bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Attitudinal inconsistency toward organic food in relation to purchasing intention and behavior
Authors: Tung Shih‐Jui , Shih Ching‐Chun , Wei Sherrie , Chen Yu‐Hua 
Published: June 2012

PurposeThis study aims to examine the attitudinal inconsistency among Taiwanese consumers toward organic agriculture/food, and its relationship to their willingness to pay a premium and purchase for organic product.Design/methodology/approachA telephone survey consisting of 913 households was made to reach an estimated 3.3 percent sampling error with 95 percent confidence level.FindingsIt was found that those who were female, who had higher occupation prestige, who had college education levels, who were aged in their 40s, and who possessed an optimistic opinion toward the necessity of organic farming tend to pay a premium for and buy organic food. The majority of Taiwanese respondents showed a high level of concern about pesticides but a low trust in organic food, which revealed an attitudinal inconsistency toward organic agriculture/food. A multiple discriminant analysis with a moderating variable shows that consumers' trust in organic food and their pesticide concern jointly explain the respondents' willingness to pay a premium and purchasing behavior. The influence of consumers' pesticide concern on their willingness to pay a premium and purchase actually depends on their levels of trust.Originality/valueAs a whole, lack of trust and confusing organic product certification levels is the main barrier to Taiwan's organic agriculture development. Further communication and policy modification is needed to reinforce consumers' confidence in organic agriculture/food.
A simulated recall study in five major food sectors
Authors: Anne‐Marie Donnelly Kathryn , Mari Karlsen Kine , Dreyer Bent 
Published: June 2012

PurposeThis study aims to investigate the effectiveness of current traceability systems in five food sectors: dairy, fish, red meat, fruit and vegetable, and grain. Products were bought within Norway, with national and international origins.Design/methodology/approachThe method used structured interviews and questionnaires at each link in the production and supply chain of 30 products in order to discover the ability to identify the origin of product, the size of batches used during production, the potential product and process information available and the estimated time of recall in an emergency situation.FindingsThe results showed that it was possible to trace 53 percent of the products bought through their supply chains to their origin. The results demonstrated that mixing transformations create challenges for traceability that are more severe than other types of transformations. Company motivation is an important factor in creating the conditions for a successful tracing event.Social implicationsThe study presents findings that can be used by the food producing industry and regulators that will aid in improving the ability to track and trace food effectively. This will aid the food producing industry in providing society with better food information so that consumers can make informed choices.Originality/valueThis study presents data on multi sector traceability, which is not only valuable because of its uniqueness, but also because of the possibility to use this in future studies for comparison and measurement of progress. This study is highly valuable to food producing industries, regulators and researchers as it presents new and unique data, regarding recall times and sector specific challenges.
From outsourcing to Cloud computing: evolution of IT services
Authors: Dhar Subhankar 
Published: June 2012

PurposeMany organizations are outsourcing their information technology (IT) related services to a third party vendor for quite some time. However, the IT services industry including outsourcing is going through rapid changes with the increasing adoption of Cloud computing. The purpose of this paper is to compare global IT outsourcing with Cloud computing along with the evolution of traditional IT services.Design/methodology/approachCloud computing is a model for provisioning and consuming IT capabilities on a need and pay by use basis. This helps in shifting the cost structure from capital expenditure to operating expenditure and also helps the IT systems to be more agile. This innovative model of acquiring IT related services has made organizations revisit their infrastructure and platform services strategy and optimize their IT spending while improving overall agility. This paper compares global IT outsourcing with Cloud computing along with the evolution of traditional IT services.FindingsThe impact of Cloud computing on IT outsourcing is no doubt significant. Cloud computing represents a fundamental shift in how organizations pay for and access IT services. It has created new opportunities for IT services providers and the outsourcing vendors will have to modify their strategy to take advantage of this new computing paradigm.Practical implicationsThis research is relevant for practitioners as well as researchers in the field of IT outsourcing and Cloud computing.Originality/valueThis research compares global outsourcing with Cloud computing along with the evolution of IT services. Very little research has been done in this nascent and important area.
Reverse logistics in Czech companies: increasing interest in performance measurement
Authors: Škapa Radoslav , Klapalová Alena 
Published: June 2012

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to explore whether Czech companies believe that value is being generated by reverse logistics (RL), and whether (and how) they track its costs and benefits. The quality of performance measurement of RL was related to three corporate attributes. The findings were then compared to the results of an older study to describe developments over the past five years, and to evaluate the changes during this time period.Design/methodology/approachThis exploratory research is based on data from 102 Czech companies collected in 2009. The basic statistical tests were applied in the analysis. A part of the paper takes the form of longitudinal research.FindingsOne third of Czech companies surveyed reported that RL had a positive influence on their profits. A positive relationship between the profitability of RL activities and a company's strategic focus on RL was also identified. The level of interest by companies in performance measurement has increased; however, the companies tend to focus on the efficiency of RL while the effectiveness is neglected.Research limitations/implicationsManagers must acknowledge the issue of proper measurement of RL performance, and involve RL in the planning process if they want to improve it. They should focus more on effectiveness, not just on efficiency. The analyzed data express the opinions of executive management, and were not accompanied by financial or production data.Originality/valueThe survey first maps the status of RL performance measurement in the Czech Republic. It finds a relationship between profitability of RL and corporate planning, and it points out that companies focus mainly on RL efficiency, and fail to consider effectiveness in their performance measurement.
Do green mutual funds perform well?
Authors: Chang C. Edward , Nelson Walt A. , Doug Witte H. 
Published: June 2012

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to compare the financial performance of green and traditional mutual funds in the USA.Design/methodology/approachA total of 131 green mutual funds identified by US SIF, were compared with the averages of all traditional mutual funds in their respective Morningstar categories. Performance measures analyzed included annualized rates of return, expense ratios, and Sharpe ratios, among others. Most data pertained to at least the past three years, while other data pertained to the most recent 5 to 15 years.FindingsThe results demonstrate that green mutual funds have generated lower returns and similar risks compared to traditional mutual funds in their respective Morningstar categories. Green mutual funds have underperformed on a risk‐adjusted basis.Research limitations/implicationsSince there is no formal definition of a green mutual fund, the researcher and investor must make a subjective call in assessing which funds invest “green”. However, at least in this early stage in the history of green investing, green mutual funds have underperformed their peers.Originality/valueResults confirm the limitations of green investing as suggested by various researchers, among them Sharpe, Rudd and Kurtz and DiBartolomeo. Results stand in contrast to Corson and Van Dyck and Statman, among others, which reported no significant underperformance for socially responsible investments.
Credit risk assessment and the impact of the New Basel Capital Accord on small and medium‐sized enterprises
Authors: Matias Gama Ana Paula , Susana Amaral Geraldes Helena 
Published: June 2012

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to develop a credit‐scoring model as an aggregate valuation procedure that integrates various financial and non‐financial factors and thereby improves small to medium‐sized enterprises' (SMEs) knowledge about their default risk.Design/methodology/approachUsing panel data from a representative sample of Portuguese SMEs operating in the food or beverage manufacturing sector, this paper develops a logit scoring model to estimate one‐year predictions of default.FindingsThe probability of non‐default in the next year is an increasing function of profitability, liquidity, coverage, and activity and a decreasing function of leverage. Smaller firms and those with just one bank relationship have a higher probability of default. The findings suggest that a main bank has incentives to engage in hold up by increasing margins that ex post are too high.Practical implicationsBecause SMEs differ from large corporations in their credit risk (e.g., riskier, lower asset correlations), this study has implications for both banks and supervisory actors. Banks should consider qualitative variables when setting internal systems and procedures to manage credit risk. Supervisory institutions should claim mixed credit ratings to determine regulatory capital requirements.Originality/valueThis paper offers a new model, focused specifically on SMEs, and explores the role of financial and non‐financial factors in determining internal credit risks.
Value dimensions and creativity: an international comparative study
Authors: Kyvik Oyvin , Zhang Yingying , Romero‐Martinez Ana M. 
Published: June 2012

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to empirically explore the relationship between value dimensions and creativity, particularly between the intrinsic and extrinsic value approaches and creativity values.Design/methodology/approachThe paper adopts an explanatory approach. After analyzing construct validity, reliability and factor analysis, the study tests its hypotheses by performing a multi‐regression analysis with a sample of 389 individuals in two different regions.FindingsThere are two main conclusions. First, intrinsic value systems (personal life values and intrinsic work values) affect creativity value in a positive manner. Second, extrinsic value systems (social life values and extrinsic work values) have an insignificant or weak positive impact on the creativity value.Originality/valueThe results of this research are applicable to the global technology/innovation intensive knowledge economy, where highly dynamic and competitive business environments also demand further strategy innovation. A focus on the intrinsic value approach could be effective to enhance creativity value, and hence this type of behavior. Relative management education and human resource management practices need to take this into account in their program designs, in order to further their strategic importance for better performance in a global business world.
Creative leaders promote creative organizations
Authors: Ellen Mathisen Gro , Einarsen Ståle , Mykletun Reidar 
Published: June 2012

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to examine the role of leaders’ creativity as a predictor of organizational creativity. The authors expected that creative leaders would promote creativity directly by functioning as a model and inspiration for their followers and indirectly by promoting a creativity‐supporting work climate.Design/methodology/approachThe research was conducted in organizations within the restaurant sector; the data were obtained using questionnaires to employees and leaders (n=207), as well as external raters’ evaluation of restaurant creativity level. Responses from each organization were aggregated using mean scores (n=39).FindingsSignificant positive associations were found between leaders’ creative behavior, organizational creative climates, and organizational creative behavior. Mediation analyses revealed that the relationship between leaders’ creative behavior and organizational creativity was mediated by organizational creative climate.Practical implicationsThe results may provide useful guidelines for organizations that put emphasis on creativity, both for leader recruitment and leader development.Originality/valueThe paper contributes to the creativity literature since it is one of the first to explore leader personality and leader creative behavior as predictors of creativity in organizations.
Effects of process and product‐oriented innovations on employee downsizing
Authors: Vicente‐Lorente José David , Ángel Zúñiga‐Vicente José 
Published: June 2012

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to examine the role played by different types of firm innovation on employee downsizing. Drawing on economic and management views, the authors aims to assess the potential positive or negative effect of different types of processes (i.e. new technology via the introduction of new equipment as well as new methods of organizing the workforce) and product (i.e. number of innovations) innovations on employee downsizing.Design/methodology/approachThe empirical setting is a sample of Spanish manufacturing firms over the period 1994‐2006. The authors employ probit models for panel data as an empirical tool.FindingsThe results show a negative and significant effect of process innovations associated with acquiring and deploying new production equipment and product‐oriented innovations on the probability of carrying out important reductions in workforce. However, a positive and significant effect is found when process innovations are linked to the adoption of new methods of organizing the workforce.Practical implicationsManagers might play a significant role in employment creation, especially when they carry out process innovations related to the acquisition of complementary production assets (i.e. new equipment) and market highly innovative products. Policy makers might contribute to diminish the potential number of employees affected by firms’ downsizing strategies by designing, for example, public subsidies systems that deliberately prompt both types of innovations.Originality/valueThe authors make an effort to provide alternative explanations about why firms downsize, as they analyze different types of process and product innovations whose effects on employment (and, thus, downsizing) do not seem to be clear. Moreover, the paper furthers one's understanding of the effect of firm innovation by focusing on the potential effect of one type of process innovation which has not been examined until now: the adoption and implementation of new methods of organizing the workforce owing to new technology.
Do discriminatory attitudes to older workers at work affect their retirement intentions?
Authors: Messe Pierre‐Jean 
Published: June 2012

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to investigate whether employers’ attitudes towards older workers, especially regarding promotions, really affect their retirement intentions, distinguishing between men and women.Design/methodology/approachFirst, the author uses the 1992 wave of the Health and Retirement Study to estimate, through a Fields decomposition, the relative contribution of the feeling of an older worker to be discriminated against regarding promotions; and to explain the self‐reported probability to work full time after 62, decomposing by gender. Second, using the two first waves of HRS, the author removes any bias due to time‐constant unobserved heterogeneity, to test whether the individual feeling of being passed over for promotion may be misreported, owing to a strong preference for leisure. Finally, the author examines the effect of a change in this variable over time on the intentions to exit early.FindingsThe Fields decomposition shows that feeling passed over for promotion plays a non‐negligible role to predict retirement plans but only for women. In addition, using panel data allows a misreporting bias to be exhibited that may lead to underestimating of the negative effect of discriminatory practices towards older workers on their retirement plans. Lastly, an increase between 1992 and 1994 in the age‐discrimination towards older workers encouraged women to leave their job early, while it had no effect on retirement plans of men.Practical implicationsEmpirical results put forward the idea that retirement intentions may differ across gender, owing to the different nature of the employer‐employee relation. While for men, this relation is characterized by delayed‐payment arrangements signed ex ante with the employer, as already shown by Adams, it is not true for women. Consequently, the age‐based preference of employers for promotion, leading to a lower probability of promotion for older workers, is treated by men as a consequence of ex ante arrangements and does not affect their retirement plans. However, women can attribute such attitudes of their employer to a kind of blatant discrimination, reducing therefore their attachment to their job.Originality/valueThe paper presents a longitudinal approach towards the determinants of retirement intentions that allows the unobserved heterogeneity constant over time to be removed and to estimate to what extent the feeling of being passed over for promotion may be attributed, for each gender, to some arrangements signed ex ante with the employer.
Retirement intentions of older migrant workers: does health matter?
Authors: Gérard Vaillant Nicolas , Wolff François‐Charles 
Published: June 2012

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to investigate the effect of self‐assessed health on retirement plans of older migrants living in France. As immigration is primarily associated with labor considerations, the role of economic incentives in the migration decision suggests that health could play a minor effect in immigrants’ decision to retire.Design/methodology/approachUsing detailed data on immigrants living in France collected in 2003, the authors examine the role of health on early retirement intentions using simultaneous, recursive models that account for the fact that subjective health is potentially endogenous.FindingsIt is found that being in poor health increases the intention of migrant workers to retire early, but the subjective health outcomes have little influence on retirement plans.Practical implicationsSince subjective health outcomes have less influence on retirement plan than economic variables, migrants may have incentives to postpone their retirement decisions in order to avoid an excessive pension reduction.Originality/valueKnowing the relative contribution of health variables and economic factors in the context of migration is a challenging issue since in almost all industrialized countries, the proportion of migrants having retired or nearing retirement has increased substantially. The authors’ analysis is the first contribution to study the role of health on retirement intentions of older migrants.
GIS: an annotated guide to selected resources
Authors: Koury Regina , Downing Beth , Lynne Semenza Jenny 
Published: June 2012

PurposeThis article aims to provide an annotated bibliography of some of the geographic information system (GIS) resources, specifically data sets, available to libraries and researchers. Drawing on the collective authors' experience working with the GIS resources, this article aims to help librarians interested in developing and building their GIS collection.Design/methodology/approachA literature review was performed using library databases, as well as consulting various library subject guides on the topic. Idaho State University is home to the GIS Training and Research Center and the university offers Master's degrees in Geographic Information Science and Historical Resources Management; the authors consulted graduate GIS students on resources used in the program.FindingsThere is a large body of literature on GIS. This annotated guide, while not comprehensive, is a solid start to a GIS resources collection.Originality/valueNo other annotated bibliography currently exists for those interested in building a library collection of GIS data sets.
Google Books: primary sources in the public domain
Authors: Leonardo Dália 
Published: June 2012

PurposeThis paper strives to examine and draw attention to important printed primary sources available in Google Books through the company's partnership with a growing number of European libraries. It aims to include a brief annotated bibliography and provide an analysis of a select number of digitized works in Google's vast digital library.Design/methodology/approachThe author researched texts published in the early modern era in Google Books, focusing on works with prominent visual elements. Each digitized book was evaluated for its intellectual contribution and narrative, as well as legibility and overall digital quality. This research was supplanted by an examination of pertinent secondary sources.FindingsDespite controversies over metadata and classification Google Books remains an indispensable research tool and offers unprecedented access to works in the public domain in a variety of languages and fields of study.Originality/valueThis article encourages librarians, teachers, researchers, and scholars to further explore invaluable full text, freely accessible digital books in such areas as the Scientific Revolution, and European exploration/contact with indigenous populations throughout the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries.
Use of collection development policies in electronic resource management
Authors: Mangrum Suzanne , Ellen Pozzebon Mary 
Published: June 2012

PurposeLibrary resources evolve daily with ongoing expansion of electronic offerings by publishers and vendors. Collection development policies have long been employed to guide decision making and inform stakeholders, but how are these policies serving libraries and their users as our collections continue to move online? This paper aims to discuss the role of collection development polices, past and present, and the challenge of collections moving to an electronic format.Design/methodology/approachThe authors performed a content analysis to discover how academic libraries are addressing this change in collection development.FindingsThe paper finds that virtually all libraries do an excellent job of addressing the traditional elements of collection development. About half of the libraries mentioned electronic licensing issues in the policy, but most of those were general statements.Originality/valueAlthough the library profession is well aware of the changes that electronic resources bring to libraries, there is not a lot of research on how collection development policies should guide electronic resource management. As shown in this research, it is often completely left out of the collection development policy process.