bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Education digital libraries management
Authors: Passos Rosemary , Carolino Santos Gildenir , Ribeiro Célia Maria
Published: October 2008

Purpose

This work aims to report the experience of implementing a university digital library by introducing all the technical/administrative and scientific production in the education field.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper describes the process of conception, information architecture, the steps and methodology for structuring and establishing of the Digital Library of the Faculty of Education of the State University of Campinas (BDE – FE/UNICAMP), with the partnership of the UNICAMP Libraries System (SBU/UNICAMP), which manages the Nou‐Rau software and stores the Digital Library of UNICAMP (BDU). It also identifies the skills and abilities the information professional must have, concerning the definition of criteria for the evaluation and selection of documents to be scanned, and establishes management procedures for the implementation of services derived from this new tool for retrieving information in the educational area.

Findings

The paper finds that the constitution of a multidisciplinary staff and the skills and abilities required of an information professional involved in designing digital libraries is the object of discussion in several forums. The technical‐scientific skills are the most important ones, since this professional must be able to act in a changing environment, from an analogical to a digital culture. The attitude of the information professional, always related to a strictly technical situation, observed along this career's development, also goes through changes, and demands a professional who is a manager, a leader, visionary and strategist or, in other words, a real agent of changes.

Originality/value

The purpose of the BDE – FE/UNICAMP is to store and make electronically available to users the production of professors, students, employees (technicians) and the administration staff, generated within the Faculty. The implementation of this source of research, therefore, meets the expectation of the users and helps to spread the information.
Check‐listing digital objects in context
Authors: Koltzenburg Claudia
Published: October 2008

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to discuss phenomena in publishing that usually escape recognition. The aim of the research is to address exclusionary practices surrounding digital objects, including those in open access journals.

Design/methodology/approach

The subject scope focuses on digital objects and how their contexts come to matter in open‐ended processes of “metadating”. The new concept of a digital object in context (doic) marks the difference between an author's file and the metadata work undertaken on it. The theoretical scope of the paper is feminist technoscience. An analogy to piezoelectric transducer technology in ultrasonography (Barad) is transferred to the context at hand. Barad's concept of “apparatus” is employed to shed new light on publishing.

Findings

The paper finds that contextual metadata should be given due attention. Metadata may show exclusionary practices that need reconsideration.

Research limitations/implications

Technology is closely intertwined with technoscientific issues and user perspectives. Yet, user perspectives are not all there is to publishing. Future research might address if exclusionary practices in publishing differ from one scientific community to another.

Practical implications

The analytical distinction between a file and its metadata serves to get a digital object on the track to better visibility. The provisional checklist helps reconsider current practices in publishing.

Originality/value

The paper infuses the open access debate with current technoscientific research and introduces Karan Barad's concept of “apparatus” to a wider audience. To research authors this paper gives crucial information for the placement decisions of their upcoming articles. For readers and innovative publishing initiatives the checklist is helpful for reflecting one's own practices. For anyone concerned with research publishing, including commercial enterprises as well as library and information scientists, the new concept of a doic generates ideas when linked to research communication as being first and foremost an economy based on gift giving for recognition.
The African Elephant
Authors: Breytenbach Amelia , Groenewald Ria
Published: October 2008

Purpose

Although several collections have been digitized and made available in the University of Pretoria's Institutional Repository, a pilot study has not been done to measure the project management and workflow. The collections available in the repository at the time of this project were all long‐term projects. There was a need to identify a project small enough to conform to normal project management requirements to use as an example to establish the planning and workflow of future projects. The purpose of this study is to determine the outcome and quality of the final web‐ready institutional repository product against specific digitization project goals.

Design/methodology/approach

A collection of anatomical sketches in the custody of the Faculty of Veterinary Science, Department of Anatomy and Physiology was identified as a possible collection that could comply with the above criteria. The different sketches in the Elephant collection could be digitized in phases, making it an ideal project for future comparison. In each phase a number of tasks were identified which the various role players should complete during the workflow process. Each phase would be compared to the previous completed phases to measure the outcomes and progress made in quality and time. Through successful interaction and collaboration between the Library and the Department of Anatomy and Physiology during the digitization process, valuable tacit knowledge could be preserved for future use in the field of Veterinary Science.

Findings

The completed project delivered on key areas such as the electronic availability of the collection through metadata description. Basic preservation of the physical collection was undertaken as necessary and the physical as well as the digital collections were archived for future use. The conclusion will describe the lessons learned and how it can be applied in future projects to the advantage of the institution.

Practical implications

The paper provides a very useful case study for other academic libraries that want to develop their own digital collections.

Originality/value

This paper offers practical help to libraries starting with digitization. It supplies valuable information for project management, planning of workflow and estimate time frames for completing a specific task in the digitization process.
Joint effects of interim dividend and earnings announcements in Greece
Authors: Dasilas Apostolos , Lyroudi Katerina , Ginoglou Demetrios
Published: October 2008

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to empirically investigate stock price and trading volume reactions to simultaneous interim dividend and earnings announcements by the Greek firms listed on the Athens stock exchange (ASE).

Design/methodology/approach

Classical event study methodology was employed to examine the share price and trading volume reaction to interim dividends and earnings announcements.

Findings

Results confirm the signaling hypothesis which predicts positive market reaction to the joint dividend and earnings announcements. However, the magnitude of the price reaction initiated by the final dividend announcement seems to be higher than the one by the interim dividend announcement.

Research limitations/implications

The observations are not many, although the whole population was included, since there are no data available prior to 1998.

Practical implications

The findings are useful to researchers, practitioners and investors who have an interest in firms listed on the ASE for their proper strategic decision making.

Originality/value

For the first time, the stock price and trading volume behaviour of firms listed on the ASE around contemporaneous dividend and earnings announcement dates is examined.
The effects of universal futures on opening and closing returns
Authors: Chelley‐Steeley Patricia L.
Published: October 2008

Purpose

In 2001, Euronext‐Liffe introduced single security futures contracts for the first time. The purpose of this paper is to examine the impact that these single security futures had on the volatility of the underlying stocks.

Design/methodology/approach

The Inclan and Tiao algorithm was used to show that the volatility of underlying securities did not change after universal futures were introduced.

Findings

It was found that in the aftermath of the introduction of universal futures the volatility of the underlying securities increases. Increased volatility is not apparent in the control sample. This suggests that single security futures did have some impact on the volatility of the underlying securities.

Originality/value

Despite the huge literature that has examined the effects of a futures listing on the volatility of underlying stock returns, little consensus has emerged. This paper adds to the dialogue by focusing on the effects of a single security futures contract rather than concentrating on the effects of index futures contracts.
Testing the contestability in Kuwait banking industry
Authors: Al‐Muharrami Saeed
Published: October 2008

Purpose

The two aims of this paper are: first, to investigate the market structure of Kuwait banking industry and second, to evaluate the monopoly power of banks during the years 1993‐2002.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper examines the market structure using the most frequently applied measures of concentration k‐bank concentration ratio (CRk) and Herfindahl‐Hirschman Index (HHI) and evaluates the monopoly power of banks using the H‐ statistic by Panzar and Rosse.

Findings

Both of the concentration indices indicate that Kuwait had moderately concentrated market. The Panzar and Rosse H‐statistic suggests that Kuwait banks operate under perfect competition.

Practical implications

Kuwait Central Bank should be very cautious in granting mergers among banks, in particular among large core banks. The results also suggest that Kuwait Central Bank should stop granting permission to banks to open new branches because the country is over branched.

Originality/value

This original paper investigates the market structure of Kuwaiti banking industry and evaluates the monopoly power of banks during 1993‐2002.
The long‐term inflation hedging effectiveness of real estate and financial assets
Authors: Gunasekarage Abeyratna , Power David M. , Ting Zhou Ting
Published: October 2008

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to examine the long‐term relationship between the rate of inflation and the returns of real estate and financial assets traded in New Zealand markets.

Design/methodology/approach

The question of whether these assets are good candidates to hedge inflation in the long run is addressed employing cointegration and causality tests on quarterly data for the period from December 1979 to December 2003.

Findings

A strong long‐term relationship was found between the returns offered by all types of real estate assets (i.e. residential, commercial, industrial and farm building) and the rate of inflation. However, such a long run relationship is not detected between the rate of inflation and the returns of financial assets (i.e. stocks, short‐term bills and long‐term bonds).

Research limitations/implications

The empirical findings reveal that the direction of causality is from inflation to real estate assets indicating that changes in property prices do not cause inflation in New Zealand; the cause of inflation is independent of the price movements for real estate assets. The real estate assets are found to offer an effective hedge against inflation in the long run. The same cannot be said for the financial assets, however.

Originality/value

This is the first New Zealand study which investigates the long‐term inflation hedging effectiveness of both real estate and financial assets. The findings should be of interest to most of the investors in New Zealand as the real estate assets play a significant role in their portfolio decisions.
The role of accounting in the management control system: a case study of a family‐led firm
Authors: Moilanen Sinikka
Published: October 2008

Purpose

This study seeks to add to the knowledge of the formation of social positions and power of individuals and their effects on the role of accounting in the development of management control systems (MCSs).

Design/methodology/approach

Drawing on institutional and the mobilization of power frameworks, the case analysis explores the development of the role of accounting in the MCS.

Findings

The results show that loose coupling between management control routines and formal accounting leaves room for individuals whose roles are important in the development of the MCS. These individuals with central social positions are the glue which enables loose coupling to persist through changes. The organizational culture of a family‐led firm may facilitate the individuals to mobilize power, so that they with central social positions mediate the encoding of institutions into rules and routines as well as the reproduction of the formal rules and informal routines and the relationship between them. Similarly, their own social positions may reproduce.

Originality/value

The paper is of value in showing how the power of an individual over (and in) accounting can be constructed in the MCS. In addition, the discussion is linked to operating in certain transitional economies.
Environmental and performance management forces
Authors: Länsiluoto Aapo , Järvenpää Marko
Published: October 2008

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to analyze the forces that prompted a Finnish food manufacturing company to implement environmental management system (EMS) and performance management system (PMS). The paper also aims to describe how and why environmental issues were integrated onto a balanced scorecard (BSC).

Design/methodology/approach

The paper utilizes both qualitative and longitudinal case study approaches. Semi‐structured interviews are the main source of empirical data; these were conducted by both researchers.

Findings

The forces driving the implementation of the EMS changed from external to internal forces over time. The initial purpose of EMS implementation was to obtain an environmental certificate. Later on the forces turned to internal ones when the causal link between improving environmental performance and profitability was recognized. The PMS implementation, as well as the PMS and EMS integration, had internal forces driving them. The company integrated environmental indicators into its BSC, which thus connected the EMS and PMS. This integration demonstrated the financial impacts of the environmental improvements.

Research limitations/implications

The limitation relates to the methodological issues when the results can be generalized theoretically.

Practical implications

If dealing with environmental issues is considered to potentially increase profitability, there must be a great potential to improve environmental performance at the same time. If environmental measures are integrated into a BSC, they are monitored and discussed more precisely. The BSC is thus a worthwhile tool for reporting information on environmental performance. The construction of an EMS and a PMS requires a co‐operation between different functions and levels of the organization. Finally, the forces for improving EMS and PMS can emerge both from outside and inside.

Originality/value

This paper contributes to the empirical research on environmental and performance management by integrating these two issues, and also illustrates that forces are dynamic rather than static.
Adding scientific rigour to qualitative data analysis: an illustrative example
Authors: Samkin Grant , Schneider Annika
Published: October 2008

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to illustrate how qualitative data may be analysed using a method that can be considered as rigorous/scientific as any statistical analysis of quantitative data.

Design/methodology/approach

An artificial neural network programme CATPAC II™ was used to evaluate selected portions of two accounting standards: the Financial Reporting Standards Board of New Zealand's standard on consolidation; and the equivalent standard developed by the International Accounting Standards Committee and revised by the International Accounting Standards Board.

Findings

The analysis of the concepts of control in the two standards identifies the differences that exist between the two standards. These differences are illuminated through the use of a hierarchical cluster analysis of 40 unique concepts in each of the two standards and 2D representation of the concepts. The extent of the differences in the concepts was established through a rotational analysis of the two datasets.

Research limitations/implications

This research is limited to the analysis of the concept of control and associated commentary paragraphs and supporting documents associated with two accounting standards. Different results may have been obtained had the whole standard been analysed.

Practical implications

Artificial neural network software can be used to support the intuitive textual understanding of the differences that exist in qualitative data. In this paper, the differences identified in the concepts of control may result in different interpretations being taken by the accounting standard users when determining what reporting entities to include in consolidated financial statements. Some additional uses for artificial neural network software in accounting research are also identified.

Originality/value

This paper is the first in the discipline to use artificial neural network software to analyse and compare different texts.
Qualitative management accounting research: rationale, pitfalls and potential
Authors: Lillis Anne
Published: October 2008

Purpose

This paper's purpose is to provide a commentary on “Qualitative management accounting research: rationale, pitfalls and potential,” a paper by Juhani Vaivio.

Design/methodology/approach

The approach is to draw on alternative research paradigms to expand the definition and discussion of qualitative research in management accounting.

Findings

The paper endorses many of the prescriptions in Vaivio but expands the definition and discussion of qualitative research in management accounting to recognize the blurred boundaries with field research more generally, and to be more inclusive of qualitative field research from a positivist/functionalist perspective. Similarly, the need for qualitative research to challenge textbook, economics and consulting representations of management accounting is acknowledged, but the range of catalysts is expanded to highlight the potential for qualitative research building on both qualitative and quantitative extant research. This paper also seeks to broaden the discussion of legitimate study design characteristics and data collection methods, and to stress the importance of matching research design with research question.

Originality/value

The paper stresses the value of pluralism and inclusiveness in both methodological and method choices.
We are not alone: qualitative management accounting research
Authors: Chapman Christopher S.
Published: October 2008

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to provide a commentary on “Qualitative management accounting research: rationale, pitfalls and potential”, a paper by Juhani Vaivio.

Design/methodology/approach

The approach takes the form of a critical reading of Vaivio's paper.

Findings

The paper emphasises the role of other groups interested in the practice and study of management accounting. Whilst frequently an individual activity, the research can be stronger through an awareness, at all stages, of how one's interests might engage with the interests of others – not in a quest for uniformity, but rather for mutual learning.

Originality/value

The paper offers a unifying theme for approaching and understanding the wide‐ranging issues raised by Vaivio.
A response to Joannidès and Berland
Authors: Gurd Bruce
Published: October 2008

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to provide a rejoinder to Joannidès and Berland's comment on Gurd's paper on the use of grounded theory (GT) in interpretive accounting research, re‐establishing the basics of GT.

Design/methodology/approach

A refutation by argument.

Findings

Argues that GT is definable and the term should be used only where appropriate.

Practical implications

Researchers in accounting should be careful when claiming to use GT. Credibility would be enhanced if there was a more careful explication of method in interpretive research.

Originality/value

This paper continues the debate on GT and should assist both new and experienced researchers to explore the basis of their approach.
Some determinants of salesforce effectiveness
Authors: Küster Inés , Canales Pedro
Published: October 2008

Purpose

This paper aims to find out what characterises salespeople in the most effective salesforce in Spain.

Design/methodology/approach

An empirical analysis has been done with 108 field sales managers from different sectors of activity to determine the conditions of the salesperson's control, professionalism and behaviour that affect his/her performance and the effectiveness of companies. A structural equations model or second generation multivariate model was used – PLS.

Findings

The results show that more effective salesforces are controlled through behaviour control systems, salespersons in this team identify with the company's strategic objectives and an important part of their remuneration is based on a fixed salary.

Research limitations/implications

First, the information has been gathered on a unique hierarchical level – team managers. Second, the company's activity sector and the type of salesperson can modify the results. Finally, the size of the sample has limited the potential application of specific statistical techniques and even the generalisation of the results.

Practical implications

Field sales managers must help to define the salespeople's tasks to reach the company's objectives in the most effective way. This situation implies, logically, that control is exerted over behaviour and to a lesser extent over the results achieved by the salesperson.

Originality/value

The paper determines those variables which allow companies, and especially those persons holding responsibility in the salesforce, to increase their effectiveness. The objective enriches the knowledge on sales effectiveness and also applies, in the Spanish case, a study methodology that has been applied in other countries.
Virtual communicating, conflicts and performance in teams
Authors: de Jong Remco , Schalk René , Curşeu Petru L.
Published: October 2008

Purpose

This paper aims to examine the influence of the level of team virtuality on the effects of intra‐team conflicts on team performance, which have hardly been investigated.

Design/methodology/approach

A framework is proposed based on the extent to which team members use communication media to coordinate their actions and execute their tasks, taking into account the extent to which the communication media are synchronous and the extent to which the communication media convey para‐verbal and nonverbal aspects of communication. Data of 49 teams with 172 team members were analyzed using stepwise multiple regression analysis.

Findings

The level of team virtuality influences the relation between intra‐team conflict and perceived team performance. The higher the level of team virtuality, the greater the positive impact of task conflict on perceived team performance. In teams with a low level of virtuality task conflict has a negative impact on perceived team performance, and in high virtual teams task conflict has a positive impact. In addition, process conflict has a negative impact on perceived team performance.

Research limitations/implications

The present study provides a framework for the effects of the level of team virtuality that can be used in further research and has implications for practice.

Originality/value

The study shows the effects of the level of team virtuality on team performance, which is important considering the emerging use of virtual communication tools in organizations.
The social psychology of knowledge management
Authors: Kimmerle Joachim , Wodzicki Katrin , Cress Ulrike
Published: October 2008

Purpose

This article seeks to address the social aspects of handling knowledge and information. For this purpose, it considers findings from social psychology and discusses their applicability in knowledge management research and practice.

Design/methodology/approach

The article presents a selective but systematical review of recent social psychological literature that can be applied for knowledge management purposes.

Findings

Two social psychological concepts that strongly influence knowledge processes in organizations are first introduced: social norms and social identity. Two types of social processes that are particularly relevant for knowledge management subsequently take center stage in this article: knowledge sharing and knowledge processing in organizations. The roles social norms and social identity play in knowledge sharing and knowledge processing are then assessed.

Originality/value

Implications for knowledge management practice are considered: among other implications, it is discussed what computer‐mediated support can contribute to knowledge management processes in organizations with respect to both knowledge sharing and knowledge processing.
A perspective on multiculturalism and policing
Authors: McMurray Adela J. , Karim Azharul
Published: October 2008

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to explore the relationship between demographics and an employee's understanding of and support for the recruitment of culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) groups in a policing context. Design/methodology/approach – A multi‐method research approach was adopted where a postal survey, comprised of both closed and open questions, was distributed to 500 Victoria Police employees and yielded a response rate of 19.5 per cent.

Findings

The findings show that gender and higher education have significant relationships to understanding CALD and lead to significant support for the recruitment of CALD employees. Results show that the instrument utilized in this study was highly reliable with a Cronbach Alpha value of 0.802. Alpha values for “understanding” and “support” were 0.813 and 0.788, respectively. Research limitations/implications – The limitation of this study is that the findings are based on a pilot study with 97 responses.

Practical implications

The utility of the conceptual model generated in this study has practical implications and value as it is being implemented to assist Victoria Police in designing CALD policies, procedures and practices.

Originality/value

The paper proposes an empirical model showing demographics as critical determinants in understanding and support for CALD recruitment and retention in Policing. Furthermore, the conceptual model makes a significant contribution to the literature and advances Morris et al.'s model.
From an ethnocentric to a geocentric approach to IHRM
Authors: Muratbekova‐Touron Maral
Published: October 2008

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to study the case of one French multinational company which has undergone a process of radical restructuring and “internationalization” because of acquisitions of Anglo‐Saxon multinational companies. It examines how the organizational changes influenced the company's approach to the international human resource management (IHRM).

Design/methodology/approach

The methodology of this research is the single case study. Sources of evidences are direct participation and observation, interviews with top managers, and documentation.

Findings

The results show that the ethnocentric model, when French managers were placed on the top of the foreign subsidiaries, becomes non‐efficient in the company which doubled its size and the geographical spread of its activities. It is argued that the forces of globalization constrained this multinational company to change from an ethnocentric approach to a geocentric approach to its IHRM.

Originality/value

The case demonstrates that national and organizational cultures are important contextual factors which influence the company's approach to its IHRM. The paper outlines the interconnectedness of globalization and the geocentric approach to the IHRM.
Workaholism, work and extra‐work satisfactions and psychological well‐being among professors in Turkey
Authors: Burke Ronald J. , Koyuncu Mustafa , Fiksenbaum Lisa
Published: October 2008

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to examine potential antecedents of workaholism components identified in previous research and the relationship of these components to work and extra‐work satisfactions and psychological well‐being among professors in Turkey. It attempts to replicate previous research conducted in North America.

Design/methodology/approach

Data were collected from 406 professors using a web‐based questionnaire. Three workaholism components were considered: work involvement, feeling driven to work because of inner needs, and work enjoyment.

Findings

It was found that the three workaholism components were unrelated to three blocks of antecedent predictor variables. Both feeling driven to work and work enjoyment generally predicted validating job behaviors while work enjoyment predicted work and extra‐work satisfactions and psychological well‐being. These findings provide a partial replication of previous North American results, suggesting the need to consider both country and cultural factors in future workaholism research.

Research limitations/implications

All data were collected using self‐report questionnaires, raising the possibility of response set tendencies. In addition, all data were collected at one point in time, making it difficult to determine causality.

Practical implications

Work enjoyment emerged as a strong and consistent predictor of most work and well‐being outcomes. Organizations are encouraged to increase satisfaction levels in efforts to attain productive and healthy people.

Originality/value

This paper replicates previous workaholism research carried out in North America in Turkey, a secular Muslim country. The importance of considering country culture and values is highlighted.
Dimensions of Indian culture, core cultural values and marketing implications
Authors: Banerjee Saikat
Published: October 2008

Purpose

Behavior of a consumer largely depends on interplay between inner self and outer stimuli. Consumption decisions made in the market cannot be viewed as an independent event – it is closely related with values and social relationship and cultural allegiance. With globalization, culture becomes predominantly important strategic issue in market that has to be faced and properly managed. But, in different settings, management of cultural diversity could be seen as a threat, or an opportunity. As culture and values vary country to country, a close insight about country‐specific culture and core values is almost essential for a smooth sailing in any market. The purpose of this paper is to discuss overall fundamental dimensions of Indian culture and core values and resultant marketing implications.

Design/methodology/approach

The major task is to identify specific culture and core values at the time of marketing in a cross‐cultural setup. In this backdrop, an attempt has been made in this paper to discuss overall fundamental dimensions of Indian culture and core values with the help of a verbal model. The model has further been examined with the help of empirical marketing evidences from Indian market with an objective to help marketers to address those cultural and value dimensions at the time of their brand marketing in India.

Findings

Inputs about Indian culture and value dimensions can be of immense use to brand managers to strategies their marketing road map to minimize chances of erroneous decision‐making. A table summarizing the aspects that have to be considered at the time of building brands in India has been proposed to facilitate useful marketing decisions to penetrate the Indian market. At the time of starting its journey in a new country like India, the best approach a firm can adopt is to accept major issues involved with culture and values.

Practical implications

The verbal model about core culture and values of India, and proposed strategic roadmap, facilitate marketers to devise more accurate marketing strategies for India.

Originality/value

This paper presents a country‐specific approach that may be useful to marketers busy with consumer marketing in India. A verbal model of “Culture and Value Dimensions of Indian consumer” is of immense help in charting marketing strategies to win over Indian consumers.
A cross‐cultural assessment of leading values in design‐oriented companies
Authors: Calabretta Giulia , Montaña Jordi , Iglesias Oriol
Published: October 2008

Purpose

This study is an attempt to approach design management from a cultural perspective. Specifically, the paper assumes that design orientation reflects an underlying organisational culture that distinguishes design‐oriented companies from the rest and reinforces their capability to generate competitive advantage from design management. The aim is to disentangle the main characteristics of this culture.

Design/methodology/approach

A case study research approach was adopted to gain some initial insights on the cultural characteristics of the population considered in the present study.

Findings

The results of the field study identify a set of general values and product‐related values shared by the design‐oriented companies considered in this research. In addition, the existence of functional sub‐cultures and cross‐cultural differences is analysed, together with a discussion on how organisational culture and functional sub‐cultures can co‐exist in this specific context.

Research limitations/implications

Although a rich set of qualitative data was garthered, the number of cases is still too small to consider replications and opportunities for theory building.

Originality/value

The paper proposes a structured description of design orientation from a multiple level of analysis (organisational culture and individual sub‐cultures). It provides useful insights on interaction and harmonisation between these levels, leading to a better understanding of the drivers of design‐oriented behaviour. Additionally, the cross‐cultural setting of the study addresses the interconnectedness of cross‐cultural design practices and design‐oriented managerial values.
Executive courage in the Palestinian organizational culture
Authors: Yasin Mahmoud M. , Alavi Jafar , Saba Fifi H.
Published: October 2008

Purpose

This research attempts to shed some light on Palestinian executives and their organizational culture. Specifically, this research focuses on the dimensions of executive courage in the unique Palestinian culture. The impact of executive courage on Palestinian organizations is emphasized.

Design/methodology/approach

This research is survey‐based. The research instrument utilized in this study was also used in other cultural settings. Content analysis and factor analysis were used to analyze the data collected from a sample of 40 Palestinian executives.

Findings

The results underscore the significance of making tough decisions on behalf of the organization, as an important dimension of the multi‐dimensional executive courage construct. The results of this study clearly show the positive impact of executive courage on organizational culture of Palestinian organizations.

Practical implications

The findings of this research are relevant to Palestinian executives and those executives seeking to engage in joint‐ventures with them.

Originality/value

This research represents rare insight into the Palestinian organizational culture. In the process, the practices of the Palestinian executives with regard to executive courage and its impact on organizations are examined.
Building credibility in international banking and financial markets
Authors: Erik Flyvholm Jørgensen Poul , Isaksson Maria
Published: October 2008

Purpose

The research aims to draw a detailed picture of how international corporate banks and financial institutions approach image advertising to enhance impressions of their credibility. The purpose of the work is twofold, namely to demonstrate how corporate credibility can be conceptualised and made operational for strategic communication, and how the operational categories are utilised in the planning of recent image advertising campaigns in Europe.

Design/methodology/approach

A reconceptualised model of credibility dimensions was first proposed to obtain a collection of operational appeal forms. A corpus of 74 print adverts was then analysed in order to establish how financial marketers use the appeal forms to strengthen their corporate reputations. The patterns of credibility appeals obtained were then linked to the supporting visuals to provide a fuller picture of the industry's current praxis for portraying its expertise, trustworthiness and empathy.

Findings

The results reveal an overwhelming focus in both text and images on recounting companies' achievements and competencies at the expense of providing assurance of their integrity, truthfulness or attention to clients' needs. There is also clear evidence that corporate advertising is in fact strongly focussed on communicating credibility with less than 10 percent of discourse and visuals devoted to credibility‐free themes and issues.

Research limitations/implications

The study takes a production perspective, using discourse and rhetorical analysis to determine how corporate documents are planned and executed. The data do not thus explain how advertising professionals distinguish between credibility appeals or how their target audiences recognise or respond to text and images communicating credibility.

Practical implications

The results of the research are intended to bring increased attention to the rhetorical options for managing reputations and their potential effects on corporate credibility discourse.

Originality/value

The study demonstrates how dimensions of credibility can be conceptualised at a level relevant both to practitioners and to academic writing courses. Additionally, the application of the credibility appeals disconfirms the expectation that financial services providers are increasingly branding themselves to the market on the basis of their character and concern for customers' well‐being.
Communicating a new corporate image during privatization: the case of El Al airlines
Authors: Herstein Ram , Mitki Yoram , Jaffe Eugene D.
Published: October 2008

Purpose

The importance of corporate image management in the airline industry has increased substantially in recent years. More and more managers of airline companies have found themselves changing their company's corporate image in order to ensure a more modern and updated identity. The purpose of this case study is to trace the new corporate image communication design and implementation phases of the privatization process of El Al airlines.

Design/methodology/approach

This article explores the transition process of a government‐owned airline with a popular‐national image to a private company with an exclusive‐national image, focusing on the implementation of its new corporate image communication process.

Findings

The case study described here suggests that the corporate image communication process of a company that has become a private entity should be holistic and takes place on four levels – internal and external, formal and informal.

Originality/value

This unique case study adds a new element to the process of communicating image to internal and external stakeholders in the airline industry and other service sectors that are becoming increasingly privatized. El Al airlines transitioned from government ownership to private hands, a process that required the implementation of drastic changes in terms of service quality management standards. It is quite rare to find companies in the airline sector that have undergone privatization.
When an icon stumbles: the Ribena issue mismanaged
Authors: Jaques Tony
Published: October 2008

Purpose

When two 14‐year‐old New Zealand schoolgirls challenged the advertising claims of Ribena blackcurrant drink – owned by global giant GlaxoSmithKline – they triggered a sequence of events which led to prosecution, public opprobrium and international damage to an iconic brand. The purpose of this paper is to explore the case and identify lessons for future management practice.

Design/methodology/approach

Some of the fundamental principles of issue management, post‐crisis discourse and corporate apologia are to recognize the problem early, to promptly institute a strategic response plan and corrective action and, if necessary, to apologise genuinely and without delay. The paper assesses the case against the theoretical basis of each of these principles and comparable cases. A senior executive of the company concerned was interviewed about some management aspects.

Findings

Despite early indications of a problem which had potential impact around the world, a major global corporation responded inadequately to a local situation and, as a result, suffered prolonged embarrassment at the hands of two teenagers and unnecessarily severe damage to its brand and international reputation.

Originality/value

By in‐depth analysis of a recent case, the paper underlines valuable lessons in terms of prompt management intervention, consistent strategy and effective apologia. It also illustrates the danger of poor management of a brand extension and the risk of contagion facing multinational organizations where adverse outcomes in one small regional market can rapidly damage a global reputation.
When working hard pays off: testing creativity hypotheses
Authors: Suh Taewon , Shin Hochang
Published: October 2008

Purpose

This study seeks to suggest and test an important moderator, organizational encouragement, which plays between working hard, and two outcome variables, creativity and performance. This study also aims to test the traditional inferences and conclusions in the creativity literature in order to generalize them into the corporate communications/public relations (PR) setting.

Design/methodology/approach

The dataset includes 148 survey returns from Korean practitioners in corporate communications and/or PR. Path analysis and multi‐group analysis are utilized for analyses.

Findings

The findings provide evidence that the effect of working hard on performance can significantly be intensified when the practitioner is encouraged to work creatively in the organization. Some of the findings also confirm the general view of the traditional notion from the creativity literature.

Research limitations/implications

The results indicate that when an employee is working hard is better related to the performance goal when the employee is encouraged to take risks and to work in a creative manner. Limitations are concerned with the fact that, in the Korean public relations setting, little knowledge was known about the variables.

Practical implications

Without any effort, simply being creative cannot guarantee successful outcomes. Organizational encouragement is very important in the workplace to encourage creative outcomes and better performance.

Originality/value

This study investigates and determines the role of the organizational determinant of creativity as a moderator in the combination of a mediating variable and working hard. The study area of corporate communications lacks discussion of creativity.
Transparency and performance communication: a case study of Dutch Railways
Authors: Galetzka Mirjam , Gelders Dave , Pieter Verckens Jan , Seydel Erwin
Published: October 2008

Purpose

In an attempt to gain insight into the effects of transparent communication on critical performances, this paper aims to explore performance measures and communication of a large‐scale service organization, i.e. the Dutch Railways (Nederlandse Spoorwegen, (NS)).

Design/methodology/approach

Semi‐structured interviews with employees of NS and external stakeholders were analyzed to study which performances are measured by NS, why they are measured, and how they are communicated to the employees and stakeholders.

Findings

An ambiguous view on transparency was observed. Although transparency is advocated by most employees and stakeholders, this study revealed the complexity of performance communication of a service organization. In this case, NS used to fully disclose performances but emphasized positive performances. This transparent communication strategy seemed to backfire and yielded a counterbalanced societal response from customer organizations which resulted in a strained relationship.

Research limitations/implications

The findings are based on qualitative data of a limited number of interviews. Several types of actors were interviewed but not passengers of NS themselves.

Practical implications

From a communicative point of view, it might be wise to publish negative aspects as well as the positive ones to promote trust and corporate credibility. Building trust involves investing in positive experiences for customers and promotion of realistic expectations. To enhance trust, organizations must not only inform stakeholders and citizens about their performances but also invest in direct communication with their stakeholders.

Originality/value

This study explores performance communication of a service organization, and the ambivalent role of transparency of (internal and external) performance communication.
Issues on compliance and ethics in taxation: what do we know?
Authors: Ho Daniel , Wong Brossa
Published: October 2008

Purpose

To better understand the issues on compliance and ethics in taxation, this paper reviews and discusses the extant literature with a focus on individual taxpayers. As prior studies mainly provide tax compliance and ethics information in the USA, this paper attempts to explore similar issues in a non‐US economy by articulating real‐life perspectives of tax compliance behavior in Hong Kong.

Design/methodology/approach

The first part of this study undertakes an extensive review of literature on compliance and ethics in taxation. The second part of this study provides real‐life perspectives of tax compliance behavior for individual taxpayers by examining three informal tax cases in Hong Kong.

Findings

The first major finding from literature review is that ethical beliefs could be an effective means to improve tax compliance, particularly for taxpayers with lower levels of moral development. Secondly, as tax compliance rate is higher when taxpayer has a stronger moral belief that tax evasion is not ethical, a stronger enforcement effort might have a positive overall effect on tax compliance.

Research limitations/implications

In Hong Kong, there is a lack of general ethics education for the public. The authors therefore suggest the introduction of general ethics education for all citizens in Hong Kong to enhance level of moral development in order to improve tax compliance at large.

Originality/value

The examination of the actions of taxpayers provides insightful information on tax compliance and ethics issues as prior research suggests that ethics ultimately lies in actions and hence actions should be used to study the ethical development.