bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Biodiversity reporting in Sweden: corporate disclosure and preparers' views
Authors: Rimmel Gunnar , Jonäll Kristina 
Published: June 2013

PurposeThe purpose of this article is to provide an account of the quantity, location and intentions behind companies' biodiversity disclosure.Design/methodology/approachThis study applies a mixed methods approach to the examination of the quantity and location of biodiversity disclosure. The research focuses on a study of corporate websites and corporate reports over a five‐year period. Interviews with company representatives were also conducted regarding company intentions behind biodiversity disclosure.FindingsThe findings of this study show that few of the companies studied have a record of providing continuous biodiversity information. Those companies that provide the most biodiversity information are in the lower‐risk sector. The interview respondents identify social environmental reporting frameworks as catalysts for biodiversity disclosure. A reason for this low level of biodiversity disclosure may be the infrequency of interaction with pressure groups. However, the respondents also state, as increasingly their companies have paid more attention to sustainability reporting in recent years, more detailed biodiversity disclosure has resulted.Research limitations/implicationsThe research in this study, which is explorative and descriptive, is limited to a study of the quantity and location of biodiversity disclosure by 29 companies listed on the OMXS30 and the preparers' reasons for such disclosure.Originality/valueThis is an original study that attempts to go beyond mere reporting of biodiversity disclosure by examining the motivations for such disclosure using interviews with company representatives.
A more operable definition for training and education
Authors: Megan Grace Lita 
Published: June 2013

PurposeThis paper aims to discuss the current methods of training and education for first response emergency personnel. The goal is to distinguish the difference between training and education in an attempt to establish a more operable definition for use within the field.Design/methodology/approachThe initial approach was to closely examine and compare physical fitness standards and training for first response emergency personnel in the State of California and the US Government.FindingsThrough comparing and contrasting, it was found that while physical fitness standards needed to be additionally governed at the state level, the real issue was a lack of definition in academic literature regarding “training” versus “education.” Furthermore, a lack of focus on the health and physical fitness knowledge in the first response responder population may be putting them at greater risk.Originality/valueThe originality/value of this paper consist in: a critical look at the physical demands of emergency response by first response emergency personnel; and the argumentation for the use of subject matter experts in increasing further knowledge of health and physical fitness in the population of first response emergency personnel and defining the different components to training and education.
Modeling strategic performance factors for effective strategy execution
Authors: Srivastava Amit Kumar 
Published: June 2013

PurposeThe purpose of this study is to develop a model of strategic performance factors for effective strategy execution.Design/methodology/approachThis study uses multiple methods combining both the qualitative and quantitative research routes to unearth a more complete picture of the phenomenon facilitating accurate, generalizable, and practically useful theory.FindingsThere is a lack of literature on strategic performance factors and their role in effective strategy execution, which turns out be a barrier to the success of strategy execution. This study not only reviews the SPFs in the context of effective performance management leading to effective strategy execution but also identifies linkages among the SPFs to demonstrate the relative criticality of SPFs and how one SPF leads to another SPF. Interestingly, the situation and actor factors, which were explained in a very limited way in traditional models, have emerged as the most influential strategic performance factors.Research limitations/implicationsAlthough this study attempts to synergize multiple research methods to increase the significance of the findings, a comparatively large sample size would be more useful to test the reliability of the results. Additionally, the SPFs are contextual in nature and, therefore, this study requires extended efforts to test the research propositions in different research settings and reveals the generalized as well as differentiated results. The possible bias in ISM exercise can be improved by having multiple discussions with the respondents. This study extends the theoretical debate on balancing the strategic and operational performance measures for successful strategy execution. The study also fills the gap in the literature by proposing the model of strategic performance factors. Adding methodological value extending triangulation along with the interpretative tool, this study also suggests methodological implication of the research design.Practical implicationsThe proposed model of SPF could be useful in measuring the right thing in the right way to ensure effective strategy execution. Management of SPFs such as situation and actor is a further value addition to the debate on balancing lead and lag measures or financial and non‐financial measures. The study demonstrates that organizations should go beyond operation measures (both financial and non‐financial) and also focus on strategic factors such as situation and actors, which actually lead to the other SPFs.Originality/valueThis study took unique steps to integrate the multiple perspectives of performance measures and develop a model which can facilitate effective strategy execution. It not only fills the gaps in the literature but also provides a strategic perspective of the performance measurement and management systems. The methodological experimentation to not only bring rigor in model building but also use interpretive tools is an innovative attempt to clarify the “what”, “how” as well as “why” aspects of model building.
The emerging food retail structure of Vietnam
Authors: Thi Hong Nguyen Hai , Wood Steve , Wrigley Neil 
Published: June 2013

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to trace the modernisation of the retail structure of Vietnam from a closed market to one that is increasingly open to retail transnational corporation (TNC) entry and associated Western retail formats.Design/methodology/approachThe authors undertake this study of retail change through the analysis of a wide range of governmental and industry secondary data – much of which has not entered western academic debate given the challenges of access and translation. In doing so, this period of adaptation is related to well‐known studies concerning the diffusion of western forms of retailing discussed across the social sciences.FindingsAs a country encountering the third wave of supermarket proliferation within emerging markets, Vietnam's experience is found to broadly fit the models of retail foreign direct investment (FDI) entry and retail “modernisation” suggested by Natawidjaja et al. and Dries et al. The retail change process was affected by a slow, progressive creep of market liberalisation where, as late as 2009, a foreign partner could hold only up to 49 per cent of capital in a joint venture. While analysis of the evidence suggests some retailers flouted these laws or employed creative approaches to mitigating their effects, such regulations clearly underpinned a less intense initial influx of retail FDI than had been experienced elsewhere in Asia and maintained a high domestic ownership level in the retail market. Retail modernisation has intensified in recent years, with greater international entry, expansion and retail format proliferation diffusing from cities to more rural locations, though the top five grocery operators still account for less than 4 per cent of the grocery market.Originality/valueStudies within retail management of retail internationalisation have tended to focus on fully liberalised countries that have attracted high rates of retail capital. In contrast, this paper focuses on understanding the emergence of one of the countries somewhat later to these trends.
Malaysian hypermarket retailing development and expansion
Authors: Hassan Hasliza , Bakar Sade Abu , Sabbir Rahman Muhammad 
Published: June 2013

PurposeThe hypermarket industry in Malaysia has created a huge momentum for modern retailing concepts. The industry has been developing impressively, and the word hypermarket seems in need of a new definition. There is an overlap of the definitions for hypermarket, supermarket and shopping mall. Thus, the purpose of this paper is to focus on recent Malaysian hypermarket retailing developments that could be used as sources for definition. A few expansion opportunities are also emphasized in this paper.Design/methodology/approachA review of the literature from various research studies in the field was made. In order to strengthen the existing findings, practical implementations on hypermarket retailing within the Malaysian market were also studied in this research. In general, this research focuses on hypermarket retailing in the Malaysian scenario.FindingsMalaysian hypermarkets can be defined using retail developments within the industry as sources for definition works. This industry can also be expanded further through: product brand extension; service experience enhancement; self‐checkout technology; coupons promotion; online hypermarket; and one district one industry (SDSI) market intervention program.Originality/valueThe definition of hypermarket in this research paper is streamlined further to differentiate it from a supermarket or shopping mall. With the potential expansion opportunities, it is expected that there will be a clearer path to outgrow this industry.
The alignment of the policy objectives of youth inclusion and population regulation in post Arab‐Spring Egypt
Authors: Barsoum Ghada 
Published: June 2013

PurposeThis paper aims to argue for the benefit of aligning the two policy objectives of youth inclusion and population regulation in Egypt. This alignment is mainly informed by the literature that identifies structural development issues as central to population regulation. These development issues relate to greater access to education, particularly to female youth, access to the labor market, access to family planning services and delayed age at marriage. These development issues are also at the heart of a youth‐focused policy agenda that would foster their successful transition to adulthood.Design/methodology/approachThe paper provides stylized data on the situation of youth in Egypt along the youth‐ and population‐related parameters identified in the paper and surveys population policies in Egypt in view of recent changes related to the country's democratic transition.FindingsThere is great benefit in aligning the objectives of population regulation and youth integration policies in post‐January 25 Egypt. This alignment will revive the population‐focused policy agenda, which is ostensibly absent from the policy discourse, using an already vibrant discourse seeking to include youth as part of Egypt's democratic transition.Originality/valueThe paper contributes to the debate on youth and population issues in Egypt amid a highly volatile political scene and draws on the experience of post‐revolution Iran in terms of population policies.
The influence of intra-national cultural heterogeneity on product standardisation and adaptation
Authors: Poulis Konstantinos , Poulis Efthimios 
Published: June 2013

Purpose
– Challenging assumptions about the uni-nationality of markets, the paper aims to understand the role of intra-national cultural heterogeneity in product standardisation and adaptation strategies of multinational firms in a single-country, multicultural market.

Design/methodology/approach
– The study is set against the dominant backdrop of deductive reasoning in the field and adopts a qualitative mode of inquiry that promotes empathy with the setting. Through a multiple case study approach among paradigmatic cases, it sheds light on the aforementioned objective.

Findings
– The paper conceptualises the term “layers of adaptation” and reveals that firms use multi-dimensional standardisation/adaptation configurations. It explicates sub-contextual variations that move beyond assumptions of intra-national sameness and identifies their influence on unnoticed, more agile forms of adaptation.

Research limitations/implications
– Findings are limited to the analysis of practices in a specific setting. More studies across diverse contexts are necessary in order to expand the boundaries of relevant investigations and enrich the process of theorising.

Practical implications
– The findings caution that lack of internal sameness in multicultural markets may necessitate a multi-layered standardisation/adaptation logic that considers varying “depths” and “breadths” of relevant marketing strategies.

Originality/value
– The paper challenges assumptions that have characterised the standardisation and adaptation discourse, conceptualises the term “layers of adaptation” to denote the need for more considerate market responses and highlights the usefulness of qualitative investigations towards theoretical grounding of the field.
What is cool? Operationalizing the construct in an apparel context
Authors: Runyan Rodney C. , Noh Mijeong , Mosier Jon 
Published: June 2013

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to operationalize the ubiquitously used concept of “cool,” specifically considering its meaning to Generation Y consumers of apparel. Using Churchill's rigorous scale generating method, the authors generate items, pre‐test, and the test with a sample (n=265) of college students.Design/methodology/approachResearchers specify the domain of the cool construct, conduct item generation, collect data through a pre‐test to purify the measures and then collect data from a large sample to assess reliability and validity of the measures and construct.FindingsResults of exploratory factor analysis reveal a six‐factor solution; a confirmatory analysis shows that cool is a multi‐dimensional construct reflected in two second‐order factors that this paper labels hedonic and utilitarian cool. These factors are reflected in five first order factors: singular, personal, aesthetic, quality and functional cool.Originality/valueThe study provides a valuable insight into cool concept as being a multidimensional construct, operationalizing a scale to measure cool.
Compliance function in Italian banks: organizational issues
Authors: Birindelli Giuliana , Ferretti Paola 
Published: June 2013

PurposeThe authors' paper aims to examine the organizational issues that come from the recent establishment of the compliance function in Italian banks.Design/methodology/approachThe authors' paper takes as a starting point the Bank of Italy's regulations and the existing literature on compliance, in order to create a theoretical model of an efficient internal control system.FindingsFor each organizational structure of compliance, the authors' paper describes strengths and weakness. It also outlines the scopes of compliance and internal audit in order to avoid overlaps. Having regard to the similarities between operational risk and compliance risk, the study identifies cooperation areas so as to achieve synergies, in terms of costs, and a better operational efficiency.Research limitations/implicationsThe authors' paper focuses mainly on the relationship between compliance, on one side, and internal audit and risk management on the other. It focuses also on the positioning of compliance within the internal control system, as it has been regulated by the Italian disposals. Further research could concern the relationship with other functions and the regulations of other countries.Practical implicationsThe authors' paper identifies cooperation forms between the internal control system functions. This is the way to suggest organizational solutions able to improve banking efficiency.Originality/valueThis subject has not been analyzed in depth to date. This article attempts to obtain an identification of the roles and responsibilities of the main functions involved in the internal controls system, in order to define organizational models characterized by complementarity of interventions and thus oriented towards the objectives of effectiveness and efficiency.
Information infrastructure for systemic regulation
Authors: Alampalli Sharada 
Published: June 2013

PurposeThe near‐collapse of the world's financial system in 2008 brought into focus significant limitations in the data and analysis tools available to mitigate potential risks across the financial system. It has raised calls to provide comprehensive data and adequate tools to identify and relieve systemic risk. In this paper, an infrastructure is proposed to address the need for a new information system in systemic regulation.Design/methodology/approachThe proposed infrastructure is developed using the Fed's Bank Holding Company Supervision Manual as a guideline. The model uses a data fusion approach that allows integration of inspection data, external data, and other regulatory data of different granularity. A proprietary application known as Decision Making Toolbox (DMT) is being developed with three‐tier architecture.FindingsThe integrated all‐in‐one approach will enhance the efficiency, scope, and quality of studies applied to systemic regulation and will facilitate easy decision making for effective regulation.Originality/valueThis concept integrates data and measures that are needed for systemic regulation. It facilitates easy decision making, by regulators with an integrated all‐in‐one information infrastructure, for effective regulation.
Second hand smoke: ambient racial harassment at work
Authors: Chrobot‐Mason Donna , Rose Ragins Belle , Linnehan Frank 
Published: June 2013

PurposeLike “second hand smoke,” the harmful repercussions of racial harassment may extend well beyond the target to impact others at work. This study seeks to examine the “second hand smoke effect”, or ambient racial harassment, which involves exposure to racial harassment aimed at others. The paper examines race differences in awareness of racial harassment and explored work and health‐related outcomes associated with exposure to racial harassment. It also examines organizational tolerance for harassment as a moderator of these relationships.Design/methodology/approachA diverse sample of 245 employees from three data sources were surveyed. One data source involved White and Black employees in the same organization; the others worked in a variety of organizations across the USA.FindingsWhites were less likely than Blacks to be aware of racial harassment, even when employed in the same workplace. However, awareness of racial harassment predicted negative job attitudes and psychological strain for both Whites and Blacks. These relationships were amplified by perceptions of organizational tolerance for racial harassment.Research limitations/implicationsThe study documents ramifications of ambient racial harassment and illuminates a racial divide in awareness of harassment at work that may exacerbate racial conflict and prevent needed organizational change.Originality/valueThe paper extends the construct of ambient racial harassment by measuring a range of overt and subtle forms that vary in type and intensity, and by examining the role of organizational tolerance for racial harassment as a moderator of the relationship between ambient racial harassment and work and health‐related outcomes.
Performance and turnover intentions: a social exchange perspective
Authors: Biron Michal , Boon Corine 
Published: June 2013

PurposePrior research has yielded mixed results regarding the relationship between performance and turnover intentions. Drawing from social exchange theory, the purpose of this paper is to propose that the performance‐turnover intentions association may be contingent upon individuals' exchange relationships with their supervisor and co‐workers.Design/methodology/approachSurveys were conducted in six branches of an elderly care organization. All 512 employees received a questionnaire, and responses were obtained from 225 employees.FindingsSelf‐rated performance and manager‐rated performance were both negatively related to turnover intentions. The relationship between manager‐rated performance and turnover intentions was stronger under conditions of high leader‐member exchange, whereas the relationship between self‐rated performance and turnover intentions was weaker under conditions of high task interdependence.Research limitations/implicationsHigh performers may be particularly sensitive to relationships with their supervisor, and low performers seem to be more sensitive to relationships with colleagues. Performance data obtained from different sources (self/manager ratings) may show different patterns of results. The value of these findings in extending notions from social exchange theory to the realm of talent engagement is discussed.Practical implicationsTo retain high performers, firms should promote high‐quality relationships between leaders and subordinates.Social implicationsThe study suggests that investing in social relationships in the health care sector may be worthwhile. In particular, women represent an increasingly important share in this sector, and social mechanisms may help retain high‐performing women.Originality/valueThe study addresses the inconsistent findings of prior research regarding the performance‐turnover relationship, and the lack of agreement on variables that may relate to the retention of valuable employees.