bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Integrated MEMS in package
Authors: Bachman Mark , Li G.P. 
Published: November 2012

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to present the utilities of packaging and PCB fabrication processes for manufacturing micro electromechanical systems (MEMS) and its package for sensing and actuation applications.Design/methodology/approachA broad array of manufacturing approaches available in the packaging industry, including lamination, lithography, etching, electroforming, machining, bonding, etc. and a large number of available functional materials such as polymers, ceramics, metals, etc. were explored for producing functional microdevices with greater design freedom.FindingsGood quality MEMS devices can be manufactured using packaging style fabrication, particularly using stacks of laminates. Furthermore, such microdevices can be built with a high degree of integration, pre‐packaged, and at low cost.Research limitations/implicationsFurther manufacturing research work should be undertaken in collaboration with the PCB and packaging industries, which stand to benefit greatly by expanding their offerings beyond serving the semiconductor industry and developing their own integrated MEMS products.Originality/valueThe paper presents examples of basic packaging fabrication processes for producing 3‐D structures and free‐standing structures, and a new MEMS manufacturing paradigm to build micro‐electromechanical (MEMS) for biomedical, optical, and RF communication applications.
The four spaces – a new model for the public library
Authors: Jochumsen Henrik , Hvenegaard Rasmussen Casper , Skot‐Hansen Dorte 
Published: November 2012

PurposeThe aim of this paper is to present a model for the public library created by the authors.Design/methodology/approachThe paper is divided into three parts. The first part emphasizes considerations regarding today's focus on both the virtual and the physical library. The second part describes the four‐space model, including examples of libraries as illustrations of the different spaces and examples of how the model is being used in the Nordic library‐world. The third part pinpoints some critical questions in relation to the model.FindingsThe paper shows how the four‐space model has been used in different ways in the Nordic countries since it was presented for the first time in a Danish report on public libraries in 2010.Practical implicationsThe four‐space model can be a useful tool in relation to developing, building, designing, arranging and rearranging public libraries. Furthermore the model can be a tool for management and communication in connection with library plans and policy and not least a point of departure for the discussion of the public library's overall role in society.Originality/valueThis is the first time that the space model is presented to the library world outside the Nordic countries in a way where examples, usability and limitations are included.
Corporate social performance and consumer‐retailer emotional attachment
Authors: Vlachos Pavlos A. 
Published: November 2012

PurposeThis paper aims to examine the influence of corporate social performance (CSP) on the emotional attachment of consumers to firms. In contrast to past CSR studies, this research seeks to investigate the role of personality variables as moderating factors.Design/methodology/approachThe study tested hypotheses through an experiment using scenarios, addressing corporate social responsibility activities, manipulating domains like environmental protection, treatment of employees, and charitable giving.FindingsThe results indicate that CSP influences consumer‐firm emotional attachment and that this attachment constitutes an unrecognized mediational pathway in the CSP‐loyalty link. The results identify the moderating and strengthening role of altruism, need‐for‐activity, and esteem‐enhancement on the CSP‐emotional attachment link. Finally, the study reveals that attributions are likely to moderate the influence of consumer altruism.Research limitations/implicationsAlthough the CSP record scenarios reflected real corporate social responsibility practices, future studies employing field experiments or consumer surveys exploring the effects of actual corporate social responsibility initiatives would be valuable to enhance the external validity of these results.Practical implicationsThe study helps retailers towards improved and more targeted social responsibility investments. Specifically, retailers targeting consumer groups that are high in altruism, high in need for activity, and high in self‐enhancement motives are probably in a more advantageous position when investing in CSR initiatives as a way to build and further deepen emotional attachment, and indirectly consumer loyalty.Originality/valueBuilding on the CSR and attachment literatures, the study investigates the extent to which CSP is capable of influencing customer loyalty through emotion‐laden processes. Furthermore, in contrast to previous CSR studies, this study is one of the first to directly investigate whether consumer differences influence consumer reactions to CSR. Specifically, this study finds that differences in consumers' personality traits may affect the effectiveness of CSR initiatives.
Shared learning in supply networks: evidence from an emerging market supply network
Authors: Mason Katy , Oshri Ilan , Leek Sheena 
Published: November 2012

PurposeFirms face the challenge of developing learning capabilities that enable them to work as part of an effective business network. While an extensive literature examines learning capabilities within the firm, little attention has been given to shared learning that occurs between networked firms. This study aims to explore how a manufacturer and businesses services provider learn to develop their supply network. Specifically, this research investigates four areas of shared learning that are central to supply network success, and discusses the development of shared learning capabilities within a supply network.Design/methodology/approachThe paper presents an in‐depth, longitudinal case study of a supply network that involves an engineering company and two business services suppliers.FindingsThe study suggests that developing shared learning capabilities in four key areas is imperative for network success: business relationships, customers’ desired values, firm boundaries, and network structures. Furthermore, there are three distinct types of shared learning that were common to all four areas of shared learning identified. These are: strategic shared learning, operational shared learning, and exchange shared learning.Research limitations/implicationsThe research findings are based on a single case study. Additional research across multiple case studies is needed in order to verify the findings reported.Practical implicationsThe four learning areas have significant managerial implications for the way managers develop mechanisms to capture and share learning associated with developing supply networks.Originality/valueThis research addresses a gap in the literature concerning the areas of learning capabilities for developing a supply network. The findings are important to research and practice with regard to how companies develop learning capabilities.
Evaluation of formal training programmes in Greek organisations
Authors: Diamantidis Anastasios D. , Chatzoglou Prodromos D. 
Published: November 2012

PurposeThe purpose of the paper is to highlight the training factors that mostly affect trainees' perception of learning and training usefulness.Design/methodology/approachA new research model is proposed exploring the relationships between a trainer's performance, training programme components, outcomes of the learning process and training usefulness. The validity of this model is tested empirically adopting the structural equation modelling approach, using data from 126 employees who have participated in different training programmes.FindingsAll the factors that constitute a training programme (trainer performance, training environment and training goals, content, material, process) have been found to affect both learning outcomes and training usefulness.Research limitations/implicationsThe long‐term results of a training programme are not examined.Practical implicationsAlthough all the aspects and components of the training programmes should be carefully considered by the training programme designer, training process and trainer performance have the strongest direct and indirect effect (respectively), on both learning outcomes and training usefulness.Originality/valueIn this study, all the factors that constitute a training programme are incorporated in a single model using data from small and medium‐sized enterprises. Overall, the final model can explain 39 and 60 percent of the variance in learning and training usefulness, respectively.
Predicting consumer intentions to purchase energy‐efficient products
Authors: Ha Hong‐Youl , Janda Swinder 
Published: November 2012

PurposeThis research aims to examine behavioral intentions toward purchase of energy‐efficient products utilizing the theory of reasoned action framework.Design/methodology/approachSurvey data from a sample of 202 shoppers of electrical appliances and small electronic products was utilized to estimate the proposed model.FindingsThe main finding is that attitude toward energy‐efficient product has a stronger effect on intentions compared to the subjective norm component.Research limitations/implicationsIn order to maximize use of their financial resources, companies marketing energy‐efficient products need to focus more on enhancing consumer attitudes toward their brands and spend relatively less on efforts to educate consumers about using energy – efficient appliances in general.Practical implicationsSince attitudes are formed from beliefs and knowledge, use of informational ads that clearly illustrate energy‐saving consequences of their specific brands of products will be an effective marketing approach.Originality/valueThis study is timely considering the recent steady increase in energy prices accompanied by growing environmental concerns among businesses, governments, and consumers.
Attributes of young consumers' favorite retail shops: a qualitative study
Authors: Yip Toby C.Y. , Chan Kara , Poon Evon 
Published: November 2012

PurposeThe study attempts to identify the common attributes of the physical retail outlets favored by Hong Kong youths and to assess the relative importance of “hard” and “soft” aspects of the retail marketing mix in appealing to this consumer segment.Design/methodology/approachA convenience sample of 89 Hong Kong youngsters aged 15 to 21 were asked to describe their favorite shops and explain why they favored them. They were asked to take pictures of their favorite shops and participate in a face‐to‐face interview.FindingsThe two types of shop most frequently named were food outlets and apparel retailers. The attractiveness of these stores was mainly based on product or service quality and price, but location and the behavior of the shop assistants were also cited as influential. Ranking as “my favorite shop” was a combination of tangible qualities and intangible services.Research limitations/implicationsThe convenience sample used probably was not representative of all young people in Hong Kong.Practical implicationsThe results reinforce the conclusion that Hong Kong retailers need to emphasize sales training and management in order to create an appealing shopping experience for young consumers.Originality/valueThis has been the first study to explore in detail the attributes of young Chinese consumers' favorite retail shops.
A personal history of digital libraries
Authors: Lesk Michael 
Published: November 2012

PurposeThis paper aims to present a personal view of the development of digital libraries, starting with the original vision of 1945 and describing how it came to the dominance of online searching and reading that it has today.Design/methodology/approachProgress in digital libraries is described in four areas: technical, economic, legal and social issues. Originally technological obstacles were dominant, but they have generally been overcome by progress in computers, networks, and algorithms. Economic issues have also faded, although “open access” questions still bedevil us. Surprisingly, libraries are now faced with more serious legal obstacles than first expected; no one today can start a digital library effort without thinking about copyright. Social issues are likely to be the next set of challenges.FindingsThe transformation of searching and reading has been almost complete. Scholars in scientific disciplines, in particular, often function quite well with only rare visits to a library to read physical books. Even in the area of entertainment reading, it can be seen that the e‐reader devices now dominating. These results have been a combination of new research results and new commercial activities, with perhaps less progress by publishers and libraries than one might have hoped.Originality/valueThe development of digital libraries has been a complex mixture of change: there are ideas which were invented long before users or companies were ready for them, and other ideas (such as search engines) which appeared suddenly when opportunities arose. The complexities of technology, economics, law and society are still in the process of being understood as they either enable or block new services. However, looking back, it can be seen that essentially the entire vision of 1945 is in sight and other large improvements in complex systems and how they are helped or impeded in their progress may be learned from this story.
Websites for booklovers as meeting places
Authors: Tóth Máté , Audunson Ragnar 
Published: November 2012

PurposeThe study aims to report on a research project that analyzed social websites for booklovers. These sites represent a service that is promising for public libraries in their efforts to find new ways in promoting reading and literature. At the same time the growth of such sites is another example of how technological developments challenge librarianship. Many of these sites are established and run independently from the library field.Design/methodology/approachThis paper reports from a research comparing two such websites – the Norwegian Bokelskere.no and the Hungarian Moly.hu. A questionnaire was published on the two websites in mid September 2010. It was accessible for approximately 20 days. A total of 777 users filled in and returned the questionnaire.FindingsAs the typical user of Moly/Bokelskere is a young, ethnic Hungarian or Norwegian, well educated, female from the bigger cities the complexity and pluralism of society is not reflected in the websites in the same way as it is in physical libraries. They are not heavy library users, and they have a relatively low trust concerning libraries in comparison with other sources of information. The sites are mainly used as information sources and not as places where one can meet with others. Although the social dimension of reading appears, it is related mainly to the family or friends and not to strangers.Research limitations/implicationsIt would be inaccurate to claim that the study gives a comprehensive overview on social sites for booklovers. The relatively high number of respondents from the two analyzed websites provides an extensive, but not comprehensive, sample. Self‐recruitment of respondents might cause biases compared with a randomly drawn sample.Practical implicationsThe study on which the paper is based is a part of the PLACE project, which aims at exploring the role of public libraries as meeting places. The study generates knowledge on the potential and role of virtual meeting places that is relevant for public libraries in their efforts to adapt to a new reality.Social implicationsThe study generates knowledge that can be of importance for developing libraries and library policies in relation to digital meeting places.Originality/valueThere are few studies analyzing literary websites for booklovers and the study contributes in developing a new research field in library and information science.
Information and records management
Authors: Gunnlaugsdottir Johanna 
Published: November 2012

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to present findings of a survey conducted during 2010 in the Icelandic organizations that held certification according to the ISO 9001:2008 quality management standard.Design/methodology/approachThe organizations were questioned about problems in obtaining and maintaining certification, what motivated the quest and which were the benefits. Information on the software used and the cost and the time it took to obtain certification was also sought. A questionnaire was sent to those in charge of the quality management programme in the organizations. The questionnaire contained both open‐ended and closed questions. A comparison was made to a previous Icelandic survey from 2001.FindingsThe results show that necessary improvements were needed regarding information and records management (IRM). The reasons for obtaining certifications were mainly demands from customers, a way to introduce more disciplined work procedures and transparency, and to gain a better overview in management. The main benefits from receiving the certification were regarded to be improved management and improvement in meeting demands from customers and public authorities as well as improved IRM, more disciplined work procedures and increased traceability. Organizations involved in an international business believed the certification was a great benefit. Obtaining certification took on average two years and five months. The cost amounted to about £65,500.Research limitations/ implicationsAlthough the survey is limited to Iceland, this knowledge may also be of value to researchers, records managers and managers in other countries. The survey can lay the foundation for further research into the field.Practical implicationsThe results could be of value to organizations that want to implement or re‐implement a certified quality management system. They define various factors that can support a better and a more reliable implementation of quality management systems. The results show that certified quality systems bring varied and valuable opportunities to the profession of records managers.Originality/valueThe survey adds valuable information and fulfils a need for a better understanding of the status of ISO 9001 in Iceland.
Creating a “best value supply chain”? Empirical evidence from the Greek food chain
Authors: Bourlakis Michael , Maglaras George , Fotopoulos Christos 
Published: November 2012

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to investigate the differences in value outcomes within the Greek food chain by examining its key members and to illustrate which members are contributing, excelling and underperforming towards value creation.Design/methodology/approachA survey was conducted with 1,121 companies representing four Greek food sectors and each tier of the chain. These companies evaluated the value outcomes of their supply chain based on four competitive priorities and the subsequent data were analysed by employing appropriate statistical techniques.FindingsThe primary producers were found to have the worst value outcomes, whilst the best outcomes were noted for catering firms. The findings show that the Greek food chain has still many characteristics of a traditional chain and many improvements are required to reach the “best value chain” status.Practical implicationsThe results could be used as benchmark points to guide managers towards achieving highest scores in specific business operations. The paper demonstrates a logical methodological process for obtaining these results which can be used by managers.Originality/valueTo the authors’ knowledge, this is the first paper providing an overall view of value outcomes of various chain members altogether and of the chain they are part of. The paper has filled a relevant gap in the literature by providing an empirical comparison of the perceived value outcomes for several tiers in a food chain.
Service blueprinting and BPMN: a comparison
Authors: Milton Simon K. , Johnson Lester W. 
Published: November 2012

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to compare and contrast a customer‐focused service process diagram tool (blueprinting) with an organizational‐focused process diagram tool (business process modeling notation, or BPMN).Design/methodology/approachUsing a hotel stay as an example, the paper presents both a service blueprint and a BPMN diagram. The authors then explicitly discuss the similarities, differences resulting from an ontological comparison of service blueprints and BPMN, and show where the two tools can be complementary.FindingsThe authors have found that one similarity is that service blueprinting segments processes into parts that are similar to BPMN's idea of swimlanes. However, the swimlanes in service blueprinting separate customer actions, customer‐facing employees’ actions and functions, and back‐stage functions, actors, and information systems, thereby effectively mandating certain swimlanes for the purpose of analyzing points of contact between the firm and a customer. Another similarity is that service blueprinting deliberately differentiates between different functional areas and roles within each area to highlight, and IT systems. But it does this to make clear where actions move across organizational boundaries to avoid damaging service support, and also to explain to back‐office staff their role in supporting on‐stage customer interactions. Unlike BPMN, service blueprinting has physical evidence as front‐stage indicators to customers of service quality and to constrain customer actions by carefully designing the servicescape.Research limitations/implicationsA limitation is that the paper only uses one example (a hotel stay).Practical implicationsThe comparison provides service managers with guidance as to how to use the two tools interactively.Originality/valueFirms, to represent business processes, are using BPMN in increasing numbers. Knowing how BPMN supports and undermines service blueprinting is important, because service to customers is the ultimate goal for all firms. Therefore, representing service processes requires the parts of service blueprints to be supported in BPMN. Business process outsourcing adds further urgency for the need to adequately represent the parts of service processes in BPMN.
The impact of CFOs' characteristics and information technology on cost management systems
Authors: Pavlatos Odysseas 
Published: November 2012

PurposeThe purpose of this study is to examine the factors influencing the use of cost management systems (CMS) for decision‐making, control and performance evaluation.Design/methodology/approachAn empirical survey via questionnaires was conducted on a sample of 100 leading hotels enterprises in Greece.FindingsResults indicate that the extent of the use of CMS for decision‐making, control and performance evaluation is significantly positively associated with the quality of information technology, the chief financial officer (CFO) educational background and significantly negatively associated with CFO age. No association was found between CMS design, age of firm, and CFO tenure in the organization.Research limitations/implicationsCross‐sectional studies, as this work presented here, can establish associations, but not causality. Furthermore, the goal of the research was to examine the main effects and not the interactions between the various independent variables that affect the scope of CMS.Originality/valueThe results provide the first empirical evidence of the relation between cost system design, quality of information technology and CFOs’ characteristics in the hospitality industry. This paper contributes to the literature by examining the role of the CFO in CMS design.