bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Arab American entrepreneurs in San Antonio, Texas: motivation for entry into self‐employment
Authors: Omar Husam 
Published: February 2011

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to investigate the experiences of some Arab American entrepreneurs and their motivation to enter self‐employment, in spite of the obvious obstacles and adversity immigrants can face in pursuing their dreams in this new society. The self‐recounted life histories of this group of entrepreneurs add to the existing literature and contribute to the body of knowledge of immigrants and entrepreneurs.Design/methodology/approachQualitative research, which concentrates on natural settings with their intriguing complexity of social interactions rather than laboratories was selected. Qualitative research covers several forms of inquiry that help one understand and explain the meaning of social phenomena with as little destruction to the natural setting as possible.FindingsThe questions regarding motivation for self‐employment were open ended, giving the participants the chance to list as many issues as deemed necessary and relevant in their decision to start their business. All of the participants were in total agreement that mentioned push factors are the reasons that they entered self‐employment. These factors included difficulties in finding a job, thus feeling at a disadvantage in the US job market. Difficulty in previous job also was mentioned as a push factor; the lack of English skills was not, however, mentioned as a motivator for self‐employment.Research limitations/implicationsThere were geographical and logistical constraints affecting the research and given time and resources the author would like to have conducted research that included a number of geographical areas in the Southwest USA and Northern Mexico.Practical implicationsThis research will have practical implications on two areas: first, immigration and its historical context, especially Arab immigration to the new world, why are these immigrants left their countries in the first place, and the problem they faced in terms of their degree of assimilation and its effect on their success in their new homes. Second, entrepreneurs, why immigrants find it easier to get into the sphere of entrepreneurship rather than holding regular careers and trying to assimilate in their new societies.Originality/valueThis paper will contribute to the body of literature on Arab American entrepreneurs in particular and immigrant entrepreneurs in general, and is important to education and educators as well. The paper investigates the motivations for entry into the field of entrepreneurship and becoming an entrepreneur, offering data that could be useful for developing ideas and suggestions as well as an understanding of some of the important steps necessary for the success of new immigrant entrepreneurs.
Bilingual education in the UAE: factors, variables and critical questions
Authors: Gallagher Kay 
Published: February 2011

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to analyse the macro‐factors and contextual variables surrounding the recent introduction of compulsory bilingual schooling in Abu Dhabi in the United Arab Emirates, in order to generate informed discussion, and in order for stakeholders to understand the sociocultural, linguistic and pedagogical issues involved.Design/methodology/approachThis paper is an analytic one which examines language‐in‐education in Abu Dhabi through a framework of the operational, situational and outcomes factors involved in bilingual education, as identified by Spolskyet al.and Beardsmore. Insights gained from international empirical research into bilingual education are applied to the Abu Dhabi context, and key questions about the specific model of bilingual education selected are posed for future local research to answer.FindingsThe paper concludes that bilingual education is likely to confer linguistic, academic and socioeconomic benefits on future generations of Emirati school leavers. However, the acquisition of biliteracy is likely to be challenging because of the diglossic features of Arabic, as well as the linguistic distance between Arabic and English. Because of the ambiguity of international research findings with regard to the appropriate age to begin second language learning, as well as uncertainty about the merits of simultaneous versus sequential teaching of biliteracy, research must be undertaken in Abu Dhabi schools into the effects of bilingual education under conditions of early Arabic/English immersion.Originality/valueThis paper is timely given the recent announcement of compulsory and universal bilingual state schooling from an early age in Abu Dhabi, and necessary given the dearth of discussion and research on language‐in‐education matters in the Arab world. While the paper is contextualised within the school system of Abu Dhabi, it has resonance for adjacent Gulf States and for the many expatriates from across the Middle East who teach and study in Abu Dhabi's schools.
The theory of attractive quality and experience offerings
Authors: Högström Claes 
Published: February 2011

PurposeThe aim of this paper is to discuss the use of the theory of attractive quality and the Kano methodology in an experience context in order to understand how different experienced attributes contribute to delight and satisfaction among customers.Design/methodology/approachThe study applied theoretical and quantitative approaches in order to examine the theory of attractive quality and the Kano methodology. A total of 270 respondents responded to the survey instrument, which was based on qualitative interviews.FindingsThe research showed that existing questions and answering alternatives included in the Kano methodology must be adapted to the nature of experiences. The paper contributes in the form of a new evaluation table, having shown that existing tables were invalid in relation to the importance rating and the Must‐Be>One‐dimensional>Attractive>Indifferent evaluation rule. Finally, the paper also shows how hedonic attributes create delight and utilitarian attributes create satisfaction, which contributes to a holistic offering.Practical implicationsManagers should address the fact that simply including an attribute is not sufficient; they must also consider its nature and how it performs and attach to the offering when studying experiences to understand how it contributes to either delight or satisfaction.Originality/valueTo date, few studies have addressed or discussed the consequences of applying the theory of attractive quality and the Kano model – including its rules for classification – to experience‐based offerings. The present article does this and also offers a theoretical extension of the theory of attractive quality and service marketing in terms of how customers holistically consider value and how Kano survey results should be analysed.
Attractive quality for requirement assessment during the front‐end of innovation
Authors: Ben Rejeb Helmi , Boly Vincent , Morel‐Guimaraes Laure 
Published: February 2011

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to provide a new decision‐aided tool for selecting customer needs during the new product development process.Design/methodology/approachThe study started by examining the principles of attractive quality and its limits. The theory of attractive quality developed by Kano was used to conduct a requirement assessment and classification within four categories. The study also proposed a new method for needs analysis and, finally, an experiment with a case study was carried out for new self‐directed learning software.FindingsThis paper proposes a methodology involving the three following steps: identifying customers' needs, classifying and evaluating them, and comparing several concepts of new products. The paper proposes a matrix modeling that is based on the Kano model, which results in an analytical approach of the attractive quality theory. This enables the selection of innovative concepts and new ideas through the evaluation of their impact on needs satisfaction.Research limitations/implicationsFuture research is required in order to study the impact of the vocabulary used in the Kano questionnaire; misunderstanding these needs could lead to incorrect classification. Moreover, future work could consider other technical criteria for concept selection, including technical feasibility and cost constraints.Practical implicationsThe formality of the model (clear steps and matrix modeling) and its graphical aspect (decision made based on graphical mappings) makes it a simple decision tool. It can be used by design teams during the Front‐End phases and in activities coming upstream from the more formal and well‐structured New Product Development Process (NPDP).Originality/valueA major concern for companies during an innovation process is to discover users' needs. This paper presents an integrated method for customer environment analysis, needs identification, needs classification, and new concept selection. The most interesting concepts – those that yield satisfaction – will then continue through the innovation process.
Theory of attractive quality and life cycles of quality attributes
Authors: Löfgren Martin , Witell Lars , Gustafsson Anders 
Published: February 2011

PurposeThe purpose of this study is to shed further light on the dynamics of quality attributes, as suggested by the theory of attractive quality. The study aims to investigate the existence of the life cycle for successful quality attributes and to identify alternative life cycles of quality attributes.Design/methodology/approachThe research is based on two surveys in which a total of 1,456 customers (708 in 2003 and 748 in 2009) participated in the classification of quality attributes. In particular, the study investigated how customers perceived 24 particular packaging attributes at two points in time, in 2003 and 2009.FindingsThe study identified three life cycles of quality attributes: successful quality attributes, flavor‐of‐the‐month quality attributes, and stable quality attributes. The research also extends the theory of attractive quality by identifying the reverse movement of certain quality attributes; that is, that a quality attribute can take a step backwards in the life cycle of successful quality attributes through, for instance, a change in design.Originality/valueThe paper provides empirical evidence for the existence of several alternative life cycles of quality attributes. The results of the empirical investigation increase the validity of the theory of attractive quality, which is important, given the limited amount of research that has attempted to validate the fundamentals of the theory of attractive quality.
Strategic aspects of innovation and internationalization in higher education
Authors: Li‐Hua Richard , Wilson John , Aouad Ghassan , Li Xiang 
Published: February 2011

PurposeAs globalization increasingly affects the university sector around the world, there is a great advantage being placed on those universities that can respond timely and flexibly with appropriate innovation and internationalization strategies. The purpose of this paper is to review the literature of strategic aspects of innovation and internationalization in higher education. Based upon the premises of the Salford Prime Minister's Initiative 2 (PMI2) project, this paper aims to develop a theoretical framework which demonstrates how various objectives of innovation and internationalization can be translated and achieved in a learning organization context.Design/methodology/approachTheoretical analysis supported by empirical experiences. The paper explores the ideas and links between globalization and innovation/internationalization in higher education. The main concern of the paper is the implementation strategy of innovation and internationalization rather than the concepts and process of innovation and internationalization in higher education.FindingsWith examination of the impact of globalization upon higher education and strategic aspects of innovation and internationalization, this paper focuses on the implementation of innovation and internationalization and how to translate the overall institutional strategy into managed objectives. Organizational learning not only asserts and promotes organizational outcome and improved performance but also plays a significant role in achieving innovation and internationalization, e.g. staff engagement, staff motivation, empowerment, leadership and configuration. Furthermore, the paper identifies a number of strategic elements which are crucial to the successful implementation strategy of innovation and internationalization. The paper is based on the Salford PMI2 project and how various objectives were implemented which demonstrates the significance of collaboration in higher education between China and the UK.Originality/valueBased on a comprehensive examination of the theoretical elements on innovation and internationalization and critical analysis of the Salford PMI2 project, adapting a typology of learning organizational framework, this study emphasizes the significance of incorporating both cultural and organizational learning factors. The paper develops a theoretical framework which enables policy makers and decision makers to make appropriate arrangements in designing international development strategy. Furthermore, the paper addresses the appropriateness and effectiveness of knowledge transfer, individual and organizational learning during the implementation of the internationalization strategy.
Embedding employability in the curriculum
Authors: Sun Qian 
Published: February 2011

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to draw on the experience of students, employers, and tutors in the two product design degree programmes, respectively, delivered at the University of Salford in the UK and at Shanghai Jiao Tong University, China, to examine the differences in employer engagement embedded within the curriculum.Design/methodology/approachTwo in‐depth case studies supported by interviews have been conducted, which are represented as two distinctive employer engagement models. These two models are compared in terms of context, employer perception, curriculum development, and challenges for sustainability.FindingsAn understanding has been generated of the differences and suggests a collaborative framework between these two programmes, which draws the advantages of both sides together. The findings also shed light on the development of curriculum to engage employers, recognise a move away from “teaching” towards “managing learning opportunities” and the complexities of employer engagement, and explore how this may be embedded.Originality/valueTo address employability agenda, one of the main problems faced by higher education institutions is the content of curriculum and its relevance to the employment market. Engaging employers in the curriculum becomes key in addressing this issue, and this is especially typical for the design industry, given its unique characteristics. However, little has been researched as to how universities across different cultures achieve employer engagement. Understanding of the differences helps universities from different regions to seek potential sustainability solutions that may be bred on the basis of collaboration.
Leader political skill and team performance: a moderated mediation model
Authors: Liu Jun , Wang Wei , Cao Kun‐peng 
Published: February 2011

PurposeDrawing on the political theory of leadership and the input‐process‐output model the purpose of this paper is to examine the link between leader political skill and team performance by focusing on the mediating role of team communication and the moderating role of team task interdependence.Design/methodology/approachThe authors collected three waves of data from 80 teams across four business units and employed hierarchical regression modeling and the moderated path analysis approach suggested by Edwards and Lambert to test the moderated mediation model.FindingsLeader political skill was found to positively influence team performance via promoting the quality of team communication. Moreover, team task interdependence moderates the relationship between leader political skill and team communication, such that the relationship is stronger when team task interdependence is high rather than low.Research limitations/implicationsFirst, the paper adopts the measuring scales developed in the western organizational context to investigate the relations and phenomena existing in the Chinese organizational context. Future research should adopt the indigenous measuring scales to investigate the relations and phenomena existing in the Chinese organizational context. Second, both political skill and team performance were reported by the team leader, which might lead to common source bias. Future research should allow team members to rate leaders' political skill and the team leaders' supervisors to provide evaluation of team performance.Practical implicationsOwing to its importance to team performance, political skill is one of the critical skills that leaders should make efforts to develop. When companies recruit leaders for work teams, they should put more attention on the political skills of the candidates. Moreover, companies should cultivate a cooperative team climate to facilitate team communication.Originality/valueAlthough Ahearn et al. suggested that leader political skill has positive effect on team performance, they did not empirically examine the specific process and mechanism through which the positive effect occurs. This study argues team communication is a critical mechanism that bridges leader political skill and team operations and outcomes as well. The study adopts longitudinal research design and collects multi‐source data to test the authors' model. The study also complements past research by investigating both the mediating and moderating mechanisms in the leader political‐team performance linkage.
Accounting conservatism and stock pricing: an analysis based on China's split‐stock reform
Authors: Zhu Song , Xia Donglin 
Published: February 2011

PurposeChina's securities market is growing gradually as well as the investors, analysts, intermediates and regulation authorities. Accounting earnings is a key determinant among the factors influencing stock prices, which even overreacts to earnings. Split‐stock reform (all‐circulation reform) in China provides a chance for investors to revaluate the stock prices. The purpose of this paper is to investigate the market reaction during the reform from the perspective of accounting conservatism.Design/methodology/approachUsing the data of companies completing the split‐stock reform, this paper empirically investigates how the accounting conservatism influences the market reaction around re‐open day after the reform.FindingsAccounting information plays its role on stock pricing through the reform of split‐stock reform in the China securities market, evident in the significantly positive relation between the proxies of accounting conservatism and cumulative abnormal returns for one day, three days, ten days and 30 days around re‐open day after the reform. Also, the profitability of listed firms in the past will further improve the positive relation between conservatism and market reaction.Originality/valueThere is ample theoretical work on stock pricing of accounting conservatism but empirical work is scarce, so this paper provides more evidence for the role of stock pricing of accounting conservatism, especially in emerging markets. Second, current research on accounting conservatism in China is focusing on whether conservatism exists and how the conservatism varies; this paper further extends the research field of conservatism from the pricing perspective. Third, researches based on the determinants of stock compensation and market reaction on stock reform lack theoretical analysis, while this paper provides a theory basis for the market reaction during the stock reform.
Effects of new product preannouncement on purchase intention
Authors: Zhang Lijun , Su Meng 
Published: February 2011

PurposeAlthough consumers are viewed as one of the important target groups of new product preannouncements (NPPs), little existing literature focuses on the NPP's consequences from consumer perspective. To fill up this research gap, this paper explores how a NPP signal influences consumer purchase intention and how its influences vary across consumers.Design/methodology/approachBased on a scenario‐based survey with different new cellular phone preannouncement contexts, this paper examines impacts of brand, prior vaporware history, and innovativeness conveyed by NPP signals, as well as consumer characteristics, on purchase intentions. A logit regression and a hierarchical Bayesian Logit regression are applied to test effects of NPP signal and consumer factors, respectively.FindingsThe empirical results show that consumers may mainly rely on brand and prior vaporware history to decide whether to purchase this new product after it is launched. They are more likely to purchase a preannounced new product with strong brand, or from a company without prior vaporware. The results also demonstrate that the brand and vaporware impacts on purchase intention are moderated by consumer product knowledge, NPP experience, and risk attitude.Originality/valueFollowing the competitive signal interpretation process model in signaling theory, this paper first provides and empirically examines an overall framework of NPP impacts on purchase intentions from the consumer perspective, which may contribute to the preannouncement literature. The findings also provide useful insights to help companies to make right NPP decisions.
Three years’ experience of focused cardiovascular ultrasound in the peri‐operative period
Authors: Cowie B. 
Published: February 2011

SummaryUltrasound applications in peri‐operative medicine have become common place in modern anaesthesia practice. Anaesthetists have performed transoesophageal echocardiography in cardiac and selected non‐cardiac surgery for over two decades. We aimed to assess the indications, impact on clinical management and accuracy of focused cardiovascular ultrasound performed by anaesthetists in the peri‐operative period. One hundred and seventy patients over a 3‐year period had a focused transthoracic echocardiogram. Adequate images to answer the clinical question were obtained in 167 out of 170 patients (98%). The undifferentiated systolic murmur was the commonest indication (98 out of 170, 58%). Some degree of aortic stenosis was present in 47 out of 170 (26%) of patients; mitral valve disease (30 out of 170 (18%)) and pulmonary hypertension (25 out of 170 (14%)) were also common. Changes in peri‐operative management occurred in 140 out of 170 (82%) patients and major findings correlated with a formal cardiology transthoracic echocardiogram in 52 out of 57 (92%) patients. Focused cardiovascular ultrasound performed by anaesthetists in the peri‐operative period accurately detects major cardiac pathology and significantly alters peri‐operative management.