bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Microfinance institutions in Bangladesh: achievements and challenges
Authors: Ahmed Salehuddin
Published: October 2009

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to review the Bangladesh experience with microfinance popularly known as microcredit. The success of microfinance in Bangladesh has generated immense interest in other countries of the world. The paper emphasizes the role of autonomous national microfinance fund and analyzes the efficiency of microfinance delivery mechanisms in Bangladesh. The paper examines the new realities/challenges faced by the microfinance movement in Bangladesh.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper provides an overview of the evolution of microfinance institutions (MFIs), their coverage of borrowers and activities funded in Bangladesh. Results of some independent impact assessment studies have been presented. Data from various institutions of Bangladesh and from some surveys conducted in Bangladesh are used.

Findings

The paper shows how the concept of microfinance, the MFI and various modalities of delivery of financial services to the poor have contributed to the development efforts of Bangladesh where a large number of people live below the poverty line.

Research limitations/implications

The paper is based on data and information of a limited time period and covering some selected issues. Further studies may be carried out on second generation issues and problems based on more available data.

Practical implications

The paper brings out the implications of microfinance as an effective tool for development and poverty alleviation.

Originality/value

The paper points out the practical aspects to build up a robust and sustainable system for increasing the access of the poor to financial services.
Deal‐making in Whitehall
Authors: Ayres Sarah , Stafford Ian
Published: October 2009

Purpose

The aim of this paper is to explore Whitehall motivations underpinning theSub‐national Review of Economic Development and Regeneration.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper is based on interviews conducted with senior Whitehall officials involved in regional working.

Findings

TheSub‐national Reviewseeks to streamline regional structures and provide regions with enhanced autonomy. However, findings indicate that there are distinct differences of opinion across Whitehall departments regarding the future trajectory of English regionalism and what powers and functions regional bodies should acquire. These contradictory positions raise questions about the implementation and effectiveness of the proposals.

Originality/value

An examination of these phenomena is intended to provide greater clarity regarding the opportunities and constraints presented by the latest phase of regional restructuring.
Organizational forgetting and its causes: an empirical research
Authors: Fernandez Vicenc , Sune Albert
Published: October 2009

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to determine the impact of organizational forgetting on knowledge‐intensive firms and the circumstances in which the loss of distinctive knowledge takes place.

Design/methodology/approach

The empirical research in this paper consists of a qualitative proposal based on two case studies in higher education involving situations of organizational forgetting.

Findings

A framework for conceptualizing organizational forgetting. Moreover, the results of the case study analysis include a categorization of organizational forgetting and a set of propositions about their causes.

Originality/value

Scientific research on knowledge management has focused on the processes of knowledge creation, use and transfer, but has devoted little attention to the processes of knowledge degradation and destruction.
The application of management simulation and game teaching in Taiwan and Australia
Authors: Andreas Liu C.H. , Ho Chien‐Ta Bruce , Hua Tan Kim
Published: October 2009

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to investigate the usage of business and simulation games in classroom teaching in the businesses schools of Taiwan and Australia.

Design/methodology/approach

An online questionnaire was developed and sent to 2,500 professors in Australia and 1,500 professors in Taiwan. The paper reports the survey results and compares the findings with those existing in the literature. Some of the similarities and differences are also addressed in the paper.

Findings

The study found that most of Australian and Taiwanese respondents expressed the need of a feedback system of games. In addition, most former and current users in these two countries think the web‐based games will replace the traditional ones.

Originality/value

The originality of this paper is the survey of game application in Taiwan and Australia. Also, its main value is for practitioners to know what, how and when gaming and simulation can be used in classroom teaching.
Surgical performance in a virtual environment
Authors: Choi May Y. , Sutherland Garnette R.
Published: October 2009

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to determine the effect of video game and surgical experience on the ability to adapt to and use the neuroArm virtual reality (VR) simulator.

Design/methodology/approach

A total of 48 participants, comprising video gamers, medical students, surgical residents, and qualified surgeons, were recruited. Subjects played three video games and completed a questionnaire. Three pre‐determined tasks simulating surgical procedures were performed using the simulator. Performance was measured by time for task completion, number of errors, and quality of outcome.

Findings

Gamers outperformed other groups on all measures of performance at almost every task on the VR simulator. All groups showed interval improvement in performance. As age of participants increased, irrespective of their sex and group, their quality of performance decreased and time to complete tasks increased. Initially, the men outperformed the women at every task, however, the difference decreased with repetition.

Research limitations/implications

More participants are needed to increase statistical significance of the results, in particular female participants.

Practical implications

This study showed that gamers adapted rapidly to the neuroArm trainer, which could be attributed to enhanced visual attention and spatial distribution skills from video game play. Therefore, visuospatial skills may become strong elements in the selection criterion for future generations of surgical trainees.

Originality/value

This study evaluated performance on the neuroArm trainer for the first time. The results provide insight into the design of a training program that helps select and prepare future surgeons for robotic surgery.
Grounding simulations in reality: a case study from an undergraduate Politics degree
Authors: Usherwood Simon
Published: October 2009

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to address the issue of how best to reproduce realistic reproductions and outcomes in the dynamic environment of a simulated negotiation on a political theme.

Design/methodology/approach

Using a case study run by the author of a university undergraduate negotiation module, qualitative data are provided to support a pragmatic model of addressing issues of realistic behaviour and outcomes.

Findings

Through a combination of elements – notably, integration of more conventional academic research, use of repeated points of contact between students and the module leader, and extensive reflection after the exercise by the student – it is possible to provide for a simulation that more closely follows real‐world outcomes than would otherwise be the case.

Research limitations/implications

The use of a single case study clearly limits the ability to generalise and implies the need to replicate the work in new iterations and in new contexts.

Practical implications

The paper highlights the importance of grounding simulations in reality, if they are to maximise their utility as a teaching practice. It also stresses the high level of engagement, not only on the part of the students, but also on the part of the module leader, who must be an active part of the simulation structure.

Originality/value

The consideration of a continuous process of grounding simulations in reality is one that has not been explored by the existing literature, so it offers useful insights into practice that will be of value to both practitioners and theorists in the field.
Evaluating business simulation software: approach, tools and pedagogy
Authors: King Melanie , Newman Richard
Published: October 2009

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to identify a business simulation appropriate for MEng Engineering students. The selection was based on the following factors; exploring methods for evaluating potential software and enhancing the learner experience.

Design/methodology/approach

An interdisciplinary project team was formed to try and resolve the pedagogic, technical and business aspects that would need to be addressed in order to implement such software within the programme. Tools included a questionnaire to assess the potential enhancement of employability skills and a usability questionnaire on ease of use. These were supplemented with discourse on technical and pedagogic issues.

Findings

After the initial scoping study, the findings indicated that two business simulation software packages had potential. These were “Marketplace – Venture Strategy” and “SimVenture”. Marketplace proved to be the most suitable in terms of the pedagogic and technical requirements.

Research limitations/implications

The authors were not able to fully trial each simulation over the recommended duration of play because of practical time constraints and they did not have any student contribution to the process. Findings will need to be verified with the piloting cohort of students. Further pedagogic research could be carried out to evidence the enhancement to the student learning experience.

Originality/value

This study is valuable because it purposefully uses an interdisciplinary team comprising expertise in teaching and learning, technology, business and sector knowledge. This was vital in the decision‐making process. It is also valuable in its development of generic methods and tools to measure and evaluate software suitability in relation to usability and employability skills.
Negotiation oriented simulation exercises that incorporate business continuity and international security
Authors: Trim Peter R.J. , Lee Yang‐Im
Published: October 2009

Purpose

This paper seeks to explain how negotiation simulation exercises can be used to develop management insights and theory in the areas of business continuity and international security.

Design/methodology/approach

An extended multi‐cultural communication model for disaster and emergency management simulation exercises and a nine‐stage international security negotiation simulation exercise are outlined.

Findings

The critical friendship group approach and the case study research approach can be used to provide insights into business continuity planning. Complex simulation exercises, underpinned by scenario planning, are useful with respect to providing training and educational support vis‐à‐vis crisis/disaster/emergency planning. A more focused approach to teaching the subject of negotiation, which takes into account the business‐international relations dimension and security in particular, will enable business and management students to link more firmly real world events with company‐government relations. This will contribute to the development of management theory and ensure that business continuity managers, employed by private sector and public sector organisations, utilise more fully simulation exercises than is the case at present.

Research limitations/implications

Research needs to be undertaken into how academics and practitioners can work together in order to develop management simulation models that are methodologically different from those that exist at present, and which facilitate the theory building process.

Practical implications

By working closely with simulation designers, academics will be able to produce interdisciplinary/multidisciplinary crisis/disaster/emergency simulation exercises.

Originality/value

A nine‐stage negotiation simulation exercise is outlined which will allow management/business studies students to place business continuity planning within an international security context.
Towards understanding engagement in games: an eye‐tracking study
Authors: Renshaw Tony , Stevens Richard , Denton Paul D.
Published: October 2009

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to report research undertaken in developing improved understandings of players' interaction and emotional experience of electronic gaming.

Design/methodology/approach

The research explores a variety of techniques designed to explore user/player insights into interaction, through consideration of user satisfaction, engagement or immersion. Non‐invasive eye tracking technology is used to augment data derived from these more traditional approaches to the assessment of emotional responses. It is postulated by the authors that from this exploration of insights related to usability, improved games level learning and recognition of new inherent revenue opportunities based around in‐game advertising, will be better understood.

Findings

As the number of participants in this pilot study is small it is perhaps too early to draw firm conclusions from the data collected. However, the study does establish that it is technically possible to configure the eye‐tracker and ancillary equipment to record the eye movements of game players. The study has uncovered further areas worthy of investigation such as the influence on eye movement of, player skill and experience, the nature of activities within the game, and the best ways to indicate the importance of key objects within a game.

Practical implications

The methodology presented within this paper shows that the application of eye‐tracking solutions can be used to evaluate engagement in games. The findings provide interesting and innovative ways for the games designers and in‐game advertisers to improve their performance.

Originality/value

From an academic perspective, this research is innovative in the way it has developed a methodology for analysis of player engagement within electronic games. This methodology offers valuable insights into game design improvement and in‐game advertising opportunities.
Teaching construction management through games alone: a detailed investigation
Authors: Long G. , Mawdesley M.J. , Scott D.
Published: October 2009

Purpose

This paper aims to describe work carried out by the authors using simulation games to teach key aspects of construction management to civil engineering students. The use of simulation games for this purpose is well documented but is still not fully accepted. The work described in this paper aims to address this by analysing the use of simulation games as the primary teaching mechanism in a teaching module, Applied Construction Management.

Design/methodology/approach

Two simulation games are described along with the software used to manage and monitor their operation. The two games are functionally similar though the construction scenario's represented, 30 m high dam and 7 km of clay lined canal, are quite different. The Applied Construction Management module is detailed, including the instructional design, assessment procedures and operation during its first three years. This is compared with the more traditional use of the simulation games as a coursework element as employed at Curtin University of Technology in Western Australia.

Findings

Student performance is tracked during operation of the module, and statistics for each year of teaching are given along with examples of student feedback. Examples of individual student behaviour are used to illustrate behaviour patterns identified during the course of the research. Conclusions and implications for the use of simulation games are provided.

Originality/value

The novelty of this work lies in the acquisition and analysis of quantitative data on performance collected during the learning process. It focuses on the simulation games as the sole source of teaching and the comparison with more traditional use of the games previously provide additional value.
Exploring management control in radical innovation projects
Authors: Chiesa Vittorio , Frattini Federico , Lamberti Lucio , Noci Giuliano
Published: October 2009

Purpose

This paper seeks to endorse the management control system taxonomy by Robert Simons to explore whether, how and why different approaches to management control are more intensely employed: in different phases of the radical innovation process; and in innovation projects showing different degrees of radicalness. Moreover, it aims to discuss the influence exerted by some contextual variables.

Design/methodology/approach

Case studies concerning four innovation projects (two radical in nature and two incremental) implemented by two companies operating in the home automation industry in Italy were conducted.

Findings

It is found that radical innovation projects, especially in the early stages of development, are characterized by a stronger reliance on flexible and social control management systems, while diagnostic control mainly emerges in late development and commercialization. Moreover, the moderating effect of the hypothesized contingent variables is widely discussed.

Research limitations/implications

The work shows that Simons' taxonomy of the management control systems is a useful framework for exploring management control in radical projects at a strategic level, but also that it should be refined, as evidence shows a systematic hybridization of the systems adopted. An important implication is the great reliance on interactive systems, especially in the early stages. In this perspective, a deeper analysis on the nature and the proper management of interactivity could represent an interesting development of this study.

Practical implications

The recurrent features in the two cases provide practitioners with a useful benchmark about management control of radical innovation projects in two successful companies. Case histories suggest the great importance of information sharing among the functions, and the need to properly develop interface structures between the involved functions to favor it in radical innovation processes.

Originality/value

The paper is one of the first works on management control in radical innovation projects, and it contributes to the literature debate in two main ways: it tests Simons' taxonomy of management control systems for innovation projects, and it highlights the areas of improvement for analyzing “radicalness” in innovation processes.
Product innovation in small manufacturers, market orientation and the industry's five competitive forces
Authors: Hernández‐Espallardo Miguel , Delgado‐Ballester Elena
Published: October 2009

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to study whether the effectiveness of innovation in improving a firm's performance varies in different competitive situations and to analyze whether the competitive forces act as a motivator or as an inhibitor.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper formulates some hypotheses from the literature review. These hypotheses are tested using structural equation modelling with data collected from 218 manufacturers.

Findings

The findings show that small firms must invest in innovation preferably when competitive forces are more intense. Moreover it is found the positive role that market orientation plays in promoting innovation and performance, no matter the level of the competitive forces.

Research limitations/implications

A decision had to be taken on the range of concepts and the domain used for measuring each concept. For future research the paper suggests considering different types of innovations (e.g. incremental vs radical) to get a more precise explanation of the set of relationships considered in this research.

Practical implications

SMEs have to use product innovation in accordance with their competitive situation. When competitive pressure is low, SMEs should be cautious about exaggerating investments on product innovation, whereas investments in other type of market oriented behaviours could be more productive. On the other hand, firms should focus on innovations based on market orientation when the competitive forces expose them to a harsh environment.

Originality/value

This paper provides a clarification of the reasons that may be behind a positive, a negative, or a non‐significant moderating effect of the firm's competitive forces on the market orientation‐product innovation relationship in small manufacturers.
Implementation of strategic green orientation in supply chain
Authors: Hong Paul , Kwon He‐Boong , Jungbae Roh James
Published: October 2009

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to present a research model that defines the inter‐relationships between strategic green orientation, integrated product development, supply chain coordination, green performance outcomes and business unit performance. This paper aims to address innovation issues by integrating strategic orientation, internal business practices, supply chain coordination, and performance outcomes measures.

Design/methodology/approach

The international data of 711 firms accessed through the International Manufacturing Strategy Survey (IMSS IV) are used to validate this model.

Findings

A firm's strategic green orientation involves past green practices, implementation of innovative environment improvement program and future commitment for environmental practices. This strategic green orientation is supported by a set of inter‐organizational innovation practices such as integrated product development practices, effective coordination of supply chain network and relevant and measurable performance outcomes.

Originality/value

The model, variables, empirical tests and results in this paper suggest a new understanding about strategic green orientation and its relationships with product development practices and supply chain coordination. The framework is intended both to explicitly inform senior executives of the importance of inter‐organizational innovation practices such as strategic green orientation in terms of past, present and future practices as well as to the factors that effectively implement such strategic direction and commitment. It is also intended to provide a lens with which further research can be directed to enhance environmental reputation and outcomes of firms through new product development practices and supply chain network coordination and the sustainable long‐term competitive advantages of the firms.
Weblogs for market research: finding more relevant opinion documents using system fusion
Authors: Osman Deanna , Yearwood John , Vamplew Peter
Published: October 2009

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to examine the usefulness of fusion as a means of improving the precision of automated opinion detection.

Design/methodology/approach

Five system fusion methods are proposed and tested using runs submitted by the Text REtrieval Conference (TREC) Blog06 participants as input. The methods include a voting method, an inverse rank method (IRM), a linear‐normalised score method and two weighted methods that use a weighted IRM score to rank the document.

Findings

Mean average precision (MAP) is used as an indicator of the performance of the runs in this study. The best system fusion method achieves a 55.5 percent higher MAP result compared with the highest MAP result of any individual run submitted by the Blog06 participants. This equates to an increase in detection of 2,398 relevant opinion documents (21 percent).

Practical implications

System fusion can be used to improve upon the results achieved by existing individual opinion detection systems. On the other hand, multiple opinion detection approaches can be combined into one system and fusion used to combine the results to build in diversity. Diversity within fusion inputs can increase the improvements achieved by fusion methods. The improved output from a diverse opinion detection system will then contain a higher number of relevant documents and reduce the incidence of high‐ranking non‐relevant documents and low‐ranking relevant documents.

Originality/value

The fusion methods proposed in this study demonstrate that simple fusion of opinion detection systems can improve performance.
An examination of social tagging interface features and functionalities
Authors: Shiri Ali
Published: October 2009

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to report on a comparative and analytical examination of ten social tagging systems' interfaces and their features and functionalities. The specific objective of the study was to examine the ways in which the user interfaces of social tagging systems encourage and provide users with features to assign, explore, browse and make use of tags during their interaction with social tagging sites.

Design/methodology/approach

The user interface features and functionalities of ten social tagging sites (six social bookmarking and four social media sharing sites) are examined. A categorisation of tag‐related features is developed for analysis. The sites are selected based on such criteria as popularity, variety of site type, and inclusion of tagging features and content type.

Findings

The findings of this study show that there is an emerging interface design paradigm with respect to social tagging sites that reflects a particular focus on exploratory search and browsing features and services. Some of the key areas discussed are: user tagging features; exploratory and tag browsing features; and interface layout.

Practical implications

The findings of this study of the user interface features of social tagging sites provide a comprehensive picture of the possible and potential features that can be incorporated into new social tagging systems. Based on the evidence found in the examined social tagging interfaces, recommendations are made on the design of tag posting, tag use, tag browsing, tag lists and tag clouds. The design recommendations offer ideas for the development of more sophisticated exploratory and interactive user interfaces for social tagging systems.

Originality/value

This is the first paper that reports on a comparative and exploratory examination of social tagging user interface features and functionalities.
Examining the robustness of web co‐link analysis
Authors: Vaughan Liwen , Tang Juan , Du Jian
Published: October 2009

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to examine the robustness of web co‐link analysis for business intelligence.

Design/methodology/approach

The method is tested in two different Chinese industries, the electronics/IT industry and the chemical industry. Web co‐link data are collected in two different time periods from a different search engine in each period. Multidimensional scaling (MDS) is used to map the co‐link data into business competition positions.

Findings

Web co‐link analysis is fairly robust in that the mapping results reflect fairly well the business competition landscape for both industries and in both time periods. The mapping results are better when the data collection is restricted to Chinese language webpages only. The study also finds that the Chinese webpages are very consumer‐oriented, a phenomenon that is not seen in previous studies of international companies.

Originality/value

This paper contributes to the understanding of the robustness and applicability of the co‐link analysis method. The method is useful for business intelligence and can also be applied to the non‐business environment. The paper also contributes to the understanding of a specific Chinese web phenomenon.
Framework for a generic work breakdown structure for building projects
Authors: Makarfi Ibrahim Yahaya , Kaka Ammar , Aouad Ghassan , Kagioglou Mike
Published: October 2009

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to propose a framework for the standardisation of the work breakdown structure (WBS) for building projects. This is based on the premise that buildings in general retain basic elemental options, and that there is a commonality of activities in the procurement of building projects.

Design/methodology/approach

To achieve the objective, the general practice of developing the WBS is investigated. This is achieved by means of an industry‐wide questionnaire survey designed to identify the most widely used criteria among UK construction organisations in segregating building works into packages. The survey also investigates the sequencing of these criteria across the WBS hierarchy.

Findings

The findings reveal that the most frequently used decomposition criteria in the formulation of WBS for building projects are elements, work sections, physical location and construction aids. The proposed framework is presented as a hierarchical decomposition of a building project based on these criteria. It allows for flexibility in level of detail while maintaining a rigid sequencing of the criteria based on their frequency of use.

Originality/value

This paper reports on a specific part of an EPSRC funded project that aims to investigate the application of computer vision techniques to the on‐site measurement of construction progress. The part reported in this paper addresses planning issues that will lead to automatic generation of work packages. Previous studies have focused on automating the planning aspect by associating individual components with schedule information. However, large construction projects usually consist of thousands of components. Planning and tracking progress at the level of the component is unrealistic in these instances. The standardisation framework reported in this paper will form the basis for automating the formulation of work packages, thus providing a uniform basis for tracking progress (based on computer vision) during project execution.
Extended GIS for construction engineering by adding direct sunlight visualisations on buildings
Authors: Bansal Vijay K. , Pal Mahesh
Published: October 2009

Purpose

The applications of geographic information systems (GIS) are described in the civil engineering literature for generation, visualisation and evaluation of the construction schedule. GIS use is also explored for construction quantity takeoffs and cost estimation. The purpose of this paper is to supplement the already explored capabilities of GIS in construction by providing the methodology for direct sunlight visualisation on buildings.

Design/methodology/approach

The proposed methodology for direct sunlight visualisation is to calculate the solar angles and use them for spatial distribution representation of the amount of sunlight received on different faces of a building by rendering it with the colour of varied gradients. The colour gradient on any face of a building depends upon the amount of direct sunlight received. The solar gain is demonstrated through the multi‐dimensional data visualisation like sun angle variations with diurnal and annual cycles in a navigable 3D animation.

Findings

GIS‐based methodology provides the planner a way to control the natural lighting and solar gain on a building which can be combined with the project schedule, quantity takeoffs, cost estimate and 4D visualisation in a single environment. Beginning with this idea, the planner may store and share information about a construction project, site and surrounding geography.

Originality/value

Most of the existing 4D CAD technologies do not have project management capabilities and are used mainly for the planning and design stage of a construction project. In comparison, GIS‐based tools may be used in different stages. These are more management‐based and allow more collaborative and cooperative relationships between designer, constructor and client. By using a GIS‐based approach, construction documents like schedules, drawings, quantity takeoffs, cost estimates, project specifications and direct sunlight visualisations are more consistent with each other.
Validation of an empirical model for innovation diffusion in Australian design firms
Authors: Panuwatwanich Kriengsak , Stewart Rodney A. , Mohamed Sherif
Published: October 2009

Purpose

The paper is an extension to a previous empirical study that models the process of innovation diffusion in Australian architectural and engineering design (AED) firms. This paper aims to utilise explanatory case studies to assist in the verification of this empirical model that depicts pathways that explain the role of enabling “climate for innovation” constructs in determining the level of innovation diffusion outcomes (IDO), and subsequent business performance (BPM) in Australian AED firms.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper presents the latter of a two‐stage sequential mixed method research design: quantitative empirical study; and qualitative explanatory case studies. Specifically, this stage extracts findings from five explanatory case studies using a qualitative pattern matching analysis technique. Interview‐based data collected from the case studies are analysed to formulate the relationship patterns between constructs, which are then compared with those predicted by the empirical model. This approach affords a determination on the extent to which the case‐based findings (i.e. work‐setting phenomena) explains (i.e. validated) the empirical model.

Findings

The results of the case studies on five Australian AED firms indicate that the model can be adequately explained by the actual phenomena. This is evident in four of the cases providing a good to perfect match, and one showing a partial match to the predicted patterns of relationships between the model constructs. Thus, the paper presents verified empirical pathways for AED firms, which suggest that, by increasing the level of leadership for innovation, the level of team climate and organisational culture for innovation can be improved. The improved culture for innovation will then heighten the level of IDO, which can in turn, result in an enhanced BPM.

Originality/value

This paper expands and improves upon the current understanding of how the diffusion of innovation can be accelerated within the AED firm context. By focusing on the socio‐psychological processes, the paper depicts the pathways to improve IDO and BPM through fostering a robust climate for innovation. These pathways have been constructed empirically and are verified in this paper under real‐work settings. Based on the validated model and the specific insights derived from the explanatory case studies, the paper also highlights a number of strategic implications for AED firms seeking to enhance their BPM through improving innovation diffusion practices.
Sell‐offs, internal capital markets, and long run performance: Canadian evidence
Authors: Francoeur Claude , Niyubahwe Alain
Published: October 2009

Purpose

The paper's aim is to analyze excess returns generated by Canadian sell‐offs and their links to changes in firms' internal capital allocation efficiency to test the efficiency of internal capital markets after assets divestitures.

Design/methodology/approach

This study investigates the relationship between the level of the excess returns subsequent to sell‐offs and changes in the capital allocated through internal capital markets. The authors measure excess returns by calculating buy‐and‐hold abnormal (BHAR) returns up to three years after divestitures and test whether changes in value are related to changes in investment efficiency. The paper uses the relative value added by allocation (RVA) as developed by Rajan et al. to measure the variation in allocational efficiency of the internal capital market.

Findings

The study reveals that on average assets divestitures enable Canadian firms to keep up with the performance of their peers of the same industrial sector during the long‐run post divestiture period. A closer look at the results shows that the variation of long‐run post divestitures performance among Canadian firms is significantly and positively linked to changes in the allocational efficiency of the internal capital markets. These results suggest that dismantling some parts of the internal capital market does lead to improvements in firm value in the long run.

Research limitations/implications

The sample is limited to a group of firms that sell off a portion of their assets. Further research could be conducted to determine whether other divestiture methods (spin‐off, sell‐off or equity carve‐out) have any impact on internal capital allocation efficiency and long run financial performance.

Originality/Value

The paper adds to other studies examining the source of gains from divestitures by documenting the effects of changes in internal capital allocation efficiency on the creation of long‐term shareholder wealth.
The relationship among board of director characteristics, corporate social performance and corporate financial performance
Authors: Dunn Paul , Sainty Barbara
Published: October 2009

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to investigate the link between qualitative measures of a firm's Board of Directors and its corporate social performance (CSP).

Design/methodology/approach

CSP is a function of qualitative measures of a firm's Board of Directors, as well as firm risk and financial performance. A longitudinal sample of 104 Canadian firms is used.

Findings

Board independence is positively related to social performance but shareholder orientation is not. In addition, a positive relationship between social performance with both financial performance and debt is found.

Research limitations/implications

Although the sample is small and restricted to Canadian firms, the results are quite robust. Future studies should consider using qualitative measures on a larger international sample of firms.

Originality/value

This paper uses qualitative measures – the degree of independence of the Board and the Board's level of shareholder orientation – to examine the interrelationship between a firm's Board of Directors and its CSP.
B2b inter‐organisational digitalisation strategies
Authors: Ivang Reimer , Rask Morten , Hinson Robert
Published: October 2009

Purpose

Digital technology is increasingly important for businesses as it has the capability to enable, support and sometimes influence the overall strategic direction of the corporation. This paper investigates business‐to‐business (b2b) inter‐organisational digitalisation strategies in one of Denmark's biggest companies with an annual turnover of €3 billion and over 30,000 employees. This paper specifically seeks to understand to what extent the widely used strategic continuum (planning – incremental) is sufficient to understand the process of creating inter‐organisational digitalisation strategies in the case.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper utilises degree of freedom analysis (DFA). DFA is in essence a “pattern‐matching” between theoretical propositions and observations in a set of data. Inline with the DFA tradition in‐depth interviews were conducted and finally the results and interpretations are returned to the respondents for final feedback.

Findings

This paper concludes that a strategic continuum spanning planning to interaction, where the incremental approach is in the middle is more powerful as an analytical tool in relation to the specific case. The case further illustrated that the actors in the empiric context utilising the digital technology successfully mostly organised their strategic work as described in the interaction approach to digitalisation strategy.

Practical implications

The study demonstrates a pragmatic route to deepening digitalisation success in a large firm with considerable e‐business investments.

Originality/value

Documenting the need for new thinking and theorising in the area of digitalisation strategy. This paper opens the organisational black box relating to how strategy actually is performed and, thus, helps to develop a more holistic understanding of how strategies are developed and implemented. Finally, this is one of the few studies utilising DFA to understand digitalisation strategy.
Consumers' willingness to knowingly purchase counterfeit products
Authors: Phau Ian , Sequeira Marishka , Dix Steve
Published: October 2009

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to examine the effect of personality factors on consumers' attitudes toward counterfeits and their willingness to knowingly purchase counterfeit luxury brands. Product performance and useful life are included to investigate their influence on consumers' willingness to purchase counterfeit luxury brands.

Design/methodology/approach

A self‐administered questionnaire is designed using established scales. Data are collected using a convenience sampling method from a large Australian university. Regression analyses are conducted using Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS).

Findings

Integrity is found to be the only factor influencing attitudes toward counterfeits. The useful life of a counterfeit luxury brand showed significant influence on consumers' willingness to purchase. Attitudinal factors and personality factors do not influence consumers' willingness to purchase counterfeit luxury brands.

Research limitations/implications

The findings are limited to an Australian context. Mall intercept method can be implemented for future studies. The paper has only examined a high involvement luxury brand. Other product categories or low involvement products can be further investigated.

Practical implications

It is recommended for government to implement educational programs that are not only limited to schools, but also to multinational companies and domestic businesses. Luxury brand owners are also encouraged to distinguish their products through emphasis on product attributes, such as their product's useful life.

Originality/value

A specific high‐involvement luxury brand is studied as opposed to previous studies only examining counterfeit luxury brands as a whole. Furthermore, this paper has also examined both personality factors and product attributes.
Online shopping and moderating role of offline brand trust
Authors: Kim Soyoung , Jones Christie
Published: October 2009

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to examine how offline brand trust moderates: the relationship between consumers' general attitude toward the internet and their perceptions of the quality of a retailer's web site and the relationship between their perceived web site quality and intention to shop from the web site.

Design/methodology/approach

Two hundred young female consumers participate in the study. Each selected one of three pre‐determined apparel retailer brands that she has either had experience with or are familiar with. Participants are then asked to keep their selected retailer in mind when completing an online questionnaire. They are also asked to browse the retailer's web site in search of a shirt or blouse. Factor and multiple‐regression analyses are conducted to test hypotheses.

Findings

Offline brand trust exerted a significant moderating effect in the relationship between the efficiency factor of attitude toward the internet and the usability and information quality factor of web site quality. Offline brand trust also played a moderating role in the relationship between the interactivity factor of web site quality and online shopping intention. Implications for multi‐channel apparel retailers are discussed.

Originality/value

While a great deal of research has been conducted to study brand trust, most has focused on product brands not on retail brands. Furthermore, none of the studies on brand trust has questioned nor investigated the moderating role of retail brand trust in the relationship between consumer characteristics and their attitudes and behaviors toward the company's new business format. This paper seeks to contribute to the extant literature on brand trust and multi‐channel retailing by exploring the role of offline brand trust in shopping at a multi‐channel retailer's web site.
Marketing implications of privacy concerns in the US and Canada
Authors: Pope Jennifer A. , Lowen Aaron M.
Published: October 2009

Purpose

Increasing availability of data obtained via the internet and the proliferation of direct mail advertising provides tremendous opportunities for marketers to reach their customers. However, increased risks to the personal privacy of consumers, and attention in the media to these risks, provide unique challenges. Companies and especially direct marketers are finding that they need to change their tactics to deal with the increase in consumer concerns and privacy‐protecting behaviors. This paper aims to address these issues.

Design/methodology/approach

Using the results of a multinational privacy survey, the paper examines consumer privacy concerns and privacy‐protecting behaviors in the USA and Canada. It uses factor analysis and multiple regression techniques to analyze the data.

Findings

While consumer concerns about privacy are essentially the same between the two countries, the privacy‐protecting behaviors differed significantly. The paper also suggests that demographic variables influence a consumer's level of concern and likelihood to take privacy‐protecting behaviors.

Research limitations/implications

The behaviors in the paper are self‐reported and therefore potentially subject to self‐desirability bias. Also, missing data limited the ability to test for the impact of income.

Practical implications

The paper provides recommendations for marketers to address customer concerns and behaviors such as providing greater transparency and use of privacy seals.

Originality/value

International companies face even greater challenges with regard to privacy issues and related customer behaviors due to cultural and governmental policy differences. This paper provides some guidelines for companies that need to provide privacy protection to customers from a variety of cultures.
An efficiency comparison of direct and indirect channels in Taiwan insurance marketing
Authors: Ku Fan Chiang , Wen Cheng Shu
Published: October 2009

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to compare the efficiency of bancassurance, an indirect marketing channel formed through the creation of subsidiaries, with an insurer's own team, a direct marketing channel, in the Taiwan insurance sector.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper uses the Charnes, Cooper, and Rhodes (CCR) model to measure the decision‐making units' (DMU) operating efficiency.

Findings

The three major findings are: the efficiency score of a direct marketing channel is significantly higher than that of a comparable indirect marketing channel. The efficiency relationship between the indirect marketing channel and the direct marketing channel is independent. A marketing efficiency evaluation, when divided into different marketing channels for evaluation, provides meaningful results for marketing decision‐makers.

Originality/value

By comparing the efficiency between two different insurance marketing channels, managers in life insurance companies can make a more informed choice.