bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Development: what's in it for you?
Authors: Crumpton Michael A. 
Published: May 2014

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to advocate for the importance of staff support for library development activities.Design/methodology/approachThis paper discusses basic fund raising principles and how staff can contribute.FindingsThis article includes a success example.Originality/valueThe article is based on experiences of the author and persons mentioned to produce a successful fund raising campaign.
Strategic health care logistics planning in emergency management
Authors: VanVactor Jerry D. 
Published: May 2014

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to provide, first, an explication of the interconnectivity of logistics as an element of health care disaster posturing and second, to use a context of strategic‐level planning, for supply chain management's inclusion in health care emergency management planning.Design/methodology/approachUsing a review of existent literature, this work examines and expounds upon the impact of effective supply chain management processes in disaster mitigation and planning.FindingsThis paper presents a discourse in health care supply chain management's involvement in disaster mitigation by clarifying the role of logistics in strategic‐level planning.Practical implicationsOptimally, for a health care organization to be truly prepared for disaster, leaders must first have a sound logistics platform from whence support and sustainment are received. For an organization to be truly prepared logistically, however, there must exist a basic understanding of principles related to emergency management and health care operations.Social implicationsArguably, a critical path to success in health care supply chain readiness posturing involves evidence‐based, critically applied insight into disaster mitigation and preparations across multiple echelons of managerial responsibilities.Originality/valueA key recurring problem is that little research is available or related specifically to health care logistics management. Few works can be found concerning health care supply chain management's involvement in disaster posturing. In an applied sense, the paper provides health care managers with concepts related to effective crisis mitigation.
Mental health implications of volunteer fire service membership
Authors: Wagner Shannon L. , O’Neill Melanie 
Published: May 2014

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to add to the overall body of literature regarding mental health implications related to fire service membership; in particular, to look specifically at the implications of volunteer membership and to compare results with previous research looking at paid‐professional members.Design/methodology/approachResponses to the Impact of Event Scale‐Revised (IES‐R), the Neuroticism‐Extroversion‐Openness Personality Inventory (NEO‐PI) and the Symptom checklist (SCL)‐90R were collected from a sample of volunteer firefighters (n=64), as well as from a similar comparison sample (n=103).FindingsVolunteer fire service members reported significantly higher rates of posttraumatic stress symptomatology when compared to a similar group of comparison participants. In contrast, no differences were found in other types of mental health symptomatology between the volunteer fire fighters and comparison group. Additionally, there appeared to be few differences in the patterns regarding prediction of mental health symptomatology from individual personality characteristics for the two groups. Generally, the authors’ results suggested that, regardless of group, neuroticism was a predictor of mental health symptomatology in many domains.Originality/valueTo the authors’ knowledge, this is the only available study to have as its primary intent to describe the mental health implications of volunteer fire service membership, as opposed to a similar comparison sample. In addition, the authors’ data provide some meaningful comparison with previously published results found in a paid‐professional sample; such comparison, to this point, has been unavailable.
Exceedance probability of extensive damage limit for general buildings in Taiwan
Authors: Hsiang Lin Jeng 
Published: May 2014

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to examine the effectiveness of building codes in earthquake risk mitigation in Taiwan.Design/methodology/approachUsing probabilistic risk analysis tools with available data, this study assesses the exceedance probability of extensive damage limit for general buildings in their 50‐year useful lives. The buildings were classified into 15 categories according to their construction materials and building height. Then, the effects of construction materials, building height and construction years are detected.FindingsThe exceedance probabilities of extensive damage limit for all of the investigated buildings in their 50‐year useful lives are on the order of 10−2. The effect of construction materials and building height on seismic risk of buildings is decreasing with the development of a seismic design code. Significant discrepancy of seismic risk still exists among some buildings.Research limitations/implicationsSeismic risk analysis requires quite restrictive statistical idealizations for the relevant probabilistic terms in the mathematical formulation. The problem of imperfect simplification and lack of sufficient empirical data has shown the research needs for improvements of seismic risk assessment. The questions of what constitutes acceptable risk for various performance levels and how safe is safe enough remain context‐specific.Originality/valueAlthough probabilistic risk analysis provides a tool for quantifying the probability of structural failure, current earthquake‐resistant design procedures do not relate performance levels to probability. The paper explores some probability information for current earthquake‐resistant design for general buildings during their 50‐year useful lives and the information may provide some valuable information for future code calibration.
Online experiences and virtual goods purchase intention
Authors: Huang Echo 
Published: May 2014

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to examine the effects of interactive and social features on users' online experiences and their purchase intention of virtual goods from a social network site.Design/methodology/approachA banner with a hyperlink that connected to the author's web survey was posted on the homepage of Facebook. Of the 258 responses returned, 176 were fully completed. Measurement items were adapted from previous literature. Structural equation modeling (SEM) was used to evaluate the research model and hypotheses testing.FindingsThe results of an empirical study supported the use of the stimuli‐organism‐response (S‐O‐R) model in a social networking site and showed how environmental features should be incorporated to enhance users' online experiences and purchase intentions. Specifically, social identity showed the strongest influence on involvement and flow. More specifically, affective involvement showed the greatest influence on purchase intention compared to flow and cognitive involvement.Practical implicationsThe relative importance of both interactivity and social identity in platform features in shaping consumers' online experiences should not be ignored. The author suggests online games or apps. Additionally, platform providers should advance social identity features that show a strong positive impact on users' online experiences.Originality/valueWith the proliferation of online social gaming, there is growing evidence for virtual goods consumption; however, relatively few studies have discussed this phenomenon. This paper draws on hypotheses from environmental psychology; specifically, users' intentions to purchase are modeled on user responses to the online stimuli of a Web platform and the online experience that such an environment elicits.
Undertaking research at the bottom of the pyramid using qualitative methods
Authors: Chikweche Tendai , Fletcher Richard 
Published: May 2014

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to examine qualitative issues involved in conducting research at the base of the pyramid (BOP). The paper reports on the differences between anticipated issues and the actual issues encountered in the conduct of research at the BOP in Zimbabwe.Design/methodology/approachQualitative data collection methods comprising in‐depth one to one consumer interviews, focus groups, ethnographic observations and case studies were used to conduct the research.FindingsFindings from the analysis are based on multiple experiences from multiple sites and these suggest that the main themes established from previous studies on cross‐cultural research are also prevalent at the BOP. However, the findings reveal a number of challenges specific to the BOP and suggest that the BOP is not one homogenous market.Research limitations/implicationsThe sample used for consumer interviews is small, and confining the focus to the food and personal hygiene sector may limit generalization of findings to a broader population.Practical implicationsThe study provides insight on potential procedures and strategies to deal with the challenges of undertaking research at the BOP.Social implicationsThe study provides insight on how social networks can be used as a mechanism for facilitating research and overcoming a number of challenges faced by researchers at the BOP.Originality/valueResearch into the BOP is a relatively new area of study in the field of international business. This expands knowledge in the area of challenges faced by researchers conducting research at the BOP by providing both new insights and advancement of previous research by employing empirical qualitative mixed research methods to study consumers and firms since the two have a dyadic relationship.
A mixed‐methods approach for designing market‐driven packaging
Authors: Metcalf Lynn , Hess Jeffrey S. , Danes Jeffrey E. , Singh Jay 
Published: May 2014

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to demonstrate how a web‐based virtual ideation tool, dialogr.com, can be used to capture insights from consumers and to gain an understanding of consumer satisfaction with package design during and after product use. The authors also demonstrate how the resulting rich qualitative data can be combined with output from traditional survey research, to provide insight into the impact of satisfaction with package design on purchase intent.Design/methodology/approachA mixed‐methods approach was employed that captured qualitative insights from a large number of consumers regarding their experience using product packaging and combined the quantitative rigor of survey research to capture brand familiarity and perceptions, as well as brand preference and loyalty.FindingsResults demonstrate that design is important to consumers and also that consumers are increasingly design literate. The perceived quality of the package design does impact brand evaluation. Negative reactions to product packaging adversely impacted intent to purchase and intent to recommend the product to others.Practical implicationsResults show that the mixed model is a promising method for gaining feedback on new package designs. Substantive implications include: design drives purchase, consumers want to be involved in design, and getting user input on design is important.Originality/valueConsumer packaged goods companies often test packaging prototypes in a limited way – they either ignore qualitative measurement completely or use small sample focus groups. This quali‐quant method offers two advantages over the methodologies most commonly used to study package design; it has the capacity to engage large numbers of consumers and it can be set up to gather data from consumers during or immediately after product use.
Not too many but also not too few
Authors: Uhrich Sebastian , Luck Michael 
Published: May 2014

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to explore the theoretical mechanisms that underlie the negative effects of low customer density on shoppers' emotions and behavioural responses in retail settings.Design/methodology/approachThis study uses three different qualitative techniques to explore the research question: semi‐structured interviews, shopping with consumers, and focus groups.FindingsThree major issues contribute to unfavorable consumer responses to low customer density levels in retail stores: exposure to undesired social influence from sales personnel; loss of social cues and evaluation criteria; and lack of social stimulation.Practical implicationsThe findings of this research assist store managers to resolve the problems associated with low customer density in retail stores. For example, the results suggest that the negative effects of low customer density can be mitigated by providing appropriate training for sales staff as well as by actively communicating the quality, price level, and image of the store.Originality/valueEmpirical evidence shows that the effects of customer density on shopper outcomes follow an inverted U‐shaped trend. Previous research has focused on explaining the negative consequences of high customer density, while the explanatory mechanisms for the negative effects of low customer density remain largely unclear. This research partially fills this gap in the literature by identifying the psychological processes that account for the negative effects of low customer density.
Digital technologies are re‐shaping our brains
Authors: Keegan Sheila 
Published: May 2014

PurposeDigital technologies have already changed the way we live and work. However, there has been limited exploration and discussion about the long term effects of such technologies on our brains and, in particular, how we think. The purpose of this paper is to address the impact of digital technologies on human thinking and behaviour and the consequential effects on the commercial qualitative research industry.Design/methodology/approachThe “method” underpinning this paper is a combination of qualitative observation drawn from a wide range of client companies during more than 30 years of commercial qualitative practice and organisational change management. The approach also uses an analysis of recent publications, books, academic papers and face to face interviews with psychologists, researchers, a neuroscientist, internet games developers and users, teachers, parents and academics within this field.FindingsNeuroscientists are discovering that digital technologies, in particular the internet, are changing the way our brains function. These findings are significant for society as a whole and for the qualitative research community. This paper explores the evidence, asks what this means for the research industry and society and what, if anything, should we be doing about it?Practical implicationsThe implications for commercial research practitioners are highlighted including, research as a state of mind, differentiating between data and knowledge, deep thinking, acknowledging emotional and intuitive learning, developing personal resources, especially mindfulness and the importance of creative discipline.Originality/valueThe paper highlights the importance of retaining traditional thinking skills, whilst integrating the best and most useful aspects of “cyber‐thinking”.
Forecasting renewable energy production in the US
Authors: Daim Tugrul , Harell Georgina , Hogaboam Liliya 
Published: May 2014

PurposeThis paper aims to present a forecast for renewable energy production in the USA. Growth curves are used to conduct the forecasts.Design/methodology/approachThe analysis is based upon a literature review, supplemented by collection of secondary data. The study then focuses on applying the Pearl growth curve.FindingsThe authors' results show that biomass energy production is growing the fastest followed by geothermal and wind. Additionally, the forecast for solar energy production shows little to no growth over the next two decades.Research limitations/implicationsIf the US government hopes to achieve its goals in renewable energy, considerable funding and incentives will have to be put forth to accelerate the growth of renewable energy. Since the biomass technology is already growing nicely it makes sense to put the additional resources behind the other three technologies to close the 10.3 percent gap being forecasted. The government also needs to put more funding into dual renewable plants such as wind or solar combines with pumped hydro, this will ensure environmental and reliability are both maintained. Finally, for renewable energies to be competitive in the long term, considerable research needs to go into driving down the cost so there is not a need for subsidies.Originality/valueThis study provides value in providing a forecast for expected future growth for renewable energy sources.
Corruption in telecommunications: problems and remedies
Authors: Sutherland Ewan 
Published: May 2014

PurposeThis paper aims to identify the nature of the problem of corruption in the telecommunications sector and to identify possible actions to limit it.Design/methodology/approachA review of instances of corruption, showing the scope of its various forms, with particular emphasis on the Arab states, in the light of recent events.FindingsPolicies were advocated for telecommunications that greatly increased the risks of corruption without corresponding measures to ensure integrity, transparency and the investigation and prosecution of those paying and, especially, those accepting bribes.Research limitations/implicationsThere is a need for much more raw data and detailing of specific cases, in particular there are no plausible estimates of the overall scale of bribery in the sector.Practical implicationsBy repressing bribery in telecommunications it will increase competition in markets, reduce prices and remove the social grievance of “crony capitalism”.Originality/valueThere are, as yet, very few articles analysing the effects of corruption in telecommunications or identifying possible courses of action.
Significance ranking of parameters impacting construction labour productivity
Authors: Moselhi Osama , Khan Zafar 
Published: May 2014

PurposeConstruction labour productivity is often influenced by variations in work conditions and management effectiveness. It is substantially important to understand the nature and extent to which individual parameters affect productivity. The purpose of this paper is to focus on providing insight on parameters that affect daily job‐site labour productivity by investigating their relative significance and influence on work output.Design/methodology/approachThe methodology is based on the illustration and use of three different data analysis techniques to rank parameters that affect a certain process. These techniques include Fuzzy Subtractive Clustering, Neural Network Modelling and Stepwise Variable Selection Procedure. The first one belongs to inferential statistics, while the other two are artificial intelligence based techniques. The collection of field information, spanning over a time period of ten months, comprised of daily real time observations of job‐site operations, work progress information collected from project managers and supervisors by using customized forms, and daily weather condition recorded through internet sources. Nine parameters are considered in the study presented in this paper. The data on these parameters is examined and their relative influence and contribution in productivity estimates are assessed. The approach was to consider a limited set of parameters relating to daily job‐site productivity. The methodology presented in this paper provides insight on the relative impact of parameters, affecting labour productivity on short term or daily basis. The results based on each of the three methods are analyzed and transformed into a final ranking of parameters.FindingsThe three most important parameters are identified in the same order by the fuzzy logic and neural networks methods. Regression analysis, however, provided somewhat different results.Originality/valueThis research investigates the contribution of a set of parameters towards the variations in daily job‐site labour productivity. For practitioners such as site engineers, this is of practical importance for making daily work plans. On the other hand, the structured approach presented to perform significance ranking of parameters relevant to an engineering process, may also be of interest to other researchers and practitioners.
A critical reflection on sustainability within the UK industrial sectors
Authors: Renukappa Suresh , Egbu Charles , Akintoye Akintola , Goulding Jack 
Published: May 2014

PurposeIn the early part of the twenty‐first century, the term sustainability has become a buzzword. Although featuring strongly in the popular media, trade, professional and academic journals, the very concept of sustainability is elusive for businesses. There is, however, a little empirical research on the perceptions of the UK industrial sectors on the concept of sustainability – which is the core raison d'être of this paper. The purpose of this paper is to capture the general perceptions of the UK industrial sectors on the concept of sustainability.Design/methodology/approachThe aim of this paper is to capture the general perceptions of the UK industrial sectors on the concept of sustainability using a qualitative approach. Four industry sectors: energy and utility, transportation, construction and not‐for‐profit organisations (NPOs) were considered based on the environmental, social and economic impact on the UK society. Semi‐structured interviews were used to collect industry perception which was then analysed using content analysis for inference and conclusion.FindingsThe data analysis revealed that the perceptions of the UK industrial sectors on the concept of sustainability vary significantly across the four industry sectors. Four core categories were identified: environmental, economic, corporate social responsibility and triple bottom line dimension.Practical implicationsThe paper concludes that the concept of sustainability is multifaceted and diverse. Although the importance of sustainability is broadly acknowledged across the four industry sectors, there is a significant lack of a common and operationalised understanding on the concept of sustainability. Therefore, it is recommended that there is an urgent need to develop and deploy an industry‐wide awareness‐raising programme on the concept of sustainability.Originality/valueThe paper provides a richer insight into the understanding and awareness of the meaning of sustainability at a conceptual level.
Building information modelling based energy performance assessment system
Authors: Park Jaehyun , Park Junglo , Kim Juhyung , Kim Jaejun 
Published: May 2014

PurposeThe purpose of this study is to identify an objective energy performance assessment method in Korea, and to build a building information modelling (BIM) based system that can assess the energy performance of buildings.Design/methodology/approachThe energy performance assessment methods currently used in Korea were first identified via a literature review. A system was then implemented to solve the problem of objectivity. The system was implemented through a data‐based building information model, instead of the existing method of documented two‐dimensional (2D) CAD. In addition, Revit Architecture (a BIM tool), MS Access, and Visual Basic (VB) were used to implement the system. To verify the system's efficiency, it was compared to the existing method by applying both to an actual case (a school facility).FindingsThis study found that the issue of subjectivity in the Korean energy performance assessment method may be resolved with a data‐based BIM.Originality/valueThis study presented the BIM‐EPAS to reduce errors and the time needed to conduct an energy performance assessment. In order to follow a realistic approach, the BIM‐EPAS was applied to an actual assessment case, thereby verifying the system's applicability.