bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Highly skilled migrant women: a career development framework
Authors: van den Bergh Riana , Du Plessis Yvonne 
Published: January 2012

PurposeThis paper aims to explore and interpret the pre‐migration and post‐migration career development and success of highly skilled professional migrant women with special reference to The Netherlands.Design/methodology/approachAn exploratory approach rooted in a phenomenological perspective was followed. Two in‐depth Interactive Qualitative Analysis (IQA) focus group sessions were held with a total of 21 self‐initiated expatriate (SIE) women.FindingsAn integrated career development framework proposed in this study indicates that individual drivers such as identity, social support and life phase play a role in women's pre‐migration and post‐migration career success or exits. Identity embeddedness, host country culture, openness to foreigners and existing prejudices and stereotypes against women seems magnified for women from outside the host country.Research implications/limitationsThe research results may lack generalisability, therefore more research is encouraged to further test the proposed framework.Practical implicationsOrganisations should re‐think existing systems for retaining highly skilled women migrants. Specific personnel management requirements and practical recommendations are provided for HR policy development with regard to migrant women.Originality/valueAn integrative approach and framework for understanding the career development decisions of professional and highly skilled migrant women who are also self‐initiated (SIE) is proposed. Insight is provided into the personal adjustment and professional developmental experiences of a group of women often overlooked by the research community.
Self‐initiated expatriates and their career success
Authors: Cao Lan , Hirschi Andreas , Deller Jürgen 
Published: January 2012

PurposeThis paper aims to provide conceptual clarity by distinguishing self‐initiated expatriates (SIEs) from company‐assigned expatriates (AEs), and skilled migrants; most importantly, it introduces an overarching conceptual framework based on career capital theory to explain SIEs’ career success.Design/methodology/approachThis conceptual framework is based on a review of the relevant literature on SIE, expatriation, career studies, cross‐cultural studies, migration, and other related areas.FindingsProtean career attitude, career networks, and cultural intelligence are identified as three major types of career capital influencing SIEs career success positively; the predicting relationships between these are mediated by cultural adjustment in the host country. Cultural distance acts as the moderator, which highlights the influence of macro‐contextual factors on SIEs’ career development.Research limitations/implicationsThe current paper applied career capital theory and did not integrate the impact of family and labour market situation on SIEs’ career development. Further research should test the proposed framework empirically, and integrate the impact of family‐ and career‐related factors into a holistic approach.Practical implicationsWhen constructing international talent acquisition and retention strategies, organizations and receiving countries should understand the different career development needs and provide SIEs with opportunities to increase career capital during expatriation. Furthermore, the current framework suggests how to adjust to the host country in order to meet career development goals.Originality/valueThe multi‐level and sequential framework adds value by identifying specific types of career capital for SIEs and providing a conceptual underpinning for explaining how they interact and foster SIEs’ career success. Moreover, the framework embraces SIEs from both developed and developing economies.
Brain circulation to the UK?
Authors: Harvey William 
Published: January 2012

PurposeThis paper seeks to address two research questions: first, to what extent do highly skilled migrants intend to make personal business and financial investments in their home countries, and second, what factors influence them to invest in their home countries?Design/methodology/approachThe results are based on face‐to‐face and telephone interviews which took place between September, 2008 and March, 2009 with 64 highly skilled British migrants working in Vancouver, Canada. Respondents were asked a combination of open‐ and closed‐ended questions.FindingsThe results of this study find that the vast majority of respondents are not investing in or intending to return to their home country, which indicates that they contributing to brain circulation in a limited extent.Practical implicationsThe paper argues that governments and organisations in the home country can play an important role in facilitating brain circulation in Europe.Originality/valueMuch of the academic literature suggests that the brain drain has now transformed into brain gain. The findings of this study do not support this shift because most of the sample of British expatriates in Vancouver are not intending to invest in or return to Europe. This is significant because highly skilled migrants could be better utilised as resources by European governments and organisations.
Careers of skilled migrants: towards a theoretical and methodological expansion
Authors: Al Ariss Akram , Koall Iris , Özbilgin Mustafa , Suutari Vesa 
Published: January 2012

PurposeThe careers of skilled migrant workers is an under‐theorised field of research. This paper proposes a theoretical and methodological expansion of studies of careers of skilled migrants.Design/methodology/approachThe paper offers a critical review of the literature on careers of skilled migrants from a multilevel approach including individual, organizational, and contextual levels.FindingsThe review leads to two key theoretical and methodological expansions: first, it demonstrates that migrant careers need to be understood as a relational construct that is at the interplay of individual and institutions and as a multi‐layer and multi‐faceted phenomenon. This approach requires the authors to explore careers in temporal and spatial contexts. The second expansion made requires the adoption of relational methodologies, as well as more reflexive methods which encourages researchers to recognize a wider range of vested interests when framing their research questions and designing their studies.Originality/valueThis paper has two key values: first, it questions the central assumptions in the management and organizational literature regarding the topic of international mobility; second, it offers a theoretical and a methodological model for future research on this topic.
Building maintenance strategies: planning under uncertainty
Authors: Lind Hans , Muyingo Henry 
Published: January 2012

PurposeThe purpose of this article is to critically evaluate maintenance strategies and determine to what extent models from other sectors can be applied to building maintenance.Design/methodology/approachThe paper is a theoretical paper based on a number of Swedish studies, both case studies and questionnaires. From these a number of stylized facts have been identified and the purpose is to explain and draw conclusions from these.FindingsThe main finding is that there are a number of specific uncertainties that affect building maintenance planning making more detailed long‐term plans less meaningful. A new structure for maintenance is proposed focusing on long‐term strategies goals for various buildings/components and then short run adjustments when new information comes up.Research limitations/implicationsThe case for the new model needs to be strengthened by further studies, including studies from other countries.Practical implicationsMaintenance activities will be more important as the large building stock from the 1950s and 1960s needs to be renovated or demolished. A rational structure and realistic expectations concerning maintenance planning is then important.Originality/valueThe most important contribution of the article is to underline the importance of different types of uncertainty for the structure of maintenance planning for building.
Home sustainability policy and mandatory disclosure
Authors: Bryant Lyndall , Eves Chris 
Published: January 2012

PurposeSustainability Declarations were introduced by the Queensland State Government on 1 January 2010 as a mandatory disclosure measure for all dwelling sales in the State. The purpose of this paper is to assess the impact this policy decision has had in the homebuyer decision‐making process in the first year since its introduction and to consider the effectiveness of the legislation in meeting its policy objectives.Design/methodology/approachThis quantitative research comprised a two‐part process: the first stage surveyed the level of compliance by the real estate industry with the legislative requirements. Stage two comprised an online survey of Real Estate Institute of Queensland members to determine what impact the Sustainability Declaration has had on home buyer decision making and how effective the legislative mechanisms have been in achieving the policy objectives.FindingsThis paper assesses the initial impact of this initiative over its first year in operation. These preliminary findings indicate a high level of compliance from the real estate industry, however results confirm that sustainability is yet to become a criterion of relevance to the majority of homebuyers in Queensland.Practical implicationsThese quantitative findings support anecdotal evidence that the objectives of the legislation to increase homebuyer awareness and relevance of sustainability issues in the home are not being achieved.Social implicationsSustainability Declarations are a first step in raising homebuyer awareness of the importance of sustainability in housing. Further monitoring of this impact will be carried out over time.Originality/valueThis is the first research undertaken to assess the impact of this new mandatory disclosure legislation in Queensland, Australia. The findings will inform policy makers and assist them to assess the effectiveness of the current legislation in achieving its policy objectives.
Developments in valuation and assessment: an Australian case study
Authors: Parker David , Lockwood Tony , Marano Wayne 
Published: January 2012

PurposeSpatially enabled taxation systems provide public policy makers in Australia with a conundrum. For the Valuers General who provide the fiscal cadastre for the taxation system, spatial enablement could lead to a central role in State Government taxation or to a sidelined role. This paper aims to address this issue.Design/methodology/approachThe paper uses a survey of Valuers General.FindingsThe paper establishes the current extent of adoption of spatially enabled taxation systems, identifies current provision and uses of valuation data and explores possible future provision and uses of such data.Research limitations/implicationsThe sample size for survey may limit its use elsewhere.Practical implicationsThe paper concludes that further integration and a unified national policy approach would be preferable.Originality/valueThe first published paper to establish the current extent of adoption of spatially enabled taxation systems and to identify current provision and uses of valuation data in Australasia.
Menace of recalcitrant tenants in metropolitan Ibadan area's residential property market, Nigeria
Authors: Taiwo Gbadegesin Job , Ojo Olatoye 
Published: January 2012

PurposeManagement factors of recalcitrant tenants in residential premises have become central concerns of many private residential property owners in Ibadan metropolis. The purpose of this paper is to investigate the causes and dimension of the phenomena so as to prevent the loss of rent and encourage investment in rental housing in the city.Design/methodology/approachThe study elicited data through personal and direct administration of questionnaires on 51 estate surveying and valuation firms. The data collected included companies' profiles, years of property management experience, properties in their management portfolio, tenants' selection, category of recalcitrant tenants, handling techniques and influencing factors.FindingsResults indicated that act of non‐compliance and adherence to ethics of property management by estate surveyors and valuers (managers) in the area constitutes a major cause of recalcitrant tenants. Also, estate surveyors and valuers disregard some relevant factors while selecting tenants to fill vacancies such as police report, family factor, rental arrears, maintenance culture, personal/family crisis and mental illness/addiction. These, among others, consequently affect the objectives of investing in rental properties in the metropolis.Practical implicationsThe study recommends strict compliance to ethics (rules and regulations) put down in the constitution of NIESV (2005). Also estate surveyors and valuers (managers) should be encouraged to attend mandatory continuing professional development (MCPD). Lease/tenancy agreement should be clearly reached, documented and implemented. All transactions in residential property management should be executed at “arm's length” with transparency without bias.Research limitations/implicationsFuture research is needed to undertake statistical references through a comprehensive survey of all types of tenant: private/public tenants, commercial properties tenants and agricultural land tenants in Ibadan land.Originality/valueThe study helps to identity categories of recalcitrant tenants in residential properties, the rental residential properties occupied, causes of recalcitrance and treatment approaches of recalcitrant tenants.
An evaluation of the training needs of Nigerian estate surveyors for corporate real estate management practice
Authors: Tunde Oladokun Timothy 
Published: January 2012

PurposeThis paper aims to examine the skill requirements for the practice of corporate real estate management (CREM) in Nigeria.Design/methodology/approachQuestionnaires were distributed to 270 practising estate firms in Lagos State, Nigeria, 145 final year students of Estate Management in Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile Ife, Nigeria as well as corporate real executive officers of the 24 recapitalised commercial banks, 21 insurance and five GSM communication companies in Nigeria. A total of 260 questionnaires (58 per cent) were returned and found useful for the study. The study adopted the descriptive method of percentages, mean and proportion method for analysis.FindingsThe study found that in rank order, the skill requirements for CREM were financial performance skill, investment in corporate strategy, productivity skill, space efficiency management skill and customers and employees' management skill. The mean figures for the five factors are 5.0, 4.8, 4.8, 4.73 and 4.67 respectively. The results of the analysis also showed further that the portfolio efficiency skill had a mean value of 3.58 and was rated by the respondents as the least skill required for corporate real estate management.Research limitations/implicationsLimiting the scope of the study to CRE executives and practitioners in selected service industry and students of a university might pose a great challenge to the representativeness of the findings.Practical implicationsThe study has major implications on real estate education and practice in Nigeria. There is an urgent need to overhaul the university/polytechnic curriculum to incorporate business and accounting knowledge to prepare real estate graduates for efficient practice and the continuous re‐training of practitioners to prevent future declining real estate profession.Social implicationsThe negative implication of joblessness arising from unemployable graduates of real estate by corporate organisations breeds more social vices.Originality/valueThe paper documents the requisite information needed for developing contemporary policy on real estate education in the country. It also serves as a guide for real estate practitioners and regulatory bodies for developing contemporary real estate practice to meet emerging trends in CREM practice and for relevance in the practice of CREM as an evolving sub‐discipline of estate management.
Adopters and non‐adopters of internet banking: a segmentation study
Authors: Patsiotis Athanasios G. , Hughes Tim , Webber Don J. 
Published: January 2012

PurposeThis study examines internet banking adoption and resistance behaviour in Greece in order to develop profiles of adopters and non‐adopters of the service. The aim is to illustrate customers' resistance behaviour towards internet banking. The existing research does not explain resistance behaviour, since it does not clearly distinguish non‐adoption from resistance. Consequently, it has not recognised the different types of non‐adoption.Design/methodology/approachA measuring instrument was developed and utilised in a survey of a convenience sample of 1,200 customers. The derived dimensionality of the relevant perceptual variables was used to explore the existence of different customer segments through cluster analysis.FindingsThree segments were identified, where the description of their profiles is based on customer perceptions of the service and general usage data. Across these segments adopters and non‐adopters were found to have different characteristics. With regard to demographics, only income was found to be associated with segment membership.Research limitations/implicationsPerceptual and usage variables are useful in market segmentation. The results also suggest the possible existence of sub‐groups within each segment characterised by different aspects of resistance behaviour. Further research could identify and explore their potential and study non‐adopter behaviour.Practical implicationsService providers should target users and non‐users across the segments differently. While the users identified require different retention policies, the resistance or non‐resistance observed in non‐users suggest the proper management of delay and rejection behaviours.Originality/valueThe customer segments identified in this study are based on new links found between the factors that drive diffusion and resistance to diffusion and general usage data. Non‐adopters across the segments resist for different reasons, or not resist.
The effect of behavioural activation and inhibition on CRM adoption
Authors: Vella Joseph , Caruana Albert , Pitt Leyland F. 
Published: January 2012

PurposeThis paper seeks to examine the effect of behavioural inhibition and behavioural activation systems on users' intention to adopt customer relationship management (CRM) applications.Design/methodology/approachData for this study were collected from among managers of a major player in the community banking sector within the European Union. A total of 274 valid responses were obtained from 398 managers.FindingsThe results indicate that individuals with different combinations of BIS‐BAS levels demonstrate varying degrees of willingness in adopting and contributing towards the CRM system.Practical implicationsThese results can be useful for human resources managers, who can screen individuals for positions requiring customer interface and effective use of CRM systems. The need to align employees' characteristics with CRM goals and strategies is critical to the successful application of CRM systems but has often not been given sufficient attention.Originality/valueThis paper demonstrates that individual behaviour can be attributed to different personality traits, which in turn can be traced back to physiological as well as psychological origins.
Understanding customer‐specific factors underpinning internet banking adoption
Authors: Yousafzai Shumaila , Yani‐de‐Soriano Mirella 
Published: January 2012

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to deepen our understanding of customers' actual internet banking behaviour by combining the construct of technology readiness with the technology acceptance model and demographics, such as age and gender, into one integrated framework.Design/methodology/approachThe customer‐specific internet banking acceptance model (CSIBAM) is validated through 435 UK internet banking users.FindingsThe results indicate the importance of customer‐specific factors in predicting actual behaviour. Technology readiness, age and gender moderate the beliefs‐intention relationship. Customers with varying levels of technology‐related views and demographics hold different beliefs about technology. The relationship between usefulness and behaviour was stronger for younger males with high levels of optimism and innovativeness (explorers and pioneers), whilst the relationship between ease of use and behaviour was stronger for older females with a high level of discomfort (paranoids and laggards).Practical implicationsIn today's highly competitive financial services market, knowledge of key customer‐specific factors can help banks to enhance customer experience by focusing more on each segment's particular needs. This knowledge would also help managers to decide about the extent to which technology‐based systems can be used, the appropriate type of these systems, the pace of implementation, and the type of customer support required.Originality/valueA distinctive contribution of this study is that it does not rely on self‐reported intention or usage, but instead it employs actual behavioural data. Greater understanding of seemingly established relationships could improve the design of the service and the development of differential marketing strategies aimed at driving adoption and allaying rejection.
Healthcare quality under the National Health Insurance Scheme in Ghana
Authors: Ayimbillah Atinga Roger 
Published: January 2012

PurposeThe purpose of this study is to examine how premium holders of Ghana's Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS) perceive the state of quality healthcare delivery in public hospitals in the country.Design/methodology/approachQuestionnaires were administered to a sample of 250 insured patients receiving care in some selected public hospitals accredited by the National Health Insurance Authority in Ghana. Results are presented using descriptive statistics and Chi‐square analysis.FindingsThe results demonstrate that the human dimensions of service quality (interaction with service provider and attitude of healthcare providers) were perceived by the insured patients to be good, and they constitute significant determinants of perceived service quality. Although waiting time was generally perceived to be long, it is not in any way associated with patient perception of quality of care.Originality/valueThe findings of the study provide an important step towards strengthening service quality in public hospitals in the wake of the introduction of the NHIS.