bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Effects of outsourced service providers’ experiences on perceived service quality
Authors: Ho Chien-Ta , Wei Chung-Lun 
Published: September 2016

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to propose a framework to examine experiences of an information technology/information systems (IS) outsourcing service supplier as a signal of perceived service quality and to consider the moderating effects of information asymmetries and signal credibility.Design/methodology/approachDrawing on signaling theory, the paper integrates past experiences of an outsourcing service supplier, information asymmetries, signal credibility, perceived service quality, and purchase intention into a model. Questionnaires were collected in Taiwan, and partial least-squares technique was employed to test the model.FindingsThe results indicate that past experiences of an IS outsourcing supplier affect perceived service quality, which subsequently influences positively the intention to purchase IS outsourcing services. In addition, signal credibility moderates the relationship between the provider’s past experiences and perceived service quality, though information asymmetries do not have significant effect on the hypothesized moderating relationship.Originality/valueThis research enriches the extant literatures in signaling theory by demonstrating the few-mentioned IS outsourced suppliers’ experiences as a quality signal as well as in outsourcing contexts with signaling perspectives. The empirical findings validate the importance of dissemination and investment of past experiences for IS provider companies and give a cue of utilizing providers’ experiences to alleviate uncertainty when assessing IS service quality and purchasing outsourcing services for client companies.
Supplying networks in the healthcare sector
Authors: Paltriccia Chiara , Tiacci Lorenzo 
Published: September 2016

Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to present a new outsourcing model for materials management related to the operating theatre of hospitals. Two distinguishing features characterize the model: the long-term collaborative network established among the supplying companies (the “Network factor”), and the implementation of the RFID technology along the supply chain (the “RFID factor”). The network factor allows sharing transportation costs, while the RFID factor allows implementing a continuous review policy, instead of the periodic review policy normally utilized in hospitals. In the paper the effect of these two factors on the minimization of total materials management costs is investigated.

Design/methodology/approach
An analytical model, validated through a simulation study, is proposed to calculate total management costs of materials, depending on the presence of the network and the RFID factors. Throughout the model it is possible to perform a scenario analysis and individuate the inventory management policy that allows minimizing total costs. The procedure has been applied to a real case study of a long-term collaborative network of supplying companies in the healthcare sector that operates in Central Italy.

Findings
The optimal inventory management policy strongly depends on the mutual distances of supplying companies and the hospital. Both of the two factors have an impact on the reduction of total annual costs. The analysis of the scenario shows that a positive interaction effect exists between the two factors, so that higher savings are obtained when both factors are present.

Originality/value
The outsourcing model presented in the paper is new, and the managerial insights that can be drawn from the application of the model to the healthcare sector can be extended to many other industries.
Organizational learning and innovation as sources of strategic fit
Authors: Tamayo-Torres Ignacio , Gutiérrez-Gutiérrez Leopoldo J. , Llorens-Montes Francisco Javier , Martínez-López Francisco J. 
Published: September 2016

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to analyze the roles played by organizational learning (OL) and innovation in organizations immersed in the processes of adaptation and strategic fit in dynamic and turbulent environments. The authors analyze whether OL and innovation act as sources of strategic fit, and whether strategic fit positively affects performance.Design/methodology/approachThe authors use data from a survey of a representative sample of 204 respondents from European firms active in high-technology sectors (response rate: 10.42 percent) and structural equation modeling (using the EQS 6.1 program) to undertake a transversal study.FindingsThe model confirms that OL and the capacity to innovate positively influence managers’ decisions to adapt their organizations to changes in dynamic environments. The achievement of strategic fit, in turn, improves organizational performance. The authors propose considering the innovation climate as a facilitator of new product and process development, although the innovation climate is not a direct antecedent of fit.Research limitations/implicationsThis study is limited by the fact that the analysis is cross-sectional and by the fact that all measures used are based on managers’ perceptions.Practical implicationsManagers should create and support an entrepreneurial culture that stresses continuous learning. They should also foster programs aimed at developing abilities, and promote the development of capabilities that facilitate acceptance of organizational change. Investments in building certain capabilities, such as OL and the capacity to innovate, are strategically justified, especially in turbulent environments.Originality/valueThis study is one of the first to investigate the complex interactions among OL, innovation, strategic fit, and performance. The results improve our understanding of the links between strategic fit and performance.
Competing for leadership and ownership: the Li & Fung Group’s legendary and strategy
Authors: Zheng Victor , Wong Siu-Lun 
Published: September 2016

Purpose
The Li & Fung Group, a century-old, family-controlled multinational group of companies based in Hong Kong, seems to be an exception to the traditional perception of Chinese family business. The aim of this paper is to explore why this company can overcome the fatalism that “family business could not pass on over three generations”.

Design/methodology/approach
This paper will use in-depth case study as key methodology for exploring key research question of family business sustainability. Archival data, including company registration records, newspaper reports, biographical materials and company annual reports, etc., are major secondary data that will be used for qualitative analysis.

Findings
The important findings in this paper is that the authors can identify key ways for solving family conflict and business continuity. Through in-depth study, the authors argue that because Li & Fung can effectively adopt the “pruning the family tree” mechanism and “listing and de-listing” mechanism during critical stages of succession and development, it has flourished for over a century and is therefore a model for other Chinese family businesses to follow.

Research limitations/implications
Because the authors did not conduct personal interviews with the family members of the company, the authors do not have “insiders’ view” on the company development. Also, it is a century-old company, and many historical data cannot be obtained, so some of the developments would not be fully explained and understood.

Practical implications
It can let family business owners, staffs working in family business and professionals serving family business know better that although there are negative sides of family business, their positive sides should not be underestimated. If a proper mechanism can be rightly executed, its negative side could be large reduced, whereas its positive side could be better enhanced.

Social implications
This paper can offer insightful implication to the society that family business, in fact, is highly dynamic. It not only creates jobs by offering services and producing goods but stimulates economic development as family the fertile ground for breeding entrepreneurship.

Originality/value
There is no analysis in the academia in exploring the Li & Fung Group’s development from the perspective of leadership and ownership competition. So, the originality of this paper is very high.
Early global Trotters and their entrepreneurial employment practices
Authors: Chai Qianqian , Cheung Cherry Wun Mei , Kwong Caleb 
Published: September 2016

Purpose
Questions have often been asked of the ethicality of multinational enterprises (MNEs) with the conducts of many being classified as exploitative. This is particularly so the internal context, where MNEs are often reluctant to employ host country nationals at important positions and treat their host and parent countries employees differently. This study aims to examine whether the locals are really getting the raw end of the deal.

Design/methodology/approach
Utilising a unique record book that is available about the employment details of civil servants in Hong Kong known as the blue book, this study intends to examine whether first-moving multinational organisations treated their local employees in an ethical and reasonable manner, for the employees entering the service between 1845-1850.

Findings
The data suggests that, overall, host country nationals earn much less than not only the British but also those from third countries. Moreover, parent country nationals were placed at important officer and supervisory roles, as oppose to host country nationals at the bottom, forming a typically ethnocentric governance structure (Perlmutter, 1969). Furthermore, even divided by grade, the starting salary difference between host and parent country nationals remain considerable. However, the reason for this is complex, and the authors do not have a quick and precise answer as to whether there has been discrimination.

Research limitations/implications
The findings perhaps explain the dilemma faced by the early-movers because they tend to feel the strong need of adopting an ethnocentric approach, which can be extremely costly as a result of the large wage differential. A balance needs to be struck between this and utilising host country nationals, which might not necessarily possess all the essential qualities but might be cheaper.

Originality/value
This is the first study examining the employment practices of fast-moving MNEs.
Consumer-brand relationships’ development in the mobile internet market: evidence from an extended relationship commitment paradigm
Authors: Giovanis Apostolos 
Published: September 2016

PurposeGiven its importance in the brand management of service firms, the present research initiative primarily concerns the investigation of the formation process of consumer-brand relationships in the service industry. By considering a chain of effects’ model, this paper aims to integrate two brand commitment paradigm’s perspectives with service evaluation theory, representing the attitudinal and behavioral aspects of the relationship building process, to better explain the way consumers relate to a service brand. The proposed conceptual model is tested in the context of mobile broadband internet services.Design/methodology/approachA survey of 573 customers of mobile internet services was conducted using a structured questionnaire with established scales. Data were analyzed with partial least squares structural equation modeling.FindingsThe results indicated that brand loyalty is determined by relationship commitment, which, in turn, is influenced by the consumer-brand relationship components – trust, satisfaction, investment size and quality of alternatives – as well as by the service brand’s perceived value. Finally, the relationship quality components of the brand, trust and satisfaction to a large extent, and investment size to a lesser extent, mediate the relationships between service brand evaluation and brand commitment.Research limitations/implicationsThe sample is industry-specific, and this may affect generalizability of findings. Also, the cross-sectional design adopted does not reflect temporal changes.Practical implicationsFrom a practical point of view, the findings suggest that providers can improve their loyalty figures through the establishment of strong consumer-brand relationships as a result of the development and delivery of high quality, valuable services and other relationship-building tactics that support the consumer-brand binding.Originality/valueAlthough there are previous studies that extend either the relationship investment model or the commitment-trust theory with the service evaluation theory, the proposed model is the first to combine the previous three research streams into one causal chain model, to explain the development and flow of events in the consumer-brand relationship process toward brand loyalty.
Audit committee roles and responsibilities in two English public sector settings
Authors: Hegazy Karim , Stafford Anne 
Published: September 2016

PurposeThis paper aims to conduct a comparative study by examining the Audit Committee (AC) set-up, roles, responsibilities and developments in two distinct English public sector settings, namely, foundation trusts (FTs) and local authorities (LAs).Design/methodology/approachThe paper is exploratory and explanatory in nature and uses a qualitative case study approach framed in institutional theory. It is based on semi-structured interviews with AC chairs, external and internal auditors and finance directors triangulated with meeting observations and documentation review.FindingsThe study finds that public sector ACs have a large and diverse role which extends beyond challenging/monitoring responsibilities. Influenced by the New Public Management ideology, the AC has developed more rapidly in FTs due to imposed regulation contrasting with the slower progress in LAs due to its still voluntary adoption. Nevertheless, in both environments, there is a developing understanding and growing competence within the AC in terms of their assurance role where the focus has shifted from an emphasis on function and on transacting business through following a manual, to a more strategic-looking approach.Research limitations/implicationsDue to the complexity of public sector settings, and by using an approach framed within institutional theory, the study contributes by challenging a simple notion of isomorphism as an explanation of AC roles, responsibilities and development in two distinct public sector environments. Furthermore, the study recognizes that there is a need to ensure ACs are appropriate to their institutional setting and organizational context.Originality/valueMost AC studies have focused on private sector contexts. This paper explores the phenomenon in a different organizational context, namely, as a public sector comparative case study.
Does government ownership affect corporate governance and corporate disclosure?
Authors: Al-Janadi Yaseen , Abdul Rahman Rashidah , Alazzani Abdulsamad 
Published: September 2016

PurposeThis paper aims to examine the moderating effect of government ownership (GO) on the association between corporate governance (CG) and voluntary disclosure (VD).Design/methodology/approachThis study used multivariate analysis to examine the moderating variable.FindingsGO has a moderating negative effect on the association between CG factors [e.g. board size, non-executive directors (NEDs)] and VD, which indicates that GO plays a negative role in the effectiveness of CG. The study also found that audit quality is not affected by the influence of GO, indicating that companies without GO are better than companies with GO in terms of applying the best practices of CG to provide sufficient and high-quality disclosure.Originality/valueThis study has important implications for governments to be more effective in implementing the best practices of CG. Additionally, the findings could have implications for authority regulators, policy makers and shareholders to require effective implications for CG to reduce the effects of GO the implementation of best CG practices and the disclosure of quality information.
Al-Jazeera Sport’s US Twitter followers: sport-politics nexus?
Authors: Hayat Tsahi , Samuel-Azran Tal , Galily Yair 
Published: September 2016

Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to contribute to analyses of the sport-politics nexus by identifying whether the demographics of Twitter followers of Al-Jazeera Sport in the USA (rebranded in 2014 as beIN USA) can be associated with a specific political orientation.

Design/methodology/approach
Based on selective exposure theory, which posits that people follow news sources that reinforce their existing views, the authors identify the news outlets followed by beIN Twitter followers. To put the findings in perspective, the authors compared the results to the news outlets followed by the Twitter followers of Al-Jazeera America, Al-Jazeera’s second US outlet. Next, to understand the nature of the beIN and Al-Jazeera America communities, the authors used social network analysis to analyze the distribution of retweets within these communities.

Findings
The analysis shows that whereas Al-Jazeera America Twitter followers follow significantly more liberal than conservative news outlets, beIN’s followers were not identified with a specific political orientation. Analysis of beIN’s followers’ retweets shows a greater degree of connectivity among beIN’s followers than among the followers of Al-Jazeera America, indicating a more connected social network.

Research limitations/implications
Findings indicate that beIN’s Twitter following is characterized by more diverse and more strongly connected audience than Al-Jazeera America on Twitter, highlighting sports as a non-politicized realm on Twitter.

Practical implications
For practitioners, the study illustrates that controversial non-western media networks such as Al-Jazeera can gain access to diverse populations in the West by operating in the sport realm rather than the news realm.

Originality/value
This study offers a pioneering indication of the extent of a sport-ethnocentrism nexus on Twitter.
Ascorbic acid treatment to improve the light fastness or as reducing agent on silk fabric dyed with pulverised natural dyes
Authors: Faiz F.A. , Ngo J.S.K. , Bujang K.B. 
Published: September 2016

Purpose
This study aims to improve the natural dyeing recipe with better light fastness using ascorbic acid (vitamin C) with pulverised plant dyes.

Design/methodology/approach
Silk fabrics pre-mordanted with alum (aluminium ammonium sulphate) were dyed using six types of plant dyes available in Sarawak, Malaysia, namely, Engkerabai leaves (Psychotria viridiflora), Ketapang leaves (Terminalia catappa), mangrove bark (Ceriops tagal), Sepang wood (Caesalpinia sappan), mangosteen husk (Garcinia mangostana) and onion skin (Allium cepa). Then, the dyed samples were immersed in vitamin C. The dyed and vitamin C-treated silk samples were exposed to direct sunlight for 40 h to test whether vitamin C had any effect on the light fastness of the dyed samples.

Findings
It was found that the fabric samples using vitamin C for after-treatment, particularly Engkerabai, Ketapang, mangrove and mangosteen, exhibited better light fastness. The colours of the four samples changed and looked darker when compared to the non-treated fabric samples. However, it was observed that vitamin C had a reverse effect on Sepang wood and onion skin. The acidic aqueous solution of vitamin C discharged the dyed samples instead.

Originality/value
In conclusion, depending on the plant types, vitamin C can be used to improve the light fastness of natural dyes or as a reducing agent for natural dyes.
Effects of athletic T-shirt designs on natural ventilation
Authors: Ho Chupo , Fan Jintu , Newton Edward , Au Raymond 
Published: September 2016

Purpose
Maintaining air circulation between the wearer and garment layer is crucial for activating heat and moisture transfer from the body. If an air gap is trapped, air circulation may become ineffective and the ventilation of the garment is, thus, hindered. To maintain and extend the air gap, this study aims to propose a design method that involves placing spacer blocks underneath the garment to prevent the fabric from clinging directly to the skin.

Design/methodology/approach
To study the application of this design method, a series of T-shirts were produced and tested using a thermal manikin in standing and walking postures. All the T-shirts were made of fabric ostensibly manufactured to have high air permeability. Porous mesh fabric was used to construct the vented panels on the T-shirts. The test was conducted in a chamber with controlled temperature, relative humidity and wind velocity. Total thermal insulation (Rt) and moisture vapour resistance (Ret) were measured.

Findings
The test results showed that extension of the air gap between wearer and fabric provided higher ventilation to the wearer if the vented panels were also present on the T-shirts. Different placements of the vented panels on the T-shirts also affected the heat and moisture transfer from the thermal manikin.

Research limitations/implications
Due to limited resources, the evaluation of total thermal insulation and moisture vapour resistance was based on the testing result from a thermal manikin instead of any subjective wearer trial.

Practical implications
This research can contribute to the clothing designer who is developing function wear for a better ventilation.

Social implications
This research can contribute to the clothing designer who is developing function wear for a better ventilation.

Originality/value
This study aimed to further develop a new design concept in T-shirt design by improving the construction of the spacer blocks. Fabric with higher air and water vapour permeability was used to determine to what extent this design method is applicable to higher performance on heat and moisture transfer.
Africa: a new potential of growth for Danone through multiple acquisitions
Authors: Bouchet Christelle 
Published: September 2016

Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to analyze the new opportunities that offers Africa to companies. Groups working in the bank, telecommunication and petroleum sectors know Africa’s attractiveness for a long time. However, food companies are now more and more interested in this continent too, especially thanks to key factors: a high growing gross domestic product, an emerging middle-class, a high birth rate […] Danone is an interesting case of this phenomenon. The company which is one of the main worldwide player in the food market decided to go into mergers and acquisitions in Africa since the 2000s; its strategy and its results will be analyzed.

Design/methodology/approach
General review.

Findings
It is shown that Africa brings new markets and revenue sources to companies. As a first mover, companies can take a competitive advantage over competitors in developing their activities in a new growing market. However, before entering Africa, companies must collect relevant information and have a strong strategy. In fact, some countries of this continent are still instable; that is why, companies have to be careful before investing in one of them. Additionally, the paper reveals that the first key to success in Africa in the food industry is to adapt products to local needs, culture and way of life.

Originality/value
Africa is still a relatively untapped market, and mergers and acquisitions in Africa represent a promising opportunity for companies that want to expand their activities, and the current trends predict a great development of investments in Africa.