bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Appraisement and selection of third party logistics service providers in fuzzy environment
Authors: Datta Saurav , Samantra Chitrasen , Sankar Mahapatra Siba , Mandal Goutam , Majumdar Gautam 
Published: June 2013

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to develop a decision‐making procedural hierarchy for evaluation as well as selection of third‐party reverse logistics provider (3PL) under fuzzy environment.Design/methodology/approachDue to uncertainty, vagueness arising from decision makers (DM) subjective judgment towards intangible (qualitative) selection criteria, fuzzy logic has been utilized to facilitate such a decision‐making process for 3PL evaluation and selection.FindingsEvaluating and selecting 3PL providers can be regarded as a multi‐criteria decision making (MCDM) process in which a decision maker chooses, under several selection criteria, the best suited alternative. The present study highlights a case study on evaluation and selection of 3PL service providers for a reputed Indian automobile part manufacturing company. The fuzzy based decision‐making tool applied here has been proved fruitful for its effectiveness.Research limitations/implicationsThere are many research issues remaining in the development of this approach. First, the definition of appropriate fuzzy linguistic variables, corresponding membership functions (MFs) and their numbers, and their universe of discourse for a general use in the algorithm. Second, a methodology for accumulating raw data and analyzing the appropriate MFs for the base linguistic variables. Third, the relative importance of every decision maker, the decision‐making environment and structure may affect the decision‐making process. These have been assumed negligible in this study.Originality/valueThe main contributions of this research are: first, an integrated criteria list (followed by sets of sub‐criteria) has been modeled for service quality evaluation and appraisement of 3PL providers. Each sub criteria set has been structured to be preceded by a main criteria. Second, priority weights of various main criteria as well as sub‐criteria; extent of successful performance (rating) of different sub‐criteria have been expressed in fuzzy numbers. It facilitates in accumulating DMs subjective judgments into a unique numerical evaluation score. Third, decision makers risk‐bearing attitude has been estimated and utilized in computing overall evaluation index for alternative candidates. The decision‐making framework presented here can be extended to solve any decision‐making problem designed under a complex and interconnected set of primary criteria followed by sub‐criteria or more extended elaborate criteria hierarchy.
Availability of e‐books in science: case study of University of Delhi
Authors: Jindal Suresh , Pant Ankur 
Published: June 2013

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to determine whether a sufficient number of e‐books is available in science streams from different publishers to satisfy the need of an academic library to develop an e‐book collection based on its collection development policy. This study aims to identify e‐book equivalents for print books acquired by Central Science Library, University of Delhi.Design/methodology/approachThis study provides the in‐depth quantitative analysis according to title‐by‐title selection of e‐books from various international publishers compared to the recommended books for different science courses of the University of Delhi. The study was conducted following that of Price and McDonald which shows that around 30 per cent of print books have e‐book equivalents. The data collected were analyzed by using a simple method of calculation and percentages were calculated to interpret the results of the study.FindingsThe results show that only about 17per cent of print books have e‐book equivalents available from different publishers, fulfilling only 9‐15 per cent of the requirements of most of the courses – something that does not match the library's collection development policy.Research limitations/implicationsThe present study is based on the books recommended in the curriculum of different science courses of the University of Delhi for the academic year 2009‐2010. According to subject‐wise distribution of e‐books variation of about 2 per cent in the findings occurred, as some books are mentioned in the curriculum of more than one course. This study provides some constructive suggestions which may help librarians to explore ways to spend the budget for collection development of e‐books in a more appropriate way.Originality/valueAs this paper is based on in‐depth quantitative analysis of availability of e‐books according to need of a particular academic library, generalization about availability of e‐books cannot be made. However, it contributes to trace the growth of e‐books and suggests some alternatives to develop e‐book collection. Further studies can be done for different library settings to find out their need for and availability of e‐books.
Journeys to the top: women university rectors in Vietnam
Authors: Funnell Robert , Chi Dao Hien 
Published: June 2013

PurposeThis paper aims to outline some of the social, cultural, political and economic conditions in which four of only seven women who have become rectors of public universities in Vietnam. Their experiences are described with a focus on the context of Vietnam in order to focus more clearly on non‐western starting points for theory about career development in higher education in Vietnam and other non‐western settings.Design/methodology/approachA combination of historical and personal accounts is used to situate the points of view of Vietnamese women and to argue for the processes of becoming a rector as an important and significant point for understanding how women gain entry to high‐status and previously all‐male domains.FindingsFindings demonstrate that while family/career relationships are crucial in reporting these women's experiences, too much emphasis on these aspects can divert attention away from the conditions historically blocking the initial journey into high‐status parts of an organisation. These processes in which this is initiated cannot be fully contained within western theory and literature.Research limitations/implicationsThe sample size of four is a limitation and the interviews do not extend to colleagues and family members, but the four women represent over half of the total population of Vietnamese women rectors. On balance though, the research contains implicit material that would be of interest to others in the area to build on with further case studies either in Vietnam or other Asian countries.Practical implicationsThe experiences of the women rectors could provide examples lacking in Vietnamese society and in literature there. The experiences could be a role model for other women's pursuits of careers in Vietnam.Social implicationsThe paper contributes in identifying processes of becoming and their reliance on social conditions from the personal powers can be generated. For this framework to be effective, factors such as management style adopted when women are “at the top” must be separated from conditions that have made the “journeys to the top” possible in the first place.Originality/valueThe paper is the first of its type on women's careers in Vietnam and contributes to the development of further studies into individual women, for women's groups and academic debate in Vietnamese society. The paper could provide some discussion on where strategies might be most appropriately devised and implemented to counter loss of small gains made in women's careers and within the values in Vietnamese society.
The influence of the gender and race of the judge and the type of discrimination charge on court case outcomes
Authors: Terpstra David , Honorée André , Friedl John 
Published: June 2013

PurposeThis study aims to examine whether the demographics of the US federal judiciary and the type of employment discrimination charge influence federal employment discrimination case outcomes.Design/methodology/approachThe outcomes of 401 randomly selected employment discrimination cases were examined by utilizing chi square analysis to test the interaction effects of race and gender along with four different charges of employment discrimination.FindingsThe findings suggest that the outcomes of employment discrimination cases are a function of the interaction of the judges' gender and race along with the type of discrimination charge (e.g. gender, race, age, or disability discrimination) involved in the case.Research limitations/implicationsMore research studies with larger cell sample sizes for certain discrimination claims should be conducted to ascertain the validity of the current results.Practical implicationsPotential litigants in employment discrimination cases (both plaintiffs and defendants) may find these results relevant in determining their chances for success in the courtroom.Social implicationsThese findings could help judges become more aware of potential biases and help guard against being influenced by them. These findings may also have implications for the selection and appointment of judges and suggest that judicial bodies that are more diverse may render more unbiased rulings.Originality/valuePrevious research regarding the influence of the sex and race of the judge on court case outcomes has yielded contradictory and confusing findings. However, by controlling for the possible influence of the type of charge involved in the cases, the findings of the current study suggest that judges' rulings are a function of the interaction of the judges' demographic characteristics with the type of discrimination charge.
India's Right to Information Act, 2005: a catalyst for good governance
Authors: Babu Chennupati Divakara , Mouly Potluri Rajasekhara , Mangnale V.S. 
Published: June 2013

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to analyze and assess the efficacy of one of India's path‐breaking and trendsetting enactments of recent origin, namely, the Right to Information Act, 2005 in promoting transparency, accountability and probity in governance process at the national and sub‐national level and how it is useful as a potent legal tool in fighting against and preventing maladministration, bad governance and venality in the governance process at different levels of administration in India.Design/methodology/approachThe paper focuses purely on the doctrine study by tracing out the historical background of the Citizens' Right to Information and an overview of the Right to Information Act, 2005. It also comprehensively discusses the meaning of information and right to know under the Indian constitutional framework and how its boundaries have been further widened with the enactment and enforcement of the Right to Information Act, 2005. Further, the paper also deliberates on how the citizens are empowered to enjoy and exercise unhindered right to information under the Act on a par with the legislators.FindingsThe paper discloses that the Right to Information Act, 2005 has undoubtedly immense benefits for the Indian polity in the form of strengthening of democratic process and promoting good governance practices.Practical implicationsThe study throws ample light on how the informed and empowered citizenry is imperative for a meaningful democracy and also in promoting good governance and further in exposing maladministration.Originality/valueThe study on the path‐breaking enactment of recent origin in a young democracy like India has paramount contemporary significance for young and transitional democracies across the world for strengthening democratic systems and promoting good governance.
The hardware and software aspects of energy consumption in the mobile development platform
Authors: Siebra Clauirton , Costa Paulo , da Silva Fabio Q.B. , Santos André L.M. , Mascaro Angélica 
Published: June 2013

PurposeThe set of services provided by the mobile phone platform, is becoming increasingly complex and requiring more computing power, hence higher energy consumption, and compromising the autonomy of these devices. The purpose of this paper is to identify scenarios where methods could be applied to reduce such consumption and extend the mobile autonomy.Design/methodology/approachThis mobile evolution has given rise to a lot of energy saving research activities, which mainly focus on the hardware side of computational systems. However, it is tempting to suppose that only hardware dissipates power, not software. This paper characterizes several hardware and software scenarios, which could be explored to develop energy‐efficient mobile techniques.FindingsFrom this analysis, the authors argue that the development of applications that consider energy saving as one of their requirements, can result in a significant final energy saving because solutions will be part of their own software and they do not depend on external resources to obtain a lower consumption.Originality/valueThis paper provides a broad analysis about the different research directions in energy consumption optimization and stresses the important contributions that the software engineering area could offer to this subject.
An exploration of seniors' relationships with prescription pharmaceutical brands
Authors: Deshpande Sameer , Chreim Samia , Bello Roberto , Ross Evashkevich Terry 
Published: June 2013

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to explore relationships that seniors (aged 55 and above) experience with prescription pharmaceutical brands, thus attending to situations where consumers have limited control over brand choice.Design/methodology/approachA phenomenological study was conducted involving interviews with seniors in two Canadian cities. Phenomenology relies on a small number of interviews that are analyzed in depth and describes the lived consumer experience. Data analysis focused on types of relationships participants had experienced with brands and factors that influenced relationships.FindingsAnalysis reveals four types of relationships that seniors hold with prescription pharmaceutical brands. The interpersonal relationship metaphor of arranged marriages can be used to describe relationship forms that seniors develop with brands. The quality of relationship seniors have with prescribing physician, who acts as marriage broker, and brand attributes influence relationships with prescription pharmaceutical brands. Consumer's ethos and nature of illness also influence brand relationships.Research limitations/implicationsThe study provides insights into brand choice situations where consumers have low control and addresses impact of intermediaries on consumer experiences. It opens the way for further research on mediated brand relationships.Practical implicationsMarketing managers need to understand the role of intermediaries, where applicable, in influencing consumer relationships with brands.Originality/valueThe study closes a gap in academic research (which is sparse) on relationships with prescription pharmaceutical brands held by consumers – specifically older consumers. It also encourages a critical view of the arranged marriage metaphor as a means of understanding consumer‐brand interactions.
Evaluating the effect of cost related factors on relationship quality
Authors: Tareque Aziz Mohammed , Azila Mohd Noor Nor 
Published: June 2013

PurposeIn today's competitive retail industry maintaining relationships with suppliers has become very important to modern day retailers. To develop and maintain long‐term relationships with their suppliers, retailers need to identify and understand the key antecedents enhancing the quality of their relationships. The purpose of this paper is to evaluate the effect of the cost related factors on relationship quality in the retail industry.Design/methodology/approachThis study is exploratory in nature and involved factor and multiple regression analysis. Data were cross sectional in nature and the unit of analysis was individual retail companies in Bangladesh.FindingsResults derived from the exploratory factor analysis revealed a new factor named operational cost. The results of the regression analysis showed that termination cost became the strongest predictor influencing the quality of a retailer's relationship with its suppliers.Research limitations/implicationsThe characteristics of the three cost related factors from the study indicated that future research should focus on and incorporate other factors influencing relationship quality in retail settings.Practical implicationsThe results from the study identified a few key cost factors, based upon which the retailers can take necessary steps to develop effective relationship marketing strategies with their suppliers.Social implicationsThe findings from this research can guide retailers to enhance their relationship with their suppliers, thus contributing toward a more harmonious working environment within the B2B domain.Originality/valueThe research is based on primary data collected from Bangladesh's retail industry.
Real estate decision making as actor networks
Authors: Grabowski Louis J. , Mathiassen Lars 
Published: June 2013

PurposeSound real estate decisions are both financially and strategically essential to corporate success. Given their importance, this paper aims to illustrate how the actor network theory (ANT) can be a valuable alternate lens to bounded rational and political perspectives in providing insights into corporate real estate decision‐making processes.Design/methodology/approachThis exploratory investigation uses a case study approach to retroactively examine the real estate decision‐making process over five to seven years in four organizations ranging in size from four to 125 employees. The study uses multiple data sources including 25 in‐depth interviews, site visits, archival data, websites, documents, and email correspondence.FindingsUsing the constructs of ANT, the findings reveal how real estate decision making involves iterative but identifiable phases through which heterogeneous actors seek to converge diverse interests and where artifacts affect behaviors and outcomes as much as or sometimes more than their human creators.Research limitations/implicationsGiven the case study method, this research lacks generalizability. Researchers are encouraged to test the findings in different contexts.Practical implicationsThe ANT perspective helps managers faced with real estate decisions to appreciate the relevant matrix of need, power, and interests; recognize and seek to control the power of artifacts; and, view real estate decision making not as simply making a choice among logical alternatives, but as orchestrating a long, complex process.Originality/valueThis investigation compares the perspectives of ANT to the classical bounded rational and political lenses in examining corporate real estate decision making; demonstrates ANT's value in providing additional insights; and, discusses its implications for understanding and managing these complex processes.
Analysis on the new types and countermeasures of credit card fraud in mainland China
Authors: Bai Feng , Chen Xiangmin 
Published: June 2013

PurposeThe research on analysis on the new type and countermeasures of credit card fraud in mainland China mainly aims to take a comprehensive approach to fight against fraud and place a strong emphasis on fraud prevention conducted in the best interests of financial institutions, card holders, merchants and law enforcement authorities to keep fraud from happening in the first place and to give more information on anti‐credit card fraud best practices.Design/methodology/approachIn this paper, the authors analyzed the relevant definitions in Chinese statutes and ordinances, the new types of credit card fraud which have occurred in China in recent years and what would be the effective countermeasures to fight against and prevent them. It was completed based on many references and extensive survey in police organs in China.FindingsWith the credit card more and more widely used in mainland China as a most prevalent means of payment and settlement, credit card crime has been rapidly increasing to accompany this, with more fraudulent and disguised features which add to the complexity and difficulties of the work on its combating and prevention.Originality/valueHopefully, it explores for the best to detect and combat credit card fraud crimes and can contribute to the healthy growth of bankcard industries, meanwhile calling for the involvement of the concerted efforts of the banks, merchants, the public and the law enforcement personnel.
Accessibility at a public university: student's perceptions
Authors: Simonson Steve , Glick Scott , Ellen C. Nobe Mary 
Published: June 2013

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to measure student perceptions of accessibility at a public university based on campus, new building, and old building accessibility and perceived impacts this may have on the student's quality of education.Design/methodology/approachA survey was administered to students registered with the office of Resources for Disabled Students at a large university. ANOVA and regression were used to evaluate the survey results.FindingsThe campus was found to be Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) compliant, with several areas identified for improvements based on disabled students' reported perceptions. Many of the improvements were between groups with cognitive and mobility impairments. All groups reported a positive relationship between improved accessibility and improved educational experience.Research limitations/implicationsThe study focused on one institution but the results and existing literature may be useful to other facility management departments.Practical implicationsThe results of this work may help facility managers and resource for disabled student groups target limited resources to improve the quality of education at public universities.Social implicationsThe ability to fine‐tune institutional facilities to improve the experiences of disabled persons improves the outcomes and stated goals of the ADA.Originality/valueThis work supports many previous studies while expanding the population studied to include looking at building users on a college campus with both physical and mental impairments. This helps facility managers increase their understanding of the accessibility issues that may still remain on college campuses that are technically ADA compliant.