bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
The New Zealand gaming and betting survey: Chinese and Indian people's experience
Authors: Tse Samson , Rossen Fiona , Hoque Ekramul 
Published: June 2012

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to analyse attitudes, understanding of gambling and gambling related harm among Asians in New Zealand using secondary data from the New Zealand 2006/07 Gaming and Betting Attitudes Survey (GBAS).Design/methodology/approachThis survey interviewed 1,973 nationwide randomly selected youths and adults (≥18 years) using structured questionnaire. Chinese (N=113) and Indian (N=122) data were analysed separately to compare between them and with NZ Europeans (N=792). Descriptive analysis was carried out and was subsequently tested for significant correlations by weighted (p<0.01) and un‐weighted (p<0.05) variables.FindingsA higher proportion of Chinese males (66.8 percent) represented in the survey compared to Indian (43.0 percent) and NZ European (48.9 percent) where Chinese consisted of more youthful age structure. Chinese respondents were more likely to be in the lowest income bracket (NZ$10,000) compared to others. Among the ten gambling activities “casino table gambling” and “casino electronic machines” (slot‐style machine) were most popular among the Chinese where Indians preferred “gambling/casino evening”. A significant proportion of Chinese were unwilling to refer family or friends to gambling help services despite believing that gambling does more harm than good. Pre‐committed gambling sum was the most common harm minimising strategy suggested by participants. They believed education and consultation could deter youths from harmful gambling.Research limitations/implicationsThis survey highlighted gambling behaviours and thoughts of the ethnic minority population in New Zealand. Study outcomes would be valuable in formulating ethnic specific preventative programme and may have policy implication.Originality/valueThere has been limited research on gambling behaviour of ethnic minorities in New Zealand. This paper fills some of the gaps.
The pharmacist's role in the Egyptian pharmaceutical market
Authors: Taher Ahmed , Stuart Elnora W. , Hegazy Ibrahim 
Published: June 2012

PurposePharmaceutical companies' marketing strategies have traditionally targeted only physicians and, more recently, consumers. The purpose of this paper is to explore the role of the pharmacist as prescriber, influencer, switcher, and dispenser of pharmaceutical drugs in one developing country, Egypt.Design/methodology/approachThe authors surveyed pharmacists in Cairo, Egypt. The pharmacists were asked to estimate the percentages of patients who came in with a prescription, with only a box or a recommendation for a medicine and with only symptoms, and whether he/she switched the patient to another medicine. Pharmacies were classified as to the social class of the pharmacy neighborhoods. Cluster analysis was used to further classify pharmacists as “Influencers” and “Non‐influencers”.FindingsOverall the pharmacists influence 39 percent of all purchase decisions for pharmaceuticals with higher levels of influence in lower social class neighborhoods. Approximately one out of four pharmacists was classified as an Influencer.Practical implicationsIn developing countries, the pharmacist plays a key role in which medicines patients ultimately purchase. Marketing activities directed toward the pharmacist may provide an important opportunity to maximize the pharmaceutical firms' return on marketing investment.Originality/valueFew studies have looked at the marketing of pharmaceutical drugs in developing countries. This paper is unique in that it examines the role of the pharmacist in these markets, thus providing an important addition to the understanding of the challenges to the industry in these countries and important implications for pharmaceutical marketing strategies.
Gestational diabetes mellitus in Iran – experience from the National Diabetes Program
Authors: Mohammad Alavinia Seyed , Etemad Koorosh , Mahdavi Alireza , Omidvar Maryam , Imanpour Sara , Rahman Rudmilla , Haider Muhiuddin , Frank Jared 
Published: June 2012

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to examine the non‐communicable disease (NCD) known as gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM). Specifically, this paper aims to examine the influence of NCDs on health outcomes both worldwide and throughout the Islamic Republic of Iran, to discuss the current issues surrounding GDM and its impact on pregnant women and their children, and to present a new multi‐faceted approach for preventing future occurrences of GDM.Design/methodology/approachThe paper examines the current issues surrounding NCDs and GDM, in terms of its prevalence and risk factors, and the efforts taken by the Iranian government to address the growing problem of GDM, through a comprehensive literature review. Further, this paper presents the basis for a new multi‐faceted approach for addressing and preventing GDM.FindingsGDM is an NCD that can damage the health of both mothers and children. The disease has been linked to macrosomia, congenital cardiac and central nervous system abnormalities, and skeletal muscle deformities among neonates. Pregnant women who develop GDM are more likely to have induced labor, require caesarean section, and develop type 2 diabetes later in life. In the most severe cases, GDM can even result in fetal and maternal mortality. Worldwide prevalence of GDM varies by country, but Iranian women are a particularly high‐risk population. In fact, approximately one of every 20 pregnancies in Iran will be affected by complications and outcomes related to GDM.Originality/valueIn response to growing concerns surrounding the current prevalence of GDM both worldwide and within the Islamic Republic of Iran, along with the associated impact of GDM on health outcomes, the paper presents a multi‐faceted approach for addressing this NCD. This approach will involve a consolidated program of prevention and control with a focus on health‐care solutions which promote both awareness and education.
The ethics of employment relations in China: a meta‐analysis
Authors: He Yanzhen , Cai Tingting 
Published: June 2012

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to critically evaluate the extant literature on ethics of employment relations in China. Toward that goal, a meta‐analytic approach is employed to conclude the business ethical issues from different results and lay foundation for further research by deeply understanding ethics of employment relation in China.Design/methodology/approachA systematic literature review procedure is developed to identify all relevant articles and meta‐analytic procedures are used to identify issues related to ethics of employment relations in China.FindingsThe results suggest there are not many researches on business ethics, especially ethics of employment relations in China. The authors examine the researches about business ethics in research methodology, research perspective, ethical dimensions of employment relations and relationship between variables and find some disadvantages. The authors feel ethics of employment relations in China should cause more concern, in both the theoretical and practical areas.Originality/valueThe paper explores academics’ perceptions towards ethical issues related to employment relations and shows the importance of ethics during the development of Chinese companies.
Energy efficiency and conservation in an office building: a case study
Authors: Hartungi Rusdy , Jiang Liben 
Published: June 2012

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to present a case of an office building in England and show how the technology in energy efficiency in building will contribute to energy conservation.Design/methodology/approachThe paper presents a case of an office building. The building is then modelled and analysed using IES Virtual Environment VE to estimate the Target Emissions Rate (TER) and the Building Emissions Rate (BER) to see how the building could satisfy Part L of the Building Regulations.FindingsThe building in case use various sustainable solutions such as limiting the heat loss and gain through the fabric, ventilation system with a good high heat recovery system, increasing the availability of daylight and good lighting control system. The office building in the case study is in full compliance with Part L of the Building Regulations. The sustainable technology in the building will assist the compliance with Part L of the Building Regulations.Research limitations/implicationsThis is a single case study building; more case studies for buildings of this nature are required.Practical implicationsThe paper demonstrates various feasible solutions of sustainable technology in buildings that might help comply with the regulation.Originality/valueThe case study building is a real case taken directly from one of the author's projects when he was working as a building services engineer. This case study building and its sustainable features have not been presented before in an academic journal.
Non‐convex economic thermal power management with transmission loss and environmental factors
Authors: Ganesan S. , Subramanian S. 
Published: June 2012

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to solve the optimal power dispatch problem of thermal generating units with cubic fuel cost and emission functions.Design/methodology/approachThe proposed Simplified Direct Search Method (SDSM) is developed from the Direct Search Method (DSM) that is a prevailing method for solving economic dispatch (ED) problems. The SDSM performs a direct search on solution space that starts with the minimum generation limits and provides the most economical schedule in a single execution for all load demands that the system can meet.FindingsA simple methodology is developed to obtain the optimal dispatches of the generators in a thermal power plant. The results of the proposed methodology illustrate improvements in the savings of total cost and marginal reduction in transmission loss. It is also suitable for solving environmental constrained power dispatch problems. The proposed approach is computationally efficient for large‐scale systems.Originality/valueA simple methodology has been developed to obtain the real power dispatches of thermal generating units with higher order fuel cost and emission functions.
Satisfaction and trust on customer loyalty: a PLS approach
Authors: Wah Yap Bee , Ramayah T. , Nushazelin Wan Shahidan Wan 
Published: June 2012

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to test some antecedents and outcomes of satisfaction in the banking sector in Malaysia.Design/methodology/approachA research model based on the customer satisfaction index (CSI) was developed and tested using structural equation modeling technique with the use of partial least squares (PLS) approach. Data was analyzed using 239 bank customer responses.FindingsThe results showed that satisfaction has a positive effect on trust and this trust leads to loyalty to the bank. Good complaint handling by banks will also elevate satisfaction, trust and loyalty.Research limitations/implicationsThis work contributes to the existing literature on CSI models by introducing customer satisfaction as an antecedent of trust. The findings are limited by the constraints of the number of measures and the participation of banks in this study.Practical implicationsBanks should focus on building credibility trust and benevolence trust with their customers. Commercial service is of the utmost importance, and hence banks should develop strategies and train officers in delivering efficient communication and administrative service, as this will elevate customer satisfaction.Social implicationsThis work contributes to the understanding of customer behavior, needs and preferences, which can help banks to improve customer satisfaction, trust and loyalty.Originality/valueThis paper adds to the existing literature on service satisfaction antecedents and outcomes in a developing country setting. Although there has been some research works on the same issue, their number has been very small in comparison to the literature appearing based on developed countries.
Unified communication: it's all between you and me
Authors: Fikry Amily , Abdul Ghani@Mukhtar Zaidi 
Published: June 2012

PurposeThis paper aims to describe strategies to market unified communication products to the business market.Design/methodology/approachThe paper highlights the key definition, benefits and the importance of unified communication products in Malaysia. At the end of the paper, various marketing strategies are suggested to market unified communication products to the business market.FindingsThe paper found that there is a need to use the right strategies to market unified communication products to the business market. The use of the right strategies will be able to attract this lucrative market to purchase unified communication products.Research limitations/implicationsResults are limited to practitioners involved in technology‐based industries only.Practical implicationsThe managerial implications suggest several market strategies to market unified communication products, with a great emphasis on the impact of technological means towards this business market.Originality/valueSpecific market approaches are proposed as a means to market unified communication products to the business market.
Explaining intention to use an enterprise resource planning (ERP) system: an extension of the UTAUT model
Authors: Ling Keong Mei , Ramayah Thurasamy , Kurnia Sherah , May Chiun Lo 
Published: June 2012

PurposeThis paper proposes an extended model based on the unified theory of acceptance and use of technology (UTAUT) developed by Venkatesh et al. To help better explain the intention to use an enterprise resource planning (ERP) system.Design/methodology/approachFindings from the literature review reveal that various technology acceptance models have been introduced in the past two decades. However, there are new research models that lack empirical study. With the research model proposed above, further study could be carried out to gauge whether this model can better explain end‐users' intentions to use an ERP system.FindingsThe review shows that although there has been research conducted using the UTAUT model, it has not decomposed the facilitating conditions as the authors suggest in this paper, which will be useful for intervention purposes.Research imitations/implicationsSince this paper suggests a conceptual model based on a literature review, it is suggested that further study could be carried out to test whether this model can better explain end‐users' intentions to use ERP systems.Practical implicationsThe review shows that shared beliefs, project communication and training can be used to offer intervention measures to help in the adoption and usage of ERP.Originality/valueWhat this paper proposes is to drop the voluntariness variable from the model as a moderating factor, justifying this exclusion based on the fact that an ERP system implementation is mandatory and there is little room for the employees to oppose once the system is implemented. The authors also suggest further decomposing the facilitating condition into three components, namely shared beliefs, project communication and training can help in the design of intervention measures.
Unveiling the motivation to outsource among SMEs
Authors: Abdul‐Halim Hasliza , Hazlina Ahmad Noor , Ramayah T. 
Published: June 2012

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to understand further the concept of outsourcing among small and medium‐sized industries (SMEs). The paper highlights the concept of outsourcing between SMEs and large organizations as well as the advantages and disadvantages of SMEs' outsourcing from the theoretical perspectives.Design/methodology/approachThis is a conceptual paper based on an in‐depth literature review of outsourcing among SMEs.FindingsThe study is of value to SMEs not only in facilitating their acquaintance with the concept of outsourcing but also in enhancing their appreciation of outsourcing put into practice.Research limitations/implicationsThe contribution of this paper is more theoretical and others can test this empirically in the future to get a better understanding of this phenomenon among SMEs.Practical implicationsIt is crucial for SMEs to consider outsourcing their activities as a strategic tool to remain competitive in the dynamic environment.Originality/valueThis an under‐researched area whereby the practice of outsourcing among SMEs is elaborated.
“I'm going to do it!” versus honoring intention: how to set goals and really keep them!
Authors: Bentley Craig 
Published: June 2012

PurposeThis paper discusses how each year we make lofty goals that we have difficulty following through on, it then offers some tips and examples for following through on your “going to dos”.Design/methodology/approachThe author applies his own work experience as a business coach and uses real life business examples.FindingsThe author identifies a few common errors that people make that make it harder to achieve goals.Practical implicationsThe author concludes that anyone can reach their goals if they approach them in the right way, and offers practical tips about how to do this.Originality/valueThe paper is relevant to most people, but it is especially geared to business people. It will appeal to anyone who has had trouble reaching the yearly self‐improvement goals that they have set for themselves.
An enterprise revolution for Egyptian universities
Authors: Kirby David , Ibrahim Nagwa 
Published: June 2012

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to determine the changes that are needed in order to create entrepreneurial graduate students and institutions in Egypt that are more relevant to the needs of the country post revolution, by applying the theories of entrepreneurship education and intrapreneurship to Egyptian universities.Design/methodology/approachThe authors use existing research on entrepreneurship education and entrepreneurial institutions, combined with the results of primary research on Egyptian students, to determine what the country's universities ought to do if they are to meet the challenge.FindingsIt is concluded that Egyptian universities will need to transform not only what they teach, but how they teach, whilst at the same time transforming their own institutions in order to create more entrepreneurial learning environments.Research limitations/implicationsThe paper is based on the application of theory and a limited study in one institution. A before and after experiment is needed on a larger scale, over a longer time‐period and in a cross section of institutions.Practical implicationsThe results should inform both policy formulation and the delivery of education in Egypt and the Region.Originality/valueThe conclusions have relevance for educational policy makers, university administrators and university academics, not just in business and economics but across all disciplines, and not just in Egypt and the Middle East but more broadly.
The state of production and operations management (P/OM) teaching in United Arab Emirates universities
Authors: Abdulrahman Yousef Darwish 
Published: June 2012

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to investigate the state of production and operations management (P/OM) teaching in universities in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) in terms of course characteristics, objectives, content, adopted textbooks, didactic materials, teaching faculty, teaching methods, assessment tools, and course requisites.Design/methodology/approachDue to the exploratory nature of this study and the small population surveyed, the author employed descriptive statistical analysis such as frequencies, percentages, means, and standard deviations.FindingsThe results show that in the majority of UAE universities offering P/OM as a college‐requirement course, it is being taught by highly qualified and well‐trained teaching faculty. The main objectives of P/OM courses are: teaching students how to analyse and understand situations from an operations perspective; understanding the links between strategy, production, capacity and core competencies; and preparing students to be able to understand how supply chains work, including the ability to forecast production levels. More emphasis is placed upon operational and tactical issues rather than on strategic issues. The most common assessment methods used in P/OM courses were found to be theoretical examinations with questions, student projects, practical examinations, and class participation. The most frequently covered topics in P/OM courses in UAE universities include competitiveness, strategy, productivity, strategic capacity planning for products and services, supply chain management, forecasting, introduction to operations management, product and service design, and management of quality. Lecturing is the main teaching method used in P/OM courses. The main didactic materials used were found to be textbooks, manuals of problems/solution and case studies, class notes taken by students, and externally produced software.Research limitations/implicationsThis study has a number of limitations. For example, it is based mainly on a questionnaire as a tool of data collection. Questionnaires have a number of drawbacks which might affect the results of the study. In addition, the study is based only on the viewpoint of teaching faculty rather than students. Nevertheless, the implications of the study for course developers, instructors, and managers are discussed.Originality/valueThe paper is the first to assess P/OM teaching in UAE universities.
Methods of assessing students' learning in higher education
Authors: Alquraan Mahmoud F. 
Published: June 2012

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to explore the assessment methods used in higher education to assess students' learning, and to investigate the effects of college and grading system on the used assessment methods.Design/methodology/approachThis descriptive study investigates the assessment methods used by teachers in higher education to assess their students' learning outcomes. An instrument consisting of 15 items (each item is an assessment method) was distributed to 736 undergraduate students from four public universities in Jordan.FindingsFindings show that traditional paper‐pencil test is the most common method that is used to assess learning in higher education. Results also show that teachers in colleges of science and engineering and colleges of nursing use different assessment methods to assess learning, besides traditional testing such as: real life tasks (authentic assessment), papers, and projects. Also, the results show that teachers use the same assessment methods to assess learning, despite the grading systems (letter or numbers) used at their institutes.Research limitations/implicationsThe sample of the study was limited to undergraduate students and teachers' points of views about the frequent use of assessment methods were not studied.Practical implicationsHigher education institutes should encourage teachers to use new and modern assessment methods as well as traditional paper‐pencil testing, and study the reasons for not using these new methods.Originality/valueThe paper should alert the higher education institutes about the important of developing the assessment process, through knowing their students' points of view about the assessment methods. This will help to get students involved in the learning process.