bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Executives' perception of political‐legal business environment in international projects
Authors: Al Khattab Adel , Aldehayyat Jehad , Alrawad Mahmaod , Al‐Yatama Sundus , Al Khattab Suleiman 
Published: August 2012

PurposePolitical‐legal risk perception is just as important a consideration in dealing effectively with the threats exposed by international enterprises. This research emphasizes how important it is to integrate the perception of risk factor into the analysis. This is an essential factor when catastrophic risks are involved. Relatively, nevertheless, little work has been done to explore the concept of political‐legal risk as it applies to international commercial and business applications. The purpose of this research is to first examine the perception of Kuwaiti executives to political‐legal business environment while conducting outward investment and where a number of recent events like those in Tunisia, Egypt, Libya and Yemen illustrate that the rise of enterprises onto the world stage will not necessarily be entirely without risk and second, to explore the correlations between the executives' perceptions of political‐legal variables and enterprise‐specific characteristics.Design/methodology/approachA review of the literature relating to risk in international business in both developed and emerging markets is provided. The empirical research was conducted via a questionnaire survey. In line with the research aim, questionnaires were distributed to the entire target population of Kuwaiti international enterprises. Nonparametric statistics were used to analyze the findings.FindingsThe Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region has been shaken like never before. The recent events of the uprising in Tunisia, Egypt, Yemen and Libya and the regional reverberations of the upheaval are unfolding, inter alia, concerns about rising exposure to more risks and the instability in the MENA have reached a fever pitch. Findings of this research suggest that the political‐legal related risks associated with enterprises' activities pose a threat to the majority of executives and the vulnerability to these risks are not related to any enterprise's‐specific characteristics.Originality/valueThe research on international enterprises states that some parts of the globe have remained detached. Given its economic and political importance, the most obvious omission is the Middle East. To date and despite that the region has garnered its fair share of coverage in current news, little is known on management practices by enterprise in the region. This research, therefore, provides empirical evidence of executives' perception of political‐legal business environment in an emerging market context: Kuwait. Furthermore, most recent literature omits oil‐producing nations. Focusing on this oil‐rich region is an attempt to fill this void.
Harvesting organizational knowledge and innovation practices
Authors: Gamal Aboelmaged Mohamed 
Published: August 2012

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to examine the impact of organizational knowledge and innovation practices on the outcomes of operations strategy.Design/methodology/approachThe study employs a survey‐based method to test a theoretically grounded set of hypotheses using regression techniques.FindingsThe results indicate that cost, quality, delivery and flexibility outcomes are influenced by specific organizational knowledge and innovation practices. Also, the findings show that innovation performance mediate the relationship between knowledge practices and operations strategy.Practical implicationsAcquiring knowledge is not enough. Managers need to facilitate dynamics of knowledge sharing and utilization to cultivate a better level of technical and administrative innovation performance, which in turn will result in favourable operations strategy outcomes.Originality/valueThe paper is one of the first studies that highlight knowledge and innovation practices in relation to operations strategy in one study applied to a developing country context.
Multinational subsidiary roles in North Africa: managerial initiatives in Tunisia
Authors: Saidani Chiraz , Amewokunu Yao , Lawson‐Body Assion 
Published: August 2012

PurposeThis study aims to develop a new reference framework which accounts for the motivations of headquarters (HQs) from developed countries and the roles of their subsidiaries established in developing countries.Design/methodology/approachA multiple case studies approach was used for this research. The data were collected using a directed interview with 20 participants in eight foreign subsidiaries established in Tunisia.FindingsThe results show that the studies of subsidiaries can be classified into “workshop” subsidiaries and “market” subsidiaries according to the level of their added‐value activities, the scope of the market served and the level of their decision‐making autonomy. Furthermore, the development trajectory of these subsidiaries takes the form of two consecutive phases. In the first phase, the subsidiaries begin acquiring new competencies which allow them to integrate value‐creating activities that are far beyond intensive labor or low‐technology activities. Subsidiaries in the second phase intervene more and more in strategic decisions related to their growth. While the “workshop subsidiaries” in this study are still in the first phase, the “market subsidiaries” have succeeded in broadening their regional responsibilities within the multinational.Research limitations/implicationsThis research had a number of limitations; the most important is the explanatory and qualitative method used in this paper. In addition, this research solely focused on foreign subsidiaries that are still in business. It also would be interesting to investigate the subsidiaries that are stalled or shrank. The perspective of the HQs and the Western institutional players would be also relevant to explore.Originality/valueDespite the abundance of works on subsidiaries' role, there has been very little research that looks explicitly at the role of foreign subsidiaries in developing countries. This research expands the existing literature and provides evidence on the motivation of multinational companies as well as the role of their subsidiaries in developing countries. This study helps us rethink the redistribution of decision‐making power between the HQs and the subsidiaries established in the developing countries.
Evolutionary neural networks for strategic bidding in electricity markets
Authors: Ranjan Hota Ashish , Bajpai Prabodh , Pratihar Dilip Kumar 
Published: August 2012

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to introduce a neural network‐based market agent, which develops optimal bidding strategies for a power generating company (Genco) in a day‐ahead electricity market.Design/methodology/approachThe problem of finding optimal bidding strategy for a Genco is formulated as a two‐level optimization problem. At the top level, the Genco aims at maximizing its total daily profit, and at the bottom level, the independent system operator obtains the power dispatch quantity for each market participant with the objective of maximizing the social welfare. The neural network is trained using a particle swarm optimization (PSO) algorithm with the objective of maximizing daily profit for the Genco.FindingsThe effectiveness of the proposed approach is established through several case studies on the benchmark IEEE 30‐bus test system for the day‐ahead market, with an hourly clearing mechanism and dynamically changing demand profile. Both block bidding and linear supply function bidding are considered for the Gencos and the variation of optimal bidding strategy with the change in demand is investigated. The performance is also evaluated in the context of the Brazilian electricity market with real market data and compared with the other methods reported in the literature.Practical implicationsStrategic bidding is a peculiar phenomenon observed in an oligopolistic electricity market and has several implications on policy making and mechanism design. In this work, the transmission line constraints and demand side bidding are taken into account for a more realistic simulation.Originality/valueTo the best of the authors' knowledge, this paper has introduced, for the first time, a neural network‐based market agent to develop optimal bidding strategies of a Genco in an electricity market. Simulation results obtained from the IEEE 30‐bus test system and the Brazilian electricity market demonstrate the superiority of the proposed approach, as compared to the conventional PSO‐based method and the genetic fuzzy rule‐based system approach, respectively.
The impact of emissions trading on electricity spot market price behavior
Authors: Jabłońska Matylda , Viljainen Satu , Partanen Jarmo , Kauranne Tuomo 
Published: August 2012

PurposeUnder the Kyoto protocol, emissions trading was imposed upon the Nordic Nord Pool Spot market in 2005. The purpose of this paper is to identify and characterize an important side‐effect of emissions trading on electricity spot market price behavior by statistically comparing price behavior before and after emissions trading was introduced.Design/methodology/approachThe analysis is based on an analysis of the skill of regression models in explaining price behavior before and after 2005.FindingsIt turns out that regression models based on background variables such as temperature, water reservoir levels, and even the price of emission rights themselves lose much of their skill from 2005 onwards. The histogram of the residual time series of an optimally calibrated regression model demonstrates a considerably more “fat‐tailed” behavior after 2005, with a much higher volatility and reduced amenability for regression by background variables.Practical implicationsThe results point to an increased medium‐ and long‐term uncertainty in the Nordic electricity spot market, brought about by emissions trading as an unintended side‐effect. It seems emissions trading has introduced a stronger “psychological” component into price behavior, increasing its volatility and making it prone to more frequent price spikes. This has made the electricity market more difficult for market managers and regulators to manage.Originality/valueThe paper presents the first statistical attempt to quantify the way electricity spot price dynamics have changed in Europe after starting the Emissions Trading Scheme based on the Kyoto protocol.
Evaluating user experiences in rehabilitation games
Authors: McNeill M.D.J. , Charles D.K. , Burke J.W. , Crosbie J.H. , McDonough S.M. 
Published: August 2012

PurposeComputer‐based systems for motor function rehabilitation have been around for more than a decade, with work done to help recovery of function in the lower limb (ankle, leg) as well as upper limb (hand and arm).Design/methodology/approachMore recently there has been a trend towards the use of game‐based systems to deliver rehabilitation goals. The authors' interdisciplinary group has been working in the area of motor function recovery of the hand and arm (following stroke) for a number of years, using both high‐end virtual reality (VR) technology as well as low‐cost video capture technology.FindingsOver this time it has become clear that there are many challenges in designing usable, effective game‐based systems for motor function rehabilitation.Originality/valueThis paper reflects on user experiences across the range of technologies developed by the group. It presents a summary review of the authors' systems and details the protocols and user evaluation instruments used. It then critically reflects on this work and reviews other recent advances in game usability and playability, leading to suggestions for how the user experience of games for rehabilitation may be improved in future work.
Fall detectors: a review of the literature
Authors: Ward Gillian , Holliday Nikki , Fielden Simon , Williams Sue 
Published: August 2012

PurposeThe aim of this review is to explore recent literature regarding the development of fall detector technology as part of a service evaluation on the use of fall detectors across the region funded by NHS West Midlands. It also aims to explore the application and the use of products designed to detect falls and alert for help from end‐user and health and social care staff perspectives.Design/methodology/approachA comprehensive review of the literature of the last ten years was conducted, search terms were used to identify relevant literature from research databases and the main themes from the literature were summarised. This work was carried out to inform a service evaluation of the use of fall detectors across the West Midlands region and was funded by NHS West Midlands.FindingsIt was found that whilst there are a wide variety of new technologies regarding fall detectors in development, the range of technologies currently available through health and social services to users are limited. Health and social care staff appear to be less convinced of the benefits of fall detectors than end‐users. There was also a lack of robust evidence regarding different approaches to technology in the management and detection of falls. Users had mixed views regarding the use of fall detectors, with some people having concerns about privacy, lack of human contact, user‐friendliness and appropriate training, whilst others clearly identified the benefits of detecting falls and raising an alert. The implications of these findings for practice are discussed.Originality/valueThis paper will be of value to those working in falls services, telecare or industry partners developing fall detector technology.
Low cost connected healthcare systems in developing countries
Authors: Doughty Kevin 
Published: August 2012

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to describe the successful implementation of low cost connected healthcare technologies in developing countries.Design/methodology/approachThe study has considered the current models of telehealthcare being employed in Western Countries, and how other models of remote access may be relevant to countries in Africa and in the Indian sub‐continent.FindingsThe work has demonstrated the significant potential of m‐healthcare services for delivering successful outcomes using basic handsets and text messaging.Research limitations/implicationsThe technology is changing rapidly, so the field should be reviewed on a regular basis.Practical implicationsThis implies that more advanced mcare services using peripheral sensors, smart phones and bespoke “apps” may quickly result in healthcare services being offered to millions of patients who might otherwise have no access to primary care physicians.Social implicationsRural isolation and loss of access to healthcare should be consigned to history.Originality/valueThis case study is original in that it looks at the successful implementation of low cost connected healthcare technologies in developing countries.
Global warming and tourism: chronicles of apocalypse?
Authors: Korstanje Maximiliano E. , George Babu 
Published: August 2012

PurposeGlobal warming is a huge challenge faced by the mankind in the twenty‐first century and beyond. The paradox of ecology lies in the pervasive attitude of lay people who overtly condemn pollution but do not alter their individual practices. Unfortunately, the scientific community has still not reached unanimous conclusions about the causes or impacts of global warming. To close this gap, the present paper aims to stimulate discussion in two main senses: the relationship between industry and global warming; and the role of tourism in the coming decades.Design/methodology/approachBased on reading and criticism of many works, this paper provides a conceptual framework for readers to understand social adjustment and adapting to climate change.FindingsMany sources blame the tourism industry as being one of the major contributors to global warming and want the industry to take proactive moves to help address this. The present analysis exerts considerable criticism over the existent literature that presents tourism as a vehicle towards mitigation of the greenhouse effect. Based on the theory of commons, the paradox of Giddens and the consuming life, the main thesis of this paper is that modernity has created a symbolic bubble that confers a certain security to viewers but transforms them in consumed objects.Originality/valueThe originality of this research lies in the assumption that global warming or climate change generates a paradox. As a form of cultural entertainment, ecology and global warming form (jointly to apocalypse theories of bottom days) a new way of enhancing the consumption, where tourism unfortunately does not seem to be an exception. The theatricalization of danger contributes to the creation of an underlying state of emergency that is seen but not recognized. As Hurricane Katrina and other disasters show, people only take a stance when the economic order is endangered. Global warming as a phenomenon was considered seriously only when international leaders envisaged the potential economic losses of its effects, and not before. Following this, the tragedy of commons, as Graham puts it, explains the reasons why well‐being can, under certain conditions, be a double‐edge sword.
Sustainable tourism and global warming: panacea, excuse, or just an accidental connection?
Authors: Korstanje Maximiliano E. , George Babu 
Published: August 2012

PurposeThe debate linking tourism with global warming is very polemical: neither camp engaged in the debate sees the other side. Sustainable tourism is seen by some as a panacea to mitigate the negative impact of tourism on global warming, and by many others as a ploy planted by post‐industrial society to divert attention from the core issues. A few see it as just an accidental relationship. This paper aims to be a reflective essay on the current state of polemics relating to tourism and global warming.Design/methodology/approachA critical review of relevant literature coupled with original reflections of the authors forms the basis of argument employed in this paper. In certain ways, this paper is a meta‐analysis of the existing literature.FindingsIn a conservative sense, the authors do not “find” anything, if finding means a definitive answer to a question. At the same time, it can be said that the objective is achieved since the analysis leads to the opening up of fresh streams of thought and balanced perspectives on politically charged issues.Originality/valueThe authors do not try to market yet another version of the “original”. The value of what is discussed in this paper lies in bringing together seemingly disparate and diverse perspectives on global warming and sustainable tourism. This is useful for everyone, especially for those tasked with building consensus as well as those interested in seeing the political nature of such consensus.
Contracts as cornerstones in relationship building
Authors: Camén Carolina , Gottfridsson Patrik , Rundh Bo 
Published: August 2012

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to investigate the significance of contracts in long‐term relationship building comparing public and private contexts. In order to investigate this, the paper addresses literature about relationship building, negotiation process and the role of contracts.Design/methodology/approachThis paper takes a qualitative approach and is based on comparative studies between the private and public sectors with the main focus on four companies within the public transport and paper industry. The unit of analysis is the enterprise's use of contracts in relationships. The analysis is based on the empirical material received from interviews and contextual analysis of the actual contracts. Internal and external documents have also been used in the analysis. The paper has categorized the material into different areas in relation to the relationship building.FindingsIn this paper the authors highlight the importance of contracts in the interaction between companies in different business situations. The findings in this study show that contracts function as cornerstones in relationship building. The conclusions also indicate that the type of contract used is depending of the uncertainty in the business relationship due to the relationship lifecycle. A main contribution from the study is that contracts affect the relationship building. In the private sector the relationship forms the contract while in the public sector the contract forms the relationships.Originality/valuePrevious research has mainly focused on how to manage long‐term relationships where the relationship is the result of a gradual development process between the parties and where there are few or next to no regulations regarding the interactions between the parties, for example who are involved or how the counterparty should be selected. Consequently, the results of this study adds to the literature the importance of contracts in long‐term relationship building comparing private and public contexts. Further, previous research has acknowledged that there is a need for more empirical research concerning the nature and form of contractual arrangements.
The role of emotions in customer complaint behaviors
Authors: Svari Sander , Erling Olsen Lars 
Published: August 2012

PurposeCompanies often find that customers fail to complain directly to the company when they experience a negative service incident. One explanation for such behavior may be found in customers' emotions caused by the incident. The purpose of this paper is to investigate how emotions and customer complaint behaviors are related.Design/methodology/approachTwo studies were performed. The first was a survey of customers who experienced negative service incidents in the Norwegian travel industry. In a second study, an experiment used another service context to validate the findings.FindingsThe results indicated that negative service incidents that are wholly attributed to the company increase the likelihood of customers complaining directly to the company. However, negative service incidents for which customers attribute responsibility wholly or partly to themselves, customers will be more likely to complain anonymously through social media and blogs, and hence to be a source of negative word‐of‐mouth about the company.Originality/valueThe paper establishes that increased levels of emotions, regardless of whether these emotions are internal or external in nature, increase customers complaints via negative word‐of‐mouth via social media and blogs.