bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Measuring the organizational responsiveness through managerial flexibility
Authors: Verdú Antonio J. , Gómez‐Gras José‐María
Published: October 2009

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to explore the nature of managerial flexibility and analyse its relationship to the organizational responsiveness of firms. This paper seeks to measure responsiveness by determining the fit between contextual and organizational variables.

Design/methodology/approach

Using an empirical approach and data drawn from a wide range of countries and different industries this paper obtains a sufficiently validated multidimensional scale.

Findings

The research proposes a measurement scale of organizational responsiveness through four types of managerial flexibility: internal and external, structural and strategic.

Practical implications

Whereas researchers can benefit from the development of a methodology that integrates different perspectives on fit, practitioners can identify the organizational responsiveness in their organizations.

Originality/value

This paper contributes to the literature by proposing a method to identify the organizational responsiveness of firms and developing a measurement scale.
A social psychological basis of corruption and sociopathology
Authors: Yolles Maurice
Published: October 2009

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to explore the social psychological basis of pathologies, from which result neuroses and behaviours like corruption and sociopathic behaviour. It takes the perspective that social collectives have normative minds and can be explored in terms of their social psychological processes.

Design/methodology/approach

Knowledge cybernetics will be used to show how pathologies can develop from the interconnection between such noumenal attributes as ideology and ethics.

Findings

Social entities have similar psychological pathologies to individual ones. Piaget's notions of how the mind operates can be applied to corporate personality, and their inability to create and coordinate different perspectives can be seen as an organisational pathology.

Research limitations/implications

The paper is a theoretical construct that explores corruption and sociopathology at a deep conceptual level. It requires elaboration through case examples to provide pragmatic meaning.

Practical implications

The capacity to create a methodology that is able to explore the existence and development of pathologies.

Originality/value

This is the first approach of this type using cybernetics to explore at a high conceptual focus the development of pathologies like corruption and sociopathic behaviour.
Hardware, software, and wetware
Authors: Abeles Tom P.
Published: October 2009

Purpose

This paper aims to explore the technology‐driven horizon for education in general and post secondary education in particular.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper looks at technology in education.

Findings

Rapid changes in information technologies will profoundly change the traditional educational institutions for students, faculty and administration. The system that has stood for basically four centuries, like the dinosaurs at the K‐T catastrophe, will not suffer immediate collapse, but will profoundly change as content, due to the rise of the internet becomes, essentially free.

Originality/value

Educational systems are not immune to the laws of change. Information technologies are sufficiently strong forces that incremental evolution is not an option. This editorial calls for the system to take a serious look at itself and, while the current residents of the system may survive, the institution, itself, must look beyond the present.
An ideation game conception based on the Synectics method
Authors: Duin Heiko , Baalsrud Hauge Jannicke , Thoben Klaus‐Dieter
Published: October 2009

Purpose

Ideation, which is the generation of ideas, is the most crucial step in the early stage of innovation projects. Creativity methods can be applied for ideation purposes. Here, the paper aims to present a concept for combining a multi‐player online game called refQuest with concepts from the Synectics method.

Design/methodology/approach

After presenting the two concepts of the refQuest gaming engine and the Synectics method, an approach of how the elements of the gaming engine can be used to implement the Synectics method is shown. Beside this, an initial evaluation of the usefulness of using serious gaming for ideation purposes is given.

Findings

It is found that the elements of the Synectics method fit very well with the concepts of the gaming engine of refQuest. A concept for integration could be derived.

Originality/value

The online game refQuest is suitable to support the ideation process. Including concepts from Synectics is possible and would enhance the gaming concept.
Educator insight on simulations and games: a comparative study between business schools in Thailand and the UK
Authors: Pongpanich Chaipong , Krabuanrat Tanasak , Hua Tan Kim
Published: October 2009

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to investigate and gain insights into the use of computer simulations and games in business schools in Thailand. In addition, it aims to compare the findings in Thailand with the study carried out in the UK.

Design/methodology/approach

A total of 700 questionnaires were sent to the 35 universities in Thailand that offer MBA degrees. This survey achieved a response rate of 23 percent.

Findings

The usage of simulation games in business schools in Thailand is still at an early stage of development. The primary reason to use such tools in both Thailand and the UK is that they help to increase students' interaction and teamwork. Meanwhile, lack of information on simulation games is major obstacle of using simulation games in their classroom teaching. However, the demand for computer simulations and games in the classroom is likely to increase in the future.

Research limitation/implications

The study provides good platform for further in‐depth study on this topic in Thailand. As for practical implication, it suggests a need for more collaboration between industry and academia so that simulation games will be developed to fit with the teaching courses.

Originality/value

This study highlights the key factors underpinning the usage of these new tools in classroom teaching in the Thai context.
Learning through business games – an analysis of successes and failures
Authors: Gonen A. , Brill E. , Frank M.
Published: October 2009

Purpose

The purpose of this research paper is to explore the interrelations between success in the Business Games course and other MSc courses, and the parameters that influence success in managing firms in business games.

Design/methodology/approach

The research sample was comprised of graduate students from the Management of Technology faculty at Holon Institute of Technology. They study courses in the program, including the Business Games course. Special business game software, named Decision Makers, was used for the analyses. Statistical analyses of the interrelations among different program courses cover the main purpose. After defining five success criteria, statistical analyses of success and failure are presented.

Findings

In this course, success was generally uncorrelated with other courses. The reason for this was probably due to its project‐based learning (PBL) environment. The study shows that students tend to reduce their efforts across time and improve their performance, due to the “learning curve”. Analysis of the results shows that when teams overused the simulation runs, they do not analyze their situation, but rather prefer the “trial and error” method.

Research limitations/implications

The present study provides results about the importance of training managers through using the business game simulator.

Originality/value

Using PBL is very exiting for those students who have difficulties in classroom studies. By using PBL, these students rapidly improve their management skills.
The money laundering risk posed by low‐risk financial products in South Africa
Authors: de Koker Louis
Published: October 2009

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to investigate the level and nature of criminal abuse of financial products that are classified as posing a low anti‐money laundering/combating of financing of terrorists (AML/CFT) risk in South Africa to determine the effectiveness of the simplified due diligence measures that apply to these products.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper presents empirical research on the views of bank officials and law enforcement officials regarding the criminal abuse of South African financial products that are subject to simplified customer due diligence controls.

Findings

South Africa's AML/CFT laws allow certain deposit‐taking institutions and money remitters to implement simplified customer due diligence measures in relation to specific low‐risk products that are mainly designed to allow previously unbanked persons to access financial services. The paper finds that the products have been abused by criminals but that the incidence of such abuse and the amounts involved are low. The paper investigates possible weaknesses in the current system that allow limited criminal abuse to occur. It concludes with a number of guidelines that emerge from the study and are of value to regulators that wish to implement a similar system.

Originality/value

The South African AML/CFT scheme in relation to low‐risk products is of interest to many international regulators that are grappling with the interplay between effective AML/CFT controls and the impact of strict controls on the ability of socially and economically excluded persons to access appropriate financial services. This paper provides evidence that appropriately designed controls can facilitate financial inclusion while limiting the risk of criminal abuse.
Prevention of money laundering in Dutch casinos
Authors: Waterman Lilith C. , van der Kemp Jasper J.
Published: October 2009

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to assess the possibilities of formulating risk behavior characteristics to determine a guest's risk category on money laundering in casinos.

Design/methodology/approach

A total of 148 guests (27 women and 121 men) and their registered events (1,184 events) are analyzed by using a form of canonical correlation analysis: OVERALS. Out of the 148, 37 guests have been excluded from financial services on suspicion of criminal behavior; this group appears to show an unacceptable risk. Another 37 guests are supposed to cause a low risk and 74 guests a medium/high risk.

Findings

The results suggest that the three groups are very distinct in gambling and behavioral characteristics. It seems remarkable that the variables resembling “keeping an eye on the guests” are mainly in the risk category medium/high.

Research limitations/implications

A large part of the research group was deliberately composed of those who brought a high risk to Holland Casino. For that reason, the research group is not representative for the population of the visitors to Holland Casino.

Practical implications

On the basis of this paper, casinos are able to validate and improve their safety policy concerning money laundering. Also other financial institutions can analogically apply the used research method.

Originality/value

This topic has hardly ever been researched, although the need is apparent. Casinos are obliged to their guests and society as a whole to provide a safe environment. Besides that, it is illegal to facilitate money laundering.
Payback time? To what extent has the new policing of assets provided new assets for policing?
Authors: Sproat Peter A.
Published: October 2009

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to identify the extent to which the “new policing of assets” has produced new assets for policing in the UK.

Design/methodology/approach

This is achieved by producing an estimate of both the financial benefits and costs to the public purse based upon official documentation where possible.

Findings

Asset recovery and anti‐money laundering work has produced some assets to be used for policing, but even using a conservative methodology it is unlikely to have produced a financial benefit which is much more than its costs, indeed the costs are likely to have been greater.

Research limitations/implications

Many parts of the cost are estimates; therefore, researchers are encouraged to ascertain the exact costs.

Practical implications

Of interest to those interested in the costs of government policies and regulations, especially the regulated sector burdened by the costs of complying with the money laundering legislation.

Originality/value

The paper attempts to fulfill the government's desire to improve the quality of the cost‐benefit analyses of the money laundering regime.
The international standards of customer due diligence and Chinese practice
Authors: Jun Tang , Ai Lishan
Published: October 2009

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to systematically introduce the latest documents of customer due diligence (CDD) issued by international organizations and developed countries, and to examine practice of CDD in China.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper reviews the latest regulations and guidelines of CDD at international level, and critically examines the practice on CDD compliance in China.

Findings

Although China has developed series of provisions concerning CDD since 2007 to response the international requirement set by Financial Action Task Force, the practical compliance still has long way to improve.

Originality/value

This paper usefully highlights the difference between Chinese practice and international standards, and proposes institutional reforms on CDD compliance in Chinese financial sectors.
The war against corruption in Nigeria: a new role for the FIRS?
Authors: Omotayo Bolodeoku Ige
Published: October 2009

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to examine the implications which the recent Federal Inland Revenue Service (Establishment) Act (FIRS Act), 2007 have for the ongoing war against corruption in Nigeria.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper examines the relevant provisions of the Act, which confers on the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) some anti‐corruption‐related powers. It discusses how the FIRS may benefit from the existing third‐party information regime under the Money Laundering (Prohibition) Act (MLA), 2004, and the amendments that should be made to the MLA to make the information regime under it serve the FIRS' purposes.

Findings

The paper points out that the main anti‐corruption‐related power conferred on the FIRS, to investigate the symmetry between taxpayers' lifestyles and their declared incomes, is similar to that conferred on the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission. It notes that declarations by certain categories of public officers to the Code of Conduct Bureau, which the Constitution (1999) contemplates, can provide the necessary base information for the FIRS in the discharge of its anti‐corruption‐related duties.

Practical implications

The paper discusses the desirable amendments to the MLA, 2004 that could make the third‐party information regime under the Act useful for the FIRS in the discharge of its anti‐corruption responsibilities. It also discusses how the taxpayer identification number, which the FIRS Act empowers the FIRS to issue, may be used as income tracker and thus play the type of role which the social insurance number or the social security number plays in Canada and the USA, respectively.

Originality/value

The paper explores the possibility of alternative, and equally potent, institution to prosecute the anti‐corruption war in Nigeria. It is the first to examine how the FIRS, which the newly enacted FIRS Act, 2007 creates, may serve as that alternative. It argues that the power to investigate the symmetry between taxpayers' lifestyles and incomes, which the FIRS Act confers on the FIRS, reinforces a claim that the Act concedes to the FIRS some anti‐corruption‐related responsibilities.
Exploring the microfoundations of external technology commercialization
Authors: Bianchi Mattia , Chiesa Vittorio , Frattini Federico
Published: October 2009

Purpose

External technology commercialization (ETC) refers to the firm's transfer of technological assets, disembodied from products, to another organization involving a contractual obligation for compensation. The purpose of this paper is to identify the managerial and organizational antecedents that are capable of explaining superior capabilities in ETC.

Design/methodology/approach

Starting from an in‐depth analysis of the literature about technology commercialization and adopting the dynamic capabilities strategic perspective, the study develops a theoretical framework that shows how a number of concepts (resources, capabilities and microfoundations) may affect performance in ETC. A case study analysis is conducted with illustrative purposes.

Findings

The paper shows that adequate management and organization of ETC activities are needed to successfully undertake ETC. Combining evidence from a case study and findings from prior studies, research propositions are developed regarding key process, organizational and human resource mechanisms that lie at the heart of superior capabilities in ETC.

Practical implications

The paper provides technology and innovation managers with a number of suggestions for organizing and managing ETC that are likely to improve performance.

Originality/value

Owing to the complexity of ETC related activities and the high transaction costs characterizing the markets for technologies, only few companies are reaping the gains from the commercialization of their technologies while the majority fail to realize their potential. This paper is the first attempt, to the best knowledge of the authors, which adopts the dynamic capabilities perspective to unearth the managerial levers driving superior performance in ETC.
Understanding the behavioural intention to play online games
Authors: Lee Ming‐Chi
Published: October 2009

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to investigate whether flow experience, perceived enjoyment, and interaction affect people's behavioural intention to play online games and whether gender, age and prior experience have moderating effects on online game acceptance.

Design/methodology/approach

This study extends the theory of planned behaviour (TPB) with flow experience, perceived enjoyment, and interaction to propose a theoretical model to explain and predict people's behavioural intention to play online games. This model is examined through an empirical study involving 458 participants using structural equation modelling techniques. In addition, a competing model based on the technology acceptance model (TAM) is proposed to evaluate whether TPB is more suitable than TAM to explain the use of online games. The two action‐theoretical models are compared in terms of their predictive power and their practical utility.

Findings

Although both models explain the players' intention to play online games very well, the extended TPB model provides a better fit and explanatory power. Notably, this study finds that flow experience is a more important factor than perceived enjoyment in influencing customer acceptance of online games. Further analysis reveals that gender is a key moderator of online game acceptance.

Practical implications

Online game developers need to search for flow experience building strategies that might assist in engaging players. This study suggests that game developers should consider focusing more on establishing the interactions between players (social interaction) and online games (human‐computer interaction) in their marketing strategies.

Originality/value

This study is significant for two reasons. First, it synthesises the theory of planned behaviour with psychological and interaction factors and, second, it presents a blueprint for an entertainment‐oriented technology acceptance model.
Virtual worlds adoption: a research framework and empirical study
Authors: Hua Guangying , Haughton Dominique
Published: October 2009

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to present a new framework to examine the adoption of virtual worlds. Virtual worlds, defined as internet‐based simulated environments that emulate the real world and are intended for users to inhabit and interact within them through avatars, are growing fast and are attracting more and more users.

Design/methodology/approach

In this paper, a new framework is proposed on the basis of previous literature. An empirical study is performed to test the framework, using survey research. The data are collected through a questionnaire, which is developed on the basis of previous empirical studies.

Findings

Based on the data, it is found that perceived usefulness and social factors are two main factors influencing people's adoption of virtual worlds. The technology acceptance model (TAM) is still acceptable, while the diffusion of information (DOI) theory does not fit. Perceived enjoyment does not have a significant impact on the adoption of virtual worlds, but is highly correlated with perceived usefulness. Both factors capture the productivity and entertainment aspects of virtual worlds.

Originality/value

This study is a novel attempt to examine the adoption of virtual worlds. A new research framework is proposed and empirical data are collected to test its validity. The findings have theoretical and practical implications.
Towards an ontology‐based network for banking supervision
Authors: Bonsón‐Ponte Enrique , Escobar‐Rodríguez Tomás , Flores‐Muñoz Francisco
Published: October 2009

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to explore the applicability of an information submission model based on OWL (Web Ontology Language) that permits the subsequent implementation of knowledge‐sharing systems, such as the Set of Experience Knowledge Structure, among the various EU banking supervisors.

Design/methodology/approach

Recent theoretical advances in the use of semantic web languages are introduced and put theoretically into force in the context. Additionally, a first‐hand questionnaire is directed to the supervisors, measuring the value compatibility of the semantic technology with the needs of the existing European banking environment.

Findings

The results illustrate that there exists a good level of value compatibility between the normative challenge and the new technology. Although there are some differences, these would perhaps not make the implementation of this technological framework particularly difficult, in that they focus on the same points that the regulators must consider to achieve success in the new European environment, for example, the balance between normative and practical approaches.

Originality/value

This is the fist time that an ontology‐based system has been proposed for banking supervision in Europe.
A comparative analysis of social sciences citation tools
Authors: Levine‐Clark Michael , Gil Esther
Published: October 2009

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to identify the utility of Web of Science, Scopus and Google Scholar as citation analysis tools for the social sciences.

Design/methodology/approach

The 25 most‐accessed articles in 163 social sciences journals are searched in three citation databases.

Findings

Web of Science has long been the only tool for citation analysis. Scopus and Google Scholar, while still new to the market, are complementary to Web of Science and in some cases can provide a more nuanced view of the importance of scholarly articles in the social sciences.

Practical implications

As libraries struggle to provide the best tools to their users, they may wish to consider the freely‐available Google Scholar as a substitute or complement to expensive databases such as Web of Science and Scopus.

Originality/value

Most analyses of citation databases have focused on the sciences. Because this study examined the social sciences literature, it has expanded on the research available on Web of Science, Google Scholar and Scopus.
Database source coverage: hypes, vital signs and reality checks
Authors: Jacsó Péter
Published: October 2009

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to show that the extent of journal coverage, size and retrospectivity are three of the most commonly advertised features of database content. However, these data by themselves rarely provide a good enough sense of the real breadth of database coverage.

Design/methodology/approach

Some easy‐to‐calculate measures can provide vital signs of database coverage, which in turn may trigger in‐depth analysis at the individual journal level. When similar vital signs are produced from comparable databases and database segments, as is done for Arts and Humanities (A&H) sources in Web of Science, Scopus, H.W. Wilson and CSA databases for this paper, the real dimensions of the source coverage can be much better understood.

Findings

The decision to almost double the number of A&H journals reinforces the concept of enhancing the breadth of source coverage, obviously at the expense of depth of coverage. It is like those “If it is Tuesday, it must be Belgium” tours, where the emphasis is on beating the other tours by advertising more comprehensive coverage of European countries by “virtue” of visiting more countries in a single afternoon.

Originality/value

For scientometric searches so called “known item” searches are made, and the more records that are missing from core journals, the more harm is done to the subjects of the search. In subject searches a few good finds may be fine, but in “known item” searches that is not good enough. Doubling the cited reference enhanced segment, and eliminating the gaps in, say, the 1975‐2009 segment would have been much smarter policy for Scopus.
How do business group firms utilize internal capital markets?
Authors: Gonenc Halit
Published: October 2009

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to provide evidence for how business group firms transfer financial resources among affiliated firms by examining the differences in the level of debt financing and the choices of new equity financing between group affiliated and non‐affiliated firms in an emerging market, Turkey. The role of affiliated banks for internal capital market transactions is also to be examined.

Design/methodology/approach

Univarite analysis and simple pooled OLS regression analysis are performed to examine the role of group affiliation on the level of several debt financing measures. Additionally, a Logit regression analysis is used to analyze the behavior of affiliated firms in their equity financing decisions by issuing new shares.

Findings

Group affiliated firms transfer funds in the group by using transactions such as trade debt, and issuing cash rights and bonus shares. The affiliated firms – especially with a bank in the group – support their higher growth with new equity issues in the forms of cash rights and bonus shares along with higher trade debt. Moreover, non‐affiliated firms utilize a higher percentage of debt to shareholders, while affiliated firms without a bank utilize a higher financial debt. These findings are consistent with the idea that the role of the group bank is very important in financing choices of affiliated firms.

Research limitations/implications

This paper provides direct measures of external and internal funds by focusing on new equity issues and debt structure, which can be applied in different economic environments, rather than using indirect measures or not readily available datasets such as connected party transactions.

Originality/value

The paper provides additional evidence to assess the efficiency of the use of internal capital markets. Moreover, the role of group affiliated banks among affiliated firms has not yet been extensively addressed in the literature and an examination of this issue leads to a better understanding of their roles in diversified business groups.
Credit scoring and decision making in Egyptian public sector banks
Authors: Abdou Hussein A. , Pointon John
Published: October 2009

Purpose

The main aims of this paper are: first, to investigate how decisions are currently made within the Egyptian public sector environment; and, second, to determine whether the decision making can be significantly improved through the use of credit scoring models. A subsidiary aim is to analyze the impact of different proportions of sub‐samples of accepted credit applicants on both efficient decision making and the optimal choice of credit scoring techniques.

Design/methodology/approach

Following an investigative phase to identify relevant variables in the sector, the research proceeds to an evaluative phase, in which an analysis is undertaken of real data sets (comprising 1,262 applicants), provided by the commercial public sector banks in Egypt. Two types of neural nets are used, and correspondingly two types of conventional techniques are applied. The use of two evaluative measures/criteria: average correct classification (ACC) rate and estimated misclassification cost (EMC) under different misclassification cost (MC) ratios are investigated.

Findings

The currently used approach is based on personal judgement. Statistical scoring techniques are shown to provide more efficient classification results than the currently used judgemental techniques. Furthermore, neural net models give better ACC rates, but the optimal choice of techniques depends on the MC ratio. The probabilistic neural net (PNN) is preferred for a lower cost ratio, whilst the multiple discriminant analysis (MDA) is the preferred choice for a higher ratio. Thus, there is a role for MDA as well as neural nets. There is evidence of statistically significant differences between advanced scoring models and conventional models.

Research limitations/implications

Future research could investigate the use of further evaluative measures, such as the area under the ROC curve and GINI coefficient techniques and more statistical techniques, such as genetic and fuzzy programming. The plan is to enlarge the data set.

Practical implications

There is a huge financial benefit from applying these scoring models to Egyptian public sector banks, for at present only judgemental techniques are being applied in credit evaluation processes. Hence, these techniques can be introduced to support the bank credit decision makers.

Originality/value

Thie paper reveals a set of key variables culturally relevant to the Egyptian environment, and provides an evaluation of personal loans in the Egyptian public sector banking environment, in which (to the best of the author's knowledge) no other authors have studied the use of sophisticated statistical credit scoring techniques.
Consumer empowerment model: from unspeakable to undeniable
Authors: Umit Kucuk S.
Published: October 2009

Purpose

Although consumer sophistication and empowerment is on the rise as a result of the digital revolution, there is insufficient academic exploration with the aim of understanding how this empowerment functions on the internet. Therefore, the purpose of this paper is to fill this gap by proposing a new conceptual model in light of available literature.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper employs a deep and broad literature review and discussion regarding possible consumer power sources on the internet to develop the proposed conceptual model, which is defined as consumer empowerment model (CEM). The components of the model are discussed in detail to reveal possible links, consumer empowerment actualization, and impacts on consumer markets on the internet.

Findings

The components of CEM are structured in light of the theory of reasoned action's main proposals as follows: “Perceived consumer power,” “Perceived consumer trust,” “Attitudinal consumer power” and finally “Behavioral consumer power.” Each component is discussed in terms of its possible contributions to the model in order to illustrate how this new form of consumer power actually works. The possible implications of consumer empowerment are also discussed in light of the newly proposed model.

Originality/value

There is no paper discussing how consumer power actualization works and thus how consumer power revolutionizes today's cyberspaces. In this context, the study is the first of its kind.
Changing paradigms?
Authors: Stiles Deborah , Cameron Greg
Published: October 2009

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to examine a model of corporate and civic communities as it relates to change in rural Atlantic Canada. The aim is to frame questions relevant to what appears to be a situation of changing paradigms.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper is largely conceptual. An exploration of Lyson's model of corporate and civic communities, review of selected Atlantic Canada historiography, and preliminary findings of a research consultation offer understanding of the historical and changing paradigmatic terrain of rural communities and agriculture in Atlantic Canada. Selected issues, emerging from the literature as well as from a series of consultations held with farmers, rural non‐profits, policy makers, businesses, agricultural groups and others, are examined in the context of the region's past and the corporate and civic models outlined by Lyson. Atlantic historiography is discussed in view of contemporary challenges, and questions relevant to change in the region are raised and framed.

Findings

Increasingly vulnerable to a number of provincially, regionally, nationally and globally formulated challenges, Atlantic Canada's rural communities have been and are being reshaped, as is the agriculture being practiced within them. In the midst of these upheavals, a practice‐policy “dis‐connect” is making it unclear how alternative agricultural and rural community developmental paradigms might be actualized in the region. But some of these challenges are not new.

Research limitations/implications

The research consultation is at the beginning stages, and thus results reported are speculative.

Practical implications

Lessons from the Atlantic past, and Lyson's civic model, may provide guideposts toward a more ecologically‐sound and economically‐viable way for the future of rural communities and agriculture in the region.

Originality/value

This paper raises key questions that take into account the region's rural past and changing paradigms pertaining to agriculture and rural communities.
Regime or coalition? Power relations and the urban agenda in Saint John, 1950‐2000
Authors: Marquis Greg
Published: October 2009

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to examine the forces and actors that shaped urban development in a mid‐sized Canadian city over a half century.

Design/methodology/approach

This case study adopts a qualitative research approach based on government documents, planning studies, the media and non‐governmental organization sources to examine the applicability of regime theory versus growth coalition theory in the Canadian context.

Findings

The paper concludes that the broader urban agenda in Saint John, with its focus on economic competitiveness, has been shaped by shifting growth coalitions supported by both the private and public sectors.

Research limitations/implications

One limitation is that analysis is based mainly on documentary evidence and the public statements of elected officials and business interests. Future research would attempt to conduct oral interviews with representative informants.

Practical implications

One practical implication for urban researchers is the need to look beyond electoral politics and partisanship in order to understand how urban development is shaped in the medium and long term. The research findings suggest also the need for informed citizens to adopt a more critical stance to business and political leaders, and to the local media, in their own communities.

Originality/value

This paper is one of the few to address the politics of urban development in Saint John, New Brunswick's largest city. It also contributes to the literature on regionalism and mid‐sized cities.
Enabling volunteer health planning capacity: a rural Canadian case study
Authors: Coady Maureen
Published: October 2009

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to determine opportunities, resources, and capacity building supports that enable volunteer capacity to participate in localized health planning processes.

Design/methodology/approach

A case study methodology is employed in this study. A range of qualitative research methods including focus groups, individual interviews, observation and document analysis is used to gather detailed data about the experience of the health volunteers. They engage in an in‐depth analysis of this experience. A thematic analysis of volunteer accounts informs the explanation of the case and the study findings.

Findings

The development of partnerships between health systems and communities is advocated as a means of enhancing overall community capacity to address priority health concerns, and to reduce escalating health care costs and inequities. The process of building health partnerships is complex, requiring extensive assessment of both health system and community readiness. Health volunteers have many capacities well suited to collaborative activity; these are more likely to find expression when barriers are minimized and facilitative conditions are maximized. The study finds that dialogue is a key mechanism for assessing community and system readiness, and for building trust and mutual understanding in such health partnerships. This case study introduces facilitated dialogue as a mechanism for assessing volunteer readiness and timely capacity building resources and supports, in line with the developmental needs of volunteers. Assessing health system readiness involves consideration of health system goals and definitions of participation, and overall commitment to developing and resourcing this kind of system‐wide change where the outcomes are longer term in nature. This commitment entails training of health professionals in the relevant health promotion knowledge and skills. This extends to mobilizing, nurturing, and supporting volunteer capacity to work with the health system to make informed decisions about the health needs of their community.

Research limitations/implications

A health system perspective on this question should be explored to identify other complex challenges associated with managing this kind of system‐wide change.

Practical implications

The paper provides detailed insights into the experience of health volunteers in a health planning context. These insights potentially inform concrete strategies for assessing community strengths and readiness, and for minimizing barriers to volunteer participation, particularly in a rural context.

Originality/value

The paper provides insights about how health system structure and environmental processes can be adapted to create an environment conducive to community participation.
Re‐conceptualizing health and learning in terms of community resilience and enterprise
Authors: Kraglund‐Gauthier Wendy L. , Folinsbee Sue , Allan Quigley B. , Grégoire Hélène
Published: October 2009

Purpose

Many Canadians presume their universal health care system provides equitable opportunity and access to health, yet this is not necessarily the case, especially for marginalized populations. The purpose of this paper is to conceptualize how marginalized, yet resilient, communities are able to build capacity and contribute to their own learning about health.

Design/methodology/approach

Environmental scan, state of the field review and community consultations on a national scale.

Findings

For adults living in rural and remote areas that fall below health norms, health knowledge and care is often not enough to build capacity and support resilient communities. More learning needs to be done by all members of community and government.

Practical implications

Consultations with selected members of marginalized populations and their service providers reveal a cross‐community, cross‐sector and cross‐government focus on addressing the social determinants of health is needed to increase individual capacity.

Originality/value

Consultations with community members and their service providers reveal rich information about the state of health and learning in selected areas across Canada. Using literature on health and learning as a framework, this paper discusses challenges and promising practices in terms of participants' abilities to sustain their own and their communities' health and learning.
The impact of economic globalization on work and family collectivism in India
Authors: Shah Grishma
Published: October 2009

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to examine the impact of economic globalization on work and family collectivism for young middle class Indians.

Design/methodology/approach

The study surveys more than 1,000 individuals living in globalized and lesser‐globalized cities in India. The data are analyzed using factor analysis, independent sample t‐tests and multiple regressions.

Findings

Results suggest that in an increasingly globalizing India, young Indians will strive to preserve traditional values of collectivity when it comes to family, but will loosen their reins on work‐place collectivism.

Research limitations/implications

This paper is limited to examining the educated middle class in India as they are at the forefront of globalization. The intention of the study is not to assess national culture as a whole, but to predict cultural shifts in India.

Practical implications

The results provide critical insight as to how values are changing in a nation that promises to be a prominent feature on the global economic map in this century. Such insight is not only useful to scholars who wish to predict behavior within firms and organizations, but also to policy makers, entrepreneurs and businesses, as it informs them of impending infrastructure needs which must be met via public, private, and/or public‐private ventures.

Originality/value

Recently, there has been a vital recognition that large‐scale intuitional changes, such as globalization, call for a reexamination of not only values worldwide, but also their changing dynamics. This paper heeds the call for understanding the onset of value changes in India as a result of its rapid economic and social transformation.
Dynamic growth of the Indian economy. Is the spurt sustainable?
Authors: Das Dilip K.
Published: October 2009

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to take a dispassionate look at the performance of the Indian economy in the light of its recent growth rate acceleration. After 2000, it recorded several years of vertiginous gross domestic product (GDP) growth rate, which made some think that the growth trajectory of the economy is shifting upwards. A careful data analysis reveals that growth optimism is misplaced. There are several areas of the economy that have suffered from limitations and long‐term neglect of the policymakers. The paper clearly and concisely enumerates them. What is disconcerting is that these long‐term weaknesses were not addressed and are still persisting. Sluggish and tardy reform implementation is one of the serious bottlenecks. In addition, in 2008, myriads of domestic and global factors coalesced to drive GDP growth rate sharply down.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper carefully analyzes the current economic data to examine whether the recent GDP growth rate achievement can be sustained.

Findings

The principal inference of this paper is that the growth spurt of the Indian economy is unsustainable. Although the economy has a great deal of potential, expectations of a China‐like growth in the foreseeable future are totally unrealistic.

Originality/value

The paper proposes a pragmatic plan to break out of this economic quagmire. The value of the paper lies in its succinct and objective analysis of the Indian economic performance, its recent past and the immediate future. Without overlooking its recent achievements, the paper provides a credible vision of the future performance of the Indian economy.
Firm resources and business performance in the Lao PDR
Authors: Inmyxai Sengaloun , Takahashi Yoshi
Published: October 2009

Purpose

Resource‐based view (RBV) has been a very well‐known theory to explain performance over the past decades. The purpose of this paper is to apply RBV's concept to investigate the resources of firms in Lao PDR that influence its business performance.

Design/methodology/approach

Secondary data that are collected by Enterprises Baseline Survey in 2005 from Germany Agency for Technical Cooperation (GTZ) is used. For this purpose, samples of 388 firms in three sectors: manufacturing, trading, and service are used. The resources of firms include human resources (developed through education and training); intangible resources (reputation among customers obtained by investment in marketing and advertising); and tangible resources (physical resources with technology and business finance). By the regression methodology, this paper examines how the resources of the firm affect firm performance in the case of Lao PDR. The ranking of the important critical firm resources and firm performance is also identified. The firm size, firm age, and industry sectors are controlled.

Findings

The findings suggest that human, intangible, and tangible resources selected in this paper have a positive impact on firm performance. The interesting finding is that physical resources for the manufacturing sector is insignificant to firm performance in the Lao context, which seems to be consistent with the economic development stage of the country.

Research limitations/implications

This paper uses secondary data with limitations in selecting theoretical meaningful variables, obtaining the comprehensive performance indicators and controlling other variables. Future studies should conduct the survey and include other internal and external factors that affect firm performance.

Practical implications

This paper can provide the policy implications for both policymakers and implementers to emphasize on the key resources of the firms, which underline firm success.

Originality/value

The unique contribution of this study is twofold: first, it takes initiative to examine the importance of firm resources in the following subsectors: manufacturing, trading and service, so that the industry can emphasize on their priority resources to achieve better performance. Second, to date, a considerable amount of studies are mainly in the developed context. The dearth of study in this area has made it interesting to explore more the least developed countries (LDC) context.