bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Government 2.0
Authors: Schellong Alexander R.M.
Published: October 2008

Purpose

Researchers have argued that social networks within a community have positive effects on people's behavior in disasters. The Japanese government is testing online SNS at the municipal level with the intention to improve community building, democratic processes, and disaster management. This paper seeks to explore the use of social networking services (SNSs) in government and disaster in Japan.

Design/methodology/approach

This study is based on a literature review of social capital, social support, disaster, and social software. Two exploratory case studies of local government SNS in Yatsushiro city, Kumamoto prefecture and Nagaoka city, Niigata prefecture provide empirical evidence. Consequently, the role of local SNS for social capital development and disaster is discussed.

Findings

Yatsushiro's solution seems to be sustainable, Nagaoka's SNS is in decline. Both have to compete with popular SNS like Mixi and lack critical mass. There are some indications that government‐initiated SNS helps to build social capital and utilize it in times of a disaster.

Research limitations/implications

The paper contributes to the research on eParticipation and Public Management by describing an internet‐based social software application and its embeddedness in the administrative organization. Any conclusions must be tentative, especially as a consequence of the non‐representative number of users and the lack of testing in a disaster.

Practical implications

The paper provides practitioners with two real life case studies on the implementation and use of local SNS in government.

Originality/value

The paper offers theoretical and practical insights into the use of social software in government. Moreover, it connects current trends in government 2.0 to disaster research.
Evaluation of e‐health services: user's perspective criteria
Authors: Hamid Alalwany , Sarmad Alshawi
Published: October 2008

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to explore the user's perspective in evaluating e‐health services and to present evaluation criteria that influence users' utilization and satisfaction of e‐health services.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper is based on two lines of studies relating to the behaviour of users of new products or services and on broad examining and critical analysis of the existing evaluations initiatives in e‐governments services generally but also particularly in an e‐health context.

Findings

The paper argues that e‐health services evaluation frameworks should be criteria‐based, while the criteria can be grounded in, and derived from, one or more specific perspectives or theories, and cannot be entirely framed within the bounds of a single theory or perspective. The paper suggests an evaluation framework for e‐health services and provides a set of clear and useful e‐health evaluation criteria that can be accommodated by such a framework.

Research limitations/implications

The limitation of this paper lies in the absence of empirical validation and examination of the proposed evaluation criteria that have not yet been applied in the fieldwork. Hence, the proposed criteria require an empirical validation which will be performed by the authors in the next stage of this research using a multiple case study strategy and will form the basis for further research.

Practical implications

The proposed evaluation criteria can be used to help achieve better user services utilization, to serve as part of an e‐health evaluation framework, and to address areas that require further attention in the development of future e‐health initiatives.

Originality/value

The paper presents a well‐argued and balanced hierarchy of evaluation criteria that can contribute to an area of research which is still in its infancy in terms of development and management.
Technology acceptance toward e‐government initiative in Royal Thai Navy
Authors: Vathanophas Vichita , Krittayaphongphun Nattapon , Klomsiri Chalalai
Published: October 2008

Purpose

This paper aims to show how the adopted technology acceptance model (TAM) is used to measure the acceptance of internet use by naval officers in the Naval Department for the e‐government initiative in Thailand.

Design/methodology/approach

The study used two research methodologies for gathering data: the TAM questionnaire and interview. The TAM questionnaire was used to measure naval finance officers' perceptions on the internet and to find the relationship between the 12 external factors (independent factors) and dependent factors within the research framework of the study. The interview was used to explore internet use acceptance in a public organization, and to discover how government officers at one public organization felt about the e‐government initiative and internet usage within their organization.

Findings

The study analysis shows that the external factors influencing naval officers' perception on internet use acceptance were: prior experience, job relevance, commitment, trust, and autonomy. However, training and infrastructure problems are other important factors that can also lead to the acceptance of internet use.

Originality/value

The study outcome can provide useful information to help the organization improve its capacity for successfully implementing the e‐government initiative. Simultaneously, the study can also be used as a guideline for e‐government initiative implementation in other public organizations. As a result, this will lead to a successful e‐government initiative in Thailand.
Uncertainty, human agency and e‐government
Authors: Tony Yu Fu‐Lai
Published: October 2008

Purpose

This paper aims to formulate an Austrian model of the governmental process and to apply the theory of human agency to discuss the problems in transforming government into a digital organization.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper applies the Schutzian theory of human agency to analyse public agents' behaviour and the decision‐making process involved in adopting information technology (IT) in the public sector. The study incorporates cognitive elements such as opportunity discovery, learning, experimentation, trial and error, and revision of plans to understand problems in adopting new technology in government.

Findings

From an Austrian perspective, the government is viewed as an institution for coordinating economic affairs. Advances in IT will facilitate the coordination. However, public agents will face structural uncertainty when they consider adopting new technology. During the process of making an adoption decision, public officials perceive new incoming events and formulate plans according to their experience and knowledge. The subjective interpretation of a problematic situation by public officials yields provisional judgements to be confirmed by subsequent experience. With new information and experience, they subsequently revise their plans in order to eliminate errors. A new problem situation requires the public planner to produce new trial solutions which are then subjected to further testing in daily operation. The revision of plans by public officials is thus seen as a continuous process and results in administrative and coordination changes.

Originality/value

Unlike neoclassical public economists who act as omnipotent advisers on how the e‐government should behave, the theory of human agency analyses the operation of digital government from the “first person perspective”. It suggests that public officials, equipped with better IT, act or make decisions under uncertainty and constraints. Hence, the impact of a government action on an economic issue is not deterministic. Instead, many government policies take society by surprise and result in institutional change. It is concluded that agents in both the private and the public sectors are journeying into an unknown future.
Research note
Authors: Lee Habin , Irani Zahir , Osman Ibrahim H. , Balci Asim , Ozkan Sevgi , Medeni Tunc D.
Published: October 2008

Purpose

This paper aims to introduce a European project CEES to develop a standard for the evaluation of Electronic Government (e‐Government) services from a citizen satisfaction perspective.

Design/methodology/approach

The aim, objectives, methodology, and deliverables of the project CEES are detailed. Furthermore, the challenges of the development of a reference process model in different countries are addressed and academic and practical implications of the project for the citizen‐oriented evaluation of e‐Government services are discussed.

Findings

A reference process model for the evaluation of e‐Government services from a citizens' perspective receives strong support from experiences in other similar areas such as software process and information systems governance. The reference model needs to overcome such challenges as the differences in culture, the maturity of e‐Government systems, and citizens‐government relationships.

Practical implications

The research is expected to trigger international collaboration to develop international standards for the evaluation of e‐Government services.

Originality/value

The paper contributes to the literature by enriching the views on e‐Government services and their evaluation via introducing a reference model concept. The CEES project will be the first attempt to apply the reference model concept in the information systems evaluation domain. Despite the wide adoption of reference models in software process, software design, and business process automation, the concept is yet to be applied to the IS evaluation domain.
Shipscape influence on the leisure cruise experience
Authors: Kwortnik Robert J.
Published: October 2008

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to examine the leisure cruise service environment – the shipscape – and its effects on cruisers' emotions, meaning‐making, and onboard behavior.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper uses qualitative data from 260 cruise customers that were mined from archived online discussion boards. Data were analyzed based on grounded theory and interpretive methods to derive an understanding of shipscape meanings and influences from the cruiser's perspective.

Findings

The findings extend Bitner's servicescape framework and reveal novel atmospheric and social effects that influence cruise travelers' experience.

Research limitations/implications

Given the exploratory research objective and interpretive methodology, generalizability beyond the cruise context is limited. However, research findings suggest not only that ambient shipscape conditions influence cruisers' pleasure, but also that ship layout, décor, size, facilities, and social factors influence the meanings cruisers attach to cruise brands and to the overall cruise experience.

Originality/value

This paper explores atmospheric effects on consumer behavior in a context as yet examined by tourism and hospitality scholars.
Cultural perspectives: Chinese perceptions of UK hotel service quality
Authors: Wang Yi , Royo Vela Marcelo , Tyler Katherine
Published: October 2008

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to assess Chinese tourists' perceptions of the UK hotel service quality, and to analyze the role of Chinese culture in influencing their expectations and perceptions.

Design/methodology/approach

An adapted SERVQUAL questionnaire for measuring hotel service quality attributes, and paired t‐test and the Mann‐Whitney test for data analysis were used in the study.

Findings

The main findings fully support the hypotheses developed, and reveal a number of shortfalls, particularly on the empathy, reliability and tangible dimensions, in UK hotel services, which have led to negative consumers' experiences.

Research limitations/implications

Future study requires a larger sample size with more sophisticated statistical analysis, and also additional emphasis on the price/value relationship for hotels themselves, and the hotel category.

Practical implications

These are implications for the UK hotel marketers, managers, and employees, who may use the findings to adapt services to capitalize on the potential of Chinese outbound travel to the UK.

Originality/value

This exploratory study provides fresh insights on the interrelationships of cultural influences and customers' evaluations of service quality.
Decision‐making processes of Portuguese tourist travelling to South America and Africa
Authors: Correia Antónia , Pimpão Adriano
Published: October 2008

Purpose

This paper aims to study the decision‐making processes of Portuguese tourists traveling to South America and Africa destinations by developing a conceptual framework that focuses on information sources, motivations, perceptions, satisfactions, and behavioral intentions.

Design/methodology/approach

The study applies a structural model that looks to explain the factors behind decision making and the relationships present. The relationships are observed in detail through the application of a categorical principal component analysis.

Findings

The results of the empirical study show that behavioral intentions precede emotional and cognitive satisfaction, which in turn, are explained through perceptions and motivations. Tourists perceive tourism destinations as places of leisure although little information is available on existing facilities and core attractions.

Research limitations/implications

The study has the restriction of being limited to the Portuguese tourists. However, these findings open paths for further investigation, namely extending to other destinations and to tourists with different motivations.

Originality/value

This study contributes to the overall understanding of the decision‐making processes of tourists. Specifically, the decision processes is assess by considering two stages: the pre‐purchase stage and the post‐purchase stage. These two phases were analyzed in order to understand how people decide to travel to a certain destination.
Reading Australian colonial hospitality: a simple recipe
Authors: Robinson Richard N.S. , Arcodia Charles
Published: October 2008

Purpose

This research paper aims to report on the findings of an innovative study to extract contemporaneous interpretations of Australian colonial domestic hospitality inMrs. Lance Rawson's Cookery Book and Household Hints.

Design/methodology/approach

To dialogue with the text's original author, as free of time and space permutations as possible a hermeneutical approach is adopted. Hermeneutics has been successfully applied as an interpretative tool, to a range of tradition laden significant texts as it assists in the (constructive) deconstruction of texts so that the reader may use them as a portal into the past (its values and assumptions).

Findings

The findings of these textual analyses present a number of themes: the embedded notion of host/guest relations, especially as it transpires in “the bush”; the earliest impacts of indigenous and ethnic minorities on food production, its consumption and hence private hospitality; and evidence of a range of issues concerned with the management of a household. An Australian hospitality is also explored.

Research limitations/implications

Just as researchers have sought to identify an antipodean cuisine, this paper is a launch for understanding the origins of colonial hospitality, albeit from a private perspective.

Practical implications

The findings might assist the Australian hospitality industry in developing a regional service culture.

Originality/value

This paper contributes to emerging studies in hospitality, by deconstructing a colonial cookbook, via the medium of textual analysis, and underpinned by a hermeneutic interpretative paradigm.
Special interest tour preferences and voluntary simplicity lifestyle
Authors: Chieh‐Wen Sheng , Shen Ming‐Jian , Chen Ming‐Chia
Published: October 2008

Purpose

This research aims to treat voluntary simplicity lifestyle (VSL) as general lifestyle and explore the correlation between VSL and selection preference of special interest tourism (SIT).

Design/methodology/approach

This research adopts a questionnaire survey. The content of the questionnaire include questions on participants' demographic variables, VSL, and selection preference of SIT. After designing the questionnaire of selection preference of SIT, this research treats the tourists in the Taiwan Guandu bird‐watching area as the targets and distributes the questionnaires. This research adopts systematic sampling for questionnaire distribution.

Findings

The following results are found: a positive correlation between selection preference of SIT and VSL; females are mostly allocated as the recreation and entertainment type people preferring SIT, the educational level of diverse interest type people preferring SIT tend to be higher, and these people have a more significant VSL; people who are the low degree of identification type with voluntary simplicity reveal almost the least scores in terms of all kinds of traveling preference, whereas complete involvement type individuals show a higher degree of preference.

Research limitations/implications

This questionnaire is not exclusive. In other words, the respondents can provide extremely high, medium, or low scores for the preference for any kind of trips. Thus, the respondents' real preference sequence cannot be distinguished. Future studies can modify this questionnaire. The questionnaire of selection preference of SIT designed by this research mainly followed the SIT itineraries promoted on traveling websites and upon certain processes. Thus, this questionnaire content is based on the view of the supply end.

Originality/value

This research follows the suggestions of McKercher and Chan, and after internet searching, the method imitates content analysis to establish a questionnaire with 18 questions with respect to the selection preference of SIT. Through factor analysis, the researchers select four kinds of selection preference of SIT, including traveling preference of recreation and entertainment, natural ecology, physical exploration, and history and art. In addition, this research also uses confirmatory factor analysis to confirm the convergent validity of the VSL questionnaire developed by the authors (2005).
Managerial performance and business success
Authors: Dafna Kariv
Published: October 2008

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to assess the role of managerial performance in the success of men‐owned businesses (MOB) and women‐owned businesses (WOB) for Canadian and Israeli entrepreneurs.

Design/methodology/approach

A process‐oriented approach, a relatively overlooked perspective in this field, was used for this assessment. The methodology used was based on two national samples from Canada and Israel (n=235) which included mostly members of a private business networking organization. Questionnaires were distributed to the respondents; only entrepreneurs with at least one employee were included.

Findings

Multilevel analyses revealed that gender is significantly associated with some managerial functions, but except for the business longevity – it is not directly associated with measures of business success; nationality is associated with two measures of business success: turnover and growth. Women entrepreneurs, both Canadian and Israeli, ranked significantly higher in some functions of their managerial performance compared to their male counterparts.

Practical implications

This study's main implications are in deciphering the major role of managerial performance and nationality and the relatively marginal effect of gender in business success measures, implying that the gender gap in successful entrepreneurial businesses is decreasing. These findings can become foundations for better understanding broader entrepreneurship questions and practice‐based researched endeavors.

Originality/value

This paper's main contribution is in the identified need for developing training and education programs for entrepreneurs in the areas of managerial skills and practices; as well as in opening future avenues for cross‐national assessments of a process‐oriented perspective in these areas.
A study of SMEs in Singapore
Authors: Chew Rosalind , Chew Soon‐Beng
Published: October 2008

Purpose

The aim of this paper is to appreciate the difficulties faced by small and medium enterprises (SMEs) in a small open economy such as Singapore where there is very little margin for comfort.

Design/methodology/approach

The approach is analytical and statistical. Comparing key ratios over time to reinforce the findings is done.

Findings

SMEs in Singapore are price‐takers in the product markets and they are also price‐takers in the input markets. When there is substantial increase in costs, SMEs will be in trouble as they cannot pass the increased costs to the buyers of their products and services.

Practical implications

The implication is that only the government can help SMEs. With more information, the government can be convinced that SMEs can play a big role in the economy.

Originality/value

The paper shows that government and the SMEs' association can find ways to help SMEs.
Attitudes toward entrepreneurship and small business
Authors: Gupta Vishal K. , York Anne S.
Published: October 2008

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to examine the attitudes towards and knowledge about entrepreneurship and small business among the people of Nebraska, a mid‐western state in the USA.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper discusses the importance of understanding attitudes and knowledge about entrepreneurship at the state‐level. It uses a parsimonious framework to present the findings based on data collected by a Gallup Organization survey of Nebraska residents and small business owners.

Findings

Data reveals low interest in becoming entrepreneurs among Nebraskans. Interestingly, however, Nebraskans believe their educational experience is significantly more valuable and applicable to business start‐up than does the US general population. They are also less likely than the US population to believe that successful entrepreneurs and small businesses should give back to their communities.

Practical implications

The paper highlights the need to examine attitudes and beliefs about entrepreneurship in individual states and comparing the findings from the state level data to those from the national data. The results have important implications for teachers interested in providing training to potential entrepreneurs, as well as policy‐makers in states such as Nebraska interested in encouraging entrepreneurial activity in their state.

Originality/value

This paper is the first study to focus on attitudes and beliefs about entrepreneurship among the people of Nebraska, a rural state in USA, an otherwise highly industrialized country. It is also the first study to use the data collected at the state‐level to compare it to findings from a national sample.
Aligning personal and entrepreneurial vision for success
Authors: Hurst Deborah , MacDougall Shelley , Pelham Chris
Published: October 2008

Purpose

While there is no definitive profile of the successful entrepreneur or prescribed pathway for success, research suggests that individuals who proactively accommodate factors that push and pull them into entrepreneurship, align their personal and entrepreneurial visions, and to some extent, build emotional intelligence (EQ), are more likely to succeed. This paper aims to describe an entrepreneur counseling process developed and used by the Acadia Centre for Social and Business Entrepreneurship (ACSBE), located in Nova Scotia, Canada.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors propose an entrepreneur's success, negotiation of push and pull factors, and EQ are all linked, and the ACSBE counseling model draws on these. The case study method was used. ACSBE staffs were interviewed regarding the entrepreneur counseling process, counselor‐training sessions were observed and documents were reviewed. Two ACSBE clients, who together started a successful fair‐trade business, were interviewed for their insights regarding the ACSBE counseling model and their own experiences starting their business.

Findings

The responses of the ACSBE clients illustrate a successful application of the ACSBE Entrepreneurial Decision Making Cycle©. Their personal values, business strategies and performance were linked to promote success personally and for society. Both entrepreneurs were authentic, self‐aware and empathetic individuals who were able to hone their EQ and develop sound business acumen with assistance of the ACSBE counseling model.

Research limitations/implications

The analysis of the ACSBE counseling model and its success in this case leads to the question of whether the application of the ACSBE Entrepreneurial Decision Making Cycle can predict those more likely to succeed in an entrepreneurial venture. In order to address this, further research of the ACSBE decision tool is recommended.

Originality/value

The ACSBE Entrepreneurial Decision Making Cycle is unique. It should be of interest to entrepreneur counselors and researchers of entrepreneurship.
Case study: international development in Ukraine
Authors: Jones Brian , Iredale Norma
Published: October 2008

Purpose

This article aims to report on a Department for International Development (DFID) funded enterprise education programme in Ukraine, managed by the University of Durham. It seeks to offer a description and explanation of the programme along with an analysis of its rationale, operation and workings. The focus is on the method used to transfer, adapt and apply a programme for the introduction of enterprise education from the UK to Ukraine.

Design/methodology/approach

A partnership‐based framework of analysis that underpins the actual workings of the programme is detailed. Issues affecting societies and economies in transition are explored with a specific focus on Ukraine. The programme rationale and its operational workings are discussed before revealing the key findings and their implications for theory and practice.

Findings

In the transition economies of Eastern Europe, enterprise education can help bring about peaceful social and economic transformation. Enterprise education helps to establish the principle that in a free society starting a business is not just a right of all citizens but it is within their capabilities. The concept is liberating and liberalising and is a tool that encourages, advocates and advances freedoms and opportunities. It can help stimulate innovation and entrepreneurship and as a tool of empowerment it can help people cope with and adapt to an uncertain economic future.

Originality/value

The paper shows that in recognising the educational value of “positive mistake making” a more “can do”, calculated risk‐taking attitude can be fostered to encourage enterprise and entrepreneurship. It also illustrates that the development of teaching resources is essential and needs to be done in context making it relevant to local conditions and circumstances.
The impact of geographically defined school zones on house prices in New Zealand
Authors: Rehm Michael , Filippova Olga
Published: October 2008

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to explore and quantify the impact of geographically defined school zones on house prices in New Zealand.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper develops a series of hedonic pricing models to analyse 10,000 house sales transactions over a 21‐year period within a compact group of inner Auckland suburbs, which represents the epicentre of the school zoning debate in New Zealand. The study diverts from past research, which mainly focuses on school quality measures such as standardised test scores, and instead analyses the comprehensive price impacts of access to popular state schools. Its unique approach employs a geographic information system to divide the study area into effective school zones and then further subdivide into suburbs, thus offering a vital indicator of internal validity.

Findings

The study's findings indicate that the influence of school zoning on house prices is not uniform and the variation in price effects is largely a function of the uncertainty of future zone boundary definitions. Although some “in‐zone” suburbs have enjoyed accelerated house price growth following the reintroduction of zoning in 2000, peripheral suburbs’ price premiums have diminished.

Originality/value

In contrast to standard hedonic studies on school quality, this paper offers an innovative approach that integrates geography to solve what is essentially a spatial economic problem.
The state intervention in achieving a quality urban living standard
Authors: Nor Azriyati Wan Abd Aziz Wan , Rosly Hanif Noor , Ahmad Faizah
Published: October 2008

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to present how the state government can successfully intervene in providing better quality of urban living standard in Malaysia.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper approaches the issue of state intervention by using a case study of a former squatters’ colony area in Bandar Baru Sentul in the capital city of Kuala Lumpur.

Findings

The paper establishes that for many decades the governance of Kuala Lumpur has played an active role in designing and implementing a wide range of housing policies to eradicate squatters’ settlement in the city, consequently fulfilling the aspirations of low‐income people to become part of the home owning democracy.

Practical implications

This paper attempts to encourage public policy makers and local authorities to undertake a more active role in providing better quality of urban living standard through the establishment of strong institutional capacity.

Originality/value

The paper provides information on how the state government provides a range of mixed policies to rehabilitate squatters’ colonies in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
Cashing in on the green machine: are developers in the UK missing out?
Authors: Roberts Claire , Sims Sally
Published: October 2008

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to explore the reasons behind the apparent reluctance of UK residential developers to embrace microgeneration technology and adopt it large‐scale across their developments despite consumer demand for post‐construction microgeneration technologies. This paper explores residential developers’ attitudes towards these technologies, their perceptions of drivers and barriers to sustainability, supply and demand issues and perceptions of the potential contribution that microgeneration technologies could make towards sustainable construction across the UK.

Design/methodological/approach

This paper reports on the findings from 12 telephone interviews with UK residential developers which were carried out in May 2007.

Findings

The main driver towards sustainability was legislation. The most favoured microgeneration technology amongst developers was solar thermal, as it was perceived to be the most established microgeneration technology. Barriers towards adopting this technology were the initial cost to developers, the initial costs to occupiers, long payback periods, and the current market immaturity, reliability and liability of microgeneration products.

Research limitations/implications

This represents a snapshot of developers views in 2007 and due to technological improvements, policy and changes to the economy opinions may have changed.

Practical implications

The results suggest that unless there are significant improvements in efficiency, reliability, reductions in purchase costs and, guarantees that they will be free from liability when things go wrong, developers will struggle to achieve the requirements of the code for sustainable homes Level Six “zero carbon” rating in 2016.

Originality/value

The study addresses microgeneration from the house‐builders’ perspective.
International variations in new housing supply
Authors: Catherine Fortune Charlotte , Moohan James Anthony John
Published: October 2008

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to investigate the factors that affect the responsiveness of new housing supply to price changes in Denmark, France, Germany, The Netherlands, Spain, the UK and the USA. The practical purpose is to identify and consider the similarities and differences in the factors that affect new housing supply amongst the selected countries.

Design/methodology/approach

Quantitative estimates of the price elasticity of new housing supply were reviewed and evaluated. Generally they were found to describe and measure but not explain variations in housing supply responses to house price changes. Qualitative research was undertaken based on case study interviews with experienced senior managers of house‐building firms with the objective of obtaining insights into the variables affecting housing supply in each country.

Findings

First, quantitative studies provide necessary but insufficient explanation of the factors determining new housing supply. Second, there are a large number of macro‐economic, micro‐economic and institutional factors that explain new housing supply which appear to vary in absolute and relative importance between countries.

Research limitations/implications

The primary research findings are based on a small number of case study interviews. Further work is required to confirm the insights using more interviews and/or large‐scale surveys. The work could also be undertaken at other times in different market conditions.

Practical implications

Factors explaining variations in new housing supply in each country have been shown to vary amongst countries. Policy makers can address these factors in achieving balance between supply and demand, and in understanding what needs to be done to increase new housing supply.

Originality/value

The research demonstrates the value of adopting a pluralist methodology in measuring and explaining the causes of variations in new housing supply.
Residents' perceptions of the impacts of special event tourism
Authors: Jackson Leonard A.
Published: October 2008

Purpose

The purpose of this research was to explore residents' perceptions of special event tourism at a destination. Specifically, the research examined residents' perceptions of the social, economic and environmental impacts of special event tourism on the destination. The study also examined dimensions of community life that were impacted or curtailed as a result of event tourism.

Design/methodology/approach

Data were collected by means of a telephone survey. The survey solicited residents' perceptions of the social, economic, and environmental impacts of special event tourism. The study was exploratory and followed a descriptive design.

Findings

Residents are generally in favor of events that contribute socially and economically to the destination. They are, however, not ambivalent to some of the negative impacts, but are willing to cope with these negative impacts as long as the perceived benefits exceed the negative impacts.

Research limitations/implications

Although the sample was adequate for statistical analysis, a larger sample size would yield more generalizable results. Consequently, caution should be used in making generalizations based on this study.

Practical implications

The constant question faced by destination managers and tourism development authorities is how to plan for optimal tourism development, while at the same time minimize the impact of this development on the resident population. One approach is to monitor residents' opinions of perceived impacts as a means of incorporating community reaction into tourism planning and development. Hence, this study proposes an all inclusive community‐centric approach to event tourism policy making rather than a top‐down approach.

Originality/value

Both practitioners and educators will benefit from the results of this study as it provides insight into a destination's residents' perceptions of special event tourism. This topic has received little attention in the past.
Transforming the governance of plan‐making in Hong Kong
Authors: King Penny Wan Yim , Har Rebecca Chiu Lai
Published: October 2008

Purpose

This paper seeks to examine changing plan‐making governance processes in Hong Kong and identifies factors leading to the changes.

Design/methodology/approach

Both primary and secondary sources of data were collected. Various stakeholders were interviewed and analysis of Hong Kong planning policies, ordinances and guidelines was undertaken.

Findings

Since the late 1990s, plan‐making in Hong Kong has undergone a major shift in governance from that of an elitist‐led pro‐growth mode to one with more community engagement, environmental consciousness and sustainability. The Southeast Kowloon development scheme played a crucial role in triggering this shift.

Research limitations/implications

The paper focuses solely on one of the three planning systems in Hong Kong, plan‐making.

Practical implications

This paper provides a comprehensive discussion of the changing governing processes of Hong Kong's plan‐making and will be useful for policy‐makers when examining whether ruling strategies are responding well to changing circumstances. It also contributes to the existing governance literature by offering some insights into the nature of governance and the methodologies for studying it.

Originality/value

There is little literature linking governance and urban planning in Hong Kong. The paper offers a useful background and a framework for future studies.
To rehabilitate or redevelop? A study of the decision criteria for urban regeneration projects
Authors: Yau Yung (Simon) , Ling Chan Ho
Published: October 2008

Purpose

To develop a multi‐criteria decision‐making framework for evaluating different schemes of urban regeneration project.

Design/methodology/approach

Urban decay in Hong Kong has long warranted community concern. To tackle the problem, there are generally two different approaches, namely building rehabilitation and redevelopment. In the past, urban regeneration was dominated by complete redevelopment. However, with the rise of the concept of sustainability, the choice of building rehabilitation is becoming increasingly popular. Nevertheless, with either option, difficulties are often encountered in balancing the diverse interests of the stakeholders, who have varied aims and ambitions for the achievements of a project. Therefore, we have developed a framework, which contains the factors to be considered when planning an urban renewal project. To obtain the relative importance of these factors in a reliable but reasonably inexpensive manner from the building‐related professionals, the Non‐structural Fuzzy Decision Support System was employed. In total, 34 building surveyors and 31 town planners were interviewed using structured questionnaires.

Findings

The set of perceived weightings of the decision criteria obtained from building surveyors was quite different from that from town planners. People of different backgrounds hold divergent views towards the relative importance of the decision criteria in an urban regeneration project.

Research limitations/implications

Due to the resource limitations, individuals from the professions of building surveying and town planning were studied only.

Practical implications

To achieve a credible decision‐making process, it is therefore advisable to have a balanced mix of members in any urban regeneration project decision making panel. Also, the framework developed in this study can be used to facilitate the decision making process in the future project.

Originality/value

This paper is the first attempt to explore the relative importance of various criteria for the decision‐making process in urban regeneration projects perceived by different professionals.
The trademark protection of country brands: insights from New Zealand
Authors: Florek Magdalena , Insch Andrea
Published: October 2008

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to present the opportunities for and challenges of the trademark protection of country brands.

Design/methodology/approach

Insights into the challenges and possibilities of country brand trademark protection are identified using New Zealand as a case study. This evaluation is divided into four sections. In the first section, the relations and differences between brands and trademarks are discussed in the context of the country trademark. Then, possible sources of country trademarks are identified. Next, the benefits and challenges of creating and managing country trademarks are discussed based on the case of the New Zealand Fern Mark. The final section addresses the determiners of country trademark implementation and offers recommendations for country brand managers.

Findings

This study makes the case that a nation's heritage is a rich source of country trademarks. The selection of country trademarks must ensure that the chosen symbol conveys meaning and associations that serve a country's often broad range of offerings and resonate with a diversity of stakeholder audiences.

Practical implications

Governance structures need to be established to manage a country trademark to ensure the country brand's integrity. This includes a licensing system and protocols to prevent successive governments from altering the brand's essence which would destroy its equity built up over time.

Originality/value

This paper extends the concept of trademarks, once the domain of products and service brands, to the emerging field of place brand management.
People‐managed places
Authors: Gower Robin
Published: October 2008

Purpose

This paper seeks to promote a people‐oriented approach to place management. The author asks: Why do we need place management? What can place management do? How are place managers responding? and What should place management do?

Design/methodology/approach

The author reviews theoretical problems and the solutions that are implied. The author analyses policy with respect to these theories to provide practical recommendations for place managers.

Findings

The author finds that people‐managed places: are developed through use not by function; foster cooperation and collaboration; are inclusive and open to newcomers; and have infrastructure for bottom‐up management.

Practical implications

Although this paper draws upon evidence and policy from the UK, the recommendations are broadly applicable to any location. Place managers should: start with current place users; consider the needs of potential place users; define place‐based rights and responsibilities; encourage collaboration between those with different uses of place; cross boundaries and work with their neighbours; and internalise externalities through place‐making and leadership.

Originality/value

The paper explains and supports the principle of people‐managed places through demonstration with practical recommendations. The paper draws upon the concepts of market externalities, cooperative game theory, social solidarity, cluster theory and emergence, to explain the importance that civil society plays in place management.
The advanced forecasting information system PYTHIA
Authors: Pagourtzi Elli , Makridakis Spyros , Assimakopoulos Vassilis , Litsa Akrivi
Published: October 2008

Purpose

The main scope of the paper is to demonstrate the capabilities of PYTHIA forecasting platform, to compare time series forecasting techniques, which were used to forecast mortgage loans in UK, and to show how PYTHIA can be useful for a bank.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper outlines the methods used to forecast the time series data, which are included in PYTHIA. Theta, the time‐series used to forecast average mortgage loan prices, were grouped in: all buyers – average loan prices in UK; first‐time buyers – average loan prices in UK; and home‐movers – average loan prices in UK. The case of all buyers – average loan prices in UK, was presented in detail.

Findings

After the comparison of the methods, the best forecasts are produced by WINTERS and this is maybe due to the fact that there is seasonality in the data. The Theta method comes next in the row and generally produces good forecasts with small mean absolute percentage errors. In order to tell with grater certainty which method produces the most accurate forecasts we could compare the rest error statistics provided by PYTHIA too.

Originality/value

The paper presents the PYTHIA forecasting platform and shows how it can be used by the managers of a Bank to forecast mortgage loan values. PYTHIA can provide the forecasts required by practically all business situations demanding accurate predictions. It is designed and developed with the purpose of making the task of managerial forecasting straightforward, user‐friendly and practical. It incorporates a lot of knowledge and experience in the field of forecasting, modeling and monitoring while fully utilizing new capabilities of computers and software.
A different look on risks by property investments
Authors: Keeris Willem G.
Published: October 2008

Purpose

This paper aims to focus on three points of the theory about property investment risks: the management risk is not taken into account; the assumed regularity of the damping of the specific risks with an increase in the number of investments; and the assumption that the market risk is constant.

Design/methodology/approach

The analyses performed are based on an investment portfolio in the Dutch office market with 14 properties (fictive).

Findings

There are three risk component within the risk profile instead of the named two, namely: specific risk, depends on special individual factors of the investments; management risk, reflects the span of control problem of the organization of the investor; and systematic risk, depends on distinguishing local levels. The calculations do show the effect of diversification, but not in all cases. It depends on the order in which assets associated with different risks are added. Moreover, management and systematic risk work cumulative and opposed to the difersifying power of the specific risk because both increase with increasing portfolio size.

Research limitations/implications

The market risk and the management risk can only be specified as subjective estimates, since they cannot be measured by the conventional standard‐deviation method.

Practical implications

The investor will have to learn to live with the fact that you never can tell.

Originality/value

This analysis shows that the theory derived for the financial market is only partially applicable, and that real estate investments need to be assessed on their own merits.
Teaching negotiation for town planners in France
Authors: Bobot Lionel
Published: October 2008

Purpose

Negotiations are an essential part of all professional activity, and for French town planners there are particular benefits that can be achieved by more effective performance in negotiating. However, teaching the skills to operate in a discretionary system is not common in the initial education of town planners. This paper aims to set out the author’s ideas and illustrate how this approach is grounded in theory and related to planning practice.

Design/methodology/approach

The subject of negotiating skills is set within the context of implementation studies and the paper focuses on the concept of integrated bargaining as the appropriate approach. The research consisted of the observation of student negotiating in role‐play exercises.

Findings

The effectiveness of the inclusion of negotiation skills in the curriculum has not been systematically measured, but anecdotal support from former students is strong. In addition, those students frequently offered the training course as practitioners as their careers progress often express a realization of the importance of greater awareness and skills in this area. Finally, it is evident that the professionals' value negotiation training, as this short course is the one most frequently runs in over six years of experience and one of those most frequently.

Originality/value

Alternative dispute resolution (ADR) is now rising up the agenda of the legal profession in France and in Europe. The message seems clear to us: whether one's interest is in implementation or simply dispute resolution, planning students and practitioners should be equipped with the knowledge, understanding and skills of negotiation.