bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Exploring socially responsible behaviour of Indian consumers: an empirical investigation
Authors: Singh Narendra 
Published: June 2009

PurposeWith growing consumerism in the country, Indians need to behave in a socially responsible manner for its sustainable development. This study sets out to explore the extent of the relationship between the demography and socially responsible behaviour of Indian consumers.Design/methodology/approachA slightly modified SRCB scale developed by Antil and Bennet with 34 Likert‐type items along with a few demographic questions is introduced among two equal groups representing urban and rural consumers, because they almost equally contribute to the country's GDP.FindingsUrban respondents scored high in all demographic categories in comparison with rural consumers. Gender‐wise, the behaviour was quite symmetrical in both the groups. Education‐wise, inverse relationship is noticeable between the SRCB‐mean values and educational‐level; it may be due to the respondents' continuing education. The inference is reinforced while analyzing the SRCB‐values across the age groups. Interestingly, younger ones particularly, the females are demonstrating high scoring on the SRCB‐scale. Analyzing according to income‐level revealed significant difference only for urban consumers. The lower‐income category score high because they are non‐earning (students) or have just begun earning.Research limitations/implicationsThe implications for green marketers are to focus on young consumers and more particularly the female population for creating loyal segment and gaining competitive edge. The policy makers need to promote urbanization for sustainable living and creating awareness of clean‐green living. Young Indians are identified as being more promising and socially responsible than their elders.Originality/valueThe paper makes an attempt to identify an insight into Indian consumers in terms of their socially responsible consumption behaviour. It presents a base for future studies on consumer social responsibility.
Relationship between environmental disclosures and corporate characteristics: a study of large manufacturing companies in India
Authors: Pahuja Shuchi 
Published: June 2009

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to test the influence of selected company‐ and industry‐related variables on environmental disclosure practices (EDPs) of the large manufacturing Indian companies.Design/methodology/approachThe work was done in three phases. In the first phase, an index of environmental disclosure was constructed consisting of 23 items of environmental information. Opinions of chartered accountants were obtained on the importance of each of these items in making sound investment and other decisions. Using this index, in the second phase, EDPs in the annual reports of 91 large manufacturing companies were examined for a period of three consecutive years. Environmental disclosure score (EDS) percentages were calculated for each of the companies for all the three years. The relationship between EDS percentages and ten selected variables was analyzed with the help of the multiple regression technique in the last phase.FindingsThe results provide strong evidence in support of the influence of variables size, profitability, sector, industry and environmental performance on EDPs.Research limitations/implicationsThe work involves analysis of EDPs of large manufacturing companies in India only. Non‐manufacturing and small companies were excluded from the scope of the work. Disclosure of environmental information by other media like stand‐alone corporate environmental report (CER) and internet was not considered. It was felt that further research was necessary to find the impact of other factors like country origin, organizational culture, experience with pressure groups and media profile on disclosure practices.Practical implicationsIt was felt that environmental reporting should be made mandatory in India at least in the major polluting industries. Companies should also voluntarily try to provide audited environmental information in the annual reports to build credibility and trust among corporate stakeholders.Originality/valueThe paper presents empirical evidence of EDPs of large manufacturing companies in India. It provides an insight into the factors that cause a difference in these practices.
Addressing and measuring small business social responsibility in the African context: a stakeholder framework
Authors: Yao Dzansi Dennis , Pretorius Marius 
Published: June 2009

PurposeThe aim of this paper is to provide a systematic and sound framework for addressing and measuring business social responsibility (BSR) in small and micro enterprises with specific focus on the African context.Design/methodology/approachThe paper is theoretical but has practical applications. The approach was to use principles of BSR from the literature to create a framework for addressing BSR issues in smaller ventures that operate in the African environment. Developing the framework involved operationalizing the linguistic meaning of BSR into observable indicators for it to be measurable. This involved the breaking down of the concept of BSR into dimensions and eventually into measurable elements.FindingsThe framework identifies customer‐, employee‐, and community‐related issues as the key BSR activities of African small businesses. Environmentalism is not a major concern for most of these businesses because they are mostly retail and services in nature; hence their impact on the environment will be so low that they need not concern themselves with environmental issues.Research limitations/implicationsCritics will point out the absence of environmental issues as a major limitation. However, the authors believe that such activities are typically associated with large industrial ventures. Thus, given their nature, it is unlikely small businesses will concern themselves with such activities.Originality/valueThere is a need for a framework that captures the African context. This paper fulfils that need by proposing a framework for micro and small ventures with possible inclusion of medium enterprises based on the stakeholder theory. Academics will find it useful in their research efforts. Fund managers will also find it useful as a tool for evaluating small business BSR performance. Small business owners will have a benchmark in performing their social obligations. Finally, consumers, businesses, citizens, NGOs and society at large can use it in distinguishing credible and effective socially responsible SMMEs from those that are not.
Refugees in Jordan: sociological perspective
Authors: Simadi Fayez A. , Nahar Ghazi S. 
Published: June 2009

PurposeThis paper aims to provide a thorough historical, legal, or political narrative of the refugee camps in Jordan.Design/methodology/approachThe study has analyzed three parts: the first part attempts to clarify Jordan's policy toward Palestinian refugees and their socioeconomic status in Jordan. The second part examines the refugee settlements in Jordan as social systems and applies Parsons' four functions system (AGIL). The third part analyzes the interrelationships between refugees and local host communities from the perspective of Coser's conflict functionalism.FindingsResults indicated that the Palestine refugees have found in Jordan a second home to protect them and help them to survive in dignity. And Coser's functional conflict theory seems more applicable to the refugee situation in Jordan than Parsons' theory.Originality/valueThe study offers some new information and data about the situation of Palestine refugees in Jordan that are very limited or not offered in the libraries.
Understanding health, culture, and empowerment in a disability context
Authors: Yeoh Poh‐Lin 
Published: June 2009

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to understand the different kinds of health‐promotion activities undertaken by Chinese individuals in managing their disability from multiple sclerosis (MS).Design/methodology/approachThe theory of control behavior was used in this study to understand the different kinds of primary and secondary health‐coping strategies used by participants and their impact on intra‐ and inter‐personal empowerments. Using semi‐structured interviews, interpretive phenomenology was used to elicit and analyze attitudes and behaviors of Chinese participants' management of MS.FindingsUnlike previous studies which only emphasized the tangible aspects of physical health, the current paper suggests the importance of viewing health benefits in a more holistic manner. It was clear from the Chinese participants that “disability” and “healthy” were not viewed as two separate concepts. Being healthy does not mean an absence of disease but as role functioning, energy and vitality, social relationships, and emotional well‐being. The exploratory paper also found that empowerment outcomes involved an interaction of both the inter‐ and intra‐personal components and, at the same time, were driven by primary and secondary control‐related preferences.Research limitations/implicationsFuture research should include individuals with other disabilities and different demographic and socio‐cultural characteristics to confirm the generalizability of the findings uncovered here.Practical implicationsThe impact of culture and contextual/situational variables on individual's choice of primary and secondary control strategies has important implications for developing health strategies across different ethnic minority groups.Originality/valueThe results provide support for the view that there are two dimensions to the process of patient empowerment. Rather than emphasizing primary control strategies, individuals can empower themselves by maintaining a balance between primary and secondary control strategies with respect to their health‐related goals.
Price discrimination by pharmaceutical companies across Central American countries
Authors: Rojas Mariano 
Published: June 2009

PurposePrice becomes a main instrument for rationing pharmaceutical drugs in Central America as a consequence of pro‐market reforms implemented in the 1980s. Under market‐rationing conditions, people's access to branded drugs does depend on their purchasing power and on the vector of prices they face. The purpose of this paper is to study the regional pricing strategy followed by pharmaceutical firms across Central American countries. These countries differ in such economic factors as per capita income, income distribution, market size, and nature and extent of their social‐security system; thus, there are conditions that foster the implementation of price‐discrimination practices across the region.Design/methodology/approachThe investigation takes advantage of a large database with information about prices of identical drugs sold across Central American countries and produced by 17 large pharmaceutical companies. Regression analyses are used to study whether price discrimination exists in Central American drug markets and what pricing strategies are followed by different pharmaceutical companies.FindingsResults show that there are significant differences in the prices of identical drugs across the Central American countries, as well as that pharmaceutical companies follow different pricing strategies.Originality/valueCross‐country price comparisons are usually based on constructed price indices, which imply losing detailed information about the products being compared. This investigation uses prices of identical drugs, rather than constructed price indices, to study cross‐country price differences by pharmaceutical companies across the Central American region. The study of price discrimination is crucial to understanding how markets end up rationing such an essential product as pharmaceutical drugs.
The endogenous modeling of the effect of direct‐to‐consumer advertising in prescription drugs
Authors: Kalyanaram G.K. 
Published: June 2009

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to study two major research objectives. The first objective is to investigate the effect of direct‐to‐consumer advertising (DTCA) on market share in the pharmaceutical drugs industry by modeling advertising decision of the firm as an endogenous decision. The second objective is to examine and determine whether there is any empirical support for the argument advanced by medical insurers and providers that DTCA advertising encourages brand switching.Design/methodology/approachData on sales, price, DTCA, direct‐to‐physician advertising (DTPA), and average cost of consumption per usage for three prescription (Rx) drugs categories was obtained for the period, January 1998 to December 1999. A simultaneous model of market share and DTCA is proposed. Market share is modeled as a function of DTCA, price, the intensity of competition as represented by the number of competitive brands, and DTPA. DTCA is modeled as a function of its lagged market share (with the optimal number of lags to be determined empirically), and the average cost per consumption usage.FindingsThis paper finds that there is a positive and significant effect of DTCA on market share when advertising decision is modeled as an endogenous decision. The empirical results suggest brand switching by consumers. There is, thus, some evidentiary support for the argument made by the insurance providers.Originality/valueThis paper is unique for two reasons. First, the paper estimates the effects of DTCA in a simultaneous model accounting for endogenous decision by the firm. Therefore, the estimates are unbiased and robust. Second, the paper investigates the important public policy question of the social welfare of DTCA.
Nutritious food intake: a new competitive advantage for organizations?
Authors: Houghton Jeffery , Neck Christopher , Cooper Kenneth 
Published: June 2009

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to suggest that nutritious food intake is a somewhat overlooked yet essential aspect of corporate wellness that has the potential to help provide organizations with a sustainable competitive advantage.Design/methodology/approachThe paper first discusses the resource‐based view, identifying ways in which nutritious food intake across an organization may serve to create rare and inimitable organizational resources leading to a competitive advantage. It then presents a basic overview of the fundamentals of nutritious food intake. It proceeds to review the transtheoretical stages of change model in the context of tailored nutrition interventions in organizations, providing a detailed overview of key individual behavior focused and environmental focused change strategies along with a discussion of types of technical delivery systems.FindingsThe paper suggests that an organization may be able to use a tailored stage‐based nutrition intervention as part of a comprehensive wellness program in order to help create a sustainable competitive advantage based on the nutritious food intake of its members.Research limitations/implicationsFuture researchers should continue to examine the effectiveness of stage‐based computer tailored nutrition interventions and their delivery systems, particularly in the context of comprehensive corporate wellness plans and the extent to which this serves to create a competitive advantage through lower direct healthcare costs and higher worker productivity.Practical implicationsOrganizational leaders should carefully consider the strategies and methodologies presented in this paper when designing and implementing nutrition interventions as part of a broad corporate wellness program.Originality/valueThis paper makes a valuable contribution to the organizational literature by recognizing the potential for the application of the transtheoretical stages of change model from the field of nutrition education within the context of the resource‐based view of organizations.
A meta analysis of ISO 9001:2000 research – findings and future research proposals
Authors: Psomas Evangelos L. , Fotopoulos Christos V. 
Published: June 2009

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to review and classify the main findings of the studies undertaken on ISO 9001:2000 certified companies and to present future research proposals.Design/methodology/approachA comprehensive literature review is carried out focusing on research papers published in academic literature. Both, the most recently published papers as well as those concerned only with the 2000 version of the ISO 9001 standard are chosen. The findings from the research papers are classified according to the issues examined.FindingsThe many studies undertaken regarding the ISO 9001:2000 implementation show that although there are signs that the initial results are not so positive, the general conclusion is that the standard has positive impact on the company's operational as well as business performance and on the company's effort to move towards total quality management. However, many research proposals have been expressed in order to fully determine the long‐term results as well as to specify a valid model containing the fundamental quality management practices which can effectively drive a company to business excellence.Practical implicationsHaving in mind that the ISO 9001:2000 is getting to its end and a new revised standard is being given birth (ISO 9001:2008); the paper reveals that the research agenda is still full of topics that have to be considered in order to fully understand the standard's implications. Hence, given the findings from the researches carried out until now and the modifications made to the requirements of the new standard, this paper gives directions for effective transition to the revised standard as well as for future research studies.Originality/valueReviewing the literature, it is observed that many research papers regarding the ISO 9001:2000 standard have already been published. This paper classifies the research findings and points out future research proposals in order to fully explore the quality management discipline.
Exploring the epistemological origins of Shewhart's and Deming's theory of quality
Authors: Mauléon Christina , Bergman Bo 
Published: June 2009

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to explore the epistemological origin of Shewhart's and Deming's ideas in their development of a theory of quality.Design/methodology/approachThe approach takes the form of a literature review.FindingsWalter. A. Shewhart's and W. Edwards Deming's ideas concerning a theory of quality originated not solely from insights about variation within statistics but also from the field of philosophy, particularly epistemology. Shewhart and Deming, both seen as quality pioneers, were strongly influenced by the conceptualistic pragmatist Clarence Irving Lewis and his theory of knowledge. This is, and has often been, a neglected connection; however, in today's competitive business environment knowledge and competence have become crucial success factors. Thus, the epistemology‐related origin of their theory of quality has become increasingly interesting and important to explore. First, a summary version of Clarence Irving Lewis' theory of knowledge will be presented here as expressed in his work Mind and the World Order: Outline of a Theory of Knowledge (1929). Second, examples of some important connections between Lewis, and chosen parts of Shewhart's and Deming's theory of quality will be given, for example the plan‐do‐study‐act cycle, operational definitions and profound knowledge. It will also be indicated how the social element in knowledge is emphasised in the works of Lewis, Deming, and Shewhart.Originality/valueBy exploring the epistemological background of Deming's and Shewhart's ideas of a theory of quality, it might be able to better comprehend the profound ideas they left behind and improve the understanding and use of their theory of quality today.
A review of twenty years of SERVQUAL research
Authors: Ladhari Riadh 
Published: June 2009

PurposeThis paper reviews 20 years (1988‐2008) of research on the SERVQUAL scale for measuring service quality.Design/methodology/approachA range of studies that have applied the SERVQUAL scale in this 20‐year period are examined in a non‐exhaustive review of the literature. These studies are selected from well‐known databases – such as “ABI/Inform”, “ScienceDirect”, and “EBSCOhost”.FindingsThe paper identifies and summarizes numerous theoretical and empirical criticisms of the SERVQUAL scale. Despite these criticisms, the paper concludes that SERVQUAL remains a useful instrument for service‐quality research.Originality/valueThe paper provides a useful source of information on SERVQUAL and its applications. In particular, the paper summarizes a selection of 30 applications of SERVQUAL.
Rankings of academic journals in accounting, finance, and information system
Authors: Wu Ji , Hao Qian , Yao Michelle Y.M. 
Published: June 2009

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is report the importance of research publications for the tenure promotion and for faculty in accounting, finance, and information system (IS) areas, developing valid criteria for the assessment of quality in related journals is necessary.Design/methodology/approachExisting rankings are usually based on a survey among faculty members, while ignoring the chairs' critical role in tenure evaluation. This paper uses department chairs' responses to a survey asking to assess relative journal quality, and hence provides quantitative standards to measure research productivity. The rankings are primarily obtained by the familiarity‐rank position index method. Different sets of rankings for the decision‐makers in universities, with various requirements for research are provide.FindingsIt is found that the rankings in accounting and finance areas are consistent with the prior research, but the rankings in the IS have changed significantly. This difference to the rapid growth in the field of IS is attributed. The robustness check also corroborates the ranking lists.Originality/valueIn addition, this paper reports not only a comprehensive ranking list including most journals in accounting, finance, and IS areas, but also separate rankings in each field.
The pervasive nature of IT controls
Authors: Canada Joseph , Sutton Steve G. , Randel Kuhn J. 
Published: June 2009

PurposeThe complexity of computerized information systems increases the complexity of the external auditor's assessment of the reliability of a client's internal control systems. The purpose of this paper is to investigate the impact of weaknesses in IT related internal controls on the cost of a SOX 404 audit of internal controls over financial reporting.Design/methodology/approachThe paper considers the impact on audit fees through three dimensions: percentage increase in audit fees; amount of change in audit fees per outstanding common share; and actual dollar amount of audit fees. Examination of first year reports by accelerated filers yields 131 companies with material IT‐control weaknesses. These 131 companies are matched with a similar set of companies with no reported material weaknesses, and for a subset of 54 from the 131 companies in which a good match could be identified, a set of companies having only material non‐IT‐based control weaknesses are compared.FindingsAs expected, substantial fee differentials were identified for companies reporting material IT‐based control weaknesses as compared to both companies without any material weaknesses and those companies with only non‐IT related material weaknesses.Originality/valuePreliminary evidence in regard to the costs of SOX 404 compliance for stockholders is provided. The cost of SOX 404 compliance has often been cited in criticisms of SOX, yet the focus of SOX is not on corporate wealth, but rather on enhancing corporate governance to protect the interest of stockholders. The cost of SOX compliance across the number of reported outstanding common shares for the companies studied is factored. It is found that the increased cost of audit fees on a per share basis is higher for companies reporting IT material weaknesses.