of a system of test methods for determining the contamination level in cleaning baths and using this system for long‐term monitoring in printed circuit board (PCB) production.

Design/methodology/approach

A set of test methods was chosen that indicated the contamination of production cleaning baths in four chambers of an ultrasonic cleaning equipment filled with a commercial alkaline cleaner and isopropanol. By long‐term monitoring, the amount of mechanical impurities, residue‐on‐evaporation, pH and conductivity were measured. Depending on the contamination of the cleaning baths, the final contamination of PCB surfaces was predicted and the baths were replaced with fresh baths.

Findings

A novel system for testing and monitoring the contamination of cleaning baths was developed and implemented. The sustainable compliance with the specification was assured in PCB production, thus, the final PCB contamination achieved was under 1.5/1.2 μg NaCl/cm2 as measured using the IPC‐TM‐650 test method. Quality requirements were fulfilled. This novel system was successfully integrated into the company's quality management system.

Research limitations/implications

The set of test methods were used for an alkaline cleaner and isopropanol and for both a conventional solder and a lead‐free one. Because the course of bath contamination, monitored by the four test methods, was found to be proportional, further development should be focused on the issue – i.e. to determine if the “proportionality” would be universal for all types of PCB manufacturing.

Originality/value

The paper deals with a new approach for quality testing and assurance in PCB manufacturing. A set of test methods for monitoring contamination levels in production cleaning baths was implemented. This also supports process control and minimises the impact of cleaning processes on the environment (i.e. the production of waste from cleaning was reduced).
Local human development in crisis contexts
Authors: Dubois Migoya Alfonso , Guridi Aldanondo Luis , López Belloso María
Published: May 2011

Purpose

The purpose of this article is to present the results of research carried out by the research group on human security and local human development of the Hegoa Institute since 2007. It aims to further the understanding of the processes of local human development, proposing analytical categories for this purpose and showing their application to the study of concrete cases.

Design/methodology/approach

To this end the experiences of the reconversion of the sugar industry of Holguín (Cuba) and the development of the Saharan population in the refugee situation of the Tindouf camps were selected. The methodology applied includes three dimensions. On the one hand, the analytical framework, which includes a comprehensive framework of local human development processes. Furthermore, research techniques applied have been qualitative techniques considering them the best approach to study the complexity of social processes. Finally, the paper contrasts the opinions and views expressed in research with the results obtained during evaluations conducted by the institutions responsible for implementation, as well as bibliography of reference.

Findings

Main conclusions refer to the collective capacity of the two societies to take control of their development model, the collective capacity of resilience and to the contradictions in processes of appropriation of local human development.

Originality/value

This work synthesises and sets out the main conclusions drawn both from analysis of the latest approaches to the theoretical framework of human development, and from the two case studies dealt with in the field work.
Gender inequality and the spread of HIV‐AIDS in India
Authors: Mitra Aparna , Sarkar Dipanwita
Published: May 2011

Purpose

The purpose of the paper is to analyze the low status of women as being a major contributor for the observed gender inequality in the spread of HIV/AIDS in India.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper uses data from National Aids Control Organization, National Family Health Survey, and the Directorate of Economics and Statistics.

Findings

This study highlights the problems facing women in deterring the spread of HIV/AIDS in India. The status and empowerment of women are important variables in combating the disease among both men and women in India. Literacy, education, exposure to the media, labor market participation, awareness of HIV/AIDS, and economic independence are important considerations in improving the status of women in India. Policymakers need to focus on gender inequality in order to combat the spread of HIV/AIDS in India.

Originality/value

While absolute figures indicate men are more likely to be infected with HIV/AIDS, the rate of decline is higher for men compared to women in India. We explore several plausible explanations for such observed inequality in the spread of HIV/AIDS across gender. In particular, a potentially important factor – the low status of women in society is attributable as an impediment to the spread of the disease. A case study of the relationship between gender empowerment and the spread of HIV/AIDS in the state with the highest concentration, Manipur, provides more insight to the difficulties faced by women in combating HIV/AIDS in India.
Intra‐industry conformity in dividend policy
Authors: Van Caneghem Tom , Aerts Walter
Published: May 2011

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to study the impact of intra‐industry conformity tendencies on dividend policy among a large sample of US firms.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper explores mimetic influences on dividend policy. Consistent with prior institutional research, the paper measures mimetic pressures as institutional prevalence or the pervasiveness of a feature of dividend policy within a firm's relevant environment.

Findings

The results reveal a significantly positive relationship between the lagged density of firms in the industry that pay a dividend and the probability of a focal firm paying a dividend. Moreover, for firms paying a dividend, results indicate that higher similarity in dividend payout among firms in the same industry induces more conformity between a focal firm and average industry practice. Overall, results are consistent with imitation in dividend policy.

Research limitations/implications

The results support the view that future research on dividend policy should value social and behavioral factors more explicitly in order to arrive at a more overall and consistent explanation of firms' dividend policy. Moreover, the results also illustrate the relevance of alternative theories in explaining dividend policy.

Practical implications

The results show that intra‐industry benchmarking of dividend policy plays a significant role in the USA.

Originality/value

This study documents the relevance of social imitation mechanisms behind dividend payout behavior and therefore adds to the current knowledge of the impact of behavioral processes on dividend policy.
The value premium and the January effect
Authors: Chou Julia , Das Praveen Kumar , Uma Rao S.P.
Published: May 2011

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to investigate the seasonal effect in the value premium puzzle. It studies whether the book‐to‐market effect is an outcome of the January effect observed among stock returns.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper uses returns of portfolios based on size and BE/ME ratios as Fama and French suggest to define value premium and investigate the seasonality of the BE/ME effect. The paper tests whether the value premiums observed among large and small stocks are different in January and non‐January months. It examines the turn‐of‐the‐year effect on the value premium by analyzing the returns of BE/ME portfolios during the first and last ten trading days of a calendar year.

Findings

Empirical evidence supports the fact that value premium has different patterns in January and non‐January months for large and small capitalization firms. It was found that large stocks have a significant value premium only in January and this high January value premium among large stocks is mainly driven by loser stocks at the turn of the year. In contrast with large stocks, the value premium of small stocks occurs only in non‐January months.

Originality/value

This paper shows that value premium of large and small stocks are different in January and non‐January months. Furthermore, the past performance of stocks plays a key role in the observed January value premium among large stocks. Finally, this study provides evidence to show that the value premium among large stocks may be explained by investor trading behavior.
Corporate failure prediction: a study of public listed companies in Malaysia
Authors: Ong Shuk‐Wern , Choong Yap Voon , Khong Roy W.L.
Published: May 2011

Purpose

The objective of this paper is to develop a model that can predict financial distress amongst public listed companies in Malaysia using the logistic regression analysis.

Design/methodology/approach

The logistic regression analysis used in this paper is geared towards developing a model that can predict financial distress amongst public listed companies in Malaysia.

Findings

The results prove that five financial ratios have been found to be significant and useful for corporate failure prediction in Malaysia. The overall predictive accuracy is 91.5 percent and this demonstrates that the logistic regression analysis used is a reliable technique for financial distress prediction. In addition, the predictive accuracy of the model in this paper is higher than that of previous studies, which utilised discriminant analysis rather than the method adopted in this research.

Originality/value

The economic crisis mostly began to affect Malaysia's economic standing in July 1997 causing many companies to fall into financial distress, as they were unable to cope with the unexpected downturn. A financial distress prediction model is therefore required to act as a predictor of Malaysian public listed companies' well‐being prior to a financial crisis and to gauge the warning signals of the onset of a downturn in order to strategize their survival techniques during this phase. This study focuses on public listed companies in Malaysia, thus the model adopted is tailored to suit the given context.
A note on the price of trade credit
Authors: Chludek Astrid K.
Published: May 2011

Purpose

In contrast to common literature that suggests that trade credit is an extremely expensive source of financing with annual interest rates exceeding 40 percent, this paper seeks to argue that the average interest rate of trade credit does not exceed the cost of alternative funds, thereby explaining why trade credit constitutes a substantial part of the optimal financing mix of large, liquid, and capital market listed firms.

Design/methodology/approach

Besides providing a formula for estimating a firm's actual trade credit interest rate, this paper is mainly based on a descriptive analysis of trade credit use as well as on survey results of a broad range of prior studies.

Findings

The paper finds that highly liquid firms use substantial amounts of trade credit, thus indicating that trade credit use per se cannot be as expensive as literature supposes. In line, estimated average interest rates are about 4 to 6 percent.

Originality/value

By arguing that actual cost of trade credit use is far from being as high as literature supposes, this paper provides important implications for optimal short‐term financing strategies as well as for the assessment of trade credit use in credit worthiness analyses.
Report on the 30th Anniversary Charleston Conference
Authors: Moore Sievers‐Hill Arlene
Published: May 2011

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to report on a conference and the individual presentations, as well as to make general observations, and relate them to important issues in acquisitions and collection development.

Design/methodology/approach

The design is to describe the conference by individual presentations and general observations at this conference and preceding Charleston conferences from the viewpoint of an attendee.

Findings

The findings are that acquisitions and collection development are undergoing fundamental changes that are changing operations and services rendered to faculty and students.

Practical implications

The reporting of conference presentations on the important changes, both formal presentations and informal discussions, furthers the knowledge of the important current challenges in the field. Through these means information will be relayed to readers to help them enact their own changes.

Originality/value

Reporting on this conference cites the new trends and important issues in the fields of acquisitions and collection development from the perspectives of the conference presenters and attendees.
Effects of trust beliefs on consumers' online intentions
Authors: Becerra Enrique P. , Korgaonkar Pradeep K.
Published: May 2011

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to examine the simultaneous effects of the product, brand, and vendor trust beliefs on consumers' online intentions, i.e. the intention to purchase and the intention to provide personal information online.

Design/methodology/approach

The study uses an online 2×2×2 between‐subjects factorial experiment design with two vendor trust beliefs levels (high/low), two brand trust beliefs levels (high/low), and two product trust beliefs levels (high/low). Multivariate analysis of covariance, linear regression, and the SOBEL test were used to analyze the hypotheses.

Findings

The results suggest that brand trust beliefs affect online intentions, and may be needed to increase online sales. The influence of vendor trust beliefs on online intentions varies with brand trust, beliefs for products and for services is augmented by brand trust beliefs.

Research limitations/implications

The limitations are those typically applied to experimental methodology. Intentions were used as surrogate for behavior, and a fictitious e‐tailer selling two products with fictitious brands was used.

Practical implications

E‐tailers are encouraged to carry reputable brands and prominently display information about these brands on their web sites. This will improve consumers' trust beliefs, increasing conversion rates, and reducing shopping cart abandonments.

Originality/value

The influence of trust beliefs on online behavior, notwithstanding its importance, remains under‐researched. The paper addresses this gap in the literature. Specifically, it addresses the effects of the simultaneous influence of vendor, brand, and product trust beliefs on shoppers' online intentions. And it decomposes online intentions into its components, i.e. intentions to provide personal information and intentions to purchase, to understand these simultaneous effects not addressed before. The results contribute to the growing literature on trust and consumer online behavior.
Marketing communications for special events
Authors: Hede Anne‐Marie , Kellett Pamm
Published: May 2011

Purpose

Relatively little is known about marketing communications within the context of special events. The aim of this paper is to begin to address this gap in knowledge by analysing managerial practice, consumer perceptions and preferences in relation to marketing communications for this market offering.

Design/methodology/approach

A case study analysis of Festival Melbourne 2006 was undertaken using marketing communications collateral, ethnographic (participant observations) and interview (in‐depth and focus group) data.

Findings

A centralised approach to marketing communications was adopted for this event, but was difficult to implement. In addition, it was found that the marketing communications in situ did not assist attendees to make the most of their event experiences. It was also found that research participants prefer to receive information about special events passively.

Practical implications

With the increasing levels of globalisation and standardisation in the event sector there is a need to attain a balance between centralisation and adaptation in relation to marketing communications strategies and their implementation. Furthermore, it is imperative that marketing communications are integrated across all stages of consumption.

Originality/value

This study adds to the body of knowledge about marketing communications, and more generally within events. It also adds to the debate surrounding the integration of marketing communications.
Political market orientation and strategic party postures in Danish political parties
Authors: Ormrod Robert P. , Henneberg Stephan C.
Published: May 2011

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to investigate the relationship between the strategic postures and political market orientation profile of two Danish parties. Profile stability at the organisational level is used as a control variable.

Design/methodology/approach

The strategic political postures of two Danish parties are derived using a self‐typing study. Based on configuration theory, ideal organisational profiles to implement these studies are juxtaposed with the actual political market orientation profile for each party, gained from two datasets analysed using Partial Least Squares. Member activity levels are used to control for organisational stability.

Findings

The self‐typing study revealed that Party A was perceived to follow a relationship builder posture, and Party B a convinced ideologist posture. However, both market orientation profiles resembled the organisational structures of a convinced ideologist. Thus, Party A exhibits a mismatch between strategic orientation and implemented organisational profile, based on configuration theory. The results were generally stable across political activity levels.

Research limitations/implications

The investigation represents an intra‐group analysis, i.e. it is concerned only with two parties in one political system; however, this reflects the oligopolistic character of the vast majority of electoral markets and thus, further research could compare results across political systems. A link with performance variables needs to be established to assess the extent to which the organisational alignment results in competitive advantages for a party.

Practical implications

Whilst there exists a general cohesiveness within parties regarding the overall strategic posture, political managers need to be aware of the subtle differences that can affect the market orientation of different groups within the party.

Originality/value

The study contributes to understanding the concept of market orientation in the political sphere. More specifically, it empirically links political market orientation as an issue of political marketing implementation on the one hand, and strategic postures of parties as a strategic issue on the other, following a configuration theory logic.
Celebrity endorsement, brand credibility and brand equity
Authors: Spry Amanda , Pappu Ravi , Bettina Cornwell T.
Published: May 2011

Purpose

This research aims to examine the impact of celebrity credibility on consumer‐based equity of the endorsed brand. The mediating role of brand credibility and the moderating role of the type of branding (parent versus sub‐brand) employed by the endorsed brand on the endorser credibility‐brand equity relationship are also to be examined. The endorser credibility‐brand equity relationship was developed using associative learning principles whereas the brand signalling theory is applied to examine the mediating role of brand credibility.

Design/methodology/approach

The conceptual framework was tested using a field experiment. Data were collected using a mall‐intercept approach at a shopping centre from a sample of consumers in a metropolitan Australian city. The data were analysed using structural equation modelling.

Findings

Results suggest endorser credibility has an indirect impact on brand equity when this relationship is mediated by brand credibility. This mediating relationship was moderated by type of branding. However, the “endorser credibility‐brand credibility” and “endorser credibility‐brand equity” relationships did not vary according to the type of branding employed.

Practical implications

In support of past findings, the present study shows that a celebrity endorser should be one who is perceived as credible based on their attractiveness, expertise and trustworthiness. Moreover, in this research, even a moderately low credibility endorser proved to be able to build the brand.

Originality/value

The present study is one of the first to empirically examine and confirm the impact of endorser credibility on brand credibility and consumer‐based brand equity.
Feedback information and consumer motivation
Authors: Sobh Rana , Martin Brett A.S.
Published: May 2011

Purpose

Marketers spend considerable resources to motivate people to consume their products and services as a means of goal attainment. Why people change their consumption behaviour is based largely on these goals; many products and services are used by consumers in an effort to attain hoped‐for selves and/or to avoid feared selves. Despite the importance for marketers in understanding how current performance influences a consumer's future efforts, this topic has received little attention in marketing research. The aim of this paper is to fill some of the gaps.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper provides a theoretical framework and uses two studies to test this. Study 1, of 203 women, aged 27‐65, examines the predictions in the context of women and visible signs of skin aging. Feedback information is measured and approach and avoidance regulatory systems are manipulated by priming hoped‐for and feared possible selves. Study 2, of 281 undergraduate men and women, replicates the findings of Study 1 with manipulated feedback, using a different context (gym training) and a sample of both male and females.

Findings

The research shows that when consumers pursue a hoped‐for self, it is expectations of success that most strongly drive their motivation. It also shows why doing badly when trying to avoid a feared self is more motivating than doing well.

Practical implications

The findings have important implications as they reveal how managers can motivate customers to keep using a product or service.

Originality/value

The paper makes several contributions to the consumer goal research literature since little is known about how positive (hoped‐for selves) and negative (feared selves) reference points in self‐regulation differentially influence consumer goal‐directed behaviour.
Dealing with social desirability bias: an application to charitable giving
Authors: Lee Zoe , Sargeant Adrian
Published: May 2011

Purpose

This paper aims to address the issue of survey distortion caused by one of the most common and pervasive sources of bias, namely social desirability bias (SDB). Despite 50 years of research, there are still many unanswered questions about its conceptualisation and operationalisation. The authors argue that traditional measures of SDB are inadequate and that the context in which the research is being conducted should be reflected in the measures employed. Hence, the authors develop and validate a multi‐dimensional scale that may be used to measure the degree of SDB present in responses to giving surveys.

Design/methodology/approach

Following initial scale development procedures a convenience sample of 820 donors to a national charity was employed to refine the resultant scale items. Exploratory factor analysis and reliability tests were conducted to establish the dimensionality of the new scale and its reliability. Using a separate sample of 1,500 active donors, the scale was then subject to confirmatory procedures to test its predictive validity.

Findings

The findings support the assertion that SDB is a multi‐dimensional construct consisting of six dimensions. However, in the context of postal surveys it is found that self‐deception and the degree of intrinsic benefit accruing to a donor are the primary determinants of the level of SDB an individual will exhibit. The authors also highlight the significance of the SDB issue since in the survey reported here, 65 per cent of respondents were found to over‐report their giving.

Originality/value

This is one of the first published studies that has been able to explore the predictive validity of a SDB scale. The work has expanded our understanding of the determinants of SDB and provided an instrument that may now be employed to reduce a significant proportion of this error in giving surveys.