bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Board of directors' size and performance in the banking industry
Authors: Belkhir Mohamed 
Published: April 2009

PurposeThis paper aims to investigate the relationship between board size and performance in a sample of 174 bank and savings‐and‐loan holding companies, over the period 1995‐2002.Design/methodology/approachIn order to examine the relationship between board of directors' size and performance in the banking industry, the paper uses various statistical tools, including panel univariate analyses and panel data techniques.FindingsContrary to theories predicting that smaller boards of directors are more effective, increasing the number of directors in banking firms does not undermine performance. In contrast, the evidence is in favor of a positive relationship between board size and performance, as measured by Tobin's Q and the return on assets. The paper investigates whether this positive association is due to the fact that banks reduce the number of their directors in the aftermath of poor performance by testing for the relationship between board size and performance. The findings show that the number of directors leaving the board and the number of those joining the board for the first time increase following a poor performance, but the net change in board size is not affected by past performance.Research limitations/implicationsThe paper recognizes that a number of factors that are not controlled for in this study might be behind the positive empirical association between board size and the performance measures used.Practical implicationsThe results of this study suggest that the calls to reduce the number of directors in banks might have adverse effects on performance.Originality/valueThis paper contributes to the banking literature by investigating the relationship between an important governance mechanism, the board of directors, and performance in banking firms.
World and regional factors in stock market returns
Authors: Pattarathammas Suluck , Khanthavit Anya 
Published: April 2009

PurposeThis paper aims to test the hypothesis that the national stock market returns are driven by a world factor, regional factors and idiosyncratic factors, and to measure the importance of each factor.Design/methodology/approachThe state‐space model is applied to describe the sample returns and estimate a world factor, regional factors and idiosyncratic factors by Kalman filtering. Weekly and daily returns calculated from MSCI country indexes from January 1988 to December 2004 of 11 national stock markets in four regions, i.e. North America (the USA and Canada), South America (Brazil, Mexico and Chile), Europe (the UK, Germany and France), and Asia (Japan, Hong Kong, and Singapore) are used.FindingsThe results support the hypothesis that national market returns are driven by a world factor, regional factors and idiosyncratic factors. National markets do not always respond mainly to the world factor; regional factors and idiosyncratic factors play important roles as well. They also respond to world news at a slower rate than regional news.Research limitations/implicationsThis paper does not identify the source or origins of news directly but the factors are assumed as random variables and are estimated under certain strict assumptions.Originality/valueThis paper applies Kalman filtering to estimate a world factor and regional factors and test the importance of each factor directly, an extension of previous studies that mostly showed strong independence among markets.
Towards an approach to sustain web services high‐availability using communities of web services
Authors: Maamar Zakaria , Sheng Quan Z. , Tata Samir , Benslimane Djamal , Sellami Mohamed 
Published: April 2009

PurposeIn any critical system, high‐availability of software components like web services has so far been achieved through replication. Three replication strategies known as active, passive, and hybrid, describe for example how many replicas are needed, where to locate replicas, and how replicas interact with the original web service and among themselves if needed. The purpose of this paper is to show how replicates could be substituted with components that are similarly functional to the component that needs back‐up in case of failure.Design/methodology/approachAfter examination of the different existing replication strategies, it was decided to test the suitability of the proposed web services high‐availability approach based on communities for each strategy. To this end, the specification of web services using two behaviors, namely control and operational, was deemed appropriate.FindingsThe active replication strategy is the only strategy that could support the development of a web services high‐availability approach based on communities of web services.Practical implicationsThe proposed approach has been validated in practice by deploying a JXTA‐based testbed. The experimental work has implemented the active replication strategy.Originality/valueSoftware component high‐availability could be achieved by components that are similarly functional to this component, which permits the common limitations of existing replication strategies to be addressed.
Fast and efficient computation of reachability queries over linked XML documents' graphs
Authors: Sayed Awny 
Published: April 2009

PurposeThe increasing popularity of XML has generated a lot of interest in query processing over graph‐structured data. To support efficient evaluation of path expressions structured indexes have been proposed. Extending the proposed indexes to work with large XML graphs and to support intra‐ or inter‐document links requires a lot of computing power for the creation process and a lot of space to store the indexes. Moreover, the efficient evaluation of ancestors‐descendants queries over arbitrary graphs with long paths is a severe problem. This paper aims to propose a scalable path index which is based on the concept of 2‐hop covers as introduced by Cohen et al.Design/methodology/approachThe problem of efficiently managing and querying XML documents poses interesting challenges on database research. The proposed algorithm for index creation scales down the original graph size substantially. As a result a directed acyclic graph with a smaller number of nodes and edges will emerge. This reduces the number of computing steps required for building the index. Thus, computing time and space will be reduced as well. The index also permits ancestors‐descendants relationships to be efficiently evaluated. Moreover, the proposed index has a nice property in comparison to most other work; it is optimized for descendants‐or‐self queries on arbitrary graphs with link relationships.FindingsIn this paper, a scalable path index is proposed. It can efficiently address the problem of querying large XML documents that contain links and have cycles. Cycles in the graph stress path‐indexing algorithms. An overview about 2‐hop cover and the algorithms that used to build the index are given.Research limitations/implicationsThis paper works on the updating problem. Since the construction of the index is quite complex its construction make sense for some time. However, this means it is currently dealing with the problem of updating XML‐documents.Originality/valueThis paper presents an efficient path index that can test the reachability between two nodes and evaluate ancestors‐descendants queries over arbitrary graphs with long paths.
Synthesizing correlated RSS news articles based on a fuzzy equivalence relation
Authors: Soledad Pera Maria , Ng Yiu‐Kai 
Published: April 2009

PurposeTens of thousands of news articles are posted online each day, covering topics from politics to science to current events. To better cope with this overwhelming volume of information, RSS (news) feeds are used to categorize newly posted articles. Nonetheless, most RSS users must filter through many articles within the same or different RSS feeds to locate articles pertaining to their particular interests. Due to the large number of news articles in individual RSS feeds, there is a need for further organizing articles to aid users in locating non‐redundant, informative, and related articles of interest quickly. This paper aims to address these issues.Design/methodology/approachThe paper presents a novel approach which uses the word‐correlation factors in a fuzzy set information retrieval model to: filter out redundant news articles from RSS feeds; shed less‐informative articles from the non‐redundant ones; and cluster the remaining informative articles according to the fuzzy equivalence classes on the news articles.FindingsThe clustering approach requires little overhead or computational costs, and experimental results have shown that it outperforms other existing, well‐known clustering approaches.Research limitations/implicationsThe clustering approach as proposed in this paper applies only to RSS news articles; however, it can be extended to other application domains.Originality/valueThe developed clustering tool is highly efficient and effective in filtering and classifying RSS news articles and does not employ any labor‐intensive user‐feedback strategy. Therefore, it can be implemented in real‐world RSS feeds to aid users in locating RSS news articles of interest.
Migrants' remittances and mobile transfer in emerging markets
Authors: Mirabaud Nicolas 
Published: April 2009

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to analyze the solutions provided by mobile money transfer (MMT) technology to facilitate migrants' remittances to their home country. The paper seeks to identify the main difficulties faced by migrants when sending money home and how mobile money addresses them. It also seeks to understand how some telecom companies have managed to be successful in their implementation of MMT services in emerging markets.Design/methodology/approachThe paper presents two successful cases of mobile money service in the Philippines and in Kenya and analyses the MMT Initiative, a lobbying group in which telecom companies gather to secure their position on the market. It is based on data collected from internet sources, articles, reports and case studies.FindingsOwing to their size, remittances have a massive impact on developing countries economies, communities and individuals. The market's large potential attracts vast number of telecom companies rushing to get the first move advantage. The study of the two examples explains their success through their ability to adapt to local needs taking in consideration cultural, economical and distribution systems specificities. If social benefits are provided through integration of part of local population in the economical life, profit‐oriented business strategies pursued might be dangerous on a longer term.Practical implicationsThis study identifies successful business models. While similarities in lack of infrastructure of developing countries favors generalization, international expansion will only be made possible by real transnational strategy adapted to local needs.Originality/valueThis paper demonstrates how implementation of new technologies can provide social benefits in emerging markets. It encourages entrepreneurs to strongly take into consideration local responsiveness in order to be able to achieve sustainable growth.
Determinants of product quality perceptions and their application to marketing standardisation
Authors: Lee Jung‐Wan , Tai Simon W. 
Published: April 2009

PurposeThis paper aims to investigate the concept of the standardisation of products and marketing communications in an emerging market. The paper further aims to introduce a logical connection between product attributes and consumers' perceptions of product quality.Design/methodology/approachRelationships between the product attributes of characteristic‐, benefit‐, image‐ and perceived‐product quality are hypothesized. The empirical data, which collected via a consumer survey in Almaty, Kazakhstan, are utilized to test hypotheses using structural equation modeling method.FindingsThis study finds that product attributes affect differentially to consumers' evaluation of product quality. For products with higher symbolic meanings such as the automobile in Central Asia, consumers are more sensitive to the benefit attribute of the product rather than the product characteristic attribute.Research limitations/implicationsThis study uses a single product category and a single segment. Results need to be expanded and confirmed with other product categories in other emergent markets.Practical implicationsThis study implies that, beyond product standardisation, multinational firms must develop strategic marketing communications by adapting the differences of values, expectations, needs of consumers towards global products, in particular, in emerging markets.Originality/valueVery few studies in global marketing have been carried out in the Commonwealth Independent States region. In particular, to understand the intricacies of product quality judgment by Kazakh consumers towards global products is important to multinational firms that are operating in the region.
Using styles for more effective learning in multicultural and e‐learning environments
Authors: Cools Eva , Evans Carol , Redmond James A. 
Published: April 2009

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to introduce this special issue, which contains selected papers from the 13th Annual European Learning Styles Information Network (ELSIN) conference held in Ghent, Belgium in June 2008. One of the key aims of ELSIN is to promote understanding of individual learning and cognitive differences through the dissemination of international multidisciplinary research about learning and cognitive styles and strategies of learning and thinking.Design/methodology/approachThree papers within this special issue consider how style differences can inform the development of e‐learning opportunities to enhance the learning of all (Vigentini; Kyprianidou, Demetriadis, Pombortsis and Karatasios; Zhu, Valcke and Schellens). The influence of culture on learning is also raised in the paper of Zhu et al. and those of Sulimma and Eaves which both focus more directly on cultural influences on style, learning and teaching.FindingsA number of key themes permeate the studies included in this special edition such as: the nature of styles; the intrinsic difficulty of isolating style variables from other variables impacting on performance; inherent difficulties in choosing the most appropriate style measures; the potential of e‐learning to attend to individual learning differences; the role of culture in informing attitudes and access to learning; the development of constructivist learning environments to support learning through an understanding of individual differences and most importantly how one can apply such insights about individual differences to inform and enhance instruction.Originality/valueThe papers in this special issue contribute to enhanced knowledge about the value of style differences to design constructive learning environments in multicultural and e‐learning contexts.
Using learning technology in university courses: do styles matter?
Authors: Vigentini Lorenzo 
Published: April 2009

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to explore the relevance of three different types of styles measure for students' learning in a large introductory university course in psychology, using information technology to enhance teaching. The paper examines the relationship between styles, the usage of learning technology, and academic performance in this course.Design/methodology/approachStyles are measured using approaches to learning, thinking styles, and cognitive styles. The usage of the online material is measured by considering both time spent on the resources and the amount of material viewed (pages and hits) as well as tools used.FindingsThe findings are that the academic performance of students who used the online resources is significantly higher than those who either choose to not use the online materials at all or choose to use to the materials to a lesser extent. It is determined that the measure of approaches to learning (approaches and study skills inventory for students) is the stronger predictor for successful use of the material.Research limitations/implicationsUsing a reasonably sized sample in an ecologically valid context offered the opportunity to put styles into context and to consider the practical use of styles. This research is limited by the context and the particular sample. It is also difficult to completely exclude the fact that students using the extra material are generally more motivated and would have obtained better grades even without the resources.Originality/valueThis paper offers further evidence for the relations between different measures of styles and evaluates the effects that styles might have on usage of online material and academic performance.
Learning styles technology and supporting overseas learners
Authors: Eaves Mina 
Published: April 2009

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to present details of a study investigating learning styles differences of Thai students in England compared to local students in England and Thailand. It also discusses key issues in using learning styles in multicultural and international education, given their wide availability online.Design/methodology/approachA mixed methods design is used, including a psychometric approach using Vermunt's Inventory of Learning Styles (ILS) with three postgraduate Business student samples – Thai (in England, n=26), European (in England, n=16) and Thai (in Thailand, n=122) and a qualitative approach using focus groups, interviews and open‐ended questionnaires with the Thai (in England, n=43) sample only.FindingsOne‐way independent analysis of variance analyses on ILS scores show that learning styles differ significantly between the three samples on each of the test occasions, particularly in meaning‐directed learning and undirected learning. The qualitative data analysis shows that Thai students in England perceive culturally‐determined differences in teaching and learning behaviour between Thai and English higher education environments that can cause difficulties for them.Research limitations/implicationsThe use of mixed methods gives data of greater breadth and depth than a single method; however, the sample sizes are somewhat limited.Practical implicationsThai students in England require additional support from educators and educational institutions.Originality/valueThis paper provides a valuable insight into the learning styles and needs of Thai students in England, given the paucity of research in this area.
Development of a service quality scale for pharmaceutical supply chains
Authors: Ahmad Niaz , Usman Awan Muhammad , Raouf Abdul , Sparks Leigh 
Published: April 2009

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to develop a scale for the measurement of service quality in pharmaceutical supply chains.Design/methodology/approachA total of 413 pharmaceutical retailers working in the two biggest cities of Pakistan responded to a survey. Confirmatory factor analysis developed a valid and reliable service quality measurement scale with four dimensions and ten items.FindingsFindings of this research are consistent with other service quality studies. There is no universal set of dimensions and items that determine service quality across a section of service industries. Service quality measurement must be adapted to fit the context.Research limitations/implicationsConvenience sampling was undertaken for this research. This research contributes to the measurement of service quality by developing a valid and reliable measurement scale in a previously ignored sector.Practical implicationsThe scale developed in this research can be used by pharmaceutical distribution companies in Pakistan to measure, control and improve the service quality provided to pharmaceutical retailers.Originality/valueThis research provides framework to researchers to build up more pharmaceutical supply chains service quality scale development studies in similar situations so that more concrete generalizations can be made.
“Pressure points” on pharmaceutical industry executives: what lies ahead?
Authors: Glass Harold E. , Poli Laurence G. 
Published: April 2009

PurposeThe pharmaceutical industry faces significant challenges in the immediate future, including drug safety, intellectual property in emerging markets, industry image, and the overall effect of marketing. To remain effective, pharmaceutical executives must translate these challenges to the industry into solutions, find relationships between individual issues, and group these issues into larger themes. The purpose of this paper is to study the issues that senior industry executives perceive the pharmaceutical industry faces and how they can organize these issues into high‐impact “pressure points.”Design/methodology/approachUsing a modified approach to the Delphi technique, 70 senior pharmaceutical industry executives rated issues facing the pharmaceutical industry. Their responses were then examined using factor analysis.FindingsThe study concludes that concerns about the industry's future must be accompanied by a concerted effort to communicate and market the importance drugs play in improving and extending lives.Practical implicationsThese will influence political factors that effect new drug development.Originality/valueThe study develops a list of potential major issues facing the industry over the next three to five years.
Are travellers interested in wine tourism in New Zealand?
Authors: Alonso Abel D. 
Published: April 2009

PurposeWhile much of contemporary wine tourism research focuses on on‐site winery visitors, little is reported on the level of wine tourism participation among travellers outside the winery who may not necessarily be winery visitors or wine enthusiasts. This study investigates this dimension from the perspective of travellers.Design/methodology/approachBetween October and November of 2006, a total of 998 questionnaires were distributed among travellers from the North to the South Island of New Zealand. In all, 500 travellers participated in the study, a 50.1 percent response rate.FindingsOne critical finding of this study is that while winery visitation appears common among domestic travellers, for the majority of international visitors lack of knowledge of New Zealand wines and wineries is their main reason not to visit wineries while members of this group travel in New Zealand.Research limitations/implicationsThe potential limitations of choosing a predominantly quantitative approach, as well as choosing specific days of the week for the questionnaire distribution are acknowledged in this study.Practical implicationsThe overall results suggest that if wine tourism is to continue its present development in New Zealand, winery operators and the wine industry need to address several issues identified in this study, particularly overseas travellers' apparent lack of knowledge about New Zealand's wine and wine tourism.Originality/valueThis study examines wine tourism from a different perspective, namely, that of travellers who might not necessarily fall under the wine tourist category. This dimension has been ignored for the most part in previous wine tourism research. The study also provides avenues for future research to further explore this dimension of tourism/wine tourism.