bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Localnomics: myth or reality!
Authors: Ali Abbas J. 
Published: November 2012

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to refute the proposition that in today's global economy “local is the new global.” It provides a logical argument that a passing economic trend should not be viewed independent of circumstances.Design/methodology/approachThe paper briefly discusses changes in the global economic landscape and identifies factors that are essential to sustaining market attractiveness and achieving a competitive edge. The paper then concludes that certain markets acquire an edge in appealing to businesses and attracting FDI.FindingsWhen companies, under certain conditions, relocate their businesses back home, this does not evidence a retreat from the global market. Rather, it demonstrates a change in strategic initiative to seize market opportunities and effectively deal with competition.Originality/valueThe paper offers a genuine reflection on emerging economic phenomena. It sets the stage for an effective argument to counter the voices that seize on current global economic difficulties and meltdown to promote disengagement from the global economy.
TraceALL: a semantic web framework for food traceability systems
Authors: Salampasis Michail , Tektonidis Dimitrios , Kalogianni Eleni P. 
Published: November 2012

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to describe TraceALL which is a Semantic Web (SW), ontology‐based, service‐oriented framework which aims to provide the necessary infrastructure enabling food industry (particularly SMEs) to implement traceability applications using an innovative generic framework.Design/methodology/approachThe framework builds upon the idea of the Semantic Web and provides an open and extensible underlying platform that allows different traceability interconnected applications to be designed and developed. More specifically, the framework provides a formal, ontology‐based, general‐purpose methodology to support knowledge representation and information modelling in traceability systems. Additionally, it suggests an open application framework based on widely used Semantic Web standards. Finally it provides a set of core services for storing, processing and retrieving traceability information in a scalable way. These components, taken together, facilitate the efficient development of next generation traceability applications.FindingsBased on a case study which the authors executed as a proof of concept and studying the relevant literature it was found that TraceALL facilitates the development of next generation traceability applications because, from a food safety perspective, it enables all stakeholders in the food supply chain to have an information trail that follows the product's physical trail, but at the same time is cost effective, easy to manage and applicable within a globalised, networked, interoperable economic environment.Originality/valueTo the best of the authors' knowledge, this is the first food traceability system based completely on solid existing standards of the Semantic Web initiative. The authors consider that the inspiring analogy between resources such as those described in the Semantic Web initiative and the core traceability concept of a Traceable Resource Unit (TRU) is an extremely useful concept for developing cost‐effective traceability applications that possess many key requirements, which are described in the paper.
Service quality in a higher education context: an integrated model
Authors: Sultan Parves , Yin Wong Ho 
Published: November 2012

PurposeThe aim of this study is to develop and empirically test an integrated model incorporating the antecedents and consequences of service quality in a higher education context.Design/methodology/approachThis research employed both qualitative and quantitative research methods. The data from three focus groups, conducted at the Central Queensland University (CQU), Rockhampton, Australia, generated key themes and their interrelationships. The theoretical model was then tested using structural equation modelling technique on a sample of 528 university students.FindingsThe findings show that information (marketing communications) is more statistically significant than past experience as the antecedents of service quality. The consequences of service quality are composed of trust, satisfaction, and image. Overall, the results suggest a good validity of the theoretical model and the key paths in the model are found statistically significant, except past experience affecting service quality.Originality/valueThe model provides a good explanation of a university brand image, and perceived service quality was found playing an important role in this model. Universities intending to enhance their image are encouraged to consider focusing their efforts on marketing communication information, service quality, student satisfaction and trust.
Cultural differences in use: the power to essentialize communication styles
Authors: Jonasson Charlotte , Lauring Jakob 
Published: November 2012

PurposeIntercultural communication problems are most often argued to be caused by differences in cultural values. This exploratory paper aims to argue that attention should not only be directed at national differences. Alternatively, it aims to argue that more interest should be paid to the actual use of those differences in communication.Design/methodology/approachThe paper is an ethnographic field study including 12 interviews and observations. It uses a short case on interaction between expatriates and local managers in a Chinese subsidiary of a Danish multinational corporation.FindingsThe paper illustrates how individuals and groups may essentialize cultural differences during intercultural business encounters and how this fixation of cultural traits can be used in social stratification.Originality/valueOnly scant extant research has focused on the active use of cultural differences in an intra‐subsidiary context.
Developing a corporate knowledge management strategy
Authors: Oluikpe Paul 
Published: November 2012

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to explore the development of a knowledge management (KM) strategy at the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) and how this was embedded in the business processes of the bank.Design/methodology/approachLiterature research and a case study were used as the methodology of the paper.FindingsThe need to align KM strategy with business strategy was identified as critical to the success of KM. It was discovered that focusing KM on the Bank's payments system process helped create value and drive business results. A combined approach of codification and personalization was adopted for the KM program of CBN. The strategy adopted involved using a two‐pronged approach of communities of practice and a functional portal to drive knowledge management. The paper identifies that this strategy is adding value to the organization and increasing knowledge flows across a dispersed and distributed work environment.Originality/valueKnowledge management in large public sector organizations in Africa is not common. Equally, KM in regulatory financial institutions like Central Banks in Africa is not very common. The paper highlights the challenges of implementing a KM program in a distributed, dispersed and networked public sector organization with 36 branches serving a population of 160 million people in sub‐Saharan Africa.
Knowledge management practices in healthcare services
Authors: Myllärniemi Jussi , Laihonen Harri , Karppinen Henri , Seppänen Kaisa 
Published: November 2012

PurposeThe purpose of the study is to develop understanding about the role of information and knowledge in healthcare processes and thereby create a basis for practices that would better support the actual service provision. This paper seeks to model and analyze the service processes of two case settings: laboratory and radiology units of a Finnish regional healthcare system.Design/methodology/approachThe main actors, their knowledge needs, current knowledge practices and bottlenecks in knowledge flows were recognized. The paper combines conceptual analysis and empirical findings. The empirical data were collected in the autumn of 2010 and consist of 32 thematic interviews in two units of a healthcare organization in Finland. The themes of the interviews are related to current knowledge practices and processes.FindingsThe paper exemplifies an approach that provides a systematic basis for analyzing different aspects of knowledge management in healthcare processes. The approach provides valuable insights for analyzing knowledge‐based foundations of health services and it is expected that this analysis helps elaborate the practical knowledge processes of healthcare organizations.Originality/valueThe paper approaches health information management from the viewpoint of knowledge management discourse and highlights the importance of knowledge‐based value creation. Instead of mere information transfer or delivery the paper emphasizes the knowledge‐in‐use perspective. Despite the essential role of knowledge assets, the development efforts have mainly concentrated on solving local problems with context specific technical solutions.
Exploring problem finding in a medical device company
Authors: Nilsson Susanne 
Published: November 2012

PurposeThe purpose of this study is to investigate the implementation and use of a systematic and collaborative approach for environmental scanning in a medical device company aiming to identify opportunities for both incremental and radical innovation. The study seeks to address the present gap in research on challenges associated with achieving a balance between exploration and exploitation on a micro level.Design/methodology/approachThe implementation and use of a systematic and collaborative approach for environmental scanning to support the identification and analysis of opportunities for radical and incremental innovation and its related challenges is described and analyzed. Experiences and observations from a single case study, conducted in an R&D organization in an international medical device company during two years forms the basis for the study. During 2009‐2011 an empirical investigation at an R&D unit composed of 200 employees at a Swedish site in an international medical device company, known as a market and pioneering leader was conducted. A qualitative evaluation and analysis was utilized using the gathering of relevant data from specified documents and surveys, compilation of databases in use for external information search, observations during formal meetings and semi‐structured interviews with individuals representing different departments and hierarchical levels to collect substantive and relevant data.FindingsThe study points to the importance of balancing the degree of formalization in the process in order to motivate different individuals and to create learning and innovation outcomes.Research limitations/implicationsThe study contributes to the body of innovation management literature by providing empirical data on how companies are organizing work to systematically acquire and use information about events and trends in the external environment defined as environmental scanning as means for building innovation capabilities in practice.Practical implicationsThe selection of direction and scope of search, the design and implementation of the scanning process and IT tool, the mechanisms needed to integrate different hierarchical levels and functions to identify new ideas and strategy implications are found to be factors critical to manage.Originality/valueThis study provides rich multi‐level longitudinal empirical data and addresses the current gap in research on challenges associated with achieving a balance between exploration and exploitation on a micro level. It specifically contributes to the need to better understand how firms build capabilities to identify opportunities and problems in the early phases of product innovation when aiming to generate both radical and incremental innovations.
Adaptation patterns in premium office buildings over time in the Melbourne CBD
Authors: Wilkinson Sara 
Published: November 2012

PurposeAchieving sustainable development in the twenty‐first century will be won or lost in the world's urban settlements, informed adaptation of existing stock is vital. Local Authorities are encouraging adaptation to reduce building related carbon emissions. The City of Melbourne aims to retrofit 1,200 central business district (CBD) properties by 2020 to become carbon neutral. As Australian cities date from the early 1800s and the adaptation of buildings is not as entrenched as in Europe, there is a pressing need for greater knowledge of what happens to buildings over time. The purpose of this study is to examine building adaptation from 1998 to 2008. This paper concentrates on the question; what is the pattern of adaptation within premium grade office buildings over time?Design/methodology/approachUsing the Melbourne CBD as a case study, the research analysed all commercial building adaptations. After a uni‐variate statistical analysis of all premium office adaptations, two case studies were selected and profiled to discover what happened to them during the period and to ascertain what may be learned as a result to inform future adaptation strategies and policies.FindingsThis research has established that there is a high rate of adaptations to existing commercial buildings which leads to the disposal of functional and serviceable fixtures and fittings to landfill sites. This practice results in the unnecessary loss of embodied carbon which compromises efforts to deliver carbon neutrality in its widest sense. In the short term we need to learn to take advantage of existing behaviour patterns in respect of adaptation and to learn how buildings adapt and to incentivise the needed behavioural changes.Research limitations/implicationsThe selection of case studies allowed an examination of the data at a deeper level, though it is acknowledged that the depth does not equal that achieved in a purely qualitative approach whereby stakeholders are interviewed or surveyed directly and this is a limitation of the approach.Originality/valueThis research is based on an analysis of all adaptation activity within a distinct geographical area over an extended period of time. The analysis shows what does happen to a defined sector of the stock; in this case premium office property and highlights the types and patterns of adaptation as buildings evolve through their lifecycles.
Improving ITIL compliance using change management practices: a finance sector case study
Authors: Yamakawa Peter , Obregón Noriega Claudio , Novoa Linares Alfredo , Vega Ramírez Willy 
Published: November 2012

PurposeAlthough various practices to facilitate organizational change are proposed in the literature, very little is known about how these practices impact on ITIL adoptions. Therefore, the purpose of this study is to address this gap in the literature by offering insights on how change management practices impact on levels of ITIL compliance.Design/methodology/approachThis exploratory research reports on four case studies of completed implementations of IT service management using the process – based ITILv2 framework. The firms studied are from the Peruvian financial sector. Data were gained primarily through semi‐structured in‐depth interviews with managers involved in the implementation process. Compliance was measured using the itSMF self assessment questionnaire, which assesses the overall process capability.FindingsThis study finds that not all of the case firms took full advantage of change management practices while implementing the ITIL framework. The results show that the firms with a higher use of change management practices achieved higher levels of ITIL compliance. Additionally, change practices related to change preparation were used more frequently and fewer practices related to the implementation and consolidation stages were reported.Originality/valueFew studies have examined change management practices in the context of ITIL implementation projects. This study also uses the levels of ITIL compliance as an outcome measure.
Quality evaluation of health libraries in England: a new framework
Authors: de la Mano Marta , Harrison Janet 
Published: November 2012

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to give the details of the development of the health libraries standards in England during the last decade; to identify and analyse the main features and innovations of the new accreditation framework published last year to assess the quality of that type of library, comparing it with the previous accreditation programme, and to present its first results.Design/methodology/approachThis study is based on a comparative analysis between the two main health libraries’ accreditation programmes developed in England (the Helicon checklist and the LQAF framework), reviewing the goals they intend to achieve, the methodology they propose and the structure and content of their standards. This analysis is built on a wide literature review, including mostly grey resources: technical standards and reports, newsletters, minutes of meetings, and briefingsFindingsIn the study, the main changes incorporated in the LQAF framework have been identified both at strategic, tactical and operational levels, delimiting the scope of the “360 degrees review” of the health libraries situation it aims. Besides, the main achievements since the LQAF appeared have been stated: the undertaken of the first National Baseline Assessments against the standards, whose results show the good fitness of English health libraries’ services quality, and the creation of the Innovation Reward. The near future, however, raises some uncertainties prompted by a new revision of the standards.Originality/valueThis is the first study about the new LQAF framework and it also provides the first comparison in the literature and a unique view of the main health libraries’ national accreditation programmes in England.
“I played games as there was nothing else to do”
Authors: Hoe‐Lian Goh Dion , Sian Lee Chei , Low Guanghao 
Published: November 2012

PurposeApplications blending games with mobile content sharing have garnered much interest recently. In this paper, the authors aim to examine users' motivations for seeking and creating content in the context of Indagator, a mobile content sharing game. The authors also seek to investigate the impact of games on these motivations.Design/methodology/approachThe authors conducted a user study where 28 participants used Indagator for a week to create and share content (annotations). Participants were interviewed. All interview responses, and annotations sought (5,799) and generated (599) were manually examined and coded to ascertain motivations.FindingsMotivations for seeking content include awareness, task performance, exploratory play, killing time, and socialising. Those for creating include altruism, task performance, competitive play, killing time, reminder of experiences, self‐presentation, and socialising. Additionally, games served as a motivator for mobile content sharing systems, forming a mutually beneficial ecology with content sharing.Originality/valuePrior work has not examined motivations for using mobile content sharing games, and has typically employed surveys rather than actual use of such applications. Understanding motivations has implications for developers. The benefits of incorporating games include increasing awareness for the application and addressing the “cold‐start” problem inherent in many newly introduced applications.
Generalising user behaviour in online travel sites through the Travel 2.0 website acceptance model
Authors: Muñoz‐Leiva Francisco , Hernández‐Méndez Janet , Sánchez‐Fernández Juan 
Published: November 2012

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to analyse tourist behaviour with regard to the new Web 2.0‐based sites, or Travel 2.0 websites. Concretely, it seeks to generalise the underlying behavioural model in explaining intention to use such sites according to its main determinants.Design/methodology/approachThe authors develop a structural equations model (SEM), which is applied to three websites selected for the study – i.e. the blog of a hotel, its Tripadvisor community and its Facebook profile. Rigorous empirical research was conducted by asking respondents to visualise the three different Travel 2.0 websites and complete a web questionnaire.FindingsThe findings reveal that the original technology acceptance model (TAM) is a robust underlying model for studies aimed at examining these sites. Focusing on blogs, social networks and virtual communities, the study shows that the relationship between certain cognitive and behavioural variables may vary depending on the specific website.Research limitations/implicationsThe study is limited to data from a single context (a specific website or type of tool), but an approach centred on visiting a variety of web tools mitigates this restriction. The main management implications of the study are discussed in the last section. Several recommendations to improve web design and the use of Travel 2.0 websites are made. The outcomes are very interesting with a view to increasing the revenues gained through these sites.Originality/valueThe paper permits firsthand knowledge to be gained about the information needs of Travel 2.0 users. It is original in that it establishes a behavioural model that can be extrapolated to all Web 2.0 applications in the context of tourist destinations or hotel websites.
Can strong home country institutions foster the internationalization of MNEs?
Authors: He Xiaoming , Cui Lin 
Published: November 2012

PurposeWhile many studies on institutional environment have primarily focused on the influence of the host country environment, limited insights have been offered on how the different dimensions of home institutions affect firm internationalization. This paper aims to fill this gap by investigating the effects of regulatory institutions at home.Design/methodology/approachUsing country governance quality to proxy quality of regulatory institutions, this study attempts to reveal how regulatory institutions at home facilitate a multinational enterprise's (MNE's) international expansion and why the influence differs in different country clusters. Using hierarchical linear modeling and cluster analysis, proposed hypotheses were tested with a three‐year panel of 511 firms from 38 countries.FindingsThe results provide substantial support for the authors' hypotheses that MNEs with high governance quality at home are more engaged in internationalization than those with low governance quality at home. Moreover, differences in institutional effect do exist between country clusters.Practical implicationsThis study provides evidence that while country differences exist, governance quality at home can facilitate MNEs' expansion into foreign markets. This finding will help managers of any MNEs to consider country‐level factors and evaluate the governance quality at home before committing resources into foreign operations.Originality/valueBuilding on the institutional environment literature, this theory and results make original contributions by underscoring how the consideration of regulatory institutions at home can significantly improve understanding of institutional influence on MNEs. The findings have important implications for both international business researchers and managers of MNEs.