bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
How to attract Chinese online game users
Authors: Fan Liu , Gu Ja‐Chul , Suh Yung‐Ho , Lee Sang‐Chul
Published: June 2012

Purpose

The purpose of this research is to develop and test a model explaining users’ intention to adopt online games in China. Through theories from diverse fields of information systems research, the authors aim to examine and validate antecedents of users’ intentions to play online games.

Design/methodology/approach

The model proposes subjective norms and perceived control as antecedents to technology acceptance model (TAM) related beliefs, while suggesting convenience of operator, reality of design, provision of information and sense of belonging as antecedents of flow. The authors study the causal relations between the antecedents and usage intention by using structural equation modeling (SEM) to test the causalities in the proposed model.

Findings

The results indicate that perceived usefulness (PU), perceived ease of use (PEOU), flow and subjective norms are direct predictors of Chinese online games users’ intentions. Subjective norm and sense of belonging are shown to be important predictors of PU, while provision of information reveals an important negative influence on PU. At the same time, system quality shows no significant influence on PU. Perceived control and convenience of operator are both antecedents of PEOU. Furthermore, except for the sense of belonging, the proposed four antecedents of flow are tested for their effect on PU.

Originality/value

This research systematically includes relevant antecedents in MIS research to test online game users’ intention to adopt online games. It also provides some managerial insights that can guide Chinese online game companies to improve their games to attract users, and help foreign online game companies to make strategic plans to enter the huge Chinese online game market.
An evaluation model of business value for research and development of technology to improve the competitiveness of companies
Authors: Lee Sang‐Chul , Im Kwang‐Hyuk , Park Sang‐Chan , Fan Liu
Published: June 2012

Purpose

The purpose of this research is to establish an evaluation model for business value of a company's existing patents portfolio to improve the performance of the technology development and the company’s competitiveness through identifying the right direction for technology development.

Design/methodology/approach

This research targets 11 leading companies in ten manufacturing industries and one e‐business industry and evaluates their existing patents portfolios. This research developed a core business model set by using clustering and classification. For comparative analysis, this research sets NAVER as a leading company and DAUM as a following company in e‐business industry.

Findings

This research proposes nine business model components to evaluate a patent from business perspectives. Second, by evaluating a company's existing patents portfolio in view of business model components, this research proposes the importance of business model components and developed six core business models. Through these role models, companies can analyze the directions for development in the future and find companies with similar characteristics.

Originality/value

This research develops a methodology to provide the direction for technology development of a company by evaluating technologies through the patents portfolio of a company rather than evaluating the value of a single patent. It is different from previous research that evaluates R&D from technology perspectives; this research takes account of the business value of technologies by developing tools in view of business model components.
Extraction procedure of competitive advantage factors in a target business area for conducting self‐assessment and re‐design of quality management system
Authors: Kaneko Masaaki , Munechika Masahiko
Published: June 2012

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to propose a extraction procedure of competitive advantage factors that a company needs to have organizational capabilities, and leads the company to make a sustainable business success. By using the proposed method, a company can conduct a self‐assessment based on the factors, and re‐design its own quality management system, then realize the competitive advantage in a target business area.

Design/methodology/approach

By collecting and analyzing the strategy data of six business areas in company A and conducting the interview to the project team in each business area for six months, the decision‐making mechanism and its pattern of the competitive advantage factors are examined, then the self‐assessment method of quality management system is proposed.

Findings

The decision‐making mechanism for competitive advantage factors is clarified. The customer value that is one of elements in the mechanism is categorized. And the analyzing method for specifying the core customer value and the organizational capability that leads customers directly to select a company's own product is established.

Originality/value

The originality of this paper is in establishing a self‐assessment method that follows the concept of “evaluation design.” This means not using pre‐established evaluation criteria for all companies in all types of business, as is done in conventional research, but rather, designing criteria based on the competitive advantage factors in a target business area and then reflecting those factors into its own quality management system.
Research on product reliability improvement by using DMAIC process
Authors: Cheng Chuen‐Sheng , Kuan Chi‐Ming
Published: June 2012

Purpose

Define, measure, analyze, improve and control (DMAIC) and define, measure, analyze, design and verify (DMADV) are two Six Sigma methodologies that improve quality in a process or product. In general, if the product design improvement in reliability cannot satisfy the failure‐free performance of Six Sigma, the DMADV process is used to create or redesign new product designs. However, the original function may be affected, and the product development cycle time may be enhanced due to a redesigned process. This paper aims to propose a new procedure to combine the reliability parameter and critical to quality (CTQ) to improve a product's reliability and to reduce the number of engineering changes without redesigning.

Design/methodology/approach

The study influences the failure parameter to find out the mean time to failure (MTTF) tree and utilizes the DMAIC process for improvement. It is important to maintain the function while improving time. This study looks at a cold cathode fluorescent lamp (CCFL) case.

Findings

The CCFL case uses the DMAIC process finds that important root cause improvement can increase MTTF twofold.

Originality/value

The paper provides useful information on product reliability improvement using the DMAIC process.
An exploratory study of 5S: a multiple case study of multinational organizations in Mexico
Authors: Suárez‐Barraza Manuel F. , Ramis‐Pujol Juan
Published: June 2012

Purpose

Derived from work conducted on the topics of Lean‐thinking and Lean‐Kaizensome management practices or techniques, such as the 5Ss, have recently become important in this research. The reason for this is that more and more of the companies that apply Lean‐thinking and Lean‐Kaizenare using the 5Ss as an essential step in their implementation. Therefore, this paper aims to explore the implementation of the 5Ss in multinational organisations in Mexico empirically, in order to analyse and compare them against the respective theoretical frameworks. The research question that governs the study is: “How are the 5Ss implemented in an organisational context such as that of a multinational company in Mexico?”

Design/methodology/approach

An exploratory multiple case study was conducted. Three multinational companies, which have been established in Mexico for at least 20 years, were selected. Two of these companies were from the automotive sector (suppliers) and the third was a company manufacturing hygiene and cleaning products. Four methods were used to gather data: direct observation, participative observation, documentary analysis, and semi‐structured interviews.

Findings

Based on cross analysis findings, a group of reasons was found for applying the 5Ss in the multinational organisations analysed, along with a group of drivers and inhibitors responsible for enhancing or blocking the successful implementation of the 5Ss. Finally, a conceptual framework was also established, based on the results of comparing theory and fieldwork: this provides a glimpse into the relationship of the 5Ss with other improvement programmes, known as Lean‐thinking or Lean‐Kaizen, in the organisations analysed. In particular, the framework show the importance betweendo(way: philosophy) andjyutsu(techniques) during the implantation process of 5Ss.

Practical implications

Derived to describe three case studies on how to implement the 5Ss within a programme or model for the Lean‐thinking or Lean‐Kaizenapproach, it may prove to be of value to practitioners and managers involved in the field. Similarly, a section on managerial implications has also been included.

Originality/value

The study contributes to the limited existing literature on the 5Ss through research that seeks to understand how this technique is implemented in a context of multinational organisations, particularly emphasising the main drivers and inhibitors that enhance or block it during the implementation process. It also includes a theoretical framework that can demonstrate the relationship of the 5Ss with the Lean‐thinking and Lean‐Kaizenprogrammes in this context: In particular for Latin America and Mexico, where virtually no academic studies of this type have been conducted.
Examining the implementation of Six Sigma training and its relationships with job satisfaction and employee morale
Authors: Lang Cheng Jung
Published: June 2012

Purpose

The aim of this paper is to examine the impact of implementing Six Sigma system on job satisfaction and employee morale, and how job satisfaction, employee morale and Six Sigma implementation are to support each other.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper builds a research framework which includes the variables of Six Sigma, job satisfaction, and employee morale. The research methodology is the use of a field survey questionnaire of a Taiwanese company.

Findings

The paper finds that the method of Six Sigma implementation in Taiwanese company was by a top‐down approach, where is the managers received the training and then were expected to pass on the relevant knowledge to their subordinates. It also reveals that one key issue in Six Sigma implementation is which organizational departments should first receive the Six Sigma training. the field study found that the first departments related to logistics management, and then onto production line departments. Implementing Six Sigma training has impact on organizational job satisfaction and employee morale. The performance of Six Sigma training was able to achieve job satisfaction and employee morale, but the employees who participated in Six Sigma training were more positive with regard to job satisfaction and employee morale.

Originality/value

Every organization has their special characteristics in relation to the Six Sigma system, job satisfaction and employee morale. The organization should aim to better understand the relationship and content of job satisfaction and employee morale with regard to successful Six Sigma implementation.
Sociomaterial practices in engineering work
Authors: Styhre Alexander , Wikmalm Leena , Ollila Sanne , Roth Jonas
Published: June 2012

Purpose

Engineering work is a specific form of sociomaterial practice, drawing on and combining social and material resources to accomplish desirable effects, often combining technological and social resources. A study of an electrical engineering development project suggests that the work unfolds as a process whereby technological artefacts are verified on the basis of testing procedures and whereby events concerning technological failure, what has been called the “back‐talk” of technology, are handled using joint problem‐solving. The purpose of this paper is to report on a study of a new product development project at a multinational telecommunications company.

Design/methodology/approach

An ethnographic case study of a new product development project at a major multinational telecommunications company was undertaken.

Findings

Engineering work is based on distributed know‐how and joint collaborations, emerging as a patchwork of activities where one single person may know a lot, but not everything, about the technology‐in‐the‐making. The paper concludes that joint concern for the technology, manifested as its gradual advancement, is what serves as the glue holding the community of engineers together.

Originality/value

The paper presents an original study of the work of a team of electrical engineers and inquires into how engineers combine technical and social resources when attempting to make the technology work.
Understanding absorptive capacity in Malaysian small and medium sized (SME) construction companies
Authors: Mustafa Kamal Ernawati , Flanagan Roger
Published: June 2012

Purpose

The construction industry is a very important part of the Malaysian economy. The government's aim is to make the industry more productive, efficient and safe. Small to medium‐sized enterprises (SMEs) are at the core of the Malaysian construction industry and account for about 90 per cent of companies undertaking construction work. One of the main challenges faced by the Malaysian construction industry is the ability to absorb new knowledge and technology and to implement it in the construction phase. The purpose of this paper is to consider absorptive capacity in Malaysian construction SMEs in rural areas.

Design/methodology/approach

The research was conducted in three stages: first, understanding the Malaysian construction industry; second, a literature review on the issues related to absorptive capacity and discussions with the Construction Industry Development Board (CIDB); and third, multiple case studies in five construction SMEs operating in a rural area to validate the factors influencing absorptive capacity.

Findings

Nine key factors were identified influencing absorptive capacity in Malaysian construction SMEs operating in rural areas. These factors involved: cost and affordability; availability and supply; demand; infrastructure; policies and regulations; labour readiness; workforce attitude and motivation; communication and sources of new knowledge and; culture.

Originality/value

The key factors influencing absorptive capacity presented in this paper are based on validation from the case studies in five construction SMEs in Malaysia. The research focuses on how they operate in rural areas; however, the research results have wider application than just Malaysia. The key factors identified as influencing absorptive capacity can serve as a basis for considering knowledge absorption in the wider context by SMEs in other developing countries.
Axiomatic modeling of lean manufacturing system
Authors: Vinodh S. , Aravindraj S.
Published: June 2012

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to report a research on the development of axiomatic modeling of a lean manufacturing system.

Design/methodology/approach

A conceptual model for lean manufacturing has been adopted. A hierarchical structure has been developed to model the design process of a lean manufacturing system composed of functional requirements, design parameters and process variables.

Findings

The theory of axiomatic design advocates the creation of process variables by mapping the design parameters in the process domain. This article serves as an efficient guideline for the design process to clarify the tools, methods and resources of designing lean manufacturing system.

Research limitations/implications

The implications of the axiomatic model has been derived based on the experiences gained from a single manufacturing organization. Yet, the findings and contributions of this research work would be useful to the captains of thee majority of the manufacturing companies situated in the world.

Practical implications

The axiomatic modeling approach serves as an efficient guideline for the design process to clarify the tools, methods and resources of designing a lean manufacturing system of an Indian rotary switches manufacturing organization.

Originality/value

The conceptual model of lean manufacturing has been developed from literature. Based on the conceptual model, the hierarchical model for axiomatic approach has been developed. The contributions and the inferences are original and add value to the state of the art approaches.
Automation of real time monitoring and controlling of a marine loading arm
Authors: Sastry M.K.S. , Seekumar Larry
Published: June 2012

Purpose

The purpose of this research is to automate the operations and real time monitoring and controlling of a marine loading arm.

Design/methodology/approach

A generic control strategy to automate the operation of manually controlled marine loading arms has been developed. This strategy employs state of the art, industry standard position sensors, PLC systems, interactive human machine interface (HMI) and integrates fail‐safe operation and emergency shutdown procedures.

Findings

This approach satisfies all the industry safety regulations and liminates the possible risks and/ or spurious trips during product loading. The overall engineering process is simpler, easier to implement and manage due to the fact the industry standard equipment and design tools have been used. Using this generic strategy, manually operated marine loading arms can be automated for effective monitoring and controlling purposes.

Practical implications

It is expected that engineers around the world can benefit by this approach and will be able to design similar control equipment to automate the functionality of loading arms in their organizations.

Originality/value

This work is the authors' own. Thoughts and designs belong to them and the ideas presented are completely original, developed, implemented and tested by them over years.
Life cycle cost analysis: a case study of Lincoln on the Lake
Authors: Sacks Alec , Nisbet Adam , Ross Jarrod , Harinarain Nishani
Published: June 2012

Purpose

The sustainable green movement is significantly gaining momentum around the globe and South Africa needs to follow suit. However, such a movement needs to be significantly tested. It is therefore essential to present both foundation and supplementary research in the primary concepts within this topic in order to lay the groundwork for future analysis. The purpose of this paper is to analyse the cost‐effectiveness of the heat recovery ventilation (HRV) technology incorporated within Lincoln on the Lake, against a direct‐expansion (DX) ducted system of conventional practice utilising the life cycle cost analysis (LCCA) to determine if the sustainable option is the better choice.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper is a case study, based on a green building in KwaZulu‐Natal, South Africa using a ten step life cycle cost analysis.

Findings

In terms of the LCCA performed at Lincoln on the Lake, this case study has found that sustainable measures were far more cost effective over the 20 year study period than that of the comparable conventional system. The life‐cycle cost analysis tool has provided a simple, uniform and predetermined manner for which the life‐cycle costs of sustainable designs can be successfully quantified.

Originality/value

The value which sustainable building practices can pose, has not been fully realised among clients and professionals within the South African construction industry due to lack of proof that value incentives do exist. This paper, therefore, emphasizes that savings can be made over the long term by going the sustainable route.
Application of probabilistic finite element analysis for crane hook design
Authors: Vinodh S. , Ravikumar R.
Published: June 2012

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to report a study in which the feasibility of conducting probabilistic finite element analysis (FEA) for crane hook design has been explored.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper presents the results of probabilistic analysis, where in the input random variables are varied and corresponding variations in the output parameters were observed. In this study, material properties and load have been considered as random input variables and the maximum stress, maximum deflection variations were considered as output random variables.

Findings

The probability of occurrence of output variation and the sensitivity of output variables on the input variables are the important results generated from this analysis. By performing this probabilistic analysis, the random selection of factor of safety could be avoided.

Research limitations/implications

The implementation study has been carried out for a single product.

Practical implications

The usage of the approach will indicate the importance of probabilistic analysis in product design and development process. This process will enable the organization to compete in the global market.

Originality/value

A case study has been reported to indicate the feasibility of performing probabilistic FEA for crane hook design. Hence, the contributions are original.
Benefits and barriers of construction health and safety management (HSM)
Authors: Chileshe Nicholas , Dzisi Emmanuel
Published: June 2012

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to investigate the perceptions of practitioners working within the UK design organisations on the perceived benefits of health and safety management (HSM). It further explores whether these perceptions could be influenced by the external factors such as the length of service in employment, organisation size, and the professional disciplines and educational backgrounds of the respondents. The study proposes the HSM index, an indicator reflecting the level of benefits from HSM approaches within the construction sector.

Design/methodology/approach

Using a data triangulation approach involving quantitative and qualitative methods and a KAP (knowledge, attitudes and perceptions) approach, a total of 110 questionnaires were distributed to the practitioners drawn from the small and medium sized design organisations within the UK, of which only 30 were deemed usable, giving a response rate of 27.3 per cent.

Findings

The ranking analysis suggest that “safer workplace”, “enhanced company reputation”, and “decrease in accidents” as the most important benefits arising from deployment of HSM programmes among the practitioners whereas “improved work performance”, “increased organisational performance “, and “reduced sickness and absence from work” though least ranked, still attained medium level of benefits. The findings further identified organisational skills as the most desirable for the effective implementation of safety management by project managers. The overall weighted HSM Index of 3.68 implies that the small and medium sized UK constructional related organisations perceive the benefits that arise from the deployment of HSM systems as medium.

Originality/value

The findings may help construction practitioners in reviewing decisions factors when they consider implementing HSM during the various stages of the construction process, from feasibility, design, tender and actual construction stage, also for improving their HSM approaches through considerations of the cognitive impacts.
Optimal pricing and ordering policy for an integrated inventory model with quadratic demand when trade credit linked to order quantity
Authors: Shah Nita H. , Gor Ajay S. , Jhaveri Chetan A.
Published: June 2012

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to study integrated inventory system and pricing and ordering strategy for vendor‐buyer supply chain system. Here, the vendor offers a trade credit to the buyer when the buyer's order quantity exceeds a given pre‐specified quantity. Therefore, to incorporate the concept of vendor‐buyer integration and trade credit linked, the authors analyze the model to determine the optimal strategy for an integrated vendor‐buyer inventory system under the condition of credit linked to the order quantity when demand is quadratic.

Design/methodology/approach

A mathematical model for integrated inventory system is developed when demand rate is increasing function of the time and decreasing function of the retail price. By analyzing the total channel profit function, the authors developed some useful results to characterize the optimal solution and provide an iterative algorithm to find the retail price, buyer's order quantity and the number of shipments per production run from the vendor to the buyer.

Findings

By developing a solution algorithm, the optimal retail price, order quantity and number of shipments from the vendor to the buyer are provided. Numerical examples and sensitivity analyses are presented to validate the proposed model. Through extensive numerical analyses, it is observed that a longer credit term increases profits of the player for the entire supply chain. The vendor should establish the threshold for allowing trade credit comprehensively to ensure the greatest benefit for both players.

Originality/value

Most of the research articles available in the literature considered the constant demand or linearly changing demand. In this paper, a mathematical model is developed considering time dependent quadratic demand. Very few researchers have investigated joint optimal policy in vendor‐buyer supply chain system, considering trade credit is linked to order quantity, and still there are not many findings on the benefit of integrated policy and trade credit.
Assessment of occupational health practices in Indian industries
Authors: Shankar Beriha Gouri , Patnaik Bhaswati , Shankar Mahapatra Siba
Published: June 2012

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to assess the perceptions of safety officers on Occupational Health and Safety (OHS) norms extended to the workforce in Indian industries, understand implementation levels and find out deficiencies existing therein.

Design/methodology/approach

In this study, the authors utilized factor analysis to develop an instrument specifically responsible for assessing OHS norms in three major industrial sectors through a broad‐based questionnaire survey. The pattern of influence of input parameters on outputs such as injury level and material damage is difficult to establish, possibly due to existence of some nonlinear relationship among them. Therefore, a neural network approach is adopted to carry out sensitivity analysis and identify important deficient items.

Findings

Exploratory factor analysis has been carried out on the responses to the designed questionnaire. In total, nine factors with 23 items have been extracted and interpreted. As neural networks are capable of mimicking human cognitive process, the perceptions mechanism of safety officers can be easily modeled via neural networks. Sector‐wise deficient items have been identified and strategies for their improvement have been proposed.

Research limitations/implications

The major limitation may be the number of industrial sectors considered in the study. Although the proposed model is quite generic, its performance needs to be tested with other categories of industries.

Practical implications

Although perceptions of safety officers on their immediate work environment help to formulate constructive safety policy and procedures, involvement of a few representatives from the workforce during the implementation level may assist to substantially reduce injury level and material damage, since the workers are more conversant with work practices, are exposed to risk environments and can sustain injuries if accidents occur.

Originality/value

The paper uses advanced statistical and intelligent techniques for assessment of OHS practices. A comparative evaluation of present practices among three major types of Indian industry has been made. Further, the paper proposes an OHS instrument for Indian industry. The paper offers new directions for researchers to devise a comprehensive methodology that aims at reducing occupational health risks.
Successful R&D management cooperation between China and Australia
Authors: Sofo Francesco , Leong Ta‐Yan , Sofo Michelle
Published: June 2012

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to identify from the literature the successful R&D management cooperation factors and then examine their relevance to R&D management cooperation efforts between China and Australia.

Design/methodology/approach

The case study method is used to encourage a deeper appreciation of the dynamics of R&D management projects. A theoretical framework is constructed based on the literature to highlight factors of successful R&D management, and this framework is then applied to a case study involving the Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS) and the Australian Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO).

Findings

The result is a hybrid multi‐dimensional model incorporating cultural and social capital variables. Several critical success factors were found to exist: funding, government support, institutional support, complementary technology and expertise, mutual respect and strong commitment from leadership. One additional critical success factor was the bilingual expertise of facilitators who manage to help bridge the gaps between both intellectual capital (technical expertise) and cultural differences.

Practical implications

The framework of successful R&D cooperation identified in this study can act as a springboard for applying the successful principles in broader cases of R&D management cooperation.

Originality/value

The value of this study lies in the development of a model for successful cross‐cultural application of R&D management cooperation between China, Australia and (by extension) other countries that may foster successful cooperation, build global empathy and create inclusive competitive advantage.
Forms of technological spillovers from multinational companies to small and medium food companies in Nigeria
Authors: Oluwajoba Abereijo Isaac , Oluwagbemiga Ilori Matthew , Olomola Phillip A.
Published: June 2012

Purpose

Foreign direct investment (FDI) provides a source of new technologies, processes, products, and management skills. Thus, the inflow of foreign knowledge and technology though FDI may lead to technological spillovers to the local economy resulting in higher productivity and overall economic growth. Over the years, there have existed many FDIs in Nigeria in the form of multinational companies (MNCs), especially in food industry. The purpose of this paper is to assess the various forms of technological spillovers from MNCs to domestic small and medium food companies (SMFCs) in Nigeria, with a view to determining their nature and extent.

Design/methodology/approach

The study employed a multi‐stage sampling method. First, three States from Southwestern Nigeria, where the activities of MNCs are prominent, were purposively chosen. Then, five sub‐sectors of food companies, where the majority of domestic food companies are represented were selected; out of which 200 food companies were chosen for the study through stratified random sampling technique. The primary data were collected through structured questionnaire administered on the selected companies, to elicit information on the various forms of technological spillovers that had taken place.

Findings

The various forms of spillovers from the MNCs to the domestic SMFCs in Nigeria were linkages, investment in human capital, and labour turnover. Most of the SMFCs indicated linkages with MNCs, and the relationship was mainly forward type. About 50 per cent and 7 per cent domestic SMFCs benefitted from the training opportunities and from technical assistance from MNCs, respectively. Also, 37.5 per cent of the owner managers had working experience from MNCs in the areas of research and development, production or operation, quality control, and administration. The changes effected in their production technology included embarking on more efficient production and efficient use of existing resources.

Originality/value

Previous studies on technological spillover measured spillovers in terms of productivity gains rather than through technological learning, capability building, and linkages activities. The paper re‐conceptualises technological spillover from MNCs by linking the spillover occurrence to the technological changes associated with the production capability.
Dimensions of the learning organization in an Indian context
Authors: Awasthy Richa , Gupta Rajen K.
Published: June 2012

Purpose

The primary purpose of this paper is to examine the relationship between people‐level learning dimensions, structural level‐learning dimensions and performance outcomes. The paper proposes and tests the original classification of dimensions of learning organization as given by Watkins and Marsick.

Design/methodology/approach

The Dimensions of the Learning Organization Questionnaire (DLOQ) by Watkins and Marsick was adopted to gauge the relationship between people‐level learning dimensions, structural‐level learning dimensions and performance outcomes. In a modified model, empowerment was tested as a structural level dimension in the Indian context, while in previous studies carried out by Yang and Yang et al., it was treated as a people‐level dimension. This study adopted the smaller form of DLOQ and data were collected from 292 executives working in different types of organizations: manufacturing, consultancy, KPO, BPO, financial services and others, representing mostly domestic private, public sector organizations and multinational companies operating in the Indian National Capital Region.

Findings

The study results revealed that the relationship between people‐level learning dimensions and performance outcomes is mediated by structural‐level learning dimensions in the Indian cultural context. Statistical analyses revealed that the DLOQ has reasonable reliability in the Indian context. The findings are explained in relation to relevant context.

Originality/value

The value added is that the relationship between people‐level learning dimensions and performance outcomes is mediated by structural‐level learning dimensions in the Indian cultural context. This study confirms the validity of applying the DLOQ as determinants of a learning organization in the Indian context.
A comparative study of the financial problems faced by micro, small and medium enterprises in the manufacturing sector of Fiji and Tonga
Authors: Naidu Suwastika , Chand Anand
Published: June 2012

Purpose

Globally, there is an increased recognition of the important role played by micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) in the economic development of a country. Similarly, in the South Pacific region, MSMEs is the main engine behind the economic growth. In particular, MSMEs is one of the biggest contributors to GDP, employment and plays a core role in the supply chain of large businesses. One of the major problems faced by MSMEs in South Pacific Island countries is a lack of finance to advance business growth. Against this backdrop, the purpose of this paper will be to examine the financial obstacles faced by MSMEs.

Design/methodology/approach

The main objective of this study is to explore the financial obstacles faced by MSMEs in the manufacturing sector of Fiji and Tonga. In particular, this research tries to evaluate the severity of the impact of each of the financial obstacles on the growth and survival of MSMEs in Fiji and Tonga.

Findings

The research involved conducting a survey of 200 MSMEs in Fiji and Tonga. The study concluded that financial problems faced by the MSMEs could be divided into three broad categories: financing problems; operational and administrative problems; and sales and debtors problems. The 19 financial obstacles tested in this research falls under these broad categories.

Originality/value

This research is original and highly value to a wide range of readers. Scholars, practitioners, aid donors are widely interested to understand the status of MSMEs in Fiji and Tonga. Research of this nature has never been conducted in Fiji.
An empirical examination of volatility spillover between the Indian and US swap markets
Authors: Bhargava Vivek , Malhotra D.K. , Russel Philip , Singh Rahul
Published: June 2012

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to examine if the volatility in the US dollar interest rate swap market impacts the volatility of the swap rates in the Indian swap market.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors use GARCH, EGARCH, and TGARCH modeling to examine volatility spillover between the US and Indian interest rate swap markets.

Findings

Evidence is found of volatility transmission from the US dollar interest rate swap markets to the Indian swap markets. There is no evidence of spillover from the Indian swap markets to the US swap markets. Furthermore, the spillover impact from the US markets to the Indian markets is also asymmetric. The impact on volatility is asymmetric for one‐year swaps, but not for five‐year swaps.

Practical implications

Findings from this study will also identify any arbitrage opportunities that may exist between different segments of the US dollar interest rate swap markets and help to improve interest rate swap market efficiency.

Originality/value

If the financial market liberalization process in these nations has been successful in integrating their market into the pool of the world market, then a foreign investor would not demand a risk‐premium in the returns on deposits in these markets. The findings of this paper are also relevant for other emerging markets' policy makers, as they try to become more integrated in the global economy and try to resolve market inefficiencies and country risk so that obstacles to foreign investments can be removed.
Liquidity gaps in financing the SME sector in an emerging market: evidence from Poland
Authors: Klonowski Darek
Published: June 2012

Purpose

Access to finance appears to be the largest challenge for entrepreneurial firms from the small to medium‐sized enterprise (SME) sector in Poland. To address this concern, the government embarked on a program to yield financial and know‐how assistance to the SME sector. The purpose of this paper is to evaluate public intervention in this area.

Design/methodology/approach

The study focuses on the analysis of primary data. The sampling frame for the study consisted of 278,088 firms from the SME sector in the Warsaw region. The sample size was equal to 500 firms from the SME sector. Questionnaires from 262 respondents were included in the study, for an effective response rate of 52 percent.

Findings

The study concludes that there are still pronounced liquidity gaps for firms in the SME sector in Poland and that the government programs are not effective in closing these liquidity gaps.

Originality/value

Problems with access to capital continue to be a challenge to developing a vibrant SME sector in Poland and a lack of access to capital is consistently quoted as the major obstacle to the development of the SME sector in Poland. The paper offers three policy recommendations in relation to closing liquidity gaps in the SME sector.
Mexican adolescents' risky sexual behavior and migration intentions
Authors: Ayers Stephanie L. , Marsiglia Flavio F. , Hoffman Steven , Urbaeva Jildyz , Booth Jaime
Published: June 2012

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to identify the association between risky sexual behaviors and migration intentions among adolescents living in Guanajuato, Mexico.

Design/methodology/approach

Data were collected by self‐administered questionnaires to students enrolled in an alternative schooling system in Guanajuato, Mexico, during the school year of 2006‐2007. The sample size for this study includes 538 unmarried students, 35 percent male, ages 14‐19. Ordinal logistic regression is used to estimate the odds of engaging in risky sexual behaviors.

Findings

The results reveal that male adolescents with higher intentions to migrate have significantly higher odds of engaging in risky sexual behaviors than both males who are less interested in migrating and females, regardless of their migration intentions.

Practical implications

Interventions on both sides of the US/Mexico border are needed in order to address this concern particularly among males who express a desire to migrate to the US someday.

Social implications

These findings highlight the importance of examining risky sexual behaviors even before migration to the US occurs. By engaging in high risk sexual behaviors prior to migrating, adolescents are putting themselves and both their sexual partners in Mexico and their future sexual partners in the US at increased risk of contracting STIs and HIV.

Originality/value

The study examined risky sexual behavior of adolescents in Mexico prior to migration. Knowledge about risky sexual behaviors prior to departure is vital for policy makers and researchers as they seek to design and implement interventions aimed at quelling this growing public health concern.
Access and effective use of healthcare services by temporary migrants in Cyprus
Authors: Pithara Christalla , Zembylas Michalinos , Theodorou Mamas
Published: June 2012

Purpose

This paper aims to discuss factors affecting temporary migrants' ability to access and make effective use of public and private healthcare services in the Republic of Cyprus (hereafter referred to as Cyprus). These factors are raised in the context of a larger study focusing on the healthcare needs of temporary migrants from non‐EU countries living and working in Cyprus.

Design/methodology/approach

Semi‐structured interviews with 13 domestic workers and 17 students from Sri Lanka, Pakistan, Bangladesh, India and the Philippines explored migrants' experiences with accessing and utilizing healthcare services in Cyprus. The theoretical framework utilized is grounded in the health capability approach which focuses on individuals' confidence and ability to be effective in achieving optimal health.

Findings

The study highlights issues concerning the accessibility and acceptability of healthcare services which emerge as the result of both the organisation and delivery of healthcare services and social, political and economic structures.

Research limitations/implications

The implications of this study are relevant in the current debate taking place at the EU level about the opportunities and challenges of temporary migration. Specifically, it is argued that governments and societies should promote individual freedoms and opportunities that empower people to lead the lives they want to live.

Originality/value

Temporary migrants form a group whose experiences and needs have not been as extensively investigated as those of other migrant groups, particularly in Cyprus. The capability approach allows for assessing both policy and health systems taking into consideration equity and the impact of multi‐sectoral influences on health.
Private label drugs in China: the consumer perspective
Authors: Zhou Zhiliang , Xue Yajiong , Ping Qineng
Published: June 2012

Purpose

This paper's aim is to investigate how Chinese consumers' purchase intention of private label drugs is associated with price advantage, appearance, store trust, manufacturer trust, and drug quality.

Design/methodology/approach

A survey study was conducted in two large cities in China. Subjects were asked to decide whether they would purchase a private label drug over a national brand drug and to evaluate a set of related factors. Data were collected from 230 consumers.

Findings

A total of 45 percent of the variance in private label drug purchase intention is explained by the five predictors. Price advantage, store trust, manufacturer trust, and drug quality are all significantly related to purchase intention, whereas appearance is not. None of the control variables (age, gender, health literacy, and income) has a significant relationship with purchase intention. Product quality and service quality are significant predictors of store trust, accounting for 44 percent of its variance.

Practical implications

The private label drug market has great potential in China, yet little is known about what factors influence Chinese consumers' intention to purchase private label drugs.

Originality/value

This paper is one of the first attempts to achieve an in‐depth understanding in this area. The findings of this research will benefit drug retailers and manufacturers who are interested in the Chinese market.
Exploring relationship between authority leadership and organizational citizenship behavior in China
Authors: Hongyu Ning , Mingjian Zhou , Qiang Lu , Liqun Wen
Published: June 2012

Purpose

Authority leadership (AL) is one of the most distinctive dimensions of paternalistic leadership (PL), and it is recognized that PL is the most common leader behavior in the Chinese organizational context. Although considerable state‐of‐the‐art research work regarding the concept and dimensions of AL has been done, extensive empirical studies based on using the data from both individual and team levels to examine the effectiveness from the values viewpoint, e.g. Collectivism, attract little attention. The purpose of this paper is to investigate the relationship between AL and organizational citizenship behavior (OCB). To address this issue, the role of collectivism to analyze the relationship between AL and OCB, at both individual and team levels in the Chinese organizational context, is explored.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper focuses on analyzing the role of collectivism in the relationship between AL and OCB. To this end, the authors draw on a sample set of 320 supervisor‐subordinate dyads from 32 branches of a beauty chain shop in the cities of Shenzhen and Zhuhai, China. After sending out questionnaires to 32 supervisors and 320 beauticians, 31 supervisors and 245 beauticians provided effective feedback. With the help of SPSS 17.0 statistical software, the data from the sample set are analyzed rather than self‐reported. Furthermore, the authors study the relationship between AL and OCB, the mediating effect, and the moderating role of collectivism, respectively.

Findings

The findings of this paper can be described from two levels. At the individual level, AL positively influences employee's OCB through the mediating effect of collectivism; and collectivism is capable of moderating the main effect. At the team level: AL positively influences Team OCB (TOCB) through the mediating effect of Team Collectivism (TC); and TC also moderates the main effect.

Research limitations/implications

Due to space limitations, the authors only consider the effect of collectivism; other dimensions of values which may have similar effect to the mechanism of the relationship between AL and OCB are not taken into account.

Originality/value

The paper shows that both AL and collectivism enhance OCB, and collectivism is the moderator of the relationship between AL and OCB. Since the moderating effect mechanism is different between individual and team levels, there should be more focus on AL and values. It is expected that the obtained results are significant in both theory and practice for the Chinese leadership research and application. Moreover, the paper presents some comments on the implication of this work and future research issues.