bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
A three-fold framework for understanding HRM practices in South-Eastern European SMEs
Authors: Psychogios Alexandros , Szamosi Leslie Thomas , Prouska Rea , Brewster Christopher 
Published: March 2016

Purpose– The purpose of this paper is to study particular structural and organisational factors affecting the formality of human resource management (HRM) practices in small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in South-Eastern European (SEE) post-communist countries, in particular Serbia, Romania, Bulgaria and the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia in order to understand the antecedents of formalization in such settings.Design/methodology/approach– Adopting a quantitative approach, this study analyses data gathered through a survey of 168 managers of SMEs from throughout the region.Findings– The results show that HRM in SMEs in the SEE region can be understood through a threefold framework which includes: degree of internationalisation of SMEs, sector of SMEs and organisational size of SMEs. These three factors positively affect the level of HRM formalisation in SEE SMEs. These findings are further attributed to the particular political and economic context of the post-communist SEE region.Research limitations/implications– Although specific criteria were set for SME selection, the authors do not suggest that the study reflects a representative picture of the SEE region because the authors used a purposive sampling methodology.Practical implications– This paper provides useful insights into the factors which influence HRM in SMEs in a particular context. The findings can help business owners and managers understand how HRM can be applied in smaller organisations, particularly in post-communist SEE business contexts.Originality/value– HRM in SMEs in this region has hardly been studied at all despite their importance. Therefore, this exploratory research seeks to expand knowledge relating to the application of HRM in SMEs in SEE countries which have their business environments dominated by different dynamics in comparison to Western European ones.
The power of workers
Authors: Olsen Karen Modesta 
Published: March 2016

Purpose– The purpose of this paper is to examine how occupations and the institutional setting shape the power balance (individual bargaining power) between employees and employers. It builds on theoretical approaches on knowledge work and institutional theory.Design/methodology/approach– The paper uses the European Social Survey data in 2010/2011 to compare the power balance between employees and employers in three countries: Denmark, Sweden, and Norway. Multinomial logit regression was employed.Findings– The results show that occupation and the institutional setting shape the power balance between employees and employers. Employees in highly skilled occupations perceive greater powervis-à-vistheir employer, and employees in Denmark, characterized by greater flexibility for employers, perceive less power than in Sweden and Norway. In addition, age and gender are important demographic factors determining employees’ perceived power towards their employers.Originality/value– The literature makes a number of assumptions with regard to the attitudes and behaviour of knowledge workers. However, research that compares employees in knowledge work with other occupational groups is scarce. This paper adds to the literature by comparing employees in highly skilled knowledge work with employees in lower skilled occupations. It also empirically shows how different approaches to definitions of knowledge work correspond.
Evaluating the implementation of the Empowering Coaching™ programme
Authors: Søvik Margaret L. , Larsen Torill , Tjomsland Hege , Samdal Oddrun 
Published: March 2016

Purpose
– The purpose of this paper is to explore the implementation of a theoretically grounded coach education training programme for youth football coaches in Norway, through observational methods. In particular, it focuses on implementation fidelity and programme adaptation, and possible differences between the coach educators (CEs) according to their level of experience.

Design/methodology/approach
– Implementation fidelity and programme adaptations for seven CEs were explored through the use of a fidelity scale and in-depth qualitative analyses. Participant responsiveness was applied to inform the observational analyses.

Findings
– Results showed that most of the programme was implemented with moderate to high fidelity, and that it was adapted when delivered. Most of the adaptations seemed to be positive, aligning with the programme’s theoretical foundation and goals. A few negative and neutral adaptations also occurred. The most experienced CEs seemed to deliver the programme with highest fidelity and they also made most positive adaptations. The findings, supported by the participants’ evaluation of the programme delivery, indicate that these CEs also delivered the programme with high quality.

Research limitations/implications
– In the field of implementation research there is a need for further studies applying observational methods to explore programme effectiveness in relation to implementation fidelity, adaptations made and the quality of programme delivery.

Originality/value
– This study applies observational methods to evaluate the fidelity of implementation and adaptations made when implementing a coach education programme, and based on these findings quality of delivery is discussed.
Adolescents’ school lunch practices as an educational resource
Authors: Janhonen Kristiina Henrietta , Mäkelä Johanna , Palojoki Päivi 
Published: March 2016

Purpose– The purpose of this paper is to examine Finnish ninth grade pupils’ (15-16 years) perspectives on hot school lunches and consider the potential of these perspectives as a resource for food and health education.Design/methodology/approach– Data include observations, essays, and visually elicitated focus group discussions from a larger qualitative case study. Data were collected during the term 2012-2013.Findings– Pupils considered the lunch break as their free time and valued discussions with friends. The taste of school food was important for them. Pupils solved contradicting expectations connected to school lunches through constructing social hierarchies, making compromises, and conforming to peers’ or general opinions. Desire for social belonging and independence were important justifications for breaking food-related rules.Research limitations/implications– Due to the focus on one school, further research needs to address contextual variation in different schools and age groups, as well as the viewpoint of teachers.Practical implications– To genuinely engage pupils, potential contradictions between adults’ and adolescents’ perspectives need attention. Understanding food-related social determinants and justifications for food practices from pupils’ perspective are valuable pedagogical assets for teachers. Pupils’ speech and activities that counteract formal aims can be seen also as possibilities for dialogue, rather than merely problems to be changed by adults.Originality/value– The paper describes how pupils’ perspectives to school lunch practices are in tension with the educational aims of school lunches, thus contributing to developing adolescent-centered food and health education in secondary schools.
Food practices and school connectedness: a whole-school approach
Authors: Neely Eva , Walton Mat , Stephens Christine 
Published: March 2016

Purpose– The health-promoting schools (HPSs) framework has emerged as a promising model for promoting school connectedness in the school setting. The purpose of this paper is to explore the potential for food practices to promote school connectedness within a HPSs framework.Design/methodology/approach– This study explores food practices within a New Zealand secondary school by using an ethnographic methodology, with interviews and observations, to explore in-depth the range of food practices that occurred within the school across a whole school year. Thematically the data were ready for school connectedness indicators across the recorded events, and categorically the practices were coded according to their level of occurrence within the HPS framework.Findings– The findings showed that food practices occurred across class- and school-level organisation, ethos, environment, and community partnerships, and indicated that they may be valuable assets for a HPS approach to school connectedness. By integrating the findings of the present study with previous literature the authors suggest a HPS framework for promoting school connectedness through food practices.Originality/value– This paper contributes to the emerging research on whole-school approaches to building school connectedness, and provides a first contribution on the value of food practices for school connectedness.
Stakeholder influence and the diffusion of eco-efficiency practices in the natural gas exploration and production industry
Authors: Hauser Simon 
Published: March 2016

Purpose– This paper aims to empirically investigate the motivations behind eco-efficiency sustainability measures of firms active in natural gas exploration and extraction from deep shale formations in the north-eastern USA.Design/methodology/approach– The research design leverages a combination of semi-structured firm interviews with an online industry survey. Instead of pre-defining stakeholder categories, this study uses an emergent analytical framework to ascertain the stakeholder groups relevant to companies in this unconventional energy sector.Findings– Results show that these practices tend to be primarily influenced by internal stakeholders, but that regulatory, community and industry stakeholders also play a role. Managers also assigned a relatively high importance to the role of regulatory and community stakeholders in informing these practices.Research limitations/implications– Though limited in generalizability beyond the energy sector and accounting for rival causal influences beyond stakeholders and managers, the results suggest a close engagement of firms with regulatory and community stakeholders with environmental practices and regulatory framework still in flux.Originality/value– Prior research has not explored the full range of stakeholders relevant in influencing these eco-efficiency practices. Therefore, the authors have a limited understanding whether these practices are primarily internally promoted by firm managers or employees, or whether they are also influenced by industry, community and regulatory constituents. Furthermore, the shale gas industry with recent technological innovations aimed at the core of the business process, presents a rare opportunity to investigate drivers and implementations of eco-efficiency practices.
Regional parameters and solar energy enterprises
Authors: Apostolopoulos Nikolaos , Liargovas Panagiotis 
Published: March 2016

Purpose– The purpose of this paper is to investigate the relationship between regional factors and investment attractiveness of solar energy production. The aim is to create a rank order of the Greek regions based on their investment attractiveness.Design/methodology/approach– In this research, the analytic hierarchy process (AHP) was applied in its group choice approach combined with a purposive sampling of experts from the business, governmental and research fields.Findings– A rank order of the regions was developed related to their investment attractiveness based on the experts’ sampling and the specific criteria that were set. Analyzing the criteria, it was found that general macroeconomic performances of the regions are of low priority, while the ones related to the entrepreneurial development such as solar irradiation and land availability are of high priority.Practical implications– This work is practically applicable, as it conduces to the management of companies operating in the solar energy sector. It is also useful for policy makers as the regions are prioritized, identifying, in this way, opportunities for investment.Originality/value– The novel aspect of this research is regions’ ranking based on their dynamic in solar energy investments. The utilization of the AHP offers additional value to the research of energy planning and management, as it is applied for the first time in the solar energy sector, concerning regional factors, solar energy parameters, economic data and expert sampling to develop a rank order of the regions.
The roles of mass media, word of mouth and subjective norm in family takaful purchase intention
Authors: Md Husin Maizaitulaidawati , Ismail Noraini , Ab Rahman Asmak 
Published: March 2016

Purpose
– This paper aims to address the influence of mass media (MM) and word of mouth (WOM) on subjective norm (SN) and the intentions to purchase a family takaful scheme among Muslim Malaysians.

Design/methodology/approach
– Data were collected from 384 Muslim consumers in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, using a convenience sampling approach. The hypotheses were tested by applying structural equation modelling.

Findings
– The results revealed that MM and WM were able to influence SN. In addition, the results also found that SN significantly influences intentions to purchase a family takaful scheme.

Practical implications
– By examining MM and WM on SN, the study validated the importance of both constructs in affecting consumers’ SN and purchase intention. This study would be useful for takaful operators, as the findings would help them to formulate strategies for promotional activities.

Originality/value
– This paper empirically justifies the relationship between MM and WM on SN and purchase intention of family takaful schemes in an integrated model.
Quality of lifestyle and luxury purchase inclinations from the perspectives of affluent Muslim consumers
Authors: Kassim Norizan M. , Zain Mohamed M. 
Published: March 2016

Purpose
– This study aims to investigate the influence of quality of lifestyle (QoL) on affluent Muslim consumers that in turn influences their interests or inclinations, either towards “relationship” or “materialistic” QoL, when purchasing luxury products or services.

Design/methodology/approach
– This research uses a questionnaire-based survey involving 233 Muslim customers. Data were analysed using exploratory factor analysis, confirmatory factor analysis and structural equation modelling.

Findings
– The results show that relationship QoL of the consumers insignificantly affects their materialistic QoL. Thus, one way of achieving their quality lifestyle is through sharing and generosity and not through materialistic QoL. Also, their relationship QoL affects their basic necessity QoL through physical and community relationships but not through their social relationship. Furthermore, basic necessity QoL negatively affects both materialistic QoL and luxury purchase inclinations, indicating that they generally tend to go for material goods once their basic needs are fulfilled. Finally, there is a significant positive effect of materialistic QoL on their interest in purchasing luxury products or services.

Research limitations/implications
– The small sample size used in this research represents the main limitation of this research. This study provides further evidence that the preferences for luxury products/services are not the same across cultures. In the affluent country of Qatar, consumers initially prefer relationship QoL over materialistic QoL. After they have surpassed the basic necessity QoL, only then they would go for materialistic QoL and be inclined to go for luxury products/services.

Practical implications
– This study has found that there are great opportunities for international luxury product marketers to market their products and services to Muslim customers in the lucrative market of Qatar or in other affluent Muslim markets similar to that of Qatar.

Social implications
– The findings imply that the lifestyles of affluent Muslim consumers are slightly different from consumers in other societies/cultures in terms of their preference for luxury goods and services. Their interests in buying luxury products and services are somewhat guided by their religious convictions, which caused them to give preference to basic necessity QoL over materialistic QoL, at least at the initial stage of their lifestyle.

Originality/value
– The novelty of this study is its focus on understanding whether luxury consumption in a “new rich” Muslim developing country (Qatar) nourishes “materialistic” or “relationship” values of QoL. Also, although researches on materialistic QoL are in abundance, research on relationship QoL is somewhat limited. Thus, the major contribution to this study is the adoption of a more comprehensive approach to investigating QoL of consumers in an affluent Muslim country.
Enhancing theory development in service research
Authors: Brodie Roderick J. , Gustafsson Anders 
Published: March 2016

Purpose
– The purpose of this paper is to explore enhancing theory development in service research and provide an overview of the five essays on theorizing initiated by the International Network for Service Research workshop, held at Karlstad, Sweden in September 2014.

Design/methodology/approach
– A collaborative theorizing process which was initiated at the Karlstad, Sweden workshop.

Findings
– Six (five from the event and the introduction) original and provocative essays that explore different aspects of theorizing in service research.

Originality/value
– Exploring how a collaborative approach to research can be used.
Reflections on context in service research
Authors: Voss Chris , Perks Helen , Sousa Rui , Witell Lars , Wünderlich Nancy V. 
Published: March 2016

Purpose
– The purpose of this paper is to examine the nature of context and its implications for theory and research in service.

Design/methodology/approach
– This is a conceptual paper based on exploring existing research and theory related to context in service research.

Findings
– The characteristics of service make context both important and challenging, there is great contextual diversity in service research as reflected, for example in ecosystems made up of multiple contextual variables. There is a need to identify the context-specific nature of middle range theory and the contextual logic of general theory. The authors explore the challenges of context for service theory and how we might learn from theory in a particular context and test or adapt it in other contexts.

Originality/value
– The findings of this paper are of value to researchers seeking to develop and justify theory in service research (general, middle range or theory in use).
Billions of impoverished people deserve to be better served
Authors: Fisk Raymond P P. , Anderson Laurel , Bowen David E. , Gruber Thorsten , Ostrom Amy , Patrício Lia , Reynoso Javier , Sebastiani Roberta 
Published: March 2016

Purpose
– The purpose of this paper is to create a movement within the service research community that aspires to help the billions of impoverished people across the world achieve better service from each other, from their communities, from corporations, from their governments, and from nongovernmental organizations. The authors believe every human being is worthy of being served properly. To achieve this purpose, understanding and learning from this huge low-income segment of society known as the base of the pyramid (BoP) is essential. There are myths about the BoP that need to be dispelled and there is a fundamental lack of service research on this important problem.

Design/methodology/approach
– The existence of an extensive BoP literature combined with service research priorities has called attention to drafting research agendas. Human service systems are explored historically and systems theory provides a perspective for understanding and reducing poverty. Transformative service research, service design research, and community action research are presented to illustrate three research approaches that can contribute to understanding and then better serving the needs of the neglected billions of humanity.

Findings
– First, the authors present a practical and meaningful call to action by making the case for the service research community to contribute to poverty alleviation with the creation of fresh ideas and research agendas. Second, the authors describe the ample opportunity for conducting service research in and with the BoP and thereby expanding service knowledge about the BoP. Third, the authors suggest a number of approaches for service researchers to join this new movement and help improve the well-being of billions of impoverished people.

Social implications
– Most existing service research comes from highly developed Anglo-Saxon countries and concerns the service problems of customers in affluent societies. Therefore, there is a fundamental lack of service research at the BoP. The social implications are truly global. Poverty is a global service system problem that can be reduced. Effective poverty alleviation solutions in one part of the world can be adapted to other parts of the world.

Originality/value
– This paper is a new and very original call to action to the service research community. First, with the exception of a few previous manuscripts calling for research on the BoP, this is the first time a collaborative effort has been made to start systematically changing this knowledge gap. Second, the service research community has never worked on a project of this magnitude. The authors hope to offer a role model to other academic communities as to how to marshal their resources to have a collective, positive impact on the well-being of the world’s impoverished.
Brand trust: a cross-national validation in Germany, India, and South Africa
Authors: Hegner Sabrina M. , Jevons Colin 
Published: March 2016

Purpose– Numerous studies have established the importance of brand trust for building long-term relationships with consumers. Nevertheless, there is confusion in the literature about how to measure trust in brands. Building on the studies of Liet al.(2008) and Liet al.(2015) who established brand trust as a second-order construct, this paper aims to demonstrate additional richness of the brand trust construct by adding further dimensions and extending the cultural background to Germany, India and South Africa.Design/methodology/approach– Based on accepted scale development procedures, the authors have derived a parsimonious, reliable and valid scale to measure brand trust.Findings– The resulting cross-national scales of brand trust demonstrate validity by offering a good fit and invariant measures across countries. The results show that overall brand trust is influenced by competence, predictability and benevolence/integrity.Practical implications– Global communication technology means that brands are increasingly exposed internationally. To be successful in cross-cultural consumer-brand relationships, managers must build the skills to understand and deal with these cultural differences as well as understanding the fundamental aspects that do not differ across cultures. The model developed in this paper will be useful to both researchers and managers to get deeper insights into the trusting relationships their consumers have with their brand.Originality/value– This cross-national study builds on recently published work and contributes to enriching brand trust understanding. Additionally, this research offers a validated, easily applicable, scale for measuring brand trust.