bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Case study of processing firm‐distributor firm outsourcing alliance
Authors: Bhaskaran Suku , Jenkins Helen 
Published: July 2009

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to review and discuss a distribution outsourcing alliance between a small‐to‐medium scale food processor and a national distributor of frozen and chilled food products. The paper discusses the influence of market dynamics, core and differentiated competencies and strategic intents on alliance formation and operations in the small‐to‐medium scale food enterprise sector.Design/methodology/approachThe dyadic relationship of a small‐to‐medium scale food processor and its distributor is investigated through reviewing past studies of processor‐distributor alliances, conducting in‐depth face‐to‐face interviews with senior managers in both firms, and reviewing documents and correspondence between the firms.FindingsThe partners do not complement their core and differentiate competencies to achieve greater customer value creation through a joint enterprise business model. The alliance focuses pre‐eminently on short‐term sales development and cost savings targets. Non‐achievement of these targets adversely influences partners' trust and commitment to the alliance. A significant strength of the alliance is its capacity to identify customer needs and use this knowledge to speedily develop and introduce new products. In its present form this alliance is unsustainable. The partners should adopt a new philosophy and vision to pursue an alliance that will use their core and differentiated competencies more effectively.Research limitations/implicationsTo generalise the findings and inform theory building, the research has to be replicated in other businesses and market environments. The findings are specific to the market environment and strategies of a single small‐to‐medium scale food processor and a single national distributor of frozen and chilled foods. Multi‐case studies in multi‐contexts (capturing varying sizes of business, industry sectors, target market segments, competitive environments and market environments) have to be completed to enable generalisation and theory building.Practical implicationsThis paper demonstrates the disadvantages of pursuing distribution outsourcing alliances with a short‐term and enterprise level perspective. The case study provides real life evidence of the benefits of pursuing distribution outsourcing alliances based on a joint enterprise philosophy.Originality/valueThis paper contributes to knowledge on distribution outsourcing alliances, a topic that several recent studies have identified as not having been explored in great detail in extant supply chain studies.
Understanding the factors affecting e‐business adoption and impact on logistics processes
Authors: Matopoulos Aristides , Vlachopoulou Maro , Manthou Vicky 
Published: July 2009

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to conceptualize e‐business adoption and to generate understanding of the range of factors affecting the adoption process. The paper also aims at exploring the perceived impact of e‐business adoption on logistics‐related processes.Design/methodology/approachCase study research, by conducting in‐depth interviews in eight companies.FindingsE‐business adoption is not exclusively a matter of resources. Increased e‐business adoption and impact are caused by increased operational compatibility, as well as increased levels of collaboration. In terms of e‐business impact this mainly refers to cycle time reductions and quality improvements, rather than direct cost reductions as reported by other authors.Research limitations/implicationsThe intrinsic weakness of the research method and the way concepts are operationalized limits the ability to generalize findings.Practical implicationsManagers should emphasize developing their relationships with their suppliers/customers, in an effort to do common e‐business investments, and should aim to increase their partners' commitment to the use of these applications.Originality/valueThis paper provides empirical evidence from a sector where limited research efforts have taken place. Explanations can be helpful to other researchers involved in the understanding of the adoption of e‐business and its impact.
The MobiCert project
Authors: Lu Nhiem , Swatman Paula M.C. 
Published: July 2009

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to present the findings of the MobiCert project, which utilises mobile commerce technology to enhance information access and provision for organic primary producers, so as to improve their integration into the grocery supply chain. This paper is a precursor to developing a mobile solution for both conventional and organic primary producers across Australia and potentially other countries.Design/methodology/approachThe rapid appraisal research approach is selected for this research paper as it is particularly suited for gathering fast, rich and deep data in rural and remote areas.FindingsThis paper discusses the development of a mobile information community prototype for organic primary producers in rural South Australia which provides information access and data gathering functionalities through the use of a PDA/Smart phone. The Rural Area Technology Acceptance and Diffusion of Innovation Model is developed to investigate acceptance of mobile technology and the likely diffusion of this innovation in rural areas. It offers a theoretical underpinning for the project, and illustrates how this paper contributes to the management/marketing literature.Originality/valueThis research project is of considerable value for primary producers in rural and remote areas, because it enables and enhances their access to and provision of information – a critical factor for timely and effective access to the grocery supply chain.
What is the value of eGovernment – and how can we actually realize it?
Authors: Skiftenes Flak Leif , Dertz Willy , Jansen Arild , Krogstie John , Spjelkavik Ingrid , Ølnes Svein 
Published: July 2009

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to promote academic discourse around the understanding of the concept of value of eGovernment and how a diverse set of benefits or values can be realized from eGovernment efforts.Design/methodology/approachThe paper is designed as a viewpoint paper with emphasis on grounding a set of arguments on current practice and relevant scholarly papers.FindingsAlthough not based on a formal, structured review, the paper proposes that the concept of value in relation to eGovernment is insufficiently discussed and defined in the eGovernment literature. Based on the high failure rates of eGovernment efforts, it further proposes that structured approaches to benefits realization, in combination with increased focus on (public) value, can be fruitful avenues for future research. The complexity of the context and the research challenges makes interdisciplinary research teams a necessity.Originality/valueIf addressed, the research propositions can lead to an increased understanding of the complexity of the concept of value related to eGovernment. Further, the propositions promote research that can lead to more pertinent documentation of the actual value of various eGovernment efforts as well as research of good practice on how government organizations can increase their opportunities to maximize value from their eGovernment spendings.
Value generation in e‐government from service‐based IT integration
Authors: Virili Francesco , Sorrentino Maddalena 
Published: July 2009

PurposeUnderstanding how value is actually generated in e‐government projects is one of the most challenging, and relevant, issues in e‐government research. This paper aims to investigate the contribution of service‐based information technology (IT) integration for generating value in the public sector, proposing a theoretical framework based on the theory of IT conversion effectiveness.Design/methodology/approachThe paper illustrates this novel approach to electronic government evaluation with an exploratory case study of a service‐based IT integration project developed by the City of Genoa, showing how and why IT integration can substantially contribute to value generation in the public sector.FindingsContrarily to what one would expect according to the original theory of IT conversion effectiveness, value generation may happen even with no substantial growth in the pre‐existing IT asset portfolio. In fact, what is truly important is not only the availability of IT assets (policy output), but also their proper use (policy outcome) and their final effects on policy takers (policy impact). The case study shows how a low‐cost and small IT integration project based on agile information system development practices can significantly leverage the legacy systems, enhancing the overall degree of IT conversion effectiveness (first stage), with expected positive effects on policy outcomes (second stage) and policy impacts (third stage). The enabling effect of the web services technology has a central role in the overall value generation process.Originality/valueWhile addressing a literature void in the context of public sector, this theoretical approach is substantial as it can be used to evaluate and maximize the value generated by e‐government projects, with a special focus on service‐based IT integration projects.
Simulating information exchanges to investigate the utility of public health web sites
Authors: Alkayid Kholoud , Hasan Helen , Meloche Joseph A. 
Published: July 2009

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to present research into the area of internet support for professional‐public communication through a deeper understanding of the role that a web site can provide in meeting the information needs of critically ill patients in intensive care units (ICUs). The communication between clinicians and members of the patient's family in the stressful ICU is modelled to give an integrated view of the situation and thereby allow for the incorporation of the views of all stakeholders on how the internet can meet this communication need.Design/methodology/approachThe paper takes a broad, holistic, systemic approach that integrates the latest information and communications technology tools and processes with rich qualitative data from all stakeholder groups. The data are interpreted through the use of system dynamic modelling to visually conceptualise information flows and communication between clinicians and family members of patients.FindingsThe paper conceptualises, visualises and simulates the communication that takes place in complex stressful settings, such as, in ICUs thereby increasing the understanding of web‐support for professional‐public communication in the complex area of healthcare.Research limitations/implicationsThe broad approach of the paper has sacrificed, detailed and in depth analysis of all aspects of this issue which would require a much more extensive study.Practical implicationsThe results have been of practical value to those developing a particular ICU web site and thus could inform others.Originality/valueIn addition to the findings, this paper is innovative in the way systems dynamics is used to model information flows. The results demonstrate the value of this technique for visualising and manipulating entire systems of this kind.
The secret weapon in building customer strategy: the Chief Customer Officer
Authors: Bingham Curtis N. 
Published: July 2009

PurposeThis paper articulates the significant value of the role of the Chief Customer Officer, namely in the CCO's ability to create and leverage customer strategy.Design/methodology/approachThe paper offers a view of the evolution of the CCO over six years based on recently completed in‐depth interviews with more than 50 CCOs at Fortune 500, mid‐cap, and smaller companies.FindingsThe article describes the three most common reasons why CEOs hire Chief Customer Officers. The CCO role is evolving and rapidly increasing in complexity, defying simple categorization that was possible six years ago. CCOs can be classified in two dimensions according to their customer accountability and the organizational authority of their role. CCOs share three common goals: drive profitable customer behavior, create a customer‐centric culture, and driver corporate and customer strategy. Also discussed are the most critical factors that must be in place to ensure CCO success.Research limitations/implicationsWhile the sample size of 50 out of 300 is representative, the CCO role is evolving quickly and is adapted as necessary within each company to fit the specific organizational needs.Originality/valueThe majority of the material is new. This research begins to codify the most critical factors in the CCO role to provide structure for CEOs and Boards considering installing a CCO. CCOs should evaluate their key performance indicators to ensure they are tied to profitability so as to better justify and defend their value. Growth companies must bear in mind the need to migrate the CCO from line ownership to process ownership to properly manage complexity.
The CASA story – Lodha Group's foray into mid‐income segments
Authors: Mathur Anupriya 
Published: July 2009

PurposeThe economic slowdown that hit worldwide in 2008 led to a drastic decrease in real estate sales, especially in the luxury segment. This case describes how a premium real estate company in India overcame this downturn by strategic entry into a new market segment. It discusses the role played by brand management in creating and establishing a sub‐brand in real estate.Design/methodology/approachThe case study presents an in‐depth discussion on various aspects of the strategy adopted based on the options available for sustenance in a slowing economy, evaluation of options, market research, customer segment research, brand extension options, brand architecture and nomenclature used, marketing initiatives taken, and milestones achieved.FindingsThe case discusses the challenges that the premium real estate group was able to overcome by implementation of the adopted strategy.Originality/valueThe paper is multi‐dimensional in nature. It focuses on brand extension strategies and opportunity creation and growth in a recessionary environment, looking at a real life example of the demonstrable and significant results achieved by Lodha Group. This case can be of value to practitioners as well as academicians in the field of brand management and sub‐brand creation in real estate, specifically during an economic slowdown.
How to evaluate risk for Italian real estate funds
Authors: Giannotti Claudio , Mattarocci Gianluca 
Published: July 2009

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to define an approach useful to evaluate real estate funds on the specific characteristics of the Italian market and on the basis of international best practices.Design/methodology/approachThe first step is to identify specific factors and portfolio construction choices that could impact directly on the variability of inflows and outflows related to real estate fund. The analysis is realised constructing standard measures of financial and downside risk and identifying a panel model that allows to explain risk measure dynamics on the basis of some investments and portfolio characteristics. Results obtained are tested with an out of sample procedure in order to evaluate the type of misclassification risk related to each model. The second step is to evaluate the impact of debt policy on the risk assumed by a real estate funds. After an analysis of debt sustainability for each real estate unit on the basis of deadlines and amount of flows related to each investment, the study proposed looks directly at the debt policy of listed real estate funds: the analysis is aimed to evaluate the relationship between leverage choice and inflows/outflows variability and the coherence between declared results and expected results for high‐leveraged funds respect to the others.FindingsThe results stemming from the use of a real estate database supplied by Beni Stabili Gestioni Società di Gestione del Risparmio showed that the portfolio's construction choice impacts strongly on the variability of results of a real estate fund. The strict linkage between characteristics of debt and type of property makes difficult to evaluate the additional risk related to debt choice but on the basis of Italian market data are possible to point out the higher difficulties for high‐leveraged funds to achieve the result communicated to the market (the so‐called target IRR).Originality/valueThe value added of the paper is to study the relevance of specific risk factors respect to portfolio's ones in the evaluation of risk exposure for a real estate portfolio and the impact of the leverage choices on the variability of inflows and outflows related to the real estate investments.
Housing supply and planning delay in the South of England
Authors: Ball Michael , Allmendinger Phil , Hughes Cathy 
Published: July 2009

PurposeThere is a growing international interest in the impact of regulatory controls on the supply of housing. The UK has a particularly restrictive planning regime and a detailed and uncertain process of development control linked to it. The purpose of this paper is to present the findings of empirical research on the time taken to gain planning permission for selected recent major housing projects from a sample of local authorities in Southern England.Design/methodology/approachInformation on a 180 major residential projects in Southern England are collected from the records of planning authorities and the data analysed for information on the extent of delay and variability in the processing time for applications.FindingsThe scale of delay found was far greater than is indicated by average official data measuring the extent to which local authorities meet planning delay targets.Practical implicationsIf these results are representative of the country as a whole, they indicate that planning delay could be a major cause of the slow responsiveness of British housing supply.Originality/valueThis is the first time that planning delay in the UK has been measured in a comprehensive project‐based manner from original records.
The performance of Italian real estate mutual funds
Authors: Morri Giacomo , Lee Stephen L. 
Published: July 2009

PurposeItalian real estate mutual funds have shown enormous growth over the past few years, however, little is known about their performance. The purpose of this paper is to correct this oversight.Design/methodology/approachThe risk‐adjusted performance, as measured by the Sharpe ratio, of 17 Italian real estate funds is valued using a number of fund characteristics and monthly data over the period 2005‐2008. Two models are constructed and ordinary least squares regressions are applied.FindingsActive property management, the level of property‐type diversification and the way the fund is initially setup (either by subscription or by contribution) are found to be significant factors in differentiating the performance between Italian real estate funds.Research limitations/implicationsThe relatively short period of time (three years) used in the empirical analysis might represent its major drawback, also considering that data cover only the upward trend of the market cycle: a further research should be addressed when a longer time series is available.Practical implicationsResults are of interest to investors and financial planners alike in revealing which factors should be considered in selecting Italian real estate funds.Originality/valueThe main contribution of the paper is to study those characteristics of Italian real estate funds which have power in explaining their performance. The area of research is well known, the sample is new.
Measuring price expectations
Authors: Taltavull Paloma , McGreal Stanley 
Published: July 2009

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to estimate the expectations component contained in the asking price of residential property, in order to assess whether expectation plays a relevant role in house price appreciation. The paper tests the role of housing characteristics and value perception on asking price.Design/methodology/approachThe hypothesis tested in this paper is that asking price of residential properties includes an element of price expectation. The analysis utilises a valuation database of about 1,900,000 records for the Spanish housing market, each record contains information on the price that owners expect to obtain on the sale of their property and housing and neighbourhood characteristics. There are three stages to the analysis. Regression analysis is used to estimate the hedonic models and separate that part of the price arising from housing heterogeneity, a two‐stage least squares model estimates the role of expectations and a metadata approach measures those characteristics that explain the change in the explanatory power of the hedonic models over time.FindingsThe results show that the explanatory power of hedonic models change with time suggesting that the point in the market cycle modifies the perception of price. The results indicate that the theoretical variables which explain expectations account for about 8 per cent of price, with most of the unexplained element of asking prices due to reasons related with local market conditions.Originality/valueThis paper offers two original insights. First, the paper presents analysis based on asking prices and shows how this could be used as a tool to measure house price expectations. Second, the paper provides further perspectives of the Spanish housing market based on a major database of observations.
How will climate change impact on the tourism industry?
Authors: Hall Anthony J. , Clayton Anthony 
Published: July 2009

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to explore the views of industrial practitioners from Jamaica's hotel, travel and tourism industry on climate change.Design/methodology/approachThe paper uses standard questions to explore the likely impact of climate change on tourism and the kinds of action needed by government and by industry to mitigate these impacts.FindingsIt is indicated that practitioners are aware of the growing impact of climate change on their business and the need for a co‐ordinated response.Originality/valueThe paper relates the analysis of climate issues in the Caribbean to the views and experiences of industry leaders.
Is tourism with a low impact on climate possible?
Authors: Chenoweth Jonathan 
Published: July 2009

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to examine the impact of a range of different travel and tourism options, and quantifies the carbon‐dioxide emissions resulting from international vacations, breaking down emissions categories into those resulting from transport, accommodation and recreation.Design/methodology/approachThe paper uses summary data to review a range of possible vacation scenarios and examines their relative carbon‐dioxide emissions in order to compare the relative climatic impact of different forms of tourism and vacation options.FindingsThe paper concludes that intercontinental flights and cruise ship travel are particularly carbon‐intensive, which suggests that these two forms of tourism will be particularly vulnerable to any policy initiative to curb or price carbon emissions. Ends by considering whether climatically responsible international tourism is possible, and outlines some low‐carbon options.Originality/valueThe paper relates data on carbon emissions to the implications for tourism arising from climate change.