bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
An overview of biomimetic sensor technology
Authors: Stroble J.K. , Stone R.B. , Watkins S.E.
Published: March 2009

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to provide an overview of the wide range of biomimetic sensor technology and innovations.

Design/methodology/approach

The reader is introduced to biomimetic sensors, their types, their advantages and how they are different from traditional sensors. Background information is also provided regarding sensor design, inspiration and innovation.

Findings

There are two approaches to sensor design, which lead to diverse advantages and innovations. Classification of biomimetic sensors indicated which natural senses are underutilized by sensor designers and researchers.

Originality/value

The paper provides information of value for those seeking innovative sensor designs and research information for those who want to research in this area.
Sensors and control systems for micro‐air vehicles: lessons from flies
Authors: Hesselberg Thomas
Published: March 2009

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to provide an overview of the recent research on the interaction between flight mechanics and sensory/control systems in flies. It furthermore, explores the application to biomimetic micro‐air vehicles (MAVs).

Design/methodology/approach

A review of recent literature on flight in flies is given first, whereafter two biomimetic case studies are discussed; the optic flow sensor developed by a French team and the micro‐mechanical flying insect project at the University of Berkeley.

Findings

The paper discusses the many areas where biological knowledge on flight in flies can be used by designers of MAVs.

Practical implications

Fully autonomous MAVs, inspired by insect flight, could be useful in a wide range of areas including search‐and‐rescue, surveillance and for military purposes.

Originality/value

The paper gives an up to date overview of dipteran flight behaviour and points to ways in which this knowledge can be applied to MAVs. The paper should thus be useful for biologists wishing to collaborate with engineers as well as for engineers and sensor designers seeking inspiration from nature.
Force sensor system for structural health monitoring using passive RFID tags
Authors: Ikemoto Yusuke , Suzuki Shingo , Okamoto Hiroyuki , Murakami Hiroki , Asama Hajime , Morishita Soichiro , Mishima Taketoshi , Lin Xin , Itoh Hideo
Published: March 2009

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to describe the development of a contactless and batteryless loading sensor system that can measure the internal loading of an object structure through several covering materials for structural health monitoring.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper proposed an architecture by which two radio frequency identification (RFID) tags are used in the system. It has been difficult to realize sensing by RFID because of the low power supply. To solve the power supply problem, a method using functional distribution of RFID tags of two kinds of RFID for communication and power supply was proposed. One RFID tag is specialized as a power supply for communication of strain loading information through A/D conversion. Another is specialized to supply power for driving the strain gauges bridge circuit.

Findings

By using developed system, the measurement of the structural internal loading with 20.0 mm depth was possible through covering materials such as concrete, but also plaster board, flexible boards, silicate calcium board, blockboard, and polystyrene with a resolution performance from 10 × 10−6 to 40 × 10−6.

Originality/value

A sensor system was developed using passive RFID, which enables measurement of load‐deformation information inside a structural object. Moreover, the inexpensive wireless, batteryless devices used in this system require little maintenance, and applications for the user interface are also included in the developed system for uniform management of structural health monitoring. The developed system was evaluated in an actual situation using not only concrete but also other materials as covering materials on a structural object.
Interactive foreground segmentation method using mean shift and graph cuts
Authors: Tian Yuan , Guan Tao , Wang Cheng , Li Lijun , Liu Wei
Published: March 2009

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to present an efficient, interactive foreground/background image segmentation method using mean shift (MS) and graph cuts, in order to improve the segmentation performance with little user interaction.

Design/methodology/approach

By incorporating the advantages of the mean shift method and the graph cut algorithm, the proposed approach ensures the accuracy of segmentation results. First, the user marks certain pixels as foreground or background. Then the graph is constructed and the cost function composed of the boundary properties and the region properties is defined. To obtain the hidden information of user interaction, the foreground and background marks are clustered separately by the mean shift method. The region properties are determined by the minimum distances from the unmarked pixels to the foreground and background clusters. The boundary properties are determined by the relationship between the unmarked pixels and its neighbor pixels. Finally, using the graph cuts method solves the energy minimization problem to get the foreground which is of interest.

Findings

The paper presents experimental results and compares the results to other methods. It can be seen from the comparison that this method can obtain a better segmentation performance in many cases.

Originality/value

The paper incorporates the advantages of the mean shift method and the graph cut algorithm to obtain better segmentation results, even though the scene is complex.
A texture segmentation prototype for industrial inspection applications based on fuzzy grammar
Authors: Ferreira Manuel , Santos Cristina , Monteiro Joao
Published: March 2009

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to propose a set of techniques, in the domain of texture analysis, dedicated to the classification of industrial textures. One of the main purposes was to deal with a high diversity of textures, including structural and highly random patterns.

Design/methodology/approach

The global system includes a texture segmentation phase and a classification phase. The approach for image texture segmentation is based on features extracted from wavelets transform, fuzzy spectrum and interaction maps. The classification architecture uses a fuzzy grammar inference system.

Findings

The classifier uses the aggregation of features from the several segmentation techniques, resulting in high flexibility concerning the diversity of industrial textures. The resulted system allows on‐line learning of new textures. This approach avoids the need for a global re‐learning of the all textures each time a new texture is presented to the system.

Practical implications

These achievements demonstrate the practical value of the system, as it can be applied to different industrial sectors for quality control operations.

Originality/value

The global approach was integrated in a cork vision system, leading to an industrial prototype that has already been tested. Similarly, it was tested in a textile machine, for a specific fabric inspection, and gave results that corroborate the diversity of possible applications. The segmentation procedure reveals good performance that is indicated by high classification rates, revealing good perspectives for full industrialization.
Foster's Lager: from local beer to global icon
Authors: White Leanne
Published: March 2009

Purpose

This paper seeks to analyse Foster's Lager advertising since the early 1980s. In particular, it aims to focus on the Foster's Lager “I Believe” integrated marketing communications (IMC) campaign launched in 2000 and the use of “commercial nationalism”.

Design/methodology/approach

A close textual analysis consisting of semiotics, shot combination analysis, and content analysis is incorporated into the discussion of the Foster's Lager advertisements examined. These methodologies are helpful for deconstructing mediated representations of this iconic beer brand.

Findings

Nationalism and humour have both played an important part in Foster's Lager advertising campaigns. However, campaigns in more recent times have become more sophisticated and ironic. In examining a number of significant advertising campaigns for Australia's flagship beer, the transition from national to global beer brand can be documented. Since 1888 the brand name Foster's has evolved from being just one of a number of beer brands in Australia to the international flagship product of the global beverage giant, and fourth largest brewing company in the world, Foster's Group Limited.

Research limitations/implications

In particular, the Foster's Lager “I Believe” campaign was an excellent example of the witty use of nationalism and patriotism to communicate a message.

Practical implications

Examining how the Foster's Lager brand evolved into a global brand provides lessons for marketers and educators, particularly in the effective use of commercial nationalism.

Originality/value

The paper brings a detailed analysis of the successful use of commercial nationalism.
IMC strategies in new high technology product launches
Authors: Winter Susanna , Sundqvist Sanna
Published: March 2009

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to provide empirical evidence on the use of IMC in new high technology product launches among companies that operate in different fields of business, yet providing similar innovation to the same market.

Design/methodology/approach

A qualitative case research methodology is applied. Multiple sources of evidence are gathered. These include interviews with key informants and documentary data, and IMC mini audits. Concerning the theoretical approach, the related literature in IMC, new product launch and high technology marketing is reviewed.

Findings

IMC is vital to high technology marketers launching new products and services. The analyses reveal that IMC practices vary across firm size, industry type, product/service orientation, and customer orientation.

Practical implications

Companies of different types can be on an equal footing in their integration efforts. Whether service‐ or product‐oriented companies, business‐to‐consumer or business‐to‐business marketers, companies from all backgrounds can achieve higher levels of IMC. What matters most is customer‐centricity, i.e. having a close interaction with customers and being responsive to their feedback.

Originality/value

The study contributes to the integrated marketing communications research field in several important respects. First, it focuses on IMC usage among firms in different industries. Second, it takes a genuinely refreshing view on studying IMC strategies by focusing on usage of IMC as part of new high technology product launch strategy.
Innovation and performance in SME furniture industries
Authors: Otero‐Neira Carmen , Tapio Lindman Martti , Fernández María J.
Published: March 2009

Purpose

Innovation has been traditionally considered as a generator of competitiveness, which leads to superior performance. Considering that innovation is a complex phenomenon, it is interesting to understand how innovations are linked with organisations' performance. In this sense, the purpose of this paper is to understand the conditions that make innovation profitable.

Design/methodology/approach

The methodology used in the analysis is a multi‐case comparative research of low‐tech, small and medium‐sized furniture firms from Italy, Spain and Finland.

Findings

The study shows some evidence that innovation positively influences business performance. In particular, the results suggest that different performance levels are linked to the type of innovation developed.

Practical implications

The study presents direct implications for companies aiming at improving their innovation effectiveness. First, it is recommended that firms consider the environment in which they operate; second, they should coordinate future innovation plans by considering the synergistic process among the product, market and process innovations to arrive at a combination that will yield optimal levels of performance. Additionally, the study points out the crucial role that the management style plays in developing innovation capabilities.

Originality/value

The paper offers an insight to explain why some companies are more successful at starting and developing innovation than others. The finding that a successful innovation profile is related to the performance of the company represents an interesting contribution to the management of firms.
Innovation and the city: a macromarketing approach to industry development
Authors: Briggs Maxwell James
Published: March 2009

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to propose and demonstrate the relevance of marketing systems, notably the process of product management and innovation, to urban development challenges.

Design/methodology/approach

A macromarketing perspective is adopted to construe the city as a product and begin the application of the innovation process to urban management, following the steps commonly proposed for successful innovation in product management. An example of the application of the initial new product development steps of idea generation and opportunity identification is presented.

Findings

The innovation process provides guidelines and checkpoints that enable corporations to improve the success rate of their development initiatives. Cities, like corporations, need to innovate in order to maintain their image and functionality, to provide a myriad benefits to their stakeholders and, thereby, to survive and grow. The example here shows how the preliminary NPD steps of idea generation and opportunity identification enrich the process of identifying and analysing new industry opportunities for a city.

Practical implications

By conceptualising the city as a multifaceted product, the disciplined planning and evaluation processes pertinent to NPD success become relevant and helpful to practitioners responsible for urban planning, urban development and change.

Originality/value

The paper shows how pertinent concepts and processes from marketing can be effectively applied to urban planning and economic development initiatives.
What signifies success in e‐CRM?
Authors: Kımıloğlu Hande , Zaralı Hülya
Published: March 2009

Purpose

This paper seeks to use the balanced scorecard approach to create a performance measurement tool for e‐CRM implementations, distinguishing the criteria which signify higher levels of success in e‐CRM for internet businesses.

Design/methodology/approach

A performance measurement tool assessing the success of e‐CRM implementations under the customer, internal business, innovation and learning, and financial perspectives of the balanced scorecard is constructed. A total of 72 internet businesses in Turkey were surveyed about how much their CRM implementations contributed to the improvement in various measures under these four perspectives. These businesses are categorised as those with high versus moderate levels of perceived e‐CRM success. T‐tests are conducted to find out which success criteria distinguish these two groups more significantly.

Findings

Companies with higher levels of perceived e‐CRM success claimed significantly higher levels of improvements in customer satisfaction, transaction amounts and frequency, brand image, effective database management and customer targeting, efficient business processes, technology utilisation, excellence and innovation in services, improved sales, profitability and decreased service support costs.

Research limitations/implications

The sample size is relatively small due to the difficulty of collecting data from internet businesses on a strategic issue such as e‐CRM. Perceived e‐CRM success is assessed based on the answers of a single respondent from each business.

Practical implications

With successful e‐CRM programs, internet businesses can experience significant levels of improvements under all the four perspectives of the balanced scorecard, including tangible measures such as financial outcomes and the less tangible indicators such as customer value, innovation, excellence, and efficiency in business processes.

Originality/value

A general strategic management tool is applied to a specific process in internet businesses. Performance in e‐CRM is assessed extensively.
A marketing communications framework for small political parties in developed countries
Authors: Thrassou Alkis , Vrontis Demetris , McDonald Malcolm H.B.
Published: March 2009

Purpose

This research aims to undertake a business theory application into the political marketing context, examine the degree and nature of its theoretical and practical compatibility, and develop a preliminary conceptual marketing communications (MCs) framework for small political parties (SPPs) in developed countries.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper is conceptual and incorporates and interrelates the findings of existing business marketing research as applied to the context of political marketing. Through a comprehensive literature review, it adopts a multi‐perspective analysis and interrelation of three dimensions of existing theory: the behavioural, the contextual and the operational dimension. The paper eventually bridges the fields of political and business marketing, identifies the underlying causes of voter behaviour, and distils the critical factors of SPPs' marketing communications success.

Findings

The research identifies a number of critical factors of SPPs' marketing communications success and four principal SPPs' marketing communications findings: an increasing association between business and political marketing, an environmental context that stimulates and nurtures a symbiotic relationship between parties and voters, a predominant association of SPPs' critical factors of success with the concept of “perception management”, and the existence of a number of discrepancies regarding the application of classical marketing theory to SPPs. Based on these findings, the research finally develops a marketing communications framework for SPPs in developed countries.

Research limitations/implications

While the conceptual nature of the research is a methodologically viable approach to understanding the complex interrelation of the elements involved, so early in the development of a contextually new theory, it is also its main limitation. Hence, the research considers the framework produced to be preliminary and that substantial primary research is further required to test and refine the individual framework components and to provide the necessary validity to the framework in its entirety.

Originality/value

The value of the paper relates to its focus on small political parties, which are largely overlooked by existing research. Additionally, the research adds considerable value to academic knowledge on the fundamental discussion on the applicability of business marketing theory to politics, also contributing an analogous political marketing framework to the existing literature.
Quality management practices
Authors: Tawfik Mady M.
Published: March 2009

Purpose

The purpose of this exploratory study is to survey quality management practices in two industrial sectors in the state of Kuwait. It aims to provide reliable and valid constructs for measuring quality management practices and to test the effect of type of industry and plant size on the implementation level.

Design/methodology/approach

A questionnaire was administered, with the help of the Kuwaiti Public Authority for Industry (PAFI), to a stratified sample of 105 Kuwaiti plants. Confirmatory factor analysis and internal consistency tests were used to verify scales validity and reliability. The two independent samples t‐test and analysis of variance (ANOVA) were utilised to investigate the statistical effects of type of industry and plant size respectively.

Findings

The results revealed four reliable and valid constructs: customer focus, total quality management (TQM) human practices, process quality resource, and quality measurements. While type of industry showed no significant effect on the level of implementation of the four quality management constructs, plant size was a determinant factor of the implementation of customer focus and process quality practices.

Originality/value

The study is the first quality management survey in Kuwait. No valid or reliable TQM scales were developed before in such rigorous methodology. The study contributes to the unresolved issue of the size effect, especially when considering plant rather than company size. The need for governmental support, especially for small plants, in quality management implementation was reinforced.
Micro‐enterprise quality
Authors: Prasad Sameer , Tata Jasmine
Published: March 2009

Purpose

In the developing world most citizens rely on self‐employment and micro‐enterprise operations as their only source of income. Given competition from large‐scale industrial outfits, most micro‐enterprises are finding it difficult to compete in terms of quality or price. This paper aims to investigate this issue.

Design/methodology/approach

The research employs case study methodology to examine how quality management could be employed in keeping such enterprises competitive.

Findings

A number of general propositions are developed and potentially fruitful research areas identified.

Originality/value

The paper compares the literature with actual field observations to provide practical insights that may be of value to micro‐enterprise owners, and might indirectly help raise their standard of living.
Ranking airlines' service quality factors using a fuzzy approach: study of the Iranian society
Authors: Nejati Mehran , Nejati Mostafa , Shafaei Azadeh
Published: March 2009

Purpose

This paper seeks to review service quality factors of the airline industry, and to rank these factors in Iranian society. It aims to introduce a fuzzy TOPSIS approach for this purpose.

Design/methodology/approach

The research was conducted among graduate students of the University of Tehran, Iran. In order to meet the objectives of the study, Fuzzy TOPSIS approach was used. Required information was gathered through a questionnaire.

Findings

The results show that “Flight safety”, “Good appearance of flight crew” and “Offering highest possible quality services to customers 24 hours a day” are the most important airline service quality factors in the eyes of Iranian customers. Interestingly, “the possibility of checking flight schedule via telephone” has been selected as the least important quality factor by respondents. Research findings also announce that the majority of Iranian potential travellers prefer airplane as their transportation means. However, at the moment, they are mostly using buses as their first choice.

Practical limitations/implications

The paper considers graduate university students as its sample society. Although university students are a group of airlines' potential customers, the paper findings might not be generalised to all groups of airline customers and further studies might be essential to see if the same ranking of service quality dimensions will be found within other groups of customers having other career backgrounds. The paper will be helpful in enabling airline industry policy makers to identify the key service quality factors in the eyes of Iranian customers.

Originality/value

The concept of ranking airline service quality factors using a Fuzzy TOPSIS is a new approach. The study is the first application of a fuzzy approach to examine and rank customer expectations of airlines' service quality.
Process embedded design of integrated management systems
Authors: Asif Muhammad , de Bruijn Erik J. , Fisscher Olaf A.M. , Searcy Cory , Steenhuis Harm‐Jan
Published: March 2009

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to provide a process‐based design of integrated management systems (IMS) implementation.

Design/methodology/approach

An extensive survey of peer‐reviewed literature was conducted. Based on the literature review, a comprehensive methodology for the design and implementation of an IMS was developed.

Findings

A critical review of the strategies employed and of difficulties encountered in IMS implementation reveals the need for a context‐ and process‐based design of IMS. At the operational level core activities are first designed from the perspective of stakeholders' requirements and then treated with operational excellence tools to strip away waste. The transformed core processes are then integrated with mainstream individual management systems to form one composite and holistic management system. The institutionalisation of IMS needs to be addressed in its design (through process embedded design) as well as at the users' level (through education and training of employees).

Practical implications

The paper provides the process‐based strategy for IMS implementation and institutionalisation.

Originality/value

The paper should be useful for practitioners searching for a recipe to integrate management systems, for government regulatory agencies seeking to facilitate the integration of management systems, and for researchers as a future area of research.
The association of gender to firm‐customer relationship
Authors: Oly Ndubisi Nelson , Madu Christian N.
Published: March 2009

Purpose

This paper aims to examine the association of relationship marketing variables (namely trust, commitment, communication, and conflict handling) with overall firm‐customer relationship quality between male and female customers of Malaysian banks.

Design/methodology/approach

Data were colleted through a field survey of randomly selected bank customers in Malaysia. Hierarchical multiple regression analysis (HMRA) was employed for data analysis.

Findings

The results show that relationship marketing explains a significant amount of variance in overall firm‐customer relationship quality. Except for communication, all the independent variables are significantly associated with perceived firm‐customer relationship quality. No significant gender differences were observed.

Originality/value

The quality of firm‐customer relationship is important in customer retention and loyalty. There are efforts to understand the relationship marketing variables that drive overall relationship quality, but whether this relationship is generic or differs between males and females is unknown. The paper provides this insight.
Advancements in crossover theory
Authors: Bakker Arnold B. , Westman Mina , Hetty van Emmerik I.J.
Published: March 2009

Purpose

The central aim of this paper is to give an overview of theory and research on the crossover of (work‐related) wellbeing from employees to their partners at home. In addition, it seeks to discuss studies on the crossover of wellbeing from employees to their colleagues in the workplace. It aims to discuss possible moderators of the crossover effect and delineate a research agenda.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper takes the form of a literature review.

Findings

The review of the literature shows that strain may spillover from work to home, and consequently influence, the wellbeing of one's partner. Additionally, the paper discusses recent studies documenting that the enthusiasm for one's work may cross over to the partner as well. Furthermore, research has shown that employees influence one another in the workplace. Several conditions may facilitate such crossover, including the frequency of interactions, empathy, susceptibility to contagion, and similarity. The paper outlines a research agenda, and indicates what the gaps in the literature are.

Originality/value

The literature review reveals which advancements can be made in crossover theory. One way would be to further validate the spillover‐crossover model. This model postulates that job demands lead to work‐family conflict, which, in turn, leads to conflict with the partner (social undermining). Thus, job strain (or work engagement) first spills over from work to home, and then crosses over to the partner. This interaction sequence consequently influences the partner's wellbeing.
The crossover of work engagement between working couples
Authors: Bakker Arnold B. , Demerouti Evangelia
Published: March 2009

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to examine the role of empathy (empathic concern and perspective taking) in the crossover process. Specifically, it aims to test whether empathy moderates the crossover effect of women's work engagement to their men's work engagement. Additionally, it seeks to investigate the relationship between men's engagement and colleague ratings of job performance.

Design/methodology/approach

Hypotheses were tested using a cross‐sectional design with three sources of information: 175 Dutch women and their partners working in different occupational sectors, as well as 175 colleagues of the male participants.

Findings

Results of moderated structural equation modeling analyses showed that the crossover of work engagement from women to men was strongest when men were high (vs low) in perspective taking (the spontaneous tendency of a person to adopt the psychological perspective of other people). Empathic concern did not moderate the crossover effect. In addition, men's work engagement was positively related to in‐role and extra‐role performance.

Practical implications

Results suggest that work engagement is not only important for one's own, but also for one's partner's performance. This implies that companies should try to facilitate engagement.

Originality/value

The findings shed light on the crossover process, and indicate under which conditions employees are influenced by their partners and consequently change their work behavior.
Discrete emotional crossover in the workplace: the role of affect intensity
Authors: Härtel Charmine E.J. , Page Kathryn M.
Published: March 2009

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to provide theoretical and practical insight into the process of crossover with the proposition that affect intensity is an important explanatory mechanism of crossover.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper provides an empirical and conceptual overview of the construct of crossover, and addresses key gaps in the literature by proposing a process of discrete emotional crossover. It is proposed that individual differences in affect intensity may moderate and/or explain the crossover of discrete emotions in the workplace.

Findings

This paper responds to the call of various researchers within the crossover field by putting forth a unique explanation for the occurrence of crossover. This explanation draws significantly on emotions theory and research.

Originality/value

This paper is unique in its presentation of affect intensity as a moderator of the crossover process and in its discussion of the crossover of discrete emotions such as joy and fear rather than the crossover of emotional or psychological states.
Crossover specificity of team‐level work‐family conflict to individual‐level work‐family conflict
Authors: Hetty van Emmerik I.J. , Peeters Maria C.W.
Published: March 2009

Purpose

This study aims to investigate the crossover specificity of team‐level stressors to individual‐level work‐family conflict.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper takes the form of a multilevel analyses with data from 428 employees of a Dutch municipality working in 49 teams.

Findings

The results indicate the expected crossover specificity of different types of work‐family conflicts. After controlling for individual‐level demands there is little evidence that team‐level work demands influence work‐family conflict (WFC) or family‐work conflict (FWC), but team‐level WFC and FWC do influence individual‐level WFC and FWC, respectively.

Research limitations/implications

The paper distinguishes two types of WFC, but it did not distinguish between strain‐ and time‐based conflicts. Further, it did not pay attention to individual differences (e.g., susceptibility to distress of team members), although such differences may be important moderators of the crossover process.

Originality/value

This study is one of the first that empirically linked team‐level stressors and WFC to individual‐level WFC and that tested crossover specificity. Findings indicated the associations of team‐level WFC and FWC and focal employees' WFC and FWC respectively, thereby underscoring the importance of crossover specificity.
Crossover of positive experiences from business travelers to their spouses
Authors: Westman Mina , Etzion Dalia , Chen Shoshi
Published: March 2009

Purpose

Focusing on the positive aspects of business trips, the current study aims to examine the antecedents of vigor and the crossover of vigor from business travelers to their spouses.

Design/methodology/approach

The sample consisted of 275 business travelers and their working spouses. The business travelers were required to travel abroad several times a year within the framework of their jobs. The hypotheses were tested using structural equation modeling (SEM).

Findings

The study finds that demands on the travelers (number of trips) and their resources (trip control and their business trips satisfaction) were positively related to travelers' vigor. Furthermore, as hypothesized, travelers' vigor crossed over to spouses' vigor.

Research limitations/implications

The limitations of this paper are the use of a cross‐sectional self‐report survey. Its implications are that it showed that positive feelings may cross over between partners. Further research should focus on additional positive outcomes.

Originality/value

This is the first study that set out to investigate crossover relating to business travels and one of the few that focused on and found confirmation of crossover of positive experiences.
An empirical study of an enjoyment‐based response hierarchy model of watching MDTV on the move
Authors: Wan‐Ling Hu Anne , Ming‐Hone Tsai William
Published: March 2009

Purpose

This paper adopts a response hierarchy model to examine drivers' intrinsic and extrinsic motivations for using mobile digital television (MDTV) while on the move.

Design/methodology/approach

The study used a regional quota sampling method to examine the viewing habits of drivers who have a mobile digital television installed in their vehicles and was carried out in two steps. The first stage had interviews with eight car stereo distributors, and the second stage used a questionnaire to ascertain the viewing habits and content selection of drivers watching TV in their vehicles.

Findings

SEM analysis of a survey of 480 MDTV‐using drivers in Taiwan revealed an enjoyment‐based model of MDTV use since enjoyment has the most significant effect on drivers' affect, intention to use, and use behavior. Perceived ease of use and subjective norms had a lesser effect. The non‐significant effect of concentration and perceived risk imply that while drivers enjoy watching MDTV, they do not believe they switch their primary attention from driving to programs. Since drivers do not think they concentrate on watching MDTV, program content has little chance to induce curiosity and increase viewing time, the real communicative effect of watching TV while driving must be sharply discounted.

Research limitations/implications

The paper focuses exclusively on use of front‐seat MDTV equipment by drivers, and does not attempt to examine MDTV use by other passengers in the same vehicle.

Originality/value

This is the first study that has been undertaken of mobile digital television viewers, and the paper will be useful as a reference for those who are developing the mobile digital television market as they work to understand the needs and viewing habits of their audience.
Gender differences in Hong Kong adolescent consumers' green purchasing behavior
Authors: Lee Kaman
Published: March 2009

Purpose

This paper aims to examine how gender differs in environmental attitude, environmental concern, perceived seriousness of environmental problems, perceived environmental responsibility, peer influence, self identity in environmental protection and green purchasing behavior in Hong Kong adolescent consumers.

Design/methodology/approach

A total of 6,010 (2,975 males and 3,035 females) adolescents in Hong Kong were recruited through multi‐staged random sampling. Surveys were distributed through 48 high schools in Hong Kong.

Findings

Female adolescents scored significantly higher in environmental attitude, environmental concern, perceived seriousness of environmental problems, perceived environmental responsibility, peer influence and green purchasing behavior than male adolescents in Hong Kong. In contrast, male adolescents' average score on self‐identity in environmental protection was significantly higher than that of the female adolescents.

Research limitations/implications

A major limitation lies in the self‐reported nature of survey used in the study. Future study should include some objective assessments (such as observations or other‐reported survey) of the subjects' green purchasing and environmental behaviors.

Practical implications

This study should provide a useful source of information for international green marketers in Hong Kong. Hong Kong female adolescents constitute a potentially good market for green products. Marketing messages targeting this group should use emotional appeals, emphasize individual responsibility to protect the environment, and facilitate peer networking to spread good word‐of‐mouth.

Originality/value

This paper offers practical guidelines to international green marketers who are planning to target the Asian markets.
Canadian and French men's consumption of cosmetics: a comparison of their attitudes and motivations
Authors: Souiden Nizar , Diagne Mariam
Published: March 2009

Purpose

This paper aims to investigate the attitude of males toward the consumption and purchase of men's cosmetic products. More specifically, the research intends to clarify the impact of personal variables (i.e. self‐image consciousness, ageing effects, physical attractiveness, state of health), socio‐cultural variables (i.e. beliefs, lifestyle), and marketing variables (i.e. advertising, purchase situation) on the attitude of Canadian and French males toward the purchase and consumption of men's cosmetics.

Design/methodology/approach

A questionnaire was distributed to men living in two metropolitan cities: Paris (France) and Montreal (Canada). The total sample consists of 223 respondents of which 53.8 per cent are Canadian and 46.2 per cent French.

Findings

French and Canadian men were found to have different motivations and drives when considering the consumption and purchase of men's grooming products.

Research limitations/implications

The convenience sampling technique used in the present research does not indicate a fully representative profile of the population in Canada and France. Also, it is important to extend the research to some “conservative” societies. Men's cosmetic products in both countries are at different stages of the life cycle and accordingly consumers' attitudes and motivations to buy cosmetics are found to vary between the two countries.

Originality/value

Despite the fact that the cosmetic market is traditionally associated with women, the current paper contributes to shedding light on the importance of the men's grooming segment, revealing the major variables that affect men's behavior and attitude toward the consumption of cosmetic products and pointing out that consumers' motivations and attitudes differ among markets when the product is at different stages of the life cycle.
Consumers' adoption of new technology products: the role of coping strategies
Authors: Cui Geng , Bao Wenjing , Chan Tsang‐Sing
Published: March 2009

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to show how accelerated technology innovations lead to shorter product lifecycles, and consumers often face the dilemma of choosing between keeping the existing product and upgrading to a new version. They may enact certain coping strategies to deal with the stress and uncertainty. Based on the work of Mick and Fournier, this study aims to propose a set of coping strategies, which include refusal, delay, extended decision‐making, and pretest.

Design/methodology/approach

Based on a survey of consumers regarding the 3G mobile phones, the authors test the effects of coping strategies within the framework of the technology acceptance model.

Findings

The results of canonical analyses suggest that coping strategies have significant influence on consumers' product beliefs, which in turn mediate the effects of coping strategies on consumers' attitude toward adoption and their purchase intention.

Research limitations/implications

Coping strategies help better understand consumers' adoption of new technology products and furnish meaningful implications for marketing technology products to today's tech‐savvy consumers.

Originality/value

This study develops measures of coping strategies and provides an empirical test of their effect on product beliefs and behavioral intentions with respect to consumers' decision whether to upgrade to a new technology product.
Brand parody products: is the harm worth the howl?
Authors: Petty Ross D.
Published: March 2009

Purpose

This paper aims to assert that rather than challenging brand parodies, brand owners should consider allowing them in order to expand brand equity to convey a brand personality that includes a sense of humor.

Design/methodology/approach

The article analyzes recent brand product parody lawsuits.

Findings

Recent court decisions are more likely to allow product parodies than earlier court decisions.

Practical implications

Rather than expensive litigation that may lead to unfavorable public opinion, brand owners should consider licensing parody products to exercise some control over product quality and parody themes.

Originality/value

The article proposes tactical change for brand owners to further build brand equity.
Vice‐principals' dilemma – career advancement or harmonious working relationship
Authors: Kwan Paula
Published: March 2009

Purpose

Although the importance of shared leadership to school success has been widely recognised in the literature, only scant attention has been paid to the feelings of vice‐principals over undertaking more responsibilities. Maintained by the researchers in this somewhat neglected area is the assertion that vice‐principals who find their jobs more satisfying have stronger desire for principalship whereas those experiencing less job satisfaction were more likely to wish to remain in their present roles. The feelings of vice‐principals towards their jobs thus warrant further investigation given the current shortage of principal applicants, which is predominately comprised of vice‐principals, in many places of the world. This paper aims to investigate this issue.

Design/methodology/approach

Taking into consideration that most of the studies on vice‐principalship in the literature have been descriptive and provided little empirical support, this study attempted to empirically verify the job satisfaction and desire for principalship link based on a quantitative survey covering vice‐principals in all Hong Kong secondary schools.

Findings

The results suggest that professional commitment, sense of efficacy and sense of synchrony are the three satisfaction factors affecting the desire of vice‐principals for becoming principals; the effect of the first two is positive whereas that of the last one is negative.

Practical implications

The negative relation between sense of synchrony and desire for principalship is worth noting; it suggested vice‐principals in Hong Kong who upheld the Chinese cultural value of workplace harmony had found it hard to strike a balance between maintaining a harmonious working relationship with colleagues and seeking for career advancement and thus chose to remain in their vice‐principal positions. The perceived tension between school performance and work harmony held by vice‐principals in Hong Kong is a crucial issue to be addressed by policy makers.

Originality/value

This paper is the first of its kind to investigate the direct link between job satisfaction and the career aspiration of vice‐principals using a quantitative methodology.
Human resource management in Hong Kong preschools: the impact of falling rolls on staffing
Authors: Dora Ho Choi‐wa
Published: March 2009

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to discuss the impact of falling rolls on human resource management in local preschools in Hong Kong. It aims to argue that the developing role of leadership in creating a culture and procedures for collective participation in staff appraisal is important for human resource management in preschool settings.

Design/methodologies/approach

With the aid of a case study, the paper illustrates and analyzes the policies and practices presently adopted by many preschool heads in the process of personnel management that may potentially affect the quality of education service.

Findings

This paper focuses on discussing the common practices used by many preschool heads in the field to handle staffing reduction. In particular, voluntary redundancy is perceived as an effective strategy to solve the problems of budget deficit. From the quality perspective, the strategy is based on individual decision but not on the teaching performance of staff members. This may have a negative impact on the quality of teaching and service.

Originality/value

Relatively little research on human resource management in preschools has been conducted in Hong Kong. The illustration of this case study follows other studies in the literature in revealing the important links between human resource management and school development. It is proposed that the management of professional knowledge embedded in teaching practices should be connected to the policy of staff appraisal in order to achieve better quality of service. Thus, the introduction of staff appraisal and collective participation in such processes is, by its nature, a political process. This paradigm shift creates a new agenda for leadership roles and requires a cultural change in preschool settings.
Auditing management practices in schools
Authors: Zwijze‐Koning Karen H. , de Jong Menno D.T.
Published: March 2009

Purpose

Over the past ten years, most Dutch high schools have been confronted with mergers, curriculum reforms, and managerial changes. As a result, the pressure on the schools' communication systems has increased and several problems have emerged. This paper aims to examine recurring clusters of communication problems in high schools.

Design/methodology/approach

A multi‐method communication audit was conducted within three large high schools in The Netherlands. Data were collected using network analysis, the critical incident technique, and the Communication Satisfaction Questionnaire.

Findings

The communication audits uncovered six major clusters of communication problems that require management's attention. These problems vary from a lack of participation in decision making to employees feeling under appreciated. While some of these problems could be solved by creating more awareness within the organization, others require more structural changes and long‐range planning.

Originality/value

The study identifies specific problem areas in the organizational communication of high schools. Educational managers may use the findings to optimize the communication in their schools.