bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Tourist activity inhibitors
Authors: Alejziak Wieslaw 
Published: March 2013

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to identify tourist activity inhibitors (causes of non‐participation in tourism), assess their impact strength and analyze the social disproportion and exclusion in terms of tourism participation. The paper also presents the deficiencies in the research methods and proposes modifications that pertain to method and terms.Design/methodology/approachEmpirical studies pertain to Polish residents' leisure trips in 2005. The sample (1,026 persons) fulfills the requirements for the general Polish population, aged 15 years and older. The statistical methods used were the χ2 test, the tau B‐Kendall rank correlation coefficient, factor analysis, cluster analysis, and ANOVA. The analyses include the top ten reasons for non‐participation in leisure trips, and are divided on the basis of the length of such trips (longer than seven days and shorter than seven days).FindingsThe research reveals great social diversity in tourism, which results from numerous interdependent factors. However, both the standards and the attributes of tourist activity are a measure of social diversification and exclusion rather than their cause. The analyses that this research carries out indicate the existence of deficiencies in terms of methodology employed in the identification of causes of not participating in tourism. These deficiencies pertain mainly to the randomness of inhibitor selection by different authors and various institutions for this particular activity. Subsequently this situation creates an obstacle when comparing results of studies. Another issue deals with the quite vague distribution of causes in the surveys, which on the other hand prevent respondents from giving clear answers. The cluster analysis carried out for trips lasting a week or longer reveals that the first cluster (60 percent) is the most uniform, being made up of people who most often lack money, and seldom mention the other inhibitors. The second cluster (20 percent) is much more diverse, and consists of people who often indicate a few factors – lack of money, lack of time, household obligations, and spending vacations in their place of residence.Research limitations/implicationsEmpirical studies were carried out exclusively among Polish residents and included only leisure trips.Practical implicationsResearch that diagnoses and partially forecasts the standards and attributes of tourist activity serves as a foundation to support the functioning of the entire tourist industry. The practical significance of this research is determined by the fact that people are constantly seeking to increase the demand for tourist products.Originality/valueKnowledge about people not participating in tourism is insignificant. This article pertains to the above‐mentioned group of people, focusing especially on the causes of non‐participation. It presents a critical analysis of studies and points out the diversity and inconsistencies in methodology. Problems of the lack of participation in tourism and social exclusion apply to social sciences, especially sociology and economy.
Collaboration and networking in the process of innovation: the path to precision time keeping
Authors: Proctor Tony 
Published: March 2013

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to examine the process of innovation management in the eighteenth century in the context of the search for precision time keeping in the watch making industry. In particular it looks at how knowledge was managed and transferred among interested stakeholders in the process.Design/methodology/approachThe paper reviews the published horological literature on the subject and considers it within modern theories relating to the management of innovation.FindingsThis paper illustrates that personal contact and collaboration is important to the development of innovation. The paper highlights the importance of networking in the process of innovation and collaboration as a means to share and develop ideas. Collaboration with organisations working in adjacent technologies was found to be present and competition promoted by the incentive of financial reward was found to be a motivator factor for moving innovation forward.Originality/valueThis paper will be helpful to academics who study innovation history as well as current innovation management practices.
Trends in hotel investment and financial management in Canada
Authors: Willie Paul , Pirani Alam , Jayawardena Chandana (Chandi) , Sovani Altaf , Davoodi Reza 
Published: March 2013

PurposeThis paper aims to analyse trends related to hotel investment in Canada and propose innovative practices for the financial management of hotels.Design/methodology/approachThe foundation for this paper was laid during a well‐attended Worldwide Hospitality and Tourism Themes (WHATT) roundtable discussion between industry leaders and hospitality educators in May 2012. Topics of hotel investment and financial management in Canada are discussed in the context of the theme for the 2012 Canadian WHATT roundtable and the strategic question: “What innovations are needed in the Canadian hotel industry and how might they be implemented to secure the industry's future?”FindingsThe paper outlines historic hotel investment patterns dating back to the 1980s and analyses the current investment climate. Out of 850 hotels sold in Canada during the first decade of this millennium, foreign investor participation was less than 10 per cent. Currently the foreign interest in hotel investment in Canada is increasing and hotel assets in the 100‐175‐room range are more popular.Practical implicationsThe paper presents three innovative practical tools for strong financial management of hotels to optimise ROIs – profit sensitivity analysis, strategic revenue management and embracing historical low interest rates.Originality/valueAlthough Canada has done well weathering the global financial storm, Canadian hoteliers should exercise due diligence in financial management. As the team of authors represents both the industry and academia, this paper will be of immense value to students, researchers, and educators, as well as practitioners.
Course evaluation by importance‐performance analysis and improving actions at the Budapest University of Technology and Economics
Authors: Eszter Tóth Zsuzsanna , Jónás Tamás , Bérces Roland , Bedzsula Bálint 
Published: March 2013

PurposeThe Department of Management and Corporate Economics as the flagship of teaching and researching quality management at the Budapest University of Technology and Economics has conducted an extended survey among students in five different business courses in order to get deeper knowledge about the factors influencing student (dis)satisfaction. The papers aims to discuss this.Design/methodology/approachInitially students were asked to fill out a course evaluation questionnaire of 11 questions. After processing the questionnaires, problem solving techniques with strong student involvement were applied in order to lay the foundation for long‐term course improvement actions. The main objective was to identify the factors that were given the greatest importance by the students, but where the performance of the course was low in order to reveal the potentials of development.FindingsImproving student satisfaction is a must at all courses as the financial issues of the faculty and the department are strongly affected by students' course ratings. By extending the application of this type of course, evaluation to faculty and university level would be a step forward regarding the development of satisfaction questionnaire in use at this moment.Originality/valueThis kind of questionnaire structure and the validation of the presented dual approach would not only highlight the areas needing to be developed, but also student deliverance could have more aspects.
Contagion channels of the USA subprime financial crisis
Authors: Dimitriou Dimitrios , Simos Theodore 
Published: March 2013

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to investigate empirically contagion channels of the 2007 US subprime financial crisis by employing a multivariate GARCH model for four major, international equity markets, namely the USA, EMU, China and Japan.Design/methodology/approachIn this study, contagion channels of the 2007 US subprime financial crisis are investigated empirically by employing a multivariate GARCH model for four major, international equity markets, namely the USA, EMU, China and Japan.FindingsThere is empirical evidence of contagion in all markets with the US market through various channels, which have not been discussed in other related studies. Specifically, the empirical results suggest that Japanese and EMU markets have been directly affected from the crisis. However, while China's equity market has been mainly unaffected by the US subprime crisis, has been affected indirectly through Japan. Moreover, the Japanese equity market exhibits positive and significant spillovers effects with China and EMU, revealing an indirect volatility transmission channel of US subprime crisis.Research limitations/implicationsFurther research could consider the asymmetric effects on conditional covariance through, for example, asymmetric generalized dynamic conditional correlation models. All under examination markets show evidence of contagion through different channels.Practical implicationsDespite the financial advices for diversification, since the increasing globalization and stock market interdependence throughout the last 15 years, through the US subprime crisis equity investors had fewer opportunities for diversification. From policy makers' perspective, they should carefully examine and uncover possible decoupling strategies to insulate these economies from contagion in future crises.Social implicationsThis study provides useful information to international organizations, such as World Bank and World Trade Organization (WTO) in order to protect markets from contagion during future crises.Originality/valueA novel finding of this paper is the indirect channel of contagion (i.e. Japanese market) for Chinese market. This indirect channel may help explain why China's equity market performed badly in 2008 after the subprime crisis in the USA emerged.
The impact of alliance network structure on firm innovation capability
Authors: Zheng Xiangjie , Zhao Yan 
Published: March 2013

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to investigate the impact of large‐scale collaboration network structure on firm innovation capability.Design/methodology/approachThe authors utilize negative binomial regression models to explore the relationships between network structure and patent productivity.FindingsResults demonstrate that firms embedded in alliance networks with higher reach will have greater innovative output, but fail to support the higher clustering enhances innovative productivity significantly, which is different from recent concerns regarding positive effects of higher clustering on patent output. The authors also find that the effect of alliance network as a conduit of knowledge transfer decays over time. Furthermore, both clustering and reach have mutually positive effects on the firm innovation with increases in the other.Practical implicationsNetwork structure attribute should be considered adequately when firms develop alliance activities and when relevant government departments make industrial policies.Originality/valueThis paper aims to fill the gap in the literature by providing the first systematic research of the impact of large‐scale collaboration network structure on firm innovation in China, and exploring the implications for firms to develop alliance activities and for relevant government departments to make industrial policies. This paper adds new evidence to the topic that alliance network is an important mechanism of knowledge spillover in China.
Regional strategies for developing emerging industries of strategic importance in China
Authors: Lin Min , Wang Yi , Wu Guisheng 
Published: March 2013

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to find the specific competitive industries in emerging industries of strategic importance of each province in China in order to provide references for industrial cultivation and development.Design/methodology/approachThis paper uses quantitative analysis methods on RCA and R&D efficiency.FindingsDifferent provinces have specific competitive emerging industries of strategic importance. Taking biotechnology, equipment manufacturing, and new generation of information technology industry as examples, this paper finds: for the advanced equipment manufacturing industry, Shaanxi, Sichuan, Guizhou, Tianjin, Liaoning, Heilongjiang and Jiangxi provinces have obvious characteristics and relatively high R&D efficiency; for bio‐technology, Jiangsu, Henan, Jiangxi, Hunan, Zhejiang and Shandong provinces have obvious characteristics and relatively high R&D efficiency; and for the next generation of the information technology industry, Jiangsu, Guangdong, Fujian, Beijing, Tianjin and Shanghai provinces have obvious characteristics and relatively high R&D efficiency.Research limitations/implicationsThis study is limited by lack of industrial comprehensiveness so that more statistical data about emerging industry of strategic importance is needed for more in‐depth analysis.Practical implicationsThe identification of specific competitive emerging industry of strategic importance of each province will give managers and policy makers train of thought for the cultivation and development of strategic emerging industry and make future policies more targeted.Originality/valueThe paper contributes to the research on the differentiated cultivation and development tactics of strategic emerging industry by, respectively, finding out the specific competitive emerging industries of each province in China.
Corporate brand relationships: the case of TOYOTA F1 Racing Team
Authors: Tasiyana Kahuni Abel , Rowley Jennifer 
Published: March 2013

PurposeThe purpose of this article is to explore the corporate brand‐web associated with the TOYOTA F1 Racing Team in order to exemplify existing theoretical discussions of the brand‐web concept and contribute to insights towards developing understanding of the structure of the corporate brand‐web and brand relationships.Design/methodology/approachA case study analysis of the TOYOTA F1 Racing Team, focusing on brand relationships associated with different levels of sponsorship is presented. The case study analysis is based on desk research.FindingsThe corporate brand‐web of the TOYOTA F1 Racing Team is presented. This portfolio of corporate brands and their relationships can be regarded as a corporate brand meta‐architecture. The study also offers taxonomy of different types of sponsorship‐based brand relationships, and identifies and discusses two key aspects of the relationships between brands, title sponsorship, and network relationships between the corporate brands in the brand‐web.Originality/valueThis article contributes to understanding of the corporate brand‐web and brand relationships in the sponsorship context and demonstrates the complexity of multiple brand relationships, and the need for researchers and practitioners to understand and manage their corporate brand architecture.
Annika Sörenstam – a hybrid personal sports brand
Authors: Cortsen Kenneth 
Published: March 2013

PurposeThe purpose of this article is to investigate sports branding at the personal level by focusing on the evolvement, growth and sustainability of the ANNIKA BRAND – an extension of Annika Sörenstam's success on golf courses worldwide.Design/methodology/approachA qualitative case study method inspired by “symbolic interactionist” aspects and focusing on Annika Sörenstam's commercial success with personal sports branding and its interdependence with sports branding at the product and corporate levels. Data collection was conducted in accordance with interpretative research traditions and hence based on qualitative semi‐ structured research interviews.FindingsThe “hybrid” nature of sports brands draws highly on “emotional capital” and “social currency”. Personal sports branding acts as a “hybrid”, which facilitates “hybrid” branding relationships between personal sports brands and sports brands at the product and corporate levels – often underlining good ROIs for all involved parties if the sports branding process is executed well strategically. This article presents personal sports branding as a hybrid phenomenon, which is dynamic by heart and part of a well‐coordinated process engaging several partners.Practical implicationsThe practices and activities of the ANNIKA BRAND is a showcase for sports branding practitioners thinking about sustainable business models.Originality/valueThis paper is unique in offering a roadmap for how personal sport stars may approach brand development and growth while discussing key points of the interdependence between sports brands at the personal, product and corporate levels.
Actual self‐concept versus ideal self‐concept
Authors: Abel Jeremy I. , Buff Cheryl L. , O’Neill John C. 
Published: March 2013

PurposeThe purpose of this research is to investigate the extent to which actual and ideal self‐congruities (image) are associated with health club patronage, a conspicuous consumption situation. Previous studies which have examined the applicability of the image congruence hypothesis to consumer behavior have scarcely examined its effect in the services industry. An integrative model of self‐concept, self‐congruity and health club image provides the foundation for hypotheses development.Design/methodology/approachA survey‐based methodology was employed in the current investigation, as paper‐and‐pencil surveys were administered on‐site at several local health clubs and an on‐line version of the questionnaire was made available to college students.FindingsConsumers’ actual self‐image, rather than ideal self‐image, was more strongly associated with their perception of their health club's brand image and, thus, served as a stronger indicator of health club patronage.Practical implicationsHealth club members exhibited a greater tendency to match the image they currently held of themselves with the brand image of their patronized health club. Health clubs would do well to develop and promote a brand image that is aligned more closely with members’ actual self‐images rather than attempting to develop a brand image that correlates more strongly to members’ idealized self‐images.Originality/valueThe current investigation evidences the applicability of the image congruence hypothesis to a particular service product that has not been examined in prior image congruence studies.
Re‐visioning practice through action research
Authors: Reed Kirk , Hocking Clare 
Published: March 2013

Background/aimOngoing knowledge development calls on health professionals to explore strategies to disseminate new or updated theoretical frameworks to practitioners. To date few researchers have explored effective means to do this or how the dissemination of professional ideas impacts on effective service delivery. The study described in this article aimed to identify strategies senior occupational therapists adopted to disseminate new concepts that have the potential to re‐vision and transform practice.MethodsSix occupational therapists were recruited as co‐researchers to become part of a collaborative community of practice. Over a 9‐month period they engaged in a project based on action research cycles where they had access to a newly revised theoretical framework. During each cycle the co‐researchers participated in a teleconference which was audio‐recorded where they reflected on concepts in relation to their own practice.FindingsAs understanding of the theoretical framework increased, they discussed which aspects of their practice could change, particularly in relation to processes they used to disseminate knowledge to the staff they supervised or managed.Conclusion/significanceThe co‐researchers described a range of ideas for dissemination which included individual and group strategies. In addition, they became aware of the transformative potential of their new knowledge as a way to better understand and create change within their organisations. The co‐researchers also described a sense of increased confidence, not only in terms of conceptualising practice but in terms of supervising staff and challenging service delivery.
Comparison between incidental malignant and benign breast lesions detected by computed tomography: A systematic review
Authors: Bach Andreas Gunter , Abbas Jasmin , Jasaabuu Cholpan , Schramm Dominik , Wienke Andreas , Surov Alexey 
Published: March 2013

AbstractIntroductionWith increasing use of CT for a variety of diagnostic pathways, breast incidentalomas will be identified more frequently. Therefore, it is important for radiologists to know typical CT appearances of malignant and benign breast lesions. The aim of this study was to compare radiological features of benign and malignant incidental breast findings on CT reported in the literature.MethodsA search for appropriate studies published between 1988 and 2012 yielded five results with a total of 214 patients/257 lesions. Morphological features of the described breast masses, such as shape, margins, enhancement, axillary lymphadenopathy and calcifications, were analysed.ResultsThe prevalence of incidental breast carcinoma varied from 9.2% to 60.9% of the lesions. The frequency of benign lesions was 30.4–71.8%. The remaining incidental findings were intramammary metastases and primary or secondary breast lymphomas. Malignant lesions were larger in size, were round in shape and demonstrated a higher density compared with benign lesions. There was no significant difference in the margin characteristics of the masses between the groups. The morphological features previously postulated as typical for malignancy turned out to be non‐specific.ConclusionsBenign and malign breast incidentalomas are not safely distinguished from each other on standard chest CT. Therefore, all breast incidentalomas should be evaluated by further radiological/histological investigations.
Analysing diversity and community structures usingPCR‐RFLP: a new software application
Authors: Flessa Fabienne , Kehl Alexandra , Kohl Matthias 
Published: March 2013

AbstractRestriction fragment length polymorphism tools is an R application which supports a complete workflow of polymerase chain reaction‐restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR‐RFLP), dealing with the problems which accompany analysis whenPCR‐RFLPis used in diversity studies. Large numbers of differentRFLPsamples obtained from multiple electrophoresis runs might lead to limitations or misidentifications due to the need for band matching in most existing software applications. Due to the common problem of variation in the density of bands (i.e. distances between bands or visual intensity) in the electropherograms, it is desirable to have options for handling samples with uncertain or faint bands. As a further step in the workflow, scientists often useDNAsequencing to identify individual genotypes, so that the use of specific software to combine these tasks might be helpful. With this background, we here present an application that supports a complete workflow, starting with the analysis of single species samples byPCR‐RFLP, toPCR‐RFLPgenotype identification based on a reference data set andDNAsequencing followed by similarity analysis.RFLPtools is a freely available, platform‐independent application which provides analysis functions forDNAfragment molecular weights (e.g. byRFLPanalysis), including similarity calculations without the need for band matching. As it is written for the statistical software R, other statistical analyses might also be easily applied.