bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Exploring the measurement of basic assumptions about guests and co‐workers in the hospitality industry
Authors: Gjerald Olga , Øgaard Torvald
Published: August 2010

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to develop and validate a measure of employee basic assumptions about guests and co‐workers in the hospitality industry.

Design/methodology/approach

Data were collected from two independent samples using self‐administrated questionnaires and analysed using correlational and reliability analyses, exploratory and confirmatory factor analyses, and one‐way ANOVA.

Findings

The analyses identified two dimensions of basic assumptions about guests, control and affect. Assumptions about co‐workers also consisted of two main dimensions termed responsibility and competence. The results showed that assumptions about guest control positively correlated with subjective job performance; assumptions about guest affect and co‐worker competence positively correlated with organisational commitment and job satisfaction; and assumptions about co‐worker responsibility positively correlated with intentions to stay with the organisation.

Research limitations/implications

The findings are based on a limited sample of service employees. Even though hospitality employees' basic assumptions about guests and co‐workers are validated in a service context, the suggested conceptualisation still needs a more comprehensive validation. Assumptions about competitors may be important determinants of hospitality employees' behaviour towards guests, and such assumptions should be analysed in future studies.

Originality/value

The present study is the first to investigate simultaneously assumptions about guests and co‐workers in a hospitality environment and the effect that such assumptions have on outcome variables. Altogether, the study demonstrates that basic assumptions may be a viable construct for HR management. They are easily identifiable and related to employee job satisfaction, job performance, organisational commitment, and staff turnover intentions.
Food and grocery supply chains: a reappraisal of ECR performance
Authors: Martens Bobby J. , Dooley Frank J.
Published: August 2010

Purpose

The paper aims to reappraise efficient consumer response (ECR) in the grocery and food industry to determine whether financial and operating performance improves with ECR adoption.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper uses a time‐series multiple regression model. The methodology overcomes historical shortcomings in ECR and supply chain management research related to small sample size, one‐tier investigation, and short‐longitudinal focus.

Findings

ECR adoption has beneficial impacts for both financial and operational performance.

Research limitations/implications

Two limitations exist. First, determining the actual time of implementation for supply chain management strategies by firms in the food industry is extremely difficult. The method used to classify firms as ECR adopters in this paper is believed to be sound and unbiased, but errors may exist. Second, this analysis does not account for differences in the implementation level for ECR. For simplicity, a binary variable is used to distinguish firms adopting or not adopting supply chain management strategies (ECR). Further study is needed to determine how differences in the level of ECR implementation impacts firm performance.

Practical implications

The paper overcomes historical shortcomings in ECR performance research. The paper provides academics and practitioners in the food and grocery industry definitive evidence that ECR has beneficial impacts for both financial and operational performance in the food and grocery industry.

Originality/value

By placing greater attention on overcoming historical shortcomings in supply chain management research related to small sample size, one‐tier investigation, and longitudinal study, the paper improves upon previous evaluations of ECR.
Information sharing with key suppliers: a transaction cost theory perspective
Authors: Yigitbasioglu Ogan M.
Published: August 2010

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to explain variations in discretionary information shared between buyers and key suppliers. The paper also aims to examine how the extent of information shared affects buyers' performance in terms of resource usage, output, and flexibility.

Design/methodology/approach

The data for the paper comprise 221 Finnish and Swedish non‐service companies obtained through a mail survey. The hypothesized relationships were tested using partial least squares modelling with reflective and formative constructs.

Findings

The results of the study suggest that (environmental and demand) uncertainty and interdependency can to some degree explain the extent of information shared between a buyer and key supplier. Furthermore, information sharing improves buyers' performance with respect to resource usage, output, and flexibility.

Research limitations/implications

A limitation to the paper relates to the data, which only included buyers. A better approach would have been to collect data from both, buyers and key suppliers.

Practical implications

Companies face a wide range of supply chain solutions that enable and encourage collaboration across organizations. This paper suggests a more selective and balanced approach toward adopting the solutions offered as the benefits are contingent on a number of factors such as uncertainty. Also, the risks of information sharing are far too high for a one size fits all approach.

Originality/value

The paper illustrates the applicability of transaction cost theory to the contemporary era of e‐commerce. With this finding, transaction cost economics can provide a valuable lens with which to view and interpret interorganizational information sharing, a topic that has received much attention in the recent years.
Logistics outsourcing performance and loyalty behavior
Authors: Marcus Wallenburg Carl , Cahill David L. , Goldsby Thomas J. , Knemeyer A. Michael
Published: August 2010

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to examine how goal achievement and goal exceedance influence the aspects of loyalty in logistics outsourcing relationships. Specifically, it aims to develop and test a model of customer loyalty across two cultures to determine if dedicated strategies for building loyalty are required.

Design/methodology/approach

This effort develops a conceptual model that provides a better understanding of the relationship between two dimensions of logistics outsourcing performance (goal achievement and goal exceedance) to loyalty across cultures. The model is then tested using structural equation modeling along with multi‐group analysis.

Findings

The findings indicate that goal achievement strongly influences the loyalty aspects of retention and referrals, but not extension. Meanwhile, all three dimensions of loyalty were influenced by goal exceedance of the logistics provider. Further, goal achievement was found to have a stronger effect on retention only, with goal exceedance demonstrating a stronger influence on extension and referrals. In addition, cultural differences in the model were identified.

Research limitations/implications

Future research should examine more transactional settings as well as other potential moderators that may be consequential to the examination of loyalty formation.

Practical implications

The findings suggest that logistics service providers (LSPs) need to have an appreciation for the differences between goal achievement and goal exceedance as it relates to loyalty formation. In addition, LSPs need to adapt their performance goals based on cultural differences that may exist across their markets.

Originality/value

The close examination of the two dimensions of outsourcing performance on three aspects of loyalty behavior builds on the extant literature. The examination across the two national settings provides yet another contribution of the study.
Is leadership doomed to fail?
Authors: Archer Stephen
Published: August 2010

Purpose

Explains how organizations can adapt in order to foster a culture that cultivates great leaders.

Design/methodology/approach

Highlights how to manage from the front, and with conviction, to ensure that the team will follow.

Findings

Argues that effective leadership can only thrive when leaders are freed from bureaucracy and organizational process.

Practical implications

Urges companies to: cut the number of meetings and make them shorter to promote energy and focus; foster individual thought, talent and a sense of freedom to create; and avoid appointing “yes” men to management roles.

Social implications

Argues that shareholders can impede organizational success because they tend to want reliable, predicable behavior. Favors private companies, or those owned by their employees.

Originality/value

Contends that leaders must be free to “rock the boat”.
At the heart of things
Authors: Blenkinsopp John , Owens Gill
Published: August 2010

Purpose

The paper aims to develop an expanded conceptualisation of copreneurship, locating it within the family embeddedness perspective on entrepreneurship.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper draws upon entrepreneurship and family business literatures in order to identify the concept of copreneurship within both traditions.

Findings

Copreneurship has been examined by researchers in both fields and, although there are limitations to the current understanding, it clearly represents an important phenomenon, and the role of spousal support in entrepreneurship being identified as particularly significant.

Research limitations/implications

By locating copreneurship as a key link between the entrepreneurship and family business literatures, this paper offers a useful basis for framing subsequent work using insight from both fields.

Practical implications

Copreneurship, and other forms of small family firms, represent a high proportion of new ventures and there are, therefore, considerable policy benefits to gaining greater understanding of the dynamics of such ventures.

Originality/value

The paper offers an expanded conceptualisation of copreneurship which both increases its utility as a construct and highlight key definitional issues for future research.
A six‐country study of first‐, second‐, and third‐generation family businesses
Authors: Lussier Robert N. , Sonfield Matthew C.
Published: August 2010

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to compare first‐, second‐, and third‐generation family business managerial characteristics and practices in a combined sample from six countries (Croatia, Egypt, France, India, Kuwait, and the USA) with significant differences in cultures, economies, levels of entrepreneurial activity, and family business demographics.

Design/methodology/approach

The design was survey research with a sample of 593 businesses from six countries. To compare differences between the three generations, analysis of covariance was run for the 11 dependent variables, followed by post hoc Tukey honestly significant difference multiple comparisons tests to determine which of the three generations were significantly different.

Findings

As family businesses move from first to second to third generation, some managerial characteristics and practices remain the same while others change. Furthermore, only minor generational differences between the various countries were found, thus supporting commonality of family businesses in spite of the differing cultural, economic, and demographic variations.

Research limitations/implications

The results lead to an improvement in our understanding of entrepreneurial behavior and managerial characteristics and practices between generations of family business in six very diverse economic and cultural settings.

Originality/value

Prior family business research has rarely focused specifically on comparisons of first‐, second‐, and third‐generation firms. No prior research combined family firm data from different countries. The analyses are more complex and mixed than the methodologies used in most of the limited previous research, raising questions and indicating a need for further research.
Longitudinal development of innovation implementation in family‐based SMEs
Authors: McAdam Rodney , Reid Renee , Mitchell Neil
Published: August 2010

Purpose

There is a paucity of studies on the complex longitudinal dynamics of innovation incorporation within family‐based small‐ to medium‐sized enterprises (SMEs) in response to market and technological change. Attempts at innovation implementation are likely to be influenced by the dynamic effects of critical incidents or crisis points in small family‐based firms. The aim of this EU‐funded study is to explore the effects of critical incidents on innovation implementation within a regional cluster of family‐based SMEs over a two‐year period.

Design/methodology/approach

The research methodology involves the longitudinal study of a regional cluster of five family‐based businesses in relation to innovation implementation at firm level. A participant observation and critical action learning methodology was used to study the firms over the two‐year period of the study.

Findings

The findings, as summarised using a conceptual model, show that the critical incidents acted interactively with the firm's lifecycle stage and its approach to family versus business, to either act as a catalyst for developing more radical innovation or in maintaining the status quo or continuous improvement.

Practical implications

The findings can act as a guide for how family‐based firms can evaluate and maximise their responses to critical incidents and leverage them to encourage more radical approaches to innovation implementation.

Originality/value

There is a paucity of longitudinal studies on the effect of critical incidents on approaches to innovation implementation in family businesses.
Measuring TQM implementation: a case study of Malaysian SMEs
Authors: Abdullah Azizan
Published: August 2010

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to contribute to the understanding of total quality management (TQM) practices at the small to medium‐sized enterprise (SME) level within the under‐researched context of the Malaysian economy.

Design/methodology/approach

Malaysia is an economy that is dependent on SME businesses and the improved performance of these organizations to meet the challenges of the economy in the transition to a modern manufacturing state. Following the extensive literature review and interviews with academics experts in the field of TQM, the objectives of this study were designed. The objectives of this research were to determine differences in performance and the differences in features engaged at high and lower performing businesses. In order to achieve this objective eight purposively selected (three awards winners and five non‐award‐winners) and in‐depth case studies of Malaysian SME were employed.

Findings

The findings of this research show those three levels of TQM application starting with quality control, then a broader application of management involvement with quality assurance process and finally a system‐wide application of TQM that involves a high degree of strategic integration of TQM principles. The integration between functional areas in the factory, formalization of activities and clear strategy were present at the TQM businesses and resulted in effective and efficient systems of customer service, operational excellence and human resource integration.

Research limitations/implications

This research focuses on eight SME businesses that employed simple technology such as plastic injection molding and metal stamping. Therefore, the finding of this research could be generalized between similar businesses in similar industries.

Practical implications

This paper provides an understanding of TQM practices offering design advice for professional managers and academia who work within SME businesses. The research also helps to identify and inform areas of government policy that might assist the performance improvement of such firms.

Originality/value

The paper finds that there is a logic and structure to high performance businesses and the application of TQM; the award‐winning companies perform better over their closest rivals. The importance of promoting TQM on a national scale cannot be under‐estimated and could bring a renewed interest to the relationship between TQM implementation and SMEs' improvement.
Does the disclosure of corporate governance structures affect firms' earnings quality?
Authors: Chang Jui‐Chin , Sun Huey‐Lian
Published: August 2010

Purpose

The Sarbanes‐Oxley Act (SOX) mandated a variety of corporate governance mechanisms to improve the transparency of financial reporting quality. This paper's aim is to investigate whether SOX's recently mandated disclosure of corporate governance structures affects the market's perception of earnings informativeness and firms' earnings management.

Design/methodology/approach

Since the first compliant disclosure of the Act would be found in firms' 2002‐2003 financial reports, the authors retrieve the post‐SOX data (pre‐SOX data) from the 2002 to 2003 (2001‐2002) period. Further, the study adopts Anderson et al.'s model to test the relations between earnings informativeness, audit committee independence, and other corporate governance variables. A similar mode is used by Chang and Sun in their study of cross‐listed foreign firms. To measure the discretionary accruals, the authors adopt Kothari et al.'s model and use the two‐digit SIC code in the cross‐sectional regression.

Findings

It is found that the market valuation of earnings surprises is significantly higher for firms which disclose stronger corporate governance functions. It is also found that the effectiveness of corporate governance in monitoring earnings management is improved after the mandated disclosure.

Originality/value

The empirical evidence shows that the quality of accounting earnings is increased after the SOX's mandated disclosure, which strengthens the link between financial reporting and corporate governance functions.
Where ignorance is bliss: the “dark corner” of risk classification
Authors: Powers Michael R.
Published: August 2010

Purpose

The paper aims to explore a risk‐finance context in which less information may be preferable to more information.

Design/methodology/approach

Insurance companies collect a variety of information on potential policyholders to support two fundamental components of risk classification: underwriting (the determination of whether or not to offer an insurance contract to a particular individual or firm) and rating (the calculation of a policyholder's premium level once a contract has been offered). Although risk classification is necessary in voluntary markets to ensure that most individuals or firms will be able to purchase insurance, it is not necessary when the purchase of insurance is required by government. The paper explores the usefulness of risk‐classification‐related information in the context of government‐mandated insurance.

Findings

In the case of government‐mandated insurance, it is shown that risk classification may be more or less useful, depending upon the degree to which policyholders are able to obtain substantial premium reductions for risk control efforts. When such reductions are not available, then risk classification is not only “less useful,” but in fact particularly unjust to certain policyholders.

Originality/value

The paper describes an insurance context in which less information is preferable to more information.
Delta hedging a portfolio of servicing rights under gamma and vega constraints with optimal fixed income securities
Authors: Zissu Anne , Ortiz Carlos , Stone Charles
Published: August 2010

Purpose

The aim of this paper is to develop the optimal delta hedge for a portfolio of mortgage servicing rights (MSR) under the constraint of a zero‐gamma in order to avoid costs related to the rebalancing of such portfolio.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper develops the optimal delta hedge ratio with gamma and vega constraints for an MSR portfolio by finding the different combinations of coupon/maturity bonds (c, n) that satisfy the constraints under different yields (y). Rather than search for the available fixed income securities and see by trial and error which one should be added to the portfolio of MSR such that when market rates go up and down, the value of the portfolio is not affected, the model finds the optimal pairs of coupon/maturity bonds over a range of yields, that satisfy the constraints. It develops the conditions for a delta‐hedged portfolio of bonds and MSR under an investor's or a portfolio manager's value constraint K. The share α of the MSR's value and the share β of the bond's value had to be such that a zero‐delta portfolio that satisfies the constant value of the portfolio can be created. The paper “optimized” α by requiring simultaneously that α′=0 and also that α″=0, for a fixed y given by the market that will guarantee that the function α satisfies simultaneously the two conditions: α′=0 and α″=0. These two conditions will yield equations in the parameters of c and n. The “optimization” problem for arbitrary y's is solved, and n and c for the appropriate bond are found to be added to the MSR portfolio.

Findings

Maple software is used to simulate a portfolio of MSR that is delta hedged with bonds, whose appropriate coupon and maturity are found with the model developed under the constraint of a zero‐gamma, in order to avoid costs related to the rebalancing of such portfolio. The optimal hedge ratio with gamma and vega constraints for an MSR portfolio is developed by finding the different combinations of coupon/maturity bonds that satisfy the constraints under different yields (the “triples”).

Practical implications

The optimal triples (c, n, y) are obtained in order to optimize α and simultaneously α′=0 and α″=0. For example, for a yield of 16.1 percent, a bank with a portfolio of MSR based on the data used, should add to it, bonds with a 6.33 percent coupon that matures in 7.55 years.

Originality/value

This paper is the first to the authors' knowledge to derive the different triples (yield, coupon, maturity) of bonds that when combined with MSR create a portfolio that is dynamically hedged against interest rate risk and prepayment risk, and therefore eliminates the need of periodic rebalancing of a portfolio of MSR, which is costly.
Information costs in financial markets: evidence from the Tunisian stock market
Authors: Safer Chakroun Imene , Hamdouni Abdelkader
Published: August 2010

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to discuss a widespread idea in the financial literature: information in financial markets is free. Indeed, whenever an investor wants to intervene to purchase and/or to sell, he/she faces the need to access the information, which he/she judges to ensure an optimal decision.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper uses the entropy statistics in order to estimate the information cost of the assets of the Tunisian stock market over the period extending from 2002 to 2005.

Findings

The obtained results show that the information costs follow a Brownian motion. This finding lends empirical support to the theoretical position that has always been adopted in the relevant literature: in finance, as in economy, the majority of the series follow a Brownian motion.

Practical implications

The proposed methodology offers investors the opportunity to estimate the information cost by taking into account the quotation probability, a simple approach that can be used not only by fund managers, but also by financial market investors.

Originality/value

The paper uses entropy as a relatively new tool applied in financial theory. It offers a new understanding of information cost. The paper will be of interest for financial market investors and academics.
Validation of the technology acceptance measure for pre‐service teachers (TAMPST) on a Malaysian sample
Authors: Teo Timothy
Published: August 2010

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to assess the cross‐cultural validity of the technology acceptance measure for pre‐service teachers (TAMPST) on a Malaysian sample.

Design/methodology/approach

A total of 193 pre‐service teachers from a Malaysian university completed a survey questionnaire measuring their responses to five constructs in the TAMPST: perceived usefulness, perceived ease of use, subjective norm, facilitating conditions, and attitude towards computer use. These were administered during the teaching term where participants were attending a technology course. Structural equation modeling, in particular, confirmatory factor analysis was used for data analysis.

Findings

The five factors in the TAMPST together explained 75.5 percent of the total variance. Results of the confirmatory factor analysis revealed that there was construct and factorial validity. Based on several fit indices, an acceptable fit was obtained for the TAMPST model. In other words, the TAMPST is a reliable and valid instrument to measure the technology acceptance among pre‐service teachers in Malaysia.

Originality/value

The paper contributes to the continuing interests among researchers to understand the drivers of technology use in an educational setting. The results of this paper provided evidence to suggest that the TAMPST is culture invariant. This is important for any instrument because otherwise its use would be confined and restricted to the population in which the instrument is developed. In addition, the TAMPST is among the few instruments that are developed to measure technology acceptance among pre‐service teachers.
Why females do not choose computing? A lesson learned from China
Authors: Laosethakul Kittipong , Leingpibul Thaweephan
Published: August 2010

Purpose

The declining participation of young American females in computing fields negatively impacts diversity in the computing‐related workforce. While computing in China is also dominated by men, career prospects are positively perceived by Chinese women. The purpose of this paper is to investigate both countries' female gender perceptions toward computing and two influencing psychological factors, computer anxiety and computer self‐efficacy (CSE). To better understand American females' perception toward computing, these factors are compared to those of Chinese women.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper tried to understand gender perception toward computing, which is believed to be one factor influencing female participation in computing. The paper examined 137 American female students and 145 Chinese female students. All students were non‐IT‐related business majors. The survey contained the following scales: gender typing scale, CSE scale, and computer anxiety rating scale. The paper used the model comparison technique in structural equation modeling to develop the proposed model demonstrating the relationship among the three psychological factors.

Findings

It is found that American females perceive that computing is for females, but Chinese females perceive that computing is for both males and females. Computer anxiety has a direct influence on gender perception toward computing for both groups. CSE, however, does not have a direct influence on gender perception toward computing for both groups. CSE also has a direct relationship with computer anxiety. The extent to which each factor influences other factors is different between both groups and this reveals interesting implications.

Social implications

The authors believe that to properly encourage female participation in computing, it is important to emphasize two areas in education. In order to lower computer anxiety and increase CSE, educators need to promote basic computer skills and provide a fundamental knowledge of computers and information technologies. A more positive perception by females could be created through a stronger awareness of female roles in computing. Classroom discussions including more examples of positive female role models in computing is necessary. Female professionals need to support each other and encourage young females to pursue computing‐related education fields and careers.

Originality/value

There is an important need to understand the decline of American female participation in computing. Few researchers have investigated gender perception toward computing with computer anxiety and CSE. Furthermore, a model explaining the relationship of the three factors previously had not been presented. This paper not only investigated how computer anxiety and CSE influences gender perception toward computing, but also compared these results between American and Chinese females. A suggested guideline to improve gender perception of American females was developed.
Effects of personal nostalgic response intensity on cognitions, attitudes, and intentions
Authors: Marchegiani Christopher , Phau Ian
Published: August 2010

Purpose

The paper aims to examine the effect of varying intensities of personal nostalgia on cognition, attitudes, and purchase intention.

Design/methodology/approach

Data were collected using convenience sampling via a self‐administered questionnaire in a large Australian university. Respondents were exposed to nostalgic cue laden advertising stimulus. A total of 514 responses were analysed. The questionnaire includes a thought collection exercise and scales to measure personal nostalgia, attitudes, and intention. Analysis of variance and multivariate analysis of variance were used to analyse the data.

Findings

A number of cognitive reactions are significantly affected when moving from a low to moderate or high level of personal nostalgia. However, no significant benefit in the cognitive responses tested is achieved by moving from moderate to high levels. In contrast, attitudes and intentions improve significantly with each increase of personal nostalgia.

Research limitations/implications

The paper focuses only on personal nostalgia and one product category. Respondent characteristics are also limited. These issues should be examined with future research. Comparisons of responses under types of nostalgic reactions are also needed.

Practical implications

The paper provides practitioners with a vastly improved understanding of consumer responses when varying levels of personal nostalgia are experienced. Practitioners should note the significant change in advert‐execution related thoughts between intensity levels could be beneficial or harmful, depending on the desired response. The research indicates it is worthwhile to encourage high levels of personal nostalgia in comparison to settling for a low or moderate level as although cognitive responses do not significantly change, attitudes and intention to purchase significantly improve.

Originality/value

The vast majority of previous studies focus on nostalgia as a unified concept. Although personal nostalgia is distinct from other nostalgic reactions, no empirical research examines how consumer reactions are affected by varying levels of this specific nostalgic response.
Creative cities and cultural spaces: new perspectives for city tourism
Authors: Alvarez Maria D.
Published: August 2010

Purpose

The purpose of this editorial is to introduce the special issue on creative cities and cultural spaces, as offering new perspectives for tourism.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper identifies some key concerns that cities currently face and introduces the articles in the special issue, remarking on the novel ideas and concepts provided in these papers.

Findings

Creative tactics may provide an alternative to cultural regeneration strategies, and increase the capability of cities to distinguish themselves from other competing places.

Originality/value

The paper identifies key concepts that are further discussed in the articles included in this special issue on “creative cities and cultural spaces: new perspectives for tourism”.
Creativity, culture tourism and place‐making: Istanbul and London film industries
Authors: Durmaz Bahar , Platt Stephen , Yigitcanlar Tan
Published: August 2010

Purpose

The paper aims to examine the role of creative industries in general and the film industry in particular for place‐making, spatial development, tourism, and the formation of creative cities.

Design/methodology/approach

The article reveals the preliminary findings of two case studies from Beyoglu, Istanbul, and Soho, London.

Findings

The research found a relation between place and creativity and the positive contribution to creativity of being in a city center. Among the creative industries, the film industry plays an important role in the economic and spatial development of cities by fostering endogenous creativeness, attracting exogenous talent, and contributing to the formation of places that creative cities require.

Originality/value

The paper raises interesting questions about the importance of place to creativity, also questioning whether creative industries can be a driver for regeneration.
City image and museums: the case of Istanbul
Authors: Altınbaşak İpek , Yalçın Elem
Published: August 2010

Purpose

Cities, in order to differentiate themselves from their competitors, attempt to manage their image by following strategic place marketing approaches. The purpose of this paper is to identify the perception of Istanbul and to focus on the role of museums related to the formation of city image.

Design/methodology/approach

The study uses quantitative research techniques. A structural questionnaire focusing on the image of Istanbul and perception of Istanbul's museums is distributed to museum visitors in Istanbul.

Findings

The results reveal that Istanbul is perceived as a culturally rich and exotic city. The respondents consider Istanbul as a brand city and an attractive tourist destination. The general image of the local people is also positive. The perception of second time visitors is more positive compared to first time visitors. Furthermore, the internet is the major source of information used by the travelers. The exoticness of the city and the dynamism pointed out by other research renders Istanbul a lively city, full of energy and offering lots of entertainment. The participants believe that museums are important for city image formation and that the museums in Istanbul are worth visiting. However, the fact that the city is nominated as the European Capital of Culture in 2010 is not acknowledged by the majority of respondents. Istanbul has to exploit this big event in order to promote the city to all potential visitors and business people.

Originality/value

The paper provides a preliminary insight to the importance of museums for the city image formation focusing on Istanbul.
Istanbul as a world city: a cultural perspective
Authors: Alvarez Maria D. , Yarcan Şükrü
Published: August 2010

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to examine the process by which Istanbul is transforming into a world city, examining the impact of the recent growth of cultural activities in the city.

Design/methodology/approach

The study focuses on the cultural and creative aspects of Istanbul, with reference to its history, multiculturalism and recent developments in the international cultural arena. Istanbul represents an interesting case to examine the development of a city to achieve world‐class status, despite its historical significance as a center of trade and culture in the ancient world, its current globalization and development are fairly recent.

Findings

Developments in recent years from a cultural, as well as an economic perspective provide some indication that Istanbul is transforming into a world city. However, the ability of the city to influence international cultural circles is limited by the reduced demand for cultural products by residents. Nevertheless, Istanbul's multiculturalism, history and its geographical position are significant advantages.

Originality/value

Little attention has been paid to the relationships between various elements in the development of a world city. From this perspective, the paper discusses the role of culture in positioning Istanbul as a world city, and examines its relationships with commercial activities and influence on tourism, focusing on the synergetic relationship between these elements.
Lessons learned fromin situupgrading and eradication of informal settlement in Gauteng Province in South Africa
Authors: Ohls Aigbavboa Clinton , Thwala Wellington D.
Published: August 2010

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to give an insight into lessons learned so far on thein situupgrading and eradication of informal settlements in South Africa. This is with a view to accessing progress made to date, the line of focus and to ascertain whetherin situupgrading or eradication of informal settlement is the best option in solving the problem of informal settlement integration into the large society.

Design/methodology/approach

The research is conducted with reference to existing theoretical literature, published and unpublished South Africa research. The study is mainly a literature survey/review and looks at challenges that have been overcome to bring about the success made to date, thus striving to achieve the goals and objectives of a city without slums. The research ties up the identified challenges with recommendations to the problems to enhance the reality of having a city without slums.

Findings

One of the primary findings that emanated from the study revealed that all development where people have to be displaced or inconvenienced has come with problems. Other findings attribute the little success achieved to date to thein situupgrading of the existing settlement and the eradication of the settlement. Though policy activated has not been well implemented for the betterment of all, progress has been made nonetheless.

Originality/value

The upgrading and eradication of informal settlement have long been a subject of global discussion, which has taken firmer root since it was declared to be one of the Millennium Development Goals agenda. The paper contributes to this body of knowledge.
Housing development finance through cooperative societies
Authors: Oluwole Oyewole Matthew
Published: August 2010

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to investigate the contribution of cooperative societies to housing finance for the urban low income group in Ogbomoso, Oyo state of Nigeria. This is with a view to determine the effectiveness of the societies' lending as a means of solving the housing problem among the low income group in Nigeria.

Design/methodology/approach

Questionnaires were administered to 120 members of eight societies of four cooperative unions selected through a random sampling technique. In total, 15 members who had benefited from the loan were surveyed in each of the societies. Data were analysed with the use of frequency distribution, percentage and measure of cooperators satisfaction index (CSI).

Findings

The results showed that 52 per cent of responding members had financed the development of their houses to completion stage, while 28 per cent had their houses still under construction. The index of satisfaction (CSI) on each attribute of “affordability”, “transaction cost” and “collateral” is higher than the aggregate satisfaction on the loan. In addition, the level of satisfaction on a cooperative loan with a CSI of 3.77 is far above average (2.50) and greater than the level of satisfaction on National Housing Fund (CSI of 2.07), which is far below average. It was also discovered that membership of cooperative societies cuts across all occupations and is open to all interested members of the community irrespective of sexual or academic status.

Practical implications

The paper concludes that, with the popularity and effectiveness of cooperative loans in the study area, the government should encourage and integrate the initiative to evolve an efficient and effective national housing policy.

Originality/value

This is one of the few studies on housing development finance conducted through a non‐institutional source, particularly in the Nigerian context.
Medium‐term property rights and urban poverty in Minna
Authors: Ayodele Olatunji Isaac
Published: August 2010

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to examine the medium‐term tenure option, in capital valuation terms, through an empirical study of 232 households in 39 tenement properties in Barkinsalle and Saukakahuta, two neighborhoods of Minna, Nigeria widely associated with poor households.

Design/methodology/approach

An empirical approach was used. Data were obtained through questionnaires from six real estate firms and 232 households in the study area. The tenancy statuses, rental values, contract rents, terms and durations of tenancies were some of the data elicited.

Findings

Using contemporary valuation techniques it was affirmed that a typical medium‐term lease from 2009 to 2018 would produce substantial capital value between N59,000.00 (US$393.33) and N90,000.00 (US$600.00).

Research limitations/implications

This research is limited only to cases where profit rent advantages are clearly established. The institutional settings needed to sustain leasehold profit rents have to be identified.

Practical implications

Tenants need valuation advice on medium‐term leasehold rights with promises of profit rent advantages. There is need to sensitize both landlords and tenants as to the mutual benefits.

Social implications

Properly harnessed, the capital value amount could support access to micro‐credit, an essential tool for sustainable fight against urban poverty, through some established financial institutions and special public agencies in Nigeria.

Originality/value

No previous study of Minna had verified, quantitatively and empirically, that medium‐term leases under the parameters empirically specified in the paper would produce such substantial capital values.
Perceived organizational barriers to women's career advancement in Lebanon
Authors: Tlaiss Hayfaa , Kauser Saleema
Published: August 2010

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to address the research gap on Lebanese female managers and to examine female managers' perceptions of their organizations in relation to women's career progression.

Design/methodology/approach

The research was quantitative in nature. A survey questionnaire was used to collect data from 450 female managers. Measures included personal and demographic characteristics, organizational culture, organizational practices, organizational networks, mentoring and role modeling, tokenism, and the usage ofwasta.

Findings

Descriptive statistics and analysis of variance were used to explain the results. The results reveal that female managers perceive their career progression to be affected by organizational culture, practices, and networks, while mentoring and tokenism were shown to be less critical. In addition, the women in this sample perceivedwastato be a powerful determinant.

Practical implications

The findings contribute to a wider appreciation of the implicit barriers to women's career development and retention, will help organizations engage with the diversity agenda in this region and provide a better understanding of how these companies and their members can make progress, will help inform managerial interventions to make managers better able to make the most of the issues faced, and will help organizations make a much more concerted effort to manage junior female managers through helping them accelerate in their progression and development.

Originality/value

The paper contributes to the limited literature on women in management in Lebanon as well as the Middle Eastern region in general.
A longitudinal exploratory study of changing perceptions toward an iconic brand in a developing country
Authors: Parthasarathy Madhavan , Stansifer MaryLee , Kumra Rajeev
Published: August 2010

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to explore the changing perceptions of an iconic American product, namely Levi Jeans, in a rapidly developing country, namely Costa Rica, over a 20‐year period from 1988 to 2008.

Design/methodology/approach

Changing perceptions were measured with regard to product attributes (e.g. relative advantage, compatibility, trialability, observability, and risk), and experience‐related attributes (e.g. product durability, fit, comfort, and price). Further, the changing influence of these variables on repurchase intentions was measured. Data collected in 1988 and again in 2008 at a large Costa Rican university were compared.

Findings

The results suggest that globalization, increased competition, and cultural individualization have reduced Levis' attribute advantages and thus brand equity. Implications for branding in other developing countries, especially India, are provided.

Practical implications

Modern Indian consumers are more picky, and are more concerned with lifestyle fit and observability issues. This combined with the growing affluent youth market in India leads to specific suggestions on how Levi can approach marketing strategy in the Indian market.

Originality/value

The paper is unique in that it is a longitudinal study of changing perceptions with data collected over a 20‐year time period. Further, it provides specific recommendations for apparel manufacturers aiming to enter the Indian and other rapidly developing markets.
Brand architecture in tourism branding: the way forward for India
Authors: Harish R.
Published: August 2010

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to arrive at a brand architecture model for promoting India as a tourism destination brand, carrying with it a diversity of tourism products and states/regions.

Design/methodology/approach

The principal methodology adopted is discursive analysis and argument. Relevant examples from other countries have been drawn upon. Brand architecture concepts are used in the analysis.

Findings

The Government of India's tourism ministry has been promoting the country as a monolithic brand with the tagline “Incredible India” over the past seven years. This approach has so far been quite successful. However, to maintain growth momentum, the paper proposes migration towards a cohesive brand architecture model with a hierarchy of well‐connected brands. At the apex would be “India” as the master brand, which would endorse sub‐brands along two principal dimensions – tourism product categories and geographic regions/states. Regional aspirations would thus be accommodated. At the same time, India and its numerous constituents can be promoted in a structured manner with greater clarity and focus.

Originality/value

The paper offers a framework for reorienting India's tourism branding strategy so as to be more cohesive and effective. The model can also be applicable to other large countries with competing geographic regions and varied tourism products.