bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Effect of ion‐slip current on the thermal instability of natural convection flow in a boundary layer flow past a horizontal flat plate
Authors: Lin Ming‐Han , Chen Chin‐Tai 
Published: March 2013

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to study the effects of ion‐slip current and Hall current on the formation of longitudinal vortices in natural convection flow over a heated horizontal plate.Design/methodology/approachThe criterion on the position marking on the onset of longitudinal vortices is defined in the present paper. The results show that the onset position characterized by the Grashof number depends on the Prandtl number, the Reynolds number, the wave number, the Hall parameter, the ion‐slip parameter, and the Hartmann number.FindingsThe flow becomes more stable as the magnetic field increases. However, the destabilizing effect is found on the flow when the Hall and ion‐slip currents are presented.Research limitations/implicationsThe standard method of linear stability model is applied, with terms higher than first order in disturbance quantities being neglected.Practical implicationsThe problem of MHD natural convection flow with Hall and ion‐slip currents has many important engineering applications, e.g. power generators, Hall accelerators and flows in channels and ducts.Originality/valueThis study is to check the validity of the assumptions that the conditions of Hall and ion‐slip currents can be ignored.
The converging divergence of labor relations in automobile industry: the case of China
Authors: Tang Linghui , Fitzsimons Brian 
Published: March 2013

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to investigate recent labor unrest in China's automobile industry and the implications for the debate on the future of the country's labor relations and cost competitiveness.Design/methodology/approachUsing data between 1999 and 2007, the authors examine how differences in work organizations in China, Germany, Japan and the USA affect wages in the automobile industry.FindingsIt is found that market forces play a more prominent role in Germany and the USA than in China and Japan and the difference is attributed to cultural, economic, political, and regulatory factors in each country.Originality/valueThis paper is one of the first that uses systematic data to conduct comparative analysis of labor relations in the automobile industry.
Knowledge management practices and enablers in public universities: a gap analysis
Authors: Devi Ramachandran Sharimllah , Chong Siong‐Choy , Wong Kuan‐Yew 
Published: March 2013

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to examine the gap between knowledge management (KM) practices and key strategic enablers in public universities. For this purpose, a 57‐item survey on two dimensions – “use” and “importance” – was used as the instrument for this study.Design/methodology/approachThe questionnaire was administered to academics of four public universities which fall under the Malaysian Technical University Network.FindingsThe results from 191 responses show that the academics of public universities find the KM practices and key strategic enablers to be important but are not used as much.Research limitations/implicationsThis research has overcome the gaps identified through the use of a set of KM practices and key strategic enablers. These variables could be replicated in different settings, across different economies, with the possibility of incorporating more constructs. The small sample size and the cross‐sectional nature of the study suggest that a larger sample size through a longitudinal study is required in future research.Practical implicationsThe recommendations proposed will provide strategic directions for the management of public universities to deal more effectively with the KM practices and key strategic enablers.Originality/valueThis study has extended knowledge in KM, specifically concerning the importance and use of key strategic enablers of KM. Moreover, it is amongst the first empirical works to examine the use and importance of KM practices and key strategic enablers in unison.
Modelling the SCM enablers: an integrated ISM‐fuzzy MICMAC approach
Authors: Gorane S.J. , Kant Ravi 
Published: March 2013

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to identify the supply chain management enablers (SCMEs) and establish relationships among them using interpretive structural modeling (ISM) and find out driving and dependence power of enablers, using fuzzy MICMAC (Matriced' Impacts Croisés Multiplication Appliquée á un Classement) analysis.Design/methodology/approachA group of experts from industries and academics was consulted and ISM is used to develop the contextual relationship among various SCMEs for each dimension of SCM implementation. The results of ISM are used as an input to fuzzy MICMAC analysis, to identify the driving and dependence power of SCMEs.FindingsThis paper has identified 24 key SCMEs and developed an integrated model using ISM and the fuzzy MICMAC approach, which is helpful to identify and classify the important SCMEs and reveal the direct and indirect effects of each SCME on the SCM implementation. The integrated approach is developed, since the ISM model provides only binary relationship among SCMEs, while fuzzy MICMAC analysis provides precise analysis related to driving and dependence power of SCMEs.Research limitations/implicationsThe weightage for ISM model development and fuzzy MICMAC are obtained through the judgment of academicians and a few industry experts. It is only subjective judgment and any biasing by the person who is judging the SCMEs might influence the final result. A questionnaire survey can be conducted to catch the insight on these SCMEs from more organizations.Practical implicationsThis study has strong practical implications, for both practitioners as well as academicians. The practitioners need to concentrate on identified SCMEs more cautiously during SCM implementation in their organizations and the top management could formulate strategy for implementing these enablers obtained through ISM and fuzzy MICMAC analysis.Originality/valueThis is first kind of study to identify 24 SCMEs and further, to deploy ISM and fuzzy MICMAC to identify and classify the key SCMEs that influence SCM implementation in the organization.
Branding in the Asian context: a Malaysian perspective
Authors: Faridah Syed Alwi Sharifah , Melewar T.C. 
Published: March 2013

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to present a compendium of small research studies that have been conducted in Malaysia. Issues of branding and its related constructs have gained widespread recognition amongst practitioners and academics in this country.Design/methodology/approachInter alia, this paper examines six facets of branding across different industries and contexts. The first study examines issues of branding in the Islamic financial services. The second paper investigates airline brand reputation. The third paper explores employer branding in the context of hotels. The fourth study explicates online brand personality in the banking sector. The fifth project evaluates the aspect of brand loyalty in the telecommunication industry and the final paper unfolds the industrial brand loyalty and ethical brand.FindingsThe paper highlights six findings across six different industries in Malaysia.Originality/valueThe paper gives a Malaysian perspective on branding in Asia.
Regional and country ethnocentrism: broadening ASEAN origin perspectives
Authors: Seidenfuss Kai‐Uwe , Kathawala Yunus , Dinnie Keith 
Published: March 2013

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to report an application of the CETSCALE measuring consumer ethnocentrism for high‐value consumer goods in the emerging markets of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN). The study examines how regional markings can be thought of as variants of national markings and then goes on to establish a regio‐centric scale, thereby taking up calls for ethnocentrism studies to be conducted across multiple countries that actively trade with one another.Design/methodology/approachThis research is based on an empirical investigation of consumer ethnocentrism (CE) that includes simultaneous manipulation of country‐of‐assembly and region‐based country‐of‐components. The study surveys a sample of 720 car owners equally divided between the three largest automotive markets of ASEAN: Thailand, Malaysia, and Indonesia.FindingsStatistical analysis of this study's empirical results confirms that for the three‐country sample of 720 respondents, this newly derived regional ethnocentrism construct is as relevant as the classic country‐based construct. The research concludes that regional use of campaigns with a (potentially collaborative) Made‐in‐ASEAN theme may reach the target group of regio‐centric consumers.Originality/valueThe study is original in providing a new perspective on the ethnocentrism debate by adding and testing for a regional dimension reflecting realities in the marketplace for a major product category. The study is also one of the few to focus upon the ASEAN region rather than the more commonly studied regions such as Europe or North America.
Keeping silver surfers on the crest of a wave – older people's ICT learning and support needs
Authors: Damodaran Leela , Olphert Wendy , Phipps Stephen 
Published: March 2013

PurposeThere is recognition that digital ICTs have the potential to support older people to live independently, to “age well”, to promote social inclusion and to facilitate access to commercial and government services. Research conducted by the Sus‐IT project under the “New Dynamics of Ageing” Programme has focused on how to help older ICT users to remain digitally engaged given the barriers that they can face and which can quickly erode their confidence or capability. Access to appropriate learning and support resources is a key issue for sustaining older ICT users. The aim of this paper is to investigate older people's ICT learning and support needs.Design/methodology/approachOlder people themselves have been central to the research; more than 1,000 older people have participated in this research through open workshops, established formal and informal panels and groups across the UK, and through contacts with a number of organisations working with older people. Key research users (e.g. organisations representing older people and those providing services and products to be used by older people) have also collaborated in the research in a variety of roles.FindingsFindings show that older people value very highly the benefits and independence that computer use gives them, and they are often exceptionally tenacious in trying to remain digitally connected – persisting in the face of many obstacles, and often without awareness or use of existing aids to accessibility. If disengagement begins, it is usually a gradual process, rather than a single event, and likely to result from a combination of factors – changes in physical and cognitive abilities, in support, in technology and in personal circumstances. The availability of help and support emerges as a factor of paramount importance to sustaining digital connection.Practical implicationsThe conceptual model of the risks of sustaining digital engagement of older people arising from the research has significant implications for both policy and practice – for instance, in relation to “digital by default”. A user‐generated strategy for provision of sustainable, community‐based ICT learning and support for older people is a key output from Sus‐IT.Originality/valueThe issues surrounding sustaining digital inclusion in older age are multi‐faceted and complex – and addressing these will have significant benefits not only for older people but also for the economy and society.
Internet addiction as a manageable resource: a focus on social network services
Authors: Kang Inwon , Shin Matthew M. , Park Chanuk 
Published: March 2013

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to reinterpret addiction to social network services (SNSs), not from the traditional clinical perspective as a disorder, but from a management perspective as consumer behaviour to examine its possibility as a manageable resource.Design/methodology/approachA survey was conducted on heavy users of SNSs. Based on the data the authors performed an exploratory factor analysis to define SNS addiction and to construct its dimensions.FindingsThe authors termed SNS addiction as an “addictive consumption trait” (ACT) of SNS and its underlying dimensions are salience, euphoria, immersion, compulsion, and association.Research limitations/implicationsThe authors used SNS user behaviour as the sample for their empirical analysis. However there is a variety of other internet services available and different internet services may show different consumer behaviour. Therefore, for future research, the authors suggest conducting a comparative study on the influence of addiction on different types of internet services.Practical implicationsWith the newly constructed dimensions of ACT of SNS, firms could find out the causal relationships between the attributes of their SNSs on each dimension of ACT of SNS. Once firms understand the influences of each one of the attributes on ACT of SNS, they can re‐strategise their resource allocation for maximising consumers' ACT of SNS.Originality/valueSNS addiction has been viewed as a clinical disorder for treatment. The paper considers SNS addiction from the marketing perspective, which is a novel approach in the study of addiction. Through this study the authors hope to trigger academic discussions about ACT of SNS as consumer behaviour and as a manageable resource.
Social network loyalty: evaluating the role of attitude, perceived risk and satisfaction
Authors: Currás‐Pérez Rafael , Ruiz‐Mafé Carla , Sanz‐Blas Silvia 
Published: March 2013

PurposeThe aim of this paper is to analyse the determinants of social networking site loyalty, paying special attention to the roles of user attitude, perceived risk and satisfaction.Design/methodology/approachThe impact of uses and gratifications of social networking sites, attitude, perceived risks and satisfaction on social networking site loyalty is tested through structural equation modelling techniques. The sample consisted of 811 Spanish social networking site users collected through a personal survey. Risk is measured as a formative construct.FindingsData analysis shows that attitude is a key variable in increasing satisfaction and loyalty towards social networking sites. Sociability and entertainment gratifications and perceived risks (psychological, time loss and social) are the main drivers of user attitude towards social networking sites.Practical implicationsThis research enables managers to know what aspects to highlight in their communication strategies to increase social networking site use and positive word‐of‐mouth. The research findings show managers that social networking site content should provide fun and foster user interactions in order to improve user attitude. Practical recommendations to increase social networking site satisfaction and loyalty and guidelines to reduce perceived risk dimensions are also provided.Originality/valueDespite the importance of social networking sites for companies, only limited work has been done to identify motivators and barriers of social networking site loyalty. This work aims to combine the influence of gratifications provided by social networking sites, perceived risks, attitude and satisfaction in order to construct an improved model for social networking site loyalty formation. Furthermore risk is measured as a formative construct because there is no reason to expect that risk dimensions in social networking site use are correlated.
Foreign ownership and bank performance metrics in Saudi Arabia
Authors: Abraham Abraham 
Published: March 2013

PurposeThis paper aims to examine the performance metrics of Saudi banks against the background of the proportion of foreign ownership.Design/methodology/approachOne of the empirical challenges in addressing small developing markets is the analysis of small samples. The current study looks at a population of ten publicly traded banks in Saudi Arabia over a two‐year period. While the results of traditional parametric tests of difference are reported, the study also employs more robust distribution free non‐parametric tests of differences in location measures between the two groups.FindingsSurprisingly though, the evidence provided in this paper shows that while banks with foreign ownership are indeed more aggressive in terms of capital structure, loan portfolios and regulatory tier 1 capital, they are unable to translate these into higher performance outcomes.Research limitations/implicationsOne limitation is drawing inferences from small samples. The study overcomes this by using non‐parametric methods.Practical implicationsThe study provides potential investors in the Middle‐Eastern region with information about the banking sector in Saudi Arabia.Social implicationsThe results of the study may provide banking regulators with insights into the behavior of foreign owned banks in developing countries.Originality/valueThis is the first study that looks at this very important sector in the largest country within the GCC.
Hisbah and the promotion of ethical business practices
Authors: Bello Dogarawa Ahmad 
Published: March 2013

PurposeThis paper aims to assess the role of the hisbah institution in ensuring ethical business practices in Nigeria. The aim is to correct the erroneous impression that the institution is meant only to serve spiritual and social purposes in the society devoid of economic contribution.Design/methodology/approachThe paper uses a literature survey approach to describe the economic dimension of the institution and its specific role in ensuring that businesses are conducted in line with Islamic business ethics.FindingsThe paper confirms that absence of discussion on the economic role of the hisbah institution in complementing the effort of regulatory and monitoring authorities in the inspection of weights and measures, quality of food products, manipulation of prices, supplies and production, monopolistic collisions, cheating and fraud, has made many people in Nigeria mistake it for an institution whose primary occupation is to prevent and control moral decadence and social vices in such societies.Practical implicationsThe paper concludes that the task ahead of shari'ah implementing states in Nigeria therefore is to maximally exploit hisbah's economic role in view of its relevance to the modern economy.Originality/valueThe paper attempts to fill the vacuum in the contemporary literature on the economic role of hisbah in Muslim societies.
Theorizing about gender and entrepreneurship: bridging the gap with social psychology
Authors: Max Sylvain , Ballereau Valérie 
Published: March 2013

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to approach women's entrepreneurship from a social psychological perspective, with the aim of contributing to a better understanding of the entrepreneurial phenomena and to its development as a field of research.Design/methodology/approachThe gender aspect of entrepreneurship is essentially socio‐psychological in nature. First, the authors define the social psychology research scope and present a selection of social psychology theories that are particularly relevant to the domain of women's entrepreneurship. Concepts such as stereotypes, stereotype threat and role models are introduced. Second, the authors instantiate how the social psychology experimental method can address core questions in the women's entrepreneurship field, such as women's under‐representation in entrepreneurial positions.FindingsThe conclusion of this paper is twofold: on the one hand, social psychology theories can address crucial issues in women's entrepreneurship and on the other hand, experimentation as a research methodology enables us to determine causal relationships. However, given the specificities of both social psychology and women's entrepreneurship, we strongly recommend collaborative research between researchers in the two areas.Research limitations/implicationsThe authors propose concrete though non‐exhaustive areas of study in women's entrepreneurship research, where social psychological theories can be successfully employed.Social implicationsUsing applied social psychology research, the authors suggest practical ways to reject negative stereotypes that prevent women from being entrepreneurs.Originality/valueAlthough women's entrepreneurship is a social psychological phenomenon, this field of study still rarely makes reference to social psychology as a discipline for theorizing the relationship between gender and entrepreneurship.
Sustainable leadership: honeybee practices at a leading Asian industrial conglomerate
Authors: Kantabutra Sooksan , Avery Gayle 
Published: March 2013

PurposeAvery and Bergsteiner's updated set of 23 sustainable leadership practices derived from sustainable enterprises and five performance outcomes provides a framework to examine the business practices of Thailand's largest conglomerate, Siam Cement Group (SCG). The aim of this paper is to build on and expand Kantabutra and Avery's study based on Avery.Design/methodology/approachThe analysis was conducted by grouping Avery and Bergsteiner's principles into six categories, namely taking a long‐term perspective, investing in people, adapting the organizational culture, being innovative, exhibiting social and environmental responsibility, and behaving ethically. Adopting a multi‐data collection approach, research teams supplemented case study data with non‐participant observations from visits to the conglomerate and its training sessions. Multiple stakeholders were interviewed in semi‐structured interviews. Documentation and information supplied by, or published about, the conglomerate was consulted.FindingsAll six sets of practices, which sharply contrast with the prevailing business model of short‐term maximization of profitability but are consistent with the 23 sustainable leadership practices, were found to apply in varying degrees to SCG. A total of 19 applied strongly, with three others moderately strong.Practical implicationsGiven that sustainable leadership principles are associated with enhanced brand and reputation, customer and staff satisfaction, and financial performance, the new Sustainable Leadership Grid provides corporate leaders with a useful checklist for this purpose.Originality/valueThis paper reports on the first examination of Avery and Bergsteiner's 23 sustainable leadership elements in a developing economy. It shows that even a publicly‐listed company can resist pressures to conform to business‐as‐usual practices and adopt the long‐term, socially responsible principles of “honeybee” sustainable leadership.