bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Does OD practice within the HR profession in the UK reflect the academic rhetoric?
Authors: Clare Gillon Anne 
Published: February 2011

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to critically examine whether organizational development (OD), as described in academic writing on the topic, is reflected in practice in the Human Resources (HR) profession in the UK. This research aims to compare the results of an exploratory investigation to establish the main elements of OD practice in this professional group with academic definitions.Design/methodology/approachThe approach applied in this paper comprises a review of the academic literature on OD combined with an exploratory study by way of content analysis of job advertisements for OD professionals within the UK HR profession. Comparison between what the literature suggests companies should seek in the way of OD practice within the HR profession and the operationalisation of what they are actually requiring (deduced through the content of job advertisements) forms the basis of the methodology.FindingsWhile there are features of the academic definitions which do appear prominently in practice (in particular “change management”), there are also significant differences. In particular OD roles in practice in the HR profession appear to be much less likely to be of a consultancy orientation. Also striking is the apparent lack of emphasis on culture and behavioural issues. Within the UK HR profession, the lack of clarity in contemporary definition of OD may underpin the disparate use of terminology.Research limitations/implicationsThe data collected in the preliminary research are from a small‐scale investigatory study; therefore this limits the opportunity to draw robust generalised conclusions.Originality/valueDespite the increasing use of “OD” in the UK HR profession, there is no widely recognised description of what it encompasses within that community, while much of the “theorising” on OD to date has been descriptive/prescriptive. In this paper, a contrast between the academic rhetoric on OD and the reality of the practice within the HR profession has been presented, through comparing the literature with the findings from the preliminary research.
Leadership in action: student leadership development in an event management course
Authors: Marcketti Sara B. , Arendt Susan W. , Shelley Mack C. 
Published: February 2011

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to examine the leadership practice scores and leadership behaviors of students before and after participation in an event management course.Design/methodology/approachA mixed methods approach was utilized. The Student‐Leadership Practice Inventory (S‐LPI) was administered to a sample of 184 students in three semesters of an event management course. Students completed the S‐LPI at the beginning and at the end of the course. The students also wrote reflections of their leadership behaviors and understandings.FindingsResults of the study showed that students' mean leadership scores increased significantly for all practice areas between pre and post. Also, all correlations between pre and post scores were statistically significant, indicating that responses at pre and post followed similar patterns, with students who scored higher on the pre‐test also tending to score higher on the post‐test. Reflections from students demonstrated significant understanding of effective leadership behaviors and learning.Research limitations/implicationsThe sample was college students enrolled in an event management course at one university; therefore results may not be generalized to all students.Practical implicationsResults of this study suggest that involvement in an event management course in which students were engaged and responsible for the outcomes of their learning may have positively impacted these students' leadership behaviors.Originality/valueThis paper furthers the knowledge base and understanding of students' leadership growth through involvement in a university course as measured by the S‐LPI.
The impact of employee perceptions on change in a municipal government
Authors: Seijts Gerard H. , Roberts Michael 
Published: February 2011

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to investigate employees' reactions to a comprehensive change: to change aspects of the organization's working atmosphere at a mid‐sized municipal government located in Ontario, Canada. It aims to use the perception of success of the ongoing change effort as the main dependent variable.Design/methodology/approachThe study was cross‐sectional in nature. Data were collected via a survey, and correlational analysis and PLS were used to analyze the data.FindingsThe results showed that the relationship between perceptions of success of the ongoing change effort and perceived sense of competence; affective commitment; satisfaction with organizational members; opportunities to participate in decision making; opportunities for development and growth; and respect in the workplace was significant.Research limitations/implicationsFuture studies should include a more objective measure of success of the change efforts, such as absenteeism, turnover, levels of service provided, helping behavior and other organizational citizenship behaviors, and grievances filed.Practical implicationsIndividual and workplace variables explain significant variance in the perception of success to improve the working atmosphere at a municipal organization. These variables should be given consideration during the implementation of change. Anecdotal evidence often indicates that leaders faced with comprehensive change do things that conflict with increasing readiness for change and to create enthusiasm for the change.Originality/valueGovernment agencies face unprecedented change. It is imperative for these organizations to manage change in an effective and efficient manner in their pursuit of creating public value. Research on change in public sector organizations is sparse.
Business process improvement and the tax department
Authors: Holtzman Yair 
Published: February 2011

PurposeThis paper aims to demonstrate that operations management techniques and operations strategy can be successfully implemented to create more efficient and effective tax department functionality. The paper seeks to bridge two areas that can have a significant impact on the competitive success of any type of enterprise – not just in the short term, but on an enduring basis.Design/methodology/approachThe driver for this article came from client engagements and discussions with CEOs/CFOs, vice presidents of tax, and directors of tax and operations that the author has served on engagements over recent years.FindingsThe tax department should benefit from effective implementation of management consulting and operational strategy consulting. There is an opportunity to have a huge impact on the tax function, allowing tax to play a more central role within the overall finance function.Practical implicationsFirms have found that implementation of some or all of these ideas into their tax function and tax processes has afforded them a way to more effectively and efficiently manage their operations and set themselves apart from other functions within an enterprise.Originality/valueThe paper is very creative in demonstrating a valuable connection between operations strategy, operations management, and the tax function. The author shows how tools and process improvements can be effectively applied to tax just as they are to other functions of an enterprise.
Diversify your teams and collaborate: because great minds don't think alike
Authors: Holtzman Yair , Anderberg Johan 
Published: February 2011

PurposeThis article aims to provide business managers and executives with a framework of how to best utilize and implement teams in the workplace so as to maximize both internal and external diversified skill sets capabilities in team members.Design/methodology/approachA combination of primary and secondary research was conducted to highlight and strengthen the authors' views and opinions. The original ideas and basic concepts are based upon the authors' own experiences.FindingsCompanies have much to gain from utilizing teams and teamwork within and across corporate boundaries. Success is more likely to be achieved if the team has certain core characteristics. In addition, a heterogeneous team composition could optimize efficiency, quality, and innovation. By collaborating and teaming with external parties companies can overcome internal resource limitations and achieve competitive advantage, greater profitability and maximize chances for long‐term survival.Research limitations/implicationsThe article is primarily based upon the authors' own experiences and opinions, which may differ from results of studies and research done on the subject. The secondary research was limited. The survey conducted by the authors was not scientifically constructed. The sample size was small (n=32) but yet statistically significant and based upon a convenience sample.Practical implicationsThe article may help company executives and managers who want go get the most out of their employees and enhance their work teams' productivity levels, output quality, and creativity.Originality/valueThe article is a clear and concise read relating to a highly relevant business topic. It takes a multi‐level approach to the concept of teams in the workplace, and could serve as a good guide to business leaders on how to create the most efficient and effective work environment for their employees that will ultimately result in more successful and profitable operations.
Strategic research and development: it is more than just getting the next product to market
Authors: Holtzman Yair 
Published: February 2011

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to provide an understanding of a concept that the author refers to as strategic research and development.Design/methodology/approachThe driver for this article came from interviews and discussions with CEOs, vice presidents, and director level engineers and scientists over the past several years who have demonstrated great interest in understanding why their companies' R&D efforts fall short of target so many times.FindingsA visionary research and development, or new product or service development that is not linked early on to excellent operational and governance processes, cannot be successfully implemented. Conversely, operational excellence may lower costs, improve quality, and reduce process and lead times; but without a strategic R&D vision and guidance is unlikely to enjoy sustainable success from its operational improvements alone. High performance operating processes in R&D are critical and when combined with pro‐active implementation and governance will result in successful and strategic R&D which could serve as a sustaining advantage of companies in the near term and should secure long term survival.Originality/valueThe paper is insightful in that it makes several suggestions at optimizing research and development efficiency and effectiveness through strategic operational excellence. It is creative in that it links operational excellence and operations management themes with developing new products and services and the work of R&D. This is a very interesting read for high‐level executives and senior management involved with research and development and new product development.
The impact of privacy concern on user adoption of location‐based services
Authors: Zhou Tao 
Published: February 2011

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to investigate the impact of privacy concern on user adoption of location‐based services (LBS).Design/methodology/approachBased on the data collected from a survey, structural equation modeling was employed to examine the research model.FindingsThe results indicate that among four dimensions of privacy concern, collection and secondary use are the main factors affecting perceived risk, whereas errors are the main factor affecting trust. Trust affects perceived risk, and both factors determine usage intention.Practical implicationsMobile service providers need to alleviate users' privacy concern and perceived risk in order to encourage their adoption and usage of LBS.Originality/valueExtant research has mainly examined LBS user behavior from the perspectives of technology acceptance model, task technology fit and unified theory of acceptance and usage of technology. The results provided in this paper indicate that privacy concern also has a significant effect on user adoption of LBS. This advances our understanding of LBS user behavior.
Interpreting interrelations across multiple levels in HGLM models
Authors: Tasoluk Burcu , Dröge Cornelia , Calantone Roger J. 
Published: February 2011

PurposeAlthough the use of data from different levels is very common in international marketing research, the practice of employing multi‐level analysis techniques is relatively new. The paper aims to provide an application of a specific case of multi‐level modelling – where the dependent variable is dichotomous, which is often the case in marketing research (e.g. whether a consumer buys the brand or not, whether he/she is aware of the brand or not, etc.)Design/methodology/approachA hierarchical generalized linear model is employed.FindingsSince this is a technical paper, the authors would like to emphasize the process rather than the empirical findings. In summary, the paper: provides a brief theoretical overview of Hierarchical Linear Modeling and Hierarchical Generalized Linear Modeling; illustrates the application of the method using the domains of consumers within countries and a dichotomous dependent variable; focuses on interpretation of log‐odds results; and concludes with practical issues and research implications.Originality/valueThe main value of this research is to demonstrate how to employ multi‐level models when the dependent variable is dichotomous. Multi‐level techniques are quite new in international marketing research, although nested data structures are relatively common in our field. This is a technical paper that guides the researchers as to how to apply and interpret the results when modeling such data with a dichotomous dependent variable.
A multi‐country assessment of the long‐term orientation scale
Authors: Hassan Louise M. , Shiu Edward , Walsh Gianfranco 
Published: February 2011

PurposeLong‐term orientation (LTO) is an important cultural value, which has been shown to meaningfully affect the behavior of individuals. Beardenet al.developed and tested a two‐dimensional scale measuring LTO at the individual level. This study aims to replicate and extend the work of Beardenet al.examining the psychometric properties and generalizability of the scale across ten countries of the European Union (EU).Design/methodology/approachSurvey‐based data were collected from 3,491 respondents across ten EU Member States via an internet questionnaire.FindingsThe LTO scale is found to possess adequate dimensional properties in the majority of country samples. Discriminant validity between the two LTO dimensions is not evidenced across four country samples. Significant association is found between LTO and individualistic orientation among respondents in nine of the ten countries with few significant associations found between LTO and uncertainty avoidance. Finally, the generalizability of the scale is assessed through Cronbachet al.'s (1963) generalizability theory and found to be satisfactory though discriminant validity is found to be lacking.Research limitations/implicationsOverall, the scale is recommended for use in measuring LTO with caution. Further research is needed to clarify the difference between the two subscales of tradition and planning.Practical implicationsMeasuring and better understanding cross‐cultural differences in customers' LTO can be a means to overcoming difficulties in effectively marketing products and services across cultures.Originality/valueThe paper presents an original and first presentation of a cross‐cultural validation of a parsimonious LTO scale.
I want to believe theyreallycare
Authors: Gruber Thorsten 
Published: February 2011

PurposeUsing a realist perspective, this paper seeks to investigate how complaining customers want to be treated by frontline employees in personal complaint handling encounters. For this purpose, an exploratory research study using the qualitative laddering interviewing technique was regarded as appropriate as it allows researchers to gain a deeper insight into an underdeveloped research subject. Following realist thinking and terminology, the exploratory study aims to develop a deeper understanding of the so‐called micro structures of complaining customers.Design/methodology/approachA semi‐standardised qualitative technique called laddering was used to reveal the cognitive structures of complaining customers. In total, laddering interviews with 40 respondents with complaining experience were conducted.FindingsThe research shows that the most important attributes for complaining customers are the contact employees' authenticity, competence and active listening skills. These concepts are linked with several consequences and values such as “justice”, “well‐being” and “security”.Research limitations/implicationsOwing to the exploratory nature of the study in general and the scope and size of its sample in particular, the findings are tentative in nature. As the study involved students from one university, the results cannot be generalized beyond this group even though in this case the student sample is likely to represent the general buying public.Practical implicationsIf companies know what complaining customers expect, frontline employees may be trained to adapt their behaviour to their customers' underlying expectations, which should have a positive impact on customer satisfaction. For this purpose, the paper gives several suggestions to managers to improve active complaint handling and management.Originality/valueThe findings enrich the existing limited stock of knowledge on complaint satisfaction by developing a deeper understanding of the attributes that complaining customers expect from frontline employees, as well as the underlying logic for these expectations. Revealing the important role of employee authenticity adds to our knowledge on complaint satisfaction. Another strong contribution of this paper lies in the finding that all the identified concepts must not be seen in strict isolation, as in previous research, but have to be understood as a network of interrelated concepts: the attributes of frontline employees have several important consequences for customers (e.g. the feeling of being taken seriously), which are then linked to consumers' personal values and basic motivations (e.g. perceptions of justice).
Guaranteed maximum price (GMP) contracts in practice
Authors: Chan Daniel W.M. , Lam Patrick T.I. , Chan Albert P.C. , Wong James M.W. 
Published: February 2011

PurposeThis paper aims to investigate the operational mechanism, project performance, motives behind, benefits, difficulties and success factors of adopting the guaranteed maximum price (GMP) scheme based on a real‐life case study of Chater House, an international Grade A private office project in Hong Kong.Design/methodology/approachThe case project was analysed by means of the related project documentation and a series of face‐to‐face interviews with the relevant senior project representatives.FindingsAll the interviewed key project stakeholders perceived that the GMP contract helped achieve competitive price, value for money and superior quality of products as well as provided stronger incentives to innovation and cost saving. The case study revealed that the overall success of this GMP project was underpinned by several key attributes.Originality/valueThe paper provides solid groundwork for client bodies and contracting organisations to develop a best practice framework for implementing successful GMP schemes in future construction.
Intergenerational influence on brand preferences
Authors: Perez Maria Eugenia , Padgett Dan , Burgers Willem 
Published: February 2011

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to assess the role that elapsed time and culture may play in affecting intergenerational influence (IGI) on brand preference. The results of an empirical study conducted in Mexico reveal that coincidence in family life‐cycle stage emerges as an important factor in determining IGI strength.Design/methodology/approachA total of 600 questionnaires were collected from 300 dyads of mothers/daughters. This research extends Moore et al.'s basic methodology and findings to the Mexican context by including daughters at different stages of their family life cycle covering a time frame of up to 15 years out of the parents' household.FindingsThe findings support results from previous research conducted in the USA, signaling IGI as influencing brand preferences. However, the results diverge by demonstrating that in certain cultural contexts (e.g. Mexico), coincidence in family life‐cycle may have a stronger influence on IGI than the amount of elapsed time not living with parents.Research limitations/implicationsUnderstanding how IGI evolves in different cultural contexts may be applicable in the design of product and communication strategies leading to brand preference.Originality/valueThis study contributes to the literature by providing knowledge about the factors affecting consumers' brand preferences in Mexico, a country sharing cultural values with an important number of nations (including Latin America) where research conducted on these issues is scarce and where effective brand strategies need to be developed.
A three‐stage model of consumer relationship investment
Authors: Hess Jeff , Story John , Danes Jeffrey 
Published: February 2011

PurposeThis paper aims to examine the sources of consumer‐brand relationship investment, specifically isolating the sources and outcomes of communality and exchange relationship characteristics.Design/methodology/approachThe paper utilizes a survey‐based empirical study and subsequent structural modeling approach to test a series of hypotheses concerning how brand performance perceptions influence the development of consumer relationship connections.FindingsThe paper finds that perceptions of product performance and service quality influence the development of brand reliability and brand fidelity respectively. Similarly, brand reliability is the primary source of an exchange orientation, while brand fidelity leads to communal brand connections and, ultimately, consumer‐brand relationship investment.Research limitations/implicationsThis research is limited by the scope of the sample, fast food restaurants. Future research should explore consumer relationship investment in other product and service categories in order to determine the extent to which relationship development processes vary by product category.Practical implicationsBrands that wish to develop enduring relationships with their customers must understand the relative impact of both personal and functional (exchange) relationship characteristics on the development of relationship investment. Each has a specific role to play and the roles of each vary at different relationship stages.Originality/valueThis research offers at least three significant contributions to the marketing discipline and marketing practice. First, it introduces constructs and associated scales for brand fidelity, communality, exchange and relationship investment. Second, it demonstrates how brand service and product performance differentially contribute to two dimensions of consumer‐brand relationships. Finally, it describes three discrete relationship development stages that play specific roles in the evolution of consumer‐brand relationship investment.