bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
The path of transformational change
Authors: Nussbaumer Alison , Merkley Wendy 
Published: November 2010

PurposeThe paper seeks to document the process and strategies used to create transformational change at the operational, organizational and cultural level.Design/methodology/approachThe vision of transformational change was guided by three principles: building it today, adding value, and aligning with the university's strategic plan.FindingsDuring a 2008‐2009 internal review it became clear that current services and systems were inhibiting the ability to move forward. To overcome this inertia, eight strategies were developed to lay the foundation for transformational change. These included: creating a framework for change, leveraging outside expertise, building a leadership team, designing a new organizational structure, influencing organizational culture, managing transition, forming operational teams and workgroups, and reflections. The greatest challenge has been to manage library staff fears and expectations. Dealing with both passive and active resistance has required flexibility and a commitment on the part of library administration to engage staff in an ongoing dialogue to clarify the vision and to encourage staff to see change as serving both the library's interests and their own self‐interest.Originality/valueThe value of this paper is in showcasing tools and strategies for transforming an academic library's organizational culture and structure.
Trends of labour productivity in Italy: a study with panel co‐integration methods
Authors: Fachin Stefano , Gavosto Andrea 
Published: November 2010

PurposeThe main aim of this paper is to examine labour productivity trends in Italy over the period 1981‐2004.Design/methodology/approachTo this end, relying on recent developments in the analysis of non‐stationary dependent panels, the paper develops a new method for estimating total factor productivity (TFP) trends.FindingsThe conclusions confirm the view that the recent decline in Italian labour productivity growth is mostly due to a widespread fall in TFP growth.Research limitations/implicationsThe main assumption underlying the proposed TFP estimation method is that technology growth is driven by a single trend common to all units included in the panel (industries, regions or countries).Originality/valueThe paper provides two distinct contributions: empirically, it provides robust evidence that TFP slow‐down is the main cause of recent negative trends in labour productivity in Italy. Methodologically, the paper proposes an approach to estimating TFP that enjoys several advantages: only basic data for input and output flows are needed, the non‐stationary nature of the data is explicitly taken into account, and confidence intervals for TFP growth can be computed. This method can thus be easily applied to many routinely available datasets, to either corroborate existing growth accounting estimates or to obtain previously unavailable estimates.
The Italian productivity slow‐down: the role of the bargaining model
Authors: Tronti Leonello 
Published: November 2010

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to assess the role of the Protocol '93 bargaining model in favouring the slow‐down of the Italian economy and to design a correction.Design/methodology/approachThe impact of the Protocol on factor income distribution is assessed through a deterministic dynamic model, and tested for the 1993‐2008 period. The paper explores theoretically and empirically the weakening of the incentives for both workers and employers to engage in fostering productivity.FindingsIn a macroeconomic setting with structural imbalance between the product and the labour markets reforms, the bargaining model has automatically increased up to 2002 the capital share in income, reducing the incentives for both social partners to accelerate productivity, as the labour share in income and the propensity to invest are co‐integrated (Johansen test). An analytical solution for correcting the bargaining distributive bias is proposed.Research limitations/implicationsFurther research should provide a picture of the different distributive behaviours of industrial sectors, particularly for industries exposed to/protected from international competition. The actual functioning of the new bargaining model (theAccordo Quadroof 2009) should also be assessed.Practical implicationsThe bargaining model should be reformed so as to restore the right incentives for social partners. National industry‐wide wage bargaining should both incentivise and complement insufficient local bargaining.Social implicationsThe benefit of increased productivity and resumed growth has vast social implications, especially with reference to the sustainability of the welfare system.Originality/valueThe scientific literature has lacked any formal description of the dynamic operation of the Italian bargaining model, which is particularly valuable to both social partners and policy makers.
Culturally‐linked leadership styles
Authors: Jogulu Uma D. 
Published: November 2010

PurposeThis paper seeks to examine whether cultural context facilitates the emergence of different leadership styles. The key objective of the paper is to consider whether leadership styles are culturally‐linked and/or culturally‐biased.Design/methodology/approachA multifactor leadership questionnaire was utilised to measure differences in leadership styles and to offer explanations as to why the “one size fits all” view is not appropriate. Analysis of variance and t‐tests were utilised to compare means for more than two managerial groups.FindingsThe analysis found significant differences between leadership styles and cultural groups, hence, supporting the argument that culture and leadership interact in different ways in diverse contexts. Transactional leadership was found to be strongly aligned with the ratings of managers from Malaysia, and transformational leadership scales correlated with the Australian respondents' mean ratings.Practical implicationsVariations in leadership styles are due to cultural influences because people have different beliefs and assumptions about characteristics that are deemed effective for leadership. Therefore, it is fundamental to know what leadership skills and knowledge are valued most by managers on a global level. This information is critical as it offers insight into developing competencies in different workplaces, especially as organisations expand their geographical boundaries into international markets.Originality/valueThe findings of the study provide empirical understanding for culturally‐linked leadership styles. The paper contributes to understanding the importance of workforce diversity and attention to other cultures and, thus, enhances our appreciation of today's “global village”.
Attributing leadership personality and effectiveness from the leader's face: an exploratory study
Authors: Nana Eli , Jackson Brad , St J Burch Giles 
Published: November 2010

PurposeThe paper aims to explore the processes by which individuals make attributions about a leader's personality and effectiveness based upon information contained within a photograph of a leader's face.Design/methodology/approachA mixed methodology approach is taken which combines an individual survey with a follow‐up focus group conducted with five classes of MBA students. In the survey, respondents were asked to rate the photographic images of ten CEOs for personality traits and leadership effectiveness that were apparent in the face; in the focus group, they were asked to reflect upon the processes they had utilized in order to make their attributions.FindingsThe study demonstrated that the vast majority of the participants actively used the face to attribute personality traits of the leaders as well as their ability to lead. The survey revealed that perceived leadership effectiveness was positively correlated to perceived extraversion, agreeableness, openness, conscientiousness, and narcissism. The focus group revealed three strategies that were used when placing these attributions on a leader. These were drawing on explicit facial traits, using the leader's non‐facial traits and general appearance, and telling stories about the leader.Research limitations/implicationsThis was an exploratory study set up in an artificial laboratory‐like environment featuring a limited and homogenous collection of CEO photographs and involving a limited and relatively homogenous group of participants. However, it does show that the face is an important and rich source of information from which individuals can make detailed attributions about a leader's personality and their potential leadership ability. The functionality of making such attributions as well as its moral and ethical basis needs to be properly examined and discussed.Originality/valueThe study highlights the leader's face and the visual portrayal thereof, as a potentially important, yet rarely analyzed, aspect of leadership. It foregrounds photographs of leaders, most notably those taken of CEOs, as organizational artifacts that have been largely ignored but worthy data sources. Leadership scholars could profitably focus upon both the production and consumption processes associated with the visual portrayal of leadership.
The effect of monetary policy on house price inflation
Authors: Gupta Rangan , Kabundi Alain 
Published: November 2010

PurposeThis paper seeks to assess the impact of monetary policy on house price inflation for the nine census divisions of the US economy.Design/methodology/approachA factor‐augmented VAR (FAVAR) model is estimated using a large data set comprising of 126 quarterly series over the period 1976:01 to 2005:02.FindingsOverall, the results of this investigation show that house price inflation responds negatively to a positive monetary policy shock, suggesting that the framework does not experience the widely observed price puzzle encountered while analyzing monetary policy shocks with standard sized VARs.Research limitations/implicationsThe paper only considers house price inflation and ignores other housing market variables. Moreover, given the recent economy‐wide decline in the house price growth rates, it would be worthwhile to update the data set to a more recent period, to capture the possible breakdown in the relationship of house prices with fundamentals driving the market.Practical implicationsThe results based on the impulse response functions indicate that, in general, house price inflation responds negatively to monetary policy shock, but the responses are heterogeneous across the census divisions. In addition, the findings suggest, in particular, the importance of South Atlantic, East South Central, West South Central, Mountain and the Pacific divisions in shaping the dynamics of US house price inflation.Originality/valueTo the best of one's knowledge, this is the first paper to analyze the effect of monetary policy on house price inflation in the nine census divisions of the US economy using a FAVAR model.
Internationalization and innovation in a network relationship context
Authors: Chetty Sylvie K. , Stangl Loren M. 
Published: November 2010

PurposeThe aim of this paper is to study how network relationships are used in the internationalization and innovation of small and medium‐sized enterprises (SMEs) in the software industry. The paper seeks to use the extant literature to develop a matrix consisting of incremental internationalization and innovation and radical internationalization and innovation.Design/methodology/approachThe paper is based on an in‐depth qualitative study of ten software firms in New Zealand. The unit of analysis is the firm. Multiple sources of data collection are used, but the main method of data collection is semi‐structured interviews.FindingsThe ten firms in the study fall into four distinct groups, depending on the type of internationalization and the type of innovation, and each group has particular types of network relationships. Firms with limited network relationships have incremental internationalization and innovation, but those with diverse network relationships have radical internationalization and innovation. The findings indicate that network relationships are influential in shaping the firm's future as well as sustaining the firm.Practical implicationsThe matrix developed could assist managers to identify where they appear and what relationships they need to form in order to internationalize their innovation. Managers need to be aware of the changing dynamics of network relationships, and the impact this will have on the firm.Originality/valueThe paper identifies a gap in current SME research that combines the following three research streams: internationalization, innovation, and networks. The original contribution of the paper is to address this gap so that researchers and practitioners have some understanding of innovation and internationalization of SMEs in the context of networks.
Consumer responses to ecolabels
Authors: Thøgersen John , Haugaard Pernille , Olesen Anja 
Published: November 2010

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to develop and apply a framework for understanding consumer responses to ecolabelling.Design/methodology/approachFrom a consumer perspective, ecolabels are tools for supporting decision making with regard to environmentally significant products. The paper proposes an adoption of innovation framework for understanding consumer responses. The framework is applied in a mall‐intercept survey of the early adoption of a new ecolabel, the MSC label for sustainable fishery, in Denmark.FindingsEarly adopters of a new ecolabel mostly employ a high effort adoption process. Starting the adoption process depends on both motivation (intention to buy sustainable fish products) and ability (issue‐relevant knowledge). Whether and how quickly the consumer completes the adoption depends on his or her motivation, past experience with using ecolabels, and trust in the endorsing organisation.Research limitations/implicationsEnvironmental and product‐related factors did not differ between respondents. Hence, a complete account of the importance of these factors for the adoption and (especially) diffusion of the label is not provided.Practical implicationsConsumers scoring highly on both issue‐relevant knowledge and motivation are the most likely innovators and early adopters. Their high level of expertise means that they do not need a lot of explanation for understanding the label and its self‐relevance and their strong motivation means that they will search for more if they need it (and if it is not too difficult to get).Originality/valueThe paper makes both a conceptual and an empirical contribution, which are of value both to practitioners (ecolabel promoters and users) and to research on ecolabel effectiveness.
Adsorption and inhibitive properties of ethanol extract of Garcinia kola and Cola nitida for the corrosion of mild steel in H2SO4
Authors: Eddy N.O. 
Published: November 2010

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to study the inhibitive and adsorption characteristics of ethanol extract of Garcinia kola and Cola nitida for the corrosion of mild steel in H2SO4 solutions.Design/methodology/approachThe inhibition efficiencies were evaluated using weight loss and thermometric methods while the adsorption properties were studied using IR spectroscopy.FindingsThe inhibition efficiencies of ethanol extracts of Garcinia kola and Cola nitida were comparable and vary with concentration of the extract, period of immersion and with temperature. The extracts act as adsorption inhibitors because of its phytochemical composition. The extracts are adsorbed spontaneously on the surface of mild steel according to Langmuir adsorption isotherms. The mechanism of physical adsorption is proposed from the trend of the inhibition efficiency with temperature and the values of activation energy and some thermodynamic parameters obtained.Research limitations/implicationsThe study provides information on the use of ethanol extract of Garcinia kola and Cola nitida as corrosion inhibitors for mild steel. Electrochemical studies such as polarisation and AC impedance spectra will illuminate the mechanistic aspects of the extract.Practical implicationsEthanol extract of Garcinia kola and Cola nitida are environmentally friendly inhibitors for the corrosion of mild steel in H2SO4.Originality/valueThese environmentally friendly inhibitors may find possible applications in metal surface anodising and surface coatings.
The principal‐agent problem in economics and in politics
Authors: Kaskarelis Ioannis A. 
Published: November 2010

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to show that the assignment of right between the principal and the agent, under which the latter have the management of the assets that the former own, is similar to that between citizens and politicians in representative democracy, and it could, in both cases, turn in to a state of being a voluntary hostage for the principal.Design/methodology/approachThose who take decisions either in the economy or in society/politics, actually through their continuous presence and acting, set the frame under which decisions will be made, i.e. which behaviour is acceptable, rules of the games, codes and terminology, values and hierarchy among participants.FindingsSince principals abstain from the everyday decision making either in economics or in politics, they lose the ability to influence the frame and the practices on how decisions are made, and therefore decisions are evaluated with the criteria established by agents and they are not those which principals would possibly have.Practical implicationsA part of the management of the assets of principals in the economy or the “asset of vote” of citizens, especially in the long run, actually is conducted by the agents (managers‐politicians) to favour their own pursuits and not those of principals.Originality/valueUnder these circumstances the principal‐agent problem, either in economics or in politics, has two alternative solutions: either principal should take over the management of his assets, or accept the state of being voluntary a hostage of his servants‐agents (managers‐politicians).
Adverse selection and its consequences on medical and health insurance andtakafulin Malaysia
Authors: Abdul Rahman Zuriah , Mohd Daud Norzaidi 
Published: November 2010

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to investigate first, the consumer buying behaviour and claims pattern of medical and health insurance (MHI)/medical and healthtakaful(MHT) policies and second, to determine whether moral hazard exists among policyholders at the time of application for the product and during claiming for compensation.Design/methodology/approachThe study was conducted on respondents from the insurance industry in Malaysia.FindingsIt was found that most claims were rejected due to the discovery of some irregularities by the managed care organizations (MCO) while the Islamic insurer's claims experience, was otherwise. During the buying behaviour stage of MHT, there are fewer tendencies to withhold information but during the claiming stage, due to the generous level of compensation and their awareness of the coverage available naturally influence them to submit excessive claims. To a certain extent moral hazard is present when claims are made for longer disability durations than necessary, and having high average claims per person even for shorter duration disabilities.Research limitations/implicationsThe paper concentrates only on the MHI/MHT in Malaysia.Practical implicationsThe results provide insights on how the Malaysian insurance industry and other organizations of a similar structure could improve on their business performance.Originality/valueThis paper is perhaps one of the first to address adverse selection and its consequences on MHI/MHT in Malaysia.
Human‐computer interaction: the missing piece of the records management puzzle?
Authors: Bailey Steve , Vidyarthi Jay 
Published: November 2010

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to question why records management is not currently able to fully meet the needs of its users and to explore the potential role of human‐computer interaction (HCI) in helping it to address this weakness.Design/methodology/approachThe paper has been jointly written by two authors: one a records manager; the other an experienced HCI practitioner. It draws on the experience of the records professional to identify some of the challenges facing records management today, particularly the problems it faces trying to meet the (differing?) needs of both the organization as a whole and of individual users. The HCI practitioner then explores how the application of HCI principles to the design of recordkeeping systems may offer a fresh perspective in meeting these twin demands.FindingsRecords management is heavily reliant on the participation of individual and collective users to achieve its aims, and yet the understanding of their requirements is often basic and simplistic. In part this is due to a concentration on the needs of “the organization” as a whole and of the traditional focus records management has had on standardisation. The authors argue that whilst this organizational perspective remains important, it cannot be addressed at the expense of providing genuine benefits to the individual user. The field of HCI offers a proven, robust and sophisticated way of identifying and meeting the needs of users in ways which could enable records management to meet the needs of both its “masters”.Practical implicationsThe application of HCI principles to the design of recordkeeping systems could fundamentally alter the way in which we view the implementation of record management technologies. It also raises questions about the limitations of striving to adopt a purely “standards based” approach to records management which runs counter to much of the prevailing wisdom regarding the perceived objectives of records management.Originality/valueThis paper marks the first exploration of the benefits that might be achieved by applying the field of HCI to records management. As such it represents the first important step towards creating a new inter‐disciplinary approach to achieving records management systems that fully meet the needs of their users.
Satisfaction determinants in the Greek online shopping context
Authors: Maditinos Dimitrios I. , Theodoridis Konstantinos 
Published: November 2010

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to validate empirically the impact of seven literature‐based constructs on customer satisfaction using a sample from the Greek online shopping context.Design/methodology/approachThe authors test a set of hypotheses about the influence that the constructs have on overall satisfaction. Also tested are a set of hypotheses about the satisfaction influence on post‐purchase behaviour.FindingsThe paper argues that product information quality and user interface quality have a significant impact on overall satisfaction, while service information quality, purchasing process, security perception and product attractiveness have only a positive impact. In addition, the findings reveal that customer satisfaction strongly affects post‐purchase behaviour.Research limitations/implicationsThe limited Greek respondent “tank” in combination with low internet and technology infusion in Greece, as well as the limited online market in Greece, are the study's main limitations. Common method bias through the use of Likert scales is also considered an important limitation.Practical implicationsThe findings indicate some important determinants of customer satisfaction and present a satisfaction index, the score of which is a valid and objective measurement of e‐commerce success.Originality/valueThis paper offers e‐commerce practitioners an objective standard to measure quantitatively the success of a web store as well as a wide frame of reference for researchers to extend e‐commerce research.