bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
PASS: a new panel study for labour market research
Authors: Trappmann Mark , Christoph Bernhard , Achatz Juliane , Wenzig Claudia
Published: November 2009

Purpose

This paper aims to introduce a new large‐scale panel study (“PASS”) for research on the labour market, the welfare state and poverty that combines a sample of 6,000 recipient households with an equally large sample of the general population.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors show how research goals and the specific population of the survey are accounted for in a tailored survey design.

Findings

The authors point the reader to new research potential created by the new study. The new potential is mainly derived from the sampling design (large recipient sample combined with a population sample), the direct measurement of poverty by a deprivation index, the detailed measurement of the migratory background, additional information (like attitudes, search intensity) for models of recipiency dynamics, and the linkage of the survey data with administrative data.

Originality/value

The data set described fills a major gap in the data‐infrastructure available for labour‐market research. From a methodological point of view it presents an innovative sampling design.
The performance effect of HRM and TQM: a study in Spanish organizations
Authors: Jiménez‐Jiménez Daniel , Martínez‐Costa Micaela
Published: November 2009

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to look at human resource management (HRM) as a key element in the implementation of total quality management (TQM). This paper empirically tests the HRM practices that best fit this philosophy.

Design/methodology/approach

The results of an empirical study of 706 companies are analyzed using structural equation methodology. The practices that are used to construct the framework for analysing approaches to HRM are based on a literature review.

Findings

The results show that the alignment of the orientation towards quality and the approach to HRM is statistically significant for the utilization of the HRM system. The results also support the hypothesis that both TQM and HRM practices have a positive effect on performance.

Research limitations/implications

A cross‐sectional analysis is applied, so it is necessary to be cautious in conclusions regarding causality. Single informants are used as the source of information. Although the use of single informants remains the primary research design in most studies, multiple informants would enhance the validity of the research findings.

Practical implications

Practitioners must bear in mind the fundamental role of human resource management in the pursuit of long‐term total quality management. Companies should look for a set of HRM practices congruent with TQM, rather than using individual practices. A strategic perspective to HRM supports these results.

Originality/value

There is little empirical evidence to support the effect that HRM can have on TQM implementation and most papers focus only on distinct HRM practices. This paper provides an insight into the issues involved in the development of HRM practices oriented to TQM. It examines the relationships among HRM practices, TQM and organizational performance.
Empirical evidence of RFID impacts on supply chain performance
Authors: Visich John K. , Li Suhong , Khumawala Basheer M. , Reyes Pedro M.
Published: November 2009

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to investigate the actual benefits of radio frequency identification (RFID) on supply chain performance through the empirical evidence.

Design/methodology/approach

The research reviews and classifies the existing quantitative empirical evidence of RFID on supply chain performance. The evidence is classified by process (operational or managerial) and for each process by effect (automational, informational, and transformational).

Findings

The empirical evidence shows that the major effects from the implementation of RFID are automational effects on operational processes followed by informational effects on managerial processes. The RFID implementation has not reached transformational level on either operational or managerial processes. RFID has an automational effect on operational processes through inventory control and efficiency improvements. An informational effect for managerial processes is observed for improved decision quality, production control and the effectiveness of retail sales and promotions coordination. In addition, a three‐stage model is proposed to explain the effects of RFID on the supply chain.

Research limitations/implications

Limitations of this research include the use of secondary sources and the lack of consistency in performance measure definitions. Future research could focus on detailed case studies that investigate cross‐functional applications across the organization and the supply chain.

Practical implications

For managers, the empirical evidence presented can help them identify implementation areas where RFID can have the greatest impact. The data can be used to build the business case for RFID and therefore better estimate ROI and the payback period.

Originality/value

This research fills a void in the literature by providing practitioners and researchers with a better understanding of the quantitative benefits of RFID in the supply chain.
Electroless copper plating and surface characterization of thermoplastic PPO based printed circuit boards
Authors: Laine‐Ma Teija , Ruuskanen Pekka , Kortet Satu , Karttunen Mikko
Published: November 2009

Purpose

The adhesion between electroless copper and a substrate is one of the most important factors in the reliability of thermoplastic printed circuit boards. The purpose of this paper is to investigate the effects of mechanical grinding and acid etching of thermoplastic substrate materials on the adhesion of copper deposited by an electroless copper plating process. The base material of the test substrates was a new high temperature thermoplastic polyphenylene oxide (PPO) compound.

Design/methodology/approach

The effects of pre‐treatment on plastic surfaces are analyzed by the following methods: Fourier transform infrared (FTIR), SEM, the Dyne surface energy test and the surface roughness test. The adhesion between electroless copper and thermoplastic substrate is measured with a peel strength test.

Findings

The results showed that mechanical grinding of the substrates significantly increased adhesion but the highest adhesion is gained by using an acid etch treatment before electroless plating. These results indicated that adhesion between copper and the substrates was not directly proportional to the roughness and surface energy values.

Originality/value

The conventional sweller/desmear treatment used in a printed circuit board factory for pre‐treating epoxy based laminates prior to electroless plating is not suitable for these PPO compound boards. The copper adhesion is adequate when the substrates are etched with sulphuric acid/chromate solution. In that case the bonding between the metal layer and the plastic surface is stronger than the bondings between the polymer chains of the thermoplastic material. The adhesion mechanism of electroless copper in these mechanically abraded samples is mechanical interlocking of metal particles.
Assembly of flexible RFID tag inlays with anisotropic conductive paste (ACP)
Authors: Cai Xiong‐hui , An Bing , Wu Feng‐shun , Wu Yi‐ping
Published: November 2009

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to accomplish the low cost mass‐production of flexible radio frequency identification (RFID) tag inlays.

Design/methodology/approach

An anisotropic conductive paste (ACP) is prepared by mixing uniform micro‐sized spherical conductive particles, latent curing agent and other additives into a thermoset epoxy resin. RFID tag inlays are assembled with the paste through flip‐chip technology. The microstructural analysis of bonded joints, bond strength testing, and high‐temperature and humidity aging testing are employed to evaluate the performance of the inlays.

Findings

It was found that the chips are hard assembled on the antennae by the ACP. Flexible RFID tag inlays assembled using the presented method have good reliability when working under high frequency (13.56 MHz) conditions.

Research limitations/implications

The method presented is a promising new way for packaging flexible RFID tag inlays with ACP. Through the use of flip‐chip technology, large‐scale production is possible with low manufacturing costs.

Originality/value

The paper details a simple way to prepare an anisotropic conductive paste and to assemble flexible RFID tag inlays. The technique uses flip‐chip technology with the paste as the electrical and mechanical interconnection material. It presents a simple and fast method of assembly for flexible RFID tag inlays on a large‐scale with low cost.
High quality laser cutting of electronic printed circuit board substrates
Authors: Wang X.C. , Zheng H.Y.
Published: November 2009

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to discuss laser cutting of FR4, and BT/Epoxy‐based PCB substrates with 355 nm DPSS UV laser.

Design/methodology/approach

The effects of various laser conditions such as scanning speed, assisting gas, repetition rate and interval between scans on the heat affected zone (HAZ) and charring are studied. The quality and morphology of laser cut PCB substrates are analyzed with optical microscopy, and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Also, the laser cut PCB substrates are evaluated by humidity testing and thermal cycle testing.

Findings

Multi‐pass cutting at high scanning speed, with O2 assist gas was found to be able to achieve high quality cutting with little charring. It was also found that a certain time interval between scans and higher repetition rates led to a reduced heat affected zone and less charring.

Originality/value

This paper demonstrates high quality laser cutting of PCB substrates with no delamination, little charring and minimum HAZ. The developed process has important potential applications in the electronics industry.
Information technology security management concerns in global financial services institutions
Authors: Ifinedo Princely
Published: November 2009

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to add a layer of understanding to a previous survey of information technology (IT) security concerns and issues in global financial services institutions (GFSI).

Design/methodology/approach

This paper uses data obtained from a secondary source. The dimensions of national culture used in this paper come from Hofstede's work. Two analyses are performed on the data. First, a non‐parametric test is conducted to determine whether there are significant differences on the 13 IT security concerns when the dimensions of national culture are used to group responses. Second, a correlation analysis is carried out between the study's variables.

Findings

First, the results indicate that the dimensions of national culture are not statistically important in differentiating responses and perceptions of IT security concerns across GFSI. Second, some of the dimensions of national culture are found to have significant correlations with a few of the IT security concerns investigated.

Research limitations/implications

The use of a secondary data source introduces some limitations. The views captured in the survey are those of management team, it is likely that end‐users' perceptions may vary considerably. Nonetheless, the main finding of the paper for corporate managers in the financial services industry is that IT security concerns appear to be uniform across cultures. Further, the data show that the dimension of uncertainty avoidance deserves further attention with regard to the assessment of security concerns in GFSI. This information may be useful for decision making and planning purposes in the financial services industry.

Originality/value

This paper is believed to be among the first to examine the impacts of national culture on IT security concerns in GFSI. The paper's conclusions may offer useful insights to corporate managers in the industry.
Implementing software for managing organizational training and development
Authors: Jones Stephanie
Published: November 2009

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to identify the barriers to the implementation of a software system for managing job task analysis and competency‐based training in a large organization in the State of Kuwait. Why, in spite of many positive selling points, was this system rejected out‐of‐hand at an early stage?

Design/methodology/approach

An action research study considers an attempt by consultants to introduce this system over several months. Semi‐structured interviews with consultants and clients are conducted. It is propositioned that political and cultural barriers are inadequately anticipated and addressed by the consultants concerned who neglect basic principles of organizational development (OD).

Findings

These barriers include the fear of exposure of incompetence; a “them and us” mentality; job security concerns; the protection of relationships; and a lack of trust of local consultants.

Research limitations/implications

This case is limited to one organization in one country, with one client and one consulting firm.

Practical implications

This region (Kuwait and the United Arab Emirates in particular) is one of the largest consumers of corporate training worldwide, yet is one of the most challenging in sales and implementation. Consultants can use relevant OD models to ensure consideration and accommodation of the political and cultural barriers.

Originality/value

Few unsuccessful potential consulting interventions receive analysis, yet this case suggests that in helping to achieve corporate objectives to increase efficiency, productivity, and profitability, politics and culture pose a significant barrier. This adds a new dimension to the understanding of human resource, consulting, OD, and organizational change, especially for practical consultants in the field.
Offshore bankers' perception on Islamic banking niche for Labuan: an analysis
Authors: Baba Ricardo , Amin Hanudin
Published: November 2009

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to detail the findings of a study to determine the viability of Islamic banking as a niche for the Labuan International Offshore Financial Center (IOFC). Labuan was declared an IOFC by the Malaysian Government in 1990, with the goal of developing it as a financial “supermarket” offering a wide range of offshore financial products specializing in Islamic finance.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper employs the mail survey method to ensure the anonymity of the respondents and the whole population of banks are used, which enables the researchers to ignore the problems of bias in the sampling. Data collected from the survey are analyzed using descriptive statistics, mean, standard deviation, and frequency counts.

Findings

The results of the survey indicate that Labuan offshore bankers do not have a clear notion of Islamic banking principles and practices. The results also show that most of the offshore banks do not have officers and staff who are conversant with Islamic banking. Nevertheless, conventional offshore banks are willing to train their officers in Islamic banking skills and participate in future Islamic deals. The findings also indicate that Islamic banking is a viable niche for the Labuan IOFC. However, the results also show that Labuan does not have competitive advantages over Bahrain and London, currently the leading Islamic finance centers in the world.

Research limitations/implications

There are three major limitations of this paper. These limitations are further explained in the conclusion's part.

Practical implications

There are three major implications of these findings. First, the authorities ought to enhance the knowledge and expertise of the conventional offshore bankers by facilitating training in Islamic banking skills. Acquisition of such knowledge and skills would encourage them to participate in future Islamic banking deals. Second, the industry and the authorities responsible for the IOFC have to be both innovative and creative. In order to convince conventional offshore bankers that Islamic banking is a viable alternative to conventional banking the products and services offered must be seen as value added. A creative tax regime should have a substantial impact in terms of increased profit margin or reduced cost on the part of the offshore banks. Third, improving the physical infrastructure and overcoming the geographical location disadvantage of Labuan should become the priority of the authorities overseeing the development of Labuan as an IOFC.

Originality/value

The paper provides fresh results on the viability of Islamic banking operations in Labuan IOFC.
The influence of controllability on compensation: a view through data of Major League Baseball
Authors: Ou Wei‐Ming , Wang Hong‐Da
Published: November 2009

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to illustrate the effect of controllability on compensation of Major League Baseball.

Design/methodology/approach

The sample consists of Major League Baseball players who have publicly published compensations figures and who have actively played in the Major Leagues. All data used in the study are publicly available. Multiple regression is employed to test the relationship between player's performance and starting salary of the next season.

Findings

The paper proposes that strikeouts, bases on balls, and home runs are relatively controllable for both hitters and pitchers because these performance measures are essentially independent of other teammates' performance.

Research limitations/implications

The distinctness of professional baseball players by nature may constrain the generalization of this paper. It is recommended that further interpretation of the effects of controllability on compensation for other high‐interdependency organizations should be made with caution.

Originality/value

It is suggested that managers in low‐interdependency organizations should make a stronger linkage between subordinates' controllable performance and their compensation. If the compensation plan is designed to maximize the subordinates' reward for performing a controllable task, they will be motivated to expend greater effort on it.
Intention to leave nursing
Authors: van der Heijden Beatrice I.J.M. , van Dam Karen , Hasselhorn Hans Martin
Published: November 2009

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to examine potential predictors of nurses' intention to leave the nursing profession. Specifically, this study investigates whether perceptions of the interpersonal work environment, work‐home interference, and subsequent job satisfaction, would predict occupational turnover intentions beyond the impact of nurses' occupational commitment.

Design/methodology/approach

A questionnaire is completed twice, with a one‐year interval by 1,187 registered nurses. Data were collected between October 2002 and June 2003.

Findings

The outcomes of structural equation modelling analyses reveal that an unsupportive work environment, low leadership quality, and high work‐to‐home interference results in lower job satisfaction, which, in turn, predicts nurses' intention to leave the profession one year afterwards, when controls for occupational commitment. Work‐to‐home interference shows an additional, direct relationship with occupational turnover intentions.

Practical implications

The findings have implications for organizational and individual interventions, indicating that nurses' withdrawal from the profession may be prevented by extending nurses' social support at work, helping them to combine work with non‐work, and improving the leadership quality of their supervisors.

Originality/value

Job satisfaction and work‐context factors explain additional variance in intention to leave nursing, beyond the effect of occupational commitment. Leadership quality is the strongest predictor of intention to leave nursing. Job satisfaction plays an intervening role in the relationship between work context and intention to leave nursing.
Work‐family culture, work‐family interference and well‐being at work
Authors: Peeters Maria , Wattez Cobi , Demerouti Evangelia , de Regt Wietske
Published: November 2009

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to examine whether work‐family (WF) interference functions as an explaining mechanism in the link between work‐family culture and well‐being, hereby distinguishing between a negative and a positive process. The negative, energy depleting process initiates from a hindrance work‐family culture and ends up to burnout through the experience of work‐family conflict. The positive, motivation generating process initiates from a supportive work‐family culture and ends up to work engagement through work‐family enrichment.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper employs a quantitative study among employees from three different organizations (n=516).

Findings

Work‐family conflict fully mediates the relationship between a hindrance WF‐culture and the exhaustion dimension of burnout and partially mediates the relationship between a hindrance WF‐culture and the cynicism dimension of burnout. With regard to the mediational role of work‐family enrichment the results also confirm the paper's hypothesis. Work‐family enrichment partially mediates the relationship between a supportive WF‐culture and work engagement. Interestingly, analyses of some alternative mediational paths reveal some additional findings. Specifically, a supportive work‐family culture relates to work engagement through the perception of less work‐family conflict. Moreover, a supportive culture is also related to less feelings of burnout through work‐family enrichment.

Originality/value

The study shows that it pays off to invest in a supportive work‐family culture because such a culture contributes to work engagement and in the same time helps to prevent burnout.
Business strategy and property strategy – how strong is the linkage?
Authors: McDonagh John , Nichols Gary
Published: November 2009

Purpose

The purpose of this research is to investigate the strength of the link between overall business strategy and supporting property strategies in New Zealand organizations.

Design/methodology/approach

Most organizations develop strategic business plans as a foundation and focus for decision‐making. These business plans ideally take account of the existing and potential operating environment and the strengths and weaknesses of the individual organization. An organization's management of its property assets can be either a strength, or a weakness, but does this aspect figure prominently in many organizations' strategic business plans? This research utilized e‐mail surveys of 313 organisations in New Zealand to determine the strength of the linkage between their overall business strategy and their property strategy.

Findings

Nearly all organizations surveyed had a clearly defined overall business strategy but many did not put corresponding effort into real estate strategies. Even amongst those organizations with a property strategy, significant weaknesses were found in the linkage between this strategy and overall business strategy.

Research limitations/implications

Further work can now be undertaken to measure the performance of organisations that have a strong connection between overall strategy and property strategy compared to those that do not. This may determine whether a strong connection does in fact correlate with business performance. If so, both academic and industry attention in New Zealand can then be focused on determining why some organizations' consideration of property as part of their overall business strategy is either non existent or ineffectual.

Originality/value

Corporate Real Estate Asset Management (CREAM) research in a New Zealand context is limited. This paper examines relationships that earlier literature has determined are important, in a New Zealand context. It highlights differences in the way New Zealand organizations operated and provides a basis for further research that should lead to improved organizational performance.
Value management: raising CRE strategic relevance
Authors: Fisher Sally A.
Published: November 2009

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to describe the need to go beyond relationship management to embrace the techniques of value management with details on why and how CRE managers should pursue this as a professional goal.

Design/methodology/approach

This article discusses the experiences of the author working across multiple global corporate accounts. The article advances the discussion on how to strategically align and advance the performance of CRE departments to support business change for corporate competitive advantage.

Findings

As CRE managers strive to elevate their strategic relevance to the organization, they are challenged to go beyond relationship management. They are challenged to become value managers, capable of implementing corporate strategy anywhere and with anyone in the organization.

Research limitations/implications

Further research is warranted into the perspectives of senior management on the contribution of CRE to the business planning process. CRE managers are often viewed as functional experts and may be overlooked as candidates for involvement in corporate management development programs.

Practical implications

CRE managers, in charge of business alignment, must turn a professional corner by focusing more on driving corporate value. A career choice is required to invest in the business and financial acumen needed to sit credibly at the planning table with senior management. The career path of the in‐house CRE manager is one of a general business manager, referred to in this article as a “value manager”.

Originality/value

CRE managers are challenged to adopt the behavior, attitude and skill set of general business managers to arrive at solutions to business challenges. These challenges are cross‐functional in nature and often do not start nor end with real estate or, by extension, facilities. Thus, the role of relationship manager needs to evolve into a value manager, who possesses the skills of business planning, business case development, and cross‐functional project management.
Harmony or conflict?
Authors: Peng Jisheng , Zhong Weiguo , Wang Shihong
Published: November 2009

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to analyze the coordination of Chinese technology policy and assess its contribution to technology progress and economy development.

Design/methodology/approach

A method was developed to assess the coordination and its tendency of technology policy based on technology policy quantification. In addition, econometric models were built to estimate performance of technology policy coordination.

Findings

Chinese technology policy coordination shows significant characteristics in different periods; the level of policy coordination is promoted rapidly because the institutional path‐dependence and the competition of benefits among departments have aggravated an already unbalanced emphasis on the wording of the technology policy during the process of economic and political reform. The coordination among departments, coordination of policy goals and coordination of policy means play different roles in technology progress and economy development.

Research limitations/implications

Because of the limitation of data and time, the paper cannot assess the coordination among policy goals and policy means. Also, it is necessary to study the interaction of different principals and agencies during technology policy formulation and execution.

Practical implications

The methods in the paper can easily be used by decision makers evaluating the situation of technology policy coordination, and optimize policy based on the relationship of different policy targets and policy implements, especially the interaction of different principals and agencies.

Originality/value

The paper develops a method to assess technology policy coordination based on technology policy quantification and builds econometric models to assess its contribution to technology progress and economy development.
Knowing the child consumer: historical and conceptual insights on qualitative children's consumer research
Authors: Cook Daniel Thomas
Published: November 2009

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to offer a selective and necessarily truncated history of the place and use of qualitative approaches in the study of children's consumption in order to provide some depth of understanding regarding differences between and commonalities of approaches employed by academic market researchers, social science researchers and, to a lesser extent, market practitioners.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper examines key research statements about children's consumption beginning in the 1930s to ascertain the underlying conception of the child informing the work.

Findings

It is argued that there has been a displacement of psychologically oriented, developmental conceptions of the child with sociological and anthropological conceptions resulting in an acceptance of the child as a more or less knowing, competent consumer. This shift has become manifest in a rise and acceptance of qualitative research on children's consumer behaviour by social science and marketing academics as well as by market practitioners such as market researchers.

Research limitations/implications

Methods – here qualitative methods – must be seen as enactments of theories about conceptions of the person, rather than simply as neutral tools that uncover extant truths.

Practical implications

Attending to how one “constructs” the child may usefully inform debates about the harmfulness or usefulness of goods and messages directed to children.

Originality/value

This paper helps in understanding the long history of children as consumers, how they have been understood and approached by market and academic researchers interested in consumption and various ways conceptions of ‘the child’ can be used.
Ambiguities and paradoxes in children's talk about marketing breakfast cereals with toys
Authors: Sparrman Anna
Published: November 2009

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to understand, from children's perspectives, the commercial marketing strategy of selling breakfast cereals with “insert toys” targeted at children.

Design/methodology/approach

The study is based on four focus group interviews conducted with 16 children (8‐9 years of age) concerning 18 different breakfast cereal packages. The theoretical framework integrates childhood sociology, critical discourse analysis and talk‐in‐interaction. This theoretical and methodological combination is used to show how children, in local micro settings of talk, make use of the discourses that are available to them to produce and reproduce social and cultural values about marketing with “insert toys”.

Findings

The present findings suggest that, from children's perspectives, “insert toys” are constituted by cultural and social patterns extending far beyond the “insert toy” itself. For example, the analysis shows that it is not biological age that defines what and how consumption is understood.

Research limitations/implications

The focus group material provides understandings of marketing strategies and consumption practices from children's perspectives. When the children talk about children and adults, hybrid agents of the “child‐adult”, the “adult‐child” and the “childish child” are constructed. These hybrids contradict research that dichotomizes children and adults likewise children's understandings of consumption based on age stages. Accordingly, age is rationalized into an empirically investigated category rather than being used as a preset category set out to explain children's behaviours.

Originality/value

Analysis of the focus group interactions shows that the way the market and marketing as well as children and adults are talked about is crucial to understanding children's and parents' actions as consumers.
What makes me cool? Estonian tweens' interpretative repertoires
Authors: Keller Margit , Kalmus Veronika
Published: November 2009

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to reveal how “cool” as a concept is constructed by urban tweens in the post‐socialist country Estonia.

Design/methodology/approach

The data consist of 42 essays written by 12‐year‐old schoolchildren of a secondary school in Tallinn in 2007. Discourse analysis was used to discover interpretative repertoires, subject positions and ideological dilemmas in the essays.

Findings

“Cool” is primarily constructed within three interpretative repertoires: cool as appearance, cool as leisure and cool as sports and hobbies. The main subject positions are young expert consumer, fun‐lover/pleasure‐seeker, achiever and creator. The main ideological dilemma is between individual distinction and fitting and merging into the group.

Research limitations/implications

The essays are rather brief and normative statements of what qualifies as “cool”. However, a certain degree of social desirability constitutes the value of these texts, revealing what Estonian tweens consider to be norms and shared beliefs.

Practical implications

The paper addresses the prominent place consumerism occupies in tweens' everyday life. It opens up the world of meaning‐making of “cool” by tweens, offering an insight into which repertoires responsible marketers could use to empower young consumers.

Originality/value

The paper sheds light on tweens' complicated symbolic and material worlds in a post‐socialist context, providing a continuum of meanings of “cool” and its relationships with the consumer and peer culture.
How fairness garners loyalty in the pharmaceutical supply chain
Authors: Jambulingam Thani , Kathuria Ravi , Nevin John R.
Published: November 2009

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to understand how fairness garners loyalty by breeding trust in the pharmaceutical wholesaler‐pharmacy relationship. Specifically, the paper seeks to understand if the two dimensions of fairness – procedural and distributive – contribute differently in fostering the two types of trust – credibility and benevolence. The paper further aims to examine how the two dimensions of trust mediate the fairness‐loyalty relationship.

Design/methodology/approach

Data from 156 retail pharmacies on their relationship with the pharmaceutical wholesalers are used to test the hypotheses. The mediation models are tested using the Barron and Kenny procedure.

Findings

The findings of this paper show the importance of both procedural and distributive aspects of fairness on the part of pharmaceutical wholesalers as perceived by the pharmacies. Each aspect of fairness plays a more prominent role for fostering a particular type of trust, which, in turn, leads to loyalty.

Research limitations/implications

Future research may investigate the antecedents to fairness to unearth additional insights as to how organizations can manage their customers' perceptions of fairness and thereby enhance their trust and loyalty.

Practical implications

Pharmaceutical wholesale is a competitive business to retain pharmacies by building loyalty thus balancing pharmacies' dependence on the more powerful pharmaceutical manufacturers in the pharmaceutical supply chain. Given the intense competition, the wholesaler that does a superior job in creating a competitive advantage leveraging fairness to engender trust will get to benefit in recruiting and retaining more pharmacies.

Originality/value

This paper contributes to the fairness‐trust‐loyalty stream of literature by examining the mediation effects at the sub‐dimension level of the fairness and trust constructs. The paper also has practical implications, especially given the low gross margins for pharmaceutical wholesalers and the growing threat of direct distribution of pharmaceuticals or disintermediation by the manufacturers using third party logistics companies, such as united parcel service. The paper shows how wholesalers may be able to build loyalty with the pharmacies by signaling fairness and fostering trust.
The relevance of marketing activities in the Swiss prescription drugs market
Authors: Stros Michael , Hari Juerg , Marriott John
Published: November 2009

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to identify the most relevant marketing factors and examine existing theories and to provide guidance for planning future studies. Since drug markets are very complex, this paper will focus on a particular market/country to reduce some of this complexity.

Design/methodology/approach

A serial research study is undertaken to examine the essential marketing success factors by means of two qualitative studies applying Focus group and Delphi survey techniques. Swiss healthcare professionals in middle and senior management positions (Focus group n=5, Delphi group n=11) are asked to voice their personal opinion regarding the importance of various factors that might influence the turnover of prescription drugs. The fundamental findings derived from the Focus group interview are used for the Delphi group survey set‐up. To reach a consensus within the Delphi group, a three‐step interactive procedure is applied. For the evaluation of the Focus group results, a content analysis is performed. The results of the Delphi study are investigated, using descriptive statistics.

Findings

The paper ultimately yields a ranking of 29 instruments perceived to be important in the marketing of pharmaceuticals in Switzerland. With this paper, the proposed model and its propositions could be supported.

Research limitations/implications

This paper investigates their relevance based upon practical experience of Swiss health care professionals and is therefore somewhat limited to the Swiss market.

Practical implications

In the Swiss market, successful marketing has to consider appropriate product properties including issues such as efficacy and safety plus a promotion policy that emphasizes relationship with opinion leaders and personal selling. Additionally, it is vital that the product is also distributed via sales channels such as hospitals and physicians and that the product will be reimbursed by health insurance.

Originality/value

These findings will enable pharmaceutical companies to improve their sales success. The proposed model can be extended to other markets and countries.
Total quality management in developing countries
Authors: Usman Awan Muhammad , Raouf Abdul , Ahmad Niaz , Sparks Leigh
Published: November 2009

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to identify the critical success factors of total quality management (TQM) in pharmaceutical wholesale distribution companies in Pakistan. The paper also seeks to contribute to reduce the existing lack of TQM studies in developing countries.

Design/methodology/approach

A 29‐item survey questionnaire is sent to 90 pharmaceutical distributors. Response rate is 56.7 per cent. Confirmatory factor analysis deletes one item in the scale purification process.

Findings

Data analysis reveal that “process design” (PD) is critical TQM success factor in pharmaceutical wholesale distribution companies in Pakistan. Like other studies in developing countries, top management in pharmaceutical wholesale distribution companies in Pakistan does not adequately support the TQM implementation.

Research limitations/implications

The research is based in Pakistan only. Convenience sampling is done. The response size of the study is small (n=51) though the response rate and significance are high. Small response size prevents more complex analysis such as structural equation modelling.

Practical implications

Pharmaceutical wholesale distribution companies are more focused on “PD”. Increased top management support is required for proper TQM implementation.

Originality/value

This research provides framework to researchers to build up more TQM critical success factor studies in similar sector and situations so that more concrete generalizations can be made.
Short term price forecasting in deregulated electricity markets
Authors: Aggarwal Sanjeev Kumar , Saini L.M. , Kumar Ashwani
Published: November 2009

Purpose

Several research papers related to electricity price forecasting have been reported in the leading journals in last 20 years. The purpose of this paper is to present a comprehensive survey and comparison of these techniques.

Design/methodology/approach

The present article provides an overview of the statistical short‐term price forecasting (STPF) models. The basic theory of these models, their further classification and their suitability to STPF has been discussed. Quantitative evaluation of the performance of these models in the framework of accuracy achieved and computation time taken has been performed. Some important observations of the literature survey and key issues regarding STPF methodologies are analyzed.

Findings

It has been observed that price forecasting accuracy of the reported models in day‐ahead markets is better as compared to that in real time markets. From a comparative analysis perspective, there is no hard evidence of out‐performance of one model over all other models on a consistent basis for a very long period. In some of the studies, linear models like dynamic regression and transfer function have shown superior performance as compared to non‐linear models like artificial neural networks (ANNs). On the other hand, recent variations in ANNs by employing wavelet transformation, fuzzy logic and genetic algorithm have shown considerable improvement in forecasting accuracy. However more complex models need further comparative analysis.

Originality/value

This paper is intended to supplement the recent survey papers, in which the researchers have restricted the scope to a bibliographical survey. Whereas, in this work, after providing detailed classification and chronological evolution of the STPF techniques, a comparative summary of various price‐forecasting techniques, across different electricity markets, is presented.
The value of unused interregional transmission
Authors: Pineau Pierre‐Olivier , Lefebvre Vincent
Published: November 2009

Purpose

This paper aims at assessing the actual use of interregional transmission lines and the opportunity cost of unused capacity. The 13 electric power lines connecting the province of Quebec (Canada) to its neighbours (New Brunswick, New England, New York, Ontario) are analysed for the years 2006, 2007 and 2008.

Design/methodology/approach

Hourly electricity transmission data from the Quebec Open Access Same‐Time Information System (OASIS) are analysed and matched with hourly market prices in New Brunswick, New England, New York and Ontario, for the years 2006, 2007 and 2008.

Findings

Capacity factors of about 50 per cent are found for these lines. Although increasing from 2006 to 2008, this finding shows that interregional lines are far from being heavily congested. Furthermore, about 25 TWh of additional profitable exports could have taken place every year, given the market conditions and the availability of transmission lines. These exports represented an opportunity cost of about $1 billion per year.

Research limitations/implications

Other network constraints and transaction costs could explain why these profitable transactions have not taken place. However, the lack of available energy most likely explains why exports were limited. The opportunity cost could also be overestimated by not taking into account the price impact of additional exports.

Practical implications

Price regulation in Quebec (with priority given to local loads) should be reviewed to maximize economic efficiency and environmental benefits in the Northeast region.

Originality/value

This is the first analysis of the use of interregional electricity transmission lines. It provides a preliminary estimate of the economic cost of not further integrating different neighbouring regions.
Monitoring profile shifts and differences among WISEs in Flanders
Authors: Van Opstal Wim , Deraedt Eva , Gijselinckx Caroline
Published: November 2009

Purpose

The sector of work integration social enterprises (WISEs) has grown considerably all across Europe during the last few decades. Unfortunately, many governments do not have a clear sight on the profile of WISEs they are supporting. The purpose of this paper is to provide a detailed profile of WISEs in Flanders and identify shifts and differences within and between WISE work forms.

Design/methodology/approach

Data are utilized from a newly designed monitoring instrument to capture the profile of WISEs in Flanders (Belgium). This paper discusses some methodological issues in using administrative data to monitor this sector, and present a profile at the enterprise level and at the worker level. Parametric and nonparametric tests are applied to assess the significance of profile shifts and differences within this sector.

Findings

One of the dominant features of the analysis has been the identification of profound differences that can be observed between the work forms and the slighter differences that are observed within the work forms while comparing start‐ups to their mature counterparts. Therefore, it might be concluded that the policy framework on the social insertion economy as it currently exists in Flanders has a strong regulative impact on the WISEs in Flanders. This impact translates itself through differences in the profile of enterprises, as well as differences in the profile of the target group workers they employ.

Originality/value

A dataset combining administrative data are created to estimate enterprise and target group worker profiles in this sector. The discussion on methodological aspects involved contributes to the literature on monitoring this sector.
Societal entrepreneurs in the health sector: crossing the frontiers
Authors: Tillmar Malin
Published: November 2009

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to explore societal entrepreneurship in the turbulent health‐care sector in a changing welfare state, Sweden. Empirically oriented questions about the businesses explored in this paper are: how do the entrepreneurs see combining “health‐driven” and profit‐driven enterprises? What mindset and strategies guide their enterprises? What organizatorial solutions are used?

Design/methodology/approach

The paper is based on two case‐entrepreneurs, selected due to the author's perception of them as successful both as businesses and as societal change agents. The entrepreneurs have been interviewed by means of unstructured dialogues.

Findings

Both entrepreneurs prove to be frontier crossing combiners in several dimensions; they unite ideological commitment with economically sound businesses, they bring together their medical professions and complementary methods of treatment, they combine bridge building with challenging and they reconcile part‐time entrepreneurship with employment.

Research limitations/implications

With regard to the long‐term preconditions for societal entrepreneurship, it is concluded that these two entrepreneurial processes have traits of both opportunity‐ and self‐exploitation. The long‐term social sustainability of enterprises of this kind is an issue for further research.

Originality/value

The paper goes beyond non‐profit research by exploring societal entrepreneurship in the for‐profit sector, with focus on entrepreneurship which crosses sectoral borders.