bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Brand extension strategies: perceived fit, brand type, and culture influences
Authors: Buil Isabel , de Chernatony Leslie , Hem Leif E. 
Published: November 2009

PurposeThe aim of this paper is to examine the impact of perceived fit, brand type and country's culture on the consumers' attitude towards brand extensions and on the parent brand equity.Design/methodology/approachData were collected in three European countries: Spain, UK, and Norway. A series of analyses of variance (ANOVA) were conducted to test the hypotheses.FindingsBrand extensions with high fit receive more favourable consumer evaluations and decrease the negative feedback effects of extensions on parent brand equity. Results also reveal that parent brand equity dilution is higher when the brand used to launch the extension has high equity. Finally, findings indicate different consumers' responses to extensions and effects on parent brand equity across countries.Research limitations/implicationsImportant directions for future research would be to include other countries and carry out a more in‐depth analysis to understand the effect of culture.Practical implicationsManagers should launch extensions with high perceived fit. In addition, greater effort is needed to extend high equity brands, due to their greater dilution. Finally, managers need to understand that consumer evaluations and feedback effects of the same brand extensions can vary due to cultural differences between consumers. Therefore, standardised brand extension strategies should be carefully considered.Originality/valueThe study focuses, not only on consumer evaluations of extensions, but also on the effects of extensions on the parent brand equity. Furthermore, this paper is one of the first to empirically examine and show that consumer evaluations of extensions and feedback effects on parent brand equity differ across countries.
Market orientation and enterprise policy
Authors: O'Sullivan Don , Butler Patrick 
Published: November 2009

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to examine the merit of enterprise policies that seek to enhance market orientation as a driver of firm performance.Design/methodology/approachThe approach takes the form of empirical research utilising the MKTOR survey instrument, administered to senior marketing managers in high‐value‐added sectors in Ireland; and both subjective and lagged objective measures of firm performance.FindingsFindings support international context‐specific research. Market orientation is not found to be directly associated with firm performance in high‐value‐added firms in the Irish economy.Research limitations/implicationsResearch directions should include the evolving understanding of market orientation, and the exploration of what alternative orientations lead to improved performance in different contexts.Practical implicationsFor public policy, a re‐examination of the conceptualisation of, and support for, market orientation is warranted.Originality/valueThe paper presents a new contribution to understanding the merit of market orientation in enterprise policy in developed economies.
Niche firms and marketing strategy
Authors: Toften Kjell , Hammervoll Trond 
Published: November 2009

PurposeThis paper aims to explore how internationally oriented niche firms define and choose their markets and customers and how they position their products, and thereby add to the limited research knowledge regarding niche marketing.Design/methodology/approachThe paper presents exploratory research based on structured in‐depth interviews of key informants in five firms.FindingsNiche firms do not seem to follow the STP‐process. The selection of customers and markets is the result of tradition, chance or the firm's production philosophy, and the firms make few attempts to position their products. The firms rely on resource‐based advantages, high‐quality products and personal relationships when competing in the market.Research limitations/implicationsThe selected methodology makes these results alone unfit for generalising to a larger population. Improved theoretical models are needed for generating more knowledge about niche firms and their efforts in crafting marketing strategies, possibly by extending relationship marketing theory.Practical implicationsA niche firm's marketing strategy should be based on a customer‐valued competitive advantage and differentiation should be applied in terms of both intangible and actual use criteria. Niche firms should strive for long‐term, personal relationships and customer commitment. Also, there seems to be some room for following one's own personal convictions and ideas when crafting a marketing strategy, even though this approach certainly is not in line with the structured marketing strategy process suggested in textbooks.Originality/valueThis study offers exploratory findings on how export‐oriented niche firms define and choose their markets and customers, and how they position their products. The standard STP‐process as proposed in general textbooks is not appropriate for international niche firms.
Dynamic capabilities: the missing link in CRM investments
Authors: Maklan Stan , Knox Simon 
Published: November 2009

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to illustrate the practical application of dynamic capabilities theory to improve investment decisions in customer relationship management (CRM).Design/methodology/approachAction research (AR) allows managers to raise the tacit knowledge of their dynamic capabilities to a level where they can be identified and developed. A framework and a process for managing dynamic capabilities in marketing are presented.FindingsThe findings relate to the nature of dynamic capabilities in marketing and how they are managed.Practical implicationsMarketing managers can improve the return on investments in CRM.Originality/valueThe paper presents a method for applying dynamic capabilities drawn from the resource‐based view (RBV) to practical marketing problems.
Internal market orientation and its influence on organisational performance
Authors: Tortosa Vicent , Moliner Miguel A. , Sánchez Javier 
Published: November 2009

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to analyse the influence that internal marketing, represented by internal market orientation (IMO), might have on the internal aspects (satisfaction of contact personnel) and external aspects (customer satisfaction and perceived quality of service) of organisational performance.Design/methodology/approachInterviews were carried out with all the cashiers of the 16 branches of a small, local credit institution, and with 160 customers who normally operate with this bank.FindingsThe results show that employee orientation or internal market orientation, through the dimension informal generation of information,influences the satisfaction of contact personnel, the quality of service perceived by the customer and, through the latter, the customer's satisfaction. It also corroborates the influence exerted by the contact personnel's satisfaction on the perception of quality and on the satisfaction of the customer receiving the service.Research limitations/implicationsThe main limitation of the study is that it analyses a single financial entity, with the characteristics and behaviours that the latter has in its relationship with its employees.Practical implicationsOne of the key elements for achieving quality in the service offered by the contact personnel is to achieve their satisfaction. For this, it is necessary for firms to adopt an employee or internal marketing orientation so that the contact personnel come to perceive fair treatment and special attention by managers towards them and their work.Originality/valueThe paper verifies the validity and reliability of the internal market orientation construct (IMO) as a scale of measurement of the internal marketing concept in a different business sector and with a different methodology from those dealt with in the literature. It also demonstrates empirically the influence of IMO on variables internal to the organisation (satisfaction of contact personnel) and external to it (customer's satisfaction and the quality he/she perceives).
Advertising and promotions budgeting and the role of risk
Authors: West Douglas , Prendergast Gerard P. 
Published: November 2009

PurposeThis study aims to look at the conventional wisdom with regards to budgeting methods, processes, and sophistication in light of recent macro work relating budgetary approaches to risk‐taking.Design/methodology/approachBased on a survey of UK advertisers and personal interviews, current advertising and promotions budgeting methods and processes are summarized. A series of hypotheses relating risk, process and experience to advertising and promotions budgeting sophistication were tested.FindingsUK advertisers were found to use a variety of budgeting methods (two methods on average per company). Judgmental methods dominate, especially the “what is affordable” method, but at the same time more sophisticated methods like objective and task and measurement techniques (in particular return on investment) were solidly represented. The relationship between budgeting sophistication and risk was investigated, the premise being that risk and budgeting sophistication are inversely related, as well as budgetary processes and marketing experience.Research limitations/implicationsConsiderable insight is provided into the methods and processes being used. It is concluded that the explanation as to why firms use sophisticated or unsophisticated methods for setting their advertising and promotion budgets is largely related to organizational culture.Originality/valueJust over 1.5 percent of the UK's gross domestic product is spent on advertising and promotions (£19 billion). The study suggested that the primary reason for the lack of consensus on budgetary sophistication is that stakeholders involved with budgeting are far less concerned with specific methods than dealing with cultural norms, personalities, access to supporting data and policies and practices.
Developing competence frameworks in UK healthcare: lessons from practice
Authors: Mitchell Lindsay , Boak George 
Published: November 2009

PurposeThe purpose of this article is to review the use of competence frameworks in the UK healthcare sector and to explore characteristics of the sector that may influence the success of projects to develop new frameworks.Design/methodology/approachThe paper draws on project reports and evaluations of practice in a range of recent projects to develop new competence frameworks.FindingsThere are a number of competence frameworks in use in the UK healthcare sector, principally the NHS, designed for a range of purposes. There are many potential benefits of such frameworks. The main characteristics of the UK healthcare sector that can present difficulties to the development, and ultimate use, of such competence frameworks are the size, complexity, professionalisation and extent of other simultaneous change in the sector. Potential difficulties caused by these characteristics can be ameliorated by measures to align the development of the framework with priorities, interests and concerns of practitioners and stakeholder bodies. A case study of effective implementation of a framework demonstrates the benefits of integrating the competences with other measures to deliver a new service.Practical implicationsThe paper gives practical guidance for those who intend to develop and implement competence frameworks in healthcare and other complex environments.Originality/valueThe paper applies established organisational change concepts to the specific issue of developing new frameworks of competence. The article provides high originality and high value to those who commission and those who develop competence frameworks.
“Kompetenz” and “Beruf” in the context of the proposed German Qualifications Framework for Lifelong Learning
Authors: Gehmlich Volker 
Published: November 2009

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to answer a set of questions related to “Kompetenz”, “Beruf” and the German Qualifications Framework for Lifelong Learning. What is a competence, can it be measured? Is the “Beruf” really endangered by the focus on learning outcomes? What are the implications as regards the learning process? Are permeability and mobility between occupations fostered?Design/methodology/approachLiterature was analysed to identify elements which are linked to the introduction of qualifications frameworks in Germany and which have an impact on the German system of education and training. Additionally some primary research was done by interviewing about 50 experts in the field. The results were published prior to this paper in the form of a study on behalf of the German government. Here they are used to highlight potentially controversial issues: “Beruf”, “Qualifikation”, “Kompetenz”, “learning outcomes” and their relationship to qualifications frameworks.FindingsIt is assumed that “Beruf” will also be used in future but in different contexts. It will describe any type of occupation or profession without the need to specify the way to get there (“Berufsbild”). Instead, there will be flexible pathways, allowing for non‐formal and informal learning. Its former role of structuring training will be taken over by “Kompetenz” within the qualifications frameworks. It is recommended to clearly differentiate between learning outcomes and “Kompetenz”.Research limitations/implicationsAs a one‐year pilot phase to test the proposed qualifications framework is about to start, the final outcomes may be different from what is expected on the basis of this research.Originality/valueThe paper answers a set of questions related to “Kompetenz”, “Beruf” and the German Qualifications Framework for Lifelong Learning.
The new competence concept in higher education: error or enrichment?
Authors: Mulder Martin , Gulikers Judith , Biemans Harm , Wesselink Renate 
Published: November 2009

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to evaluate whether the new (comprehensive) concept of competence and the competence‐based education approach are being used in, and perceived as being fruitful for, academic education.Design/methodology/approachIn this explorative and qualitative study individual interviews with representatives of study programs from eight universities in the Netherlands were held, and a participative case‐study in one university was conducted, in which practices and perceptions from various stakeholder groups were triangulated.FindingsThe opinions of the respondents on the usefulness of the competence‐based education approach were quite positive. There is wide agreement on the necessity to align university curricula to the needs of society and of the labour market. University education can make effective use of the competence concept. Universities differ as to the extent to which they employ a competence‐based education approach. Many hurdles exist for actually implementing this in university curricula.Research limitations/implicationsInterpretations largely depend on the perceptions of the respondents in the study. For most university programs only one representative was included as respondent in the study.Practical implicationsWith some exceptions, the competence‐based education approach is currently not much used in academic education. Possibilities and limitations of competence‐based academic education should be identified in further case studies and strategies for actually implementing it should be developed. Further research should show differential relationships between the level of integration of the competence concept in higher education and the societal effects of the respective programs.Originality/valueThe competence concept has been underexposed in university education practices and in research.
Descriptors for competence: towards an international standard classification for skills and competences
Authors: Markowitsch Jörg , Plaimauer Claudia 
Published: November 2009

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to investigate the potential of already existing skills and competence ontologies to benefit European transparency tools and especially the implementation of the European Qualification Framework. Furthermore, it asks whether any of them could serve as a starting point to develop an International Standard Classification of Skills and Competences to supplement ISCED and ISCO.Design/methodology/approachThis contribution contains a comparative analyses of three systems providing ontologies of skills and competences – DISCO, O*NET and Taxonomy_DB – under terminological and pragmatic aspects.FindingsThe analysis identifies O*NET as the most promising candidate to serve European transparency instruments and the EQF. Furthermore, it demonstrates that the development of an International Standard Classification of Skills and Competences, that is suitable for statistical purposes as well as appropriate for practical applications in human resource management and in the area of education, would have to integrate very diverging demands, which so far are being best met by O*NET and DISCO.Research/limitations/implicationsThe depth of the analysis is not sufficient to serve as an exhaustive guideline to design an International Standard Classification of Skills and Competences.Practical implicationsThe paper shows the potential of a future International Standard Classification of Skills and Competences for the EQF, for European transparency tools, and for statistical purposes.Originality/valueThis article brings a new topic, namely ontologies for skills and competences, into the European debate about competences and their visibility and validation.
Photochromic properties of 7′,8′‐dichloro‐1,3,3‐trimethylspiro[indoline‐2,3′‐[3H]benzo[b][1,4]oxazine] doped in PMMA and epoxy resin thin films
Authors: Bahajaj A.A. , Asiri A.M. , Alsoliemy A.M. , Al‐Sehemi A.G. 
Published: November 2009

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to evaluate the photochromic performance of photochromic compounds in polymer matrices.Design/methodology/approachThe poly(methyl methacrylate) PMMA and epoxy resin doped with photochromic spirooxazine (SO) are prepared and the effects of ultraviolet (UV) irradiation are studied using spectrophotometer. The reversible reaction is effected using white light. Photochemical fatigue resistance of these films is also studied.FindingsIrradiation of colourless 7′,8′‐dichloro‐1,3,3‐trimethylspiro[indoline‐2,3′‐[3H]benzo[b][1,4]oxazine] (SO) doped in PMMA and epoxy resin with UV light (366 nm) results in the formation of an intense purple‐red coloured zwitterionic photomerocyanine (PMC). The reverse reaction is photochemically induced by irradiation with white light. Photocolouration and photobleaching reactions follow a first‐order rate equation. It is found that photocoloration rate constant of (SO) in both matrices is almost the same, which is unexpected. On the other hand, the rate of photobleaching reaction of (PMC) in PMMA is twice slower than that in the epoxy resin. It seems that the presence of the two chlorine atoms at positions 7′ and 8′ of the benzooxazine moiety destabilise the PMC in epoxy resin film and results in speeding up the fading process compared to that in PMMA. SO doped in epoxy resin shows much better fatigue resistance than that doped in PMMA.Research limitations/implicationsThe PMMA and epoxy resin polymers doped photochromic spirobenzooxazine described in this paper were prepared and studied. The principle of study established can be applied to any type of polymer or to any type of photochromic compounds.Practical implicationsThe photochromic materials developed can be used for different applications, such as coatings and holography.Originality/valueThe method developed may be used to enhance the performance of photochromic materials.
Synthesis and application of novel disazo pyrazolo[1,2‐a]pyrazole reactive dyes
Authors: Shams H.Z. , Youssef Y.A. , Mohamed F.A. , El‐Zawahry M.M. , Helal M.H. , El‐Kharadly E.A. 
Published: November 2009

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to evaluate the efficiency of modifying reactive azo dyes using pyrazolo[1,2‐a]pyrazole fused systems as the chromophoric moiety which could satisfy many and varied criteria drawn from economic, synthetic, physicochemical and fastness properties.Design/methodology/approachSix novel heterocyclic disazo reactive dyes were prepared, containing monofunctional sulphatoethylsulphone (SES) and hetero‐bifunctional monochlorotriazine (MCT)/SES reactive groups. Dyes intermediates based on 4‐arylazo‐1,5‐dioxopyrazolo[1,2‐a]pyrazole chromophoric moieties are initially synthesised and coupled with two different diazonium salts having the aforementioned reactive groups, thus yielding the new target reactive dyes. The synthesised dyes are applied to cotton, wool and silk fabrics under the typical exhaust dyeing conditions and their dyeing properties were investigated.FindingsThe results assessed for dyeing indicate high‐quality dyeing properties. However, the heterobifunctional MCT/SES dyes showed higher exhaustion and fixation values, colour yields and fastness properties than those of the monofunctional SES dyes.Research limitations/implicationsThe method developed provided a simple and practical procedure for producing fused pyrazolo[1,2‐a]pyrazole disazo chromophoric systems that afford valuable reactive dyes. In addition, the dyes intermediates based on 4‐arylazo‐1,5‐dioxopyrazolo[1,2‐a]pyrazole as well as their disazo counterparts could be applied as acid dyes to wool and silk.Originality/valueThe method for producing novel disazo reactive dyes could find numerous applications for affording a variety of reactive dyes with different binding linkages and structural reactivity. These could be valuable as reactive dyes with different colour shades.
Electronic and optical properties of silole‐based derivatives
Authors: Li C.B. , Yang G.X. , Huang Z.H. , Xin Y. , Wang C. , Yuan J.H. 
Published: November 2009

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to focus on the development of highly efficient emission materials for light‐emitting diodes (LEDs).Design/methodology/approachThe equilibrium geometries of silole‐based derivatives are optimised by means of DFT/B3LYP method with the 6‐31G(d) basis set in this paper. The geometries of single‐excitation are optimised using the ab initio configuration interaction with single excitations/6‐31G(d), the first singlet excited states and optical properties are calculated by using time‐dependent density‐functional theory based on the 6‐31G(d) basis set.FindingsThe highest occupied molecular orbital and lowest unoccupied molecular orbital suffer larger effects from the variation of the substituent groups of methyls and phenyls. The absorption wavelengths of all the cases are similar, but the emission wavelengths are significantly different.Research limitations/implicationsSolid‐state stacking effect is not included in this paper.Originality/valueIn view of the application of silole‐based derivatives systems, the control of photophysical properties and electronic structures by structural modification is relevant to further molecular design.