bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Taking advantage: informal social mechanisms and equal opportunities policies
Authors: Taylor‐Gooby Peter 
Published: June 2011

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to examine how factors including class position, education, social network membership and cultural capital contribute to the intergenerational transmission of class advantage for women and men in different European welfare states.Design/methodology/approachThe paper analyses the European Social Survey round 1 data.FindingsEducation is the dominant institutional mechanism for reproduction of privilege, but social network membership plays an important subsidiary role. The contribution of membership is highly gendered, even in the overtly more open social democratic and liberal societies.Research limitations/implicationsThere were data limitations in ESS: no time‐series data, and no data on wealth.Practical implicationsThe findings are of particular policy relevance at a time when reform programmes are stressing individual opportunity and shifting responsibility from state to citizen, so that informal pathways to the reproduction of privilege become more significant. These include network membership, contacts and cultural capital.Social implicationsThe research indicates the importance of social network membership and sheds light on how this works to the advantage of middle and upper class groups and men in different European countries.Originality/valueNo other studies have used these data to explore these issues to the author's knowledge, and one needs to understand more about these issues in the context of current concerns about inequality and opportunity.
Mining's relocation culture
Authors: Allan Julaine 
Published: June 2011

PurposeGood social relationships and connections to place are key aspects of work‐life balance that are rarely considered by employers because of a focus on the work part of the dichotomy. In response to this omission, this paper aims to investigate women's experiences of frequent relocations due to their partner's employment in the mining industry.Design/methodology/approachInterviews were conducted with 20 women, who had partners employed in the mining industry. Thematic analysis focussed on participants' individual stories of relocation to identify common and divergent experiences.FindingsThemes identified included the role of industry practices and expectations in supporting relocation; personal strengths and strategies developed over time; individual and family needs during relocation; the impact of life stage on decisions about relocation and the important aspects of place.Research limitations/implicationsMining has a relocation culture common to those involved in the industry. While this culture presents challenges, most of the participants in this study also found benefits in moving often and had developed strategies to cope with relocation upheaval. Participants expanded their social relationships, adding to community resources of the places they lived in by participating in social and cultural events.Practical implicationsRelocation disrupts workforce stability and cohesion desired by industry. Understanding relocation culture is one way family members survive in the industry. It is critical for the mining industry to acknowledge the life part of work‐life balance.Originality/valueThe paper conceptualises relocation as a significant part of the mining industry's culture creating mining families as itinerant. This is the first paper that examines family experiences and social relationships, external to the industry they are connected to. The finding that family members of mining industry employees are very likely to live in remote locations at some point is new. The way these individuals can be used as resource in deprived locations requires further exploration.
Learning to count: a challenge facing trade unions in their educational role
Authors: Lee Bill , Cassell Catherine 
Published: June 2011

PurposeThe purposes of this paper are to explain how the need arose for trade unions to develop accounting systems to monitor learning outcomes and to illuminate how trade unions rose to that challenge.Design/methodology/approachA semi‐structured interview study of the full‐time educational officers of a number of the UK trade unions produced transcripts that were analysed using template analysis and were supplemented by collection of documentary evidence from the trade unions and interviews and documents from related organizations.FindingsTrade unions are starting to compile extensive information about the learning opportunities that they are facilitating.Practical implicationsInformation produced by the trade union's accounting systems highlights the value of the government's investment in the union learning fund (ULF).Originality/valueThis is the only study to address the systems of monitoring developed by trade unions in response to the receipt of funds from the ULF in the UK.
Marketising social protection in Europe: two distinct paths and their impact on social inequalities
Authors: Frericks Patricia 
Published: June 2011

PurposeCurrently, different experiments in (partially) outsourcing public social protection to the market are observed. This paper seeks to identify two very different paths to outsourcing social protection: fragmentation of social protection on the one hand (in personal savings accounts) and amalgamation of social protection on the other (in life‐course savings schemes).Design/methodology/approachThis study is theoretically based on the combination of three concepts which allow changes in social citizenship to be analyzed by means of social policy change and changes in resource flows. First, on the concept of life‐course regimes as put forward by Kohli; second, on the concept of social citizenship as proposed by Marshall; and third, on the concept of flows of resources related to these rights. The theoretical and methodological linkage of these concepts was first applied by Frericks.FindingsThese very different concepts of outsourcing social protection have implications for social inequalities, new insecurities and foreseeable under‐insurance. This is because, on the one hand, social protection redesign changes the obligatory character of social insurance, and on the other, it changes the social construction of the “adequately” protected which may no longer correspond to the factual situation of various groups of citizens.Originality/valueThe outlines of upcoming gaps in social protection, however, cannot adequately be grasped by the differentiation between “insiders” and “outsiders” of welfare systems. Although these gaps are related to status, they are more the result of life‐course trajectories, life‐course timing and age, implying that both the two current policy paths change intra‐ as well as inter‐generational differences in social protection. The characteristics of the two policy concepts and their foreseeable implications for social inequalities are analysed.
The relationship between multidimensional organizational culture and performance
Authors: Prajogo Daniel I. , McDermott Christopher M. 
Published: June 2011

PurposeThis paper aims to examine the relationship between the four cultural dimensions of the competing values framework (CVF) (group, developmental, hierarchical, and rational cultures) and four types of performance: product quality, process quality, product innovation, and process innovation. Theoretically, this represents the contrasts among the four quadrants of CVF in terms of their respective outcomes, with quality and innovation reflecting the contrast between control and flexibility orientations, and product and process reflecting the contrast between external and internal orientations.Design/methodology/approachData were collected from 194 middle and senior managers of Australian firms who had knowledge of past and present organizational practices relating to quality and innovation‐related aspects in the organization.FindingsDevelopmental culture was found to be the strongest predictor among the four cultural dimensions, as it shows relationships with three of the performance measures: product quality, product innovation, and process innovation. Rational culture shows a relationship with product quality, and along with group and hierarchical cultures, it also plays a role in predicting process quality.Practical implicationsThe results provide key insights for managers to appropriately understand the fit between the culture and the strategic direction of the firm. The findings also encourage firms to appreciate the balanced view on what seems to be multiple cultural characteristics within the same organization.Originality/valueBy simultaneously examining the relationships between different cultural dimensions and different types of performance, this paper extends the previous empirical studies which linked CVF with a specific measure of performance.
Managing global network operations along the engineering value chain
Authors: Zhang Yufeng , Gregory Mike 
Published: June 2011

PurposeThis paper aims to improve understanding of how to manage global network operations from an engineering perspective.Design/methodology/approachThis research adopted a theory building approach based on case studies. Grounded in the existing literature, the theoretical framework was refined and enriched through nine in‐depth case studies in the industry sectors of aerospace, automotives, defence and electrics and electronics.FindingsThis paper demonstrates the main value creation mechanisms of global network operations along the engineering value chain. Typical organisational features to support the value creation mechanisms are captured, and the key issues in engineering network design and operations are presented with an overall framework.Practical implicationsEvidenced by a series of pilot applications, outputs of this research can help companies to improve the performance of their current engineering networks and design new engineering networks to better support their global businesses and customers in a systematic way.Originality/valueIssues about the design and operations of global engineering networks (GEN) are poorly understood in the existing literature in contrast to their apparent importance in value creation and realisation. To address this knowledge gap, this paper introduces the concept of engineering value chain to highlight the potential of a value chain approach to the exploration of engineering activities in a complex business context. At the same time, it develops an overall framework for managing GEN along the engineering value chain. This improves our understanding of engineering in industrial value chains and extends the theoretical understanding of GEN through integrating the engineering network theories and the value chain concepts.
Understanding brand identity confusion
Authors: Srivastava R.K. 
Published: June 2011

PurposeThe brand increasingly is becoming the key source of differentiation that guides customer purchase choice. It is the focal point around which an organization defines how it will uniquely deliver value to the customer for a profit. The main aim of this research is to unveil the consumer perception about Cinthol and to understand the importance of brand identity of a product and the factors influencing it.Design/methodology/approachA descriptive study was conducted in the age group of 21‐55 years to ascertain the perception change in the brand identity of Cinthol, its brand personality, its awareness levels, its usage pattern, its promotional campaigns and the factors influencing the buying behavior of the consumers.FindingsIt was also observed that most of the respondents identified Cinthol as a family soap closely followed by male soap, though the difference between the two was not significant. Company is projecting this brand as male's soap overall satisfaction and loyalty, hence the ultimate outcomes.Practical implicationsThe view presented in this paper is drawn from the marketing research perspective but question raised should be of great interest to practitioner as well. The work outlined should provide a marketing manager with a clear view and understanding of brand identity and image.Originality/valueThis brand identity and brand image study should help the brand to assess the impact of change in brand personality. Frequent changes may affect the brand image due to identity crisis.
Brand equity in higher education
Authors: Mourad Maha , Ennew Christine , Kortam Wael 
Published: June 2011

PurposeThe potential to provide customers with information about experience and credence qualities in advance of purchase has resulted in widespread recognition of the significance of brands in relation to consumer choice in the service sector. Arguably, what is of particular significance in this process is brand equity – the value that the consumer ascribes to the brand. The main objective of this research is to enhance academic understanding of brand equity in the higher education (HE) sector and explore the implications for management practice.Design/methodology/approachQuantitative data collected via a self‐completion survey are used to test a model of brand equity in the context of HE. The empirical setting is Egypt which, following liberalization, has a mixture of public and private provision and an increasingly competitive environment. It provides an example of an emerging market where building brand equity is likely to be an important component of organizational strategy.FindingsThe results provide partial support for the proposed conceptual model, with image‐related determinants of brand equity being far more significant than awareness‐related determinants.Practical implicationsFor those involved in marketing service brands, the asymmetric impact of various determinants of brand equity provides guidance on how and where to focus marketing efforts.Originality/valueThe distinctive contribution of this research arises from the examination of brand equity in the context of an emerging service sector market with a mix of public and private provision.
The key role of opportunism in business relationships
Authors: Mysen Tore , Svensson Göran , Payan Janice M. 
Published: June 2011

PurposeThis study seeks to examine the key role of opportunism in business relationships relative to environment uncertainty (i.e. competitive intensity and market turbulence), bonding structure (i.e. specific assets and dependence), and relationship quality (i.e. trust and commitment).Design/methodology/approachInitially, informants were contacted by phone and a total of 581 surveys were mailed to small‐ and medium‐sized manufacturers asking them to answer questions about their suppliers. In total, 212 surveys were returned generating a response rate of 36.5 percent. To test the measurement properties and hypothesized relationships between the constructs in focus, confirmatory factor analysis and structural equation modelling were used.FindingsThe results supported all six hypotheses. The principal findings are competitive intensity leads to market turbulence and market turbulence, in turn, is positively associated with opportunism; specific assets leads to dependence and dependence is, in turn, positively associated with opportunism; and supplier opportunism is negatively associated with both trust and commitment.Research limitations/implicationsThe research model tests a sample of business relationships between small‐ and medium‐sized manufacturers and their suppliers in Norway. Findings may not be generalized to larger companies in other countries.Practical implicationsThe results are of interest to manufacturing executives since they provide a framework of contextual variables and relational characteristics that need to be considered in corporate efforts to control supplier opportunism.Originality/valueThis study is unique in testing key constructs of two important theories of business marketing – transaction cost analysis and social exchange theory (i.e. relationship quality) rarely, if ever, used in the same empirical study.
The state of the surveying profession in Africa: a Ghanaian perspective
Authors: Obeng‐Odoom Franklin , Ameyaw Stephen 
Published: June 2011

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to assess the extent to which the process of becoming a surveyor in Ghana mirrors a broad conception of professionalism.Design/methodology/approachThe work is grounded in field research in the form of interviews/survey conducted by the authors in Ghana. The sample is drawn in such a way that the work benefits from the experiences of people at different levels of surveying training.FindingsThe study reveals that professional surveying training in Ghana is effective but narrow: senior surveyors do provide mentoring to probationers, but they engage in poor labour practices; probationers do obtain professional training, but many of their expectations are not met. While there are both costs and benefits to the mentors and mentees, the study finds that, on balance, the process of professionalisation is designed to favour a few owners of surveying firms.Practical implicationsIt is the intention of the authors that this work would contribute to a process of “conscientisation”. The paper provides part of the basis for young surveyors to reject being passive recipients of instruction to becoming active workers and professionals who have a deep awareness of the social reality which shapes their professional lives and understand how they can reshape that reality.Originality/valueThis research work is the first study of the state of professionalism and work conditions of surveyors in Ghana. The study sheds light on the conditions under which surveyors work and shows how professional they are. On the one hand, this study provides the opportunity for prospective surveyors in Ghana to reflect on their aspiration before embarking on that “journey”. On the other hand, it gives practising surveyors a basis for reflecting on how the profession can be improved.
Incursion of non‐professionals into property management practice in Nigeria
Authors: Tunde Oladokun Timothy , Ojo Olatoye 
Published: June 2011

PurposeThe paper seeks to identify the factors that are responsible for the incursion of non‐professionals, otherwise called quacks, into property management practice in Nigeria.Design/methodology/approachPrimary data were collected with the aid of questionnaires served on 270 estate surveying firms based in the study area. The proportion method was used to determine the factors that are significantly responsible for the daily incursion of non‐professionals whose activities have negatively affected real estate investment in the country.FindingsThe result shows that the high income derivable from property management practice is a major factor. Other factors in their perceived order of importance include provision of unsatisfactory and less than standard service by estate surveyors, lack of confidence by clients on the estate surveyor to evict erring tenants and shortage of qualified personnel.Research limitations/implicationsObtaining the perception of practitioners could subject the findings of the study to bias. Further research targeted at the clients of property management services will provide a balanced view.Originality/valueThe findings from this study will provide professional bodies and policy makers with data to curb the activities of quacks and enhance the practice of real estate management.
Competing in global niche markets: the case of Macquarie Bank
Authors: Gordon Cameron 
Published: June 2011

PurposeThis article aims to examine a value creation model employed by Macquarie Bank, a worldwide leader in private infrastructure finance. The Macquarie case is interesting because the firm has internationalized by developing a unique market expertise; transformed this expertise into a set of core capabilities; and leveraged both of these components within a structure of corporate entrepreneurship. As such the Macquarie case may offer a new hybrid model for financial services globalization. However, the turbulent events surrounding the sub‐prime crisis have shown the limits of the model and raise questions about the sustainability of strategies that use leveraging as a central component.Design/methodology/approachThis is a detailed case study which employs close reading and analysis of secondary data, primarily corporate documents, academic articles and press interviews and reports about the firm.FindingsMacquarie offers a unique blend of niche marketing and international scale operations. The replicability of its strategy by others is unclear, although some general lessons can be drawn. Some of these are cautionary given the risks inherent in the bank's approach.Practical implicationsThe Macquarie experience suggests that inefficiencies in financial markets have been much more common than orthodox financial theory suggests since the firm has advanced by identifying and exploiting such inefficiencies. At the same time, there is the question of what the firm does as these inefficiencies become exhausted.Originality/valueThere have been few academic studies of the Macquarie business model. This article is one of the first.
The impact of internal marketing on commercial banks' market orientation
Authors: Suleiman Awwad Mohammad , Mohammad Agti Djouhara Ali 
Published: June 2011

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to examine the effect of internal marketing, organizational commitment and organizational citizenship behaviors on commercial banks' market orientation.Design/methodology/approachA quantitative survey methodology was adopted to collect data from commercial (non‐state owned) banks' employees in Jordan. A sample of 365 employees within seven of 13 Jordanian commercial banks was used. Data were analyzed using AMOS 16.0 to determine the interactions between the various factors.FindingsEmpirical findings confirmed that internal marketing, organizational commitment and organizational citizenship behaviors had a positive direct effect on banks' market orientation. In addition, organizational commitment had a positive direct effect on organizational citizenship behaviors.Practical implicationsJordanian commercial banks should convert internal marketing as a strategy into their core operations and systems to meet employees' demands and the bank goals. This conversion shall make employees show their sincere organizational commitment so that they can express the attitude of organizational citizenship behaviors that are beneficial for the banks' operations and survival.Originality/valueThe paper introduces a new perspective of the associations and interactions that take place between marketing and organizational behavior concepts which affect organizations' market orientation endeavors. While such perspective is considerably new and relevant to general marketing literature, the fact that this paper is one of few papers that focus on internal marketing in Jordan adds to its originality.