bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Bundling or unbundling frequently purchased products: a mixed method approach
Authors: Arora Raj 
Published: January 2011

PurposeThis paper aims to use a mixed method (qualitative and quantitative) approach to exploring the effectiveness of price bundling.Design/methodology/approachThe study is based on a concurrent, two‐studies design where quantitative and qualitative data are both collected (concurrently or sequentially) and analyzed separately. The first study is based on a nested experimental design, and the second study is based on in‐depth interviews. The setting for the study is frequently purchased products, specifically teeth‐whitening products. The bundled items are: teeth whitener, toothpaste, mouthwash, toothbrush and dental floss. Various forms of discounts are tested to assess the effectiveness of bundles. While bundling has been investigated in marketing settings, the focus has been limited to consumer durables using quantitative scales. The experimental study is followed by a qualitative investigation in order to add further insight into the consumer's choice of a bundle. This mixed method approach provides rich narrative that adds important insights about the decision process and offers suggestions for advertising development.FindingsThe findings do not support a bundling approach. Although the consumers perceive higher value of the bundle, the attitudes, intentions and narratives support promoting these items individually rather than as a bundle.Research limitations/implicationsCaution is advised in extrapolating the results beyond the issues investigated in the study.Practical implicationsThe findings suggest caution for marketers in designing product bundles, positioning, and promotion strategies.Originality/valueThere are three major contributions of this study. First, the current literature suggests price bundling is an effective strategy. This study suggests that for certain products bundling may not be effective. Second, the past literature has not investigated the influence of type of discount on effectiveness of a bundle. Third, most studies in price bundling are quantitative in nature. This study uses a mixed method approach. The quantitative study is followed by a qualitative study to add further insights that will help understand consumer motivations behind the preferences.
The wellness prescription
Authors: Goldman Sharon M. 
Published: January 2011

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to explore how loyalty marketers are inspiring and incentivizing consumers to stay healthy in the wake of sky‐rocketing health care costs and a new US health care bill.Design/methodology/approachThe paper's approach is to tap into well‐known wellness program providers, like Virgin HealthMiles, CIGNA and CVS Caremark, to provide insight into how marketers are looking to utilize the “carrot” (positive incentives) to inspire consumers to stay healthy rather than the stick (punishment).FindingsThe new health care legislation signed by President Obama in March, the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, has put a firm stamp of approval and support behind the use of incentives and rewards by health and wellness programs. In effect, loyalty marketing tactics are becoming a more important tool than ever in health care reform. Most noticeably, beginning in 2014, employers will be able to offer their workers an increased amount of rewards, worth up to 30‐50 percent of their health coverage costs, for participating in a wellness program and meeting health benchmarks. In addition, health insurance companies will be required to implement health and wellness promotion activities.Practical implicationsDeploying loyalty tactics by the “carrot” contingent has put into practice the growing disciplines of “behavioral economics” and “choice architecture” that have become hot topics over the past couple of years within various industries, including government and finance. Best‐selling books such as Freakonomics and Predictably Irrational have focused on behavioral economics, defined as the use of social, cognitive and emotional factors in understanding and influencing the decisions of individuals. Digital tools are being used to create a handy consumer‐direct link and motivational boost to the consumer‐pharmacy relationship. WellQ – a wellness behavior‐change program developed by LoyaltyOne in partnership with the American Pharmacists Association – seeks to help patients shift their own behavior around their medications and health care, with the help of their retail pharmacy, where consumers sign up and provide a profile of medications and current health habits. Through WellQ, they then begin to receive mobile text‐based reminders as well as bite‐size educational and motivational content around self‐care delivered to their cell phones.Originality/valueThe paper provides exclusive interviews with representatives from some of the largest wellness program providers in the industry today. It also gives tangible tips and tools to utilize in real‐world marketing plans.
Demand chain collaboration and operational performance: role of IT analytic capability and environmental uncertainty
Authors: Iyer Karthik N.S. 
Published: January 2011

PurposeThe purpose of this research is to enhance the extant understanding of the IT‐collaboration relationship. The study aims to test the robustness of the relationships among the concepts of IT analytic capability, demand chain collaboration and operational performance besides investigating the interaction effects of environmental uncertainty variables on the IT‐collaboration relationship.Design/methodology/approachData for testing the hypothesized relationships in the conceptual model were collected through a survey of managers in manufacturing firms from the Council of Supply Chain Management Professionals (CSCMP) membership directory. The survey sample included 152 responses accounting for a response rate of 28 percent.FindingsFindings suggest that while IT analytic capability associates positively with collaboration, the technological turbulence dimension of uncertainty enhances the above relationship. Market turbulence, however, was not found to have a significant moderating impact on the IT analytic capability‐collaboration relationship. The findings further support the link between collaboration and better operational performance.Research limitations/implicationsWhile the study focused on a specific IT capability – IT analytic capability – firms utilize other IT resources such as database systems and e‐commerce. These IT capabilities need to be investigated as well since they could bring different functionalities and influences. Besides, a richer understanding of the interacting variables could be obtained by incorporating a broadened set of contextual variables.Practical implicationsDeploying advanced IT analytic capabilities in firms facilitates collaborative endeavors among supply chain partners and ultimately results in operational improvements. However, managers should also understand that the IT capability‐collaboration link is contingent upon technological turbulence: firms operating in highly uncertain technological environments can best leverage IT analytic capabilities to improve collaboration and enhance performance.Originality/valueMuch of the evidence on the performance impact of specific IT capabilities in supply chains is still anecdotal and extant empirical research is insufficient to suggest an unambiguous performance linkage. A critical shortcoming in extant IT and SCM literature is research on the interaction effects of environmental uncertainty variables on the IT‐collaboration relationship. The study addresses these issues.
Multidimensional perspective of perceived value in industrial clusters
Authors: Callarisa Fiol Luis J. , Moliner Tena Miguel A. , Sánchez García Javier 
Published: January 2011

PurposeThis paper aims to demonstrate that aspects of a rational or functional character and aspects of an emotional and social nature condition the perceived value of the exchange relationships among firms in an industrial cluster.Design/methodology/approach:The research uses structural equation models (SEM) to test the models and applies the maximum likelihood estimation method in all the causal models obtained in the course of the data analysis.FindingsThe results obtained support the hypotheses put forward, and in particular the importance of emotional and social values in industrial relations.Research limitations/implicationsRecent advances in consumer and services marketing consider that perceived value and satisfaction are central to explaining customer loyalty. However, very few studies in B2B explain the multidimensionality of perceived value. For this purpose, the authors test their working hypotheses in the Spanish ceramic tiles cluster. Specifically, they analyze the relationships between manufacturers and a supplier of frits, enamels and ceramic colors and related services.Practical implicationsAn empirical study demonstrates that experience and interpersonal relationships are more important than price and switching costs in an industrial cluster context. The empirical study and the results provide evidence for managers: the critical influence of the emotional and social values perceived by the customer on his level of satisfaction and on the achievement of final loyalty.Originality/valueThe paper highlights the importance of the most intangible dimensions of value for the relations between companies in an industrial cluster.
Effects of bulk Cu6Sn5 intermetallic compounds on the properties of Sn‐Ag‐Cu‐Ce soldered joints
Authors: Zhang Liang , Xue Song‐bai , Gao Li‐li , Sheng Zhong , Dai Wei , Ji Feng , Ye Huan , Chen Yan , Yu Sheng‐lin 
Published: January 2011

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to explore the formation and growth mechanism of bulk Cu6Sn5 intermetallic compounds, selecting Sn‐Ag‐Cu‐Ce solders as specimens.Design/methodology/approachIn order to further enhance the properties of SnAgCu solder, trace amount of rare earth Ce was selected as alloying addition into the alloy; in previous investigations, the enhancements include better wettability, physical properties, creep strength and tensile strength. In this paper, the microstructure of Sn‐Ag‐Cu‐Ce soldered joints and its interfacial intermetallic compounds were investigated. Moreover, different morphologies of Cu6Sn5 IMCs were enumerated and described, and Ostwald ripening theory was employed to interpret the formation mechanism of bulk Cu6Sn5 IMCs.FindingsIn addition, based on finite element simulation, it is found that the von Mises stress concentrate around the bulk Cu6Sn5 IMCs inside the Sn‐Ag‐Cu‐Ce soldered joints after three thermal cycling loading (−55‐125°C). From the stress distribution, the failure site was predicted to fracture near the bulk Cu6Sn5 IMCs interface. This coincides with the experimental findings significantly.Originality/valueThe results presented in this paper may provide a theory guide for developing novel lead‐free solders as well as reliability investigation of lead‐free soldered joints.
Addition of cobalt nanoparticles into Sn‐3.8Ag‐0.7Cu lead‐free solder by paste mixing
Authors: Tay S.L. , Haseeb A.S.M.A. , Rafie Johan Mohd 
Published: January 2011

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to investigate the effects of addition Co nanoparticles on the characteristic properties of Sn‐3.8Ag‐0.7Cu solder.Design/methodology/approachCobalt (Co) nanoparticles were added to Sn‐Ag‐Cu solders by thoroughly blending various weight percentages (0‐2.0 wt%) of Co nanoparticles with near eutectic SAC387 solder paste. Blending was done mechanically for 30 min to ensure a homogeneous mixture. The paste mixture was then reflowed on a hot plate at 250°C for 45 s. The melting points of nanocomposite solder were determined by differential scanning calorimetry. Spreading rate of nanocomposite was calculated following the JIS Z3198‐3 standard. The wetting angle was measured after cross‐sectional metallographic preparation.FindingsNo significant change in melting point of the solder was observed as a result of Co nanoparticle addition. The wetting angles of the solder increased with the addition of nanoparticles, while the spreading rate decreased. Although the wetting angle increased, the values were still within the acceptable range. Scanning micrograph observations revealed that the as‐solidified microstructure of the composite solder was altered by the addition of Co nanoparticles. Microhardness of the solders slightly increased upon Co nanoparticles addition to SAC387.Originality/valueThe paper demonstrates that a simple process like paste mixing can be used to incorporate nanoparticles into solder.
Thermal fatigue endurance of Sn3Ag0.5Cu0.5In0.05Ni and Sn2.5Ag0.8Cu0.5Sb solders in composite solder joints of LTCC/PWB assemblies
Authors: Nousiainen O. , Kangasvieri T. , Rautioaho R. , Vähäkangas J. 
Published: January 2011

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to investigate the thermal fatigue endurance of two lead‐free solders used in composite solder joints consisting of plastic core solder balls (PCSB) and different solder materials, in order to assess their feasibility in low‐temperature cofired ceramic (LTCC)/printed wiring board (PWB) assemblies.Design/methodology/approachThe characteristic lifetime of these joints was determined in a thermal cycling test (TCT) over a temperature range of −40‐125°C. Their failure mechanisms were analyzed after the TCT using scanning acoustic and optical microscopy, scanning electronic microscope, and field emission scanning electronic microscope investigation.FindingsThe results showed that four different failure mechanisms existed in the test assemblies cracking in the mixed ceramic/metallization zone; or a mixed transgranular/intergranular failure occurred at the low temperature extreme; whereas an intergranular failure within the solder matrix; or separation of the intermetallic layer and the solder matrix occurred at the high temperature extreme. Sn3Ag0.5Cu0.5In0.05Ni was more resistant to mixed transgranular/intergranular failure, but had poor adhesion with the Ag3Sn layer. On the other hand, cracking in the mixed ceramic/metallization zone typically existed in the joints with Sn2.5Ag0.8Cu0.5Sb solder, whereas the joints with Sn3Ag0.5Cu0.5In0.05Ni were practically free of these cracks. The characteristic lifetimes of both test joint configurations were at the same level (800‐1,000) compared with joints consisted of Sn4Ag0.5Cu solder and PCSB studied earlier.Originality/valueThe study investigated in detail the failure mechanisms of the Sn3Ag0.5Cu0.5In0.05Ni and Sn2.5Ag0.8Cu0.5Sb solders under harsh accelerated test conditions. It was proved that these solders behaved similarly to the ternary SnAgCu solders in these conditions and no improvement can be achieved by utilizing these solders in the non‐collpasible solder joints of LTCC/PWB assemblies.
A comparative study of microstructure and mechanical properties among Cu/Sn/Cu, Ni/Sn/Ni and Cu/Sn/Ni solder joints
Authors: Wang Bo , Wu Fengshun , Wu Yiping , An Bing , Liu Hui , Zou Jian 
Published: January 2011

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to identify the solder joint with optimal mechanical properties among Cu/Sn/Cu, Ni/Sn/Ni and Cu/Sn/Ni solder joints.Design/methodology/approachSolder joints with the same specimen shape were prepared by reflow. The microstructures were observed and analyzed by scanning electron microscopy and tensile testing was carried out to investigate the mechanical properties.FindingsThe mechanical properties of solder joint correlate closely with the intermetallic compounds (IMC) layer structure and the dissociative IMC particles in the solder bulk. Under the influence of the opposite Cu bar, the Cu/Sn/Ni has a duplex IMC layer structure at the Ni side, involving a thin Ni‐Cu‐Sn IMC layer and a faceted (Cu,Ni)6Sn5 layer. The mechanical connection of the duplex IMC layers is weak due to the pores in the layers. The Cu/Sn/Ni fractures in the IMC layers in a brittle mode under tensile testing. Comparatively, the Ni/Sn/Ni also has duplex Ni3Sn4 layers, and they connect firmly with each other. The tensile fracture of the Ni/Sn/Ni occurs in the solder bulk in a ductile mode, as well as for the Cu/Sn/Cu. Compared with the Cu/Sn/Cu solder bulk, the solder bulk of the Ni/Sn/Ni and the Cu/Sn/Ni have higher ultimate tensile strengths, because the strengthening effect of the dissociative Ni3Sn4 and (Cu,Ni)6Sn5 particles on the solder bulk is stronger than that of the Cu6Sn5 particles. Among Cu/Sn/Cu, Ni/Sn/Ni and Cu/Sn/Ni, Ni/Sn/Ni has the optimal mechanical properties.Originality/valueThe paper offers insights into the significant influence of base material matching on the microstructure and mechanical properties of solder joints.
Brazil‐focused publications in leading business journals
Authors: Lahiri Somnath 
Published: January 2011

PurposeThe purpose of this study is to conduct an overview of Brazil‐focused publications that appeared in leading business journals between 1990 and 2008 by highlighting and ranking contributions of individual authors and their affiliating institutions, summarizing types of research, research topics and theoretical perspectives, analyzing citations received by different articles and developing agenda for future research.Design/methodology/approachA total of 11 leading journals are selected on the basis of past research. A usable sample of 33 publications is obtained by conducting electronic database search for articles that focus on Brazil. Analysis of contributions, research designs, research topics, theoretical perspectives, and citations received by each article is conducted and various findings are discussed.FindingsA total of 80 authors affiliated to 67 academic and seven non‐academic institutions from six geographic locations contributed to the research by examining a wide variety of business and related topics using different theoretical perspectives and research methodologies. Authors from US‐based institutions contributed more than others. Majority of top‐cited articles appeared in 2000 or thereafter.Research limitations/implicationsInclusion of articles appearing in journals other than those considered can validate and supplement the current findings. Academicians and business students can benefit from the adopted methodology and findings regarding current and future research avenues relating to Brazil.Practical implicationsPractitioners and policy makers can benefit by learning what aspects of business at different levels of analysis are crucial for establishing or continuing business in Brazil or with Brazilian firms.Originality/valueThis study contributes by bringing together 19 years of research relating to business and management in Brazil and informing a large population comprising of business students, academicians, practitioners and policy makers.
Understanding how the strategy formation process interacts with the management of complex work
Authors: Aldraci Barbosa Lavarda Rosalia , Canet Giner María Teresa , Juan Peris Bonet Fernando 
Published: January 2011

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to analyse how the strategy formation process takes place studying the relevance of the integrative perspective and the use of the variables rationality, implication and vision, and verifying the relationship between an integrative strategy formation process and the management of work and the consequences of this relationship in terms of performance.Design/methodology/approachThe paper adopted a qualitative methodology, specifically a simple case analysis, following a six‐stage process: establishing the research objectives, the theoretical research framework, unit and the level of analysis, selecting the study cases and a pilot case, and ellaborating the protocol for the case study analysis.FindingsAn integrative strategy formation process that combines with certain equilibrium rationality and emergence facilitates a more effective management of work, specifically of complex work. When the organisation permits a greater degree of participation, it is facilitating an improvement in organisational results (particularly with respect to professional works – administrative or engineering that add more complexity).Originality/valueThe paper highlights the importance of the fit between an integrative strategy formation process and the management of different types of work, considering that a better fit drives to better results.
Impact of globalization
Authors: Baffour Awuah Gabriel , Amal Mohamed 
Published: January 2011

PurposeThe purpose of this study is to contribute to the debate on the impact of globalization on the competitiveness of firms in least developed countries (LDCs). Two main research questions will be addressed. How does globalization affect the competitiveness of small to medium‐sized enterprises (SMEs) in LDCs? How can SMEs handle opportunities and challenges emerging from globalization?Design/methodology/approachThe methodology for this study is a conceptual attempt to review the existing literature and make some propositions about how SMEs can handle the opportunities and challenges emerging from globalization.FindingsBuilding on a developed operational framework affecting the competitiveness of firms, some of the expected results are that firms' capabilities with regards to innovation, learning, and internationalization, which increase their competitiveness, are enhanced by institutional setups. Second, establishing relationships with governmental and non‐governmental institutions is crucial in terms of accessing resources, innovating, and entering into foreign markets.Originality/valueThe paper represents a contribution to the debate on the impact of globalization on the competitiveness of firms, particularly SMEs, in LDCs. Although globalization has brought considerable benefits to many actors worldwide, its impact on competitiveness of (SMEs) are controversial. We suggest that globalization's effects depend on the capability of firms to learning, to innovate, and also on the institutional setup in LDCs.
Trends and developments in humanitarian logistics – a gap analysis
Authors: Kovács Gyöngyi , Spens Karen M. 
Published: January 2011

PurposeThe aim of this paper is to present current trends and developments in humanitarian logistics (HL) practice, research, and education, and analyze the gaps between these. The article serves as an update on previous literature reviews in HL.Design/methodology/approachThe paper is primarily conceptual and develops a framework for analyzing trends and gaps between HL research, education, and practice. Data are compiled through keyword searches, publicly available bibliographies, and web sites of educational institutions, as well as drawing on material from practitioner workshops, tutorials, conference presentations, and personal communication with practitioners and educators.FindingsGaps are revealed in HL practice, research, education, as well as between these. Few education programs to date consider the skill needs of humanitarian logisticians, but future trends in practice and research can be used to develop them further. More empirical and practice‐near research is called for at the same time as there is a need for comparative analyses, generic models, and theory building in HL.Research limitations/implicationsAny attempt to grasp current trends in a field is delimited by a lack of overview of the activities of an abundance of HL and fragmented research communities. The article advocates a broader view and openness across organizations and disciplines.Practical implicationsThe gap analysis indicates not only trends but also gaps in HL practice and highlights the need to consider new societal pressures such as climate change and urbanization.Social implicationsHL is concerned with serving beneficiaries; thus, their welfare is at the core of the discipline.Originality/valueSeveral articles have reviewed HL research before, but gaps between practice, research, and education have not yet been addressed.