bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
In search for the added value of FM: what we know and what we need to learn
Authors: Anker Jensen Per , van der Voordt Theo , Coenen Christian , von Felten Daniel , Lindholm Anna‐Liisa , Balslev Nielsen Susanne , Riratanaphong Chaiwat , Pfenninger Mirjam 
Published: March 2012

PurposeThis article aims to present and compare research perspectives and theoretical reflections from a variety of academic fields on the concept of added value of facilities management.Design/methodology/approachThe starting point is the so‐called FM Value Map, which was presented in a recent article in Facilities by Per Anker Jensen in 2010. The article is a first result of the work in the EuroFM research collaboration group and is based on literature reviews of the most influential journals within the academic fields of facilities management (FM), corporate real estate management and business‐to‐business marketing.FindingsGood relationship management and building on trust is shown to be equally important as delivering the agreed services.Originality/valueUsually the concept of added value is discussed from a monodisciplinary point‐of‐view. The different backgrounds of the authors add value to an increased understanding of the added value of FM by comparing and testing different ways of conceptualising this issue. This is of great importance to FM research and evidence‐based FM as a sound basis for the long‐term recognition of FM.
Co‐creating corporate brands in start‐ups
Authors: Juntunen Mari 
Published: March 2012

PurposeThe purpose of the paper is twofold: first, to examine how managers and employees in start‐ups understand and define a corporate brand; and second, to reveal how corporate brand co‐creation with different stakeholders is executed in companies in their start‐up phase.Design/methodology/approachThe data are gathered via a multiple case study from the managers and employees of three start‐ups that operate in the software business.FindingsCorporate brand has both internal and external aspects. Corporate brand co‐creation is a process that begins with the stakeholders inventing the corporate name before the company is established, and continues at the start‐up phase by developing the new corporate name, updating the logo and communications material, and developing the product and business. The events and stakeholders in each of the above mentioned sub‐processes are also revealed.Research limitations/implicationsThe small number of interviews from a specific context limits the statistical generalisability of the results. Only a corporate viewpoint is taken, which may not offer a profound understanding of the process.Practical implicationsManagers need to recognise the stakeholders that could help the company, and how they could possibly help, both before and after establishing the company. The stakeholders may offer ideas and viewpoints that the entrepreneur could not invent alone, and which could, as their best, improve the whole business.Originality/valueTo the best knowledge of the author this is one of the rare studies that examines corporate branding in start‐ups and perhaps the first study to examine them from a corporate brand co‐creation viewpoint.
Numerical implementation of a damage‐coupled material law for semicrystalline polyethylene
Authors: Alvarado‐Contreras J.A. , Polak M.A. , Penlidis A. 
Published: March 2012

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to provide a computational procedure for a novel damage‐coupled material law for semicrystalline polyethylene. Using a damage mechanics approach, the model seeks to gain insight into the mechanical behaviour of polyethylene considering the microstructure and degradation processes occurring under uniaxial tension.Design/methodology/approachThe material morphology is modelled as a collection of inclusions. Each inclusion consists of crystalline material lying in a thin lamella attached to an amorphous layer. The interface region interconnecting the two phases is the plane through which loads are carried and transferred by the tie molecules. It is assumed that the constitutive model contains complete information about the mechanical behaviour and degradation processes of each constituent. After modelling the two phases independently, the inclusion behaviour is found by applying some compatibility and equilibrium restrictions along the interface plane.FindingsThe model provides a rational representation of the damage process of the intermolecular bonds holding crystals and of the tie‐molecules connecting neighbouring crystallites. The model is also used to analyze the degree of relationship between some of the material properties and the mechanical responses.Practical implicationsIn practice, the numerical model clearly helps to understand the influence of the different microstructure properties on the tensile mechanical behaviour of semicrystalline polyethylene – an issue of particular interest in improving material processability and product performance.Originality/valueTo the authors’ knowledge, a phenomenon such as microstructural degradation of polyethylene has not received much attention in the literature. The proposed model successfully captures aspects of the material behaviour considering crystal fragmentation and tie‐molecule rupture.
Experimental study on sound radiation time‐frequency characteristics of double cylindrical shell based on EMD
Authors: Ji Fang , Yao Xiongliang , Zhang Aman , Ye Xi 
Published: March 2012

PurposeLaying the acoustic decoupling material on the surface of underwater structures is an effective noise reduction technology. The underwater sound radiation experiment of finite stiffened double cylindrical shell with separate‐sound and decoupled tile is carried out with the aim of finding out the most effective laying condition.Design/methodology/approachThe segmentation power function interpolation method and vertex extreme value envelope continuation method are introduced into basic theory of empirical mode decomposition (EMD). The original measured sound pressure signals are decomposed to intrinsic mode function (IMF) group through EMD, and the high‐frequency components are filtered out. Because the mechanical noise of submarine is mainly at low frequency, the IMFs in low frequency are researched through power spectrum analysis. The noise reduction effects of different separate‐sound and decoupled tile laying conditions are compared.FindingsThe sound pressure signal components' amplitudes, periods and phases are obtained through EMD. The test data show that the double cylindrical shell entirely covered with separate‐sound and decoupled tile is the most effective laying condition in noise reduction.Originality/valueWith reference to the case study, this is believed to be the first application of the EMD in sound radiation time‐frequency characteristics of double cylindrical shell. The evaluation of separate‐sound and decoupled tile laying conditions is of great importance in engineering applications.
Corporate Facebook pages: when “fans” attack
Authors: Champoux Valerie , Durgee Julia , McGlynn Lauren 
Published: March 2012

PurposeFacebook continues to play an increasingly necessary role in the corporate portfolio of stakeholder relations. Unlike traditional channels of corporate communication, Facebook allows for uncensored, unpredictable, two‐way conversations. This paper aims to engage thought and enact immediate action in the prevention and rehabilitation of a company's online reputation in the event of a Facebook wall attack.Design/methodology/approachBy conducting online research for an online subject and studying the historical perspectives of public outrage and a “fan's” dissatisfaction, the authors examine different approaches to corporate attacks. The case study of Nestlé's improper handling of a crisis on Facebook contrasted with examples of properly handled responses serve as guidelines that any company can utilize. The authors have provided seven steps that any business can incorporate into its crisis prevention plan.FindingsHarm, fear of harm and threatened values are the three basic sources of public outrage. The popularity of social media, particularly Facebook, provides a new venue for unhappy customers to publicly communicate their disdain. By relating to customers on a personal level and planning in advance, companies can recover from Facebook attacks quickly and with minimal damage.Originality/valueThe psychological underpinnings and science of outrage can be applied to the human behavior of social networking. Understanding why people complain and forecasting the inevitable outbreak of negativity provides valuable insight into avoiding potentially detrimental social media attacks. Real world examples shed insight into the proper handling of future situations. The seven steps for success provide a must‐have guide for any company competing in the digital realm.
Greek manufacturing firms: low skills, low wages and low profitability
Authors: Panagiotakopoulos Antonios 
Published: March 2012

PurposeSkills are increasingly identified by policy makers throughout the world as a central means to address social and economic challenges. The present study aims to look specifically at the Greek economy and evaluate through an extensive literature review the effectiveness of skill development strategies adopted by small manufacturing firms as a result of their chosen business strategy. The study seeks to explore whether the existing skill development strategies can ensure the future viability of small firms or not.Design/methodology/approachVarious types of secondary data were used in this study (e.g. journal articles, books, government publications including industry statistics and reports) to outline the importance of a high‐skills strategy if living standards in advancing economies like Greece are to be improved and critically evaluate the existing skill development strategies of small industrial firms.FindingsThe study argues that the low‐skills strategy favored by most Greek small industrial firms can no longer ensure their survival. Therefore, a number of policy measures should be put forward to encourage small firm owners to move towards a high‐skills business model.Practical implicationsThe study helps policy makers to take the required action in order to create a business environment in Greece that encourages the adoption of a high‐skills, high‐quality product strategy by small firm owners.Originality/valueThe study brings new insights around the effectiveness of cost‐cutting strategies in the context of an advancing country.
Rural library services
Authors: Islam Shariful , Zabed Ahmed S.M. 
Published: March 2012

PurposeThis paper aims to describe the library services available to rural dwellers and a summary of focus groups discussions (FGD) conducted in northern districts of Bangladesh.Design/methodology/approachThis paper is divided into two sections. The first section describes rural library services in Bangladesh. The second section discusses the results of FGDs carried out separately in ten rural communities in northern areas of Bangladesh.FindingsThe results of FGDs highlight the general information needs of rural communities, their reading, listening and viewing habits and awareness of rural library activities. The findings suggest that the rural libraries largely meet the informational needs of the local community and play a crucial role in the educational advancement of local people.Originality/valueThis is the first time an effort has been made to assess the impact of rural library activities using FGDs in Bangladesh. This paper shows that FGDs could be an effective way to assess the impact of rural library activities.
Digital natives, searching behavior and the library
Authors: Zimerman Martin 
Published: March 2012

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to show that digital natives are different from older age groups.Design/methodology/approachThe first survey asks questions about general computer searching behaviors. The second survey asks the students to find two items to see if they can find them.FindingsDigital natives are different in their search behavior, preferring to use web‐based search engines such as Google, Yahoo and Bing.Research limitations/implicationsThere are 120 respondents to the first survey and 27 in the second.Practical implicationsMore focus needs to be placed on the digital natives' search habits to find out how best to serve this population.Social implicationsUnless digital natives are taught how to search academic databases, they will be done a great disservice.Originality/valueThe two surveys are unique in data content.
Types of linkages between service characteristics and customer consequences
Authors: Golik Klanac Nataša 
Published: March 2012

PurposeThe purpose of the paper is to investigate the nature of linkages between characteristics of a service and customer consequences and elicit the types of such linkages.Design/methodology/approachThe paper builds on current research on linkages and customer consequences within the means‐end approach and on a qualitative case study in the context of website use in business‐to‐business relationships.FindingsThe paper introduces six types of linkages between characteristics of a service and customer consequences: common and unique, conflicting and non‐conflicting, and homogenous and heterogeneous linkages.Practical implicationsThe paper portrays four cases of implications of the linkages for simplicity and homogeneity of the design of services and of their marketing strategies.Originality/valueThe ways in which characteristics of a service are linked with customer consequences of an engagement with the service are of crucial importance in marketing. Despite the importance, research on linkages is scarce. By considering currently neglected aspects such as different units of analysis, different relationships between characteristics and customer consequences, and diversity in characteristics and consequences, the paper introduces new types of linkages. It also depicts the relevance of the knowledge of the linkages for portraying customer value fully.
Creating customer loyalty through service customization
Authors: Coelho Pedro S. , Henseler Jörg 
Published: March 2012

PurposeAlthough practitioners and scholars alike embrace service customization as a possibly powerful management instrument, its impact on customer relationships as well as contingencies for its effective application are not well understood. Drawing from relationship marketing and exchange theory, this paper aims to develop a model of customer relationship outcomes of service customization and the efficacy of service customization.Design/methodology/approachTwo large‐scale, representative, cross‐sectional studies in different service industries based on the European Customer Satisfaction Index framework are conducted, and PLS path modeling is applied to test the model.FindingsCustomization increases perceived service quality, customer satisfaction, customer trust, and ultimately customer loyalty toward a service provider. Customization has both direct and mediated effects on customer loyalty and interacts with the effects of customer satisfaction and customer trust on loyalty.Research limitations/implicationsService customization is a viable instrument for relationship marketing. Its efficacy depends on customer satisfaction and customer trust. While this study solely focuses on the impact of service customization, future research could assess the relative importance of service customization in the presence of other relationship marketing instruments.Practical implicationsService providers can use service customization as an effective instrument for achieving not only higher customer satisfaction, but also higher customer loyalty. Service customization is most effective for companies that have deficits in satisfying their customers, while at the same time their customer relationships are characterized by a high level of trust. These results help managers to decide upon resource allocation to enhance customer satisfaction, trust and loyalty.Originality/valueThis paper investigates the simultaneous effects of service customization on customer loyalty and other relationships variables and offers new insights relatively to the nature and size of customization effects. It fills an important gap in the knowledge of customization outcomes, and clarifies under which circumstances service customization is most effective. The paper is of great value for service providers that face the decision whether to customize their offering or not.
Information processing in choice‐based conjoint experiments
Authors: Denstadli Jon Martin , Lines Rune , de Dios Ortúzar Juan 
Published: March 2012

PurposeThis paper investigates how respondents to conjoint experiments process information and choose among product profiles, and how this varies with their knowledge about the product. Models for estimating conjoint attribute weights are almost exclusively based on principles of compensatory decision making. The paper aims to explore to what extent and in what way these basic principles of conjoint modelling are violated.Design/methodology/approachData were obtained from a verbal protocol study where 18 undergraduate students each performed a total of 28 stated choice tasks while “thinking aloud”.FindingsResults show that cognitive operations consistent with compensatory decision rules constitute a majority of the total number of operations performed across tasks and respondents. However, few respondents exhibited a consistent use of compensatory‐type processes throughout their choice sets. Results suggest that individual preferences interact with characteristics of the choice sets to instigate changes in information processing. It also appears that complete strategies are seldom used. Finally, respondents' knowledge about the product influences the cognitive operations that respondents use in solving conjoint tasks.Research limitations/implicationsResults are based on responses from 18 undergraduate students, which makes generalizations hard.Practical implicationsOne implication of this work is that one should apply a more flexible model framework to allow detecting the existence of non‐compensatory strategies.Originality/valueThis paper is one of few which aim to implement findings in behavvioral decision research within the context of conjoint analysis.
Applying organizational commitment and human capital theories to emigration research
Authors: Verkhohlyad Olga , McLean Gary N. 
Published: March 2012

PurposeThis study aims to bring some additional insight into the issue of emigration by establishing a relationship between emigration and psychic return of citizens to their human capital investment in the country.Design/methodology/approachThe article adopts a quantitative research strategy. It applies organizational commitment and human capital theories to the study of emigration.FindingsThe article provides evidence for the fact that psychic return to human capital investment in the country has significant relationship with emigration level from this country. At the same time, of all variables that comprise this type of return to HC investment, only two variables were found to be statistically significant: national GDP and access to education in the country.Research limitations/implicationsThe findings provide some evidence for the fact that emigration from a country cannot be reduced unless people in the country have the ability to lead an economically comfortable life and have access to education. Those countries that experience significant emigration need to turn their attention to developing and implementing sound economic and educational reforms. Emigration will be reduced as a result. A significant limitation of this research is the fact that not all the world countries were included in the analysis. Although the authors did their best to get data for as many countries as possible, the absence of data for some countries allowed for the research using fewer countries than desired.Originality/valueThis article utilizes organizational commitment and human capital theories. The combination of these two theories of social research allows a unique look at emigration.
Managing knowledge in internationalizing universities through foreign assignments
Authors: Boyle Brendan , McDonnell Anthony , Mitchell Rebecca , Nicholas Stephen 
Published: March 2012

PurposeThis article discusses the opportunities presented by the globalization of education and the role of knowledge management in successful global expansion. It seeks to explain why the tacit dimensions of the knowledge transferred during international education provision makes it difficult to provide educational services in offshore campuses, absent the transfer of people.Design/methodology/approachThe article draws on literature in the discipline of international business to explain why internationalizing universities need to consider the role of knowledge transfer as a strategic imperative. As this is a conceptual article, arguments are built on insights from extant theoretical and empirical work.FindingsBased on the analysis of a diverse body of academic literature in the areas of international business, knowledge management and education theory, this article demonstrates the role of foreign assignments in the transfer of tacit knowledge in universities with offshore campuses.Research limitations/implicationsThe implications of the proposition raised in this article are presented with a focus on how they affirm the need for foreign assignments for effective knowledge management in internationalizing universities. Those implications include the need to use assignments to deliver courses offshore and to create face‐to‐face interactions with academics at partner universities.Originality/valueDrawing on a diverse body of academic literature, this article provides theoretical and practical insights into how assignments can be utilized in international educational management, international educational delivery, and the creation of an environment in which knowledge resources can be utilized on an international basis.
Using the balanced scorecard to manage performance in public sector organizations
Authors: Northcott Deryl , Ma'amora Taulapapa Tuivaiti 
Published: March 2012

PurposeThis paper aims to examine the use of the balanced scorecard (BSC) as a performance management tool in the public sector. Drawing on a New Zealand study of local government organzations (LGOs), it seeks to identify issues and challenges in implementing the BSC in public sector contexts.Design/methodology/approachA postal questionnaire was used to solicit public sector managers' views on the usefulness of the BSC and the factors that support or impede its implementation in practice. Follow‐up interviews with selected respondents allowed for more in‐depth exploration of managers' experiences of BSC use and outcomes.FindingsThe findings reveal low rates of BSC adoption amongst the studied LGOs. Further, perceived BSC utility is dominated by performance measurement and reporting, while the performance management role of the BSC remains relatively under‐exploited. This study identifies users' perceptions of the key challenges impeding BSC implementation in the public sector, and highlights their significance for both practice and theory.Research limitations/implicationsThis paper highlights the need for improved theorisation on several issues that present particular challenges in public sector BSC practice: modifying the BSC dimensions, designing measures that capture important qualitative outcomes, identifying the “customer” and/or achieving a genuine multi‐stakeholder approach, and mapping BSC causality relationships.Practical implicationsImproved awareness of the factors perceived to lead to successful and unsuccessful BSC implementation may enhance the uptake and utility of the BSC for measuring and managing performance in public sector organisations.Originality/valueThis study examines BSC use in local government, where it has been relatively under‐researched. It adds to prior studies by specifically examining the factors that support and impede the effective implementation of the BSC in public sector contexts.