bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Multiple part feeding – real‐world application for mobile manipulators
Authors: Hvilshøj Mads , Bøgh Simon , Skov Nielsen Oluf , Madsen Ole 
Published: February 2012

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to present experience from a real‐world demonstration of autonomous industrial mobile manipulation (AIMM) based on the mobile manipulator “Little Helper” performing multiple part feeding at the pump manufacturer Grundfos A/S.Design/methodology/approachThe necessary AIMM technologies exist at a mature level – the reason that no mobile manipulators have yet been implemented in industrial environments, is that research in the right applications have not been carried out. The paper proposes a pragmatic approach consisting of: a commercial‐off‐the‐shelf (COTS) mobile manipulator system design (“Little Helper”), a suitable and comprehensive industrial application (multiple part feeding), and a general implementation concept for industrial environments (the “Bartender Concept”).FindingsResults from the three days of real‐world demonstration show that “Little Helper” is capable of successfully servicing four part feeders in three production cells using command signals from an Open Process Control (OPC) server. Furthermore, the paper presents future research and development suggestions for AIMM, which contributes to near‐term industrial maturation and implementation.Originality/valueThe paper presents a full‐scale demonstration of a state‐of‐the‐art COTS autonomous mobile manipulator system with particular focus on industrial utilization and application.
Collaborative virtual maintenance training system of complex equipment based on immersive virtual reality environment
Authors: Li Xiangyang , Gao Qinhe , Zhang Zhili , Huang Xianxiang 
Published: February 2012

PurposeThe paper aims to provide an integrated system for collaborative maintenance training of complex equipment based on virtual maintenance and immersive virtual reality environment.Design/methodology/approachAn integrated platform for collaborative virtual maintenance operation and training of complex equipment is developed. The simulation supporting platform for collaborative virtual maintenance is designed with the combined hierarchical structure and modularized members to support the interactive communication of heterogeneous data and information. By analyzing the collaboration mode of multi operators, the maintenance task allocation model, maintenance operation model and Extensible Markup Language‐based object information template are presented.FindingsThe research finds that the proposed system is an efficient platform for collaborative maintenance training of complex equipment.Practical implicationsAppropriate and efficient maintenance task allocation and collaborative maintenance operation of multi operators can significantly improve the maintenance efficiency of complex equipment.Originality/valueA collaborative virtual maintenance training system of complex equipment based on immersive virtual reality environment is presented.
Going global: an international survey of lending and borrowing across borders
Authors: Baich Tina , Weltin Heather 
Published: February 2012

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to provide preliminary results of the 2011 survey on international interlending conducted by the ALA RUSA STARS International Interlibrary Loan Committee.Design/methodology/approachAn international survey was deployed using SurveyMonkey, an online survey tool, and distributed through various electronic resource sharing discussion lists and personal contacts with international libraries.FindingsThe 2011 survey aimed toward international libraries revealed similar results to those of the Committee's 2007 survey of US libraries. Most international interlending participants both borrow and lend materials internationally. Further analysis will be done focusing on barriers to as well as identification of common practices in international interlending.Originality/valueThis research provides the most recent survey of international interlending practices and will yield potential methods and activities for improving resource sharing globally.
Social capital in Japanese‐Western alliances: understanding cultural effects
Authors: Slater Stephanie , Robson Matthew J. 
Published: February 2012

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to explain the culture‐driven role and effects of social capital in Japanese‐Western alliances. The authors move beyond narrow conceptualizations of relationship bonding (i.e. positive socio‐psychological aspects such as trust and commitment) to explore the broader role of social capital (e.g. in destructive act recovery processes) in such alliances.Design/methodology/approachThe conceptual paper adopts a theory development approach.FindingsThe authors advance a process model and propositions that explain the way social capital networks and processes influence relationship‐based contracting and performance outcomes in alliances with the Japanese.Research limitations/implicationsThe study assists international marketers in their efforts to overcome cultural barriers to success in Japanese‐Western alliance relationships.Practical implicationsIt can be argued that erosion of Japanese business culture potentially clouds the picture for implementing governance through social capital. The study furnishes managers with an understanding of how to take the cultural context of the partnership into account to build appropriate and productive social capital with Japanese partners.Originality/valueThe study is novel in addressing the issue of how to implement relational bonding mechanisms in complex cultural situations. As a result of cultural erosion, different types of Japanese partner, eroded versus traditional, may require different alliance screening and management strategies.
Public attitudes towards the UK banking industry following the global financial crisis
Authors: Bennett Roger , Kottasz Rita 
Published: February 2012

PurposeThe purpose of the paper is to establish the antecedents of changes in public attitudes towards the UK banking industry following the global financial crisis.Design/methodology/approachA questionnaire was administered to 1,066 people querying their attributions of blame for the crisis, attitudes towards the banking industry, levels of anger, knowledge of the crisis, degrees of moralistic trust, political orientations, prior perceptions of the banking industry's reputation, and whether they had personally suffered as a result of events. A structural equation model covering these matters was developed and estimated.FindingsA substantial deterioration in the favourability of public attitudes towards the banking industry seems to have occurred following the crisis. However, certain groups of respondents were much less critical of the industry's role in the crisis than were others.Research limitations/implicationsThe banking industry of just a single country was considered. Participants only commented on their attitudes towards the banking sector and not their actual banking behaviour.Practical implicationsCollectively, the banking industry needs to advertise the fact that failures on the part of public regulators played a critical role in the advent of the crisis. The industry should take joint action to influence the mass media's interpretations of the banking sector's current activities.Originality/valueThis was the first study to explore how members of the public interpret the post‐crisis identity and behaviour of the banking industry as a whole, rather than individual companies within it. The results contribute to knowledge concerning the determinants of attitude change vis‐à‐vis the banking sector and how customers might be segmented in terms of their perceptions.
Customer intention to adopt a fee‐based advisory model
Authors: Hoffmann Arvid O.I. , Franken Heiner , Broekhuizen Thijs L.J. 
Published: February 2012

PurposeThe paper aims to identify which factors determine (German) retail banking customers' intention to adopt a new remuneration system for financial advice. The new system is a pay‐per‐use advisory model that supersedes existing commission‐based advisory approaches.Design/methodology/approachThe paper develops and tests a comprehensive conceptual framework that includes perceived innovation characteristics, relationship quality, and socio‐demographic and psychographic variables to explain adoption intentions of the new remuneration system. The data come from a survey among clients of a large German retail bank.FindingsPerceived innovation characteristics (i.e. relative advantage) largely determine the intention to adopt the fee‐based advisory model. Consumer and relationship quality variables do not directly impact adoption intentions, but have an indirect effect through influencing perceived innovation characteristics and moderating their relative importance. Relationship quality indicators, such as satisfaction with the current service and trust in the bank or its employees, do not impact customers' intentions to switch to the new remuneration system.Research limitations/implicationsThe paper describes a (case) study using data from a large German retail bank. Future research may investigate the findings' (international) generalizability using different datasets and also assess additional drivers of customers' intentions to adopt a fee‐based advisory model.Practical implicationsThe results suggest that banks should always explain the relative advantage of financial service innovations to their clients, as existing satisfaction and trust levels are not sufficient to ensure adoption.Originality/valueThis is the first paper examining the adoption of a new remuneration system for financial advice in the retail banking industry. By assessing a variety of variables the authors increase understanding of why customers adopt or reject such complex and difficult to evaluate service innovations.
Extent of corporate tax evasion when taxable earnings and accounting earnings coincide
Authors: Kourdoumpalou Stavroula , Karagiorgos Theofanis 
Published: February 2012

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to examine the extent of corporate tax evasion and its implications on the protection of the shareholders and on the function of the capital market.Design/methodology/approachThe extent of tax evasion of the Greek public companies is estimated on the basis of tax audit data. Unvariate tests are employed in order to assess the effect of the audit firm and to examine corporate tax behaviour.FindingsThe mean rate of tax evasion was estimated at about 16 per cent, showing that the incentive for tax evasion doesn't diminish when the companies are listed in the stock exchange. Specifically, the companies alter their tax behaviour (i.e. appear more tax compliant) only in the year of the IPO and the year before. It was also found out that the type of the audit firm is likely to affect the extent of tax evasion committed.Practical implicationsThe present paper provides evidence that corporate tax evasion is widespread and calls for appropriate measures. Nowadays, this issue has become more crucial than ever, as Greece is in the middle of the financial crisis. Moreover, the findings regarding audit effectiveness in detecting tax evasion have significant implications, as the 2010 Greek tax bill grants the audit firms the right to issue certificates for tax purposes.Originality/valueThis paper contributes to the literature of fraudulent financial reporting by focusing on one specific form of fraud, which has been widely neglected – tax evasion.
Environmental event materiality and decision making
Authors: Faux Jeffrey 
Published: February 2012

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to investigate environmental event materiality and user decision making, providing an empirical basis for reporting entities disclosures regarding material environmental events that further users' ability to make decisions.Design/methodology/approachA vignette describing an environmental event facing a company was provided to participants who were asked whether the event was deemed to be material and, second, whether the event would initiate an action or no action decision. The use of an experimental approach reveals results regarding the decision‐making process of users rather than relying on respondents stating preferences.FindingsResults indicate that user groups consider the environmental event to be material at a threshold of 6 percent. The determination of the event as material results in a “no action” decision that suggests isolated events of this size may not result in “action” decisions. The study has implications for policy makers and entities disclosing environmental events.Research limitations/implicationsThe experimental research approach adopted is primarily limited by the specific contextual nature of the event.Originality/valueEntity reporting of environmental events is receiving unprecedented levels of interest and this paper contributes to the materiality research and practice in this area.
Organizations and the United Nations Millennium Development Goals
Authors: José Chiappetta Jabbour Charbel , Saturnino Neto Angelo , Ricardo Souza Freitas Wesley , Alves Teixeira Adriano , Januario da Silva Erik 
Published: February 2012

PurposeThe objective of this study is to verify whether some of the largest companies in Brazil adopt management practices aligned with the UN Millennium Development Goals (MDGs).Design/methodology/approachOverview information obtained from the web sites of six Brazilian multinational companies listed in the Forbes Global 2000 ranking was analyzed.FindingsThe major findings of this study indicate that the companies studied did not demonstrate clear knowledge of the MDGs, nor did they adopt practices aiming at meeting those goals. The evidences show that the companies adopt corporate social responsibility (CSR) practices, which are indirectly related to four MDGs. It was observed that the CSR practices tend to be developed based on a contingency perspective according to the characteristics and impacts of products offered by those companies. Therefore, there is a window of opportunity for those companies to begin developing programs in order to meet the MDGs aiming at new business opportunities, innovative CSR practices, and new ways to make CSR information evident and more organized.Originality/valueThe originality of this research lies in the fact that there is a dearth of literature on MDGs and companies in development countries.
A grand theory of human nature and happiness
Authors: Aydin Necati 
Published: February 2012

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to offer a new theory of human nature to explain the happiness paradox of capitalism.Design/methodology/approachIt is argued that happiness crisis in capitalism stems from the lack of full understanding of human nature which is like a black box from which key assumptions in capitalist market system are derived. The author attempts to unlock this black box in order to understand the failure of capitalism in bringing happiness.FindingsAs the success of capitalism comes from its partial understanding of human nature, its failure comes from its partial misunderstanding or exploitation of human nature. This leads to ignoring the needs and desires of certain elements of human nature for the sake of serving only the animal spirit and self‐centric ego. The proposed new theory offers a new understanding of happiness and its determinants. Comparing the human body to a luxury recreational vehicle (RV) and the elements of human nature to the companions on this vehicle, the theory suggests that an individual cannot be truly happy if he or she listens only to one of his/her residents while disregarding the others. The new theory offers better explanation for the 2008 financial crisis and the happiness paradox in wealthy nations. It also provides an underlining framework for the existing happiness theories.Research limitations/implicationsThe new theory needs to be tested through empirical studies.Social implicationsThe paper theoretically argues that that authentic happiness is possible if individuals listen to the voices of all elements of human nature and try to fulfil their needs and desires in a balanced manner.Originality/valueThe paper offers a new comprehensive theory on human nature.
The role of Islam in human capital development: a juristic analysis
Authors: Abdullah Faruk 
Published: February 2012

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to analyze the human capital theory from an Islamic perspective. It studies the primary sources of Islam to discover its contribution towards human capital development.Design/methodology/approachThe paper adopts inductive and analytical method to interpret Islamic viewpoints towards human capital development. It studies the classical and modern sources of Islamic law and analyzes scholars' opinions.FindingsIn fact, human capital theory has a different understanding in Islam, due to its different objectives. However, it resembles the conventional theory in the way that it urges the development of human beings in education, skills and abilities. Islamic teachings contribute a lot to foster development among the individuals in every aspect of their lives. The way Islam gives incentive to development is unique; because, with the improvement of education, good skills, work and production, physical health and perfection, it is concerned about the moral and ethical development of employees, which is no doubt having a great effect in the development of the organization. Moreover, Islamic society plays an important role in nurturing enthusiastic and competent individuals.Originality/valueIt is expected that the paper would be of interest to Muslim authorities, as a means to motivate their employees, as well as to share ideas across the academic disciplines.
A quarter of a century: reflections of the first 25 years of the Journal of Services Marketing
Authors: Martin Charles L. 
Published: February 2012

PurposeThis “viewpoint” article aims to chronicle the history and evolution of the Journal of Services Marketing from 1987 through 2011, from the vantage point of Professor Charles L. Martin, who served on the journal's Editorial Advisory Board from 1987‐1990 and as Editor from 1990 to the present day.Design/methodology/approachThe article summarizes the events and publisher's philosophy leading up to the founding of the journal, and discusses the policies/practices and content of the journal from 1987 through 2011.FindingsThe journal has evolved as the field of services marketing has evolved – from many conceptual, “how to” and idea articles to those more empirically‐based and theory‐driven. However, the journal's commitment to managerial implications or other implications continues.Practical implicationsUnderstanding the history and evolution of the journal promises to help service researchers better understand the field's archives, identify gaps in the literature and position their research for the future. The paper promises to help service researchers and business practitioners alike to understand that the field of services marketing is not static; rather it has evolved and developed over the years and will continue to do so in the future.Originality/valueIt is useful for any organization – including journals – to periodically document and reflect on its history in order to set its sights on the future.
The determinants of consumer attitude toward service innovation – the evidence of ETC system in Taiwan
Authors: Lee Bruce C.Y. 
Published: February 2012

PurposeInnovation has attracted considerable interest in recent years in improving competitive advantage for both profit and nonprofit organizations. Service innovation offers the potential for substantially improving the performance, but performance gains are often obstructed by users' unwillingness to accept and use available systems. This research aims to use the concept of Reasoned Action Theory to further examine consumer attitudes toward service innovation and its antecedents.Design/methodology/approachBy focus group discussion and literature review, a conceptual model with six postulated hypotheses is proposed. The Electronic Toll Collecting (ETC) system launched by the Taiwanese government is selected as the service innovation to test the model. A structured questionnaire is designed to collect field data. The structural equation model with LISREL VIII program is used to estimate the structural coefficients and to test the hypotheses.FindingsThe results show that perceived ease of use, perceived price fairness, risk averseness and satisfaction with existing service significantly influence consumer attitude, and then influence consumer's intention to adopt service innovation.Practical implicationsBefore introducing a service innovation, the service provider must seriously consider the possible difficulties of usage and risk from the consumer's perspective.Originality/valueCompared with product innovation, research focusing on service innovation is relatively scarce. Services have specific characteristics of intangibility, inseparability, heterogeneity and perishability. Hence, the factors influencing the consumer adoption of service innovation may be different from those of product innovation.
On the effectiveness of consumer boycotts organized through the internet: the market model
Authors: Sergius Koku Paul 
Published: February 2012

PurposeThe purpose of this study is to examine the effectiveness of consumer boycotts, which have been launched by individuals using the internet, in inflicting economic harm on the targeted firms.Design/methodology/approachThe paper uses the event study technique to analyze the market's response to consumer boycotts launched by individuals using the internet.FindingsThe results show that consumer boycotts launched by individuals on the internet are ineffective in inflicting economic harm on the targeted firm.Research limitations/implicationsDespites the buzz about the “dark side” of marketing using the internet, the stock market does not react significantly to boycotts launched by individuals using the internet. However, the small sample size of 63 events tampers the temptation to generalize the findings. Future studies can be conducted with a larger sample size with a different time horizon for a deeper understanding.Practical implicationsIn spite of the findings of this study, managers should still monitor how consumers use the internet to mobilize others against an organization as such consumer actions can affect a firm's reputation negatively.Originality/valueThe study contributes to the boycott literature and furthers the understanding on the effectiveness/ineffectiveness of the internet as a boycott tool that is intended to inflict economic harm on the targeted firm.