bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Acculturation, assimilation, and retention of international workers in resorts
Authors: Taylor Marcia , Finley Dori 
Published: July 2010

PurposeManagers of US resorts are using H2B and J‐1 guest workers to fill seasonal labor needs. Acculturation and assimilation of international workers has a major impact on service and customer satisfaction in resorts. The purpose of this paper is to identify the methods used by resorts to successfully acculturate, assimilate, and retain international workers.Design/methodology/approachThe case study method was used. Semi‐structured telephone interviews were conducted with HR directors of six seasonal resorts that hired H2B and J‐1 workers. Content analysis of the interviews was used to generate acculturation, assimilation, and retention practices at the resorts.FindingsResults from this paper indicate that techniques for acculturation of guest workers are informal and occur on‐the‐job while assimilation techniques are more formal. Retention strategies varied by resort. Differences are found between the techniques used in these resorts and those used in seasonal restaurants.Research limitations/implicationsThe sample size is limited to those HR directors agreeing to participate. Given the current economic situation and job market, many HR directors are hesitant to share information about their international workers.Practical implicationsA comprehensive assimilation, acculturation, and retention program for seasonal workers is proposed.Originality/valueNo research is found on the ways to successfully assimilate international workers to a resort's culture and acculturate them in the US culture. The results of this paper will give HR directors a guide on how to assimilate international workers in their workforce.
Importance‐performance analysis with benefit segmentation of spa goers
Authors: Koh Suna , Jung‐Eun Yoo Joanne , Boger Carl A. 
Published: July 2010

PurposeSpas have become increasingly popular with consumers and have emerged as important profit centers for hotels. However, the uniqueness of this market has been largely overlooked in hospitality literature. The purpose of this paper is to fill the research gap by identifying different market segments among spa goers, based on a set of benefit variables.Design/methodology/approachA survey was administered to customers visiting hotel spas in Texas. Factor analysis was performed on 214 completed surveys to identify the dimensions underlying the benefits sought by spa goers. Cluster analysis was then applied to classify spa goers into different groups based on the benefit variables. Finally, importance‐performance analysis (IPA) was performed according to the groups to determine significant patterns.FindingsThree distinct customer segments are identified based on the benefits sought by spa goers: escapists, neutralists, and hedonists. IPA results showed what each segment perceives as important and how well the hotel spas perform to meet expectations. The results of this paper support the effectiveness of the use of IPA with benefit segmentation.Research limitations/implicationsThe results of this paper should be interpreted cautiously and considered tentatively until they are replicated by a larger spa population. Currently, there are very few benchmark studies on spas to aid in the understanding of this promising market segment. It is hoped that this paper will stimulate much‐needed spa research in hospitality literature.Originality/valueFuture researchers and industry practitioners can gain insight into the motives and benefits sought by spa goers through the use of IPA in conjunction with benefit segmentation.
Does the EUA institutional evaluation programme contribute to quality improvement?
Authors: Amado Tavares Diana , João Rosa Maria , Amaral Alberto 
Published: July 2010

PurposeThis paper aims to reflect on the relevance of the Institutional Evaluation Programme (IEP) of the European University Association (EUA) to universities' quality improvement. It aims to analyse IEP follow‐up reports to determine whether the programme contributes to the development of a quality improvement culture.Design/methodology/approachThe structure and contents of 22 follow‐up reports were analysed to assess the IEP programme. All reports were subject to content analysis using adequate software (NVivo 8 with a 242 nodes tree), the main goal being to evaluate progress made since the original evaluation.FindingsThe reports analysed and the work by other authors show that IEP can constitute a useful approach towards the universities' quality improvement. IEP evaluations generally give a precise account of problems faced by each university, identifying its strong and weak points, opportunities and threats, and presenting clear recommendations and suggestions for improvement. If properly discussed inside the university, these evaluations can form the basis for an improvement plan.Research limitations/implicationsIn general, follow‐up teams recognise the difficulty to distinguish changes caused directly by EUA teams' recommendations from others caused by external pressures.Practical implicationsThe follow‐up process has as its main rationale the idea that a second review can assist a university evaluating progress made since the original evaluation. The reports analysed show that changes have always happened to a certain extent after the first evaluation.Originality/valueThis paper makes a contribution to the understanding of the effects of institutional evaluation over institutional quality culture.
Evaluation of the factors that determine quality in higher education: an empirical study
Authors: Tsinidou Maria , Gerogiannis Vassilis , Fitsilis Panos 
Published: July 2010

PurposeThe aim of this paper is to identify the quality determinants for education services provided by higher education institutions (HEIs) in Greece and to measure their relative importance from the students' points of view.Design/mthodology/approachA multi‐criteria decision‐making methodology was used for assessing the relative importance of quality determinants that affect student satisfaction. More specifically, the analytical hierarchical process (AHP) was used in order to measure the relative weight of each quality factor.FindingsThe relative weights of the factors that contribute to the quality of educational services as it is perceived by students was measured.Research limitations/implicationsThe research is based on the questionnaire of the Hellenic Quality Assurance Agency for Higher Education. This implies that the measured weights are related mainly to questions posed in this questionnaire. However, the applied method (AHP) can be used to assess different quality determinants.Practical implicationsThe outcome of this study can be used in order to quantify internal quality assessment of HEIs. More specifically, the outcome can be directly used by HEIs for assessing quality as perceived by students.Originality/valueThe paper attempts to develop insights into comparative evaluations of quality determinants as they are perceived by students.
Co‐creating learning: insights from complexity theory
Authors: Desai Darshan A. 
Published: July 2010

PurposeRecent advances in the interactive technologies have transformed the way today's organizations and their different stakeholders learn. Now, because of the increasing learning requirements, neither these organizations nor their stakeholders can afford to be too self‐focused while learning; instead, they collaborate and learn together. Existing theories of learning are not sufficient to explain this complex learning “co‐creation”. Therefore, this paper aims to explore how different actors of a value network co‐create emergent creativity, learning and adaptability in the presence of imposed administrative control and coordination.Design/methodology/approachThe approach adopted in the paper draws on human complex adaptive systems (CAS) perspectives.FindingsWithin the value networks, the emergent and informal constraints imposed by interdependent relationships coexist with the imposed administrative controls. Despite being valuable for planning and coordination, these administrative controls do not foster learning co‐creation, while, within the value networks, the informal emergent dynamics imposed by interdependent relationships, i.e. adaptive leadership, are crucial for co‐creation of emergent learning and creativity. An organization can enable leaders who foster co‐creation of learning, creativity and adaptability; and the interactive technologies boost the adaptive and enabling leadership and support the co‐creation of learning, creativity and adaptability within the value networks.Originality/valueThe research represents the first effort to explore learning “co‐creation” within a value network.
Creating a learning organization in law enforcement
Authors: Filstad Cathrine , Gottschalk Petter 
Published: July 2010

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to conceptualize a stage model for maturity levels for police oversight agencies.Design/methodology/approachThe paper is based on a literature review covering police oversight organizations and stages of growth models.FindingsAs a conceptual paper, the main findings are related to the appropriateness of the stage model, each identified stage, and the characteristics of each stage.Research limitations/implicationsAn empirical study of police oversight agencies all over the world would be necessary to verify the proposed stage model.Practical implicationsThe managers of police oversight agencies can apply the model in three ways: identify the current status; identify future direction; and evaluate the past progression.Originality/valueHitherto, knowledge transfer from police misconduct cases has not been conceptualized as a learning process in police districts and general law enforcement.
The learning organization: variations at different organizational levels
Authors: Weldy Teresa G. , Gillis William E. 
Published: July 2010

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to examine the perceptions of managers, supervisors, and employees from different organizations relevant to the seven dimensions of a learning organization (LO), and the two dimensions of knowledge and financial performance.Design/methodology/approachThe perceptions of 143 organizational members from different levels of four organizations were measured and compared using the Dimensions of a Learning Organization Questionnaire (DLOQ).FindingsANOVA results indicated significant effects for level and organization for the LO dimensions and the two performance dimensions. The results indicated significant differences across levels for two of the learning dimensions (empowerment and system connections), and across organizations for six of the learning dimensions including all except continuous learning. The results for the performance dimensions showed managers higher than supervisors and employees on financial performance, and managers higher than employees on knowledge performance. The results also showed variations in the performance dimensions across organizations.Research limitations/implicationsThe results indicated variations across levels and across organizations that may hinder progress toward a learning organization and performance improvements. Practical implications include the need for more communication and participation across all levels of the organization, improved access to and sharing of information at lower levels, and empowering employees to use information for decision making.Originality/valueThe paper addresses the paucity of research on the perceptions of disparate groups relevant to the learning organization and organizational performance. It identifies an important area of research by identifying a potential road‐block for organizations attempting to adopt a learning organization culture.
Measuring project risk management process for construction contractors with statement indicators linked to numerical scores
Authors: Kululanga Grant , Kuotcha Witness 
Published: July 2010

PurposeThere is relatively low implementation of formal project risk management methods in practice, leading to the construction industry consistently suffering from poor project performance. This study aims to ascertain the extent to which current project risk management practices are used by construction contractors in one of the countries of the sub‐Saharan region – Malawi.Design/methodology/approachA management process tool with statement indicators linked to numerical scores was conceived that characterised a series of steps of project risk management process. To ascertain the degree to which project risk management processes were used, a questionnaire survey was employed. Data were elicited from registered Malawian construction contractors on the elements underlining a series of steps of project risk management process as espoused by the literature. Out of 84 sampled construction contractors, 51 completed questionnaires were received.FindingsApart from large‐sized and more experienced construction contractors, all the small and medium‐sized construction contractors – which constitute the largest proportion of the construction industry – were characterised by a low implementation of the various required steps for the project risk management process. The application of project risk management processes was significantly influenced by the various categories of size and experience of the surveyed construction contractors at p<0.01. Furthermore, contingence planning within the series of steps of project risk management process featured highly among the surveyed construction contractors. The majority of the variables under the series of steps of project risk management process were positively and significantly linked to progression in size and experience of construction contractors at p<0.01.Research limitations/implicationsThe study forms the basis for further research; replication of this study to other parts of world about how the actual implementation of the series of steps of project risk management process is undertaken could yield rich lessons for the construction industry.Practical implicationsThe intentional move by industry towards measuring management processes as a precursor to uncovering the root causes that underlie project success or failure to provide quick feedback for remedial action is supported by an approach such as this.Originality/valueThe originality of this paper lies in its uniqueness for a systematic approach to quantifying the project risk management processes with the view to understanding the implementation behaviours of construction contractors in one country in the sub‐Saharan region.
Using analytic network process to assess business failure risks of construction firms
Authors: Dikmen Irem , Talat Birgonul M. , Ozorhon Beliz , Egilmezer Sapci Nurdan 
Published: July 2010

PurposeThe paper seeks to identify the determinants of business failure in construction and to predict the failure likelihood of construction companies by assessing their current situation based on both company‐specific and external factors.Design/methodology/approachA conceptual model is designed based on an extensive literature survey. The analytical network process together with the Delphi method is utilised to compute the importance weights of variables on business failure through interviews and discussions with experts. The applicability of the proposed model is tested on five companies to estimate their failure likelihood by using the findings derived from the analysis.FindingsThe results suggest the importance of organisational and managerial factors, including the efficiency of the value chain at the corporate level, the appropriateness of organisational decisions, and the availability of intangible resources for the survival of construction companies.Research limitations/implicationsThe findings of the analysis are limited to the experiences of three professionals in the Turkish construction industry. The performance of the model is only tested in five companies. The accuracy of the model may be improved by using the diverse experiences of a larger group of experts.Practical implicationsThe proposed tool may act as an early warning system for construction companies by estimating the level of their failure likelihood. Companies may benefit from the findings of the model to assess their current situations and take necessary action to avoid possible business failures.Originality/valueThe knowledge and experiences of experts are used to obtain a complete model that accommodates both external and company‐specific variables, and more importantly the inter‐relations among them. Similar models may also be developed for companies in other industries to diagnose their bankruptcy or failure likelihood.
Bid mark‐up selection using artificial neural networks and an entropy metric
Authors: Christodoulou Symeon 
Published: July 2010

PurposeThe purpose of the paper is to perform bid mark‐up optimisation through the use of artificial neural networks (ANN) and a metric of the selected bid mark‐up's derived entropy. The scope is to provide an alternative, entropy‐based method for bid mark‐up optimisation that improves on the analytical models of Friedman and Gates.Design/methodology/approachThe proposed method enables the incorporation of bid parameters through the use of ANN's pattern recognition capabilities and the integration of these parameters with a mark‐up selection process that relies on the entropy produced by possible mark‐up values. The entropy metric used is the product of the probability of winning over the bidder's competitors multiplied by the natural logarithm of the inverse of this probability.FindingsThe case study results show that the proposed entropy‐based bidding model compares favourably with the prevailing competitive bidding models of Friedman and Gates, resulting in higher optimisation with regards to the number of jobs won, the monetary value of contracts awarded and the value of “money left on the table”. Furthermore, the method allows for the incorporation of several objective and subjective bid parameters, in contrast to Friedman's and Gates's models, which are based solely on the bid mark‐up history of a bidder's competitors.Research limitations/implicationsWhile the proposed method is a useful tool for the selection of optimal bid mark‐up values, it requires historical data on the bidding behaviour of key competitors, much like the classic bidding models of Friedman and Gates.Originality/valueThe method is suitable for quantifying objective and subjective competitive bidding parameters and for optimising bid mark‐up values.
Conflict‐handling style measurement: a best‐worst scaling application
Authors: Daly Timothy M. , Anne Lee Julie , Soutar Geoffrey N. , Rasmi Sarah 
Published: July 2010

PurposeThis study aims to develop and validate a best‐worst scaling (BWS) measure of preferred conflict‐handling styles, named the Conflict‐handling BWS (CHBWS).Design/methodology/approachThe authors conducted three studies. Study 1 consisted of a sample of psychology students (n=136) from a Canadian university and was designed to assess the convergent validity of the CHBWS by comparing it with the ROCI‐II and DUTCH instruments. Study 2 consisted of a sample of psychology students (n=154) from a US university and was designed to assess the predictive validity of the CHBWS by relating conflict‐handling styles to consumer complaint behavior. Study 3 consisted of a random sample of adults registered with an online survey company in Australia (n=204) and Germany (n=214). This study was designed to assess the antecedent relationship of Schwartz's personal values to conflict‐handling styles.FindingsThe study shows that best‐worst scaling is a valid and advantageous way of measuring conflict‐handling styles. The CHBWS demonstrated both convergent and predictive validity, and was able to reproduce the structure of the dual‐concerns model. The study also showed that preferred conflict‐handling style influences the choice of complaint behavior in a retail service failure situation. Furthermore, the study demonstrated that Schwartz's personal values can influence the preferred conflict‐handling style in two individualistic cultures.Originality/valueThis is the first study to measure conflict‐handling style preferences using a BWS approach. Furthermore, it is the first study to relate consumer complaint behavior to preferred conflict‐handling style.
Unbundling task conflict and relationship conflict
Authors: Huang Jia‐Chi 
Published: July 2010

PurposeThis study seeks to explore team goal orientation as a team characteristic that affects team members' self‐regulation, and conflict management approach as a self‐regulation tactic. Its purpose is to investigate the moderating effect of team goal orientation and conflict management approach on the linkage between task conflict and relationship conflict.Design/methodology/approachData were received from 529 team members in 120 R&D teams in Taiwan. The hypothesis is tested using hierarchical regressions.FindingsThe results indicate that team goal orientation and a conflict management approach moderated the relationship between task conflict and relationship conflict. The positive relationship between task conflict and relationship conflict was weaker under conditions of higher team learning orientation and lower team performance orientation. The positive association between task conflict and relationship conflict was also weaker among teams that engaged in cooperative conflict management and did not engage in the avoiding conflict management approach.Research limitations/implicationsThe study is cross‐sectional in design, limiting the ability to make causal assertions about links between task conflict and relationship conflict.Practical implicationsTo prevent detrimental relationship conflict triggered by task conflict, supervisors may need to use goal orientation disposition as a criterion in selecting team members. Supervisors also could frame the tasks and discussions of team members towards learning rather than performance goals, enabling team members to openly share divergent opinions and take advantage of task conflict.Originality/valueThe study facilitates understanding of how to unbundle the linkage between task conflict and relationship conflict in teams, along with making contributions to conflict theory.
An exploration of loyalty determinants in Greek wine varieties
Authors: Krystallis Athanasios , Chrysochou Polymeros 
Published: July 2010

PurposeThis paper aims to provide a deeper understanding of the market structure of Greek red and white wine varieties and to measure the loyalty behaviour of frequent wine buyers in Greece.Design/methodology/approachThe study measures brand performance and loyalty of four different Greek wine varieties. Based on stated preference data, basic brand performance measures are estimated through Juster purchase probabilities of brand choice. To measure loyalty behaviour, the polarisation index φ (phi) is used as a measure to model both loyalty to the brand name and specific wine attributes and their levels.FindingsThe findings of the present study point to the conclusion that each one of the four Greek wine varieties under examination exhibits its own market structure and loyalty profile, whereas price, quality certification and winemaker's size seem to function as loyalty stimulators more effectively for white wines. Moreover, it is also clear that the (Greek) origin or type of the wine variety per se does not constitute a particularly important loyalty component in the marketing mix of the Greek red and white wines examined here.Research limitations/implicationsWine has always been one of the most challenging product categories to investigate. Many product‐related attributes contribute to building loyalty; this attribute‐based loyalty is often hard to delineate and take into account. Moreover, the present methodology is based on stated preference data, whereas revealed preference data could be the ideal for applying the specific methodology.Originality/valueFew studies, if any, have used the present methodological approach to explore the issue of loyalty in the case of wine.