bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Public library staff’s perceived value and satisfaction of an open source library system
Authors: Albee Barbara , Chen Hsin-liang
Published: July 2014

Purpose

– The purpose of this study is to examine public library staff attitudes towards an open-source library automation system in the state of Indiana. The researchers were interested in understanding the library staff’s perceptions of the value of the system in performing their job duties and improving library services.

Design/methodology/approach

– The researchers travelled to nine public libraries every three months to survey library staff from January to December 2010. The participants completed the surveys at the libraries and were given the option to remain anonymous. The survey consisted of six questions regarding the use of the Evergreen system for work processes and basic demographic information of the staff. There were a total of 323 survey respondents. Of the 323 respondents, 57 (17.65 per cent) used the Evergreen system in their daily work routines at the library.

Findings

– The primary benefits reported were: ability to check the availability of library materials at other Evergreen libraries via the shared catalogue, the Evergreen system provided more functionality than their previous library automation systems and the ability to reserve materials for patrons.

Research limitations/implications

– This was a convenience sample. All survey participants provided their responses voluntarily during the 12-month study period. A more comprehensive sampling procedure should be considered in the future.

Originality/value

– The study indicated the need for improvements in the Evergreen Indiana system. Those improvements were also relevant to other open-source integrated library systems.
Cost efficiency and service effectiveness for university e-libraries in Taiwan
Authors: Hsieh Ling-Feng , Chin Jiung-Bin , Wu Mu-Chen
Published: July 2014

Purpose

– The aim of this paper is to construct a model of cost efficiency and service effectiveness for a university e-library to allocate e-resources cost and to attain quality of service enhancement and cater to the needs of readers with existing e-resources.

Design/methodology/approach

– The paper establishes an assessment model for the cost efficiency and service effectiveness of a university e-library in Taiwan. It then proceeds with an empirical study and analysis of related data collected from e-libraries of 16 universities. A discussion of the results of the study and suggestions for the adjustment of the university e-libraries follows.

Findings

– The paper combines two models of cost efficiency and service effectiveness for the first time to analyze and consider the output results created by the input cost of university e-libraries in Taiwan and their utilization by readers.

Originality/value

– The paper builds a figure for the relationship of e-library cost efficiency and service effectiveness at 16 universities in Taiwan and then divides it into four types.
Consumer behaviour toward convenience store chains in Greece
Authors: G. Zairis Antonios , Evangelos Prontzas
Published: July 2014

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to examine consumer behavior towards Greek convenience stores chains and to determine the criteria on which store selection is based. The paper also analyses the stores’ position in the retail sector.

Design/methodology/approach

– A random sample of 360 convenience store consumers was surveyed across four major cities. Data were collected through personal interviews, using a structured questionnaire. Statistical analysis was applied to further evaluate the information.

Findings

– Consumers choose convenience stores mainly to cover their daily needs and save time on shopping, despite their dissatisfaction with the provided services. The survey also identified the characteristics of convenience store customers and their preferences.

Originality/value

– The principal contribution of the present research is its focus on consumer behavior towards convenience stores in Greece.
Performance comparison of Islamic (participation) banks and commercial banks in Turkish banking sector
Authors: Erol Cengiz , F. Baklaci Hasan , Aydoğan Berna , Tunç Gökçe
Published: July 2014

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to attempt to compare the performance of Islamic banks against conventional banks in Turkey. This comparison is much more distinctive and significant in Turkey when compared to other countries, as Turkey stands as a model for the world in interest-free banking system.

Design/methodology/approach

– The comparative performance analysis was conducted by means of logistic regression method during the period of 2001-2009. The CAMELS approach is utilized to assess the managerial and financial performance of banks.

Findings

– The results signify that Islamic banks operating in Turkey perform better in profitability and asset management ratios compared to conventional banks but lag in sensitivity to market risk criterion. These findings might mainly be ascribed to the fact that these banks allow lower provisional losses compared to conventional banks and have some tax advantages.

Research limitations/implications

– Utilizing a more recent and consistent data set, the analyses could be replicated to determine if the results are subject to any sample bias.

Practical implications

– These finding reveal significant implications for potential entrants into Turkish banking sector particularly for foreign investors.

Social implications

– The findings from this study may reinforce the awareness and confidence in participating banks in Turkey.

Originality/value

– Turkey is particularly interesting to conduct this analysis because Turkey is a Muslim but secular country and both Islamic and conventional banks are subject to same set of banking regulations which are based on Western traditional banking system. Furthermore, to the knowledge, there is not a comprehensive study that compares the performance of conventional and Islamic banks in a Western banking system.
Consumer-small retailer relationships in Indian retail
Authors: Khare Arpita
Published: July 2014

Purpose

– The purpose of the study was to understand influence of assortment, store facility, service and relationship on Indian consumers’ small retailer patronage behaviour. The determinant of small retailer–consumer relationships was studied.

Design/methodology/approach

– Indian consumers were contacted through retail stores intercept method and requested to participate in the survey (n = 321). The questionnaire was adapted from the research conducted by Lee et al. (2008) and modified (some items on relationship were added). ANOVA and multiple regression tests were used to analyze the data.

Findings

– The Indian consumers’ prefer small retailers due to assortment, service, store facility and relationship. The older and younger populations differ in their reasons for preferring small retail stores. The results show that service and assortment influence consumer-small retailer relationships.

Practical implications

– The small retailers’ can harness the relationship and social interaction attribute of their service package for defending their turf against organized retail. The fast-moving consumer goods companies can use the competitive strength of small retailers for increasing their distribution in the interiors of the country and understanding market demand.

Originality/value

– There is limited research in India to understand competitive advantage of small retailers over organized retailing.
Determinants of outsourcing decision for facilities management (FM) services provision
Authors: I. Ikediashi Dubem , O. Ogunlana Stephen , Boateng Prince
Published: July 2014

Purpose

– This paper aims to examine key determinants that influence the decision to outsource facilities management (FM) services. FM is said to be acquiring increasing popularity all over the globe, with several sourcing strategies springing up for FM services provision.

Design/methodology/approach

– Based on questionnaire survey approach, this paper uses purposive sampling to administer 84 questionnaires to selected bank executives operating in the 21 licensed commercial banks in Nigeria, soliciting their responses about what constitute key determinants of outsourcing decision in the context of FM services provision. In all, 41 responses were received, giving a response rate of 49 per cent.

Findings

– Supported by empirical evidence, this study established 14 factors as key determinants of outsourcing decision for FM services provision. The top three rated factors were “to improve company’s focus”, “to make cost transparent” and “to improve stakeholders’ satisfaction”, while “to restrict own investment in staff”, “to retire personnel” and “to play along with trend in privatisation” were the least rated. There was no significant difference in the rankings of the factors by respondents, while most of the highly rated factors exhibited strong correlation with other factors.

Research limitations/implications

– Due to limited dimension of sample size, more robust techniques such as factor analysis and structural equation modelling could not be used.

Originality/value

– This paper provides an enhanced understanding of outsourcing decision and basis for further research into decision support models for outsourcing in the context of FM services provision.
A service-oriented perspective of facility management
Authors: Coenen Christian , von Felten Daniel
Published: July 2014

Purpose

– The purpose of this article is to provide a service-oriented understanding of the field of facility management (FM) and describe the role that services management plays in successful FM. Even though the definitions for FM by European Committee for Standardisation include the term “service” several times, there remains a need for an established management understanding that reflects the service character of FM, while also accounting for its multidimensional management challenges.

Design/methodology/approach

– This goal is achieved by applying the main characteristics of services management to FM, describing the service-specific perspectives of FM, analyzing the specific quality attributes of FM as a service management discipline and introducing important services management implications for FM.

Findings

– The article describes in detail how FM can benefit from taking a services management perspective and gives useful implications for managers in the following key fields of action: process management, tangibility management, personnel management and relationship management.

Originality/value

– Services management knowledge and expertise have the potential to position FM as an even more professional business discipline.
Sustainability and organizational transformation: putting the cart before the horse? (part one)
Authors: Muja Naser , H. Appelbaum Steven , Walker Tara , Ramadan Said , Sodeyi Tolu
Published: July 2014

Purpose

– Global corporate strategies are revealing the boundaries of organizational capabilities and the limits of the natural resource capacity that is needed to sustain business operations. Sustainability has emerged as a strategic response adopted by many corporations to reduce resource dependency and consumption costs in an effort to secure existence as a going concern while also demonstrating corporate citizenship. The paper aims to discuss these issues.

Design/methodology/approach

– This two-part paper will present a review of recent findings relevant to sustainability and change management was performed in order to develop a better understanding of factors that may hinder corporate adoption of sustainability, the role of sustainability in transformational change, and the change management challenges involved in integrating sustainability within corporate culture.

Findings

– For a growing number of organizations, sustainability has recently been elevated from “doing” to the level of “being”, which involves integration into their mission, vision and shared values. Corporate leaders and governing bodies play a critical role as champions in the implementation of sustainability for organizational transformation.

Research limitations/implications

– The limited number of examples of organizations fully embracing sustainability at a vision level stems from the fact that most executives do not fully understand the issues and do not know how to devise the governance or strategies needed to adopt a more sustainable path. However, the research points to the fact that there is a recognized shortage of empirical research work specifically focused on sustainability change and effective business cases.

Practical implications

– Organization development practitioners have a significant role in helping firms implement sustainability-focused transformations.

Social implications

– Given the economic, ecological and social imperatives, there is urgency for firms around the world, both big and small, to adopt effective sustainability strategies that add value for stakeholders while reducing resource demand.

Originality/value

– The research points to the fact that there is a recognized shortage of empirical research work specifically focused on sustainability change including limited examples of effective business cases.
Different native languages as proxy for cultural differences in travel behaviour: insights from multilingual Switzerland
Authors: Laesser Christian , Beritelli Pietro , Heer Samuel
Published: July 2014

Purpose

– This study aims to study different native languages as proxy for cultural differences in travel behaviour in multilingual Switzerland. Differences in travel behaviour between tourists from different nations (implying different cultural backgrounds) have been investigated in several studies. However, most studies do not reveal the potential confounding effects associated with cross-nation studies, such as differences in the economic, legal/regulatory or subcultural contexts of their residents. This exploratory study tries to overcome this gap by investigating differences in travel behaviour between language groups within one country: Switzerland. By holding potential confounding effects constant, our results reveal differences in travel behaviour associated with language, including travel motivation, choice of destination, choice of type of accommodation, duration of trip and travel expenses.

Design/methodology/approach

– The study is based on data from one of the most comprehensive outbound travel behaviour survey: Travel Market Switzerland.

Findings

– By holding potential confounding effects constant, our results reveal differences in travel behaviour associated with language, including choice of destination, choice of type of accommodation, duration of trip and travel expenses.

Originality/value

– Differences in travel behaviour between tourists from different nations (implying different cultural backgrounds) have been investigated in several studies. However, most studies do not reveal the potential confounding effects associated with cross-nation studies, such as differences in the economic, legal/regulatory or subcultural contexts of their residents. This exploratory study tries to overcome this gap.
Community-based island tourism: the case of Boa Vista in Cape Verde
Authors: Sánchez-Cañizares Sandra M. , Castillo-Canalejo Ana María
Published: July 2014

Purpose

– This paper tries to explore the possibilities of developing sustainable, community-based tourism (CBT) in Boa Vista in Cape Verde, Africa. Island territories are generally considered preferential tourist destinations. However, the negative effects of tourism in these destinations should not be overlooked, among them environmental concerns and impacts on the culture of the island’s inhabitants. The development of CBT takes on special relevance, as it based on planning schemes in conjunction with the local community who share the positive effects derived from tourism.

Design/methodology/approach

– The methodology used consisted in designing two surveys: one focusing on the supply side and another on the demand side of tourism to define and analyse the current status of this sector in Boa Vista. The survey on tourism supply was distributed among a panel of experts formed by tourism service providers located in Boa Vista. The statistical results of the responses and the discussion carried out by the panel of experts permitted the development of a SWOT matrix. The survey on demand was administered to foreign tourists in different parts of the island. A total of 202 valid surveys were obtained.

Findings

– The main results of the fieldwork are twofold. On the supply side of tourism, the community is making an enormous effort to actively participate in the development of sustainable tourism, efforts which are often constrained by the geographical barriers of Boa Vista (sandy soil, poor accessibility to other islands) and the institutional and political situation of the island. As regards the demand side of tourism, the vast majority of tourists stay at the island’s all-inclusive resorts, whereas few tourists require the services provided by the community, mainly because they are unaware that such services exist.

Originality/value

– Certain island destinations are more appropriate for tourists wishing to flee mass tourism enclaves due to their natural environment, relative isolation and the traditional culture of their inhabitants. For this reason, it is important to develop a CBT model for these destinations in which initiatives are planned in conjunction with members of the local community who participate in decision-making processes and benefit equally from the positive effects of tourism. Although several case studies have been reported in the research on CBT initiatives, few studies have been carried out on CBT in island territories. This is the main contribution in this paper.
A sustainable festival management model: the case of International Troia festival
Authors: Duran Erol , Hamarat Bahattin , Özkul Emrah
Published: July 2014

Purpose

– The purpose of this study is to propose a sustainable festival management model (SFMM) drawing on data from the International Troia Festival, Çanakkale, Turkey.

Design/methodology/approach

– Three research techniques were used in the study. Survey data examined six motivational dimensions whose importance were tested using the logistic regression analysis. In-depth interviews and observations were analyzed using content analysis. The study sample comprised festival event attendees, members of public and private businesses and NGOs.

Findings

– The field research indicated that, culture is the main factor, which motivates visitors to attend the festival and also the main theme of the festival that reflects the significant cultural heritage of the city. A SFMM is presented for the International Troia Festival, based on the results of the field research and literature.

Research limitations/implications

– The findings of this study solely of SFMM were identified during a Turkish festival.

Originality/value

– Future applications of SFMM both for generating development of local or international festivals in a sustainable way and for resolving general or regional environmental challenges on festival management are discussed. The model can be used to ensure the sustainability of the International Troia Festival and similar festivals.
The Canadian National Vimy Memorial: remembrance, dissonance and resonance
Authors: Lemelin R. H. , Johansen Kelsey
Published: July 2014

Purpose

– The purpose of this article is to expand the discussion pertaining to Vimy beyond traditional historic and military circles and to illustrate that the site is a significant tourism attraction featuring evolving management and interpretation approaches. This is achieved by describing the commemoration of First World War sites and the evolution and transformation of visitor typologies at these sites. The conversation is framed within a discussion of the role of heritage dissonance in management. Since this article was written at the onset of the centennial of the Great War, an examination of the management of the Canadian National Vimy Memorial, which includes a tourism perspective, is timely.

Design/methodology/approach

– Consisting of participation observations and a review of literature, documentation, government reports and Web sites describing the Canadian National Vimy Memorial, this analysis is complemented by site visits and discussions with key personnel involved in the management of the site.

Findings

– Because this article precedes the upcoming centennial of the Great War, an examination of the management of the Canadian National Vimy Memorial, which includes a tourism perspective, is timely. The discussion and conclusion sections provide a suggestion of how dissonant heritage can be addressed, and present an argument for the inclusion of new technologies in the management and interpretation of First World War memorials and the celebrations associated with the centennial of 2014-2019 in order to embrace new visitor types.

Research limitations/implications

– This is a conceptual paper examining past and current management strategies of the Canadian National Vimy Memorial. No participants or manager was interviewed or surveyed.

Practical implications

– Strategies to improve future management through the engagement of tourism researchers, new technologies and by addressing dissonant heritage are provided through literature review and on-site visits.

Social implications

– Currently, the management of the Vimy Memorial caters largely to a certain segment of Canadian population. The findings suggest that by addressing other components of Canadian society and even other combatants, the management and interpretation of the site could be greatly diversified and could eventually become a battlefield like Gettysburg or Gallipoli, where all combatants are recognized and honored.

Originality/value

– This is the first paper examining the management of the Vimy Memorial from a tourism perspective.
Film tourism and ecotourism: mutually exclusive or compatible?
Authors: Sakellari Maria
Published: July 2014

Purpose

– This paper aims to look at the relationship between film tourism and ecotourism and questions whether the two are compatible or mutually exclusive.

Design/methodology/approach

– Entertainment films are making a deep impact on international tourism development, with popular movies playing an increasingly influential role in tourists’ choice of holiday destination. Areas with high natural value are frequently used as film locations, their image as a nature-loving escape paradise emerges and is coincided with a growth of film-induced visitors, willing to participate in nature-based activities. Tourism has always been a fundamental component of the areas of high natural value concept, and with this unparalled growth of the film tourism and ecotourism, it was inevitable that one day they will meet and interact in natural areas. This paper provides case studies where filmic intervention shapes tourist nature-loving imaginings, triggers ecotourism activities but also raises environmental concern of locals, and films like The Beach (2000) and Deliverance (1972) and the TV series Pride and Prejudice (1996) are subject to discussion.

Findings

– In many cases, the natural areas have not the carrying capacity to cope with large increases in film-induced visitors, and this results in a number of possible undesirable consequences, from the loss of privacy to the destruction of the natural environment. This paper suggests that film tourism and ecotourism are compatible if tourism policy planners follow strategies, such as environmental education initiatives, that engage film tourism stakeholders and the film industry in creating solutions to environmental challenges.

Originality/value

– Film tourism planning hasn’t yet focused on the tools for environmentally sound management of a destination. This paper argues that film tourism literature needs to develop marketing and policy perspectives to inform appropriate environmental management of film tourism planning and enhance environmental sustainability of a destination.
Dissemination strategy for Lean thinking in health care
Authors: Dannapfel Petra , Poksinska Bozena , Thomas Kristin
Published: July 2014

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to contribute to knowledge about dissemination strategies for Lean thinking throughout multiple healthcare organisations.

Design/methodology/approach

– The Östergötland county council, Sweden (CCÖ) was chosen as a case study for an healthcare Lean-thinking dissemination strategies. Document analysis and interviews were used and results were compared with similar strategies employed by staff at the National Health Service Institute for Innovation (NHSI) and improvement in Great Britain and the Odense University Hospital in Denmark.

Findings

– The Lean improvement programme was introduced to tackle challenges such as an ageing society, rising care expectations and budgetary and economic constraints. It was designed as a long-term programme to create added value for patients and employee involvement. The dissemination strategy was: forming clear visions and objectives; piloting; training potential adopters; and formal dissemination. The CCÖ strategy was focused primarily on managers and was not meant to involve all staff until the implementation stage. Staff at the NHSI attempted to address nurses’ needs during dissemination, which questioned whether the CCÖ managers’ dissemination strategy is sustainable.

Practical implications

– This paper inspires healthcare managers and decision makers who aim to disseminate Lean production in their organisations.

Originality/value

– There are many case studies describing Lean implementation in single healthcare organisations, but little is known about effective dissemination and implementation strategies in large healthcare systems. The authors, therefore, suggest activities for developing and implementing dissemination strategies in multiple healthcare organisations.
Trends in patient perception of hospital care quality
Authors: Batailler Pierre , François Patrice , Mô Dang Van , Sellier Elodie , Vittoz Jean-Philippe , Seigneurin Arnaud , Labarere Jose
Published: July 2014

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to investigate trends in patient hospital quality perceptions between 1999 and 2010.

Design/methodology/approach

– Original data from 11 cross-sectional surveys carried out in a French single university hospital were analyzed. Based on responses to a 29-item survey instrument, overall and subscale perception scores (range 0-10) were computed covering six key hospital care quality dimensions.

Findings

– Of 16,516 surveyed patients, 10,704 (64.8 percent) participated in the study. The median overall patient perception score decreased from 7.86 (25th-75th percentiles, 6.67-8.85) in 1999 to 7.82 (25th-75th percentiles, 6.67-8.74) in 2010 (p for trend <0.001). A decreasing trend was observed for the living arrangement subscale score (from 7.78 in 1999 to 7.50 in 2010, p for trend <0.001). Food service and room comfort perceptions deteriorated over the study period while patients increasingly reported better explanations before being examined.

Practical implications

– Patient perception scores may disguise divergent judgments on different care aspect while individual items highlight specific areas with room for improvement.

Originality/value

– Despite growing pressure on healthcare expenditure, this single-center study showed only modest reduction in patients’ hospital-care perceptions in the 2000s.
Improvements in neonatal care; using experience-based co-design
Authors: Maria Kristina Gustavsson Susanne
Published: July 2014

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to identify and improve patient care processes by collaborating patients, relatives and healthcare professionals.

Design/methodology/approach

– To identify and improve patient care processes by collaborating patients, relatives and healthcare professionals.

Findings

– Healthcare problems captured from collaboration between patients and healthcare professionals fall into simple, complicated and complex problems. Healthcare staff and patient experiences with patient processes differ, and a collaborative approach is needed to capture all areas needing improvement.

Research limitations/implications

– The conclusions are drawn from a project with few participants in a context that probably influenced the results. In contrast, other studies in the same area confirm the results.

Practical implications

– The study outcomes have direct implications for healthcare professionals who can learn from patients involved in quality improvements such as this experience-based co-design (EBCD) project.

Originality/value

– The paper contributes to limited studies on EBCD involving patients in healthcare quality improvements.
Influence of leadership on quality nursing care
Authors: Mendes Luis , de Jesus José Gil Fradique Maria
Published: July 2014

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to investigate the extent to which nursing leadership, perceived by nursing staff, influences nursing quality.

Design/methodology/approach

– Data were collected between August and October 2011 in a Portuguese health center via a questionnaire completed by nurses. Our original sample included 283 employees; 184 questionnaires were received (65% response).

Findings

– The theoretical model presents reasonably satisfactory fit indices (values above literature reference). Path analysis between latent constructs clearly suggests that nursing leadership has a direct (ß=0.724) and statistically significant (p=0.007) effect on nursing quality.

Originality/value

– Results reinforce several ideas propagated throughout the literature, which suggests the relationship's relevance, but lacks empirical support, which this study corrects.
Quality alone is not enough to be trustworthy
Authors: Perepelkin Jason , Di Zhang David
Published: July 2014

Purpose

– The aim of this paper is to argue that quality alone is not enough; pharmacies need to develop a rapport with their customers and convey sincerity. Community (retail) pharmacy is an increasingly competitive industry. Service quality has been considered one of the key factors for pharmacies to differentiate and develop competitive advantage. The customers’ perception of the sincerity of the pharmacies mediates the relationship between quality and trust.

Design/methodology/approach

– Through consumer intercept, we collected survey data from 150 customers in a western Canadian city who had filled a prescription at the pharmacy in the previous six months. Data were analyzed using structure equation modeling.

Findings

– Our data revealed that while overall service quality has a positive influence on customer trust, perception of sincerity has a more immediate impact. The relationship between quality and trust was completely mediated through sincerity perception.

Originality/value

– Service quality has been introduced to pharmacy management and produced many good results. However, the measurement of service quality has historically emphasized on physical evidence. The element of human interaction and subjective affective perceptions has been largely ignored because it is difficult to measure, hence difficult to reward and implement. Our study highlights the importance of personal interactions in the context of pharmacy quality management.
Hypermarkets in Oman: a study of consumers’ shopping preferences
Authors: Belwal Rakesh , Belwal Shweta
Published: July 2014

Purpose

– Hypermarkets have emerged as an important retail format in many parts of the world. The purpose of this paper is to explore consumer behaviour towards store preferences, particularly hypermarkets, in Oman.

Design/methodology/approach

– Following a mixed method approach, primary data, collected mainly using questionnaires and focus groups, were analysed to reveal consumer preferences. After pilot testing, 300 structured questionnaires were administered, of which 164 completed questionnaires were accepted for analysis. Data on store choice attributes were collected and analysed to reveal respondents’ preferences. Respondents’ characteristics were also measured using socio-demographic variables and were compared with their purchasing behaviour.

Findings

– By offsetting traditional markets, hypermarkets have emerged as one of the important retail formats in the urban areas of Oman. Their emergence has impacted trade in the traditional markets, the souqs. A weekly trip to the hypermarket is becoming an established feature of Omani life. Employed, educated or prosperous Omani consumers and expatriates prefer hypermarkets and these preferences surge during hot weather conditions. Consumers visit hypermarkets not only for purchases but also for recreation. Several factors affect consumer choice of hypermarkets in Oman, and these are listed in the outcomes of the study.

Research limitations/implications

– This study mainly focusses on consumers from selected hypermarkets in the Muscat and the Batinah regions of Oman. Although these regions are home to more than half of the Omani population, similar studies on other prominent regions will help in generalizing the preferences of consumers.

Practical implications

– Beyond an academic investigation to better understand the issue, the findings are important to help policy makers, town planners, and retailers better understand, plan, and evolve a consumer friendly retail sector. The findings will also help in understanding the regional imbalances in retailing activities, locally and globally.

Social implications

– The findings will help in the planning of certain retail policies to assure the notion of accessibility, affordability, and availability of global products and services to Omani consumers and also in striking a balance between traditional and modern retail formats to maintain diversity, growth, and overall consumer satisfaction.

Originality/value

– This paper furthers understanding of retailing issues in a conservative Islamic society in general; and in an area, Oman, that has not been covered before, in particular.
Internalization of ISO 9001: a longitudinal survey
Authors: Allur Erlantz , Heras-Saizarbitoria Iñaki , Casadesús Martí
Published: July 2014

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to analyze the influence of the motivation to adopt International Standards Organization (ISO) 9001 on both the internalization of the standard, namely the active day-to-day use of its main underlying practices, and the benefits obtained from its adoption. Similarly, the influence of the internalization on the benefits derived from ISO 9001 is analyzed.

Design/methodology/approach

– A longitudinal survey was carried out on a sample of 110 Spanish organizations that adopted the standard in its early phase of dissemination. These organizations were surveyed in 1999 and, 12 years later, in 2011.

Findings

– The results show that, contrary to the results of previous research work, early adopters driven by internal motives experience neither higher levels of internalization of ISO 9001 nor higher benefits from adoption of the standard. Nevertheless, there is clear evidence that in the long run a higher level of internalization leads to greater benefits from the adoption of ISO 9001.

Originality/value

– The adoption of ISO 9001 is a dynamic process in which certificating organizations play an important role.
Shari’ah compliance in Islamic banking
Authors: Ullah Hafij
Published: July 2014

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to evaluate the Shari’ah compliance status of the Islamic banks in Bangladesh.

Design/methodology/approach

– The research was based on both primary and secondary materials. The primary data were gathered through sample questionnaire survey and personal interviews by the researcher; the secondary data were obtained from Qur’an, Hadiths, different circulars/letters, manuals, research books and journals, annual reports, Web sites of the sample banks. Statistical tools and techniques like weighted average, percentage, SD, variance and correlation between Shari’ah violation score and bank-specific attributes were used applying statistical software Statistical Package for Social Science (version 17.0).

Findings

– Shari’ah compliance status of the Islamic banks in Bangladesh is in a vulnerable condition, Shari’ah compliance status highly varies among the Islamic banks, and Shari’ah violation is high in investing activities because of lack of knowledge, lack of sincerity in complying Shari’ah, poor attention in Shari’ah audit and Shari’ah research and lack of strong Shari’ah supervisory board comprising full-time skillful members.

Practical implications

– Among others, the major policy implications of this study are as follows: regulatory bodies and Shari’ah board members are expected to have guidelines from this study to find their limitations and to determine their future responsibilities; executives and Employees are expected to get the idea of present state of Shari’ah compliance and to identify their weaknesses in this regard; clients and other stakeholders are expected to have guidelines to choose the better Islamic banks to perform banking transactions; and the researchers in Islamic banking may usefully use the issues raised in this article for more comprehensive studies in Islamic banking and Shari’ah compliance.

Originality/value

– The paper opens a new avenue in justifying the status of Shari’ah compliance with a new dataset and correlating Shari’ah violation score with bank-specific attributes.
The roles of domestic and foreign Islamic banks in Malaysian monetary transmission
Authors: Muhammad Fidlizan , Ab Rahman Asmak , Azam Sulaiman Ahmad
Published: July 2014

Purpose

– The aim of this paper is to empirically test the presence of the bank lending channel for the Islamic banking system in Malaysia.

Design/methodology/approach

– Distributional effects from monetary policy changes were analyzed by three bank characteristics such as size, liquidity and capital. Using the econometric model by Kashyap and Stein (1995), the implementation of a policy contraction leads to reduction in loan supply because some banks may not able to offset a reduction in deposits. The paper explores the response shown between domestic and foreign Islamic banks in Malaysia using bank-level data from 2005 to 2010.

Findings

– The empirical result indicates presence of the bank lending channel in the Islamic banking system in Malaysia, size and liquidity as sources of difference response of financing supply in domestic bank and capital for foreign Islamic bank and Islamic interbank rate as an efficient tool in conducting monetary policy especially in the Islamic banking system.

Originality/value

– The paper manages to explore the effectiveness of Islamic the monetary policy tools in the Islamic Banking system in Malaysia. Using Islamic interbank rate as a policy tool, it provides valuable view to policy makers, who are analyzing for efficiency of transmission channel.
Lessons from South Korea’s digital divide index (DDI)
Authors: Park Sora , Jae Kim Gwang
Published: July 2014

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to examine South Korea’s digital divide policy and investigate how it Korea is one of the most networked countries in the world that has been addressing the digital divide issue since the inception of broadband.

Design/methodology/approach

– A secondary data analysis of the National Information Society Agency’s Digital Divide Index was conducted between 2003 and 2012.

Findings

– The differences in the changes in the access, skills and utilisation dimensions of the digital divide indicate that a second-level digital divide emerges as penetration increases. The gap in access has been minimised concurrently with the rapid adoption of broadband. Reduction of gaps in skills and effective uses has not followed accordingly.

Social implications

– Countries adopting broadband policies to achieve high connectivity can learn from this case and devise preventive policies that can overcome inequalities in skills and utilisation among digitally disadvantaged groups.

Originality/value

– By analysing longitudinal data, this study identified an emerging second-level digital divide in a country with high broadband penetration. This has significant implications for policies aiming to narrow the digital divide and that access, skills and utilisation issues should be addressed separately.
Putting things to work: social and policy challenges for the Internet of things
Authors: H. Dutton William
Published: July 2014

Purpose

– This paper aims to provide a critical assessment of the Internet of things (IoT) and the social and policy issues raised by its development. While the Internet will continue to become ever more central to everyday life and work, there is a new but complementary vision for an IoT, which will connect billions of objects – “things” like sensors, monitors, and radio-frequency identification devices – to the Internet at a scale that far outstrips use of the Internet as we know it, and will have enormous social and economic implications.

Design/methodology/approach

– It is based on a review of literature and emerging developments, including synthesis of a workshop and discussions within a special interest group on the IoT.

Findings

– Nations can harvest the potential of this wave of innovation not only for manufacturing but also for everyday life and work and the development of new information and services that will change the way we do things in many walks of life. However, its success is not inevitable. Technical visions will not lead inexorably to successful public and private infrastructures that support the vitality of an IoT and the quality of everyday life and work. In fact, the IoT could undermine such core values as privacy, equality, trust and individual choice if not designed, implemented and governed in appropriate ways.

Research limitations/implications

– There is a need for more multi-disciplinary research on the IoT.

Practical implications

– Policymakers and opinion formers need to understand the IoT and its implications.

Social implications

– If the right policies and business models are developed, the IoT will stimulate major social, economic and service innovations in the next years and decades.

Originality/value

– This paper pulls together discussions and literature from a social science perspective, as one means to enable more multidisciplinary studies of emerging developments.
A review of robotic mechanisms for ultrasound examinations
Authors: Abbasi Moshaii Alireza , Najafi Farshid
Published: July 2014

Purpose

– This paper aims to review the mechanical characteristics of the robotic mechanisms developed for ultrasound examinations. This will help to extract those mechanical features which together can produce a design with superior functionality.

Design/methodology/approach

– Following an introduction regarding ultrasound examination, this paper discusses the concept of robotic ultrasound imaging and classifies the mechanisms in terms of their power trains used for robotic and haptic devices which assist physicians to perform ultrasound imaging on patients. A set of mechanical characteristics which together can generate a superior design is also presented.

Findings

– The present paper shows that the robotic devices developed so far can perform ultrasound examinations. Each design with its own advantageous characteristics, and their simultaneous implementation in a new design, will create a robotic device with improved performance.

Originality/value

– This paper provides a detailed review of the developments of the robotic systems for ultrasound examinations and some guidelines for new designs with improved functionality.
Multi-rate sensor fusion for underwater heading estimation
Authors: Bandala Manuel , Salgado Tomás , Chávez Ramón
Published: July 2014

Purpose

– This paper presents the results of a heading estimation method for a remotely operated vehicle (ROV). The output rate of commercially available underwater compasses is typically in the order of a few Hz. Heading frequencies of at least 1 KHz are desirable for navigation and control purposes.

Design/methodology/approach

– The estimation was performed by fusioning the signals of three inertial sensors: the ROV’s own underwater compass (which operates roughly at 10 Hz or less), the ROV’s embedded gyro and an additional angular rate sensor that provides readings from 1 to 3 KHz. The output signal of the additional angular rate sensor is not part of the proposed Kalman filter. Nonetheless a five-point Newton-Cotes closed integration of such signal is fed into the Kalman filter implementation that performs the required heading estimation at 1 KHz or more.

Findings

– The proposed Kalman filter implementation is a suitable approach to estimate heading position even though the original compass signal rate is significantly slower than the signal required for both assisted and autonomous control.

Research limitations/implications

– The estimated heading yield good results in both simulation and experimental environments.

Originality/value

– The method was embedded in a dedicated 16-bit DSP that handles both the acquisition of the three signals and the heading estimation, hence resulting in a very low-cost solution. The embedded solution was tested in the developed submarine and the obtained high-rate heading parameter is now used by the control system of the ROV.
Development of a multi-DOF prosthetic hand with intrinsic actuation, intuitive control and sensory feedback
Authors: Liu Hong , Yang Dapeng , Jiang Li , Fan Shaowei
Published: July 2014

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to present a five-fingered, multisensory prosthetic hand integrating both intuitive myoelectric control and sensory feedback.

Design/methodology/approach

– The artificial hand’s palm has a three-arcuate configuration and the thumb can move along a cone surface, improving the resemblance with the biological hand. By using a coupling linkage mechanism, each finger is independently actuated by a direct current motor. Both torque and position sensors are embedded in the finger to sense the hand’s status and its interaction with the outer environment. The proposed human-in-the-loop control system consists of an internal motion control scheme and an external human–machine interface. The pattern recognition-based electromyography (EMG) control scheme is adopted to control the motion of the hand, and the transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) is utilized to feedback the hand’s sensory information to its user.

Findings

– The hand prototype shows that it has an anthropomorphic appearance (85 per cent to an average human hand), low weight (420 g), great power (10 N on the fingertip) and eligible dexterity. Clinical evaluation of the prosthetic hand on transradial amputees also approves the hand design.

Originality/value

– From a systematic view, the paper details the design concepts of the HIT–DLR prosthetic hand IV, especially on its appearance, mechanism, myoelectric control and sensory feedback.