bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A study of technology adoption in manufacturing firms
Authors: Kristianto Yohanes , Ajmal Mian , Addo Tenkorang Richard , Hussain Matloub
Published: January 2012

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to study the effect of technology adoption on operational competitiveness by taking an example from international manufacturing companies.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper develops a conceptual model to generate strategic flexibility and benefit for a manufacturing firm by managing manufacturing strategy and technology adoption with different leadership roles.

Findings

The results show that the leadership role is a significant factor to motivate strategic flexibility and generate higher benefit. For intellectuals, the mechanism provides a new approach to explicate technology adoption in a manufacturing company. Besides, it provides a deep‐rooted preliminary point for supplementary empirical assessment. The mechanism facilitates managers to expand their understanding of the leadership role for trust building and knowledge sharing in manufacturing firms.

Practical implications

With that enhanced understanding, the managers can spotlight their actions, which help further to perk up their firm's competitiveness provoked by supporting the knowledge sharing activities through appropriate leadership roles.

Originality/value

The mechanism developed in this study is believed to be the first sober effort to provide a deeper theoretical understanding of trust building for improving operational competitiveness in manufacturing firms with a practical approach.
Application of ANP methodology in evaluation of advanced technologies
Authors: Ordoobadi Sharon M.
Published: January 2012

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to develop a decision tool to help managers make more informed decisions regarding their investments in advanced manufacturing technologies.

Design/methodology/approach

Selection of a new technology is multidimensional in nature and interdependent relationships exist among various elements of the system. In addition, both quantitative and qualitative factors need to be considered in the evaluation process. The Analytic Network Process (ANP) methodology satisfies these requirements by considering interdependencies among all the factors and by allowing transformation of qualitative judgments into quantitative values for the decision analysis. These capabilities of ANP make it a perfect methodology for use in the development of our decision tool. Once technology alternatives and selection criteria are identified by the decision maker, several pair‐wise comparisons are conducted to determine local priorities for the selection criteria and alternatives. These priorities are then used to determine the overall priorities for the alternatives. The technology alternative with the highest overall priority is chosen for adoption.

Findings

Allowing for interdependencies among selection criteria, as well as between alternatives and selection criteria, provides a more realistic evaluation process than other selection processes that ignore such interdependencies.

Practical implications

The model provides decision makers a tool for evaluating several competitive technology alternatives and selecting the most appropriate technology for adoption.

Originality/value

The paper discusses the inclusion of the subjective judgments of the decision maker in the evaluation process and use of ANP methodology for transforming these judgments into quantitative values for rankings of the alternatives.
A double‐edged sword: twenty‐first century workplace trends and gender equality
Authors: Ruth Eikhof Doris
Published: January 2012

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to uncover the hidden gender consequences of three current trends in the workplace, the increase in knowledge work, information and communication technology (ICT) and work‐life balance policies.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper synthesizes and analyses existing empirical evidence from research on knowledge work, work‐life balance and boundary, women's work and careers.

Findings

Knowledge work, ICT and work‐life balance policies are found to increase the temporal and geographical flexibility of work. Such enhanced flexibility should facilitate women's participation and advancement in work and therefore gender equality. However, all three trends also have hidden gender consequences that significantly prevent women from participating and advancing.

Research limitations/implications

Research needs to explicitly integrate evidence from across research areas and disciplines to appreciate the complexity and contentiousness of current workplace developments from a gender perspective.

Practical implications

A public debate is needed that better communicates and challenges the complexity of gender issues in the twenty‐first century workplace, in order to raise critical awareness amongst individual workers, as well as practitioners and policy makers, and to lead to better informed decision making.

Originality/value

A gender‐focused analysis and synthesis of evidence across the research areas included in this paper is currently lacking. The paper thus makes a novel contribution to the academic debate on gender equality in the workplace and provides an improved basis for better informed discussions between academics, policy makers and practitioners about how to achieve gender equality in today's world of work.
Sex role stereotypes: does business education make a difference?
Authors: Paris Lori D. , Decker Diane L.
Published: January 2012

Purpose

Studies indicate that a managerial pro‐male bias still exists. While managers and females have begun to view women as possessing managerial attributes, male students, on average, still tend to stereotype the managerial role using a pro‐male bias. Based on research by Heilman and by Lord and Maher, the purpose of this paper is to propose that business students, who are exposed to a curriculum that emphasizes the importance of diversity, as recommended by AACSB, will exhibit fewer gender stereotypes.

Design/methodology/approach

Using the Schein Descriptive Index, three groups of university students were surveyed to determine whether individuals exposed to formal management education experience a reduction in “men as manager” stereotypes. The hypothesis was tested using interclass correlation coefficients (r′) from two randomized‐groups analysis of variance.

Findings

The hypothesis was not supported and the findings indicate that students in the business administration program stereotyped the managerial role to a greater degree than those not enrolled in the business administration program.

Research limitations/implications

Further studies should be conducted to determine if the findings of this particular study are universal across college campuses.

Practical implications

Business schools must evaluate the methods that are being used to teach diversity in management education.

Originality/value

The authors' unique approach focuses on the sample as an important element when studying gender bias in management. Given the state of the economy and the cuts to university programs, by determining where bias occurs, diversity education in the university environment can be better utilized for optimal impact.
The effect of perceived external prestige on Greek public employees' organizational identification
Authors: Gkorezis Panagiotis , Mylonas Naoum , Petridou Eugenia
Published: January 2012

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to examine the impact of perceived external prestige on organizational identification in the context of a Greek public organization and to address the moderating role of gender in the relationship between perceived external prestige and organizational identification.

Design/methodology/approach

Data were obtained from a sample of 159 employees working in Citizens Service Centers. Analysis was conducted using moderated hierarchical regression analysis.

Findings

Perceived external prestige is positively related with organizational identification (β=0.33, p<0.001). The influence of the interaction of perceived external prestige and gender on organizational identification is also supported (β=−0.29, p<0.05). In particular, the effect of perceived external prestige on organizational identification was stronger for men.

Research limitations/implications

There is limited inference to other private and public organizations because data are based on one public organization. The cross‐sectional analysis of the data cannot directly assess causality.

Originality/value

This is the first study to examine the moderating role of gender in the relationship between perceived external prestige and organizational identification.
Public international law principles: an Islamic Sufi approach – Part II
Authors: Bidabad Bijan
Published: January 2012

Purpose

Many laws have been derived from the religions' legislations and many of them do not have the capability of uniqueness and publicity, due to a variety of reasons, especially at the level of countries. However, the spirit of legislations is the same and unique in all religions and it is the Tariqah (Sufi path), Sufism, mysticism and ethical beliefs that have been stable and unchangeable for millenniums, and wisdom has accepted and accepts them in all times and locations. Thus, if the international public law is to be defined and designed upon the base of the unique religions' spirit, we will reach a unique law with most publicity. This paper aims to address these issues.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper explores the foundation of public international law from the theosophy approach of Islamic Sufism and mysticism.

Findings

By raising 38 principles, the paper proposes basic principles of important public international law subjects to prepare a backbone for recompilation of new law in this subject matter.

Research limitations/implications

Comparative researches in other religions' Gnosticism will be helpful.

Practical implications

These principles can be used for applied debates in the field and become new international law.

Social implications

Delicateness, truthfulness, and righteousness of Islamic Sufism may turn the attentions of scholars and researchers to this viewpoint, and a new set of laws to be codified.

Originality/value

Public international law scholars have not touched the topic from a Sufi viewpoint. This paper opens new challenging arena for those who are engaged in.
Anti‐corruption law in local government
Authors: Michael Bryane , Mendes Stephen
Published: January 2012

Purpose

Macedonian municipalities should pass anti‐corruption ordinances in order to reduce corruption. The purpose of this paper is to review the legal issues involved in drafting such ordinances and provide legal advisors to local councils with the legal and economic analysis needed to tackle some of the more difficult and detailed questions.

Design/methodology/approach

The most important issue revolves around the creation of a model ordinance which Macedonian municipalities (or the Association of Units of Local Self‐Government of the Republic of Macedonia) could adopt in order to set‐up and run municipal‐level anti‐corruption agencies. The location of such agencies as well as their competencies (to monitor conflicts of interests, oversee asset declarations, and conduct corruption risk‐audits among others) are analysed. The paper also provides legal interpretations of Macedonian legislation and their likely impact on municipal council ordinance design in the area of anti‐corruption – providing the legal basis for positive administrative silence, the splitting of municipal procurement contracts, and (most controversially) qui tam rewards at the municipal level.

Findings

A brief regulatory impact analysis of the ordinance shows a gain of €162,900 in social welfare if such a programme were rolled‐out in Macedonia.

Originality/value

The present paper provides some of the legal analysis which previous papers lack.
Independence of judiciary in Bangladesh: an overview
Authors: Hossain Mollah Awal
Published: January 2012

Purpose

The aim of this paper is to analyze the status of independence of the judiciary in Bangladesh. It is recognized worldwide that an independent judiciary is the sin qua non of democracy and good governance. However, without separation of the judiciary from other organs of the state absolute independence of judiciary is not possible. An attempt has been made in this paper to sketch the brief historical background of judicial system in Bangladesh through analyzing the meaning and basic principles of judicial independence and to what extent these principles exists in Bangladesh. How did the judiciary finally separate from the executive? After separation of the judiciary, what is the status of executive interference over judiciary in Bangladesh has also been evaluated in this paper.

Design/methodology/approach

The study is qualitative in nature and based on secondary sources of materials like books, journal articles, government rules, newspaper reports, etc. Relevant literature has also been collected through Internet browsing.

Findings

In this study, it has been found that from time immemorial the judicial system of Bangladesh was not completely independent from the interference of the executive branch of the government. It has also been found that from the beginning of the British colonial rule, the question of separation of the judiciary from the executive had been a continuing debate. Presently, even after separation of the judiciary, the interference of the executive over the judiciary is still continuing.

Practical implications

This paper opens a new window for the policy makers and concerned authorities to take necessary steps for overcoming the existing limitations of the status of judicial dependence in Bangladesh.

Originality/value

The paper will be of interest to legal practitioners, policy makers, members of civil society, and those in the field of judicial system in Bangladesh and some other British colonial common law countries.
Insider trading in Malaysia; towards an improved regulation
Authors: Kadir Rokiah , Muhamad Suriyani
Published: January 2012

Purpose

This paper aims to gauge the issue of insider trading in Malaysia by assessing some selected statutory provisions under the relevant law and examining the issues of enforcement and prosecution.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper analyses relevant legislation pertaining to insider trading.

Findings

This paper argues that in order to be an effective regulation, the laws enacted must address the concerns and problems insider trading has given rise to. Contrary to popular impression that insider trading is a settled issue due to the lack of investigation and prosecution cases, the paper unearths a number of findings; first it maintains its contention that the provisions under the Companies Act 1965 are not entirely satisfactory and the latter regulations generally provide more creditable rules with regard to the issue. Further the definition of an insider, the requirement pertaining to the manner the information must be obtained and the enforcement of the law are amongst a number of issues that Malaysia has to address if a more competitive capital market is to be created.

Research limitations/implications

Further research could usefully examine the law in the light of investigation cases by the security commission.

Practical implications

The paper reveals how insider trading legislation applies in business situations.

Originality/value

The insider trading legislation is found out to be far from satisfactory, and this paper attempts to fill in the gaps where there is scarcity of literature on this issue.
Impact of financial liberalisation on stock market liquidity: experience of China
Authors: Lee Jess K.‐Y. , Wong Alfred Y.‐T.
Published: January 2012

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to assess the impact of the recent financial reforms in China. Following the country's accession to the World Trade Organization, financial liberalisation has picked up considerable momentum. Wide‐ranging reforms introduced encompass deregulation in the banking sector and refinements in various financial markets, as well as allowing more freedom for Chinese and foreign investors to participate and interact domestically and overseas.

Design/methodology/approach

Compared to other studies on financial liberalisation, this study uses a panel data regression model to analyse a relatively narrower aspect of financial reforms, namely, the impact on stock market liquidity.

Findings

Using a data set drawn from the Shanghai stock market, the authors find a positive and significant liquidity impact associated with the recent round of measures.

Originality/value

The result reflects not only an improvement in capital allocation efficiency in China's equity market but, from a financial stability point of view, also a reduction in its vulnerability. The finding also provides evidence on one of the important channels in which financial liberalisation can be transformed into economic growth over time.
Effects of outward FDI on home‐country export competitiveness
Authors: Chen Yan , Hsu Wen‐Chung , Wang Chengqi
Published: January 2012

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to examine the effects of outward foreign direct investment (O‐FDI) on the competitiveness of home‐country export.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper employs a six‐year data set from Taiwanese manufacturing data for 15 industries over the period between 1991 and 2007.

Findings

The authors find that exports in Taiwan are positively associated with O‐FDI by Taiwanese firms. This finding supports the view that outward FDI complements home country exports and concurs with the majority of earlier empirical findings which focus on developed home countries. The authors also find that such effect is stronger for Taiwanese FDI in China than in other countries and in traditional sectors than in modern sectors.

Originality/value

These findings suggest that location‐and industry‐specific characteristics moderate the strength of the relationship between O‐FDI and home country exports.
Linking tourism security to national security
Authors: Boxill Ian
Published: January 2012

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to explain why national security should not be segregated from tourism security, especially in small island states.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper draws on the Christopher “Dudus” Coke saga of 2010 in Jamaica to show how urban security issues can impact on security in tourism areas. It also draws on critical pieces of the literature to make the case.

Findings

The social upheaval created by the Christopher Coke saga led to a reduction in visitor arrivals in the capital city of Kingston and in corporate hotels close to where the security operations took place. Estimates indicate that in some cases revenue from tourism was down by 11 percent. This impact was not as significant for areas outside of Kingston, although some flights were initially cancelled.

Originality/value

This paper draws on the Christopher Coke case in support of the argument that in small states all aspects of national security should be seen as being intimately linked to tourism security.
Managing guest security in a high‐violence society
Authors: Cowell Noel M. , McDavid Hilton , Saunders Tanzia S.
Published: January 2012

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to explore security management in the hospitality sector of Jamaica.

Design/methodology approach

The paper is based on a combination of available documentary sources and in‐depth interviews conducted with key players in the fields of law enforcement, security management and hospitality in Jamaica.

Findings

Jamaica's image as a tourism destination has been severely damaged by reports of its high murder rates. With the exception of tourism harassment however, visitors to the island are largely unaffected by crime. This outcome is not accidental; rather it is the result of a social consensus combined with a well‐articulated, comprehensive, long‐term crime management strategy involving multiple stakeholders ranging from the level of government to the individual hospitality establishment. Despite these positives however, the paper expresses serious doubts about the sustainability of the existing tourism and hospitality model.

Research limitations/implications

The study is qualitative in nature and focuses on the hospitality sector in the major commercial centre and one of the major resort centres. Both have been characterised by high levels of criminal violence in the last decade. As such the results may offer important insights into crime management and tourism development but cannot be generalised.

Practical implications

The paper carries significant implications for policy in that it analyses the challenges of security management in a tourism destination marked by severe and complex and social contradictions.

Originality/value

Despite the enormity of the public discourse on the impact of crime on tourism, there has been little scholarly analysis of the challenges of security management in an environment marked simultaneously by extreme tourism dependence and extreme levels of criminal violence.
Emergency planning and recovery for terror situations: an analysis with special reference to tourism
Authors: Stahura Kurt A. , Henthorne Tony L. , George Babu P. , Soraghan Eugene
Published: January 2012

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to determine the effect management has on terror and emergency response and recovery. Specifically, the investigation will determine what management model or methodology seems to produce the greatest effect when preparing for, reacting to, and recovering from terror and emergency situations.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper employs meta analysis of the relevant literature as the primary approach to achieve its purpose.

Findings

The analysis implies that preparation should replace simple planning; resilience building is the key to disaster preparedness; leadership skills of managers are paramount; and, rigid response doctrine (RRD) must be built‐into the plans, among others.

Originality/value

For the most part, this paper may be termed as the result of derivative research, since it draws heavily on generic research in the area of disaster management.
The response of the tourism industry in Jamaica to crime and the threat of terrorism
Authors: Hall Anthony
Published: January 2012

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to explore with practitioners the impact of Jamaican corruption, crime and violence on guest experiences in different resort locations.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper uses interviews with prominent practitioners to assess the extent to which crime, perceptions of safety and security and the impact and ongoing threat of terrorism affect visitor behaviour and purchase decisions.

Findings

The paper reveals that international terrorism has negatively affected average room rates, capacity and the development of tourism in Jamaica, but that the risks associated with high levels of violence and crime do not seem to affect returning visitors.

Practical implications

The paper illustrates the importance of addressing international perceptions about the safety of Jamaica as a tourist destination and the importance of both internal and external security systems and measures.

Originality/value

The paper provides a practitioner perspective on the ways in which threats to tourism development can be minimized by effective communications and security systems and measures.
Crime, criminal activity and tourism performance: issues from the Caribbean
Authors: Karagiannis Nikolaos , Madjd‐Sadjadi Zagros
Published: January 2012

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to review the many negative implications of crime for tourism in the Caribbean, with particular regard to the economic costs, the loss of long‐term investment and the impact of illegal drugs.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper provides an analysis in three sections: The first section provides a preliminary discussion on problems of crime and criminal activity in the Caribbean especially as they relate to tourism. The second main part singles out certain areas of concern, namely, economic costs, long‐term investment dampening, illicit drugs, gangs, indirect costs, and youth as the primary perpetrators of crime in the region. The final section offers policy considerations towards halting the impact of crime and criminal activity on Caribbean tourism performance.

Findings

The paper concludes that Caribbean governments have to do more to protect their most important industry, and recommends a combination of both hard and soft policing measures and educational programs targeting youth, which emphasise the avoidance of criminal behaviour.

Practical implications

The paper advocates an integrated approach in order to address the issue of crime in society and also the central questions as to how to punish criminality and how to address its root causes.

Originality/value

The paper identifies marketing implications for tourism destinations, especially in relation to the perceptions of a given destination.
Recovering from terror: the Egyptian and Balinese experiences
Authors: Crawford Damion
Published: January 2012

Purpose

This paper aims to analyze the recovery of the Balinese and Egyptian tourism industries after experiencing terrorist attacks, to see what can be learnt by Caribbean destinations.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper applies the principles of consumer behaviour to the observed behaviours of tourists in post‐crisis situations.

Findings

The Caribbean's dependence on the tourism industry for economic growth has made the region potentially more vulnerable to a crisis external to the industry, such as terrorism. Many Caribbean stakeholders are concerned about the potential impact of terrorism; however, recent events in Bali and Egypt have shown that the tourism industry is much more resilient than was first assumed.

Practical implications

Findings suggest that the effects of crises can be controlled by increasing the consumer's perception of value. Additionally, managing media coverage can be used to influence the perception of risk.

Originality/value

The paper provides an insight into crisis management in the tourism industry.
Conclusions: tourism, crime and terrorism: what are the risks, challenges and policy options?
Authors: Clayton Anthony , Boxill Ian
Published: January 2012

Purpose

This paper aims to conclude the theme issues and identify the respective contributions from each paper to identifying the risks, challenges and policy options posed by crime and terrorism for tourism development.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper reviews the conclusions and practical implications of research, secondary analysis and interviews with practitioners.

Findings

The theme issue advocates a combination of both hard and soft policing measures and educational programs targeting youth which emphasise the avoidance of criminal behaviour; improving planning and decision making mechanisms with regard to security measures; and the implementation of a fully integrated national security system, which recognizes tourist security as part of the larger national security for all citizens.

Practical implications

At the broader policy level, the theme issue recommends that governments aim to achieve a more equitable distribution of the earnings from tourism nationally and greater focus on impoverished communities, especially in close proximity to the tourist resorts.

Originality/value

The paper draws on extensive secondary analysis to examine the relationships between crime, terrorism and tourism development and identifies the key issues and policy options for industry and government stakeholders.
The evolution of resource‐advantage theory
Authors: Hunt Shelby D.
Published: January 2012

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to provide a personal retrospective on six of the key events/experiences that influenced the development of the structure, foundational premises, and models of the resource‐advantage theory of competition.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper uses a personal retrospective approach.

Findings

The paper finds that six key events influenced the development of resource‐advantage theory: B.J. “Bud” LaLonde emphasizes the works of Alderson; Rob Morgan suggests an article on the resource‐based theory of the firm; Roy Howell suggests a presentation on R‐A theory; Randy Sparks shows a “socialist calculation” article; Kim Boal suggests theJournal of Management Inquiryas a publication outlet; and Bob Phillips discusses his work on “firm effects vs industry effects”. The paper then relates each of the six events to the paths, routes, or procedures that are often proposed as (or reported to be) likely to lead to the development of theories.

Originality/value

By providing the evolutionary history of resource‐advantage theory, the paper provides implications for developing marketing theories.
Marketing strategy
Authors: Shaw Eric H.
Published: January 2012

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to organize the semantics jungle of marketing strategy approaches, terms and concepts into a logically coherent framework using the history of marketing thought to inform current marketing research and practice.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper takes the form of an intensive literature review tracing the three streams of marketing strategy terms and concepts from their roots in the literatures of early marketing management, managerial economics and corporate management to the present.

Findings

Along with marketing ideas, strategy concepts from managerial economics and from corporate management were absorbed directly into the corpus of strategic marketing thought. These three streams of research have converged into the current state of marketing strategy – an eclectic mixture of both complementary and conflicting strategic approaches, terms and concepts. By systematically following the evolutionary development of major contributions to strategic marketing thought and by redefining terms and refining concepts the various approaches to strategy can be integrated into a comprehensive conceptual framework for organizing and choosing among individual marketing strategies.

Originality/value

The framework offers conceptual and practical value. It provides a researcher with a consistent set of terms and concepts to build upon. The framework also provides a strategic toolkit for the marketing manager, based upon organizational and environmental conditions, to choose from among the feasible alternatives the most effective marketing strategy to achieve management's goal(s).
The life cycle concept in marketing research
Authors: Bauer Martina , Auer‐Srnka Katharina J.
Published: January 2012

Purpose

This research seeks to provide a historical review of the life cycle concept in marketing. The paper aims to show the development of traditional life cycle models and links to the life course perspective.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors relate to life events and transitions in consumers' life trajectories, life status, role transitions, and role identities as determinants of consumer behavior. The paper reveals future research potential in the field. Essentially, the authors demonstrate the need for life cycle models grounded on empirical data and discuss related methodological issues.

Findings

This paper provides a temporal systematization of theoretical and empirical life cycle research. The major outcome is an outline of conceptual and methodological research directions that enable researchers to follow the life course perspective and to derive empirically grounded life cycle models.

Research limitations/implications

Providing chronological literature compilations and an evolutionary review of life cycle research, the authors identify future research directions. To encourage empirical development of the concept, the article also refers to the related methodological literature.

Practical implications

Both marketing thought and practitioners benefit from the insights presented. Marketing managers may better address consumers' changing needs over their lifetime, strengthen customer loyalty and reduce brand switching, thereby enhancing customer lifetime value.

Originality/value

This paper adds to the study of the consumer life cycle by providing a comprehensive anthology of life cycle research from 1910 to 2010. It shows major research streams and reveals future research potential in marketing.
Marketing education and acculturation in the early twentieth century
Authors: Witkowski Terrence H.
Published: January 2012

Purpose

This article seeks to bring two hitherto neglected Polish language texts on selling and salesmanship to the attention of marketing historians. In contrast to Bartels' seminal work, this research aims to show that early marketing writing was not just in the English language and that early marketing thought was disseminated via instruction outside institutions of higher education. The research also intends to explore how marketing education served to acculturate one group of immigrants to American business norms.

Design/methodology/approach

The primary sources are Sprzedawca czyli: Sztuka Prowadzenia Handlu Podług Systemów Amerykańskich (Salesman: The Art of Commerce According to American Norms) by Józef Mierzyński and Sprzedawnictwo Sklepowe (Store Salesmanship), third edition, by Bolesław Z. Urbanski. Both were published in Chicago. Their tables of contents were translated and compared to selected English language texts on selling and salesmanship written about the same time. Additional information on the authors, publishers, and potential audience was also gathered to give context to these texts.

Findings

These Polish language books contained much of the same information as the English language literature on sales from the period, but with more information on personal comportment and more illustrative material. These books provide evidence of sophisticated business thinking among some Polish immigrants. Commercial correspondence courses and self‐instruction brought early marketing thought to this market and thus helped Poles enter the American economic mainstream.

Originality/value

The article shows that these are the first books on selling and salesmanship – or on any other marketing topic – known to be written in the USA prior to 1920 in a language other than English. They are worthy of close scrutiny because they reveal a new dimension to the early creation and dissemination of marketing thought.
From label to trademark
Authors: Petty Ross D.
Published: January 2012

Purpose

This research aims to examine a number of legal sources for evidence that US marketers were interested in protecting their brand identities in the 1800s.

Design/methodology/approach

The research examines historical legal records including registrations for commercial prints and labels, design patents and trademarks as well as other legal records. The work discusses the evolution of the concept of brand identity by examining various legal methods that were used to try to protect brand identity from imitation.

Findings

The research suggests that marketer interest in the development and protection of brand identity preceded the US Civil War and confirms that this interest was led by marketers of patent medicines, tobacco and liquor. However, the study also demonstrates strong interest by marketers of many other types of products from disposable products to durable manufactured items.

Research limitations/implications

Many original records were lost in the 1836 Patent Office fire or have been simply lost. Some of the databases examined are too large to be comprehensively examined.

Originality/value

The examination of legal records from this period of uncertainty shows how the practice of brand identification led to the concept of brand identity: the legal data examined offer a wealth of information for marketing historians.
The evolution of conspicuous consumption
Authors: Patsiaouras Georgios , Fitchett James A.
Published: January 2012

Purpose

Conspicuous consumption refers to the competitive and extravagant consumption practices and leisure activities that aim to indicate membership to a superior social class. Studies examining the symbolic role of luxury brands and status symbols, and the importance of interpersonal relations and upward social mobility via consumption choices, have been widely discussed in the marketing and consumer behaviour literature. There is, however, limited research on how the all‐encompassing concept of “conspicuous consumption” has evolved since the introduction of the term by Thorstein Veblen in 1899 inThe Theory of the Leisure Class. This paper seeks to review some of the issues.

Design/methodology/approach

Using a chronological periodization the paper examines and discusses the impact of wider institutional and socio‐economic forces on the evolution of conspicuous consumption phenomena. The paper adopts a historical framework related to economics and marketing.

Findings

The paper shows how the concept of “conspicuous consumption” has been reinvented with different terminology during the twentieth century by marketing and consumer behaviour theorists.

Originality/value

The paper discusses and examines the socio‐economic factors behind the changing consumption patterns of “conspicuous consumers” throughout the twentieth century. It is valuable for marketing academics, students and marketing practitioners interested in the evolution of status symbols.
Generalized discrete GM (1,1) model
Authors: Yao Tianxiang , Forrest Jeffery , Gong Zaiwu
Published: January 2012

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to expand discrete GM (1,1) model and solve the problem of non‐equidistance grey prediction problem with integral interval or digital interval.

Design/methodology/approach

Discrete GM (1,1) model can be utilized to simulate exponential sequence without errors, but it can't be utilized to simulate non‐equidistance data sequence. This paper applied optimization theories to establish generalized discrete GM (1,1) model. First, this paper established the time response of simulation sequence directly. Second, this paper established the steps of non‐equidistance data sequence. Finally, this paper utilized examples to test the method put forward.

Findings

The results indicate the generalized discrete GM (1,1) (GDGM) model can perfectly simulate non‐equidistance exponential series. Discrete GM (1,1) model is only the special form of GDGM model.

Practical implications

Though grey forecasting models are widely used, most of the forecasting models are based on the equal distance sequence. Due to many reasons, the raw data available usually is incomplete. There are mainly four reasons which caused non‐equidistance sequence. So generalized discrete GM (1,1) model can be utilized to simulate non‐equidistance sequence and has great application values.

Originality/value

The paper succeeds in establishing a generalized discrete GM (1,1) model which can be utilized to solve non‐equidistance data sequence forecasting. The GDGM model can be solved by MATLAB or other corresponding software.
Grey prediction model‐based food security early warning prediction
Authors: Wang Yuhong , Tang Jiangrong , Cao Wenbin
Published: January 2012

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to make an evaluation and early warning prediction using grey prediction models and the index of process ability.

Design/methodology/approach

An early warning prediction for food security risk is proposed in this paper. A quality index is constructed and an improved grey prediction model is also presented. The quality index model is applied to measure the level of food quality; then the grey prediction model is applied to predict the trend of quality index for food in the future. A comparison between the predicted trends and standard limit proposed by experts is made to judge the food security risk.

Findings

The results in this paper indicate that more attention should be paid to the food security situation and steps should also should be taken to prevent harm to people's health from food.

Practical implications

The method presented in the paper could be used to make predictions for those systems which have the characteristic of small sample and poor information. The combination of grey prediction model and process ability index could also be applied to evaluation and early warning for those systems.

Originality/value

Food quality index is constructed for evaluating food security and an improved grey prediction model is also presented in this paper. The combination of these two models could be applied to make evaluation and warning prediction for food security risk with poor information.
Study on parameters characteristics of NGM (1,1,k) prediction model with multiplication transformation
Authors: Cui Jie , Zeng Bo
Published: January 2012

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to study the properties of the NGM (1,1,k) prediction model with multiplication transformation and reduce its modeling complexity.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors improved this model by putting forward a formula to solve its parameters, building an algorithm for optimizing the NGM (1,1,k) model in terms of the least modeling error and designing a key technology for the implementation of this algorithm. The optimized NGM (1,1,k) model is built accordingly. The parameter characteristics of the two models under multiple transformations and its effect of the simulation value and forecasting value are analyzed by studying the properties of multiple transformation of the two models.

Findings

The research finding shows that the modeling accuracies of the NGM (1,1,k) model and the optimized NGM (1,1,k) model are all in no relation to multiple transformations.

Practical implications

The above results imply that the data level can be reduced; the process of building the NGM (1,1,k) model and the optimized NGM (1,1,k) model can be simplified; but the simulative and predictive accuracy of the two models remain unchanged.

Originality/value

The paper succeeds in realising the properties of NGM (1,1,k) model and the optimized NGM (1,1,k) model by using the method of multiplication transformation, which is helpful for understanding the modeling mechanism and expanding the application range of the NGM (1,1,k) model.
Stepwise ratio GM (1,1) model for image denoising
Authors: Zhao Jinshuai , Yang Sujin , Xin Liu
Published: January 2012

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to construct a novel grey filter model for image denoising and to solve the problems which exist in the image denoising filter method, in which the true intensity value of each noisy pixel cannot be predicted better.

Design/methodology/approach

Based on the definition of stepwise, the defects of traditional grey prediction models are found. A new grey filter model, named grey stepwise prediction model, is proposed. The new filter model for the image denoising is based on each noisy pixel's neighborhoods stepwise, which is the eight pixels around the noisy pixel, to predict its intensity value and to solve the problems which exist in the image denoising filter method.

Findings

The experiment results show that the improved filter model can effectively eliminate image noise, preserve the image's details and edges, increase SNR (signal‐to‐noise ratio) as well as PSNR (peak signal‐to‐noise ratio), reduce MSE (mean square error) and MAE (mean absolute error), and significantly improve the image's visual effect.

Practical implications

The new filter method exposed in the paper can be used to 8‐bit gray‐scale image denoising. The method can also be used to binary image denoising.

Originality/value

The paper succeeds in constructing a novel filter method for image denoding, and it is undoubtedly a new development in image recovery algorithm and grey systems theory.
Intuitionistic fuzzy decision‐making methods based on grey incidence analysis and D‐S theory of evidence
Authors: Li Peng
Published: January 2012

Purpose

The purpose of the paper is to propose a new decision‐making method using grey systems theory with the attribute values of corresponding alternatives in the form of intuitionistic fuzzy numbers.

Design/methodology/approach

The uncertain degrees of different indices are determined by using the grey incidence analysis. Then, the mass functions of different alternatives in different indices are obtained by using the score function of intuitionistic fuzzy sets and the uncertain degrees of different indices. Information can be fused in accordance with the D‐S combination rule and the best alternative is calculated accordingly. Finally, a numerical example is utilized to illustrate that a satisfied solution can be obtained and the uncertainty can be decreased.

Findings

The results are convincing: the new decision‐making method, by combining the D‐S theory of evidence, can well deal with decision‐making problems with the attribute values of corresponding alternatives in the form of intuitionistic fuzzy sets. From the numerical example, it is seen that the uncertainty can be decreased by using the new method.

Practical implications

The method exposed in the paper can be used to help the decision maker make a fast and accurate decision when facing decision problems with the attribute values of corresponding alternatives in the form of intuitionistic fuzzy sets.

Originality/value

The paper succeeds in proposing a decision‐making method by using the D‐S theory of evidence and one of the newest developed theories: grey systems theory.
Efficiency measures in DEA with grey interval data under the hypotheses of data consistency
Authors: Wang Jiefang , Liu Sifeng
Published: January 2012

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to solve the DEA model with grey interval data while the inputs/outputs have large interval length.

Design/methodology/approach

Some methods have been developed to calculate the interval efficiencies of the decision‐making unit (DMU) in DEA model with interval data, in which there are two shortcomings. One is that the evaluated DMU and referenced DMUs are not be dealt with fairly, as they are not counterparts in locations of inputs and outputs within possible ranges. Another is that efficiency intervals may be too wide to provide valuable information. This paper proposes the hypotheses of data consistency in DEA model. Under the hypotheses, linear programming (LP) models to solve the upper and lower bounds of interval efficiencies are established.

Findings

It is found that lengths of efficiency intervals under the hypotheses are shorter, which produces more reliable and informative evaluation results and DMUs are dealt with more fairly.

Practical implications

The method proposed in the paper could be used in efficiencies evaluation of enterprises, governments, etc. when the classic methods are invalid for the high uncertainty evaluation results.

Originality/value

The paper succeeds in proposing the hypotheses of data consistency and solving the DEA model with interval grey data under that.