bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Learning from dialogue groups – physicians' perceptions of role
Authors: Bergman David , Stotzer Emelie , Wahlström Rolf , Sandahl Christer 
Published: May 2009

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to examine the aspects of being a physician that such medical professionals mention in dialogue groups when given the opportunity to choose their own topics of discussion.Design/methodology/approachOver a period of two years, 60 physicians participated in eight dialogue groups at one of the main hospitals in Stockholm, Sweden. Five focus group interviews were performed after the final dialogue group session.FindingsQualitative content analysis showed that three themes dominated in the physicians' perceptions of their role: hierarchy and subgroups; understanding of learning and knowledge; clinical work. Very little time in the dialogue groups was spent discussing the third theme, i.e. problems or issues related to patients or their families. The hierarchy among doctors seemed to influence many aspects of the role of these individuals, their healthcare organisation and their work environment. The methodology in the dialogue groups challenged the prevailing hierarchical structures and seemed to improve the relations between different groups of doctors in the hierarchy. For some of the physicians, this also resulted in a new way of perceiving and acting in their professional role.Research limitations/implicationsThe results of this study represent only one hospital.Practical implicationsThe findings may help healthcare managers understand physicians' conceptions of their role.Originality/valueFew intervention studies have considered management programmes directed towards physicians. The present investigation is the first qualitative analysis of the use of dialogue groups within a healthcare setting.
Logics of pre‐merger decision‐making processes
Authors: Choi Soki , Brommels Mats 
Published: May 2009

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to examine how and why a decision to merge two university hospitals in a public context might occur by using an in‐depth case study of the pre‐merger process of Karolinska University Hospital.Design/methodology/approachBased on extensive document analysis and 35 key informant interviews the paper reconstructed the pre‐merger process, searched for empirical patterns, and interpreted those by applying neo‐institutional theory.FindingsSpanning nearly a decade, the pre‐merger process goes from idea generation through transition to decision, and took place on two arenas, political, and scientific. Both research excellence and economic efficiency are stated merger motives. By applying a neo‐institutional perspective, the paper finds that the two initial phases are driven by decision rationality, which is typical for political organizations and that the final phase demonstrated action rationality, which is typical for private firms. Critical factors behind this radical change of decision logic are means convergence, uniting key stakeholder groups, and an economic and political crisis, triggering critical incidents, which ultimately legitimized the formal decision. It is evident from the paper that merger decisions in the public sector might not necessarily result from stated and/or economic drivers only.Practical implicationsThis paper suggests that a change of decision logic from decision to action rationality might promote effective decision making on large and complex issues in a public context.Originality/valueThis is the first systematic in‐depth study of a university hospital merger employing a decision‐making perspective.
Distributed leadership to mobilise capacity for accreditation research
Authors: Greenfield David , Braithwaite Jeffrey , Pawsey Marjorie , Johnson Brian , Robinson Maureen 
Published: May 2009

PurposeInquiries into healthcare organisations have highlighted organisational or system failure, attributed to poor responses to early warning signs. One response, and challenge, is for professionals and academics to build capacity for quality and safety research to provide evidence for improved systems. However, such collaborations and capacity building do not occur easily as there are many stakeholders. Leadership is necessary to unite differences into a common goal. The lessons learned and principles arising from the experience of providing distributed leadership to mobilise capacity for quality and safety research when researching health care accreditation in Australia are presented.Design/methodology/approachA case study structured by temporal bracketing that presents a narrative account of multi‐stakeholder perspectives. Data are collected using in‐depth informal interviews with key informants and ethno‐document analysis.FindingsDistributed leadership enabled a collaborative research partnership to be realised. The leadership harnessed the relative strengths of partners and accounted for, and balanced, the interests of stakeholder participants involved. Across three phases, leadership and the research partnership was enacted: identifying partnerships, bottom‐up engagement and enacting the research collaboration.Practical implicationsTwo principles to maximise opportunities to mobilise capacity for quality and safety research have been identified. First, successful collaborations, particularly multi‐faceted inter‐related partnerships, require distributed leadership. Second, the leadership‐stakeholder enactment can promote reciprocity so that the collaboration becomes mutually reinforcing and beneficial to partners.Originality/valueThe paper addresses the need to understand the practice and challenges of distributed leadership and how to replicate positive practices to implement patient safety research.
Rethinking risk and return: part 2 – some felicitous Fourier frequencies
Authors: Powers Michael R. 
Published: May 2009

PurposeThis editorial, the second of a two‐part series, proposes a new measure of risk for analyzing highly non‐normal (i.e. asymmetric and long‐tailed) random variables in the context of both investment and insurance portfolios. The proposed measure replaces the p‐norm‐based definition of “risk” – found wanting in Part 1 – with a cosine‐based alternative.Design/methodology/approachJust as p‐norm‐based risk measures were derived as generalizations of the standard deviation in Part 1, the paper now extend this approach to a cosine‐based risk measure. This involves computing the Fourier transform of the underlying random variable for a given frequency value. Methods for selecting an appropriate frequency are then discussed.FindingsThe cosine‐based risk measure provides an effective alternative to p‐norm‐based measures because the Fourier transform is always well defined, even for long‐tailed random variables. The frequency parameter necessary for the Fourier transform may be computed according to several interesting criteria, including the maximization of marginal Shannon information, as well as consideration of “Planck boundaries” in human cognition.Originality/valueThe editorial explores the use of cosine‐based measures in constructing a general definition of “risk” that is equally applicable to asymmetric and long‐tailed random variables as to normal random variables.
The effects of advertising media on sales of insurance products: a developing‐country case
Authors: Aduloju S.A. , Odugbesan A.O. , Oke S.A. 
Published: May 2009

PurposeCharacterized by declining goodwill and exemplified sharp drop in gross premium, the Nigerian insurance industry, in recent times, has experienced turbulent economic challenges that necessitated re‐engineering of its core activities. However, advertising and sales are core activities, which are important predictors of stability and growth in the insurance industry. Consequently, the purpose of this paper is to examine the impact of advertising on sales of insurance products.Design/methodology/approachAn empirical investigation is carried out using a survey that utilizes questionnaires, interviews, and field observation as major research instruments. A total of 71 insurance companies in Nigeria, which represent the total operating insurance companies in Nigeria at the time of study, were surveyed. With 100 scientifically selected subjects sampled, descriptive analysis was employed to understand the relationship and the strength of such relationships.FindingsIt was found that advertising had effects on sales volume and improved public image. However, the choice of advertising medium, the message, and the format are critical ingredients of a successful advertising program in the insurance industry.Research limitations/implicationsThe insurance industry in Nigeria was studied from a holistic viewpoint due to the need to present reliable and detailed information for decision makers. However, limitation in achieving this relates to the reluctance of respondents to release information for the study.Practical implicationsThe implication of this research is that proper control of advertisement budget vis‐à‐vis the expected sales volume could be made. Thus, organizations could spend budgets more effectively on growth enhancing projects instead of excessive wastage of funds on advertisement.Originality/valueThis paper seems to be the first original work that concerns the impact of advertising on sales in the Nigerian insurance industry. As such, it bridges a gap that is opened for investigations. It may be of great value to decision making seeking for control tools.
Universal banks and stock‐market reaction
Authors: Harissis Harilaos F. , Merikas Andreas , Mutenga Stanley , Staikouras Sotiris K. 
Published: May 2009

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to investigate the interface between the banking and insurance sectors. Using capital market data, the paper aims to discover any significant equity returns around the announcement date of these bank‐insurance interfaces.Design/methodology/approachThe analysis employs an event study methodology to evaluate the equity performance of these institutions. The empirical findings are based on well‐known financial intermediaries taken from an international sample.FindingsThe magnitude and sign of equity returns appear to differ among the cases examined. Some firms exhibit considerable abnormal returns, while others remain passive to any corporate restructuring revelation, or even undrape stock market losses. In many cases, the latter is associated with the overall economic environment, and/or with investments that are not compatible with the general banking philosophy of “fast growth within short‐term horizons.” Based on equity returns, the bank‐insurance interface seems to be the most preferable business restructuring; while insurance divestments and horizontal mergers, among financial intermediaries, do not perform as profitably as expected.Originality/valueThe paper will be of value to those interested in capital markets with emphasis on universal banking and insurance. It is suitable for academics as well as practitioners.
Effect of 9/11 on the conditional time‐varying equity risk premium: evidence from developed markets
Authors: Haque Mahfuzul , Kouki Imen 
Published: May 2009

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to examine the volatility effects on the returns for six developed market indices factoring in the unprecedented event of September 11, 2001, hereafter referred to as 9/11, in the USA. It also looks at the correlations between the indices and the risk premium when uncertainty in the financial markets affects the investors psyche, eroding confidence as volatility increases.Design/methodology/approachThe volatility of the indices in generalized autoregressive conditional heteroskedasticity (GARCH) framework, employing first the Box and Jenkins ARMA (p, q) to select models is investigated. The chosen models are based on the results obtained from Akaike information criterion and Schwartz Bayesian criterion. GARCH is a mechanism that includes past variances in the explanation of future variances.FindingsThe results highlight several findings, the variance of developed market returns appears to have increased after the 9/11 event; the correlation has increased among developed markets following 9/11; 9/11 affects developed markets, holding short‐term assets do not provide the investors with the reward they usually seek, but results are mixed in the case of holding long‐term assets; for all the period including sub‐period, signs of significant volatility clustering are found; but shocks are not explosive throughout.Originality/valueThe effect of 9/11 on the markets is different from previous worldwide crashes, such as that of October 19, 1987. This paper will be of value to policy makers and managers/institutional investors and those who have some stakes in international portfolio diversification, as the objective of diversification, is to avail the opportunity to improve portfolio performance on the low correlations across international stock markets.
An info‐gap approach to managing portfolios of assets with uncertain returns
Authors: Beresford‐Smith Bryan , Thompson Colin J. 
Published: May 2009

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to provide a quantitative methodology based on information‐gap decision theory for dealing with (true) Knightian uncertainty in the management of portfolios of assets with uncertain returns.Design/methodology/approachPortfolio managers aim to maximize returns for given levels of risk. Since future returns on assets are uncertain the expected return on a portfolio of assets can be subject to significant uncertainty. Information‐gap decision theory is used to construct portfolios that are robust against uncertainty.FindingsUsing the added dimensions of aspirational parameters and performance requirements in information‐gap theory, the paper shows that one cannot simultaneously have two robust‐optimal portfolios that outperform a specified return and a benchmark portfolio unless one of the portfolios has arbitrarily large long and short positions.Research limitations/implicationsThe paper has considered only one uncertainty model and two performance requirements in an information‐gap analysis over a particular time frame. Alternative uncertainty models could be introduced and benchmarking against proxy portfolios and competitors are examples of additional performance requirements that could be incorporated in an information‐gap analysis.Practical implicationsAn additional methodology for applying information‐gap modeling to portfolio management has been provided.Originality/valueThis paper provides a new and novel approach for managing portfolios in the face of uncertainties in future asset returns.
Control charts for monitoring observations from a truncated normal distribution
Authors: Cox M.A.A. 
Published: May 2009

PurposeThe majority of quality control charts are employed for normally distributed data. In reality this assumption is not always valid. This paper aims to consider an alternative the truncated normal.Design/methodology/approachHaving derived integral equations for the average run length (ARL), a key measure of the performance of a control chart, approximate solutions are derived using Gaussian quadrature.FindingsPolynomials closely approximating the ARL for the three most popular control charts, using their usual parameterization, are obtained.Research limitations/implicationsAn obvious extension is to other distributions and hopefully this work will encourage real world applications.Practical implicationsThese charts are widely applicable within engineering, finance, medicine, environmental statistics, and many other fields. These problems are typically said to fall in the domain of risk management. It is hoped that this paper will add to the body of practitioners already employing this technique.Originality/valueControl charts are widely employed, however applications are usually restricted to the normal distribution. This is the first time it has been applied to the truncated normal distribution and original polynomials derived for the ARL.
Landscapes and watersheds? China and the current economic context
Authors: Wilson John 
Published: May 2009

PurposeThis paper aims to review the international economic and political context within which China is developing its technology management strategy and its economy. The context represents a time of fundamentally significant change in and between the countries of East and West.Design/methodology/approachThe paper is a conceptual one, which considers the changes in the prevailing politico‐economic consensus including changes in the West, between East and West and within China.FindingsIn the context of the current political and economic landscape, the paper suggests there are perhaps three watersheds emerging which will define the present era and the foreseeable future and within which China's technology management strategy and economic development needs to be considered.Originality/valueGiven all the recent developments in international markets and the historic scale of the intervention of governments in the West, the paper is a timely and original analysis of the ending of the neo‐liberal consensus which has prevailed for the last 30 years and the significance of current developments, not least for China.
Barriers for technology transfer: the case of a country in transition
Authors: Jasinski Andrzej H. 
Published: May 2009

PurposeThe main purpose of his paper is to identify key barriers for technology transfer (TT) in a transitional economy. Poland is presented as a case study, with an emphasis on domestic TT.Design/methodology/approachThe paper is based on the author's empirical studies, using a few research methods, like: a postal questionnaire, the Delphi method, online questionnaire and a statistical data analysis.FindingsIn the period under analysis, no significant improvement occurred in the field of TT processes in Poland. The poor state of TT is due to the presence of numerous obstacles/barriers. According to empirical research, the most disturbing barriers facing the enterprise sector are: R&D institutions not fully open or prepared to cooperate with firms; inefficient systems supporting corporate innovation and R&D activities; obstacles hindering firms in acquiring outside financial resources; a lack of own financial resources; and a lack of innovative culture and mentality among employees. The lack of relevant communication between the science sector and industry is at the core of all difficulties in TT processes. On the basis of this, recommendations are formulated for all main actors on the innovation scene. At least some of the recommendations can be relevant for other countries in transition like, e.g. China.Originality/valueThis study is a comprehensive examination and analysis of TT processes in the country, with main stress put on existing barriers for the transfer of technologies and recommendations on how to remove the barriers.
Exploring the impact of brand image on customer loyalty and commitment in China
Authors: Ogba Ike‐Elechi , Tan Zhenzhen 
Published: May 2009

PurposeWhereas there is a growing recognition of the relevance of brand image to the success of market offering and organisation, as indications suggests that a good brand image can enhance customer experience and satisfaction for long‐term commitment. Evidences suggest limited study on the impact of brand image on key marketing and organisational components, including the impact of brand image on customer loyalty and commitment. The purpose of this study is, therefore, to examine how brand image can influence customer loyalty as well as impact on customer commitment to market offering within Chinese mobile phone market.Design/methodology/approachA quantitative approach was employed, using 26‐item, 7‐point Likert scaled questionnaire administered to 250 participants with 40 percent usable response rate. Data was analysed using exploratory factor analysis, Cronbach α internal consistency, ANOVA and correlation analysis for scale suitability, usability, reliability and test of association.FindingsThe outcome from the study was the reduction of 26‐25 scale items and high reliability of scale items at 0.942αs for further studies. Further behavioural analyses show that brand image have positive impact on customer expression of loyalty and commitment to market offering.Originality/valueThe outcome from this study concludes that brand image can positively influence customers' loyalty to a market offering and possibly boost customer commitment. The study identifies the degree of the relevant of brand image and its impact on organisations and their market offerings. The study suggests that good brand image should positively impact on customers' loyalty, which at long run should also influence customer perceived quality, enables satisfaction and should also influence to a greater degree the extent to which customers are willing to express commitment to such offering for sustainable profit. The limitations of the study are also explored in terms of the generalisation of the study, with the implications of the study further identified.
Customer knowledge management in international project: a case study
Authors: Peng Jian , Lawrence Allan , Koo Tony 
Published: May 2009

PurposeThis paper aims to examine how customer knowledge management (CKM) be implemented in international projects between the UK and China in practice, with a focus on the marketing process application, i.e. how analytical CKM systems are used to support customer knowledge (CK) acquisition.Design/methodology/approachThe case study practice of CKM application is based upon examining qualitative results reported from a two‐year study of CKM applications in an UK education service provider. An evaluation of CKM analytical functions provided by the international marketing team from the UK and its China counterparts in international joint education projects. A conceptual model of an analytical CKM system for CKM in this UK‐China environment is developed from the findings and literature review.FindingsUK‐China related CKM research is relatively new. Current CKM researches are dominated by Western cases and theories. China related international joint projects in this case study suggest that cultural factors play important roles in successful marketing. Meanwhile, CKM provides key factors in the implementation system.Practical implicationsThe findings shed light on the potential areas in which organisations can practically use CKM in international joint projects. The application of analytical CKM was investigated to build up a CKM model in practice. The paper also provides guidance for the service industry as how an analytical CKM system needs to be developed to support marketing process.Originality/valueThe latest findings on CKM application in this UK‐China case study are reported. An innovative analytical CKM model is proposed for marketing process, i.e. environmental influences, value specification, solution development and customer development. Key factors, such as knowledge about, for and from customer in CKM are examined.