bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Importance‐performance analysis as a tool in evaluating town centre management effectiveness
Authors: Riviezzo Angelo , de Nisco Alessandro , Rosaria Napolitano Maria
Published: August 2009

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to provide some insights for the evaluation of town centre management (TCM) effectiveness, by proposing the importance‐performance analysis (IPA) as a valuable tool to ensure a multi‐perspective evaluation. The need for more empirical methods of measuring town centre effectiveness is related to the risk of commonly used evaluation methodologies reflecting only the success criteria of dominant stakeholders.

Design/methodology/approach

By reviewing the service management literature, a definition of the “town centre product” is proposed, and how IPA can be used to analyse the city users' quality perceptions is emphasized. The theoretical framework is enriched by an empirical case study: the city centre of Benevento.

Findings

The results provide a clear guidance for the implementation of a TCM scheme in the historical centre of Benevento, by identifying the main area of intervention.

Research limitations/implications

The paper addresses a gap in the academic literature by using the IPA as an alternative evaluating paradigm of TCM and providing a definition of the town centre servicescape. Further research could investigate the impact of the selected environmental variables on the city users' internal responses (e.g. satisfaction) and behaviours (e.g. desire to shop), beside on their quality perceptions.

Practical implications

The paper proposes a handy tool both for the exante and the expost evaluation, As well, it could be used as a benchmarking tool.

Originality/value

The paper has significant implications both for practitioners and for academics. It provides an original framework for further research and factual implementation.
Analyzing out‐of‐stock in independent grocery stores: an empirical study
Authors: Aastrup Jesper , Kotzab Herbert
Published: August 2009

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to examine out‐of‐stock (OOS) challenges in the independent grocery sector with a special emphasis on in‐store root causes. The analysis aims to assess the extent and root causes for OOS in the independently controlled retail sector and provide a comparison of these results with the centrally controlled chain sector in Denmark. The paper also seeks to examine the practices and challenges of store ordering and store replenishment processes in the independent sector and identify practical implications for store management and other members of the grocery channels.

Design/methodology/approach

The research design includes two studies. Study‐I surveys and compares the extent and root causes of OOS of 42 stores from eight chains in the two sectors. Study‐II identifies, based on qualitative interviews with 17 store managers/owners of independent stores, specific insights on store operations.

Findings

The quantitative study shows that the OOS rates in the independent sector are significantly higher than in the centrally organized sector. Furthermore, the independent grocery sector faces OOS challenges in more categories than the centrally controlled sector. The study also reveals a very large variation in the performance of independent stores. Contrary to the centrally controlled chain store sector, the major root cause for OOS in the independent sector is found in the store ordering process. The qualitative study shows that the main discriminating issues between stores with a low and a high OOS rate are: store management emphasis and commitment to OOS issues; the resulting priority and managerial guidance in store ordering and store replenishment tasks; the stability of staff and the proper planning for replenishment peaks; the store size and resulting space conditions; and the use of appropriate decision heuristics and use of inventory in store ordering.

Practical implications

The findings have practical implications for store management as it reveals practices to pursue and to avoid. Also, it is argued that the findings have implications for the other members of the grocery channels.

Originality/value

Empirically, this paper explores two issues not being dealt with in depth in previous research, i.e. the OOS challenge in the independent sector and the emphasis on store operations.
Exploring the association between fairness and organisational outcomes in supply chain relationships
Authors: Hornibrook Sue , Fearne Andrew , Lazzarin Maria
Published: August 2009

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to present a conceptual model of fairness applicable to buyer‐ supplier relationships within supply chains in order to generate a new line of empirical research within supply chain management (SCM).

Design/methodology/approach

The paper presents a literature review on organisational justice drawn from the psychology discipline. Fairness within collaborative and long‐term buyer‐supplier relationships is discussed and conceptualised. A number of propositions are presented applicable to buyer supplier relationships within supply chains, given that successful implementation of supply chain strategies depends upon the actions and reactions of individuals across functions, both within and between organisations.

Findings

Some of the assumptions made in the traditional intra‐organisational setting are challenged. A conceptual model of fairness applicable to buyer‐supplier relationships is developed, and supply chain moderating factors that may impact on perceptions of justice, and possible desired organisational as well as supply chain outcomes are identified.

Originality/value

Specifically, a contribution is made to the gaps in the SCM literature on the social implications of SCM by developing a behavioural theoretical approach. Solutions to operational measurement difficulties are offered, together with implications for practising managers to consider when managing supply chain relationships. Opportunities and difficulties for future empirical research are also identified.
Extreme value shoppers in the United States
Authors: Carpenter Jason M.
Published: August 2009

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to explore consumer patronage of extreme value retailers in the USA.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper employs a sample generated from Retail Forward panel data (n=1,107) to explore consumer patronage of extreme value retailers. Descriptive statistics and decision tree analysis chi‐square automatic interaction detector is used to evaluate the data.

Findings

The paper examines extreme value shoppers based on patronage frequency, expenditures, and primary reason for shopping in the extreme value format. Results suggest that although patronage frequency of extreme value stores is not increasing, expenditures for food/household essentials are increasing. Demographic characteristics (income and age) are revealed as predictors of the primary reason for patronizing the format.

Research limitations/implications

Generalizations of the findings of this paper to markets outside the USA are limited due to the differences in consumers and retail formats available in various countries. Future research could investigate additional patronage motives of extreme value shoppers, predict propensity to shop in the format, and compare changes in the customer base over time as a response to changing economic conditions.

Practical implications

The findings of this paper provide extreme value retailers with information on patronage frequency, expenditure, and patronage motivations among extreme value shoppers. The results offer support for the development of competitive strategies within the extreme value segment. As competition in the retail industry continues to evolve and new retail formats emerge, understanding shoppers' reasons for patronizing extreme value retailers will be critical to performance.

Originality/value

This paper is unique because of the lack of attention to extreme value shoppers in the extant literature.
Differences in attitudes about fraud and corruption across cultures
Authors: Lloyd Bierstaker James
Published: August 2009

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to examine differences in managers' and employees' attitudes about fraud across different cultures, provide some theories as to why these differences exist, give some recent examples of cultural differences in ethical perceptions from practice, make recommendations as to how companies can address this issue and make improvements to their anti‐fraud programs based on the country and culture in which they operate, and suggest some opportunities for future research.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper takes the form of a literature review.

Findings

A great deal of future research is needed to examine the effects of culture on the critical elements of managements' antifraud programs and controls that may be most effective in combating corruption, including the whistleblower hotline, internal audit, surprise audits, management review of internal controls, rewards for whistleblowers, and mandatory job rotation.

Originality/value

This is one of the first papers reviewing the literature on cross‐cultural fraud and identifying opportunities for future research.
Corruption from a cross‐cultural perspective
Authors: Hooker John
Published: August 2009

Purpose

Because cultures operate in very different ways, different activities are corrupting in different parts of the world. Taking the view that corruption is an activity that tends to undermine a cultural system, this paper aims to examine this issue.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper analyzes real‐life situations in Japan, Taiwan, India, China, North America, sub‐Saharan Africa, the Middle East, and Korea to distinguish actions that structurally undermine a cultural system from those that are merely inefficient or are actually supportive.

Findings

Cultures have fundamentally different behavioral norms due to their different conceptions of human nature. They can be broadly classified as rule‐based and relationship‐based, distinguished by the fact that behavior is regulated primarily by respect for rules in the former and authority figures in the latter. Corrupting behavior differs around the world partly because of different norms, and partly because cultural systems break down in different ways. Activities such as nepotism or cronyism that are corrupting in the rule‐based cultures of the West may be functional in relationship‐based cultures. Behavior that is normal in the West, such as bringing lawsuits or adhering strictly to a contract, may be corrupting elsewhere. Practices such as bribery that are often corrupting across cultures are nonetheless corrupting for very different reasons.

Originality/value

The paper provides culturally sensitive guidelines not only for avoiding corruption but also for understanding the mechanisms that make a culture work.
Why or why not? Rationalizing corruption in organizations
Authors: Rabl Tanja , Kühlmann Torsten M.
Published: August 2009

Purpose

The literature states that rationalization strategies contribute to a spread of corruption in organizations. They are supposed to serve not only as post hoc justifications but also as ex ante determinants of corrupt behavior. This empirical study aims at challenging this theoretical assumption.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors gained empirical data in a business simulation game where participants had the opportunity to act corruptly. The sample included both university and high school students.

Findings

The results show that post hoc rationalizations primarily highlight the “positive” intention behind corrupt action. As relationships with important person‐based determinants of corruption are lacking, it is questionable whether rationalization strategies possess potential as ex ante determinants of corrupt behavior.

Research limitations/implications

The design of the study only assesses rationalization strategies post hoc. Therefore it does not allow for examining causal effects, only the investigation of relationships. Future research should aim at addressing this issue, including both ex ante and post hoc assessment of rationalization strategies.

Originality/value

The paper is a first attempt to examine empirically the function of rationalization strategies in the context of corruption in organizations.
Fraud score analysis in emerging markets
Authors: Skousen Christopher J. , Twedt Brady James
Published: August 2009

Purpose

The purpose of this research is to determine the likelihood of financial statement manipulations in companies throughout a variety of emerging market countries and compare this potential wirh that of firms within the USA.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors utilize the Fraud Score Model, as set forth by Dechow et al., to determine the likelihood of financial statement manipulations. By adjusting their model to work in an international setting, the authors are able to study nine industries across 23 countries, including the USA.

Findings

The results vary from industry to industry, with some countries performing extremely well in one industry, only to prove remarkably risky in the next.

Originality/value

The findings may be used by a variety of market participants, especially investors, to determine the risk levels of potential foreign investments. Therefore, this research can help lead to a more overall efficient placement of global capital.
Fraud and white‐collar crime: a Chinese perspective
Authors: Brody Richard G. , Luo Robert
Published: August 2009

Purpose

This paper sets out to discuss white‐collar crime and fraud in China and to draw implications for Western businesses wishing to enter the Chinese market.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper provides examples of recent frauds committed in China and also provides a brief review of the literature. It traces the development of China's economy, describing China's modern‐day economy, and also looks at cultural issues and differences between Western and Chinese attitudes.

Findings

Western businesses planning to enter the Chinese market need to do their due diligence before committing resources. What works in Western society may not work in another culture, like China's. However, gaining an understanding of the culture and general way of life will go a long way towards laying the groundwork for success.

Research limitations/implications

Additional focus should be placed on examining how cultural differences affect judgments and behaviors.

Originality/value

From a practical standpoint, the paper provides insights into possible areas of disagreement between employees from different cultures that can result from their divergent opinions about individuals' responsibility for fraudulent acts.
Introduction: corporate communication and strategic adaptation
Authors: Goodman Michael B.
Published: August 2009

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to discuss the challenges facing corporate communication professionals and researchers, and to introduce the issues presented in the papers from the CCI Conference on Corporate Communication 2008 published in this special issue.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper presents a discussion of the issues raised in the special issue papers.

Findings

Discussion of the future of the corporate communication profession in the wake of the global fiscal crisis.

Research limitations/implications

This paper implies several areas for further research.

Practical implications

This paper implies strategic knowledge of business processes and practice for effective corporate communication.

Originality/value

This paper articulates complex challenges facing corporate communicators.
Crisis leadership: when should the CEO step up?
Authors: Lucero Marela , Tan Teng Kwang Alywin , Pang Augustine
Published: August 2009

Purpose

One explicit leadership role the chief executive officer (CEO) can play during crisis is to assume the role of being the organization's spokesperson. What remains unclear is at what point of the crisis should the CEO step up and how does that impact crisis communication? The purpose of this paper is to examine this question.

Design/methodology/approach

The meta‐analysis method is used to combine different data in various studies of one topic into one comprehensive study. More than 30 crises are meta‐analyzed.

Findings

The CEO needs to step up to revise earlier statements or when the integrity of the organization is questioned. Additionally, the CEO should step up at the beginning of the crisis if the crisis pertains to organizational transgression or when the crisis becomes unbearable to organizational reputation. As counter‐intuitive as it may, CEOs should refrain from stepping up at the height of the crisis.

Research limitations/implications

It is an exploratory study. Some cases have lesser information to analyze than others.

Practical implications

Instructive for both corporate communications practitioners and CEOs as they have a framework to guide them on when the CEOs should step up, and when the presence of corporate communications would suffice.

Originality/value

Little has been studied to clarify the exact nature, role, and impact of the CEO as organization spokesperson in crises. This paper provides the initial template.
Greening corporate identity: CSR online corporate identity reporting
Authors: Rolland Deborah , O'Keefe Bazzoni Jana
Published: August 2009

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to explore the motivations for and the impact of corporate social responsibility (CSR) online reporting on organisational identity development and stakeholder relationship management through corporate web communication and information strategies.

Design/methodology/approach

A content analysis method is utilised to critique evidence of the use and impact of online CSR reporting in three selected corporate web sites from the automotive industry. In particular, sustainability and environmental social responsibility reporting, evidence of stakeholder engagement and acknowledgement of societal concerns for corporate identity and reputation management are critiqued from a framework of persuasion and credibility alongside organisational role responsibility.

Findings

The findings concurred with current research in corporate communication that documents the significant rise in the use of corporate web sites for the reporting of CSR activities and in corporate attempts to acknowledge and respond to changing local/national and global societal expectations concerning business practices. The automotive industry web sites showed recognition of this increase in societal expectations, projection of a desired corporate identity and the subsequent monitoring of a consistent and accessible communication strategy directed at all stakeholders.

Research limitations/implications

While the findings reflect the literature, the evaluation of three selected global web sites within one industry sector only allows for conclusions reflecting generalisations. Future research will necessarily incorporate consideration of both traditional and contemporary national cultures, into such evaluations.

Originality/value

Exploring the traditional and non‐traditional motivations for CSR and their impact on CSR reporting for a globalised world.
Management conversations in Danish companies
Authors: Kryger Aggerholm Helle , Agerholm Andersen Mona , Asmuß Birte , Thomsen Christa
Published: August 2009

Purpose

Good stakeholder relations are crucial for the corporate image and reputation of modern organisations. One important management tool for use in successfully establishing good stakeholder relations involves management conversations. Until now these conversations have not been investigated extensively either in general or specifically within the field of corporate communication. The purpose of this paper is to contribute to this developing field of research by presenting the results of a study of management conversations.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper investigates the ways in which various management conversations are used strategically in companies to benefit relations with stakeholders and the image or reputation of the company concerned. The conversations studied are recruitment conversations, job appraisal interviews, round‐table sickness leave conversations and dismissal conversations.

Findings

The paper shows that the companies involved are aware that such conversations should be used as tools for implementing their company strategy and values. However, the strategic potential of these conversations is not fully exploited, and specific crucial aspects like values communication are more prevalent in some conversations than in others.

Originality/value

The paper highlights the need to gain deeper insight into the correlation between various management conversations on the one hand, and management conversations and strategy on the other.
Corporate Greening 2.0: factors in play as executives zero in on climate change
Authors: Harrison E. Bruce
Published: August 2009

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to introduce the concept of Corporate Greening 2.0 as a sustainable corporate communication and business strategy (the author's perspective on the societal and economic impact of climate change and carbon constraint is developed in a recent work by Harrison).

Design/methodology/approach

The approach is based on the author's career experiences and insight into sustainability issues as a reporter, US Congressional aide, chief communications officer of a Fortune 500 company, and head of an international consulting firm.

Findings

The paper explores models for corporate officers to follow in developing “green” sustainability strategies.

Originality/value

This paper offers a new perspective in developing corporate social responsibility, climate change, and corporate greening initiatives as competitive business strategies.
Collaborative corporate social responsibility
Authors: Simone Byrd L.
Published: August 2009

Purpose

This purpose of this paper is to examine how two, American‐based, international public relations agencies came to participate in the United Nations Global Compact. The global compact is an initiative which brings together more than 4,000 member organizations in over 100 countries to address some of the world's most pressing issues. Specifically, this paper seeks to identify: the events that prompt these senior‐level executives, as members of their agency's dominant coalition, to initiate participation in the global compact; what obstacles within the agency present challenges to joining the global compact; and how each agency integrates the compact principles into its work.

Design/methodology/approach

Grunig's situational theory of publics is used as a framework to create a single, embedded case study which integrates three subunits of analysis: in‐depth interviews, and primary and secondary document analysis. In‐depth interviews are conducted with one senior‐level executive/counselor from each of the two agencies that are examined. Primary document analysis focuses solely on the Communication on Progress reports which must be submitted on a bi‐annual basis by every global compact participant. Secondary document analysis includes any agency‐produced materials, such as speeches/presentations, as well as articles written for business publications.

Findings

Overall, results indicate that both agencies have yet to fully integrate the compact principles into their own internal functions, and primarily use the global compact as a tool for counseling clients. However, both agency executives reveal that it is going to become necessary for their agency to involve themselves in the global compact, within and across the entire agency – particularly in terms of confronting issues such as ethics and diversity.

Originality/value

This paper adds to the existing scholarship in a few, important ways. First, it incorporates and encourages the continued use of qualitative methods to examine contemporary issues that face the practice of public relations. Second, this research establishes an argument for furthering the idea that public relations professionals can be advocated for social change and can be influenced through the work they do. Finally, this paper stresses the continued importance of public relations work in facilitating global citizenship initiatives.
Communication structure of the public sector in India: an empirical analysis
Authors: Koul Saroj
Published: August 2009

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to report empirical research about the chronological development of the organizational structure, functions (functional groups) and competencies of the corporate communication(/public relation) – CC(/PR) department of the central public sector enterprises (CPSEs) in India. This paper also attempts to identify the specific organizational goals that influence CC(/PR) departmental structure and its effectiveness.

Design/methodology/approach

In total, 34 selected CPSEs reflecting most of the salient features of the public sector in India are identified. Key personnel (or designates) in the CC(/PR) departments are contacted to take an online survey that is built after analyzing previously reported instruments appropriate in this context. Analyses are conducted using SPSS 10.0.

Findings

Data analysis shows that in many PSUs, the development of full‐fledged CC departments is still at a nascent stage; however, in other PSUs development of CC is already streamlined with company vision and is mature as a division. Key acceptable PR roles include communication for the desired perception among target audience and brand sustainability. In established CC departments, CC is a strategic management tool, synchronizing all intentional forms of internal and external communications, thus helping the PSUs to define its corporate image and improve corporate performance. Through the built‐in measurement systems, PSUs are encouraged to become global players.

Originality/value

The paper empirically measures the efficiency of CC(/PR) departments of 34 operating CPSEs concerned with the development of the engineering industry in India. This paper would be of value to researchers and practitioners seeking to promote, practice or influence the structuring of CC(/PR) departments.
Employees' perceptions of company values and objectives and employer‐employee relationships
Authors: Holtzhausen Lida , Fourie Lynnette
Published: August 2009

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to conceptualize a model indicating the impact of corporate identity management on managing relationships with employees in organizations.

Design/methodology/approach

This is an analytical paper consisting of a literature study of relevant literature, and results based on a PhD study.

Findings

A preliminary model is proposed indicating that non‐visual corporate identity elements, especially organizational values and objectives impact on employer‐employee relationships.

Research limitations/implications

This is a theoretical paper and still needs to be empirically verified.

Originality/value

This is a conceptual paper contributing to the body of knowledge regarding corporate identity and relationship management. More specifically it fills a niche referring to communication with internal stakeholders regarding corporate identity with the aim of relationship management.
Project communication in a strategic internal perspective
Authors: Ramsing Line
Published: August 2009

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to discuss the concept of project communication. What is currently understood by project communication? How and to what degree is it being discussed within the field of corporate communication and project management? And finally, what is the potential of interpersonal project communication?

Design/methodology/approach

Based on a literature review of the two above‐mentioned fields of research, the discussion of the potential of interpersonal project communication is put in relation to concepts of power relations in an organisation, use of networks in communication and the trends and perspectives in contemporary project management.

Findings

The term project communication is emerging in the literature on project management and has a very limited place in the literature on external corporate communication. In the literature on internal corporate communication there is no mentioning of project communication. Despite the acknowledged need to focus on communication as a whole in projects there is no indication in the literature that any collaboration exists between the field of corporate communication and the field of project management – creating a gap at the intersection of the two fields of research.

Research limitations/implications

Given the early stage of this project, the empirical data collection has not yet taken place.

Practical implications

Using interpersonal project communication to strengthen project communication by integrating know‐how and principles from corporate communication.

Originality/value

The paper is of value by challenging the use of the term “project communication” and extending the concept by defining the aspect of interpersonal project communication and its potential in creating synthesis between the research fields corporate communication and project management.
Communication policy, corporate language policy and corporate information portal
Authors: Simonsen Henrik
Published: August 2009

Purpose

The aim of this paper is to discuss a theoretical framework for increased integration of a company's communication policy, corporate language policy and corporate information portal with a view to facilitating communication management.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper draws on selected theoretical contributions on corporate language policy with special emphasis on theoretical considerations on the type of language policies developed and implemented in companies and organisations and on corporate communication with special emphasis on van Riel's common starting points. The empirical basis of the paper is a triangulation of questionnaire data, content analysis data and interview data.

Findings

The paper argues that corporate communication has not sufficiently included the operational part of a company's corporate communication. The paper makes the case for a theoretical integration framework based on van Riel's common starting points (CSPs), and argues that corporate communication also needs to include the corporate language policy and the corporate information portal, defined as a modern information directory offering communicators concrete communication data for use in concrete text production situations.

Originality/value

The paper proposes a CSP‐based theoretical integration framework and makes the case for a Holy Trinity in corporate communications based on the communication policy, the corporate language policy and the corporate information portal.
Language management and social interaction within the multilingual workplace
Authors: Tange Hanne , Lauring Jakob
Published: August 2009

Purpose

This paper aims to identify communicative practices emerging from the management decision to implement English as a corporate language, assessing their implications for social interaction and relationships within the multilingual workplace.

Design/methodology/approach

An exploratory study based on qualitative research interviews was used.

Findings

The analysis highlights the discrepancy between a general openness to the use of English as a corporate language in Danish organisations and language users' communicative practice. This leads to the identification of language clustering and thin communication as characteristic behaviours within the multilingual workplace.

Research limitations/implications

The interviews were performed in Danish organisations alone. New research is required in order to apply the findings to other linguistic or national settings.

Practical implications

The research identifies two barriers to employee interaction within the multilingual workplace. This is relevant in relation to language planning as well as diversity management.

Originality/value

The paper is original in its application of a sociolinguistic perspective to employees' linguistic practice. This points to the importance of language as a social resource and the possible limitations of corporate language policies.
Reconciling conflicting interpretations of risk
Authors: Mumford John , Gray David
Published: August 2009

Purpose

The introduction of new technology presents many challenges for risk communication. The technology often involves potential hazards and unintended consequences, hence the public must be engaged and consulted. However, this engagement can generate unfounded concerns and unnecessary distress. This paper aims to address how one can achieve the right level of engagement and communicate effectively.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper is based on a specific case study, the introduction of hydrogen refuelling in London, and ethnographically observes the social construction of reality that occurs through the interactions in the case.

Findings

The paper notes the forms of communication which were constructive, and those that were not and observes how institutional “body‐language” plays a large part in the way interactions are perceived. Symbolic association with wider social concerns appear to distinguish whether people take a strong position, or just let matters take their course.

Research limitations/implications

The papers suggests a refinement of the Social Amplication of Risk Framework.

Practical implications

The analysis suggests how this aspect of community relations can be managed and proposes a communication strategy which focusses on developing a sense of trust and social cohesion. It offers insights into why the public worry about some risks and ignore others.

Originality/value

The research was conducted by participant observation over a period of two years and thus the paper provides a first‐hand insight into how events occurred.
The blogosphere and public relations
Authors: Porter Lance , Sweetser Kaye , Chung Deborah
Published: August 2009

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to examine the perception and adoption of blogs among public relations practitioners and how blog use relates to roles and status.

Design/methodology/approach

A national e‐mail survey of 216 US public relations professionals was used.

Findings

While blog use was similar to national audiences, practitioners were maintaining mostly personal blogs and using blogs professionally at low levels. Furthermore, women lagged behind men in the strategic use of blogs. Finally, cluster analysis challenged Porter and Sallot's roles typology, reverting to the previous manager‐technician dichotomy.

Practical implications

While practitioners use blogs at a similar level to that of the general population, they may be missing an opportunity to reach publics directly both through blogging and placing stories in blogs.

Originality/value

The paper provides an early look at an emerging technology that most practitioners agree will have a substantial impact on the industry.
An analysis of US government and media disaster frames
Authors: Fisher Liu Brooke
Published: August 2009

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to evaluate whether the media's disaster coverage reflects the messages disseminated by state emergency management agencies (SEMAs).

Design/methodology/approach

SEMAs were selected as the unit of analysis because the 2008 National Response Framework designates SEMAs with primary responsibility for managing disaster planning and coordinating the inter‐governmental response to disasters. Specifically, this study identifies ten disaster frames SEMAs use through a qualitative content analysis of all the media releases distributed by three SEMAs (n=303) during a two‐year time frame. It then evaluates whether the coverage reflects SEMA's frames through a quantitative content analysis of 1,088 newspaper articles.

Findings

Taken as a whole, the research indicates that framing allows the media to efficiently tell disaster stories, but the media's disaster frames often are not ideal from the perspective of emergency managers. These frames also are affected by individuals and groups outside of the media as well as cultural and societal values.

Originality/value

The paper can help emergency managers identify which disaster frames are best suited for information subsidies (e.g. media releases) and which frames may be better suited for direct‐to‐the public dissemination (e.g. community meetings and public service announcements).
Wi‐Fi and Bluetooth: the path from Carter and Reagan‐era faith in deregulation to widespread products impacting our world
Authors: Marcus Michael J.
Published: August 2009

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to provide a historical account of the May 1985 spread spectrum FCC decision.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper presents a case study giving a first‐person account of decision making at the FCC in 1985.

Findings

The May 1985 decision did not start as an attempt to bring specific products to market, but as part of a program to remove anachronistic technical regulations and allow a free market in innovative technology, subject only to responsible interference limits.

Research limitations/implications

Research limitations encompass typical limitations of a narrow case study of a historical event.

Practical implications

The paper guides future decision making in telecommunications policy.

Originality/value

The paper reflects the path of deregulation in the 1980s resulting in widespread product innovation in the twenty‐first century.
History of wireless local area networks (WLANs) in the unlicensed bands
Authors: Negus Kevin J. , Petrick Al
Published: August 2009

Purpose

Using a brief history of the development of WLAN standards and products this paper seeks to explain how unlicensed spectrum regulations by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) have affected the industry.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper's approach is one of personal experience.

Findings

In general, the FCC's initiative to create an “unlicensed commons” for various forms of wireless communication applications has been the key enabler of today's multi‐billion dollar per year WLAN industry. In particular, certain regulatory decisions over the past 25 years regarding these bands have had profound, generally beneficial but sometimes unexpected influence on the WLAN industry.

Originality/value

The paper attempts to document these inflection points and their impacts on WLANs as well as to provide some insight as to how future evolutions of the unlicensed spectrum regulations can best enable optimal usage of this valuable spectrum.
Licence‐exempt: the emergence of Wi‐Fi
Authors: Hayes Vic , Lemstra Wolter
Published: August 2009

Purpose

This paper aims to provide a description of the genesis and development of Wi‐Fi, or how the industry exploited an opportunity provided by the regulators in allowing radio communications in the unlicensed bands originally allocated for industrial, medical and scientific applications.

Design/methodology/approach

The longitudinal case describes the genesis and development of Wi‐Fi, with a focus on the interplay between regulation, innovation, standardization, and running a successful business.

Findings

The paper argues that the current day success of Wi‐Fi is a combined result of: a change in the US communications policy in the 1980s; the industry leadership provided by NCR, its successors and collaborators, to create a global standard and to deliver compatible products under the Wi‐Fi label; and the influence of the users that moved the application of Wireless‐LANs from the enterprise to the home, from indoor to outdoor use, from a communications product to a service, and from operators to end‐users as the provider of that service.

Research limitations/implications

The exploration and analysis are based on contributions by experts from the field, having been involved “first hand” in the innovation journey of Wi‐Fi.

Practical implications

The case describes the first globally successful large‐scale application of radio communication devices operating under a licence‐exempt radio frequency regime. The case is a contemporary example of innovation and product development leading to an open standard. In concluding the paper reflects on the implications of this licence‐exempt case for the governance of the radio spectrum.

Originality/value

While many articles and books have appeared discussing the technical aspects of Wi‐Fi, the case description documents the genesis and development of Wi‐Fi from an entrepreneurial perspective.
Unleashing innovation: making the FCC user‐friendly
Authors: Lukasik Stephen J.
Published: August 2009

Purpose

This paper aims to describe a case study of the FCC, dealing with relieving the tension between technical innovation and the regulation of applications of technology.

Design/methodology/approach

The author's experience as Chief Scientist of the FCC is used to show how the innovations of the information age were accommodated under the procedures governing the regulation of communications.

Findings

The success of the rapid introduction of digital information technology and networking, replacing analog telephony and inflexible technical rules governing the use of the electromagnetic spectrum, resulted from relatively minor modifications in staffing of a technical planning office lacking currency with the innovations in the technology supporting the communication and broadcasting industries. The support of the chairman, the commissioners, and their confidence in the leadership of the office were critical to success.

Originality/value

Leading a regulatory agency to helping rather than hindering progress speaks for itself.
Grazing on the commons: the emergence of Part 15
Authors: Goldberg Henry
Published: August 2009

Purpose

This paper seeks to give an account of how unlicensed radio services moved from being a by‐product of the ISM bands to a deliberate spectrum allocation, with clearly defined goals and objectives that could be achieved only by not subjecting the spectrum to licensing or auctions.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper describes the aforementioned issue in detail.

Findings

The paper has found that unlicensed radio services moved from being a by‐product of the ISM bands to a deliberate spectrum allocation, with clearly defined goals and objectives that could be achieved only by not subjecting the spectrum to licensing or auctions.

Originality/value

The paper presents an account of how unlicensed radio services moved from being a by‐product of the ISM bands to a deliberate spectrum allocation, with clearly defined goals and objectives that could be achieved only by not subjecting the spectrum to licensing or auctions.
Has “unlicensed” in Part 15 worked? A case study
Authors: Pozar Tim
Published: August 2009

Purpose

This paper aims to review a case study of a project to provide broadband to city‐run housing developments in San Francisco, California.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper provides a first‐person account of a broadband solution implemented by the Bay Area Wireless Research Network.

Findings

It was found that the Bay Area Wireless Network implemented an unlicensed 5.8 GHz wireless point‐to‐point link.

Research limitations/implications

The case study provides a first‐person account.

Practical implications

Creation of an unlicensed band through Part 15 and the development of open protocols such as 802.11 spawned low cost devices through efficiencies of scale, ease of use through competition of feature sets of the devices such as the user interface.

Originality/value

Digital inclusion projects such as Alice Griffith might not have been economically viable without the unlicensed bands and the open protocols. Broadband would have been at least one or two magnitudes more expensive in capital costs.
Implementing Sun Tzu'sArt of War, system of systems (SoS) thinking
Authors: Teck Foo Check
Published: August 2009

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to draw a metaphorical parallel between a pilot in the cockpit of the latest, ultra‐modern US fighter F22 and that of a chief executive officer (CEO) managing his corporation in responding to global competitive challenges.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper is inspired by the embedded, “system of systems (SoS) thinking” in the text of the very ancient ChineseArt of Warby Sun Tzu. The approach here is to illustrate how such a 2,500‐year‐old thinking may be applied through the emerging discipline of SoS. For designing a CEO‐responsive, informative system, the innovations in designing the cockpit for a pilot in the latest US fighter jet, F22, is utilized.

Findings

Today's corporate world management has, in the past, drawn heavily from the military (for example, operations research). Whilst there is a vast difference between the pilot's cockpit in an F22 and the lap‐top of the CEO, the need for deadly accurate, often reflexive decisions is the same. It is becoming a fact of business life that speed of deadly accurate responses is necessary to ensure the survival of corporations, especially for firms operating in rapidly changing technologies, or top executives who have to cope effectively with informatively intensive yet fast changing environments, such as in the financial markets.

Originality/value

This paper illustrates how it is still possible for managers to draw inspirations in designing corporate systems through examples taken from the military. Sun Tzu drew inspirations on organizing for flexibility by observing and thus grasping the essential nature of water. Similarly, it may be useful to draw parallels in innovative design of an F22 pilot's cockpit for the CEO or managers having to make fast yet deadly responses.
Rites vs rights: maintaining social order in China and the West
Authors: Baskin Ken
Published: August 2009

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to examine how the generally accepted notion of Chinese “lawlessness” distorts the Chinese behavior by trying to understand it through the Western concept of the “rule of law” and to examine how the concept of “storied space” offers a more contextual understanding of the Chinese style of maintaining social order.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper adopts a theoretical approach.

Findings

Recent developments in fields ranging from neurobiology to complexity thinking and storytelling are coming together in a way of thinking about human social systems that has been called “storied space.” Applying this way of thinking suggests that current efforts, among both Chinese and Westerners, to apply the Western “rule of law” may actually distort the understanding of a series of behaviors often called “Chinese lawlessness”. A storied space approach suggests a different understanding and the need for a different way of addressing these concerns.

Practical implications

At a time when economic and political cooperation between Chinese and Westerners is becoming more important, this approach offers what may be a more efficacious way of understanding each other and, therefore, addressing the very real differences.

Originality/value

This paper would be the first published attempt to apply the idea of storied space to the legal issues that arise from the different ways in which Chinese and Western culture maintain social order.