bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Determinants of product quality perceptions and their application to marketing standardisation
Authors: Lee Jung‐Wan , Tai Simon W.
Published: April 2009

Purpose

This paper aims to investigate the concept of the standardisation of products and marketing communications in an emerging market. The paper further aims to introduce a logical connection between product attributes and consumers' perceptions of product quality.

Design/methodology/approach

Relationships between the product attributes of characteristic‐, benefit‐, image‐ and perceived‐product quality are hypothesized. The empirical data, which collected via a consumer survey in Almaty, Kazakhstan, are utilized to test hypotheses using structural equation modeling method.

Findings

This study finds that product attributes affect differentially to consumers' evaluation of product quality. For products with higher symbolic meanings such as the automobile in Central Asia, consumers are more sensitive to the benefit attribute of the product rather than the product characteristic attribute.

Research limitations/implications

This study uses a single product category and a single segment. Results need to be expanded and confirmed with other product categories in other emergent markets.

Practical implications

This study implies that, beyond product standardisation, multinational firms must develop strategic marketing communications by adapting the differences of values, expectations, needs of consumers towards global products, in particular, in emerging markets.

Originality/value

Very few studies in global marketing have been carried out in the Commonwealth Independent States region. In particular, to understand the intricacies of product quality judgment by Kazakh consumers towards global products is important to multinational firms that are operating in the region.
Using styles for more effective learning in multicultural and e‐learning environments
Authors: Cools Eva , Evans Carol , Redmond James A.
Published: April 2009

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to introduce this special issue, which contains selected papers from the 13th Annual European Learning Styles Information Network (ELSIN) conference held in Ghent, Belgium in June 2008. One of the key aims of ELSIN is to promote understanding of individual learning and cognitive differences through the dissemination of international multidisciplinary research about learning and cognitive styles and strategies of learning and thinking.

Design/methodology/approach

Three papers within this special issue consider how style differences can inform the development of e‐learning opportunities to enhance the learning of all (Vigentini; Kyprianidou, Demetriadis, Pombortsis and Karatasios; Zhu, Valcke and Schellens). The influence of culture on learning is also raised in the paper of Zhu et al. and those of Sulimma and Eaves which both focus more directly on cultural influences on style, learning and teaching.

Findings

A number of key themes permeate the studies included in this special edition such as: the nature of styles; the intrinsic difficulty of isolating style variables from other variables impacting on performance; inherent difficulties in choosing the most appropriate style measures; the potential of e‐learning to attend to individual learning differences; the role of culture in informing attitudes and access to learning; the development of constructivist learning environments to support learning through an understanding of individual differences and most importantly how one can apply such insights about individual differences to inform and enhance instruction.

Originality/value

The papers in this special issue contribute to enhanced knowledge about the value of style differences to design constructive learning environments in multicultural and e‐learning contexts.
Using learning technology in university courses: do styles matter?
Authors: Vigentini Lorenzo
Published: April 2009

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to explore the relevance of three different types of styles measure for students' learning in a large introductory university course in psychology, using information technology to enhance teaching. The paper examines the relationship between styles, the usage of learning technology, and academic performance in this course.

Design/methodology/approach

Styles are measured using approaches to learning, thinking styles, and cognitive styles. The usage of the online material is measured by considering both time spent on the resources and the amount of material viewed (pages and hits) as well as tools used.

Findings

The findings are that the academic performance of students who used the online resources is significantly higher than those who either choose to not use the online materials at all or choose to use to the materials to a lesser extent. It is determined that the measure of approaches to learning (approaches and study skills inventory for students) is the stronger predictor for successful use of the material.

Research limitations/implications

Using a reasonably sized sample in an ecologically valid context offered the opportunity to put styles into context and to consider the practical use of styles. This research is limited by the context and the particular sample. It is also difficult to completely exclude the fact that students using the extra material are generally more motivated and would have obtained better grades even without the resources.

Originality/value

This paper offers further evidence for the relations between different measures of styles and evaluates the effects that styles might have on usage of online material and academic performance.
Learning styles technology and supporting overseas learners
Authors: Eaves Mina
Published: April 2009

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to present details of a study investigating learning styles differences of Thai students in England compared to local students in England and Thailand. It also discusses key issues in using learning styles in multicultural and international education, given their wide availability online.

Design/methodology/approach

A mixed methods design is used, including a psychometric approach using Vermunt's Inventory of Learning Styles (ILS) with three postgraduate Business student samples – Thai (in England, n=26), European (in England, n=16) and Thai (in Thailand, n=122) and a qualitative approach using focus groups, interviews and open‐ended questionnaires with the Thai (in England, n=43) sample only.

Findings

One‐way independent analysis of variance analyses on ILS scores show that learning styles differ significantly between the three samples on each of the test occasions, particularly in meaning‐directed learning and undirected learning. The qualitative data analysis shows that Thai students in England perceive culturally‐determined differences in teaching and learning behaviour between Thai and English higher education environments that can cause difficulties for them.

Research limitations/implications

The use of mixed methods gives data of greater breadth and depth than a single method; however, the sample sizes are somewhat limited.

Practical implications

Thai students in England require additional support from educators and educational institutions.

Originality/value

This paper provides a valuable insight into the learning styles and needs of Thai students in England, given the paucity of research in this area.
Development of a service quality scale for pharmaceutical supply chains
Authors: Ahmad Niaz , Usman Awan Muhammad , Raouf Abdul , Sparks Leigh
Published: April 2009

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to develop a scale for the measurement of service quality in pharmaceutical supply chains.

Design/methodology/approach

A total of 413 pharmaceutical retailers working in the two biggest cities of Pakistan responded to a survey. Confirmatory factor analysis developed a valid and reliable service quality measurement scale with four dimensions and ten items.

Findings

Findings of this research are consistent with other service quality studies. There is no universal set of dimensions and items that determine service quality across a section of service industries. Service quality measurement must be adapted to fit the context.

Research limitations/implications

Convenience sampling was undertaken for this research. This research contributes to the measurement of service quality by developing a valid and reliable measurement scale in a previously ignored sector.

Practical implications

The scale developed in this research can be used by pharmaceutical distribution companies in Pakistan to measure, control and improve the service quality provided to pharmaceutical retailers.

Originality/value

This research provides framework to researchers to build up more pharmaceutical supply chains service quality scale development studies in similar situations so that more concrete generalizations can be made.
“Pressure points” on pharmaceutical industry executives: what lies ahead?
Authors: Glass Harold E. , Poli Laurence G.
Published: April 2009

Purpose

The pharmaceutical industry faces significant challenges in the immediate future, including drug safety, intellectual property in emerging markets, industry image, and the overall effect of marketing. To remain effective, pharmaceutical executives must translate these challenges to the industry into solutions, find relationships between individual issues, and group these issues into larger themes. The purpose of this paper is to study the issues that senior industry executives perceive the pharmaceutical industry faces and how they can organize these issues into high‐impact “pressure points.”

Design/methodology/approach

Using a modified approach to the Delphi technique, 70 senior pharmaceutical industry executives rated issues facing the pharmaceutical industry. Their responses were then examined using factor analysis.

Findings

The study concludes that concerns about the industry's future must be accompanied by a concerted effort to communicate and market the importance drugs play in improving and extending lives.

Practical implications

These will influence political factors that effect new drug development.

Originality/value

The study develops a list of potential major issues facing the industry over the next three to five years.
Are travellers interested in wine tourism in New Zealand?
Authors: Alonso Abel D.
Published: April 2009

Purpose

While much of contemporary wine tourism research focuses on on‐site winery visitors, little is reported on the level of wine tourism participation among travellers outside the winery who may not necessarily be winery visitors or wine enthusiasts. This study investigates this dimension from the perspective of travellers.

Design/methodology/approach

Between October and November of 2006, a total of 998 questionnaires were distributed among travellers from the North to the South Island of New Zealand. In all, 500 travellers participated in the study, a 50.1 percent response rate.

Findings

One critical finding of this study is that while winery visitation appears common among domestic travellers, for the majority of international visitors lack of knowledge of New Zealand wines and wineries is their main reason not to visit wineries while members of this group travel in New Zealand.

Research limitations/implications

The potential limitations of choosing a predominantly quantitative approach, as well as choosing specific days of the week for the questionnaire distribution are acknowledged in this study.

Practical implications

The overall results suggest that if wine tourism is to continue its present development in New Zealand, winery operators and the wine industry need to address several issues identified in this study, particularly overseas travellers' apparent lack of knowledge about New Zealand's wine and wine tourism.

Originality/value

This study examines wine tourism from a different perspective, namely, that of travellers who might not necessarily fall under the wine tourist category. This dimension has been ignored for the most part in previous wine tourism research. The study also provides avenues for future research to further explore this dimension of tourism/wine tourism.
Socio‐demographic constraints to travel behavior
Authors: Kattiyapornpong Uraiporn , Miller Kenneth E.
Published: April 2009

Purpose

This study aims to ascertain the effect of socio‐demographic constraints on dimension of travel choice. This study also seeks to derive personal ecological explanations for variation in travel preference, travel intention and travel choice behavior of a wide range of destinations.

Design/methodology/approach

A large representative sample of 49,105 Australian respondents is utilized. Binary logistic regression is used to determine the impact of constraint variables.

Findings

Age, income and life stage have significant differential and interactive effects on travel behavior. Socio‐demographic variables act in different ways to constrain/free different types of travel behavior. However there are significant levels of travel by even the most constrained groups as well as significant amounts of non‐travel by the least constrained sectors of our society. These impacts are country specific.

Research limitations/implications

The travel motivations of constraint groups need to be considered to order better understand travel behavior. Investigation of psychological and ecological facilitators and constraints to travel is needed.

Practical implications

This information is most useful for market segmentation and the development of constraint group destination marketing plans. Managers can use utilize such results to minimize the barriers to travel by particular groups.

Originality/value

This paper utilizes a large database to provide insights into the personal ecological constraints to travel.
Coal mining in China: policy and environment under market reform
Authors: Zhu Songli , Cherni Judith A.
Published: April 2009

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to identify the main environmental impacts of coal mining in China, examine the main institutions and reform factors that failed the control of these damages, and discuss what would be necessary to establish a sustainable and environmentally responsible coal mining sector in the context of market and institutional reforms.

Design/methodology/approach

Review of existing knowledge, and semi‐structured interviewing with key informants in the policy and industry sectors has been the main method of primary and secondary data collection. Grounded theory was used to analyze original data.

Findings

The large and fast growing coal industry in China has caused significant environmental degradation, including land subsidence and water intrusion, as well as remarkable records of miner's poor safety and health. Market reform was mostly unsuccessful in integrating environmental consideration into production and marketing decisions. Main factors of reform that have been associated with this problem are price deregulation and excessive competition inside the industry. Institutional reform, in fact, enhanced the status of State Environment Protection Agency; however, it impaired environmental governance in the coal industry. It is suggested that market reform as applicable to the China coal industry economic sector in particular should reconsider its approach in light of the numerous problems it has created.

Originality/value

The paper identifies and puts together the condition of the growing coal industry in China after market reform, articulating the huge environmental costs that this development has imposed on the country, while calling for an environmentally sustainable coal industry.
Effects of investment growth in energy sectors of western areas on local economy and emissions
Authors: Lu Chuanyi
Published: April 2009

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to analyze the effects of investment growth in energy sectors of western areas of China on the local economy and emission of carbon dioxide (CO2).

Design/methodology/approach

The paper is based on a two‐region, ten‐sector recursive dynamic computable general equilibrium model which is based on the input‐output table of Shaanxi Province for 2002.

Findings

Three different scenarios are considered in a static analysis where the investment in the energy sector of western areas is increased at the rate of 20, 40 and 60 per cent. The changes of some macro‐economic variables are simulated under these scenarios. The long‐term effects on GDP and emission of CO2 in different scenarios are also simulated. The results show that the GDP growth is 0‐8.92 per cent, households disposable income growth is 0‐8.94 per cent, and emission of CO2 growth is 0‐11.10 per cent when the investment grows between 0 and 60 per cent. The oil and gas sector is the most effective sector whose growth rate is 0‐19.47 per cent. The effects of investment growth in base period are relatively big but weaken gradually over time in the long‐run.

Originality/value

The paper is of value in highlighting the importance (for policy makers) of considering the development and application of low‐emission technologies to prevent further environmental degradation.
From command and control regulations to a business proposition
Authors: Wang Qin , Gao Hui , Wen Fushuan , MacGill Iain , Huang Jiansheng
Published: April 2009

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to overview the development of China's emission trading, which is transforming environmental policy measures from traditional command and control regulations to business‐led decision making within government initiated environmental markets, and investigates the main factors that affect China's policy making with regards to further climate changes.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper is based on the authors' review of the literatures on emissions trading program in China and their critical analysis.

Findings

Initially China's environmental protection policies were focused principally upon the reduction of sulfur dioxide (SO2) emissions for improving air quality. Since the authorization of the Kyoto Protocol in 2002, project‐based activities such as Clean Development Mechanism producing carbon credit developed rapidly. However, the implementation of carbon dioxide emission trading is still under discussion and research is much inferior to that of SO2 emission trading. The barriers of and suggestions for designing future emissions trading market are also discussed.

Originality/value

This review helps to raise awareness and understand possible scenarios for emission trading in China.
Is there more information in best‐worst choice data?
Authors: Mueller Simone , Rungie Cam
Published: April 2009

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to apply a very simple but powerful analysis of the variance‐covariance matrix of individual best‐worst scores to detect which attributes are determining utility components and drive distinct consumer segments.

Design/methodology/approach

First an analysis of variance and covariance is used to find attributes which are perceived to have different importance by different consumers and which jointly drive consumer segments. Then we model consumer heterogeneity with Latent Clustering and identify utility dimensions of on‐premise wine purchase behaviour with a principal component analysis.

Findings

Four consumer segments were found on the UK on‐premise market, which differ in the relative strength of five wine choice utility dimensions: ease of trial, new experience, restaurant advice, low risk food matching and cognitive choice. These segments are characterised by sociodemographics as well as wine and dine behaviour variables.

Research limitations/implications

Attributes with high variance signal respondents’ disagreement on their importance and indicate the existence of distinctive consumer segments. Attributes jointly driving those segments can be identified by a high covariance. Principal component analysis condenses a small number of behavioural drivers which allow an effective interpretation and targeting of different consumer segments.

Practical implications

This paper's analysis opens new doors for marketing research to a more insightful interpretation of best‐worst data and attitude scales. This information gives marketing managers powerful advice on which attributes they have to focus in order to target different consumer segments.

Originality/value

This is the first study considering individual differences in BW scores to find post hoc segments based on revealed differences in attribute importance.
An international comparison of retail consumer wine choice
Authors: Goodman Steve
Published: April 2009

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to present the results from a 12 country study mapping the influencers on the choice of wine for purchase in the retail store environment. It demonstrates the usefulness of the best‐worst choice method in multi‐country research to map similarities and differences across market borders.

Design/methodology/approach

Using a choice set of 13 attributes (influencers) that was developed from the literature and pilot studies, the B‐W choice method was used to conduct choice experiments related to what influenced consumer choice for the last bottle of wine they purchased in a retail store (in the context of “to have for dinner with friends”).

Findings

The key influencers of previous trial and recommendation were highly important across most markets, with the exceptions in some markets of influencers such as “brand” (China and Brazil), “food matching” (France and Italy), “origin” (France) and “grape variety” (Austria).

Research limitations/implications

The research analysis needs to be extended to conduct market segmentation comparisons of markets with whole of sample similar results to ascertain to what extent the market sub‐segments are similar or different in order to examine if there are any truly “global” market segments or how individual segments differ across borders, cultures, New World:Old World divide and other regional influence factors.

Originality/value

This paper presents choice influencer results for a twelve country study. It demonstrates the ability of the method to be used in multi‐country research and its usefulness in identifying similarities and differences in consumer choice across different cultures and markets.
A cross‐cultural comparison of choice criteria for wine in restaurants
Authors: Cohen Eli , d’Hauteville Francois
Published: April 2009

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to discuss the difficulties raised by the question of cultural differences in consumption behaviour studies, and proposes the best‐worst method as a tool for comparing data from a cross‐national survey.

Design/methodology/approach

Data were collected from samples of wine consumers from Australia (n = 283), the UK (n = 304) and France (n = 147), using the BW procedure, where respondents have to assess what are the most and the least important attributes when choosing a wine at a restaurant.

Findings

Results show differences between the countries, with a clear contrast between the French, on the one hand, and the Australians and British, on the other. They confirm empirically the idea that the country may be a valid “culti unit” in cross‐cultural research.

Research limitations/implications

The authors suggest that the method works well in the context of this research, but does not avoid some of the uncontrollable biases of declarative data, nor the question of the relevance of some choice items in cultural contexts that can be very diverse (such as the role of a waiter in a restaurant).

Practical implications

The paper shows that the method can be used quite easily in a large number of studies where it is important to hierarchize choice cues and compare different segments of a population.

Originality/value

This fairly large scale study contributes to the marketing literature dealing with country of origin as a segmentation criteria, and exploring the concept and measurement of “cultural difference”. Finally, it fosters a scarce literature dealing with consumer behaviour in “on premise” situations.
Entrepreneurship theory and the poverty of historicism
Authors: Murphy Patrick J.
Published: April 2009

Purpose

The author applies methodological concepts from The Poverty of Historicism to contemporary research in the area of entrepreneurship. This paper aims to explain why current theoretic models do not adequately explain entrepreneurial phenomena and to present outlines of a distinct entrepreneurship research paradigm.

Design/methodology/approach

The author examines the essay from the perspective of a historian and then summarizes its concepts. Next, the author reviews the current state of entrepreneurship research and theory and applies concepts from the essay to its contemporary challenges. Finally, the author presents five implications.

Findings

The five implications are that entrepreneurship research should include designs that predict failure, strive to develop theory that is distinct from other areas, emphasize novel arrangements of empirical elements that are also novel, utilize nonparametric statistics and case studies more fully, and push for a paradigmatic shift.

Originality/value

The contribution of this paper is useful to entrepreneurship scholars interested in developing and distinguishing their research area in a substantial and lasting way alongside other established research areas in the domain of business studies.
Louis J. DeLamarter: can he save a dying industry?
Authors: Greenwood Regina A. , Wrege Charles D. , Gordon Peter J. , Joos John
Published: April 2009

Purpose

This paper aims to acquaint readers with Louis J. DeLamarter and the innovative strategies he used to extend the profitability of the street railway in the USA.

Design/methodology/approach

Initially the researchers were interested in street railways (trolleys) and why they had flourished in Grand Rapid, Michigan when they were failing in other parts of the USA. Extensive research in local and national newspapers, business journals and trade publications of the time led to the story of Louis J. DeLamarter. His innovative approach to running the street railway in Grand Rapids MI emerged as the cause of the Grand Rapids Railway Company's unique, though temporary, success.

Findings

DeLamarter conceived and implemented a number of innovative marketing practices which were rooted in a differentiation strategy: he focused on the customer whereas other transportation companies did not. His strategy made the company successful after others became bankrupt. His ideas were lauded in the industry, adopted, and are still used in public transportation today. Only external factors such as the depression, the advent of the automobile and burdensome regulations undermined his success.

Research limitations/implications

Despite extensive searches, no original papers by DeLamarter could be located.

Practical implications

Public service companies worldwide can learn about the importance of customer focus from DeLamarter's work. Additionally, managers can learn that even the most successful innovative strategy will only yield a short‐term competitive advantage if the industry faces unfavorable external factors.

Originality/value

The story of Louis J. DeLamarter and his innovations in public transportation are presented for the first time.
Groupthink and France's defeat in the 1940 campaign
Authors: Ahlstrom David , Wang Linda C.
Published: April 2009

Purpose

France's defeat by Germany in 1940 is one of the most shocking events in the annals of military history. Explanations for France's defeat have traditionally focused on battlefield mistakes, an unmotivated population, and even bad luck. Yet, the seeds of France's failure were sown long before her 1940 surrender. The purpose of this paper is to examine the presence of groupthink in the French General Staff during the interwar years with its deleterious effect on France's military preparedness.

Design/methodology/approach

Groupthink is used to understand the reasons behind France's decisive defeat at the start of World War II. Historians of the period and primary and secondary works were consulted and analyzed.

Findings

Multiple examples of the main eight groupthink symptoms were identified from the documentary evidence. Groupthink present in the French General Staff had an adverse impact on the France's preparations. Groupthink led to the downplaying of important information, the failure to question vital assumptions about German capabilities, and the misapplication of new military technology. This led to inflexibility and the inability to respond to innovative German technology and operational doctrine.

Research limitations/implications

Groupthink is useful in explaining complex historical events – events which often have been attributed to poor leadership, corrupt or incapable politicians, or simply luck. The application of social science theory and methods to well‐documented events, whether “historical” or otherwise has the potential to enrich the understanding of these events and the ways in which they may be studied.

Originality/value

This study also contributes to evidence on groupthink and the application of theory in social science and management to the study of well‐documented historical events.
Towards sustainably managed media organizations: reflections on the future of responsible business in media industry
Authors: Wilenius Markku , Malmelin Nando
Published: April 2009

Purpose

The purpose of this article is to offer insight into the future of responsible business in the media industry. The focus of analysis is on the views and opinions of leading CEOs in media companies in Finland about responsible business and the social and organizational challenges faced by the media industry.

Design/methodology/approach

To explore the views of top management, extensive interviews in the form of focused theme interviews were performed.

Findings

Companies in the media sector are well aware of the industry's responsibility for its operating environment, but they have not yet adopted the principles of responsible business as an integral part of their day‐to‐day operation and strategic decision making. Directors of media corporations believe that responsibility for staff members and job stability is a particularly important part of the media company's social responsibility. They also believe that modern media companies continue to have important social functions. However, as the competition in the media market continues to toughen, it becomes increasingly important for media companies to show a strong financial performance.

Research limitations/implications

The research is able to give a comprehensive picture of foresight thinking within Finnish top media organizations. However, very little can be said about foresight activities of media organizations in other countries. It is proposed that further research covering other interesting countries should be carried out.

Practical implications

Research gives tools to understand the behaviour of media companies in the tightening operating environment. Research implies that media companies should lay more stress on understanding the changing operational environment.

Originality/value

The paper gives a unique picture of the future challenges of media companies.
Do interactions within networks lead to knowledge management?
Authors: Monnavarian Abbas , Amini Azadeh
Published: April 2009

Purpose

Through Social Capital, this paper seeks to introduce interactions as antecedents of Knowledge Management.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper briefly reviews the Social Capital and Knowledge Management literature. It investigates how SC impacts the KM cycle in the literature and then presents statistical evidence using a case study.

Findings

Social Capital can be considered as an appropriate infrastructure for Knowledge Management implementation.

Research limitations/implications

Social Capital refers to corporate culture; hence it differs in different contexts. This might result in a slight limitation to generalizing the findings to other organization types.

Practical implications

Actors' position in a network, trust, norms, teamwork enhance interactions, and encourage cooperation and resource sharing. As a consequence, exchange of knowledge is facilitated and knowledge is shared, created, applied and saved.

Originality/value

The paper provides insights to different dimensions of Social Capital and the way it enhances the Knowledge Management cycle. It further clarifies the relationship by statistical evidence via introducing a case study.
Business incubation as strategy
Authors: Eshun Joseph P.
Published: April 2009

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to propose that an unprecedented revolutionary change in the structure of the US economy warrants attention to the internal structures, cultures and strategies. Consequently, it is argued that for businesses, especially large industrial establishments (LIEs), to survive and prosper in the new and emerging economic order, they must aggressively redesign their organizational environments as a business incubator to leverage new and emerging social and economic opportunities in the development and commercialization of new products, new processes, and new business models, among others. These strategic goals and objectives require firms to pursue leverage creativity, innovation, and entrepreneurship as well as embrace and adopt business incubation as strategy.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper attempts to make business incubation a strategy not only for new and emerging technology‐driven firms but also for large industrialized corporations. In addition, it argues that, in the new economy, creativity, innovation and entrepreneurship should not be the exclusive routine or practice of only small firms but should also be a part of large corporations if they are to survive and prosper in the new economy.

Findings

Future research may develop testable hypotheses to validate claims and assertions. The last couple of decades have witnessed unprecedented revolutionary change in the structure of the US economy. Whether it is called the “entrepreneurial economy” or the “new economy”, entrepreneurship, innovation and creativity have become the hallmark of economic and business prosperity.

Practical implications

These concepts should hopefully encourage managers to view their organizations as business incubators on the basis of certain enabling structures, cultures (values, beliefs, norms, etc.) and policies and strategies that may either unleash and leverage creativity, innovation and entrepreneurship or inhibit them. After thinking about their organizations in terms of a business incubator, managers, hopefully, will craft business incubation strategies – programs, activities, and events that will bring a community orientation and collective action to existing product improvements, new product developments and the commercialization agenda via creativity, innovation and entrepreneurship.

Originality/value

Business incubators have traditionally been recognized as new organizational forms for promoting entrepreneurship and stimulating new business formation. Similarly, business incubation programs, activities, and events have routinely been perceived as being beneficial to entrepreneurs, start‐ups, and small business. It is possible that no one so far has conceptualized and endogenized the firm as a business incubator and business incubation as strategy.
Six necessary mind shifts for implementing strategy
Authors: Speculand Robin
Published: April 2009

Purpose

In the last few years the field of strategy implementation has been growing. Much of the current literature explains the “why”. This paper aims to shift the thinking from the “why” to the “how”. Leaders are now beginning to state that they understand that it is important to implement as well as design the strategy and are asking “What do I need to do differently” so as not to repeat the mistakes of the past and avoid being a casualty of the “9 out of 10 failure rate”.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper is based on the findings from eight years of interviewing over 300 leaders about the implementation of their strategy. It is also based on the research the author has done for his new book Beyond Strategy, to be published shortly.

Findings

The key finding is that leaders must adopt six mind shifts.

Research limitations/implications

There is very little research in the field of strategy implementation. Bridges (the company run by the author) is one of the few to have been researching the field for eight years.

Practical implications

The paper targets the six mind shifts leaders must have in order to implement their strategy.

Originality/value

The value of the paper is that there is very little published writing on the field of strategy implementation and even less on how to implement it. There are few tools and techniques available in the field, especially when compared with how you create a strategy.
How to ensure your recession‐fighting game plan gets implemented
Authors: Myrna John W.
Published: April 2009

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to inform the readers and the leaders and managers of industry, that a major reason why companies fail to meet their objectives is poor implementation. This article sets out to talk about what to do to fully implement plans and achieve desired goals.

Design/methodology/approach

The author uncovered the main implementation pitfalls during his 30 years of experience as a manager and consultant working with hundreds of organizations on developing and implementing their strategic plans.

Findings

There are ten major reasons why companies fail to implement their strategic plans.

Practical implications

Missing goals and milestones is tough enough on the bottom line in the good times, but it could be deadly for companies during depressed economic conditions.

Originality/value

This information is unique in its comprehensiveness and crucial for executives and owners of industry in both emerging and mature markets.
Maternal autonomy and child nutrition
Authors: Dancer Diane , Rammohan Anu
Published: April 2009

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to analyze the main determinants of child nutrition in rural Nepal, focusing on the influential role of maternal autonomy.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper uses data from the 2006 Nepal Demographic Health Survey (NDHS) to estimate econometric models using OLS and logit techniques. The dependent variables are the two anthropometric measures of child weight‐for‐height (a measure of wasting) and height‐for‐age (a measure of stunting).

Findings

No evidence was found of gender discrimination against the girl child in either of our nutritional measures. However, our results show that the explanatory variables have differential effects on male and female children. Estimation results show that maternal autonomy variables have a limited influence on child nutrition measures, but household wealth has a large positive impact on child nutrition, both short‐term and long term.

Originality/value

The large sample size and the range of questions available in our nationally representative dataset, allows us to explore the influence of household level social and economic factors on child nutrition. A study of the role of maternal decision‐making power and control over assets on the nutritional status of children is an important issue in a developing country like Nepal, where health and education outcomes remain poor for large segments of the population.
Finding a way forward
Authors: Howes Stephen
Published: April 2009

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to identify the (three) critical issues that will need to be addressed in a post‐2012 (post‐Kyoto) global agreement on climate change, sets out the options and difficulties in relation to them, and outlines a way forward on each.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper assesses proposals for national and international mitigation already put forward both by negotiating countries and by academics.

Findings

Global mitigation efforts have so far achieved little and negotiations are currently deadlocked. This lack of progress has led to an proliferation of alternative policy proposals for an international agreement, but only those proposals which build on international agreements to date have at the current time any reasonable prospect of guiding global mitigation effort post‐2012. There are three main issues that will need to be addressed within that framework: emission reduction targets for developed countries; the nature and extent of actions to limit emissions growth in developing countries; and the funding of emission reduction efforts in developing countries. Using a number of explicit assumptions, the paper identifies likely ranges for emission reduction targets for developed countries and emission growth limits for developing countries. The best (worst) case involves developed countries as a group reducing 2020 emissions by 20 per cent (10 per cent) over 1990 levels, and developing countries limiting annual average emissions growth between 2012 and 2020 to 1.5 per cent (3.5 per cent) a year. This is estimated to give global emissions in 2020 in the range of 47‐53 Gt CO2‐e. The bottom end of this range is consistent with the long‐term goal of stabilizing the concentration of greenhouse gases in the range of 550 CO2‐e ppm, provided there is rapid adjustment post‐2020. Crucial to reaching a deal at the ambitious end of this range will be reform of the clean development mechanism, and a commitment by developed countries to large public funding in support of developing country mitigation.

Originality/value

The paper accepts the current negotiating framework, and provides a systematic and quantified treatment of the critical issues which arise within it.
Managing organizational change by using soft systems thinking in action research projects
Authors: Sankaran Shankar , Hou Tay Boon , Orr Martin
Published: April 2009

Purpose

This paper aims to show how systems thinking can be incorporated in action research (AR) interventions to successfully implement organizational change. The two case studies described in this paper would be useful to managers who want to implement change in their own organizations.

Design/methodology/approach

Both projects used AR as the methodology due to its flexible, responsive and emergent nature. In one project, there was a deliberate attempt to incorporate soft systems thinking whereas in the other project soft systems thinking was used as a sense‐making process while carrying out AR. As an added benefit both approaches have resulted in successful completion of doctoral research.

Findings

Soft systems methodology (SSM) and AR can both help in addressing ill‐structured problems faced by managers, in collaboration with stakeholders using questioning and reflection. Both lead to an increased understanding about the problem situation. The difference is that SSM uses a more structured approach while AR is emergent in its application. SSM practitioners advocate that action researchers would benefit by declaring in advance an intellectual framework to guide their research. This has the additional benefit of overcoming obstacles in an academic environment where research processes are still governed based on traditional research methods.

Practical implications

The ideas presented in the paper could be particularly useful to a practice‐based discipline such as project management where research into its practice is in demand.

Originality/value

This paper would be useful to managers interested in a rigorous methodology to implement organizational change in addressing business problems. It demonstrates ways of combining SSM and AR, resulting in a powerful research tool to carry out rigorous research.
Project management in small to medium‐sized enterprises
Authors: Rodney Turner J. , Ledwith Ann , Kelly John
Published: April 2009

Purpose

Small to medium enterprises (SMEs) play an important role in the economy, in terms of employment and their contribution to national wealth. A significant proportion of that contribution comes from innovation. SMEs are also the engine for future growth in the economy. Project management has a role to play in managing that innovation and growth. The purpose of this paper is to find the extent to which SMEs use projects, project management and the tools of project management, and to determine what differences there are by size of company and industry.

Design/methodology/approach

A questionnaire was developed to examine the extent to which small firms carry out projects, the resources they employ, the way they measure project success and the tools and techniques that they use. The questionnaire was answered by 280 companies from a range of industries and sizes.

Findings

It is found that companies of all sizes spend roughly the same proportion of turnover on projects, but the smaller the company, the smaller their projects, the less they use project management and its tools. Surprisingly, hi‐tech companies spend less on projects than lo‐tech or service companies, but have larger projects and use project management to a greater extent. They also use the gadgets of project management to a greater extent.

Research limitations/implications

It is concluded that SMEs do require less‐bureaucratic versions of project management, perhaps with different tool sets than the more traditional versions designed for medium‐sized or large projects, and with different versions for medium, small and micro projects. For all firms, the important success factors are client consultation; planning, monitoring and control; and resource allocation are also identified.

Originality/value

The findings suggest the need for further research into the nature of those “lite” versions of project management designed for SMEs.