bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
What causes increase in gas prices: the case of Ukraine
Authors: G. Goncharuk Anatoliy 
Published: November 2013

Purpose
– The paper aims to test the hypothesis about increasing the efficiency of gas distribution companies in the period of high gas prices on the example of Ukraine that is highly dependent on this energy source.

Design/methodology/approach
– The basic and super-efficiency models of data envelopment analysis (DEA), Malmquist total factor productivity index, three-factor production function and other tools are used to analyse the efficiency of gas distribution companies. Some factors are examined for their impact on efficiency. The results are based on the samples of 33 Ukrainian gas distribution companies.

Findings
– The author detects the decreasing returns to scale in the gas distribution sector, which means that Ukrainian gas companies get advantage reducing the volume of gas supply. Rise in prices for imported gas is reflected positively not only on the income of the exporting Russian supplier Gazprom, but also on the profitability of Ukrainian gas distribution companies. The losses associated with the policy decisions regarding a pricing of imported natural gas moved on the consumers of natural gas – the manufacturing sector of the economy and the population. Reallocation of net profit from the key export sectors of Ukraine in the gas sector is mainly caused by the fault of the state regulatory body.

Research limitations/implications
– The research is limited by single industry and by relatively short data set. The former is explained by requirement of technology (product, service) homogeneity when using DEA tools. The latter is connected with specificity of the industry and generally little numbers of firms in it.

Practical implications
– The results of researching contain the data and recommendations to companies' management and a state regulatory body to correct and optimize their decisions to make gas distribution system and economy more effective. These results can be practicable for companies' management, present and potential investors and proprietors, regulative public authority. It is possible to use the results of this research to make study for the other industries.

Originality/value
– This is the first paper that studies the impact of high natural gas prices on the economy and gas distribution system of Ukraine.
Marketing pharmaceutical and cosmetic products to the mature market
Authors: P. Moschis George , Bovell Leah 
Published: November 2013

Purpose
– Because the growth in the elderly population is a worldwide phenomenon, it is essential for businesses to develop an understanding of the older consumer market. Older consumers are especially important to companies operating in the pharmaceutical industry, since they spend more on medical supplies and drugs than any other age group. The aim of this paper is to examine older consumers' preferences for sources of information and methods of purchasing prescription drugs and cosmetics, as well as the reasons they choose specific drug stores and specific brands of drugs and health aids.

Design/methodology/approach
– This study employs a large national sample and various statistical procedures. Responses given to selected attitudinal and behavioral measures were tabulated and cross-tabulated by selected demographic and other characteristics. Grouping of older Americans into four segments based on aging characteristics and life events circumstances was achieved by means of cluster analysis.

Findings
– The research presented in this paper shows major differences in the way older consumers respond to various marketing offerings. The responses of older Americans do not only differ from those of their younger counterparts; they also vary widely by psychographic characteristics that are based on aging, life-changing events and circumstances older consumers have experienced. The results provide the bases for recommended strategies to most effectively appeal to older consumers in general, as well as to members of specific segments.

Practical implications
– The study helps marketers of pharmaceutical products improve their efforts when marketing to older consumers.

Originality/value
– Unlike previous studies that examine choices of pharmaceutical and cosmetic products by older consumers as a homogeneous group, the present study treats these consumers as a heterogeneous market and examines their motives for their choices.
Ms P: a case study in elder financial abuse (Ireland)
Authors: Allen-Devlin Jennifer , Freyne Aideen 
Published: November 2013

Purpose
– The purpose of this paper is to discuss the case study of an older woman who was subject to elder financial abuse by a home help in the Republic of Ireland.

Design/methodology/approach
– The design of the research is a case study.

Findings
– It considers the indicators which alerted professionals to the concerns and the measures taken to protect the woman. The paper particularly highlights the co-operation of the large number of inter-agency multi-disciplinary professionals involved in resolving the case. The paper also considers the issue of capacity and the current legal background in the Republic of Ireland and internationally relevant to protecting older people from elder abuse.

Originality/value
– The paper has not identified any published case studies of elder financial abuse within the Republic of Ireland, despite hundreds of cases being reported annually. Case reports may be of interest to those working in the field as a means of describing successful management strategies, and may highlight practical areas of difficulty such as conflict or lack of communication between agencies. They may also serve to heighten awareness of abuse in general.
Follow the leader: how corporate social responsibility influences strategy and practice in the business community
Authors: Baddache Farid , Nicolai Isabelle 
Published: November 2013

Purpose
– Companies face increasing pressure from stakeholders to play a leading role in addressing a wide array of environmental, social, and governance issues. What are the relevant and responsible contributions that corporations are expected to provide in support of defining solutions to sustainability issues? This paper shows how corporate social responsibility (CSR) has become a negotiation process to help corporations manage uncertainties through collaborative work and alignment with stakeholders. From that angle, CSR is a process that generates standard and acceptable business practices.

Design/methodology/approach
– This paper uses both an adductive as well as an interpretative approach of CSR and looks at CSR as a collaborative process that builds rules and norms.

Findings
– CSR is defined as a contractual process between stakeholders in order to drive decision making processes and agree on commitments between business and society. Interestingly, all studied examples depict the development of standard and acceptable business practices with very little involvement of stakeholders, which is not the understood way of driving changes to business strategy as defined by the CSR negotiation processes.

Practical implications
– A framework is presented linking CSR business practices research findings to empirical market isomorphism. The paper is of practical relevance for management practitioners. The limitations of recent research are also discussed.

Originality/value
– Our examples show that CSR is no more than the achievements of fragmented initiatives led by companies showing limited transparency toward external stakeholders. There is no overall coordination. The paper is original in its recommendation that public authorities play a strategic role showing clear direction, and establish themselves as a strategic platform enabling more engagement between stakeholders.
Bridging marketing's intentions and consumer perceptions
Authors: Kachersky Luke , Lerman Dawn 
Published: November 2013

Purpose
– The paper's aim is to explore consumer perceptions of marketing and test the malleability of those perceptions.

Design/methodology/approach
– Study 1 is exploratory in nature, and employs a free-response sentence completion to, “marketing is […]”. Study 2 employs an experimental design, testing whether the framing of communications about marketer performance (firm-oriented vs consumer-oriented) influences consumer perceptions of marketing.

Findings
– Based on free responses to “marketing is […]”, findings indicate that US consumers generally see marketing as something that is bad for them, but good for businesses. However, this asymmetry disappears when marketer performance is communicated with a consumer orientation.

Practical implications
– Marketers aim to create relationships with consumers based on value exchange, yet consumers do not see such value exchange. They see the value of marketing for business, but not for consumers themselves. By being more cognizant of how marketer performance is discussed, marketers can overcome such perceptions and build better relationships with consumers.

Originality/value
– Other research on attitude toward marketing focuses solely on people's feelings about marketing; here we capture an extra dimension – namely, consumer perceptions of who marketing serves. Further, extant research on consumer attitudes toward marketing tend to describe their current state; this paper does the same but also tests and offers a specific solution for improving perceptions of marketing.
The empowering potential of social media for key stakeholders in the repatriation process
Authors: L. O’Sullivan Sharon 
Published: November 2013

Purpose– The purpose of this conceptual paper is twofold. The first objective is to introduce a multi-stakeholder power perspective to the discourse on repatriate retention, which has, to date, treated issues of career agency without considering whether other stakeholders might be capable of responding constructively. The second objective of the paper is more prescriptive, conjecturing that social media, which has also been completely overlooked by the repatriation literature, has the potential to empower repatriation stakeholders.Design/methodology/approach– Following a review of the literature on repatriate turnover, this paper uses Hardy and Leiba-O’Sullivan's (1998) framework on empowerment to examine the nature and significance of powerlessness on the part of key stakeholders in the repatriation process – repatriates, HQ managers, and HQ HR professionals. It uses the same framework to investigate how social media might help to empower these stakeholders.Findings– The analysis finds that social media has the potential to empower repatriation stakeholders in four key ways: first, by triggering expatriates’ awareness of the need to proactively manage different aspects of their own impending repatriation; second, by providing access to supportive mentoring resources; third, by strengthening access to key HR and managerial decision-making arenas; and fourth, by enabling HQ managers and HR representatives to more judiciously direct potentially scarce organizational resources (including their own time) toward key repatriation supports.Research limitations/implications– Although this conceptual paper has no empirical data, it offers considerable value to the repatriation literature by introducing the topics of power and social media and explaining their relevance to repatriation (and indeed, to the field of international HRM).Practical implications– Repatriate turnover is problematic, both for repatriates who would have liked to remain with the organization that sent them on assignment, and for the organizations that would like to have retained (and utilized) repatriates’ global competencies. Thus, the main practical implication of this paper is that it offers an innovative contemporary solution (e.g. the use of social media) to this problem of repatriate turnover.Originality/value– The paper demonstrates that the topic of power has been completely neglected by the repatriation literature. Similarly, the topic of social media, has also been completely overlooked by the repatriation literature. This paper introduces these two topics to the repatriation literature, and, in so doing, broadens the understanding of constraints on repatriate agency as a means of repatriate retention, and offers innovative contemporary solutions (e.g. social media).
Dos and don’ts for involving citizens in the design and delivery of health and social care
Authors: Durose Catherine , Richardson Liz , Dickinson Helen , Williams Iestyn 
Published: November 2013

Purpose
– Involving communities, citizens and service users in the design and delivery of public services has long been a key aim of government policy and arguably has it never been more important than within times of austerity. Yet, whilst acknowledging the importance of engagement, many health and social care organisations struggle with this in practice. This paper sets out some guiding principles for engagement.

Design/methodology/approach
– This paper draws on conversations at a series of events in 2013 which brought together researchers, those charged with delivering on government policy at the local level and active citizens, to debate and explore evidence and practice on how to involve and mobilise citizens in local decision making in a time of austerity. Learning is distilled from these events to provide a useful guide for working effectively with communities.

Findings
– As with any issue as complex as this, there is no magic bullet, quick fix, simple check-list or solve-all tool. Like doing anything worthwhile, working with communities is difficult, takes time and is at its core about building relationships. However, this does not mean that every attempt to design involvement processes needs to start entirely from scratch. There is a wealth and diversity of experience in designing and developing involvement mechanisms to draw upon.

Originality/value
– This paper will provide a helpful guide to those who are about to embark on a programme of engagement or who are presently involved in engagement activities with communities, citizens and service users.
Developing a knowledge map-driven framework for human resources strategy formulation
Authors: Akhavan Peyman , Pezeshkan Amir 
Published: November 2013

Purpose
– The main purpose of this paper is developing a framework for human resource strategy (HRS) planning based on knowledge maps in organizations.

Design/methodology/approach
– Considering literature review of HRS planning in one hand and knowledge mapping in another hand to develop a framework, and then deploying this framework in a company as case study.

Findings
– A knowledge map-driven framework for HRS formulation, which attempts to improve the process of HRS, is the main finding of this research. The results of the implementation of this model in a knowledge-based IT company may show its potential capability for deploying the model in similar corporations for better formulation of HRS.

Originality/value
– Linking of HRS with knowledge maps is quite new. This paper opens up new outlines in human resource management from a knowledge-based point of view. It may have value for experts who work and research in both areas especially in the field of human resources in knowledge-based organizations.
Can competencies at selection predict performance and development needs?
Authors: Sutton Anna , Watson Sara 
Published: November 2013

Purpose
– The purpose of this paper is to explore the utility of an organisation-wide competency framework, linking competency ratings at selection to later development needs and job performance.

Design/methodology/approach
– Candidates’ scores at a management selection event were compared to their performance appraisal scores on the same competencies six to 12 months later (n=58). Scores on numeracy and profit and loss tests were also collected at the selection event and related to subsequent performance (n=207) and development needs.

Findings
– Competency ratings at performance appraisal were significantly lower than at selection interview. Correlations between ratings at interview and at performance appraisal were generally weak, though one (Understanding the Business) showed significant relationships with five of the seven performance appraisal competencies. In addition, competency ratings were related to employee turnover and managerial development needs.

Research limitations/implications
– Although competencies were clearly defined, inter-rater variations may have occurred which obscure the relationships. However, it is of interest that a single competency at selection (Understanding the Business) seems to have the greatest effect on performance, employment outcome and development needs.

Practical implications
– A competency framework that is embedded in both selection and performance ratings can provide the organisation with a clearer understanding of what determines managerial success, as well as informing better selection decisions. This study also raises the issue that performance ratings may be influenced more by a manager's ability to understand the business than by any other competencies.

Originality/value
– The use of a longitudinal design provides unique evidence of the relationship between competency ratings at selection and later performance, employment outcome and development needs.
OIS discounting and collateral management under new regulations
Authors: Prorokowski Lukasz 
Published: November 2013

Purpose
– The purpose of this paper is to discuss the compliance with the regulatory-driven changes to collateral management and OIS discounting indicating operational and technological challenges faced by global investment banks. As it transpires, collateral management strategies need to be revised to find optimal solutions for the regulatory-driven landscape. Furthermore, set against the regulatory background, this report tests the reliability of OIS discounting and current trends in interbank lending, as well as emergent issues with CSAs.

Design/methodology/approach
– This paper is based on an exploratory, qualitative approach to investigate the regulatory-driven collateral management landscape.

Findings
– The new regulatory framework was viewed by the surveyed banks as a factor influencing strategic planning and operations within collateral management. All surveyed banks pointed to the increased regulatory reporting. The interviewed banks highlighted inconsistencies in implementing the new regulatory framework across different countries. With reference to the positive factors influencing collateral management, the responses were mixed and depended on bank-specific opportunities spotted in the new collateral management landscape. According to the surveyed banks, complying with the new regulations has no pronounced impact on the liquidity. The financial scandals undermined the credibility of the LIBOR rate-setting processes and prompted changes to the regulatory framework in the banking sector. Against this backdrop, the interviewed banks considered various alternatives to LIBOR, often beyond the OIS rates. The departure from LIBOR entails operational challenges faced by the participating banks. Surprisingly, the factors that pushed the interviewed banks to OIS discounting were not linked to the regulatory change or reliability of OIS rates but general market trends that emerged in the aftermath of the global financial crisis.

Originality/value
– The paper contributes to the widespread, albeit complex, discussion on how banks adapt to the rapidly changing environment in collateral management and risk operations.
SEC gives nod to use of social media under Regulation FD – if done correctly
Authors: Zepralka Jennifer , Cross Meredith , White Thomas , Salhus Knute , Wolfman Jonathan 
Published: November 2013

Purpose
– The purpose of this paper is to analyze a recent US Securities and Exchange Commission Report of Investigation that concluded an investigation by the SEC Division of Enforcement into whether Netflix, Inc. and its chief executive officer violated Regulation FD through the use of the CEO's personal Facebook page to announce a company metric, and provide guidance with respect to the application of Regulation FD and the SEC's 2008 Guidance on the Use of Company Web Sites to disclosures made through social media channels.

Design/methodology/approach
– The paper explains the background of the SEC's investigation of Netflix and its CEO, Regulation FD and the 2008 Guidance, applies the principles of Regulation FD and the 2008 Guidance to social media disclosures by public companies, and recommends compliance measures companies may wish to consider in implementing social media strategies. Key issues covered are whether a social media communication is made via a recognized channel of distribution and disseminated in a manner that makes it available to the securities marketplace in general, and whether a reasonable waiting period has elapsed to allow investors and the market to react to the communication.

Findings
– While the Report of Investigation reflects the SEC's recognition of the increased use and importance of social media channels, it does not fundamentally change the regulatory framework for analyzing Regulation FD compliance set forth in the SEC's 2008 Guidance on the Use of Company Web Sites.

Practical implications
– Companies contemplating social media use for Regulation FD purposes should apply the principles outlined in the 2008 Guidance, including informing investors of the channels they intend to use and the types of information that may be disclosed, and considering whether and when the information has been broadly disseminated, but should also consider the pros and cons of social media use from an investor relations perspective.

Originality/value
– The paper provides expert guidance from experienced financial services lawyers.
Strengths and weaknesses of Hong Kong's technology and innovation industry with reference to the extended open innovation model
Authors: Yan Xu , Chun Yu Calvin 
Published: November 2013

Purpose– This study aims to provide an analysis of Hong Kong's strengths and weaknesses in developing its technology and innovation industry.Design/methodology/approach– It briefly discussed the “extended open innovation” model on the basis of Chesbrough's “open innovation” model to explicitly highlight the elements associated with different stages throughout the whole spectrum of innovation processes.Findings– The model is then illustrated with Hong Kong's unique experience to gain insights for various stakeholders on how open innovation could be used beyond research and development activities and how Hong Kong could benefit from this paradigm shift.Originality/value– The extended open innovation model can be used as a framework to address the development of the technology and innovation industry.