bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
From re‐presentation to re‐creation
Authors: Svensson Peter
Published: October 2009

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to explore the possibilities of letting ideas from ethnomethodology inform a radicalisation (i.e. going to the roots) of interviewing in management and organization studies.

Design/methodology/approach

The argument draws upon insights from discourse and conversation analysis, in particular the acknowledgement of the productive function of language use in social life.

Findings

A radicalised approach to interviews is one that tries to abstain from letting the interview talk represent an organizational reality “out there.” The aim of radicalised interviewing is rather that of trying to identify situations and practices within the organization that resemble the interview situation.

Research limitations/implications

Interview research within management and organization studies needs to take into consideration that the relation between interview accounts and organizational reality is one of the re‐creation rather than re‐presentation. This insight has implications for both the interview practice and the analysis of interview material. The challenge for the interviewer is to contribute to an interview situation that enables the re‐creation of organizational reality.

Practical implications

The practice of interviewing in business practice offers the same kind of problems as the research interview, and thus needs to take into consideration the re‐creational nature of the interview situation.

Originality/value

The paper attempts to complete the linguistic turn and explore the radical consequences for the practice of interviewing. Doing so, the paper contributes to the self‐reflexive methodological debate in a way that tries to avoid pragmatic and inconsistent argumentation.
Organizational ethnography and methodological angst: myths and challenges in the field
Authors: Yanow Dvora
Published: October 2009

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to assess the myths and challenges in the field of organizational ethnography and methodological angst.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper is initially written as an invited keynote address for the 3rd Annual Joint Symposium on “Current Developments in Ethnographic Research in the Social and Management Sciences” (University of Liverpool Management School and Keele University Institute for Public Policy and Management, Liverpool, September 3‐5, 2008). It explores what might be distinctive about organizational ethnography and how that might be different from “anthropological” ethnography. In particular, it engages a kind of collective methodological performance anxiety among organizational studies scholars without formal training in anthropology who do ethnographic research.

Findings

The paper argues that it is time to be explicit about a variety of forms of professional angst that many ethnographic researchers within organizational studies carry which have not been discussed.

Originality/value

The paper is of value to those willing to consider the myths and challenges that need engaging and perhaps uprooting and casting off.
Sowing strategic alliances in the Americas
Authors: Gouvea Raul , Kassicieh Sul
Published: October 2009

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to investigate the impact of increasing trade and investment relations between China and Latin American economies. The paper focuses on the threats and opportunities that permeate this relationship.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper surveys existing literature and secondary data in Spanish, Portuguese, and in English to investigate the different ramifications of this dynamic relationship between China and Latin American economies.

Findings

After analyzing trade and investment trends and data, it is clear that Latin American economies must make changes to increase their participation in the Chinese market. Direct involvement with China is inherently risky, however, the opportunities obviously make the alliance necessary. Latin American economies are under increasing pressure to revamp their business environments and to implement long‐term strategies in order to compete more efficiently with China, domestically and in third‐markets. China has showed Latin American economies that investments in education, R&D, innovation, infrastructure, and friendly business policies, both facilitate and foster the creation of new competitive advantages.

Originality/value

This paper highlights and contributes to a better understanding of the ongoing challenges and opportunities permeating the Chinese Latin America's trade and investment relationship, as well as a indicating a number of areas for further study.
To what extent has the process of globalisation reduced the national growth process in Europe?
Authors: Floyd David , McManus John
Published: October 2009

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to explore the challenges faced by European leaders in the twenty‐first century economy.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper is an exploratory and expository review of the relationship and contributions made by politicians of individual countries.

Findings

The paper suggests that opposition parties are offering little in the way of alternative policies in most European Union (EU) countries. For most countries that endorse the globalisation process, this is unlikely to change and in the EU.

Originality/value

This paper allows researchers and practitioners to gain an understanding of European integration and theories of globalisation to build a contextual picture of the challenges faced by European leaders.
Corporate social disclosure in Libya
Authors: Pratten John D. , Abdulhamid Mashat Adel
Published: October 2009

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to examine corporate social disclosure in Libya so as to determine if it follows the western capitalist model or whether it has developed its own distinct characteristics resulting from influences of the Islamic and socialist environment in which it operates.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper arrives at a definition of western CSR, discovers the reasons that firms make disclosures, and then considers the key influences on Libyan society. It finally studies disclosure in 56 of its companies.

Findings

The results suggest that the emphasis on CSR disclosure in Libya is different from that to be found in the west.

Research limitations/implications

Before final conclusions can be drawn, more companies would need to be studied, from a wider variety of industries.

Originality/value

Despite the limitations, the paper offers an insight into a socialist and Islamic approach to corporate social disclosures.
Corporate social responsibility (CSR) reporting: a study of selected banking companies in Bangladesh
Authors: Khan Habib‐Uz‐Zaman , Halabi Abdel K. , Samy Martin
Published: October 2009

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to examine corporate social responsibility (CSR) reporting by banks in the developing economy of Bangladesh. This paper also aims to examine the users' perceptions relating to CSR disclosures issues.

Design/methodology/approach

The study collected two types of data. First the annual reports of 20 selected banking companies, which are listed in Dhaka Stock Exchange (DSE), were considered. A questionnaire was also used to investigate the level of users' understanding and their perception of CSR reporting.

Findings

The principal findings are twofold: first, the study shows that the selected banking companies did some (albeit little) CSR reporting on a voluntary basis. Second, that the user groups are in favor of CSR reporting, and would like to see more disclosure. The current disclosures by the selected banks, however, are not ample at all to measure the social responsiveness of the organizations.

Originality/value

The paper provides useful informaiton on users' perceptions relating to CSR disclosures issues.
Corporate social reporting in Malaysia: a case of mimicking the West or succumbing to local pressure
Authors: Amran Azlan , Siti‐Nabiha A.K.
Published: October 2009

Purpose

The primary objective of this paper is to explore and interpret the perceptions and motives of selected Malaysian managers on CSR by using Institutional theory.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper attempts to explain the local CSR trend by interviewing senior managers from selected companies who have been identified as good reporters. The interview findings are analysed systematically and narrated in order to capture the spontaneity and candidness of the reporters' feelings on CSR practices and motives. The data are than interpreted through the lens of institutional theory.

Findings

Despite low level of awareness of CSR, there is an increasing trend of reporters. A popular reason given by the respondents to explain this paradox is the need to follow the reporting trend, echoing the finding of an earlier study by Mohamad Zain. By following the reporting trend, the companies expect to be accepted as one of the international players. This mimetic action taken by some of the companies reflects the pressure of globalisation where social and environmental issues have taken centre stage. Based on the overall findings, the rising trend in the number of reporters can only find its explanation in western mimicry.

Practical implications

The study uncovers some of the motives for the adoption of CSR by companies in developing countries. Rather than relying on the western experience of CSR, which is well published in established journals, this study provides useful and unique insights into a developing country's CSR experience that can be used as a trajectory to understand the experiences of developing countries as a whole.

Originality/value

This paper offers an important insight about the CSR practices through the institutional theory perspective.
The effect of globalization on commitment to ethical corporate governance and corporate social responsibility in Lebanon
Authors: Charbaji Abdulrazzak
Published: October 2009

Purpose

This paper aims to explore the effect of globalization on a commitment to the principles of corporate social responsibility (CSR) and ethical corporate governance in Lebanon.

Design/methodology/approach

A sample of 278 university educated employees of public and private firms in Lebanon were asked to complete a self‐administered questionnaire on various issues related to corporate governance. The data were then subjected to multiple regression analyses to establish the nature of relationships among constructs.

Findings

The study finds that commitment to ethical corporate governance among public‐sector organizations in Lebanon is mainly influenced by globalization and a desire to practice CSR, whereas such commitment among private‐sector organizations is mainly influenced by vision, a code of ethics, and a desire to practice CSR.

Research limitations/implications

Because the concept of corporate governance is a relatively new notion in Lebanon, the selection of a relevant population from which to draw information was difficult. The use of a university‐educated sample has some advantages in terms of the respondents' relative familiarity with the subject under study, but can also have disadvantages in terms of possible sample bias.

Practical implications

Effective corporate governance can be achieved in Lebanon by building new corporate values within organizations and acknowledging the links that exist among environmental, economic, social, technological, and cultural values. Employees in both the public and private sectors in Lebanon should be educated about the importance of globalization, gender equality, and environmental protection, without any feelings of guilt that some of these ideas might contradict their traditional socio‐cultural values.

Originality/value

Given the general paucity of research on Lebanon, this study makes a significant contribution to knowledge about the emerging concepts of corporate governance and CSR in this country.
Spatial visualization and the gender gap in videogame interest among young adults
Authors: Dean Dwane H.
Published: October 2009

Purpose

Videogame play is more popular among young males compared with young females. The present study aims to investigate spatial visualization ability as an explanation for this gender gap. The premise is based on a well‐documented gender difference in spatial ability favoring males and assumes that spatial ability would be an advantage in playing videogames. Also, reports in the literature indicate improvement in spatial ability following videogame play, suggesting that play may specifically task spatial ability.

Design/methodology/approach

A convenience sample of 114 university students aged 18 to 24 answered questions on attitudes and videogame behavior and completed a psychometric test of spatial visualization ability.

Findings

Regression analysis indicated that interest in videogame play is significantly predicted by gender, interest in science fiction, and number of semesters of foreign language completed (with the latter having a negative influence). Mediation analysis suggested that neither of the latter two variables mediates the gender effect. Although spatial visualization ability was significantly correlated with videogame interest, this was found to be a spurious (non‐causal) association, due to both variables being influenced by gender.

Research limitations/implications

Limitations include the narrow age range of subjects (18‐24) and the focus of the study on spatial visualization ability and a limited number of other variables.

Originality/value

The finding that semesters of foreign language completed and interest in science fiction significantly predict videogame interest is apparently novel. The former variable may be a proxy for preference for verbal (semantic) information processing over visual information processing, and this may explain the significant negative correlation between semesters of foreign language completed and videogame interest.
How do children develop their aesthetic sensibility?
Authors: Ezan Pascale , Lagier Joëlle
Published: October 2009

Purpose

The objective of this research is to understand how children develop their aesthetic sensibility. This question will be examined using modern art pictures and logos.

Design/methodology/approach

The study refers to a qualitative method based on interviews with children aged 7 to 12. A total of 24 children were questioned. In order to reinforce the corpus, the authors tried to even out the proportion of girls and boys and to vary their social origins. The study was conducted during the summer of 2007 in three activity centers situated in the west of France.

Findings

The paper indicates clearly a strong aesthetic sensibility in children. Visual beauty is the first criterion used for ranking in the scale of preference. The research also brings to light three individual characteristics that can be taken into account to understand how children develop their aesthetic judgment: involvement, age, and gender.

Research limitations/implications

The study confirms the need to combine the methods of gathering data when dealing with children. The interviews raised a number of interesting points. However, an obstacle presented itself in the shape of the silence of a few children who were apparently troubled by the difficulty of the questions they were asked or by their lack of verbal skills to formulate their preferences clearly.

Practical implications

Concerning the managerial aspect, the three individual characteristics of a child aesthetic sensibility (involvement, age, and sex) could bring important indications to manufacturers who trade on the markets for children.

Originality/value

Regarding the academic aspect, it is the first research that deals with the influence of aesthetic judgment of a child on the choice of products.
Understanding what Christmas gifts mean to children
Authors: Halkoaho Jenniina , Laaksonen Pirjo
Published: October 2009

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to understand what Christmas gifts mean to children by examining the features and styles of the letters that children write to Santa Claus.

Design/methodology/approach

Contents and style of 314 authentic letters sent by UK children to Santa Claus were analyzed using an underlying interpretive consumer research approach.

Findings

Letters to Santa contain expressions of needs, wants, desires, hopes and dreams related to Christmas. The majority of letters were identified as expressions of wants and desires, while only a few letters contained features of needs or dreaming. This implies that for children Christmas seems to be a rather unspiritual festival concerning having things rather than dreams coming true.

Research limitations/implications

The generalization of findings is limited to Western welfare societies. Letters are not originally written for research purposes, and therefore lack background information about the writers and their writing situations.

Practical implications

Analysis of letters to Santa offers an opportunity to identify the spirit of postmodern consumption with its contradictory aspects, and understand children as consumers. It is essential to recognize and understand the nature of the desires of today's children as they are an influential set of consumers.

Originality/value

The paper offers insights about the contemporary Christmas gift giving from the point of view of children. Contrary to previous studies, the central focus of the analysis is on gift request styles and letters as meaningful entities, not just on product categories or brands as such.
Consumers' perceptions: an analytical study of influence of consumer emotions and response
Authors: Kapoor Avinash , Kulshrestha Chinmaya
Published: October 2009

Purpose

Companies are increasingly attempting to offer customers an experience of availability range, affordable cost, shopping convenience, and ambience. The purpose of this paper is to determine the impact of salesperson behavior on motivation, cognition, emotions, and responses of the consumers and to identify different responses to sales interaction according to their different perceptions. The purpose of this paper is to address the role of salesperson behavior and motivation mind‐set during the interactive sales encounter experience and whether they affect a consumer cognitions, emotions, and outcome behaviors.

Design/methodology/approach

Based on a literature review, a conceptual model is developed for this paper.

Findings

This paper has significant implications in terms of not only understanding the mechanisms that underlie selling effectiveness but also the role of consumer psychographics, sales encounter experience, and salespersons behavior influencing purchase decision making.

Originality/value

From a managerial perspective, the paper contributes from a prescriptive stand point in terms of enabling sales people to select effective selling behaviors based on more than overt demographic characteristics. Theoretical contributions include examining the relationship among motivation, emotion, and cognition in an interpersonal sales interaction experience.
Wealth effects of the pharmaceutical industry‐physician interaction compliance guidelines on large pharmaceutical companies
Authors: Jambulingam Thani , Sharma Rajneesh , Ghani WaQar
Published: October 2009

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to investigate the wealth effects of the issuance of guidelines by the Office of Inspector General (OIG) to encourage pharmaceutical manufacturers to use internal controls or self‐regulation “to efficiently monitor adherence to applicable statutes, regulations, and program requirements” in their marketing to the physicians.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors employ a standard event‐study methodology to examine the impact on shareholders of 12 large pharmaceutical firms around four events leading up to the final guidance issued by the OIG.

Findings

The overall results indicate a net wealth loss for the sample firms.

Research limitations/implications

Interpretation of results warrants caution since the sample is biased toward large multinational pharmaceutical firms that are listed on the USA stock exchanges. The issuance of high‐level government policy initiative triggers a pharmaceutical industry response that in turn mitigated firms' questionable marketing practices. The government accomplishes this without instituting regulation but by taking the dialogue to a wide‐ranging and highly public forum.

Originality/value

The empirical results suggest that a public policy initiative that impacts shareholder wealth could alter firm (industry) behavior thereby sparing government from enacting regulation and potentially saving exorbitant regulatory enactment, enforcement, and policing costs. The results also provide credence to the argument that the hybrid systems, ones that combine industry rule making with government oversight, provide the greatest potential for overall benefits to society.
An analysis of e‐Participation research: moving from theoretical to pragmatic viewpoint
Authors: Mustafa Kamal Muhammad
Published: October 2009

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to analyse the research conducted in the area of electronic participation (e‐Participation).

Design/methodology/approach

The paper investigates and assesses both theoretical and pragmatic findings published in the normative literature.

Findings

The synthesis of the research findings exemplifies that the foremost dominant research studies to e‐Participation advocated and conducted by several researchers are: theoretical perspective on e‐Participation; e‐Participation technological solutions; governance models in public administration; policy making lifecycle models; and location‐based e‐Participation services. Analysis of these research studies has identified a literature void requiring a new stream of research mainly focusing on developing a ubiquitous platform that allows citizens to be involved in government policy‐making processes (PMPs).

Research limitations/implications

The combination of theoretical conceptions, analysis of the normative literature and empirical findings presented in this paper illustrates the start of research on e‐Participation. However, the theoretical and empirical findings accumulated accentuate that one of the reasons that make citizens de‐motivated in participating in the policy making, is the ignorance of relevant policies and PMPs in government sector. Therefore, it is suggested that the more the citizens find connections between their anticipated activities and relevant policies, the more they become pro‐active to be involved in government PMPs.

Originality/value

The prime significance and uniqueness of the research presented in this paper lies in proposing a platform that allows citizens to participate in government PMPs regardless of their current locations and time. This has been achieved by analysing and synthesising existing research studies theorised in the normative literature. The proposed platform aims to provide context aware knowledge provision with regards to policy making. That is citizens using this platform will be alerted to relevant policies and PMPs when they are moving around physical places according to their as‐usual life pattern at the work, commerce, education, etc.
Impact of PPPs to broadband diffusion in Europe
Authors: Lattemann Christoph , Stieglitz Stefan , Kupke Sören , Schneider Anna‐Maria
Published: October 2009

Purpose

Broadband access plays a major role for economic growth and for social and cultural development of urban and rural areas. A provision of broadband infrastructure and services in these areas is not attractive for private investments because of a low or even negative expected rate on return. The purpose of this paper is to identify different modes of public private partnership (PPP) funding and organizational models of collaborations among public and private partners to establish broadband infrastructures. Decision makers get insights about innovative financial and structural models to bring broadband into rural areas.

Design/methodology/approach

Organizational and financial structures of PPP projects will be analyzed by six PPP case studies from the broadband sector in Sweden, Great Britain, and France. This research adopts a data triangulation approach.

Findings

A comparative case study analysis about “broadband‐PPPs” from different countries depicts that the organizational and financial funding models differ from project to project. PPPs represent a good alternative to build a broadband infrastructure through mutual collaboration between public and private partners. The examined case studies verify that a PPP is an appropriate instrument to implement broadband infrastructures, especially in case of market failure.

Research limitations/implications

The paper is mainly based on case studies. Thus, the significance of the derived results is limited.

Practical implications

Companies in the sector of telecommunication as well as decision makers learn about different financing models to implement broadband in rural areas and to increase broadband penetration.

Originality/value

This contribution shows that there are relationships among three key factors of PPPs: environmental conditions (risk, social structures, density of population, etc.), organizational model, and funding modes. This knowledge helps researchers and decision makers to measure different scenarios to bring broadband access into rural areas.
Observations on the UK transformational government strategy relative to citizen data sharing and privacy
Authors: Combe Colin
Published: October 2009

Purpose

One of the key aims of the UK's Transformational Government strategy is to create a “joined‐up” government where communications within and between public organisations is improved by the use of information technology. Data sharing is a key enabler of “joined‐up” government but the implementation of the strategy presents a series of risks. The purpose of this paper is to articulate and assess the nature of those risks in relation to violations of existing laws using the National Pupil Database (NPD) in England as a case study.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper investigates examples of violations of EU law relating to rights to privacy of data sharing practices within the UK public sector using an interpretive approach to existing published information. The case of the NPD illustrates how certain identified data sharing practices contravene existing laws and exposes this aspect of the Transformational Government strategy to heightened risk of a legal challenge.

Findings

Four examples of violations of existing EU laws on privacy are identified from an investigation into the NPD for schools in England. The analysis exposes the imbalance between the data sharing practices underpinning the Transformational Government strategy in the UK and the requirements for fulfilling privacy protection rights to citizens enshrined in EU law. The findings reveal that data sharing practices as a key enabler of the Transformational Government strategy risks violating existing laws designed to protect privacy. The UK government risks a legal challenge, the outcome of which may seriously undermine the prospects for achieving the stated aim of improving efficiency and effectiveness across the public sector.

Research limitations/implications

The paper is largely restricted to the NPD for schools in England. The findings would be strengthened by expanding the research into other areas of the public sector where data sharing practices have been implemented.

Originality/value

The findings are a significant and timely contribution to understanding the data sharing/privacy tension that ministers and legislators need to address. The work provides an insight into where weaknesses exist within current arrangements that is of value to policymakers, legislators, human rights advocates and government authorities at both central and local levels.
Exploring citizens' perception of government to citizen services
Authors: Emrah Kanat İrfan , Özkan Sevgi
Published: October 2009

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to demonstrate the importance of undertaking a systemic view of evaluating the success of government to citizen (G2C) services and identifying the salient factors related with citizens' low adoption of G2C services.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper adopts a quantitative case perspective and derives a conceptual research model that encompasses various dimensions of e‐government that relate to citizen adoption behaviour within the framework of theory of planned behaviour (TPB). The model is empirically tested for validity and reliability.

Findings

Quantitative findings have been presented, which will be valuable for academics and practitioners doing research in identifying factors for e‐government adoption.

Research limitations/implications

Further research efforts should explore new dimensions or test the causal relationships among proposed factors within the boundary of e‐government. In that, the paper is limited contextually where attention should be made not to generalise the findings beyond the empirical findings within the case analysis.

Practical implications

The paper supports a practitioner perspective through a consideration of a holistic approach to e‐government adoption that relate to citizen adoption behaviour. e‐Government system developers may find the findings useful when designing and implementing an e‐government system.

Originality/value

The paper is original and is the first phase of a research study. It provides an innovative approach to e‐government adoption based on TPB.
Atmospherics and consumers' symbolic interpretations of hedonic services
Authors: Joseph‐Mathews Sacha , Bonn Mark A. , Snepenger David
Published: October 2009

Purpose

The purpose of this research is to examine the impact of atmospherics on consumer symbolic interpretations, and various psychological outcomes in a purely hedonic service environment.

Design/methodology/approach

Field data were collected from 500 respondents in Florida across four hedonic service attraction sites and then analyzed using MANOVA in SPSS. A mediation method proposed by Baron and Kenny is utilized to determine the mediating role of consumer symbolic interpretations in the nomological network.

Findings

There were four major findings. First, similar to other service sectors, environmental factors do play a critical role in determining behavioral intentions in hedonic services. Second, patrons conceptualize hedonic attractions/services in terms of both utilitarian and hedonic components. Third, consumer symbolic perceptions (meanings) do affect behavioral intentions. Finally, consumers do evaluate their service environments (ambient, design and layout and social factors) differently depending on the meanings they attach to a service environment.

Research limitations/implications

Managers can tailor service environments to match the symbolic interpretations and behavioral outcomes they would like to foster in order to maximize monies spent on physical upgrades. Additional work is needed in the area of consumer meanings and symbolic interpretations.

Originality/value

The study indicates that the service environment can be used as a differentiating tool to perpetuate brand meaning and uniqueness in the minds of the consumer, thereby creating a competitive advantage for the hedonic facilities and by extension ensuring repeat patronage.
Independent theatres and the creation of a fringe atmosphere
Authors: Frew Elspeth , Ali‐Knight Jane
Published: October 2009

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to establish the image and associated impression of atmosphere created by independent theatres at two fringe festivals namely, Edinburgh Fringe Festival and Melbourne Festival Fringe.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper contains a content analysis of promotional materials produced by the independent theatres for their involvement in their respective fringe festival.

Findings

The atmosphere created is of fringe festivals replete with serious experimental theatrical productions, with independent theatres being the home of alternative ideas and the performers being skilled in the production of the art form.

Research limitations/implications

The atmosphere created by the independent theatres is similar to that projected by the fringe festival overall.

Practical implications

The paper highlights the importance of the fringe festival organisers establishing a strong working relationship with the managers of independent theatres to ensure the most appropriate promotional material is used to attract the desired target audience to the fringe festival.

Originality/value

This paper is of value as most festival‐related literature provides only a passing mention to atmosphere whereas this paper investigates atmosphere in more depth. The paper adds to the limited research on fringe festivals.
Culture cushion: inherently positive inter‐cultural tourist experiences
Authors: Hartman Katherine B. , Meyer Tracy , Scribner Lisa L.
Published: October 2009

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to develop and test a new measure called the “culture cushion” to account for the inherent positivity surrounding the inter‐cultural tourist experience.

Design/methodology/approach

The first study involved the identification of items for the culture cushion construct and included a semi‐structured questionnaire and a panel discussion. The second study assessed unidimensionality and the convergent, discriminant, and nomological validity of the culture cushion dimensions. Respondents were asked to answer questions about a specific international consumption experience and responded to scale items measuring the culture cushion construct.

Findings

A two‐dimensional measure of culture cushion was found to predict satisfaction and behavioral intentions. Judgments were more positive when the encounter was novel relative to previous experiences.

Research limitations/implications

Additional studies involving travel locations other than those used in this study should be conducted to investigate alternate effects of the culture cushion.

Practical implications

A major motivation of recreational tourists traveling internationally includes the ability to observe and participate in activities that are culturally unique. Firms that cater to international tourist clientele should focus on operationalizing country‐specific cultural aspects of the experience to enhance overall perceptions.

Originality/value

The international tourist operates within a dual country framework, using his/her own cultural “lens” to notice the uniqueness of the foreign culture while striving to understand and participate in authentic encounters. The culture cushion construct offers a novel measure of the positivity that occurs in culturally unique inter‐cultural experiences.
A recipe for success: understanding regional perceptions of authenticity in themed restaurants
Authors: Lego Muñoz Caroline , Wood Natalie T.
Published: October 2009

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to investigate how geography (distance from the host country, i.e. Mexico) mediates individuals' perceptions of “authentic” ethnic‐themed restaurants and to identify which information sources influence their beliefs.

Design/methodology/approach

To explore these issues, a two‐part (qualitative and quantitative) study was undertaken with informants recruited from two regions of the USA (Northeast and Southwest), each with differing proximity to Mexico.

Findings

Findings of the study reveal that, despite the fact that all informants reside within the same country, perceptions and expectations of what constitutes an authentic Mexican restaurant varies depending upon geographic location. The further an individual resides from the host country, the more stereotypical their cultural expectations and the greater the emphasis they place on various atmospheric components when selecting an appealing authentic environment at which to dine. Atmospheric and design elements that define an “authentic” Mexican restaurant are provided. Finally, the study shows that significant regional differences are relevant to the frame of reference used for determining the authenticity of a Mexican restaurant.

Practical implications

The selection of atmospheric and tangible design elements needs to be carefully considered in the construction of ethnic‐themed restaurants. Findings suggest that marketers utilizing an ethnic theme need to research the cultural expectations of their target audience, their source, and to take into consideration geographic distances between the host country and the restaurant's location.

Originality/value

This paper advances scholarship about the mediating role that geography and informational sources play in an individual's perceptions of “authentic” ethnically‐themed environments.
How green should you go? Understanding the role of green atmospherics in service environment evaluations
Authors: Bieak Kreidler Nicole , Joseph‐Mathews Sacha
Published: October 2009

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to introduce the idea of green atmospherics and propose a conceptual framework for green service environment factors and a typology for green consumers.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper takes the form of a conceptual piece. and offers a new approach to green consumerism. Green atmospherics goes beyond many of the typical factors explored in previous service environment studies. The paper examines how many terms commonplace in the design and architectural literature can be translated into the marketing arena. Factors such as daylighting, recycling, offgassing, insulation, optimal energy performance and design for the environment are discussed.

Findings

The paper proposes that “going green” goes beyond having recyclable or even sustainable products, to an ideology that incorporates improving worker morale and retention, and giving back to the communities they are located in. Additionally, the paper makes a case for classifying green consumers based on a psychographic segmentation approach compared to the more traditional socioeconomic classification.

Originality/value

This paper offers a conceptual framework for assessing green atmospherics within service environments and proposes a green consumer typology that references “stimuli” versus “socio‐demographics” for categorization. A new categorization is proposed and the importance of this topic to consumers, practitioners and researchers are discussed.
Financing energy efficiency: lessons from experiences in India and China
Authors: Prasad Painuly Jyoti
Published: October 2009

Purpose

Improving energy efficiency is considered one of the most desirable and effective short‐term measures to address the issue of energy security, and also reduce the emission of greenhouse gases. However, lack of access to domestic finance is the major hindrance in achieving the potential in China and India. This paper aims to report the experience of a three‐country United Nations Environment Programme/World Bank Energy Efficiency Project (involving China, India and Brazil) that is set up to address the financial barrier and identifies the lessons that can be learnt from the project.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper follows the post‐completion review approach of a project and presents the activities undertaken and results obtained from the project.

Findings

The project seeks to remove the financial barrier through the development of a commercial banking window for energy efficiency, energy service company development and support, exploring the need for setting up guarantee facilities and need for facilitating equity financing to the sector. The project succeeds in creating awareness and better understanding among the financial institutions in both India and China on potential of energy efficiency and need to make financing available for this. The banks in India in created specialized schemes for energy efficiency financing, and in China, the project has a positive impact on the new initiatives with the on‐lending facility and the guarantee fund for energy management companies. Experience sharing on these issues through cross‐exchange workshops proves to be very useful. The project successfully creates a platform on which further energy efficiency work can be carried out in the participating countries.

Originality/value

By disseminating the experience of energy efficiency financing in two developing countries, the paper contributes to knowledge that can be helpful in a wider context.
The hedonic nature of wine tourism consumption: an experiential view
Authors: Bruwer Johan , Alant Karin
Published: October 2009

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to use the experiential view of consumption to better understand the nature of the motivations of the wine tourist in a congested wine region environment. It also aims to determine the impact of travel antecedents such as the perceived characteristics of the wine region, information sources utilised, and previous knowledge of the region and its products on the destination decision‐making process and ultimately the visitation motivations.

Design/methodology/approach

Information is obtained from a random sample of 304 respondents from 12 wineries representing all size groups situated on the Paarl Wine Route (PWR) in South Africa. Data are collected through the use of a self‐administered, highly structured questionnaire, self‐completed by respondents at each of the winery cellar door venues.

Findings

The most important characteristic of the entire winescape is the region's scenic beauty. Other high impact characteristics are the friendly people and their hospitality, overall ambience and the diversity of wine estates. These factors point to hedonic behaviour in a highly social context and primarily a search for enjoyment/pleasure, mainly by first‐time visitors. The dynamic of first‐time and repeat visitation plays a key role in visitors' wine tourism behaviour. The decision to engage in wine tourism is generally impulsive, even spurious, the visit duration short and the motivations guiding the visitors' behaviour predominantly hedonic in nature.

Research limitations/implications

The impact of the natural landscape underlines the premise that an experiential research approach can yield valuable insights and sheds new light on the fact that a memorable experience for a wine tourist does not only evolve inside the winery's cellar door. In the process it exposits what could be unique selling points for marketing differently positioned wine regions.

Originality/value

This study is of value to academic researchers, travel and accommodation providers and wine industry practitioners alike as it highlights important aspects of wine tourism behaviour with regard to the actual (underlying) motivations that drive them to visit cellar doors in a wine region.
Is a glass of Merlot the symbol of globalization?
Authors: Lee Kyuho
Published: October 2009

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to investigate how underlying globalization could influence Asian consumers' wine drinking patterns and behaviors. Specifically, a theoretical framework that explains the underlying motivations of Asian wine consumers is developed.

Design/methodology/approach

A broad range of literature is reviewed in an attempt to develop a theoretical framework for the impacts of globalization on the Asian wine market.

Findings

Three key forces that drive change in the Asian wine markets are identified; these changes explain the explosive growth of wine consumption in Asian countries.

Research limitations/implications

A theoretical framework is developed in an effort to explain the impacts of globalization on Asian wine consumption. Therefore, no empirical tests are conducted to validate the theoretical framework. Future studies could test the theoretical model by conducting an empirical study.

Practical implications

Multi‐faceted global progress in terms of economic, technological, and socio‐cultural influences has influenced Asian consumers' wine consumption positively. Therefore, Asian consumers' wine consumption will continue to grow significantly. A theoretical framework that explains the relationship between the progress of globalization and wine consumption in Asia is developed. This framework will help international wine marketers better understand the recent rapid growth of wine consumption in Asia.

Originality/value

This is the first research that attempts to investigate how globalization has affected the Asian wine market.
Wine marketing strategies in Spain
Authors: Espejel Joel , Fandos Carmina
Published: October 2009

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to analyse the influence of the perceived wine quality across intrinsic and extrinsic attributes on satisfaction, loyalty and buying intention of Spanish protected designations of origin (PDO) wine consumers.

Design/methodology/approach

Information is obtained from an initial qualitative approach through a dynamic group that allows us to develop the scales on which to quantify the different concepts. After this process a personal questionnaire is completed. With this aim the structural equation model (SEM) methodology is applied. However, as a previous measure, scales are depurated (analysis of reliability, dimensionality and validity) in order to guarantee an appropriate concept measurement.

Findings

The results obtained in the hypothesis contrast of the model reveal the existence of a positive influence of the intrinsic perceived quality attributes (colour, smell and flavour) on consumers' satisfaction. On the other hand, it is not possible to find enough evidence to support the influence of extrinsic perceived quality attributes (price, brand and region of origin) on consumers' satisfaction and loyalty. A possible explanation of these findings could be the small degree of consumers' involvement before the wide variety of PDO wines on the market. Quite probably, this aspect could influence their satisfaction and loyalty towards these kinds of products.

Practical implications

Managers must design marketing strategies to emphasise the intrinsic properties of the agro‐food products by means of their extrinsic attributes. In fact, quality stamps, PDO properties and other possible differentiating quality aspects must be highlighted on the labels. All these aspects could allow the product to improve its image and consolidate product links in consumer minds. Through this process it would be possible to achieve a better perceived quality and higher consumer satisfaction, loyalty and buying intention.

Originality/value

This paper analyses the particularities of a traditional agro‐food product protected under a PDO and how these particularities influence on satisfaction, loyalty and buying intention. The literature analysing the interrelation between satisfaction, loyalty and buying intention concepts is very scarce in the PDO wine context.