bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Electrokinetic properties of hybrid pigments obtained via adsorption of organic dyes on the silica support
Authors: Jesionowski Teofil , Nowacka Magdalena , Ciesielczyk Filip
Published: December 2011

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to characterise the electrokinetic properties of pigments supported on both unmodified and modified silica. The paper describes the preparation of hybrid pigments via adsorption of organic dyes on silica supports and determination of the zeta potential and electrophoretic mobility of the materials obtained.

Design/methodology/approach

The materials studied were hybrid pigments obtained as a result of adsorption of two basic dyes: C.I. Basic Red 1 and C.I. Basic Orange 14 and one acidic dye C.I. Mordant Red 3 from solutions of concentrations of 500, 2,000 and 3,000 mg/dm3 on the surface of both unmodified and modified silica supports. The agent used for modification of the silica surface was N‐2‐(aminoethyl)‐3‐aminopropyltrimethoxysilane.

Findings

The modification of the silica surface with aminosilane was found to change, significantly, the electrokinetic character of the inorganic support. This change was interpreted as being due to the ionisation of −NH2 groups from the modifier molecule, which changes the surface charge. Electrokinetic curves of the pigment composites changed considerably as a function of the type and concentration of the organic dye adsorbed.

Research limitations/implications

Only SiO2 supports (unmodified and aminosilane‐grafted) and C.I. Basic Red 1, C.I. Basic Orange 14 or C.I. Mordant Red 3 dyes adsorbed on its surface were evaluated. Other dyes could also be studied.

Practical implications

Measurements of the zeta potential were used to characterise the stability of colloidal dispersions of paints or dyes and to control the stability of paints on storage and their performance on painting and drying.

Originality/value

The paper demonstrates that the measurements of zeta potential permit determination of the optimum conditions for the use of a given pigment. The finding of the change of the zeta potential of a given pigment and so, also its application properties as a result of different functional groups in the dye or the modifying agent molecules.
Effect of thermal‐oxidative aging on carbon fibre‐bismaleimide composites
Authors: Lv Xinying , Wang Rongguo , Liu Wenbo , Jiang Long
Published: December 2011

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to investigate the effect of thermal‐oxidative aging at 150°C on the mechanical properties of carbon fibre reinforced bismaleimide composites.

Design/methodology/approach

Composites specimens after thermo‐oxidative aging at 150°C for various times (up to 1,000 h) were investigated by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) for fracture morphology, Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy for chemical structures, and flexural strength test and inter‐laminar shear strength (ILSS) test for mechanical properties.

Findings

The results indicated that the mechanical properties of carbon fibre/BMI composites were affected significantly by testing temperature rather than by aging time. SEM results showed that the good adhesion of fibre and matrix resulted in the better mechanical properties. The composites showed lower flexural strength and ILSS at 150°C due to the viscoelastic behaviour of matrix resin. The FTIR spectra confirmed the decomposition of crosslinked maleimide occurred just on the surface of composites during various aging times.

Research limitations/implications

Results indicated that carbon fibre/BMI composites had excellent heat resistance and aging resistance.

Practical implications

Due to their excellent thermal and mechanical properties, the carbon fibre/BMI composites show greater potential for their applications in some extreme fields such as aerospace and machine.

Originality/value

The paper investigates the relationships of the fracture morphologies of composites and chemical structures of matrix resin to the mechanical properties after thermo‐oxidative aging.
Effect of heating on the performance of anticorrosive coatings
Authors: Estefanía Angeles M. , Rodríguez Francisco , Magaña Carlos
Published: December 2011

Purpose

When coatings are applied to industrial equipment, they have to be able to stand the heat produced by solar energy and/or by different conditions on the process. Therefore, the purpose of this paper is to study the effect of temperature on the protective properties of coatings since this parameter degrades the polymer structure. In addition, the temperature effects on dry coating can also be specified.

Design/methodology/approach

In order to know the behaviour of an organic coating at different temperatures, a drying aging cycle was performed by heating on substrate steel and free‐of‐substrate films during ten uninterrupted days at three and different temperatures: 65, 85 and 100°C. At the end of this period, the aged films were analyzed by means of electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) measurements, thermal analysis (DSC and TGA), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), and scanning electronic microscopy (SEM).

Findings

The most critical temperature for the aging was 85°C and “over‐cured” phenomenon were observed on the aged films which were reported by EIS, thermal and IR analyses.

Practical Implications

These aging conditions were tested on a very strong and rigid resin containing a barrier pigment. Thus, it can also be applied to other plastic coatings, such as vinyl or alkyd ones, by modifying the temperatures according to glass transition temperature (Tg), as well as the ageing time depending on the hardness and resistance of such coatings and, of course, the protective effect of the pigment. In addition, another aggressive electrolyte, such as synthetic sea water, chloride, sulphide media, as well as inhibitors or ecological pigments could be used in order to predict its behaviour in different corrosive media.

Originality/value

The value of this work is on the specific temperatures used for the aging method applied to a rigid resin which revealed the over‐cured phenomena and the behaviour of the pigment; so if it is applied to a more plastic and flexible coating, it may reveal other phenomena and promote other kind of degradation, maybe even more aggressive ones.
Awareness and use of online information resources by medical students at Delta State University in Nigeria
Authors: Baro Emmanuel E. , Endouware Benake‐ebide C. , Ubogu Janet O.
Published: December 2011

Purpose

This paper aims to present the results of a study which was carried out to find out whether the undergraduate students in the College of Health Sciences in Delta State University are aware of and fully utilize the medical databases and other online information resources within and outside the medical library.

Design/methodology/approach

A questionnaire and interview methods were used to elicit data from the students.

Findings

The results revealed that majority of the students are not aware and do not use the online information resources such as: MEDLINE, HINARI, CINAHL databases, NUC virtual library as sources of information to retrieve materials related to medical literature. This could be as a result of lack of training for information literacy skills and ineffective user education programmes in the medical libraries and medical schools to equip the medical students with necessary skills to use the medical databases and other online information resources. Problems such as lack of skills to use the online information resources, lack of time, poor user education programmes, and slowness of server were mentioned by the students as some factors militating against the effective use of online information resources.

Originality/value

The findings will be useful for medical librarians and faculty in highlighting the need to collaborate in integrating information literacy skills into the medical school curricula in developing countries.Paper typeResearch paper
Numerical analysis of steady non‐Newtonian flows with heat transfer analysis, MHD and nonlinear slip effects
Authors: Ellahi R. , Hameed M.
Published: December 2011

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to study the effects of nonlinear partial slip on the walls for steady flow and heat transfer of an incompressible, thermodynamically compatible third grade fluid in a channel. The principal question the authors address in this paper is in regard to the applicability of the no‐slip condition at a solid‐liquid boundary. The authors present the effects of slip, magnetohydrodynamics (MHD) and heat transfer for the plane Couette, plane Poiseuille and plane Couette‐Poiseuille flows in a homogeneous and thermodynamically compatible third grade fluid. The problem of a non‐Newtonian plane Couette flow, fully developed plane Poiseuille flow and Couette‐Poiseuille flow are investigated.

Design/methodology/approach

The present investigation is an attempt to study the effects of nonlinear partial slip on the walls for steady flow and heat transfer of an incompressible, thermodynamically compatible third grade fluid in a channel. A very effective and higher order numerical scheme is used to solve the resulting system of nonlinear differential equations with nonlinear boundary conditions. Numerical solutions are obtained by solving nonlinear ordinary differential equations using Chebyshev spectral method.

Findings

Due to the nonlinear and highly complicated nature of the governing equations and boundary conditions, finding an analytical or numerical solution is not easy. The authors obtained numerical solutions of the coupled nonlinear ordinary differential equations with nonlinear boundary conditions using higher order Chebyshev spectral collocation method. Spectral methods are proven to offer a superior intrinsic accuracy for derivative calculations.

Originality/value

To the best of the authors' knowledge, no such analysis is available in the literature which can describe the heat transfer, MHD and slip effects simultaneously on the flows of the non‐Newtonian fluids.
A spectral model for shallow geothermal systems
Authors: Al‐Khoury Rafid
Published: December 2011

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to introduce a spectral model capable of simulating fully transient conductive‐convective heat transfer processes in an axially‐symmetric shallow geothermal system consisting of a borehole heat exchanger embedded in a soil mass.

Design/methodology/approach

The proposed model combines the exactness of the analytical methods with important extent of generality in describing the geometry and boundary conditions of the numerical methods. It calculates the temperature distribution in all involved borehole heat exchanger components and the surrounding soil mass using the discrete Fourier transform, for the time domain, and the Fourier‐Bessel series, for the spatial domain.

Findings

The paper calculates the temperature distribution in all involved borehole heat exchanger components and the surrounding soil mass in a robust and computationally very efficient procedures. Analysis which might take long time in a work station, if use is made of standard numerical procedures, takes only 1 second in an Intel PC with the proposed model.

Practical implications

The model is capable of simulating fully transient heat transfer in a shallow geothermal system subjected to short and long‐term time varying boundary conditions. The CPU time for calculating temperature distributions in all involved components; pipe‐in, pipe‐out, grout, and soil, using 2048 FFT samples, for the time domain, and 100 Fourier‐Bessel series samples, for the spatial domain, was in the order of 1 second in an Intel PC. The accuracy and computational efficiency of the model makes it, if elaborated, vital for engineering practice.

Originality/value

The proposed model is original and generic. The idea behind it is new and has not been utilized in this field of application. The model can be extended easily to include other types of borehole heat exchangers embedded in multi‐layer systems.
Numerical simulation of instabilities in lean premixed hydrogen combustion
Authors: Bastiaans Rob , Vreman A.W.
Published: December 2011

Purpose

The present paper is about numerical simulations of one‐ and two‐dimensional lean hydrogen combustion at an equivalence ratio of 0.7. The initial flat two‐dimensional flames show unstable behavior. The instabilities generate flame wrinkling and flame induced turbulence. As a result, cusp‐like structures arise that both merge and break up in new cusps. Therefore, physically, the laminar burning velocity associated to an adiabatic flat flame does not exist. Instead, a statistical effective burning velocity and flame width develop in which the cusp like structures and their effects are included. The purpose of this paper is to describe the phenomena with a reduced chemical approach.

Design/methodology/approach

Simulations are performed with detailed kinetics, to study the main properties and dynamics of the wrinkling. An attempt is made to reduce the chemistry employing flamelet generated manifolds to make a step towards large‐scale, low cost simulations, which are still able to capture the physics. Here the manifold was built of premixed flames with variations of stretch, unburnt temperature and equivalence ratio. A priori correlations are presented, together with results from actual reduced chemistry simulations.

Findings

It was found that with introduction of variation of equivalence ratio into the manifold the main physical phenomena are captured. Moreover, an effective inclusion of differential diffusion was succesfully tested and applied. Results of effective burning velocities and flame widths are presented.

Originality/value

The paper shows the potential of performing accurate simulations using the chemical reduction technique of flamelet generated manifolds for pure lean hydrogen flames.
Why we ignore social networking advertising
Authors: Hadija Zeljka , Barnes Susan B. , Hair Neil
Published: December 2011

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to focus on college students, users of online social networks, as main sources of information that helps advertisers understand the ways in which advertisements are perceived online.

Design/methodology/approach

Results were reached through qualitative research. Personal in‐depth interviews, utilizing Zaltman Metaphor Elicitation Technique (ZMET), were conducted among 20 college students. Interviews consisted of using screenshots of advertisements in online social networks to uncover respondents' reactions.

Findings

It was generally concluded that the users of online social networks do not dislike advertisements, but they simply do not notice them. Other content found in online social networks mitigates the attractiveness of the advertisements. Hence, the respondents reported that the brand recognition in online social networks was found to be much lower than the one created through other media channels.

Practical implications

Advertising in online social networks is a major unexplored advertising area. Interactivity on the internet shifts the ways in which users perceive advertising, and whether they perceive it at all. The paper discusses content that catches users' attention and its relation to advertisements.

Originality/value

Through literature review it has been revealed that no similar research exists. The findings of this research will aid advertisers in recognizing the possibility of advertising to the online social networks' population, taking into consideration different needs, and preferences of such users.
Using qualitative methodologies to understand behaviour change
Authors: Logie‐MacIver Liz , Piacentini Maria , Eadie Douglas
Published: December 2011

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to explore the use of qualitative approaches to add depth and insight to understanding concerning the issues involved when consumers try to make changes in their behaviour. The context of this study is people trying to make and sustain changes to their dietary behaviour. Taking Prochaska and Di Clemente's Stages of Change model as the starting point, this paper marks a departure from other work in the behavioural change area in so far as a qualitative approach is adopted rather than a quantitative perspective.

Design/methodology/approach

This study was longitudinal in design and the data presented concern groups of people who were categorized as belonging to stages of change and who followed a similar stage of change pattern over a period of 18 months (according to the Stage of Change algorithm described by Curryet al.).

Findings

By examining peoples' behaviour changes in depth, the similarities and differences in their attitudes and motivations are revealed in terms of their dietary behaviour change and maintenance of change. This provides a more refined understanding of how people make changes and maintain them over time.

Research limitations/implications

While focusing only on a small number of people, the weaknesses of the Stages of Change model is demonstrated and how qualitative research approaches can be used to add depth and meaning to quantitative methodologies popular in the social marketing domain.

Originality/value

This paper demonstrates that the Stages of Change model has value in categorizing people into stages of change and measuring these changes over time but is limited in its ability to develop understanding of the lived experience of trying to change behaviour.
What went wrong? Franchisors and franchisees disclose the causes of conflict in franchising
Authors: Frazer Lorelle , Weaven Scott , Giddings Jeff , Grace Debra
Published: December 2011

Purpose

The rapid growth of the Australian franchising sector since the 1980s has been accompanied by tension, conflict and disputation, causing concern for regulatory bodies. However, little is currently known about the antecedents of conflict in franchising, thus, the purpose of this paper is to address this deficiency by exploring the antecedent factors associated with conflict in this domain.

Design/methodology/approach

A series of 11 multiple case studies, involving 30 protocol discussions with franchisors and franchisees, was undertaken across a variety of franchise systems in order to explore the topic and to refine the research question and develop hypotheses for the next stage of the research.

Findings

A number of themes emerged from the qualitative investigation which led to the development of 12 research propositions that include constructs such as expectations confirmation, trust, openness, perceived support and relationship satisfaction in attempting to explain the antecedent causes of conflict in franchising.

Research limitations/implications

The qualitative nature of this research has provided rich information that will inform future confirmatory research via quantitative methods through hypotheses testing. Thus, the findings provide a solid framework for future investigations in this important research domain.

Originality/value

The contribution of this research is significant in that it provides unique knowledge regarding the complex issues surrounding conflict in franchising. Furthermore, it informs future research with regards to the dynamics of conflict in this area.
A comparative study of Chinese and US consumers' attitudes toward advertising regulation
Authors: Gao Zhihong , Zhang Hongxia
Published: December 2011

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to investigate consumer attitudes toward advertising regulation in local contexts.

Design/methodology/approach

A survey was carried out of 211 Chinese consumers and 205 US consumers.

Findings

It was found that the two samples converge in their views on free commercial speech, self‐regulation, and regulation by market forces. Yet, the Chinese are more likely than their US counterparts to support government regulation, endorse legal ban on strong sexual and indecent content, and favor rigorous advertising regulation. The females of both countries are more enthusiastic than their male counterparts about regulating strong sexual images in advertising and requiring advertising to promote positive values. Both countries witness considerable generational gaps, as the older respondents are more conservative in their views and more likely to support rigorous regulation of advertising.

Originality/value

The paper is the first to systematically survey consumers' attitudes toward advertising regulation.
Xpressions of generation Y: perceptions of the mobile phone service industry in Pakistan
Authors: Rahman Salma , Azhar Sarwar
Published: December 2011

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to verify the consumer preference and choice behavior; also determine the speculative low loyalty behavior of consumers belonging to generation Y sub segment – adults (age 19‐28) and their perceptions regarding various brands.

Design/methodology/approach

Data were collected from 100 university students in Pakistan belonging to the age group 19‐28 years old. The research was concentrated in the mobile phone service sector. Data analysis was conducted using statistical analysis software SPSS.

Findings

The results indicate that stated preference set and actual choice behavior are dissimilar. The generation Y adults sub group contra‐indicates loyalty characteristics as high in a developing market context against the established wisdom of low loyalty found in developed countries. The perceptual maps of brands indicate no distinct personality characteristics necessitating marketers to rethink their strategies in this service industry. Finally, this research reconciles the gap between loyalty, stated preference and distinctiveness of brand personalities.

Research limitations/implications

One limitation pertains to the target segment of 19‐28 years old. Future research could be expanded to other demographic segments and use other products and brands.

Originality/value

The major contribution of this paper is that it will advance theory regarding generation‐based characteristics to a less developed economy context by verifying theoretical proposition with regard to brand preferences and revealed brand choices. Second, marketers would be able to focus their promotions keeping in mind the perception and loyalty factors.
Export problems experienced by high‐ and low‐performing manufacturing companies
Authors: Haluk Köksal Mehmet , Kettaneh Tarek
Published: December 2011

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to examine the perception of export problems differentiating high‐performing export manufacturing companies from low‐performing ones in the context of two developing countries: Turkey and Lebanon.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper focuses on the above objectives and aims at shedding light on them by testing some hypotheses. A structured questionnaire was applied to 144 Turkish companies and 71 Lebanese companies through the mail. The response rate was 20 percent for the Turkish sample and 23 percent for the Lebanese.

Findings

Some differences were identified between high‐ and low‐performing Turkish and Lebanese manufacturing companies regarding the perception of export problems. The differences were grouped and discussed under internal and external export problems. Highlighted effects of such internal export problems were insufficient production capacity, packaging, and exporting being difficult and costly; and external problems were the imposition of high‐tariff/non‐tariff barriers by foreign countries.

Originality/value

Whilst some of the literature has focused on company export barriers, there is a lack of studies investigating the effects of those problems on export performance, especially in developing countries. It is hoped that the paper's findings will help managers and policy makers to improve company and, thereby, country performance.
The interaction effect of country‐of‐origin, brand equity and purchase involvement on consumer purchase intentions of clothing labels
Authors: Parkvithee Narissara , Miranda Mario J.
Published: December 2011

Purpose

This study, conducted in Thailand, aims to examine the effect of interaction of country‐of‐origin (COO), brand equity and product purchase involvement on consumers' evaluation and purchase preference of Thai brands of fashion apparel made in three nominated Asian countries of varying levels of manufacturing competence.

Design/methodology/approach

Data from a field survey were analyzed through a 2×2×3 factorial design and the influence of a particular factor over the others in specific scenarios was observed.

Findings

This study suggests that if low purchase involvement apparel with high brand equity is sourced from a country‐of‐origin of low perceived competence, the superior reputation of the brand encourages consumer partiality to the apparel's quality and purchase inclination. However, this study has evidenced that a brand of modest equity sourced from the under‐developed economy is capable of getting greater consumer support for its higher end fashion products than for its standard apparel.

Practical implications

That consumers are comfortable with the quality of high‐end fashion items sourced from lesser developed countries suggests that low equity brands ought not to feel discouraged to enter the high end of the fashion market particularly if they can offer a price advantage and promise of guaranteed quality.

Research limitations/implications

A more expansive paper would allow for analysis of interaction effects of additional combinations of country's competence, brand equity and purchase involvement on consumers' evaluation and purchase preference.

Originality/value

This study informs brand owners of consumer expectations of high and low complexity products, made in countries of differing manufacturing competencies, to deliver desired level of performances.
Predicting young Chinese consumers' mobile viral attitudes, intents and behavior
Authors: “Chris” Yang Hongwei , Liu Hui , Zhou Liuning
Published: December 2011

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to integrate the Theory of Planned Behavior (TPB), Technology Acceptance Model (TAM) and Palka et al.'s model to predict young Chinese consumers' mobile viral attitudes, intents and behavior.

Design/methodology/approach

A paper survey was administered to 835 college students in Beijing, Shanghai, Kunming, and Liuzhou in summer and fall, 2010. The data were subject to statistic analyses including Pearson correlation, structural equation modeling, and backward regression with SPSS and AMOS.

Findings

The SEM model testing results confirmed the chain of young Chinese consumers' viral attitudes to intents to actual behavior. Subjective norm, perceived cost and pleasure were significant predictors of their viral attitudes. Their viral attitudes, perceived utility and subjective norm predicted their intent to pass along entertaining electronic messages. Their intent to forward useful electronic messages was determined by their viral attitudes, perceived utility and market mavenism. Their viral attitudes, intents and market mavenism predicted their mobile viral behavior.

Practical implications

It pays to foster Chinese consumers' favorable attitudes toward mobile viral marketing. It is advisable to know both target consumers and their associates very well. It is recommended to convince Chinese consumers that their friends and relatives can benefit greatly from viral content forwarding. Mobile messages with entertaining, useful, relevant and self‐involved values can go viral more easily.

Originality/value

The paper is probably the first study the integration of the TPB, TAM and Palka et al.'s model to predict Chinese consumers' mobile viral attitudes, intents and behavior.
Certainty, risk and knowledge in the satisfaction‐purchase intention relationship in a new product experiment
Authors: Huy Tuu Ho , Ottar Olsen Svein
Published: December 2011

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to examine the roles of perceived certainty, manipulated risk and knowledge in the satisfaction‐purchase intention relationship in the context of a new product evaluation.

Design/methodology/approach

This study uses a 2×2 factorial design with 120 participants and a combination of methods to test hypotheses.

Findings

The respondents of low‐risk as well as high‐knowledge groups report a higher purchase intention. Interestingly, the movement from satisfaction to purchase intention is higher among respondents with higher certainty, and among respondents in low‐risk as well as high‐knowledge groups. In particular, this study finds a positive interaction effect between manipulated knowledge and manipulated risk on the satisfaction‐purchase intention relationship.

Research limitations/implications

As with most experiments, this study has low external validity. Thus, future studies should use different products/brands tested among a wider range of consumers and in more realistic user situations. Both product risk and consumer knowledge are multidimensional constructs, thus, it will be interesting for future studies to manipulate different facets of those constructs (e.g. financial risk, procedural knowledge).

Practical implications

The authors' findings suggest that managers should be aware of satisfaction strength (e.g. confidence and knowledge) and risk in their estimations of purchase intention based on satisfaction measurement. Marketing strategies that reduce consumers' risks, consolidate their confidence and educate them with relevant knowledge may be effective strategies to increase their purchase intentions, especially towards new products.

Originality/value

This study contributes to the literature by simultaneously examining the roles of perceived certainty, manipulated risk and knowledge within a satisfaction‐purchase intention relationship. It also contributes by providing empirical evidence supporting an interaction between knowledge and risk affecting the satisfaction‐purchase intention relationship. Finally, it uses a controlled experiment in the context of a new product evaluation to confirm the causal effects.
Marketing effectiveness and its precursors
Authors: Trong Tuan Luu
Published: December 2011

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to analyze the linkages between leadership, organisational trust, and marketing effectiveness, in service businesses within three service categories (health care, hotel, and resort) in Vietnam.

Design/methodology/approach

The research utilizes ANOVAs and structural equation model.

Findings

The findings revealed that transactional leadership is associated with calculus‐based trust. Transformational leadership, on the other hand, cultivates knowledge‐based trust and identity‐based trust, which in turn positively influence marketing effectiveness. A direct relationship between transformational leadership and marketing effectiveness is also examined.

Originality/value

The research offers insight into the role that leadership and trust play in determining marketing effectiveness in service businesses in Vietnam.
The effect of service interaction orientation on customer satisfaction and behavioral intention
Authors: Liang Rong‐Da , Zhang Jun‐Shu
Published: December 2011

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to investigate the relationships among interaction orientation, customer satisfaction and behavioral intentions across firms in the hospitality industry.

Design/methodology/approach

A self‐administered survey was conducted with a convenience sample of 628 full‐service seafood restaurants.

Findings

The empirical results indicate that interaction orientation has positive influences on customer satisfaction in first‐time and frequent diners; interaction orientation positively affects behavioral intentions in frequent diners; and customer satisfaction positively affects behavioral intentions in first‐time and frequent diners. In addition, customer satisfaction is a mediator between interaction orientation and behavioral intentions.

Research limitations/implications

The research target of full‐service seafood restaurants limits the generalizability of the findings to a wider population.

Originality/value

In addition to insights on how restaurant promotion strategies should fit the needs of individuals with different dining frequencies, the paper offers other ideas to enhance the dining experience.
Improving housing with care choices for older people: the PSSRU evaluation of extra care housing
Authors: Darton Robin , Bäumker Theresia , Callaghan Lisa , Netten Ann
Published: December 2011

Purpose

This paper describes an evaluation of 19 extra care schemes allocated funding from the Extra Care Housing Fund.

Design/methodology/approach

Interviewers collected information about the expectations and experiences of 1,182 new residents, and demographic and care needs information for those who received a care assessment (817 individuals) to correspond to previous surveys of care homes. Follow‐up information was collected at six, 18 and 30 months. Comprehensive costs were estimated for individuals based on capital costs, care and support costs and living expenses.

Findings

Entrants to extra care were much less physically and cognitively impaired, on average, than entrants to care homes, although residents in several schemes had high levels of physical disability. Overall, residents appeared to have made a positive choice to live in a more supportive and social environment (“pull” factors) rather than responding to a crisis (“push” factors). Outcomes, in terms of physical and cognitive functioning, for residents with similar characteristics to care home residents were better, and costs were no higher, while mortality rates were lower.

Research limitations/implications

Outcomes could not be measured for those who dropped out, and residents with deteriorating mental health were more likely to drop out.

Practical implications

Extra care can provide a positive option for people planning ahead, but appears to be less suitable for crisis moves. Further work is needed on supporting those who are more dependent.

Social implications

To encourage downsizing, extra care needs to be sufficiently attractive to those making a lifestyle choice.

Originality/value

This was the first major study of costs and outcomes in extra care housing.
Peter Drucker: modern day Aristotle for the business community
Authors: Kurzynski Marcia
Published: December 2011

Purpose

Current headlines depicting the billion dollar government bailouts of some of the world's largest business corporations suggest that a new paradigm of management is needed. This paper seeks to propose that the management theory of Peter F. Drucker and certain Aristotelian concepts, expressed in the Nicomachean Ethics and Politics, are applicable to the business community today.

Design/methodology/approach

Drucker's management philosophy is synthesized with the moral philosophy of Aristotle to suggest a practical management framework for contemporary business practitioners. In providing a virtue‐based moral framework for management grounded in a concern for character, communal well‐being, and ultimate purpose, the paper argues that Drucker's Aristotelian style of business management provides a viable, virtue‐based management theory that contemporary managers should be able to embrace.

Findings

Drucker has been regarded as one of the most influential management thinkers of the twentieth century. The author suggests that, given the current level of morality shown in the behaviour of business people today – business leaders in particular – what is needed is a change in managerial perspective. A change from the prevailing concern with one's own well‐being – how much one has, or can get for one's self – to include a concern for the well‐being of others. The author proposes that Drucker's management philosophy, which reflects Aristotelian matters of character, community and telos, though formulated many years ago, provides a framework for improving managerial behaviour today.

Research limitations/implications

Drucker's pragmatic business commentary and advice reveal a deep understanding of the complexity of the business world and the realities of business from the perspective of the business person, and yet does not reject the over‐riding moral principles of integrity, community and achievement that serve as the foundation for society.

Originality/value

The paper offers a business relevant virtue‐based perspective that, in this author's opinion, is more than adequate for a renewed vision of management in the twenty‐first century.
Deriving consensus rankings via multicriteria decision making methodology
Authors: Poh Ai Ling Amy , Nasir Saludin Mohamad , Mukaidono Masao
Published: December 2011

Purpose

This paper seeks to take a cautionary stance to the impact of the marketing mix on customer satisfaction, via a case study deriving consensus rankings for benchmarking on selected retail stores in Malaysia.

Design/methodology/approach

The ELECTRE I model is used in deriving consensus rankings via multicriteria decision making method for benchmarking base on the marketing mix model 4P's. Descriptive analysis is used to analyze best practice among the four marketing tactics.

Findings

Outranking methods in consequence constitute a strong base on which to found the entire structure of the behavioral theory of benchmarking applied to development of marketing strategy.

Research limitations/implications

This study looks only at a limited part of the puzzle of how consumer satisfaction translates into behavioral outcomes.

Practical implications

The study provides managers with guidance on how to generate a rough outline of potential marketing activities that can be used to take advantage of capabilities and convert weaknesses and threats.

Originality/value

The paper interestingly portrays the effective usage of multicriteria decision‐making and ranking method to help marketing managers predict their marketing trends.
New marketing definition: a future agenda for low cost carrier airlines in Indonesia
Authors: Fernando Yudi , Mat Saad Norizan , Sabri Haron Mahmod
Published: December 2011

Purpose

A new marketing definition was issued by AMA in 2007. However, the new definition has argued that marketing covers a set of activities that guide organizations to achieve their business objectives. Perhaps, exploring the new insight of service practitioners would enhance the understanding of how the new marketing definition is universally applicable, especially in a developing country. This paper seeks to focus on the issues.

Design/methodology/approach

The qualitative research was conducted on a sample of managers who worked in a low‐cost carrier (LCC) airline. Four managers of ten LCCs agreed to participate in the study. The interviewees had to comment on their business challenges and current practices. The researcher then classified the interviewees' comments and opinions into sub‐topics.

Findings

There are some future agenda and implications for practitioner and service marketing researchers to develop service quality in the Indonesian LCC industry. The factors are corporate image, employees' capabilities, and a strong bonding with reliable suppliers.

Practical implications

In the LCC industry, the combination of internal and external supplier capabilities to deliver service quality is a business strategy to gain service breakthroughs.

Originality/value

This is preliminary investigation to identify a new research agenda in service marketing and to improve the quality of LCC service in Indonesia.
Are they listening to my voice?
Authors: Fikry Amily
Published: December 2011

Purpose

This paper aims to describe the ways to market electrical and electronic household appliances to the teenagers market.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper reviews the debate and key statistical insights on Malaysian teenagers are described to show the overview of the current scenario in Malaysia. Various marketing strategies are suggested to market electrical and electronic household appliances to the teenagers market.

Findings

The paper finds that there is a need to listen to the needs and wants of these teenagers. Marketers are then able to direct their marketing strategies to fulfill the needs and wants of these teenagers segment.

Research limitations/implications

Results are limited to practitioners involved in the electrical and electronic household appliances industries only.

Practical implications

Managerial implications suggest several strategies to market electrical and electronic household appliances to these teenagers, with a great emphasis on the impact of technological means towards the teenagers market.

Originality/value

New technological approaches are proposed as a means to market electrical and electronic household appliances to the teenagers market. Previously, the importance of teenagers' influence on the purchase of electrical and electronic household appliances has been largely ignored due to an underestimate of these young consumers' power.
Adopting TQM approach to achieve customer satisfaction
Authors: Kristianto Yohanes , Ajmal Mian M. , Sandhu Maqsood
Published: December 2011

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to present the results of a survey of customer satisfaction with regard to the strategy of total quality management (TQM) adopted in a wheat flour milling company.

Design/methodology/approach

A survey was conducted to learn more about customer expectations and satisfaction. The respondents were all customers of a flour‐based food processor. Quality function deployment (QFD) was applied to improve customer service performance by focusing on customer satisfaction, value and retention.

Findings

The results show that customer satisfaction has increased steadily over a period of three years. The QFD approach helped to design a competitive product by aligning the company resources to customers’ needs.

Research limitations/implications

The findings are limited to a specific food manufacturing company and for this reason they cannot be generalized to the whole in service sector. Further research is needed for other service companies.

Practical implications

The findings may support manufacturing companies hoping to achieve customer satisfaction by focusing on TQM implementation efforts. Furthermore, companies can focus their efforts on improving the way in which they meet certain customers’ needs if these needs are more extensively related to a certain component of quality management.

Originality/value

The paper presents evidence to managers of the value of implementing TQM strategy to effectively achieve customer satisfaction that ultimately leads to greater market share and profit maximization.
Higher education regionalization in Asia Pacific
Authors: Neubauer Deane
Published: December 2011

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to outline some of the historic ways of reviewing patterns of regional engagement, with special attention to how the emergent concepts of higher education (HE) regionalization stand in relationship to regionalism. Additional implications are spelled out for governance, citizenship and university transformation.

Design/methodology/approach

This conceptual essay is meant to appear in conjunction with more discrete, case‐oriented examinations of Asia Pacific HE regionalization.

Findings

Discussions of regionalism in Asian HE are being replaced by those focused on regionalization; the former is a nation‐state and geographic policy framework whereas the latter tends to refer to emergent empirical relationships. Regionalization itself can be further distinguished in terms of its “older” forms, focused on geographic proximities and exchanges defined and carried out within those proximities. New regionalization is increasingly linked to global circuits of exchange in which the currencies of such exchanges are closely linked to the emergent dynamics of the knowledge society and economy. These dynamics in turn are closely linked to patterns of migration and mobility in HE and the efforts of higher education institutions (HEIs) and regional governments to develop new governance structure structures appropriate for this style of regionalization. These regional dynamics reflect tensions that draw institutions and nations together (centripetal forces) and those that keep them apart (centrifugal forces). These processes are marked by governance dynamics, those of affinity and affiliation, transnational innovation, and redefinitions of the responsibilities and promises of citizenship.

Originality/value

Use of these modal concepts can be used to promote and extend a region‐wide discussion and related research relevant to HE transformation within the region.
Regional cooperation in higher education in Asia and the Pacific
Authors: Lee Molly N.N.
Published: December 2011

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to present a general overview of the kinds of regional cooperation that are commonly found in the higher education (HE) sector among countries in Asia and the Pacific.

Design/methodology/approach

The research methodology is literature review, collecting primary data from the web sites set up by the various organizations that are being reviewed.

Findings

The types of university exchanges can be broadly categorized as academic exchange, research collaboration and university‐community engagement. Some of the regional cooperation are initiated by intergovernmental organizations while others are initiated by non‐governmental organizations. The paper reviews intergovernmental initiatives by UNESCO, SEAMEO RIHED, ASEAN, ASEM, EAS, and APEC. It also reviews several higher education networks including ASAHIL, UMAP, APRU, AUF, AAOU and APAIE, as well as two regional initiatives, APQN and the UNESCO Regional Convention on the Recognition of Studies, Diplomas and Degrees in Higher Education in Asia and the Pacific.

Originality/value

This is an original piece of analytical work on the roles and functions of various HE organizations and networks in the Asia‐Pacific region.
Exporting Filipino graduates to the global labor market
Authors: Ordonez Regina M.
Published: December 2011

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to present the need for quality reform in the Philippine higher education “industry,” given the challenges of Government regulators on the one hand, and college degree holders on the other, in meeting international standards necessary to compete in the global labor market.

Design/methodology/approach

Aside from selected academic articles focusing on the interplay between Philippine higher education and the global market, interviews with key players validated and rounded off the findings and conclusions drawn.

Findings

The marketplace of higher education institutions today is driven largely by profit seeking, whose indiscriminate growth as an industry has brought into question the quality of educational offerings for students whose dream of working abroad for potentially higher incomes may be frustrated by their unpreparedness in meeting global job requirements, despite their academic training in higher education institutions.

Originality/value

This paper is one more call for the Commission on Higher Education and its accreditation partners to insist on enforcing international standards and best practices in education upon tertiary institutions of learning in the country, even if it means closure of programs or even schools. This requires political will.