bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Debt‐equity decision‐making with and without growth
Authors: Hull Robert M. 
Published: July 2011

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to instruct upper level business students on the intricacies of the debt‐equity choice with the emphasis on showing the interrelation of this choice with the plowback‐payout choice.Design/methodology/approachThe paper is designed around a pedagogical exercise that applies academic theories on the computation of the gain to leverage for an unleveraged nongrowth firm. A question and answer methodology is used within the exercise. The approach is instructional as it attempts to teach students about firm valuation and the variables that are important in the valuation process. The firm valuation method is based on perpetuity equations with and without growth.FindingsUnlike an empirical study that concentrates on providing findings from a data analysis, this paper attempts to instill knowledge and skills to students when making debt‐equity and plowback‐payout choices.Research limitations/implicationsAll gain to leverage equations used in this paper are limited by their derivational assumptions and the estimation of values for variables used in the equations.Practical implicationsBesides using the traditional Modigliani and Miller (MM)‐Miller gain to leverage equations, this paper also uses more recent gain to leverage equations that attempt to bridge the gap between theory and practice by applying new theory on the impact of the plowback‐payout choice on the debt‐equity choice. Students will be able to compare traditional and recent gain to leverage equations and form their own opinions as to their potential value in practice. In the process, they should get an idea of the practical complexities of financial decision‐making.Social implicationsOptimizing firm value through proper decision‐making implies there is a proper and efficient utilization of societal resources.Originality/valueThe paper builds on a prior pedagogical paper that incorporated discount rates (costs of borrowing) within the nongrowth MM‐Miller gain to leverage framework. This paper's originality and value lies in being the first pedagogical paper to incorporate growth as determined by the plowback‐payout decision within the nongrowth gain to leverage framework.
Creating effective staff development committees: a case study
Authors: Davis Erin , Lundstrom Kacy 
Published: July 2011

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to explore the role of staff development committees (SDC) in the motivation, morale and education of library staff by relying on previous research and by using Utah State University's (USU), Merrill‐Cazier Library SDC as a case study.Design/methodology/approachDiscussion and analysis emerge from the documented formation of USU's SDC, including its membership, goals, and evaluative practices, especially as it relates to current research in this area. Informal staff comments regarding benefits and limitations of the committee are included.FindingsStaff development has been approached from various perspectives. Most programs form as the results of formal or informal needs assessments. Goals for the program, or for the resulting staff development committee, vary and fluctuate depending on the time‐specific needs of the library. Successful elements of USU's SDC include its emphasis on building inter‐departmental relationships and its ability to elicit feedback from every level of the library. Challenges include having clearly defined goals and meeting a variety of individual and institutional needs through the creation of related events and activities.Practical implicationsThis paper provides ideas on forming a staff development committee, including examples for specific events and activities. It details how to structure membership and explores literature relating to designing and implementing institutional goals for staff development.Originality/valueMany studies lack a comprehensive literature review that focuses on the scope and purpose of staff development committees. This paper combines a literature review with an explanation of how USU's Library created a staff development committee to fill certain library‐wide goals, including challenges and benefits that emerged as a result.
Information literacy and US Latino college students: a cross‐cultural analysis
Authors: Dabbour Katherine S. , Ballard James David 
Published: July 2011

PurposeThe purpose of the paper is to present a cross‐cultural analysis of information literacy and library use among Latino and white undergraduates in an American university.Design/methodology/approachA large‐scale, random sample survey of information literacy skills, and library instruction experiences and attitudes was undertaken at a large public university in the USA.FindingsMore white students accessed the internet from home than Latino students; however, both spent an equal amount of time searching the internet and library databases. Latino students used the physical library more than white students. More Latino than white students had formal library instruction. Over two thirds of the respondents agreed or strongly agreed that their research skills contributed to their academic success. Latino students did not perform as well as white students on the test questions on information literacy knowledge.Research limitations/implicationsWhile an argument over the relative merits of an objective test of information literacy versus direct assessment of student work is beyond the scope of this study, it would be worthwhile to undertake to see if the results would be different.Practical implicationsGiven the differences in test scores despite more Latinos attending library instruction, improvements in outreach, pedagogy, and assessment methodologies may be needed.Social implicationsAs there are over 220 Hispanic‐Serving Institutions of higher education in the USA, these findings could be applicable to other libraries.Originality/valueFew if any researchers have compared test scores on information literacy knowledge and library use based on a cross‐cultural analysis.
A study of Master of Library Science candidates and librarians at a practicum site library
Authors: Ferrer‐Vinent Ignacio J. , Sobel Karen 
Published: July 2011

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to augment knowledge about perceived benefits and drawbacks of practicum programs in academic libraries.Design/methodology/approachMany library science programs require or encourage practicum experiences. The paper surveyed past practicum students and site librarians about experiences with their practicum program.FindingsPractica in librarianship that balance structure and independence were reported to be beneficial, both for practicum students and for the libraries that host them. Students enjoyed the theory‐to‐practice aspects and the diverse populations of the academic library. The Auraria Campus's student body displays great diversity in terms of race and ethnicity, socioeconomics, age, and prior educational experiences. Practicum participants also made constructive suggestions for changes in terms of structure and content. Students and site librarians valued their interactions with one another, even though the librarians were aware that mentoring and supervising practicum students consumes time.Practical implicationsMaster of Library Science (MLS) programs, students, and libraries should consider these results when evaluating or considering practicum programs.Originality/valueAt present, the library literature contains very few examples of evaluation strategies for library practicum programs. This article presents an easily adaptable model for assessing practicum programs in order to make improvements to their own programs.
The influence of marketing from a power perspective
Authors: Merlo Omar 
Published: July 2011

PurposeBased on the widely held view that influence is exercised power, and in light of the suitability of power theory to studies of marketing's relative influence within the firm, this paper seeks to explore marketing's level of influence from a power perspective. The paper proposes and empirically tests a model in which the marketing function's four key types of power (bureaucratic power, critical contingencies power, network power, and psychological power) act as antecedents to marketing's influence within the firm. The model also aims to consider the contingency effect of market turbulence.Design/methodology/approachThe study employs data drawn from a sample of senior managers in medium and large manufacturing firms. The model is tested using hierarchical ordinary least squares regression analysis.FindingsThe findings provide support for a link between all types of power and marketing's influence, with the exception of psychological power. Market turbulence is also found to strengthen the positive link between marketing's critical contingencies power and marketing's level of influence.Practical implicationsThe study identifies and discusses power mechanisms that may be employed by marketing subunits to maintain or strengthen their influence within the firm.Originality/valueEmpirical evidence has shown that strong marketing functions are still needed, yet are slowly disappearing. This study approaches the question of how marketing departments can protect or regain their influence by adopting a power perspective. The findings suggest that marketing departments can tap into different types of power to further their influence. The study discusses the key theoretical and managerial implications and proposes some directions for future research.
HRD domain in the service science discipline: developing interdisciplinary professionals
Authors: Dickson Donna , Noveski Igor , Hamidi Hana 
Published: July 2011

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to identify critical components for service science curricula that address the unique competency needs of the service sector.Design/methodology/approachThe method for this investigation included a comprehensive review, analysis, and synthesis of service science, as well as service science management and engineering (SSME) related literature. As human capital is of unique importance in this business sector, particular emphasis was placed on examining the need for human resource development‐related content in service science curricula.FindingsExpansion of the services sector globally has been unprecedented. “Some analysts predict that by 2020, services will account for 50 percent of world trade” (Downe et al.). Yet a global shortage of graduates with the skills needed for success in service sector jobs has been forecast. Compounding this talent shortage is the relatively small number of degree programs available to prepare professionals for service sector jobs. Because the growth in the service sector has outpaced improvements in productivity, quality, and innovation, and there is a lack of skilled talent to address these challenges, increasing attention is being placed on service science curricula.Originality/valueGiven the economic importance of, and current deficiencies in, the service sector it is poised to make a significant impact by improving service science education.
Getting people involved
Authors: Pook Katja 
Published: July 2011

PurposeThis paper aims to explore the benefits of intellectual capital assessment for facing current challenges of human resources work and organizational development.Design/methodology/approachThe paper takes findings of studies on challenges in HR work and maps them with features of intellectual capital assessment methods. It is thus a theoretical paper, based on practical experience, and findings of practice‐oriented studies. It can serve as the basis for formulating new hypotheses to be further investigated and discussed.FindingsThere is a considerable overlap of HR challenges and potential benefits of IC assessment in several areas of human resources' work, closely interlinked with organizational development.Research limitations/implicationsThe findings of this paper may stimulate research on organizations as social systems and in applied research on human resources. It provides a starting point for further investigation of psychological, social and organisational success factors and to the practical challenge of building intelligent and sustainable organisations in a continuously changing environment.Practical implicationsUsing participatory IC assessment approaches may change practices in HR work and enrich the portfolio of methods used and enlarge the application of IC assessment.Social implicationsThe paper fosters the value of expertise and experience of people in organizations. This may lead, in the long run, to changes in organizational cultures.Originality/valueIn research and practice, IC assessment and HR work are mostly disconnected. This paper proposes to establish a link and explore synergies. This may have considerable impact on research and practice in these areas.
Cybernetically sound organizational structures II
Authors: Achterbergh Jan , Vriens Dirk 
Published: July 2011

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to show how the viable system model (VSM) and de Sitter's design theory can complement each other in the context of the diagnosis and design of viable organizations.Design/methodology/approachKey concepts from Beer's model and de Sitter's design theory are introduced and analyzed in order to show how they relate.FindingsThe VSM provides insight into the related systems necessary and sufficient for viability. As such, it specifies criteria supporting the diagnosis and design of organizational infrastructures, i.e. of organizational structures, HR systems, and technology. However, it does not explicitly conceptualize and provide a detailed heuristic for the design of organizational structures. De Sitter's theory fills in this gap.Originality/valueThe paper illustrates how, based on a rudimentary model of organizational viability, de Sitter's design theory positively addresses the question of how to diagnose and design organizational structures that add to the viability of organizations.
Designing viable social systems
Authors: Holten Roland , Rosenkranz Christoph 
Published: July 2011

PurposeThe viable system model (VSM) provides a way to understand communication structures in an organization. It gives us a means to visualize and analyze information channels relating the functions in an enterprise, a corporation, or any other kind of organization. At the heart of the VSM is the application of Ashby's law of requisite variety. The resulting models help to analyze and discuss what variety attenuation of operations and what variety amplification of management can establish requisite variety. Many studies and applications show that the complexity management laws described by Ashby and Beer hold, and that managerial, operational and environmental varieties tend to equate. The amplifiers and attenuators, however, should be designed to do so with minimum damage to people and to cost. The purpose of this paper is to determine to what extent the design of amplifiers and attenuators is possible if these are realized based on linguistic communication, and whether this design can be automated in these cases.Design/methodology/approachThe paper uses logical presentation of ideas along with examples from cases. The basic argument is that the design of information channels – amplifiers and attenuators – relies on self‐organizing processes that depend on an operation called linguistic predication.FindingsThe paper demonstrates that linguistic predication is not computable based on the model of the Turing machine so that this operation is restricted to be carried out by human agents. In these cases, technology is limited to providing a technical means for communication and social processes.Originality/valueWhile there is a large knowledge base of literature in the field of applications of the VSM there is less work providing concepts and guidelines for designing information channels. This paper offers a conceptual and logical argument for their characteristics based on linguistics and philosophy of language.
Applying triangular fuzzy number for multi‐sensor object recognition
Authors: Wan Shuping 
Published: July 2011

PurposeMulti‐sensor data fusion (MSDF) is defined as the process of integrating information from multiple sources to produce the most specific and comprehensive unified data about an entity, activity or event. Multi‐sensor object recognition is one of the important technologies of MSDF. It has been widely applied in the fields of navigation, aviation, artificial intelligence, pattern recognition, fuzzy control, robot, and so on. Hence, aimed at the type recognition problem in which the characteristic values of object types and observations of sensors are in the form of triangular fuzzy numbers, the purpose of this paper is to propose a new fusion method from the viewpoint of decision‐making theory.Design/methodology/approachThis work, first divides the comprehensive transaction process of sensor signal into two phases. Then, aimed at the type recognition problem, the paper gives the definition of similarity degree between two triangular fuzzy numbers. By solving the maximization optimization model, the vector of characteristic weights is objectively derived. A new fusion method is proposed according to the overall similarity degree.FindingsThe results of the experiments show that solving the maximization optimization model improves significantly the objectivity and accuracy of object recognition.Originality/valueThe paper studies the type recognition problem in which the characteristic values of object types and observations of sensors are in the form of triangular fuzzy numbers. By solving the maximization optimization model, the vector of characteristic weights is derived. A new fusion method is proposed. This method improves the objectivity and accuracy of object recognition.
Consumer perceptions of brand functions: an empirical study in China
Authors: Guo Xiaoling (Martine) , Wei Hao Andy , Shang Xiaoyan 
Published: July 2011

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to examine consumers' perception of brand functions in an emerging market: China. The study also aims to investigate the impact of brand functions on brand loyalty.Design/methodology/approachA two‐phase study was conducted. The first phase consisted of 15 personal in‐depth interviews while the structured questionnaires were used to collect data in the second stage and a total of 256 consumers participated in this study.FindingsThe study finds general support that consumer perceives both utilitarian and expressive functions of the brand. Specifically, the results of the research show that for Chinese consumers, brands accomplish various functions such as “recall of past experiences”, “quality sign” and “identify”. Moreover, “recall of past experiences” is a unique brand function for Chinese consumers and has a positive impact on brand loyalty.Originality/valueTo the authors' knowledge, this paper is the first to shed light on examining consumer perceptions of brand functions in the Chinese market.
Consumer loyalty on the grocery product market: an empirical application of Dick and Basu's framework
Authors: Møller Jensen Jan 
Published: July 2011

PurposeThis study aims to assess the usefulness of Dick and Basu's framework of customer loyalty to examine consumer loyalty on the grocery product market.Design/methodology/approachAfter a short presentation of Dick and Basu's framework, the article discusses a number of anticipated antecedents and consequences to consumer loyalty on the grocery product market. Next, the four loyalty categories and the hypothesized relationships with antecedents and consequences are tested on empirical data from a large survey investigating brand loyalty across five grocery product categories.FindingsThe results support the presence of Dick and Basu's four loyalty typologies within all the investigated product categories and further provide evidence for the expected differences between product categories with regard to the proportion of loyalty categories within each product category. The results also support relationships between relative attitude and corresponding antecedents and consequences as suggested by Dick and Basu. And, finally, men are found to be less loyal consumers when compared with women.Practical implicationsThe study shows that, at least within some categories of grocery products, it is still possible for marketers to create loyal consumers. The importance of building true loyalty is highlighted by the evidence of true loyals being significantly more likely to postpone their purchases if the store is out of their favourite brand, the least likely to switch to another brand if on sale and less keen on variety seeking.Originality/valueSurvey data from 348 households were used to test the hypothesised relationships.
The moderator effects of perceived risk, objective knowledge and certainty in the satisfaction‐loyalty relationship
Authors: Huy Tuu Ho , Ottar Olsen Svein , Thi Thuy Linh Pham 
Published: July 2011

PurposeThis study aims to discuss and test the combined role of perceived risk, objective knowledge and certainty as moderators in the satisfaction‐loyalty relationship.Design/methodology/approachThe authors use survey data of 387 Vietnamese consumers in a food context. A structural equation modeling (SEM) approach for moderator analysis with latent constructs is used to test the hypotheses.FindingsPerceived risk is a barrier in the forming of loyalty with a negative moderating effect on the satisfaction‐loyalty relationship. However, the satisfaction‐loyalty relationship is stronger when objective knowledge and certainty increase.Research limitations/implicationsThe object and setting are limited to one product category in one market. In addition, other moderators (e.g. situation and ambivalence) can be added. The nature of causality is problematic due to the use of survey design.Practical implicationsCustomer management based on satisfaction is not sufficient to keep customers' loyalty, especially in the situations of highly perceived risk and uncertainty. Marketing strategies, which reduce consumers' risks, consolidate their confidence and educate them with relevant knowledge, may be effective strategies to increase their loyalty.Originality/valueThe study fills several gaps in the present literature. First, it overcomes some shortcomings of previous studies of moderators in the satisfaction‐loyalty relationship by testing the combined role of three important moderators. Second, it tests the moderator effect of objective knowledge and adds an extra explanation to previous studies. While some previous studies suggest a negative moderator effect of subjective knowledge, this paper argues for and confirms a positive moderator effect of objective knowledge on this relationship. Finally, it uses SEM for moderator analysis with latent constructs.
Podcasting initiatives in American research libraries
Authors: Bierman James , Valentino Maura L. 
Published: July 2011

PurposeThis paper aims to discover how many American research libraries produce podcasts, on what subjects they are produced, and how those podcasts are promoted.Design/methodology/approachThe researchers looked at each American research library's website in December 2009 to determine whether the library had a podcasting initiative and, if so, what topics were covered. General scanning of the website, site search and Google search were used to discover podcasts. Facebook and Twitter pages were also examined to determine whether social media were used for podcast promotion.FindingsIt was found that approximately one‐third of American research libraries have podcasting initiatives. Podcast subjects vary widely, and social media are only used occasionally to promote the podcasts. The paper concludes that podcasting is a technology that has not yet reached its zenith and libraries have many avenues left still to explore using this technology.Originality/valueThe paper provides a broad exploration of podcasting by ARL libraries, a perspective that is not yet offered by the literature.