bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
RELQUAL's impact on satisfaction in Norwegian business relationships
Authors: Mysen Tore , Svensson Göran 
Published: January 2010

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to develop a RELQUAL‐construct and to test its impact on satisfaction in Norwegian business relationships.Design/methodology/approachThis study is based upon a survey and random sample of small and medium‐sized companies in Norway. Initially, respondents were contacted by phone and a total of 581 surveys were mailed. A total of 212 surveys were returned, a response rate of 36.5 percent.FindingsTwo principal findings are: business relationships characterized by commitment/continuity and coordination/cooperation indicate a higher degree of a company's perceived satisfaction of the supplier; and business relationships characterized by opportunism/distrust and dependence indicate a lower degree of a company's perceived satisfaction of the supplier.Research limitations/implicationsThe RELQUAL‐construct and its impact on satisfaction in business relationships appears to be accurate for those Norwegian business relationships studied, but only further work in examining other companies will verify its universal applicability if it is to be seen as a valid and reliable measurement for other companies' business relationships too. Suggestions for further research are provided.Practical implicationsThis study is of managerial interest to executives since it provides a framework of dimensions to be considered in corporate efforts in maintaining satisfactory levels of relationship quality in business relationships.Originality/valueThe RELQUAL‐construct makes a contribution to theory since it proposes a higher order‐construct and measurement instrument for the benefit of other researchers and practitioners in the field.
Business management software in high‐tech firms: the case of the IT services sector
Authors: Hernandez Blanca , Jimenez Julio , José Martin M. 
Published: January 2010

PurposeThe aim of the paper is to analyse the acceptance of business management software by focusing on high‐tech firms dedicated to information technologies and belonging to the service sector (IT high‐tech firms).Design/methodology/approachThe authors have applied an extended technology acceptance model (TAM) which includes variables related to technological compatibility and web procurement. It has been tested through structural equation modelling.FindingsThe results show that IT high‐tech firms must understand the interrelationships that exist between different information technologies (IT) and must, therefore, acquire technological know‐how. This technological knowledge permits firms to improve their perceptions of ease of use and usefulness, obtaining better results when computerising their management.Research limitations/implicationsIT high‐tech firms must be aware that investment in a specific IT may affect the subsequent performance of other IT, due to the synergies derived from the application of complementary systems. Therefore, continuous investment in IT encourages the acquisition of technological knowledge that can be exploited in the computerisation of the main organisational functions and lead to greater overall efficiency.Originality/valueStudies of IT high‐tech firms based on behavioural models, such as TAM, are in short supply. An understanding of how firms that produce IT as an output also use it as an input in their productive process, allows us to evaluate the importance of acquiring technological knowledge. Moreover, IT high‐tech firms have repercussions in almost all the sectors of the economy because they usually handle the implementation, maintenance and development of IT in other firms.
Enhancement of product development capabilities of OEM suppliers: inter‐ and intra‐organisational learning
Authors: Huang Yen‐Tsung , Chu Wenyi 
Published: January 2010

PurposeFaced with increased global competition, suppliers must continually update their technology and capabilities to effectively respond to the rapid changes in customer requirements. In the original equipment manufacturer (OEM) supply relationships, it is particularly important for suppliers to enhance their product development capabilities by learning from customers. However, few existing studies have empirically explored this issue. This paper aims to fill some of the gaps.Design/methodology/approachBased on the organisational learning perspective, this paper investigates learning between the suppliers and customers of OEM relations as well as its impact on suppliers' product development capabilities. Structure equation modelling was used with data collected from 147 OEM supply relations of 117 Taiwanese information technology (IT) companies. The relationships among learning intent, interactive learning, internalised learning, and product development capabilities were examined.FindingsResults show that suppliers with a high learning intent are able to facilitate inter‐organisational and intra‐organisational learning to enhance their product development capabilities.Originality/valueThe paper proposes and empirically tests a model to explain how the OEM suppliers' product development capabilities are enhanced by the relationships between learning intent, inter‐organisational learning, and intra‐organisational learning.
Revising marketing strategies for supplier selection criteria: small firm approach from the information and communications industry
Authors: Hätönen Jussi , Ruokonen Mika 
Published: January 2010

PurposeMainly due to their size, SMEs in the ICT industry are often at a disadvantage in supplier evaluation and therefore in the MNC supplier selection process. This paper aims to illustrate how they have realised their weakness and have created innovative strategies for alleviating the uncertainties associated with SMEs and thus for overcoming these natural disadvantages.Design/methodology/approachThe method of analysis could best be described as multiple‐comparative‐case analysis. The authors have based the paper on existing literature, which is then assimilated into the analysis in the process of theory fulfilment and refinement.FindingsThis paper offers both theoretical and managerial insight by showing that SMEs do not have to accept their weak position in supplier markets, and that they can change the status quo by adjusting their strategies. The findings show that innovative strategies potentially offset the disadvantages of supplier smallness in the ICT industry.Research limitations/implicationsThe authors chose a qualitative research method as it facilitates theory building and development in areas in which the extant theory seems inadequate or the phenomenon being examined is complex. Qualitative research also potentially enhances managerial knowledge by providing best‐practice information.Practical implicationsThe authors provide insights that hopefully encourage SMEs in the ICT industry not to see their small size as weakness, but as a potential advantage in the form of increased responsiveness, flexibility, and service level compared to their larger rivals. However, to capitalise this advantage, the authors illustrate that SMEs in the industry should aim at increased focus on their core competences and simultaneously seek creative ways to remain competitive in the supplier markets.Originality/valueStrategies aimed at fighting disadvantages as such have been addressed by marketing scholars only to a limited extent. The originality of this paper lies in its focus on identifying strategies that are aimed at diminishing the strategic weakness of the company rather than those aimed at building strategic strength.
Identity work and play
Authors: Ibarra Herminia , Petriglieri Jennifer L. 
Published: January 2010

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to introduce the concept of identity play defined as people's engagement in provisional but active trial of possible future selves.Design/methodology/approachCurrent research and theorizing on the variety of strategies and behaviors used by individuals to tailor, adapt or otherwise change their identities has converged on the notion of identity work to conceptualize these processes. This paper introduces an alternative but complementary notion – identity play – and develops a framework that specifies how identity work and play differ from each other, and proposes a set of ideas about the process of identity play in role transitions.FindingsThe authors theorize that role transitions are a useful context to explore identity play and that just as individuals move between cycles of career stability and professional transitions so may they move between periods of identity work and play.Originality/valueThe concept of identity play provides a useful starting point to explore the multiple, often incoherent and variable nature of the self as well as the process of exploration and discovery necessary for creating new identities.
Learning to play, playing to learn
Authors: Kolb Alice Y. , Kolb David A. 
Published: January 2010

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to propose an experiential learning framework for understanding how play can potentially create a unique ludic learning space conducive to deep learning.Design/methodology/approachThe framework is developed by integrating two perspectives. First, from multidisciplinary theories of play to uncover the underlying play principles that contribute to the emergence of the ludic learning space are drawn. Then the formation of a ludic learning space through a case study of a pick‐up softball league where for 15 years, a group of individuals diverse in age group, gender, level of education, and ethnic background have come together to play are examined.FindingsThe case study suggests that play in a ludic learning space can promote deep learning in the intellectual, physical, spiritual, and moral realms.Originality/valueThis paper uses the play literature to inform the experiential learning concept of the learning space.
An exploration of entrepreneurship and play
Authors: King Kauanui Sandra , Thomas Kevin D. , Sherman Cynthia L. , Ross Waters Gail , Gilea Mihaela 
Published: January 2010

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to examine the differences between entrepreneurs who see a connection between spirituality and work and those who do not.Design/methodology/approachData are collected and analyzed in two stages from in‐depth interviews of 112 entrepreneurs. Key differentiators explored are related to money, ethical decision making, definition of success, and the entrepreneurs' desire to live an integrated lifestyle.FindingsNo significant differences are found between the two groups along key demographic attributes; however, when applying characteristics of flow and play to the entrepreneur's work experiences, distinct differences between the groups are found.Originality/valueThese findings suggest that holistically oriented entrepreneurs utilize the business as part of their spiritual path, and create an environment in which work and play are not perceived as separate work‐related elements.
The play of change
Authors: Sandelands Lloyd 
Published: January 2010

PurposeTwo claims are made about play that bears on managing change in organizations. First, play is a creative dynamic of human community; and in particular, it is the form taken by love at the boundary of fantasy and reality. Second, play is known, not by analysis via the mind and reason, but by intuition via the body and feeling. To manage change as play is to call upon the possibilities of adaptation and development that lie at the creative edge of love.Design/methodology/approachThe arguments of the paper are not strictly rational (deductive) or empirical (inductive) but are based upon an “abductive” reading of the literatures on play and managing change.FindingsPlay is key in managing change. Play is the creative enlargement of love involved in healthy and effective adaptation and development.Social implicationsChange in organizations is best taken in the spirit of love that is play. As change calls to love, the greatest changes call to the greatest love of the divine in which all things are possible.Originality/valueThe paper offers a novel theoretical integration of the research literatures on play and managing change. The paper offers a powerful argument for the humane foundations of play and change in love.
Temporal and spatial shifts within playful work
Authors: Hunter Carolyn , Jemielniak Dariusz , Postuła Agnieszka 
Published: January 2010

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to present the results of a qualitative study of software engineers' playful behaviors at work.Design/methodology/approachThe interviewed software engineers come from two European and three American companies. The research is based on ethnographical data, gathered in two longitudinal studies 2005‐2008. The methods used in the study include open‐ended unstructured interviews, participant observations, stories collection, and shadowings.FindingsIt is found that the currently dominant theory of normative control explaining software engineers workplace diminishes leisure and entertainment attributes of knowledge work. Fun at workplace is discovered to be an important, if not crucial, element of everyday programmers' job.Originality/valueThe study contributes to the literature by replying to the call for more research on high‐tech organizational practices, and on non‐job related behaviors at workplace. It reveals playful performance as a constituent for knowledge work and may contribute towards a better understanding of the role played by fun and playful behavior in creative problem‐solving and inventing.
Entry of Spanish tourism firms into new businesses
Authors: Andreu Rosario , Claver Enrique , Quer Diego 
Published: January 2010

PurposeDiversification is one of the most promising strategies for tourism firms, the entry mode choice being an essential decision. For this reason, this paper seeks to analyze the entry mode into new business areas made by Spanish tourism firms in their diversification process. It aims to focus on firm factors drawn on the resource‐based view (RBV) to examine issues such as the link between the new business and the company's original one, its diversifying experience, the reasons for diversifying and the impact of the choice of internal growth, external growth or cooperation agreements. The effects of a fit between the entry mode and the type of diversification on profitability are also considered.Design/methodology/approachFrom a mail survey to Spanish tourism firms 94 entries into new business areas were obtained and a multinomial logit regression applied.FindingsThe results show that both the diversifying experience and the reasons behind the decision to diversify influence the entry mode and support the existence of a link between the above‐mentioned fit and firm profitability.Originality/valueThe paper contributes to providing new empirical evidence about entry mode decisions, with the innovation that it has focused on a group of enterprises, those belonging to the Spanish tourism sector, which had traditionally received less attention within this field of research.
Do institutional investors favor firms with greater brand equity?
Authors: Oak Seonghee , Dalbor Michael C. 
Published: January 2010

PurposeThe aim of this study is to investigate institutional investment behavior relating to lodging firms and their brand equity.Design/methodology/approachOrdinary least squares (OLS) and two‐stage least squares (2SLS) regressions are used. The dependent variable is institutional investor percentage and the independent variables are advertising expenditures, size, capital expenditures, proxy Q, debt ratio, price, share turnover and year.FindingsThe study found that institutional investors' holdings are positively related to advertising expenditures. There is a significant difference in institutional holdings between lodging firms with advertising expenditures and those without. Institutions favor lodging firms that have lower debt ratios. Institutional investors prefer small firms because they typically offer superior returns.Research limitations/implicationsFurther research may be done to see whether individual investors favor firms with brand equity. Additional research may be conducted in other segments, such as restaurants or casinos.Practical implicationsFindings may help lodging managers in raising financial capital from institutional investors; researchers in conducting future research on institutional investors; and educators in better describing institutional investors' important roles to hospitality students.Originality/valueThe paper is the first to show a relationship between institutional investors and advertising expenditures in the lodging industry.
The peculiar impact of higher room rates on customers' propensity to book
Authors: Schwartz Zvi , Chen ChihChien 
Published: January 2010

PurposeThis study's goal is to examine how an intensified room rate signal affects customers' perceptions, their propensity to book, and consequently hotels' revenue maximization.Design/methodology/approachSubjects were asked to assess quality, sellout risk and the likelihood of getting a better deal based on an advanced booking scenario, where the signal's intensity was manipulated through the level of uncertainty. Analysis was conducted using a GLM multivariate procedure and a polytomous universal model.FindingsThe results suggest that high quoted rates might affect customers' perceptions, their propensity to book, and consequently the hotel's revenues. Surprisingly, the impact of the high room rate signal on the sellout risk perception reversed its direction with the intensified signal.Research limitations/implicationsThe results imply that the maximal achievable revenue levels reported in a previous theoretical study ought to be re‐calculated because the assumptions used were not supported by the study's findings.Practical implicationsThe study demonstrated yet again that price affects the booking decision beyond the monetary value. It sends a signal that affects several perceptions and shapes the consumers' booking decision. Moreover, the intensity of the signal might change the direction of the impact.Originality/valueThe study is a first attempt to examine price signal intensity and the impact of the signal's strength in an advanced booking environment. The theoretical and practical implications underscore the need to better understand the complex impact that price changes have on consumer reactions and consequently on the effectiveness of hotels' revenue management policies.
Forces driving the growth of the restaurant industry in the USA
Authors: Hua Nan , Templeton Amanda 
Published: January 2010

PurposeThe primary purpose of this study is to identify the drivers of the annual growth for publicly traded restaurant firms in the USA.Design/methodology/approachBuilt on previous research, the study constructs an econometric model to systematically investigate growth drivers of the restaurant industry using data from publicly traded restaurant firms in the USA.FindingsAnnual changes in size and market share were found to be positively and significantly related to restaurants' one‐year ahead annual growth. In addition, the annual change of leverage is negatively and significantly related to this growth. However, annual changes in book to market, market risk premium, as well as earnings growth fail to exhibit significance, controlling for franchising, internationalization, and year effects.Research limitations/implicationsResults may not be directly generalizable to all restaurant firms at large, considering that the sample is drawn from only publicly traded restaurant firms. In addition, there may be certain variables that the study did not directly observe but which influence firms' growth. Exploring a combination of both financial and nonfinancial variables may shed more light on the growth issue, especially with a more comprehensive data set.Practical implicationsThe paper recommends that restaurant executives should focus on market share, size, leverage, and franchise to improve the annual sales growth for the following year in addition to market risk premium.Originality/valueThe study attempts to provide, for the first time, systematic financial evidence about growth drivers of the restaurant industry employing representative secondary data from publicly traded restaurant firms. Understanding the driving forces behind the growth of the restaurant firms is of great importance to investors, financial analysts and management.
Hospitality managers' knowledge of HIV and HIV education: an exploratory study
Authors: Yap Matthew H.T. , Ineson Elizabeth M. 
Published: January 2010

PurposeThis exploratory study aims to determine Asian hospitality managers' (AHMs') perceptions of HIV education in their workplaces and their knowledge of HIV.Design/methodology/approachA mixed‐methodology research design gathered quantitative data from 32 English‐speaking AHMs, selected using probability and non‐probability sampling techniques, through a postal questionnaire. In addition, 12 of them agreed to participate in follow‐up telephone interviews to further investigate this research topic. Transformed raw data were analysed using both qualitative and quantitative analytical methods.FindingsAHMs supported HIV education with a strong understanding of the transmission and treatment of HIV. In addition, they revealed an acceptable level of knowledge regarding its effects on individuals and societies. However, their understanding of its nature, extent and general effects was weak. Based on the imperfection of AHMs' HIV knowledge, they appear to be disseminating incorrect information to their peers and subordinates.Research limitations/implicationsThe external validity of the study is affected due to its sensitive nature to generate quantitative data based on 32 respondents.Practical implicationsThe development and implementation of workplace education and training programmes required immediate consideration to eradicate misunderstandings regarding the acquisition, transmission and development of HIV.Originality/valueThe exploratory study supplemented the sparse literature addressing HIV knowledge of AHMs and the need of HIV education for hospitality employers and employees in their workplaces to curb the spread of HIV.
Will parental influences affect career choice?
Authors: Chak‐keung Wong Simon , Jing Liu Gloria 
Published: January 2010

PurposeThis study aims to examine how the perceptions of hospitality and tourism management (HTM) undergraduates about their parental influences predict their career choice intention with regard to the hospitality and tourism (H&T) industry in China.Design/methodology/approachA self‐administered questionnaire containing 22 parental influence attributes was given to both junior and senior students studying HTM programmes. Primary research on students' perceptions of parental influences on career choice has been undertaken in ten universities across five cities in China, with 566 valid samples acquired as a result.FindingsThree out of six parental influential factors derived from 22 attributes are determined as being the salient predictors for students' H&T career choice intention. Those three factors are “perceived parental supports of the H&T industry”, “perceived parental career concerns about welfare and prestige”, and “perceived parental barriers to career choice”. Demographic differences in parental influential factors are also revealed in the study.Research limitations/implicationsThe findings need to be confirmed by further evidence from other countries with different cultures. Future research should investigate students studying different majors, or at various educational levels. The variables of internship experience and colleges or universities being attended also deserve more attention. Another interesting topic would be to study parental influences on career choice from the parents' perspectives.Originality/valueThe knowledge obtained from the study will increase the very limited understanding of the effects of perceived parental influences on career choice, which might then lead to more attraction and recruitment of students to the H&T industry in China.