bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Volatility transmission: what do Asia‐Pacific markets expect?
Authors: Shamiri Ahmed , Isa Zaidi 
Published: October 2010

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to investigate the international information transmission of return and volatility spillovers from US and Japan markets to Asia‐Pacific markets using daily stock market return data covering the period (1991‐2004).Design/methodology/approachThis paper considers a volatility spillover model by applying a bivariate Baba, Engle, Kraft and Kroner‐Generalized Autoregressive Conditional Heteroskedastic model, for each of the Asia‐Pacific countries against the Japan and the USA using daily returns for the period (1991‐2004). Splitting the sample into two non‐overlapping sub‐samples, the paper investigates whether the efforts for more economic, monetary and financial integration have fundamentally altered the sources and intensity of volatility spillovers to the individual stock market.FindingsIn the majority of the markets under scrutiny, we provide evidence of direct volatility spillovers, running mainly from the Japanese and US markets and pointing to more rapid information transmission during the recent years. First, the volatility of the Asia‐Pacific markets is becoming influenced more by the US market for the recent years. Second, for international investors to get profits from the returns of Asia‐Pacific securities, it is necessary to pay attention to the US market directly. Third, Korea, Singapore and Hong Kong are among the most Asia‐Pacific markets vulnerable to shocks from US investors due to the large ratio of portfolio holding. However, implementing global hedging strategies on Asia‐Pacific markets requires the information concerning the Japanese volatility behaviour.Originality/valueThis paper should be of interest to a broad practitioners and academics including those interested in modelling volatility for financial market risk management.
Financial liberalization, financial development and growth linkages in Sub‐Saharan African countries
Authors: Ahmed Abdullahi D. 
Published: October 2010

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to use the recent development in unit root tests and cointegration as applied to panel data and dynamic time series, to estimate the relationship between financial liberalization, financial development and growth.Design/methodology/approachThe paper assesses the dynamics of the relationship between financial development, financial liberalization and growth using the latest dynamic panel data framework and time series analyses comprising up to 15 Sub‐Saharan African countries with annual observations over the period of 1976‐2005. The research uses various measures of, or proxies for, financial intermediary development, including ratio of private sector credit and share of domestic credit to income.FindingsThe results obtained from a heterogenous panel investigation and time series methodology such as Granger causality, indicate a long‐run equilibrium relationship between financial development and economic growth. This is consistent with the view that financial development can act as an “engine of growth” and plays a crucial role in the process of economic development. However, there is little evidence to support the hypothesis that financial liberalization directly “leads” growth.Originality/valueGroup mean panel fully modified ordinary least squares (FMOLS) and country‐by‐country time series investigations show evidence of causality running from financial development to growth. The analysis yielded limited evidence of financial liberalization Granger‐causing economic growth. However, this is not to say that financial liberalization does not promote growth, as it could do so indirectly through fostering financial development.
Lead bank quality and adverse rating announcements
Authors: Hsu Wei‐Huei , Mamun Abdullah , Rose Lawrence C. 
Published: October 2010

PurposeThis paper seeks to examine whether the market values the monitoring activity undertaken by a quality bank in the presence of a credit rating agency. Specifically, the question is asked whether the quality of a lead lending bank influences a market reaction to adverse rating announcements concerning its borrowers.Design/methodology/approachThe event study methodology and various bank quality proxies (size, growth rate in assets, profitability, capital ratio, bank's credit rating, and ownership) are used to examine the market reaction when a borrower's bank loan rating is placed with negative implication or is downgraded.FindingsFirms which are certified and monitored by high‐quality banks are less susceptible to negative market reactions when adverse rating announcements are made.Originality/valueThe findings indicate high‐quality lending banks sustain investors' confidence in their borrowers in the face of deteriorating news. The paper argues that investors and borrowers value monitoring from a high‐quality bank, which is an implication of a bank having access to private information about its borrowers.
Obstacles to successful management of projects and decision and tips for coping with them
Authors: Shetach Ana 
Published: October 2010

PurposeThe purpose of the paper is to classify the full scope of hazards in the way to effective project‐ and decision‐management in teams, and to present team leaders with a practical set of guidelines for coping with those obstacles, towards successful achievements.Design/methodology/approachThe paper provides a classification of the full spectrum of possible factors responsible for mishaps, faults and failures which regularly tend to occur within managerial and organizational activities at all levels. It goes on to present a set of two tools that, jointly applied, can provide managers with the necessary control to lead more team processes and projects towards successful terminations: the “revised decision square model” and the “capi” model.FindingsThe paper provides evidence in the form of quotes from testimonies of managers who have adopted the proposed strategy for their every‐day use within their teams.Practical implicationsThe paper offers a practical step‐by‐step set of guidelines to lead managers towards a relatively high level of control in the management of effective and efficient team decision making and implementation processes, ensuring their route towards successful achievements.Originality/valueLimited attention has been given in the literature to the studying of practical and applicable managerial techniques to successful decision‐implementation in teams. This paper focuses on this neglected domain, proposing a solution, in the form of an integrative strategy.
Critical success factors for developmental team projects
Authors: Dexter Barbara 
Published: October 2010

PurposeThis paper aims to explore a leadership development intervention activity to solve an organisational problem and seeks to identify critical success factors for the design and delivery of such activities.Design/methodology/approachThis is a case study employing a mixed‐method approach within an action research methodology. The participants were a student group of 19, plus the teaching team and client‐training adviser. The project used questionnaires for identifying and ranking critical success factors and focus groups to explore transferability and other issues. These were supplemented by e‐mail and telephone communications.FindingsThe critical success factors involved people, task, process, and location and facilities dimensions. Most were deemed transferable, but with certain warnings about key factors.Research limitations/implicationsThis is a small‐scale study and issues of transferability of findings are acknowledged. Contextual details are presented to reduce the effect of the limitation.Practical implicationsThe findings are of high practical value for leadership development and for organisations seeking new ways of addressing organisational challenges using internal staff.Originality/valueThe paper has value in its practical and theoretical contribution. The identification of critical success factors for such intervention activities is new and the opportunity for application adds further value to the work.
Self‐managed teams in the auto components industry
Authors: Luis Alves Pais Celso 
Published: October 2010

PurposeThe overall purpose of this paper is to explain theoretically the autonomy phenomenon of teams working within the auto manufacturing context and its implications for the technical and social aspects of group work.Design/methodology/approachThree auto component companies were studied. The procedures of a qualitative methodology were followed, adopting naturalistic observation techniques of work teams, and unstructured and semi‐structured interviews conducted with operators, supervisors and middle managers. To analyse and interpret the qualitative data obtained, the grounded theory technique was used.FindingsIn this paper 33 concepts were obtained, which resulted from the constant comparative method applied to data. The relationships between those concepts allowed the construction of a theoretical model that is settled in the “bridge” concept. This “bridge” is a metaphor that translates the process which binds operational work group goals to the needs of external clients. This process is supported by social aspects – team decision making, participation, mutual helpfulness, and social and emotional relationships, and by technical aspects – operations and information. The bridge has four pillars that are critical to the effective functioning of self‐directed teams: team facilitation, hierarchical relationships established within the teams, quality of manufactured components, and productivity achieved.Research limitations/implicationsThe present investigation was carried out in a specific industry, which does not allow for the generalization of the model to other industries. Furthermore, it may be questioned whether the same results be obtained if the operators of the teams observed were interviewed, not individually, but in a group situation. Other kinds of research design and other industries organized on the basis of autonomous work groups must be studied, applying the grounded theory technique, in order to compare diverse theoretical models.Practical implicationsThe organization of the industrial automotive production based on self‐directed teams, which know the needs of external customers and to whom a high level of participation in operational decisions was given, can generate a substantial increase of working groups' efficiency and an increase in job satisfaction.Originality/valueThe study of teams in the automotive components industry – in a southern country of Europe – and the consequent elaboration of a specific theoretical model draws attention to the need for social research that takes into account the fact that realities are constructed by the actors who interact in a certain context. No theoretical model can ever encompass the reality of all contexts.
The demographic antecedents and performance consequences of the social‐network structure in work teams
Authors: Henttonen Kaisa , Janhonen Minna , Johanson Jan‐Erik , Puumalainen Kaisu 
Published: October 2010

PurposeBusinesses are increasingly using teams as their fundamental organisational unit. This paper aims to explore the impact of demographic antecedents and the social‐network structure, measured in terms of task‐related advice‐network density, centralisation and fragmentation, on work‐team performance. The paper seeks to examine: the impact of the social‐network structure (dense, fragmented or centralised) on work‐team performance and the origins of the social structure. It also tests whether team diversity (in terms of variety with regard to gender and separation with regard to age and education) has an impact on team performance.Design/methodology/approachA survey was conducted on 76 work teams (499 employees) representing 48 different organisations.FindingsWith regard to the first question, density was positively related to team performance. The impact of advice‐network fragmentation was also positive, and this is in line with the results of other studies focusing on teams conducting standard tasks. In addressing the second question the paper explored whether diversity as variety (age) and diversity as separation (age and education) had an effect on the work team's social‐network structure. Age and education had no effect, but gender diversity was related negatively to density and positively to fragmentation. It was also related negatively to team performance.Originality/valueThe contribution of this research is twofold in that it explores social‐structure effects on team performance and examines the possible antecedents of the team's social structure. The results of the investigation strengthen the rationale behind integrating the literature on social‐network analysis and teams.
Interactive and collaborative behaviour of software product‐development teams
Authors: Reghunath Pushpa Randhir , Mathew Mary 
Published: October 2010

PurposeThis paper aims to describe a study of interactive and collaborative behaviours of software product development teams across horizontal, geographical and value chain boundaries. The objective is to understand the influence of boundary on these behaviours.Design/methodology/approachThis paper is a questionnaire‐based study of 63 software product‐development teams.FindingsThe study shows, that interactive behaviour is used more by teams as compared to collaborative behaviour while developing software products. The interactive behaviour is not influenced by the boundary crossed, while collaborative behaviour is influenced by the boundaries crossed.Originality/valueThe study is relevant for practitioners and researchers. Collaboration is considered important for product development, but the study shows that it is not used extensively. Researchers can look into why low level of collaborative behaviour has been exhibited.
Attitudes towards factors influencing team performance
Authors: Savelsbergh Chantal M.J.H. , van der Heijden Beatrice I.J.M. , Poell Rob F. 
Published: October 2010

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to establish how teams view the relative importance of team learning behaviors in comparison with other predictors of team performance.Design/methodology/approachA survey was administered to 30 team members, 19 team leaders, and 21 supervisors of 22 teams from eight Dutch organizations, Respondents were asked to indicate which criteria they applied to evaluate team performance, and which factors they deemed the most important ones in distinguishing between high and poorly performing teams.FindingsThe most frequently applied criteria to measure team performance were satisfying quality requirements, reaching the target goals, and customer satisfaction. Respondents evaluated team leadership, goal clarity, and team learning behaviors as main factors influencing team performance. Attitudes of team members, team leaders, and supervisors differed in some respects.Research limitations/implicationsThe study uses a cross‐sectional approach and a relatively small sample size. Further research using larger samples should focus on determining differences in subjective and objective performance ratings across tasks and across team types. Multi‐wave designs can provide more specific information about the stability of the variables and their over‐time relationships.Practical implicationsThis paper can help to raise awareness of differences in attitudes towards team performance criteria among team members, team leaders, and supervisors; as well as increase their ability to determine the value of factors contributing to team performance enhancement.Originality/valueThe paper provides insights into the attitudes of team stakeholders towards team performance rating criteria and influencing factors. These can have substantial impact on intended and actual behaviors within the team.
Performance and standardization of Australian, Japanese and US firms
Authors: Kustin Richard Alan 
Published: October 2010

PurposeGlobalization has fostered greater interest in all aspects of standardization theory including the 4Ps of the marketing mix or program and process marketing. The purpose of this paper is to probe the question: “Is there a benefit to the firm's strategy of marketing standardization that correlates positively to the firm's profit?”.Design/methodology/approachMultinational firms from Australia, Japan and the USA operating in a global environment were studied in order to correlate marketing standardization to profit performance. Several methods of analysis were used including regression and analysis of variance measures.FindingsThe results indicate there is increasing support for a strategy of standardizing marketing mix components and contributing to a firm's profit performance.Originality/valueThe paper adds to the current literature by providing further empirical research correlating marketing mix standardization to profit.
Does service innovation process differ across cultures?
Authors: Alam Intekhab 
Published: October 2010

PurposeNew service development (NSD) is an important driver of growth, success and wealth of service firms in wide range of industries. Yet, few research studies have been done to investigate the issue of NSD across several geographical regions. The purpose of this paper is to report the results of a comparative cross‐national study of NSD process of financial service firms in Australia and India.Design/methodology/approachA survey methodology was used to assess and test the similarities and differences in various NSD activities and stages of service firms in the two seemingly different types of markets.FindingsThe data suggest that significant differences in NSD exist between the Australian and Indian firms. They emphasize different sets of development stages in developing new services and follow different sets strategies.Research limitations/implicationsThe analysis has been restricted to two countries: Australia and India. This suggests the need for further comparative studies of NSD in other cultures/countries.Practical implicationsThe findings of this research support the notion that some of the key NSD practices may be common to all countries and cultures whereas others must be adjusted for national variations.Originality/valueThe insights from this study can help service managers from both Australia and India to better understand and manage their NSD programs in a cross‐national context.
Buying committees in the Chinese retail industry
Authors: Sternquist Brenda , Wang Lu 
Published: October 2010

PurposeRetailers act as assemblers of merchandise, selecting goods from among a wide range of available products in order to enhance customer value and loyalty. The purpose of this paper is to investigate the Chinese retail buying system, focusing on the buying committee, which is defined as a group of individuals from different positions that have the authority to make final judgments and decisions regarding such matters as adding or eliminating new products.Design/methodology/approachThis study uses a survey administered to retail buyers.FindingsResults of independent t‐tests support the hypothesis that the influence of guanxi will be greater in the retail firms without a buying committee. State‐owned enterprises are more likely to use a buying committee than non‐state‐owned enterprises.Research limitations/implicationsAlthough the sample represents buyers from many regions in China it is not a random sample; this limits the generalizing of results.Practical implicationsSuppliers wishing to sell to Chinese retailers need to know how selling to a retailer using a buying committee will affect their access to buyers.Originality/valueThis is the only paper describing research that focuses on the internal structure of a buying committee within a Chinese retail store. Data of this nature are extremely difficult to obtain.
Chinese consumers' perception of hypermarket store image
Authors: Chang En‐Chi , Luan Bo 
Published: October 2010

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is first, to find out store image attributes valued by Chinese consumers in Beijing; second, to understand Chinese consumers' preference by comparing an international retailer with a domestic retailer; and third, to provide both international and domestic retailers with suggestions for store image improvement.Design/methodology/approachThis study used a three‐stage approach to collect the data. First, two waves of semi‐structured interviews were carried out, followed by a survey, concluding with another wave of interviews. The survey data were analyzed using SPSS.FindingsThe paper finds that there are 18 important attributes in building a hypermarket retailer's store image in China. Beijing consumers are more concerned with a retailer's reputation and services than with the price. In terms of store image dimensions, the paper concludes that store atmosphere is the most important, followed by service personnel and merchandise.Research limitations/implicationsThe research scope is limited to Beijing.Practical implicationsThe practical implications of the findings are that: store atmosphere is the most important store image dimension for Beijing consumers; Chinese consumers no longer look only for low prices; international hypermarket retailers hold better store image than domestic retailers; and corporate reputation is important for hypermarket retailers in China, followed by quality of goods and staff's service attitude.Originality/valueThis paper is the first to investigate Chinese consumers' perception of store image and top concerns when shopping at a hypermarket.
Malaysian consumers' credit card usage behavior
Authors: Ahmed Zafar U. , Ismail Ishak , Sadiq Sohail M. , Tabsh Ibrahim , Alias Hasbalaila 
Published: October 2010

PurposeDespite the spread in usage and ownership of credit cards, few studies have examined its effect on consumer debt in developing nations. The main purpose of this paper is to understand consumers' attitude and spending behavior using credit cards.Design/methodology/approachThis study is based on a questionnaire survey conducted in Malaysia. Based on an extensive review of literature, a model is developed to identify the psychographic factors that influence the consumer attitudes toward using credit cards.FindingsThe paper found support for some of the theoretical expectations and lends support to some of the earlier deviations reported in the literature.Practical implicationsThe findings are likely to be important to banks and financial institutions issuing credit cards, as they help managers to have a better understanding of cardholders in Malaysia and their attitude and behavior toward usage of credit cards.Originality/valueThis paper makes a valuable contribution given the fact that there is a dearth of empirical studies of this nature focusing on Malaysia.