bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
The puzzles and paradoxes of human need: an introduction
Authors: Armour Leslie 
Published: February 2011

PurposeIt is difficult to get an adequate account of human needs but there are known needs which, for hundreds of millions of people, are not met. Can the present economic system meet them? Can any economic system meet them? Is simple economic growth the answer? The purpose of this paper is to explore some of the questions, emphasizing the problems and paradoxes.Design/methodology/approachThe paper looks at India where poverty is rampant despite recent gains, and at Bhutan which ranks low in economic production but quite high on the “happiness scales”. It also looks at questions of the relation of economic inequality to social problems, citing recent studies.FindingsThe paper focuses on how well the world's economic systems address, or fail to address, human needs.Originality/valueThis paper is written by a philosopher and writer on social economics (and Editor of International Journal of Social Economics (IJSE )) who works in a variety of fields: metaphysics and its epistemological relations, the theory of the history of philosophy (focusing on the seventeenth and nineteenth centuries), and moral, social, and economic philosophy and their relations to culture and religion. The paper then introduces the papers in this special issue of the IJSE devoted to human needs.
A “human ecology economics” framework for Eastern Europe
Authors: Allen Roy , Bedford Norman , Margitay‐Becht András 
Published: February 2011

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to present a “human ecology economics (HEE)” framework for understanding economic growth and development challenges in Eastern Europe.Design/methodology/approachThe HEE approach relies on evolutionary and complex systems processes; it expands the field of ecological economics by incorporating interdisciplinary material from the humanities; and it allows a long‐run perspective with a focus on sustainability of human systems. Using this framework and primary research from Hungary, Estonia, and Azerbaijan, challenges to Eastern European development are identified.FindingsThe main limit to Eastern European sustainable development is not “production capital”, i.e. the availability of natural resources, fixed human‐made capital, and intermediate consumption, but instead shortages of “transaction capital”, i.e. “social capital, informational capital, and financial capital.”Research limitations/implicationsRigorous analytical models of, and precise predictions of, change in the human ecology are at present not possible using evolutionary and complex systems approaches; however, Eastern Europe can be fruitfully studied through the HEE approach, and certain simulation methods and lessons from recent history are suggested.Practical implicationsGreater support for various kinds of transaction capital is recommended, including for social and communication networks, for information exchange between small and medium size businesses, for innovation and creative learning by doing, for financial intermediation, for better inter‐party cooperation at the national level, etc.Social implicationsThe need for greater social cooperation, including a reduction in discrimination exercised by dominant individuals or groups, arises as a more important pre‐condition for sustainable economic growth than is commonly believed.Originality/valueScholars, policymakers, and practitioners might appreciate the more comprehensive interdisciplinary framework for understanding economic growth and development challenges in Eastern Europe, especially the role played by intangible belief systems, social agreements, and levels of cooperation.
Measurement of the social loss of wrong public budget allocation
Authors: Ben‐David Nissim , Tavor Tchai 
Published: February 2011

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to measure the social loss occurring due to the inability of the government to use the real public demand function.Design/methodology/approachThe authors developed a model that enables maximization of the public utility of a given public budget by maximizing total consumer surplus, and presented a method for calculating the social loss due to the inability to use the real public demand function.FindingsThe social loss occurring due to the inability of the government to use the real public demand curve was shown.Research limitations/implicationsIn reality, it is impossible to get the proper evaluation of social utility function. Instead, the authors assumed a given public demand for each public good.Practical implicationsThe paper presents a way to measure overtime social loss as a function of the sum of overtime government expenses, the coefficient of variation of the public good supply and the elasticity of demand of the average demand curve.Social implicationsImproving the allocation of public budget.Originality/valueGiven the demand curve for each public good, this paper presents a technique for the optimal allocation of a given budget in order to maximize aggregate consumer surplus.
The hierarchy of human needs and their social valuation
Authors: Gomes Orlando 
Published: February 2011

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to discuss the valuation of human needs within a given hierarchy. An important distinction is made between private utility and social relevance of needs.Design/methodology/approachThe authors consider a generic hierarchy of needs in a world of similar agents. For the assumed pyramid, agents have to predict the current social value of a need that they will try to fulfill only at some future date. Several possibilities are explored about the way agents predict the social value of future needs.FindingsIt is found that if agents are unable to form an accurate forecast on the social value of a future need, distortions will eventually occur. Complex dynamics may emerge when agents try to learn future social values and use inaccurate learning algorithms.Research limitations/implicationsThe paper discusses how individuals measure the value of a need that is fulfilled in some future date. Results are dependent on the assumed learning algorithm. Different learning algorithms may lead to other kinds of long‐term implications.Practical implicationsThe paper allows for a better understanding of how human needs can be valued.Social implicationsIt is highlighted that aggregate behavior on the evaluation of needs may be different from the behavior of an average agent.Originality/valueIn this paper, the notion of hierarchy of needs is combined with an assessment of how agents form expectations about future events. This furnishes a new paradigm of analysis that can be explored in related future work.
The missing C that threatens to flood us all
Authors: Potts Nick 
Published: February 2011

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to contrast conventional economists' belief that human needs are optimally satisfied by the market, with Marx's view that capitalism has a narrow focus on money making, where satisfying human needs is at most a by‐product of the system's restricted purpose.Design/methodology/approachThe paper explores conventional economics, then Marx's economics, focusing on the issue of saving the environment, as the most basic human need is having a viable environment.FindingsEconomists' focus on use‐value and optimality is explored. Marx's alternative explanation of capitalism is then introduced. The author explains why Marx thinks capitalism has a tendency to boom and slump and to produce rising levels of inequality and considers how, under capitalism, the environment could be saved, and concludes that both human needs and the environment are best secured in a more advanced social system than capitalism.Research limitations/implicationsTo properly understand capitalism, one must look to Marx's unsurpassed analysis of capitalism, rather than conventional economists' attempts to justify, but not actually explain, capitalism.Practical implicationsSaving the environment is likely to be far more difficult and disruptive to the economy than conventional economists imagine.Social implicationsFor society to actually focus on satisfying human needs, including, crucially, saving the environment, there needs to be a move to a more advanced social system than capitalism.Originality/valueThe paper challenges orthodox views by applying Marx's deeper understanding of the economy to the question of human needs/the environment.
An economic classification of “health need”
Authors: Williams Ruth F.G. , Doessel D.P. 
Published: February 2011

PurposeMultiple connotations and conceptions of health need are currently in use. The purpose of this paper is to specify some important distinctions regarding this confusing multiplicity in a taxonomic fashion relevant to the economic problems that arise in addressing health need. Classification is possible with the relevant concepts in conventional economic theory. The classification applies wherever economic considerations bear upon health need.Design/methodology/approachInitially, some seminal economic ideas about need are presented from Marshall, Pauly, Banfield, Jevons, Deaton and Meullbauer, and Georgescu‐Roegen. Recent discussions of basic needs by Sen and Nussbaum concerning “capabilities” and human flourishing are also considered. Ruger's subsequent developments of these concepts specifically for health are noted. The paper then specifies and classifies the current economic connotations of “health need” by applying positive economic analysis and the framework of economic theory. In particular, the conventional theories of consumer demand and production supply are useful. Geometric tools of analysis along with illustrations from the health sector specify various distinctions and classifications.FindingsThe uses of the generic term “need” relate to quite different economic problems. The findings show how diverse interpretations of need can be specified.Originality/valueDistinctions over health need are important since, in many Western countries, need is one of the “pillars” of the Welfare State. Effective policy requires sound conceptions and measurements of need. Given the relevance of economics for approaching competing resource uses in the face of health need, measurement of need is improved with taxonomy, and confusion reduced.
Eleven years of scholarly research in the Journal of Services Marketing: Editor's response
Authors: Martin Charles L. 
Published: February 2011

PurposeTo reinforce, clarify, illuminate and sometimes counter the findings and discussion of Deon Nel et al.'s article found elsewhere in this issue (“Eleven years of scholarly research in the Journal of Services Marketing”), the Journal's Editor aims to provide his response in this paper.Design/methodology/approachPrimarily, the Editor/author's comments follow the findings and discussion of the Nel et al.'s content analysis of 417 articles published in the Journal of Services Marketing (JSM) from 1998 through 2008. Realizing that some information about JSM is not publicly available (e.g. the number and content of manuscripts submitted for publication but not published), the Editor/author provides additional analysis and discussion beyond the immediate scope of the Nel et al. article.FindingsThe findings largely reinforce the findings and discussion of the Nel et al. study, but offer some additional insights and alternative explanations for the patterns of publication in JSM.Practical implicationsAlong with the Nel team's article, this editorial assists prospective JSM contributors with data and discussion to enhance their likelihood of publication in the Journal. For business practitioners, the articles potentially provide guidance in the search for service‐related information of particular interest.Originality/valuePeriodically assessing where a journal has been and where it is provides some indication of the possible future direction of the publication and of the field it represents. Coupled with the Nel et al. article, this editorial attempts such an assessment.
Customer satisfaction and business performance: a firm‐level analysis
Authors: Williams Paul , Naumann Earl 
Published: February 2011

PurposeThis study aims to examine the relationships between customer satisfaction and a variety of company performance metrics at the firm‐level of analysis.Design /methodology/approachThe primary research method used in the study was a longitudinal analysis of series of quarterly surveys of customer attitudes, in relation to various company performance metrics of one large Fortune 100 company. The data were collected over a five‐year period and were analyzed with several statistical tests of association.FindingsIt was found that there are significant, and moderate‐to‐strong associations between satisfaction levels and a firm's financial and market performance. More specifically, there are strong links between customer satisfaction, and retention, revenue, earnings per share, stock price, and Tobin's q.Research implications/limitationsThe main implication of this study is that the longitudinal findings demonstrate a strong consistent link between customer attitudes and financial performance at the firm level. The study is clearly limited to one firm, from one industry sector, but offers future researchers a wealth of replication opportunities.Originality/valueNumerous experts have noted that marketing needs to document the financial impact of marketing activities. Unlike most studies in this area, this study investigated these associations at the firm level, rather than at the aggregate or industry level where some relationships are potentially masked. The study also investigated the links between satisfaction and financial performance in the business‐to‐business services sector, rather than in business‐to‐customer services. Finally, the firm provided access to large samples of real customer attitude data over a five‐year period, rather than from a cross‐sectional study.
B2B services branding in the logistics services industry
Authors: Marquardt Adam J. , Golicic Susan L. , Davis Donna F. 
Published: February 2011

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to conduct an exploratory study of the branding of business‐to‐business (B2B) services, specifically examining the commodity‐like logistics services industry.Design/methodology/approachThe paper is of a multiple‐methods research design.FindingsManagers should first strive to develop compelling and differentiated value propositions associated with their B2B service brands. They should then invest in communicating their brands' value to internal and external audiences. Finally, they should commit resources to ensure consistent and favorable customer experiences with the brand. These three steps influence the strength of the brand, which comprises brand awareness and brand meaning.Practical implicationsB2B service firms in commodity‐like industries such as the logistics service industry cannot rely on differences in product attributes to develop brand meaning. Rather, they should focus on developing distinctive customer experiences with the brand by encouraging meaningful employee‐customer interactions. Such differentiated value propositions based on superior customer experiences build brand awareness and enhance the brand's meaning with current and prospective customers, thereby increasing brand equity.Originality/valueKnowledge of branding practices in B2B service contexts is limited. This research addresses this knowledge gap.
Entering and developing a service network
Authors: Leek Sheena , Canning Louise 
Published: February 2011

PurposeThis paper seeks to investigate the role of social capital in facilitating the entry of new business ventures into service networks.Design/methodology/approachThe empirical work is undertaken via case study‐based research, featuring three service businesses, each entering and operating in a different marketplace.FindingsResults show that new service businesses are not necessarily able to draw on existing social capital in order to enter a business network and build relationships with potential customers and suppliers.Research limitations/implicationsFuture empirical work should re‐examine the distinctions between the role and nature of social capital for new service businesses.Practical implicationsThe paper suggests how the new service entrepreneur might invest personal resources in networking to initiate relationships and build a network of customers and suppliers.Originality/valueThe paper presents the little researched area of networking and relationship initiation as a means of developing social capital for new service businesses.
Cognitive representations of institutional change
Authors: Cătălina Iederan Oana , Lucian Curşeu Petru , Vermeulen Patrick A.M. , Geurts Jac L.A. 
Published: February 2011

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to examine the cognitive factors explaining how exogenous institutional change (IC) impacts on organizational actions.Design/methodology/approachThe authors interviewed 121 Romanian entrepreneurs, 69 before and 52 after Romania's ascension to the EU and used cognitive mapping to elicit their cognitive schemas about this macro‐IC. Similarities and differences between cognitive structures are explored and the aggregated cognitive maps before and after the IC are created, in order to understand how managerial cognition changed following IC.FindingsThe results show that the richness of the cognitive schemas before the IC is lower than after the IC took place. Furthermore, the entrepreneurs who framed the IC as a threat adopted isomorphic actions and reported less positive organizational outcomes as compared to the entrepreneurs that represented the IC as an opportunity.Research limitations/implicationsThe research described is exploratory in nature and opens new interesting research directions in the cognitive pillar of institutional theory. Moreover, a cognitive mapping technique is used to elicit and represent managerial cognition and in this way adds to the methods used in institutional research.Practical implicationsThe results presented in this paper help policy makers to understand that the impact of exogenous IC on organizational actions is not direct, but mediated by the cognitive representations developed by strategic decision makers.Originality/valueThe paper integrates institutional theory with the work on cognition and explores how cognitive representations affect the relation between environmental pressures and organizational responses.
Exploring archetypal change: the importance of leadership and its substitutes
Authors: Starke Frederick A. , Sharma Gita , Mauws Michael K. , Dyck Bruno , Dass Parshotam 
Published: February 2011

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to examine the process of transformational organizational change that occurred over time in a small manufacturing firm using the conceptual framework of organizational change and archetypes.Design/methodology/approachThis longitudinal study – which is based on six cycles of interviews with all members of the firm over a two‐year period – examined how the change attempt was perceived by the strategic leadership, middle‐level managers, and lower‐level employees.FindingsThe findings suggest that the pace of archetypal change is influenced by organization members' experience with, and capacity to, assimilate the change; that, sequentially, new structures and systems are implemented prior to new interpretive schemes; and that unresolved excursions are non‐linear. These findings question the conventional wisdom about the importance of leadership in sustaining organizational transformation. Most notably, it was found that most of the archetypal change occurred after the initiating change agent (a new CEO) had left the firm and been replaced by the previous CEO who did not support the proposed changes.Originality/valueThe paper offers the first longitudinal study to examine the issue of substitutes for strategic leadership. In addition to two new substitutes that should be considered at this level of analysis – information systems and interpretive schemes – the data also point to the impact of collective action by mid‐level supervisors and employees.
Studying institutional work in organizations
Authors: Bjerregaard Toke 
Published: February 2011

PurposeIn order to provide new and other directions to institutional studies in organization theory, Lawrence and Suddaby forward the notion of institutional work of actors aimed at maintaining, changing and disrupting institutions. The purpose of this paper is to further theory and method in studying the institutional work of people in organizations.Design/methodology/approachMethodological insights from the ways in which theories of human agency in institutional contexts have co‐evolved with field study methodologies are analyzed in related fields of research, particularly in sociology and anthropology.FindingsThe ways have been analyzed in which social theories of human agency in institutional contexts and field methodology have co‐evolved in an inter‐disciplinary perspective. The analysis shows how field methodologies may provide inspirations to theory and method in studying institutional work.Research limitations/implicationsThe findings suggest that institutional organization research may prosper by grounding the study of institutional work on ethnographic methodologies.Originality/valueThis paper contributes methodological inspirations to studying organizational actors' work with accomplishing change and stability, which constitutes a comparatively underexplored line of inquiry in organizational institutionalism.
Different experiences of socio‐cultural integration: a European merger in Mexico
Authors: Łupina‐Wegener Anna A. , Schneider Susan C. , van Dick Rolf 
Published: February 2011

PurposeBuilding on social identity theory, the purpose of this paper is to present a study on the socio‐cultural integration process in a merger of two European pharmaceutical subsidiaries in Mexico. The paper investigates antecedents of perceived threat to pre‐merger identities in an officially claimed “merger‐of‐equals”.Design/methodology/approachA mixed‐methods approach was adopted comprising semi‐structured interviews (with 37 interview partners) and standardized employee surveys with 890 respondents.FindingsFindings indicate that identity of the new organization was largely shared among members of the different subgroups. Though the employees considered their pre‐merger identities to be at stake (as demonstrated through the interviews), this experienced threat was not very strongly expressed in the survey. In fact, the sub‐groups were able to maintain distinctiveness, acknowledge the value added of each group, and had access to resources.Research limitations/implicationsThe main study limitation concerns the fact that this research was conducted using a cross‐sectional design. It would be interesting in future research to observe the processes as they unfold over time.Practical implicationsThe paper's findings may help managers and change agents to understand that within merger partners, subgroups exist and different concerns in terms of their identity may emerge.Originality/valueThe results shed light on how shared identity in the new organization can successfully develop despite different perceptions of the integration process of members from the acquired and the acquiring groups. In contrast to past research findings on M&As, positive results were achieved despite contradictory perceptions of integration process of members of the acquired and the acquiring groups.