bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Synergistic Protection: the roadmap for improving citizen disaster preparedness response
Authors: Curry Gerald D.
Published: July 2011

Purpose

Communities around the world continued to be pummelled by devastating natural disasters with little to no relenting to the amount of loss of life, and property damage suffered by businesses and individuals. The United Nation reports huge financial commitments in 2010 to the tune of $109 billion in recovery in an effort of securing some semblance of normalcy. This paper aims to highlight the tremendous accomplishments created by the passing of the Post‐Katrina Emergency Management Reform Act within the US Federal Emergency Management Agency and to introduce a new concept titled Synergistic Protection that encourages citizens and businesses with special skills, equipment, or unique talents to volunteer by enrolling their contact information into a database maintained by the local emergency manager.

Design/methodology/approach

The methodology that was used to construct this paper was traditional scholarly research and observations of the Washington, DC Homeland Security and Emergency Management Agency. A personal account of what was said and that occurred was used.

Findings

This is a concept paper and did not use qualitative or quantitative procedures to conclude findings, but after the data were reviewed professional assessments were made to recommend a new way of involving citizens and private industry in disaster preparedness training and planning.

Practical implications

The practical implications of the concept of Synergistic Protection being applied globally is tremendous and has relevance the world over. It is the author's goal for every country to start using aspects of Synergistic Protection in designing disaster and crisis management planning.

Social implications

The social implications of applying Synergistic Protection are huge. If and when applied people living in communities will start to form bonds out of necessity and need, and not shy away from one another because of petty differences. I believe that Synergistic Protection is needed around the world.

Originality/value

Synergistic Protection is completely original and both copyrighted and trademark by the author.
Narrative research on “Bothra”: an Indian family firm
Authors: Kar Surjit Kumar , Samantarai Munmun
Published: July 2011

Purpose

The purpose of this case study is to understand effect of Indian ethos, socio‐cultural setup, etc. on growth of family‐based business; impact of ethnicity and genetic intelligence on development of entrepreneurial traits, etc. in family business contexts in India.

Design/methodology/approach

The approach takes a single case study on an organized retail firm named Bothra Megabazar Private Limited in Rourkela, India to comprehend the established theories and literature on emergence and spread of business community/class in India known for its own ethos and values as a country. As a part of narrative enquiry method in qualitative research, it collects the narratives of central and peripheral characters in the respective business house through “story telling” and by “restorying” the same, understands and explains the family‐based entrepreneurial journey amidst business dynamics.

Findings

The important findings of this case study are manifold. It finds that there is inter‐connectedness of different aspects amounting for success/growth of family business entrepreneurs and enterprises. Some of these factors are deep‐seated Indian ethos and values, multiple family and social networks, joint and undivided family structure, inheritance of family business down the generations, financial backing from members of family and social networks, long standing experience in trade, genetic intelligence across generations, internal capacity building with unique style of leadership and high‐risk appetite, etc.

Research limitations/implications

With its focus on one specific community like Bani(y)as or Marwaris in Indian business society, the case may not justify the understandings on genetic intelligence in case of other communities/class. However, the study elaborates scope of future studies in the same direction.

Practical implications

Practicing managers and research scholars can use this case for understanding of the key success/growth factors behind socio‐culturally guided family‐based business enterprises.

Originality/value

The paper presents a case that is original.
Student evaluation of e‐service quality criteria in Uganda: the case of automatic teller machines
Authors: Wasswa Katono Isaac
Published: July 2011

Purpose

This study aims to identify the most important e‐service quality evaluation dimensions in an emerging market context, focusing specifically on automatic teller machines (ATMs).

Design/methodology/approach

The study employs a triangulation approach, using both qualitative and quantitative methods based on a convenience sample composed mainly of students at Uganda Christian University. Instrument development was based on the results of a qualitative study. The psychometric properties of this instrument were assessed using exploratory factor analysis followed by cross‐validation using confirmatory factor analysis. This was followed by hierarchical linear regression to identify the most important dimensions of e‐service quality.

Findings

The study establishes that tangibles, card issues, reliability and location are the most important student service quality evaluation dimensions of ATMs in Uganda.

Research limitations/implications

The study utilized a convenience sample of mainly college age students; however, many of them are working and engaged in business activities.

Practical implications

Managers should consider the identified dimensions when designing an ATM network to encourage usage of ATM facilities and decongest their banks.

Originality/value

This study is one of the few of its nature in an emerging market context.
Drivers and barriers of CSR and the size and internationalization of firms
Authors: Laudal Thomas
Published: July 2011

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to analyze how drivers and barriers of corporate social responsibility (CSR) vary with regard to stages in the transformation process from a small and medium‐sized enterprise (SME) to a multinational enterprise (MNE).

Design/methodology/approach

The main method used is a literature survey. The survey covers 47 journal articles. A limited survey of managers in the Norwegian clothing business is used to validate the findings in the literature survey.

Findings

Eight main drivers and barriers of CSR are identified in the literature survey and are also supported by a regression analysis based on Norwegian survey data. By relating the drivers and barriers to more general social science models, it is shown how they are affected by different business contexts and vary with regard to stages in the transformation process from a SME to a MNE.

Practical implications

The paper suggests that public policies for CSR should be adapted to four main contexts, referring to stages in the growth and internationalization of the firm, and overcoming barriers and boosting drivers for CSR.

Originality/value

The paper contributes to a better understanding of how and why drivers and barriers of CSR differ with respect to the size and internationalization of firms.
Corporate perceptions of sustainability challenges in developed and developing countries: constituting a CSR divide?
Authors: Barkemeyer Ralf
Published: July 2011

Purpose

This paper aims to explore sustainability‐related perceptions of proponents of corporate social responsibility (CSR) from 53 countries in order to shed light on contextual differences regarding the conceptualization of the role of CSR in global governance.

Design/methodology/approach

The results of a survey of corporate UN Global Compact participants are presented, focusing on respondents' perceptions regarding 23 key issues in sustainability. Non‐parametric statistics are applied to identify regional and country‐level patterns within the overall sample.

Findings

While general perceptions regarding the urgency of key global sustainability challenges appear to be relatively homogeneous around the globe, significant differences can be identified regarding the specific roles and responsibilities respondents attribute to their own companies in countries from the global North and South, respectively.

Research limitations/implications

The paper focuses on generic patterns within the overall sample; more detailed analysis is needed in future work to explore their origins and impact on corporate practice.

Practical implications

There is a need for an improved integration of Southern stakeholders in CSR practice and policy making in order to fully unfold the potential of CSR in global governance.

Originality/value

The paper uncovers generic differences between conceptualizations of the corporate role in global sustainability between the global North and South.
CSR in SMEs: strategies, practices, motivations and obstacles
Authors: Santos Maria
Published: July 2011

Purpose

Given the greater recognition of the role played by small and medium‐sized enterprises (SMEs) within the European economy, this research aims to provide an insight into SME CSR practices. Within this scope, the objective is to identify accurately and extensively: CSR practices at the social, economic and environmental levels; the motivations, perceived benefits, existing obstacles; and the types of support and strategies that render possible an explanation of the factors which place the greatest restrictions on SME adoption of CSR practices.

Design/methodology/approach

This research was realized through the completion of a questionnaire type inquiry structured around table‐based analysis. The questionnaire was sent out to a large sample of SMEs in Portugal.

Findings

The main results demonstrate that, while CSR takes on an informal, non‐structured character, it has been incorporated into the daily management of such companies. Furthermore, contrary to what happens at large companies, CSR at SMEs is fundamentally internally focused and results from attention to the potential benefits to the business from gains in eco‐efficiency, a better social climate or a higher profile in the local community. The emphasis is on the adoption of simple, easily applicable and cheap measures and normally with specific results exemplifying how SME CSR is located on the border between entrepreneurialism and business management and that of business citizenship.

Research limitations/implications

It is not possible to extrapolate the data obtained since the study focused only on mainland Portugal.

Practical implications

The fact that the study clarifies the strategies and motivations of CSR in SMEs makes possible the development of active policies to promote CSR in the universe of these companies.

Originality/value

Because the studies on SME CSR remain rare, this research contributes to a better understanding of the dynamics, motivations and strategies of CSR in the SMEs case.
Spivs, Shonks and Sharks: The HIH Collapse as a Moral Tale of Corporate Capitalism
Authors: Duarte Fernanda
Published: July 2011

This is the story of an ageing fitness fanatic and the financial sharks who circled his empire before destroying it. Peter Gosnell, The Daily Telegraph 17/4/2003:29. In 2001, Australian company HIH Insurance was placed into liquidation, with severe financial losses and devastating consequences for its employees and policyholders. Dubbed as ‘Australia’s biggest corporate collapse’ (Westfield 2003:241), the HIH case attracted a great deal of attention, not only because of its adverse economic and social impacts but also because it reads like a moral tale in which senior executives of a major business corporation infringe ethical principles and are chastised in the end for their greed, hubris and lack of social responsibility. An examination of media texts published as the case unfolded reveals a strong sense of moral indignation with the social consequences of the HIH collapse, reflected in particular in representations of the shamed executives as greedy, dishonest, arrogant and ruthless. This paper examines the discursive processes that generate representations of HIH senior executives in such dysfunctional terms. Its main contention is that these negative representations can be linked to the growing influence of discourses such as corporate social responsibility (CSR), conceptualised here as a counter‐hegemonic discourse that emerges in an era of increased reflexivity to challenge the legitimacy of dominant discourses of global capitalism. The structuring effects of these discourses are explored in this paper through a methodological framework that borrows from discourse analysis and narrative analysis. This framework reveals links between texts, discourses and macro‐systemic context ‐ or ‐ to borrow from Schegloff (1992) ‐ between proximate and distal contexts The first section of the paper discusses the methodological framework used in the study; the second section provides a brief overview of the broad social context within which the HIH narrative unfolds, and the third part examines the textual construction of the HIH narrative as a moral tale of advanced capitalism, paying particular attention to the portrayal of its key protagonists.
Consumarchy & CSR
Authors: Dumas P. Martin
Published: July 2011

Consumarchy and corporate social responsibility (CSR) are two concepts related to the expanded scope of societal responsibility for the private sector. Since the postwar period, changes in the political, economic and technological spheres have been a source of major opportunities for global businesses, but at the same time the origin of new responsibilities. These concepts are evolving as part of a broader redefinition of global economy. This paper will attempt to examine and compare both concepts and their application in order to identify their strengths and weaknesses on the construction of a more fair and inclusive globalization. Both CSR and consumarchy share the idea that changes in corporate behavior resulting in the public good of social responsibility could be achieved through the market by embedding certain values or principles into the cost/benefit analysis of private companies. While consumarchy offers a systemic approach in which consumers play a central role, CSR is perhaps more delimited although it involves a wide range of actors. The paper will start with a description of consumarchy, its theoretical framework and the assumptions for its spread. Then, it will analyze CSR, its history, objectives, implementation and challenges. A comparison will be offered by way of a conclusion.
The Necessity of Fraud Education for Accounting Students: A Research Study From Turkey
Authors: Tunca Caliyurt Kiymet , Crowther David
Published: July 2011

Accounting is a social science. Recent developments in society have necessitated new regulations in accounting and required accountants to apply these regulations. In this context, it is argued that accounting academics should revise their course material to educate students more appropriately to the current environment. After several accounting scandals in the world, especially in the USA, ethics course in business schools have become required by accounting related institutions like the American International Certified Public Accountants (AICPA) and the Association of Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB). It is aimed to educate more ethical students by integrating ethics into accounting programs and thereby it is hoped / expected that it will be possible to reduce the level of fraud in the accounting world with more ethics educated accountants. A similar level of pressure is not seen with regard to fraud education in business schools. We argue however that even if an accountant behaves ethically, he/she should know how to behave when faced with fraud in the business environment and so needs knowledge about fraud detection, fraud prevention, fraud investigation and fraud reporting. In the business schools of USA and Europe, fraud education has started to take its deserved place in the curriculum and research centers on fraud are being opened by universities. The Association of Certified Fraud Examiner (ACFE), which is the largest nongovernmental organization in the world with 31.000 members, supports universities and accounting academicians with different facilities like courses and books. ACFE supports 295 universities where there is at least 3 credit courses under the name of fraud examination in USA. The other nongovernmental organization which supports fraud education in the accounting programs is the American Instituation of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA). Turkey, IFAC member and candidate member of the European Union, tries to follow recent developments in the world of accounting. Even if there is no pressure by any institution, Caliyurt (2003) noted that 55.3% of the accounting academicians teach about ethics in their accounting courses. This study aims to determine the importance of fraud education as taught by Turkish accounting academicians to accounting students in public and private business schools. As the result it is found that 50% of the accounting academician teach about fraud in their accounting courses but, unfortunately, only 7.1 % of them had education on fraud during their personal education.
Application of Data Mining Method for Financial Profiling
Authors: Ozgulbas Nermin , Serhan Koyuncugil Ali
Published: July 2011

The objective of this study is to describe financial profiles of firms via data mining method and obtain vital characteristics of performance level for the firms, which have the best financial profile of the health sector. In this study, public hospitals needed an urgent financial solution under the health sector reform steps were selected for implementation. The study covered 645 Ministry of Health hospitals, which have revolving fund in Turkey. Year of 2004 data was used in the study. As the methodology of this study, the Chi‐Square Automatic Interaction Detector or CHAID decision tree algorithm, one of the most efficient and up‐to‐date data mining method used for segmentation According to the results of the study, it was determined that financial performance of 9.15% (59 hospitals) of the covered hospitals was classified as “good” whereas 90.85% (586 hospitals) of them displayed as “bad” financial performance. Also hospitals were categorized in 12 different profiles in terms of level of financial performance by CHAID. These profiles show us what financial indicators of the hospitals should focus on for good financial performance as well as those profiles should take example to improve their financial performances. As a result of the findings, financial management policies, financial strategies and legal regulations were suggested to improve financial performance of the public hospitals and for the success of the Turkish health sector reform steps.
Strategic Corporate Social Responsibility in Latin America: A Critical Standpoint
Authors: Faria Alex
Published: July 2011

Strategic management researchers in Europe challenged the historical concern of the field with economic performance. As a result corporate social responsibility (CSR) has been transformed into a key strategic issue. Given the large amount of social problems in Latin America, much of them related to the large amount of foreign direct investments inflows over the last decade, the growing literature on strategic corporate social responsibility (SCSR) produced in the US has been reproduced in the region by consulting firms, big corporations firms and strategic management researchers. Drawing upon critical arguments of Latin American scholars on the dominance of the US literature in the region and on problematic outcomes of the large amount of foreign direct investments inflows this paper develops a critical analysis on the so‐called SCSR. The vantage point construed by big corporations within the fields of strategic management and organization studies, the increasing dependence of the field of strategic management on corporate resources, and the decreasing power of the state and civil society in relation to big corporations are pointed out as key issues for the development of a critical approach on SCSR in Latin America. In the end the author argues that the responsibilities of big corporations, especially in Latin America, are too important to be addressed only by the field of strategic management.
The effects of visually primed pharmaceutical advertising disclosure on attitudes and perceived CSR practices
Authors: Wang Alex
Published: July 2011

Purpose

This study seeks to examine how consumers perceive the visually primed disclosure in a pharmaceutical company's advertisement and form their attitudes toward the disclosure, perceived corporate social responsibility (CSR) practices and attitudes toward the pharmaceutical company.

Design/methodology/approach

An online study with a convenient sampling consisting of college students is used to manipulate the visual communication of a pharmaceutical company's advertising disclosure for the purpose of examining the effects of visually primed advertising disclosure on attitude toward the disclosure, perceived CSR practices, and attitude toward the pharmaceutical company.

Findings

The results reveal that a visually primed disclosure affects consumers' attitudes toward the disclosure positively. Visual priming also enhances consumers' perceived CSR practices and attitudes toward the company. This is evident as the impact of attitude toward the disclosure on attitude toward the company is mediated by perceived CSR practices.

Practical implications

Pharmaceutical companies should improve their advertising disclosure practices by enhancing visual communications of their advertising disclosures. Since a mediating relationship between attitude toward the disclosure and attitude toward the pharmaceutical company is materialized by perceived CSR practices, visually primed advertising disclosures perceived as socially responsible practices can facilitate advertising effectiveness and enhance consumers' attitudes toward the pharmaceutical company.

Originality/value

This paper adds value to the existing literature on pharmaceutical marketing and CSR practices, and promotes the effective management of advertising disclosures by reinforcing their communications through visual priming.
Health expenditure efficiency: implications for pharmaceutical marketing
Authors: Hilsenrath Peter
Published: July 2011

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to consider the efficiency of US healthcare in an international context. The paper emphasizes the concept of efficiency and explores implications for pharmaceutical marketing.

Design/methodology/approach

Literature review, economic theory, secondary data and bivariate regression were used to describe and evaluate US healthcare spending and pharmaceutical marketing.

Findings

US healthcare spending is inordinately high as a share of gross domestic product within developed countries and this is associated with a relatively high share of private finance. But public sector finance is displacing private payment and this trend is especially pronounced for pharmaceuticals. Public finance combined with fiscal pressure can be expected to curb use of pharmaceutical detailing and other forms of marketing. The limits of affordability are not well assessed and socio‐economic institutions to facilitate decisions about present and future costs have yet to evolve.

Originality/value

This paper provides a macro perspective for healthcare finance and the marketing of pharmaceuticals. It pioneers analysis of economics and international healthcare systems integrated with the foundations of demand for pharmaceutical marketing.
Electricity markets: an overview and comparative study
Authors: Srivastava Anurag K. , Kamalasadan Sukumar , Patel Daxa , Sankar Sandhya , Al‐Olimat Khalid S.
Published: July 2011

Purpose

The electric power industry has been moving from a regulated monopoly structure to a deregulated market structure in many countries. The purpose of this study is to comprehensively review the existing markets to study advantages, issues involved and lessons learnt to benefit emerging electricity markets.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper employs a comprehensive review of existing competitive electricity market models in USA (California), UK, Australia, Nordic Countries (Norway), and developing country (Chile) to analyze the similarities, differences, weaknesses, and strengths among these markets based on publically available data, literature review and information.

Findings

Ongoing or forthcoming electricity sector restructuring activities in some countries can be better designed based on lessons learnt from existing markets and incorporating their own political, technical and economical contexts. A template for design of successful electricity market has also been presented.

Research limitations/implications

This study is limited to a comparative analysis of five markets and can be extended in the future for other existing and emerging electricity markets.

Practical implications

The discussed weaknesses and strengths of existing electricity markets in this study can be practically utilized to improve the electricity industry market structures leading to several social benefits including lower electricity cost.

Originality/value

The comprehensive review and analysis of five existing markets, physically located in different continents, may be used as an assistance or reference guide to benefit the emerging electricity markets in other countries.
Emerging models of social enterprise in Eastern Asia: a cross‐country analysis
Authors: Defourny Jacques , Kim Shin‐Yang
Published: July 2011

Purpose

This paper aims to compare profiles of social enterprises as they are emerging in China, Hong Kong, Taiwan, Japan and South Korea and to highlight common features across countries allowing the identification of (partly) East‐Asian‐specific model(s) of social enterprise.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper first examines the socio‐economic contexts in which new public policies and new NPOs' initiatives were launched to offer innovative solutions to current challenges, especially unemployment. Interactions between Eastern Asia and Western regions (EU, USA) are also analysed as to experiments and conceptions of social enterprise. In order to identify major convergences and divergences across countries in Eastern Asia, we rely on country studies presented in this issue as well as on a broad literature, related more specifically to the development and roles of NPOs and co‐operatives in this region.

Findings

Five major models of social enterprise with specific dynamics can be identified in Eastern Asia. State influence and driving forces linked to public policies make these models rather different from the typical US social enterprise; as for the role of civil society, it seems weaker than in Western contexts but is growing significantly. Co‐operative movements also play a significant role in shaping some social enterprise models. Finally, two conditions identified as critical for the development of social economy organisations – a “condition of necessity” and a “condition of shared destiny” – seem to be valid in Eastern Asia as well, provided they are properly reinterpreted.

Research limitations/implications

As in other regions, the concept of social enterprise itself only begins to be used in Eastern Asia, and no specific legislation deals explicitly with social enterprise as such, except in South Korea. So the main challenge was to identify all categories of initiatives which can be described as part of the new “social enterprise phenomenon”. The understanding of the latter may evolve over time and vary across countries.

Originality/value

The present analysis, just like the other four papers in this issue, is a result of a joint research project of the EMES European Research Network and East‐Asian researchers. Country studies were conducted along common broad guidelines, and they were discussed and revised at various stages, which insured a fairly good level of comparability. Moreover, this seems to be the first systematic comparative analysis on social enterprise involving all industrialised countries in Eastern Asia.
Continuous improvement and dynamic actor associations
Authors: Papadopoulos Thanos
Published: July 2011

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to explore the link between continuous improvement (CI) and dynamic actor associations through a case of lean thinking implementation in healthcare.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper follows the qualitative case study strategy. Data were collected by interviewing (tape‐recording) managers and staff, analysing relevant written project material, and conducting non‐participant observations.

Findings

The findings suggest that the implementation of CI depends on the emergence of a “favouring” network from the dynamic associations between heterogeneous entities. This network aims at facilitating change leadership, establishing behaviour/culture prone to CI, and constructing a behaviour non‐resistant to CI needed for creating competencies for the continuous roll‐outs of such changes. Continuous translation is the underlying mechanism for establishing the favouring network.

Originality/value

The paper addresses the literature gap regarding the role of dynamic actor associations in shaping CI in a public sector context. It does not aim at generalising the results of the case study; it informs current theory by revealing that the success of CI deployment depends on the emergence of a CI‐favouring network, which will continuously transform opposing views into accepting CI.
Scope for fair trade and social entrepreneurship in India
Authors: Khanapuri Vivekanand B. , Khandelwal Mayank R.
Published: July 2011

Purpose

Social entrepreneurship will play a big role in bringing the growth to the rural masses in India and so it becomes important to study the factors, like fair trade, that will shape the social entrepreneurship philosophy.

Design/methodology/approach

Primary information has been collected from National Level bodies like Fair Trade Forum – India (FTF‐I) by means of discussions and debates. Current state of fair trade penetration has been discussed with the help of a case study of an India NGO, International Resources for Fairer Trade (IRFT) which is a pioneer in this field in India.

Findings

Discussions with FTF‐I and study of IRFT revealed some surprising facts about fair trade in India – one of them being the expected size of the fair trade market in the near future. Fair trade is expected to grow exponentially in the coming years and it has the potential be an inspiration for many to enter into the social entrepreneurship world.

Practical implications

With this study as basis, many Non Government Organizations and other bodies may find that their business models can be slightly modified to make them eligible for entering the lucrative market of fair trade.

Originality/value

This is the first study that focuses on attempting to find a link between social entrepreneurship and fair trade in India. This study will not only help current and future social entrepreneurs understand the need for fair trade and its benefits but it will also help them understand how they could become fair trade compliant if they wanted to and thus contribute to all inclusive growth.
The selective nature of place branding and the layering of spatial identities
Authors: Boisen Martin , Terlouw Kees , van Gorp Bouke
Published: July 2011

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to strengthen the conceptual understanding of place brands and place branding by exploring to what extent place branding implies a level of selectivity and how this relates to the layering of spatial identities.

Design/methodology/approach

A conceptual approach has been taken in this paper to provide an analytical conceptualisation of place branding to guide future empirical studies. The research, and the resulting paper has been structured around a progressive discussion of place as concept, of place brands as limited forms of geographical representations and of place branding as a highly selective process.

Findings

Places are highly complex and cannot simply be understood as spatial entities within a closed hierarchical, territorial‐administrative system. Places only exist when they have an audience, and the resulting spatial identities often overlap, contradict or complement each other across existing territorial‐administrative levels. The rise of new forms of spatial identities results in new “places”, and all places can be seen as having or being brands. The notion of place branding implies market segmentation and a certain level of power to exercise control by selecting target groups and formulating policy, strategy and undertaking action.

Research limitations/implications

In future empirical and conceptual research concerned with place branding the inherent selectivity of place branding should be given more attention. The ends to which place branding is used as a means should be paid more attention in both policy (practice) and science (theory).

Originality/value

This paper contributes to the understanding of the metaphorical translation of branding and marketing towards places and spaces.
Using decision trees to identify tourism stakeholders
Authors: Byrd Erick T. , Gustke Larry
Published: July 2011

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to investigate the use of decision tree analysis in the identification of stakeholders based on their participation in tourism and political activities in a community.

Design/methodology/approach

A survey was sent to tourism stakeholders in two rural counties. Responses were collected and analyzed using the exhaustive chi‐square automatic interaction detection decision tree analysis.

Findings

Based on the results of the decision tree analysis four tourism stakeholder groups were identified based on their participation in tourism and political activities in a community: high participants, high‐moderate participants, low‐moderate participants, and low participants.

Research limitations/implications

Owing to a low response rate, an issue of non‐response bias could exist, but the information from the respondents can give insight on stakeholders in these communities. Also, the specific results of this study can only be applied to eastern North Carolina and are not generalizable to other areas.

Practical implications

Results from this study demonstrate the use of decision tree analysis in identifying community stakeholders. Using decision tree analysis tourism planners can identify stakeholder groups that will participate in tourism and political activities. With this knowledge, tourism planners can identify which stakeholder groups will be the most influential and vocal in a community with regard to tourism development.

Originality/value

Decision tree analysis is a tool for partitioning a data set based on the relationships between a set of independent variables and a dependent variable. The research reported here tests the application of decision tree analysis, an analytical technique that is not traditionally used to segment stakeholders in tourism.
Strategies to develop and maintain occupational health and safety measures in small businesses employing immigrant workers in metropolitan Montreal
Authors: Gravel Sylvie , Rhéaume Jacques , Legendre Gabrielle
Published: July 2011

Purpose

In large urban centres, immigrants are employed by businesses in which there is a high incidence of serious or fatal occupational injuries. This paper aims to present findings on the lack of knowledge and understanding in terms of: explanations for the implementation or lack of, procedures; technical expertise in prevention and the inability of the internal actors to implement changes.

Design/methodology/approach

A study design with a comparison group is used. The observation sample is comprised of 21 small businesses (SB), of which 16 meet the following criteria: the enterprise had fewer than 50 employees; and at least 25 per cent of the workers were born outside the country. The other five serve as a comparison group; the only difference in these SB is that they employ fewer (<25 per cent) immigrant workers.

Findings

The findings indicate that SB employing immigrants have totally or partially failed to implement health and safety management in area of occupational health and safety.

Practical implications

Implementation of safety management is impeded by numerous factors, including a partial or biased understanding, from managers and workers, on occupational health and safety rules. Democratic participation is to be encouraged so that management and workers get more involved in actual prevention strategies implementing health and safety measures.

Social implications

Active participation of workers in workplace is essential in global health improvement, as related by Armataya Sen on concept of “substantial freedom”.

Originality/value

The paper focuses on health and safety management in SB employing immigrants
Demonstration of risk profiling for promoting safety in SMEs
Authors: Jørgensen Kirsten , Jan Duijm Nijs , Troen Hanne
Published: July 2011

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to identify and assess the risks and potential risks that may lead to accidents. It aims to look at how to improve risk assessment within SMEs for the benefit of all staff.

Design/methodology/approach

The research included results from a Dutch project which identifies accident risks and safety barriers that are presented in a huge database and risk calculator. The method was first to develop a simple way of accessing this enormous amount of data, second, to develop a tool to observe risks and safety barriers in SMEs and to investigate the usefulness of the developed tools in real life, third, to collect data on risks and safety barriers in SMEs for two occupations by following 20 people for three days each and to create a risk profile for each occupations.

Findings

The result is a simple way to go through all types of risks for accidents – a tool for risk observations for external safety experts, and useful for SMEs and for risk profiles for two occupations. Finally some experiences about the needs and difficulties in risk awareness in small enterprises as well as requirements for the employer and the employees.

Research limitations/implications

The limitation of the project is that the results have not been tested in SMEs and that the number of people observed and observations days are limited mainly because there was limited time for the project.

Social implications

The article considers the dilemma that although accident frequency is higher in SMEs, most small companies experience no serious accidents; thus, they are not challenged to focus on safety, neither being aware of the risk of accidents nor being able to identify risk before the accident happens with the purpose of acting and taking action to prevent accidents.

Originality/value

The value of the project is the observation tool and the identification of risks, and being aware of what an employer and employee can do to minimise such risks.
Whole of enterprise portfolio management
Authors: Young Michael , Owen Jill , Connor James
Published: July 2011

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to demonstrate that there is not just a single project portfolio operating within an organisation, but instead there are multiple portfolios.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper follows a case study methodology, utilising secondary sources in the form of publically available reports.

Findings

The authors offer a definition of whole of enterprise portfolio management and suggest that this conceptual tool will allow an organisation to control programs and portfolios, particularly, where organizations adapt to emergent situations.

Research limitations/implications

This paper is supported through a single case study using secondary data only. Whilst this provides an illustrated example to support a theoretical model, further empirical research is required to determine its applicability in other sectors and organisational contexts.

Practical implications

This paper provides a whole of enterprise portfolio model in the utilities sector and can be applied to many organisations. It also provides a basis for further research.

Originality/value

This paper provides a new perspective on portfolio management, suggesting that the organisation consists of many portfolios that need to be managed in an integrative manner, rather than just the project portfolio be examined and managed in isolation.
A viewpoint on cartels: an Indian perspective
Authors: Babu Chennupati Divakara , Mouly Potluri Rajasekhara
Published: July 2011

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to critically analyze the adverse effects of cartels on the economy and the interests of consumers and how they are sought to be regulated under the Indian Competition Act, 2002.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper focuses on the definition of cartels and the various factors conducive for the promotion of cartels and how they are sought to be regulated in the select jurisdictions with the help of decided case laws. It also sheds adequate light on the deficiencies of the Monopolies and Restrictive Trade Practices (MRTP) Act, 1969 in curbing cartels and how such deficiencies are sought to be remedied under the Competition Act, 2002. The paper further highlights the new trends and investigative tools in busting of cartels in the developed world and the salutary lessons that could be drawn by the competition regimes of the developing countries.

Findings

The paper discloses that the earlier MRTP Act, 1969 as well as the prevailing Competition Act suffers from various flaws in curbing cartels, resulting in the feeble regulation of cartels with all attendant baneful consequences on the economy and consumer interests. The paper strongly advocates the need to treat cartels as criminal offences warranting prosecution and punishment apart from encouraging leniency and whistle blowing for facilitating the busting of cartels.

Practical implications

The paper identifies the potential difficulties and intricacies that could be encountered by the competition authority in addressing the cartels owing to shortcomings in the Competition Act, 2002. Hence, the paper articulates that these concerns should be addressed by the legislature at the earliest for further strengthening the regulatory mechanism over cartels in the interests of economy and consumers.

Originality/value

The subject focused in the paper is a topic of utmost contemporary importance having wide implications on the national economies across the world, calling for novel methods and techniques in dealing effectively with the menace of cartels.
Lessons learned from a comparative examination of global civil justice reforms
Authors: Ali Shahla , Lee Felicia
Published: July 2011

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to examine the impact of recent civil justice reforms in five jurisdictions including Singapore, Malaysia, Hong Kong, the UK and Canada on the resolution of civil and commercial disputes.

Design/methodology/approach

The study, drawing on a comparative cross‐jurisdictional methodology, reviews the scope and nature of such reforms and examines lessons learned regarding implementation.

Findings

The findings of the research indicate that such reforms are most effective where regular evaluation to fine‐tune mediation rules occurs concurrently and in conjunction with the implementation of such reforms.

Research limitations/implications

The limitation of this research is that it is confined to already existing court case statistics, judicial commentaries and reviews of the five selected jurisdictions.

Practical implications

The practical implications of the study find that in general, civil justice reforms have made some progress in achieving the aims of encouraging cost‐effective, expeditious and amicable case handling within the civil justice system.

Originality/value

The paper contributes to a global analysis of effective approaches to civil justice reform and in particular reforms in mediated case handling.
Empirical analysis of the sources of China's economic growth in 1978‐2008
Authors: Hongwei Wang , Ping Li
Published: July 2011

Purpose

This paper aims to reflect the quality of Chinese economic growth and analyze its influential factors through measuring the change rate of technological progress and its contribution rate to economic growth between 1978 and 2008.

Design/methodology/approach

In this paper, an all factor productivity (AFP) method is taken. AFP is essentially a weighted sum of all input factors' productivity. Besides, general hypotheses for production function, such assumptions are not required as neutral technological progress, constant returns to scale and producer equilibrium in method of AFP. Furthermore, specific forms of production function are not needed and can be calculated directly. This method tries to relax the assumptions to make the estimated rate of technological progress closer to the reality in China.

Findings

Empirical research using the AFP method shows a contribution rate of AFP to economic growth has been significantly improved since reform and opening‐up; however, that AFP fluctuates during different periods. China's economic growth is driven by investment and mainly depends on accumulation of capital input and moderate technological progress. Generally speaking, China's change of technological progress is consistent with its economic growth and technological progress plays an important role in its economic growth. The paper concludes that it is becoming significant for China to speed up its large‐scale technological progress, strengthen indigenous innovation, accelerate human resource development, and to facilitate promotion of system reform in an in‐depth manner.

Originality/value

First, in order to ensure the accuracy measurement, and taking into account the impact of macro‐economic control policies, the rate of change of technological progress and its contribution to economic growth are measured, according to the stages of China's economic cycles. Second, the perpetual inventory method is taken to calculate the annual value of fixed asset investment, and price deflated index is used to convert fixed asset investment into comparable data of the base year, 1978. Since the data of fixed assets price index began to be released from 1992, data from 1978 to 1991 are obtained by mathematical method through extension. Third, the theoretical model of AFP is transformed into an empirical one to estimate the change rate of technological progress and its contribution to economic growth in China.
Examining the impact of knowledge management practices on knowledge‐based results
Authors: Ramezan Majid
Published: July 2011

Purpose

This research proposes to study the connection between knowledge management practices and knowledge‐based results.

Design/methodology/approach

Theoretical relations are tested through an empirical study carried out on Iranian firms in the car manufacturing industries.

Findings

This paper shows how the firms that adopt knowledge management practices obtain better results than their competitors.

Research limitations/implications

The main limitation of this research is the lack of literature about knowledge productivity.

Originality/value

As limited studies have been carried out on knowledge productivity, the findings of this study will be useful in assessing the learning ability to create knowledge‐based results or innovation in organization.