bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
When children confront prices: an approach based on price presentation
Authors: Damay Coralie , Guichard Nathalie , Clauzel Amélie 
Published: October 2011

PurposeThis paper seeks to examine how young consumers attribute and select product prices according to their presentation (i.e. format and ending).Design/methodology/approachA questionnaire, administered to a sample of children between six and 12 years of age, reveals that children's allocation of prices and children's choices depend on different price formats (i.e. non‐decimal versus decimal prices and varied price endings).FindingsChildren tend to prefer round prices and to choose a 0‐ending in the decimal portion of decimal prices. However, their preferences also depend on their position as either a salesperson or a buyer.Originality/valueResearch into the relationship between children and price is a relatively new field. This study uses recent works as a basis and extends the field with new insights.
Online price dispersion – more than imperfect information
Authors: Petrescu Maria 
Published: October 2011

PurposeThe objective of this study is to analyze price dispersion in the context of internet based shopping malls and assess which of the main informational elements available online about sellers affect online price dispersion.Design/methodology/approachThe author collected data for 100 models of watches from seven major brands and 100 models of cameras from nine major brands available for sale on Amazon. Statistical regression of price dispersion against average price, number of stores, shipping charge variation, average number of customer reviews, variation in the percentage of positive reviews and a dummy variable of product type were performed.FindingsIt is shown that price dispersion is present even in an online shopping mall. The conclusion significantly adds to the online pricing research, by showing that price dispersion is influenced by the average product price and product type and shipping charges. The number of stores does not affect price dispersion because there is no obstacle impeding the customer from finding the prices for all stores. A key finding is that the number of customer reviews significantly influences online price dispersion.Research limitations/implicationsThe study only analyzes price dispersion for two products using secondary data. Future studies can analyze different types of goods and focus on which elements affect the buyers' store selection by using primary data.Practical implicationsManagers can see that there are numerous other elements of information besides price that influence buying decisions. Practitioners need to note the importance of customer reviews in online settings, including the significance of the number of reviews as signal of experience and reliability.Originality/valueThe paper shows that online price dispersion exists even in the context of practically inexistent search costs. Even though the buyers have instant access to all prices of a product, they use a combination of elements in order to decide the seller selection. A key contribution of the study shows that the amount of information available about the seller and the customer reviews significantly influence online price dispersion.
Corporate trainers' credibility and cultural values: evidence from Canada and Morocco
Authors: Hassi Abderrahman , Storti Giovanna , Azennoud Abderrahman 
Published: October 2011

PurposeCorporate trainers' credibility has been universally ignored by researchers and its significance has remained elusive across cultures. Thus, the purpose of this present paper is to examine variations of trainers' credibility determinants in Canada and Morocco.Design/methodology/approachA comparative qualitative study with in‐depth interviews and the grounded theory approach were adopted to carry out the research. Participants in the study consisted of 60 civil servants employed in various governmental departments in Canada and Morocco.FindingsA framework identifying distinct categories based on common determinants of trainers' credibility was constructed for each respective country. These categories were attributed the following designations: qualifications, perceived competence, perceived justice and perceived confidence for the Canadian sample; and qualifications, perceived competence, and personal attributes for the Moroccan sample. Similarities surfaced regarding some of the determinants in both cultures such as qualifications, and competence. However, Canadian respondents emphasized trainers' performance, fairness and confidence, while Moroccan trainees valued wisdom (hikma), honesty (sidk), trust (amanah) and the trainer as a role model.Practical implicationsThe findings indicate that cultural values ought to be considered in trainers' credibility in efforts to enhance the level of comprehension regarding credibility determinants that could impact training success and effectiveness. It is also recommended that organizations consider taking into account the determinants of credibility during the selection process of trainers who will be primarily tasked with delivering corporate training to employees locally or in various cultural settings.Originality/valueThe paper provides groundbreaking insights as it is the first study to investigate trainers' credibility across cultures by resorting to an emic approach to provide a cross‐cultural perspective on the subject.
The potential in strategic maintenance development
Authors: Salonen Antti , Bengtsson Marcus 
Published: October 2011

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to exemplify and discuss the potential in strategic maintenance development.Design/methodology/approachThis paper is based on a three‐year industrial case study, conducted in three different companies within manufacturing industry.FindingsAll three companies have showed substantial improvements in the chosen maintenance related KPIs. Further, the management has increased the insight on maintenance as a contributor to company competitiveness.Research limitations/implicationsNone of the companies has used any financial KPI for their strategic maintenance development. It would be of future interest to study the concept Cost of Poor Maintenance as an evaluation tool for strategic maintenance development.Practical implicationsThis study exemplifies the potential of strategic maintenance development in manufacturing industry.Originality/valueThis paper shows the results from three years of formulation, implementation, and evaluation of maintenance strategies.
Evaluating condition based maintenance effectiveness for two processes in series
Authors: Koochaki Javid , Bokhorst Jos , Wortmann Hans , Klingenberg Warse 
Published: October 2011

PurposeThis paper seeks to study maintenance policies on a plant‐wide level. It focuses on the effectiveness of condition‐based maintenance (CBM). It highlights the role of the production context and the importance of using appropriate metrics to assess CBM.Design/methodology/approachA simulation model was developed to explore the effects of production context using traditional performance indicators (costs and availability of each piece of equipment) and a more comprehensive metric (line efficiency).FindingsThe results showed that CBM has the best performance among other PM policies in loosely coupled processes. By contrast, in tightly coupled processes, CBM has a negative effect on the production line efficiency because it increases equipments' blockage and starvation states.Research limitations/implicationsThe simulation model was developed to reflect the reality. Nevertheless, some assumptions have been used to develop the conceptual and computerized model, which can be explored further in future research.Practical implicationsThe idea of this paper originates from empirical findings of fellow researchers. The findings in this paper provide a better understanding of how CBM affects key performance indicators in different production contexts and therefore help managers to appropriately execute CBM programmes.Originality/valueThis study focuses on CBM from a new angle. The majority of the literatures on condition‐based maintenance either discusses pure technical issues, or focusses on single equipment only. In this research, the effectiveness of CBM for two processes is studied and CBM is compared with block and age‐based replacement policies using a comprehensive performance indicator.
Exploring the interplay between gender, organizational context and career
Authors: Dulini Anuvinda Fernando Weerahannadige , Cohen Laurie 
Published: October 2011

PurposeThis paper aims to explore how highly skilled women workers in Sri Lanka navigate organizational contexts via different modes of engagement in pursuit of hierarchical advancement. The purpose is to contribute new insights into existing understandings of women's careers in diverse socio‐cultural contexts.Design/methodology/approachThis paper is based on one‐to‐one in‐depth interviews conducted with 24 Sri Lankan women in early, mid and late career.FindingsThe findings reveal how the women in this sample actively used eight modes of engagement to manage themselves in organizations and vertically advance in their careers. The implications of these modes for organizational contexts and women's careers are highlighted.Originality/valueThis paper contributes to the limited literature on women's careers in South Asia and develops existing understandings of modes of engagement individuals use to develop their careers.
The positive wellbeing aspects of workaholism in cross cultural perspective
Authors: Baruch Yehuda 
Published: October 2011

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to offer a counter‐intuitive conceptual framework to the study and the management of workaholism. The paper proposes that the phenomenon can be constructive, generating welcoming outcomes for individuals, organizations and societies.Design/methodology/approachA set of propositions about workaholism and its management under various contexts is presented and discussed.FindingsWorkaholics should not be labeled as problematic addicts. Workaholism should not be automatically taken as negative and be suppressed. If the culture is positive towards workaholism, offer alternatives.Research limitations/implicationsThe framework has a number of practical implications such as reconsidering the negative stigmatization of workaholic employees.Practical implicationsThe framework should be useful for managers in dealing with workaholics at work.Originality/valueThe paper develops a framework that enables “out of the box” thinking of workaholism.
Research vitality as sustained excellence: what keeps the plates spinning?
Authors: Gilstrap J. Bruce , Harvey Jaron , Novicevic Milorad M. , Buckley M. Ronald 
Published: October 2011

PurposeResearch vitality addresses the perseverance that faculty members in the organization sciences experience in maintaining their research quantity and quality over an extended period of time. The purpose of this paper is to offer a theoretical model of research vitality.Design/methodology/approachThe authors propose a model consisting of individual and situational factors which influence the motivation and commitment of a professor to continue to conduct quality research over an extended period of time. Additionally, the authors identify benefits that may accrue when faculty members possess research vitality and discuss human resource management implications for schools engaged in hiring, tenuring, promoting, and socializing faculty members. A set of propositions about research vitality and contextual factors that influence this construct are presented and discussed.FindingsAn individual‐level construct that represents a time related measure of the quality and quantity of individual contributions to the scholarly discipline of management is developed. Every individual in the organizational sciences field has the capability to contribute in a meaningful way.Research limitations/implicationsThe model presented has a number of personal implications and departmental implications such as how to predict research vitality in junior faculty members.Practical implicationsThe framework should be used for understanding one element of success in the organizational sciences.Originality/valueThe paper develops a model of research vitality to explain why some faculty continue to be productive, even in the face of a challenging research process.
Collective learning: interaction and a shared action arena
Authors: Döös Marianne , Wilhelmson Lena 
Published: October 2011

PurposeThe paper seeks to argue for a theoretical contribution that deals with the detection of collective learning. The aim is to examine and clarify the genesis processes of collective learning. The empirical basis is a telecoms context with task‐driven networking across both internal and external organisational borders.Design/methodology/approachThe research draws upon an integration of organisational learning theory and a relational and contextual branch of experiential learning theory framed as organisational pedagogy. A case study of R&D work serves as the empirical foundation. Four teams were studied through interviews, focus groups, and observations. Data were analysed in interplay between empirical findings and theoretical concepts.FindingsCollective learning does not only occur within the boundaries of well‐defined groups where previously identified. Characterised by distributed work processes and rapid changes in the telecom context, collective learning is associated with individual distribution of tasks, insufficiency as a foundation, a question‐and‐answer space, and the imprints of others in a shared action arena.Research limitations/implicationsConclusions concern how collective learning can be comprehended. The paper points to the importance of interaction and a shared action arena. The way in which knowledge develops is, to some extent, context‐dependent. This indicates that the characteristics of the shared action arena vary.Practical implicationsDifferentiating learning processes has a practical significance for organisations wanting to focus upon competence issues.Originality/valueThis study identified the importance for collective learning of the presence of a shared action arena. The theoretical contribution fills a gap in the understanding of how collective learning arises when moving from face‐to‐face learning within local teams, to networking across both internal and external organisational borders. This contributes to the understanding of how the learning of individuals links with the learning of an organisation.
Spare parts logistics for the Chinese market
Authors: Gebauer Heiko , Kucza Gunther , Wang Chunzhi 
Published: October 2011

PurposeDespite the proven benefits of high‐performing spare parts logistics, recommendations on how to organize spare parts logistics in China are rather rare. The absence of spare parts logistics concepts for China is surprising, since the spare part business is the profit pool of the capital goods industry: spare parts create about 17 percent of the industry's total revenue. The margins involved in this spare parts revenue are, on average, 25 percent compared to 2‐3 percent of the capital goods. This paper aims to offer recommendations to increase spare parts logistics performance.Design/methodology/approachThe authors conducted an extensive benchmarking project with a variety of firms (focus group and single case study) in order to gain a better understanding of spare parts logistics in China. By reviewing the first benchmarking findings with a single company that struggled to achieve sufficient spare parts logistics performance, additional insight was gained into how spare parts logistics should be organized in China.FindingsThe paper attempts to provide a better understanding of the necessary changes for improving logistics performance in the Chinese market. It analyzes the necessary changes to achieve a cutting‐edge logistics solution, and shows how companies can implement the solution.Research limitations/implicationsResearch limitations come from the qualitative nature of the research.Practical implicationsManagers can use the results obtained in this study to challenge their current logistics practices and develop a project procedure on how to initiate logistics projects that lead to cutting‐edge logistics performance.Originality/valueRather than concentrating on performance benchmarks of the supply chain of spare parts or specific aspects of spare parts management, the paper develops the setting up of a cutting‐edge logistics solution for China and Asia. The cutting‐edge solution is based on two main pillars: companies should try to develop logistics solutions for Asia that consider existing Asian and Chinese constraints instead of taking the logistics practices used in mature markets and trying to adapt them to the Chinese market, and the development of the logistics solution should be in intensive collaboration with the logistics providers.
Supply network configuration benchmarking
Authors: Moser Roger , Kern Daniel , Wohlfarth Sina , Hartmann Evi 
Published: October 2011

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to develop a benchmarking framework for the analysis of the supply network configuration of companies and exemplify its applications in the Indian automotive sector.Design/methodology/approachThe authors combine elements of relationship and network theories from different research streams to develop a three‐level supply network configuration benchmarking framework including a dyadic supply chain and network perspective. The analysis of two case companies exemplifies how different supply networks in emerging markets are depending on the specific strategies and institutional context.FindingsThe framework works well with the two case studies presented. A major player in the Indian automotive industry is benchmarked against a newcomer in this emerging country. The results can be used to improve each firm's supplier base management approach and create more efficiency in their further development.Originality/valueThis paper builds on current theories to develop a benchmarking framework for supply network configuration analysis combining the dyadic, chain, and network level into one framework. The case example exemplifies the developed framework.
Exploring geographical dispersion in Thailand‐based food supply chain (FSC)
Authors: Kittipanya‐ngam Pichawadee , Shi Yongjiang , Gregory Mike J. 
Published: October 2011

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to explore the key influential factors and their implications on food supply chain (FSC) location decisions from a Thailand‐based manufacturer's view.Design/methodology/approachIn total, 21 case studies were conducted with eight Thailand‐based food manufacturers. In each case, key influential factors were observed along with their implications on upstream and downstream FSC location decisions. Data were collected through semi‐structured interviews and documentations. Data reduction and data display in tables were used to help data analysis of the case studies.FindingsThis exploratory research found that, in the food industry, FSC geographical dispersion pattern could be determined by four factors: perishability, value density, economic‐political forces, and technological forces. Technological forces were found as an enabler for FSC geographical dispersion whereas the other three factors could be both barriers and enablers. The implications of these four influential factors drive FSC towards four key patterns of FSC geographical dispersion: local supply chain (SC), supply‐proximity SC, market‐proximity SC, and international SC. Additionally, the strategy of the firm was found to also be an influential factor in determining FSC geographical dispersion.Research limitations/implicationsDespite conducting 21 cases, the findings in this research are based on a relatively small sample, given the large size of the industry. More case evidence from a broader range of food product market and supply items, particularly ones that have significantly different patterns of FSC geographical dispersions would have been insightful. The consideration of additional influential factors such as labour movement between developing countries, currency fluctuations and labour costs, would also enrich the framework as well as improve the quality and validity of the research findings. The different strategies employed by the case companies and their implications on FSC location decisions should also be further investigated along with cases outside Thailand, to provide a more comprehensive view of FSC geographical location decisions.Practical implicationsThis paper provides insights how FSC is geographically located in both supply‐side and demand‐side from a manufacturing firm's view. The findings can also provide SC managers and researchers a better understanding of their FSCs.Originality/valueThis research bridges the existing gap in the literature, explaining the geographical dispersion of SC particularly in the food industry where the characteristics are very specific, by exploring the internationalization ability of Thailand‐based FSC and generalizing the key influential factors – perishability (lead time), value density, economic‐political forces, market opportunities, and technological advancements. Four key patterns of FSC internationalization emerged from the case studies.
Supply chain management practices in the electronics industry in Malaysia
Authors: Pandiyan Kaliani Sundram Veera , Razak Ibrahim Abdul , Chandran Govindaraju V.G.R. 
Published: October 2011

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to explore the effects of different dimensions of supply chain management practices (SCMP) on supply chain performance (SCP) in the electronics industry in Malaysia.Design/methodology/approachThe study employed the quantitative method where convenience sampling and self‐administrated survey questionnaires were sent to 125 electronics firms in Malaysia. The research framework was tested using variance‐based structural equation model, the partial least squares (PLS) method.FindingsThe empirical results of PLS indicate that six of the seven dimensions of SCMP have a significant positive effect on SCP. Furthermore, agreed vision and goals shows a greater influence than other dimensions of SCMP.Research limitations/implicationsThis study took a narrow focus solely on the electronics manufacturing industry with a relatively small sample size of respondents. Also the data were only collected from single respondents in an organization. However, being the first study to explore the dimensions of SCMP and how those dimensions relate to SCP, the study shapes the pathway for future research.Practical implicationsThe results offer insights to SCM practitioners and policy makers on the importance of SCMP to increase the competitiveness of manufacturing industry in terms of SCP.Originality/valueThis study employs a newly developed framework based on existing theoretical arguments to empirically examine the relationship between two important factors, the SCMP and SCP. This study is perhaps one of the first to address the effect of SCMP that includes combination of comprehensive practices and system approach towards the overall performance of the supply chain.