bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Explaining the product‐specificity of country‐of‐origin effects
Authors: Tseng Ting‐Hsiang , Balabanis George 
Published: October 2011

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to test the applicability of product typicality in explaining the product‐specificity of country of origin (COO) effects.Design/methodology/approachTo help select stimuli used in the study, two dimensions of product typicality regarding COO images were created. A total of 416 participants from a business school in Taiwan participated in this experiment and rated their perceived COO images and attitudes towards specific products from select countries.FindingsThe results indicate that product typicality can help explain the discrepancies between COO images across products from a country, and across COOs of a product. Typical products received more favourable consumer attitudes and stronger COO images than atypical ones. This study also manipulated two other factors, product type and product category level. While product type had no significant impact on the effects of typicality, tests on product category level revealed enhanced effects for subordinate product categories.Originality/valueThe study provides a stepping stone towards the development of a general theory of COO. By testing the effects of a category‐based concept, typicality, in the context of the COO image, this study formally testifies the applicability of categorisation theories on COO effects, which may provide informative sources for the future development of COO studies. Based on the rationale of typicality, this study also tests the possible moderation effects of product types and category levels.
The “inverse care law” and infant mortality among Whites and Blacks in the United States
Authors: Ram Rati 
Published: October 2011

PurposeIn the context of a much higher infant mortality rate (IMR) among Blacks than among Whites in the USA, the purpose of this paper is to compare changes in IMR in the two groups to judge whether the rates of decline are indicative of the so‐called Matthew‐effect or the inverse‐care principle, which, in contrast with the usual expectation of “diminishing marginal product,” suggests that higher level of IMR would be associated with a slower rate of IMR decline.Design/methodology/approachChanges in the IMR for each group over the period 1980‐2007 are studied. Levels and rates of decline in the two groups are compared for 1980‐1990, 1990‐2000, and 1980‐2007 for the USA. In addition, the levels and rates of decline in the two groups over these periods are also compared for each state.FindingsDespite the much higher level of IMR among Blacks, the rates of decline in IMR over 1980‐1990, 1990‐2000, and 1980‐2007 are considerably lower for Blacks than for Whites when data for the entire USA are considered. Moreover, the same pattern is observed for a vast majority of the states in each period.Originality/valueThis is perhaps the only study that considers the possible operation of the inverse‐care principle relative to Black and White IMR in the USA over a fairly long period. The findings suggest several useful points. First, the pattern is consistent with the Matthew‐effect or the inverse‐care principle, and is not supportive of the usual expectation of “diminishing marginal product” in healthcare improvements. Second, the observed pattern seems to reflect poorer access of Blacks to prenatal, maternal, and infant healthcare. Third, it appears likely that, as suggested by Hart and indicated by recent research on increasing Black‐White IMR disparity, the pattern reflects a high degree of reliance on the market forces in healthcare provision and innovation, particularly relative to infant mortality. Fourth, in that context, greater role of the public sector in healthcare, particularly relative to IMR, might be given serious consideration. Fifth, given the observed pattern, the goal of eliminating racial disparities in IMR is unlikely to be met for a long time. Sixth, the relatively low‐international ranking of the USA in IMR, which has been declining, might not improve for quite some time.
Financial constraints, real options and corporate cash holdings
Authors: Ramezani Cyrus A. 
Published: October 2011

PurposeA large body of empirical literature has identified the key drivers of corporate cash holdings. The extant literature posits that the existence of real options significantly influences a firm's demand for liquidity. The literature, however, has relied on indirect proxies to assess this influence. The purpose of this paper is to provide a direct method for assessing this hypothesis. It is posited that firms with valuable real options hold excess cash and liquid assets, relative to firms lacking such opportunities.Design/methodology/approachThe author utilizes a procedure originally proposed by Copeland and Antikarov to identify firms with valuable real options. This procedure assumes that an option's value will rise with its underlying uncertainty and with firm's managerial flexibility, i.e. discretion over the timely exercise of the option. Without a large cash hoard, a firm with “in‐the‐money” real options may face “financing constraints” that result in foregone or delayed exercise of these options. The author extends the Copeland and Antikarov procedure to account for the firm's financing constraints. Using data from a large sample of US companies, new insights are presented on how managerial flexibility, financing constraints, and the value of the firm's real options drive its cash holdings to levels that may appear to be “irrational,” if these factors are ignored.FindingsCash holdings are consistently higher for firms' valuable real options. All else being the same, financially unconstrained firms hold more cash. It is also shown that: an increase in a firm's weighted average cost of capital will lead to higher cash holdings; firms with higher market power (relative sales) hold less cash; and firms with less operational flexibility (higher fraction of fixed‐to‐total assets) hold less cash. Additional results are shown in the paper.Research limitations/implicationsThe paper shows that the existence of valuable real options leads to an unambiguous increase in corporate cash holdings. Whether this addition to firm's cash holdings is capitalized into its equity price is an open and challenging question that deserves further study. Other promising areas for improving this line of research include: developing other measures of managerial flexibility; partitioning the volatility‐flexibility into high, intermediate, and low categories (like the Kaplan and Zingales index); and expanding the analysis to cover a longer time period. The author believes that the results are robust and will be confirmed with these and other extensions.Originality/valueThis is the first paper that considers the effect of a firm's real options on its demand for liquid assets and cash.
Does local news matter to investors?
Authors: Deshpande Shreesh , Svetina Marko 
Published: October 2011

PurposeRecent research on local bias provides evidence that investors' portfolios include a non‐negligible allocation to stocks in firms that are geographically proximate to the investors. The reasons postulated for local bias include familiarity with firms, “word‐of‐mouth” communication effects, and ability to exploit local news. The purpose of this paper is to investigate the value‐relevance of local news, specifically earnings announcement surprises, in the context of the well‐documented local bias in investors' portfolios.Design/methodology/approachUsing a hand‐collected panel dataset spanning 15 years of quarterly earnings announcements of publicly traded firms, abnormal stock returns engendered by earnings surprises based on local newspaper announcements are compared to those from earnings surprises based on financial analysts' forecasts (I/B/E/S).FindingsIn contrast to the case, when both sources of earnings surprises are negative, the authors find a statistically significant differential stock price effect in a sample where local firms' earnings announcements in the local newspaper signal positive earnings surprises, but the earnings surprise based on financial analysts' forecasts is negative. This result remains after controlling for time‐ and firm‐fixed effects. In additional tests, the authors establish that the result is predicated on a local firm's earnings announcement being reported in the local newspaper.Originality/valueThe paper's findings suggest that the results of empirical research on the information content of earnings surprises based solely on analysts' forecasts should be interpreted with caution. It was found that the stock price impact of earnings surprises is also significantly influenced by local newspaper reports of the announced quarterly earnings of local firms.
Investor sentiment and the market reaction to dividend news: European evidence
Authors: Simões Vieira Elisabete 
Published: October 2011

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to examine the effect of investor sentiment (ISENT) on the market reaction to dividend change announcements.Design/methodology/approachThe author used the European Economic Sentiment Indicator data, from Directorate General for Economic and Financial Affairs, as a proxy for ISENT and focus on the market reaction to dividend change announcements, using panel data methodology.FindingsUsing data from three European markets, the results indicate that ISENT has some influence on the market reaction to dividend change announcements, for two of the three analysed markets. Globally, no evidence was found of ISENT influencing the market reaction to dividend change announcements for the Portuguese market. However, evidence was found that the positive share price reaction to dividend increases enlarges with sentiment, in the case of the UK markets, whereas the negative share price reaction to dividend decreases reduces with sentiment, in the French market.Research limitations/implicationsThe author had no access to dividend forecasts, so, the findings are based on naïve dividend changes and not unexpected change dividends.Originality/valueThis paper offers some insights on the effect of ISENT on the market reaction to firms' news, a strand of finance that is scarcely developed and contributes to the analysis of European markets that are in need of research. To the best of the author's knowledge, this is the first study to analyse the effect of ISENT on the market reaction to dividend news, in the context of European markets.
The management of e‐book collections and their implication on the economic management of the library
Authors: Lloret Romero Nuria 
Published: October 2011

PurposeThe addition of digital formats such as specialised magazines and e‐books to libraries has led to a dramatic change in management format with respect to those involved in the reading process: users, publishers, distributors, booksellers, and authors; and in turn, the way in which libraries are planned and managed. This article aims to focus on these issues.Design/methodology/approachThe paper analyses the implementation of e‐books and the relevant literature on the implementation of electronic books, not only in the library field but in other sectors. The article uses various sources to offer conclusions on the interest not only economic but also to improve the quality of service offered by its implementation in libraries or centers of documentation.FindingsNot only is there space‐saving in libraries but also a new manner in which to consume information that libraries must adapt to as soon as possible given the increasing demands of users in this connection. All of the previous has given rise to changes in the economic management of libraries.Originality/valueThese changes must be assessed before making a decision regarding the purchase of e‐book collections and their subsequent organization and management, which indirectly change many of the tasks currently carried out by library staff members, thereby optimizing times and processes for the benefit of increased visibility of the electronic collection.
Let them see change
Authors: Lund James R. 
Published: October 2011

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to encourage annual dramatic visual change.Design/methodology/approachThe author incorporates principles of retail merchandising and his experience in retail grocery to make the argument for annual dramatic visual change.FindingsA recent reset of the children's collection led to increased circulation, improved staff contact with patrons, and a project narrative to share with elected officials.Originality/valueThe paper offers anecdotal evidence from a unique experience as a grocery retail clerk that annual dramatic visual change boosts the library's status in the community.
Greener library printing and copying
Authors: Kruse Ted 
Published: October 2011

PurposeLibraries have a variety of computer printers, faxes, network printers and photocopiers. All these machines have an environmental impact using paper, ink and electricity. This paper aims to discuss strategies for lessening the impact of these devices.Design/methodology/approachThe paper provides a “how‐to” approach for librarians to achieve greener printing and copying.FindingsModification in library procedures can result in greener printing and copying.Originality/valueThe paper reviews the research on greener printing and provides practical suggestions for achieving greener printing and copying.
As frames collide: making sense of carbon accounting
Authors: Ascui Francisco , Lovell Heather 
Published: October 2011

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to make sense of the tensions and contradictions between different conceptions of the meaning of carbon accounting.Design/methodology/approachThe paper draws on theories of framing to help explain the divergent understandings and practices currently encompassed by the term “carbon accounting”. The empirical core of the paper is based on a review of the literature and illustrated through examples of some of the contemporary problems in carbon accounting.FindingsTensions and contradictions in carbon accounting can be understood as the result of “collisions” between at least five overlapping frames of reference, namely physical, political, market‐enabling, financial and social/environmental modes of carbon accounting.Practical implicationsUnresolved tensions in carbon accounting can undermine confidence in climate science, policies, markets and reporting, thereby ultimately discouraging action to mitigate climate change. Understanding this problem can contribute to finding practical solutions.Originality/valueThe paper makes three distinct contributions to the emerging theoretical literature on carbon accounting. First, it provides a unique “unpacked” definition of carbon accounting that attempts to represent the contemporary range of meanings encompassed by the term. Second, it demonstrates how social science ideas about framing can help explain why definitions and understandings of carbon accounting vary. Third, by making the interactions between different forms of carbon accounting explicit through the metaphor of colliding frames of reference, the origins of some of the contemporary intractable issues in carbon accounting can be better understood.
Carbon accounting
Authors: Bowen Frances , Wittneben Bettina 
Published: October 2011

PurposeA fully functioning carbon accounting system must be based on measurement that is materially accurate, consistent over space and time, and incorporates data uncertainty. However, achieving these goals is difficult because current carbon accounting efforts are spread across three distinct organisational fields, each prioritising different goals. This paper aims to address these issues.Design/methodology/approachThe authors identified three fields drawn together by the science of how carbon emissions can be measured, the social practices of carbon accounting, and accountability within the global carbon governance system. The authors hosted a workshop, and invited representatives participating in each of the organisational fields to highlight the contentious conversations within their field. The authors facilitated an across‐field exploration of whether and how to achieve accuracy, consistency and certainty in carbon accounting.FindingsIt was found that there are tensions between accuracy, consistency and certainty in carbon accounting both within and across organisational fields. Framing the evolution of carbon accounting as negotiation between these goals across fields yields powerful implications for addressing current challenges in carbon accounting.Practical implicationsThe authors provide guidance to policymakers on how to recognise legitimate uncertainty in carbon management science, manage the cost‐benefits of policy and reporting mechanisms, and ensure actual greenhouse gas emissions reductions.Originality/valueThis paper exploits the unusual approach of integrating carbon accounting across levels of analysis, from the molecular level through processes, organisations, industries and nations. This approach should help scientific, corporate and policy decision‐makers move towards a more fully functioning carbon accounting system.
A visit to the “Great Ghaytez's palace”
Authors: Rippin Ann 
Published: October 2011

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to explore corporate buildings as discursive entities. They are machines designed to tell the corporate story; they embody the aspirations of a culture. This is particularly the case with headquarters buildings, which are rhetorical artefacts proclaiming a narrative of identity, designed to legitimise past, present and future decisions and strategies. Buildings such as the Vatican, Windsor Castle, the Houses of Parliament and the old Prudential Insurance Building proclaim that the organisation is old and venerable, trustworthy, a model of probity, stable, and here to stay.Design/methodology/approachThe approach employed in this paper uses literature as a way of representing organisations. This paper works with an archaic genre to present a traveller's tale. This has been used to attempt to open up a third space between literary techniques used to analyse organisations and literature as a management education strategy. By opening up this possibility of a third position, it is hoped that readers will be encouraged to make their own interpretations.FindingsThe paper posits that organisations attempt to affirm their “brand” consciously, or unconsciously, through their public buildings. They tell their “stories” materially. However, despite their best efforts at image control, counter‐narratives leach out from these structures as their use of space is experienced by human subjects.Originality/valueThe paper attempts to open up a third space for readers to co‐create meaning with the author and for themselves. There is a clear political purpose here: to expose the oppressive practices of organisations which legitimate their existence in part at least through their corporate buildings, but the paper also signals the aesthetic delight, the pleasure that we can take in allowing ourselves to be enchanted by these buildings.
Senses of “shipscapes”: an artful navigation of ship architecture and aesthetics
Authors: Griffiths John , Mack Kathy 
Published: October 2011

PurposeIn the context of organizational aesthetics, “built environments” remain under‐explored. The purpose of this paper is to enter the maritime world of ship architectures to navigate sensory‐aesthetic knowledge of a sailor's place‐based memories.Design/methodology/approachChallenges have been issued to explore the potential for artistic‐sensual methodologies to both study and represent organizational aesthetics. The authors accept these challenges in the context of “shipscapes”.FindingsA sailor's “artworks” become artefacts through which are evoked rich, multi‐sensory descriptions of deep‐sea tug vessels. The sailor's sensible knowledge is related to seafaring practice, the aesthetic taste for ships and the aesthetic bond with them. Sensory‐aesthetic architectural memories are further connected to functional and symbolic aspects of ships as built environments.Research limitations/implicationsCertain place/space shipboard knowledge remains constrained by the boundaries of an “arts‐based” sensory‐aesthetic method.Originality/valueThe multi‐sensed, remembered and co‐constructed nature of “shipscapes”, as celebrated through a seafarer's already created art, keeps aesthetic knowledge close to the source of both embodied experience and aesthetic meaning.
Objects in exile: the intimate structures of resistance and consolation
Authors: Yuk‐kwan Ng Ricky , Höpfl Heather 
Published: October 2011

PurposeThis paper looks at small spaces. In particular, it aims to focus on small gestures of resistance and the objects which accompany them. It takes its inspiration from Goffman's “secondary adjustments”, in other words, from reactions to organizational socialization, but draws most of its theoretical support from the literature of exile and architectural concepts of structure.Design/methodology/approachThe paper is located in the interpretative paradigm and draws on Goffman's observations, photographic approaches, and artistic and literary works on exile. It does not work with psycho‐analytic approaches to object‐relations and has merely an affinity with science and technology studies.FindingsThe primary findings concern the relationship between work and its other. At a time when work has extended to define all areas of life, the paper considers the relationship between exile and homeland, between memories andaides memoires. The paper examines the intimate relationship between the prevailing conditions of exile and the miniscule gestures which might help to give consolation, offer compensation and serve as resistance to the relentless demands of work.Practical implicationsThe paper outlines some of the conceptual concerns. An empirically based study will follow. Its practical relevance lies in its questioning the blurring of boundaries between home and work and raises issues about the importance of personal belongings in the workspace.Originality/valueThe paper's originality lies in the emphasis it gives to the small spaces of resistance which it characterises.
A healthcare case study of team learner style and change management
Authors: Lee Velma , Ridzi Frank , Lo Amber W. , Coskun Erman 
Published: October 2011

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to explore the learner styles of a healthcare institution transition team and its respective members within a change management context. In particular we focus on the role of learner style in the success of change efforts within a team setting.Design/methodology/approachThis paper presents a case study that employs a questionnaire survey, non‐participant observation, and semi‐structured interviews as part of a larger study of healthcare change management.FindingsFindings suggest that a mix of learning styles is ideal for successful healthcare change management. Specifically, this limited study suggests a learner ratio that favors convergers and assimilators over divergers and accommodators may be the most effective staffing strategy for change leadership teams in a healthcare environment.Originality/valueManaging change in healthcare has been researched from a process perspective but few studies examine the individual team members' learner styles and the impact of these learning styles over time. Implications for human resources and change implementation are discussed.