bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
The use of the internet by political parties and candidates in Scotland during the 2010 UK general election campaign
Authors: Baxter Graeme , Marcella Rita , Varfis Evaggelos 
Published: September 2011

PurposeThis paper seeks to report the results of a study, which investigated the use of the internet by political parties and individual candidates in Scotland as part of their campaign for election to the UK Parliament in 2010.Design/methodology/approachThree methodologies were used in gathering data: the content of the web sites of 18 parties and 12 candidates was analysed in order to identify the ways in which participation by the Scottish electorate was encouraged via the provision of information and of opportunities for interaction, debate and feedback; the extent to which parties and candidates adopted and used social media, such as Facebook and Twitter, during the campaign was investigated and measured; and using e‐mail, Facebook and Twitter, a series of enquiries based around topical campaign and policy issues was directed at parties and candidates to measure the speed and extent of response, as well as any efforts made towards the creation of an ongoing relationship with potential voters.FindingsParty and candidate web sites were being used extensively for information provision, income generation and the recruitment of members and volunteers. However, Scottish political actors were reluctant to encourage online contact and debate, and were unwilling to answer contentious policy questions online. Social media applications were adopted by a significant number of parties and candidates, but were used primarily for the one‐way flow of information to known associates and party activists.Originality/valueThis study forms part of an ongoing series of investigations by the authors, which has examined the use of the internet by political parties and candidates during parliamentary election campaigns in Scotland. These are the only such studies which have looked specifically at the Scottish political arena.
Integrating library instruction into a problem‐based learning curriculum
Authors: Chen Kuan‐nien , Lin Pei‐chun , Chang Sung‐Shan 
Published: September 2011

PurposeThis paper seeks to probe key issues concerning library instruction and the problem‐based learning (PBL) curriculum. This is important because the curriculum has particular non‐traditional characteristics, and library instruction may be able to play a greater role, giving students more support in both their study and information‐seeking behaviour.Design/methodology/approachThe paper systemically surveyed and reviewed literatures related to library instruction, library user education and medical curriculum design.FindingsTo sustainably integrate library instructional materials and activities into the PBL curriculum, it is important to help medical libraries to become learning organizations that can respond to changing external environments.Research limitations/implicationsThe paper presents a hybrid template of the instruction for different year medical students. The template can be an example for those who plan library instructional activities in medical schools.Originality/valueThe paper also provides five strategies for the library to manage the previous task more smoothly and effectively. The strategies are: small group education; problems of the curriculum; librarians' re‐education and retraining; information literacy; and the faculty‐librarian partnerships.
The role of silence on employees' attitudes “the day after” a merger
Authors: Nikolaou Ioannis , Vakola Maria , Bourantas Dimitris 
Published: September 2011

PurposeThis paper aims to explore the role of organizational silence and trust on employees' attitudes in a post‐merger stage.Design/methodology/approachThe results of two independent studies are presented; participants completed measures of organizational trust, organizational silence and merger attitudes (organizational commitment and employee satisfaction) a few months following the announcement of the merger. Hierarchical regression analyzes were used to explore the hypotheses.FindingsThe results show that organizational trust is negatively related to organizational silence and positively to merger attitudes. Further, the significant role of organizational silence in a post‐merger state was also identified through the negative relationships with merger attitudes, but mainly through the significant mediating effect of silence between organizational trust and merger attitudes.Research limitations/implicationsThe study used self‐report measures, but necessary actions were taken in order to reduce the effect of common method variance. Therefore, it should be cross‐validated with different research designs (e.g. longitudinal research) in other countries.Practical implicationsThe findings provide further support on the significance of organizational silence in work settings, especially at major organizational turnarounds.Originality/valueThe most significant contribution of the study is that it explores for the first time the role of organizational silence in a post‐merger stage and its relationship to organizational trust.
Accounting choice, market failure, and regulation
Authors: Keenan Michael G. 
Published: September 2011

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to explain the adoption of consolidated accounting for New Zealand holding companies during the period 1946‐1957.Design/methodology/approachAn explanatory, multiple‐case, holistic case study is used to explain the relative increase in consolidated accounting adoption in New Zealand following passage of the Companies Act 1955, in spite of that accounting choice remaining voluntary under the legislation.FindingsThe explanation is subjected to replication tests for explanatory case studies, and is supported by the data from all 25 cases satisfying the criterion for inclusion in the study.Originality/valueThe explanation differs from the micro‐economic explanations of accounting choice in terms of firm characteristics which are generated within the positive accounting research paradigm. It utilizes findings from research in the economics of standardization which show that mechanisms for co‐ordinating the behaviour of market participants enable them to capture benefits of market externalities which would otherwise be unavailable because of market failure. The explanation is that: the low rate of pre‐legislation consolidated accounting adoption was due to a market failure around the accounting information which rendered unilateral adoption generally uneconomic; and the post‐legislation surge in adoption was due to passage of the Act resolving the market failure by overcoming a co‐ordination problem for potential adopters, enabling them to realise positive network effects and, therewith, net benefits of adoption.
Western management accounting practices in Vietnamese enterprises
Authors: Ngoc Phi Anh Doan , Nguyen Duc‐Tho , Mia Lokman 
Published: September 2011

PurposeThis study aims to examine the experiences of Vietnamese enterprises with respect to the adoption and benefits of Western management accounting practices (MAPs) during a period when the economy was in transition toward a more market‐oriented system.Design/methodology/approachQuestionnaire responses were obtained from the head or vice‐head of the accounting department in 181 enterprises, and follow‐up interviews conducted with 20 of the respondents. The responses were analysed with simple statistical tests and ANOVA.FindingsTwo of the key findings are in line with results reported previously for other countries: adoption rates for “traditional” Western MAPs are higher than for “contemporary” ones; and state‐owned enterprises tend to exhibit lower adoption rates than other enterprises. A third key finding represents new insight, but it may be applicable to only Vietnam (and possibly a limited number of other transition economies). This third finding arises from our identification of a group of Western MAPs which closely resemble the type of accounting and planning activities routinely undertaken under the former central planning (CP) system. These CP‐compatible MAPs are adopted far more widely (even at present) than are other MAPs. Overall, the findings are broadly consistent with the diffusion of innovation theory.Originality/valueThis study examines the Western MAP adoption experiences of a developing economy in transition, one which has received relatively little attention in the MA literature to date.
Supply chain vs supply chain competition: a niche‐based approach
Authors: Antai Imoh 
Published: September 2011

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to propose a conceptualization of supply chain vs supply chain competition using the ecological niche approach. It suggests a probabilistic methodology for evaluating competition from time series data, using overlap in the utilization of services provided by critical providers as a source of competition.Design/methodology/approachLiterature on ecological niche theory and competition is explored and given the uncertainty that surrounds the operation and management of supply chains, a probabilistic approach to the analysis of supply chain vs supply chain competition (via the Bayesian inference) is advocated. Simulated data are used to illustrate the methodology.FindingsShould an area of overlap be identified, ecological niche theory provides a sensible approach to identifying the nature and extent of competition between supply chains. Applicability of the methodology is not limited to supply chain vs supply chain competition.Research limitations/implicationsThe data used for the analysis of competition between supply chains are computer generated and use a single niche dimension. Although this was done to merely test/validate the proposed model, the approach is somewhat oversimplified. However, the model is readily extendable to multiple niche dimensions.Originality/valueThe proposed approach offers a simple and straight‐forward method of estimating competition in general, and supply chains vs supply chain competition in particular. Attempts at using the niche theory of competition in this context are so far inconspicuous. Hence, approaching competition in this way contributes to furthering our understanding of competitive interaction especially in supply chains, whose prospect is yet to be pointed out in literature.
Firm‐specific versus industry structure factors in explaining performance variation
Authors: Kamasak Rifat 
Published: September 2011

PurposeConsiderable research efforts have been made to investigate the relative importance of firm‐specific vs industry structure factors in relation to performance variation among firms in the past. However, the vast majority of the research comes from the USA and very little is known about results outside of this domain. The aim of this study was to investigate industry and firm factors producing performance differences among Turkish firms. In order to explore the contributions of firm‐level factors and structural characteristics of industries, the study decomposes the relative impact of industry and firm effects on overall performance which includes the performance items such as sales turnover, market share and profitability.Design/methodology/approachA quantitative, positivistic approach was adopted with respect to the methodological choice for this study. In order to measure the relative impact of industry and firm effects on performance, the questionnaire developed by Galbreath and Galvin was sent to the e‐mail addresses of the general managers or the other executives at the top level as a web‐link with a covering letter. Because unit of analysis is at the firm level, a single informant is used in the study and the questionnaire was mailed to only one executive from each firm. Having collected the data, the effects of firm‐level factors (resources and capabilities) and industry structure on performance variation were analyzed by hierarchical regression method.FindingsA total of 259 firms from different industries were analyzed and the findings revealed that firm‐level resources had a greater effect in explaining performance variation than industry structure in the Turkish business context. The results of this study confirm that in the resource‐based view of the firm, the firms in Turkey “demonstrated a quite developed form of organizational learning” just like the other emerging economies (i.e. Taiwan, Brazil, Poland and South Korea). Within this framework, Turkish firms especially in automotive, textile, food, tourism and construction industries became important players in the global arena.Originality/valueThis study contributes to the strategic management literature, particularly, in terms of providing comparable data from an emerging country, which is significant in verifying resource‐based theory and generalizing results in a global context. The findings also suggest that the firms need to focus on their unique resources rather than try to control and manipulate structural forces in their industries since “the economies today might best be viewed as resource‐based economies”. It should be noted that, in this business era, the key challenge for the managers is the optimal deployment of existing strategic resources in order to make their organizations achieve sustainable competitive advantage and superior firm performance.
Robust watermarking in wavelet domain based on chaotic scrambling
Authors: Wang Yanling 
Published: September 2011

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to present an imperceptible and robust watermarking algorithm with high embedding capacity for digital images based on discrete wavelet transform (DWT) domain.Design/methodology/approachFirst, the watermark image is scrambled using chaotic sequence and mapped to avoid the block effect after embedding watermark into the host image. Then, the scrambled watermark is inserted in LH2 and HL2 sub‐bands of the DWT of the host image to provide a good tradeoff between the transparency and the robustness of watermarks.FindingsThis paper presents experimental results and compares the results to other methods. It can be seen from the comparison that this method can obtain a better performance in many cases.Originality/valueOne of the main differences of this technique, compared to other wavelet watermarking techniques, is in the selection of the wavelet coefficients of the host image. When performing second level of the DWT, most methods in the current literature select the approximation sub‐band (LL2) to insert the watermark. The technique presented in this paper decomposes the image using DWT twice, and then obtains the significant coefficients (LH2 and HL2 sub‐bands) of the host image to insert the watermark.
Identifying variables that predict clients' propensity to end their checking accounts
Authors: Teixeira Reis Neto Mário , Carlos de Souza Jeislan , Queiroga Souki Gustavo 
Published: September 2011

PurposeThis study aims to investigate which variables can predict clients closing their checking accounts in a commercial bank and to validate the model used in this research.Design/methodology/approachThe theoretical basis of the study has contemplated satisfaction, loyalty, change mediators, switching costs and client retention. A total of 2,000 account holders plus 2,000 clients who closed their checking accounts were selected by simple probabilistic sample. The samples were probabilistic, without repetition, with an error margin of approximately 2.2 percent and trust interval of 95 percent with random drafting of the account holders' database from a large institution based in all Brazil. The variables were tested using the Binary Logistic Regression and the variables between the account holder and former account holder groups with indication of checking account closing request were compared.FindingsAccount holder's age, time of the account, investor/taker profile, internal relationship, long term assets contracts, risks in other banks, quantity of products, product canceling, average amount of entries and the existence of a joint client are the variables which better identify clients' propensity to end their relationship.Practical implicationsThe obtained results make it possible to identify the clients' propensity to abandonment and contribute to directing future marketing actions.Originality/valueThe model is relevant on the theoretical point of view because it can measure the importance of each independent variable and provides elements to compare all of them in the same base (meta‐analysis). It deals with 14 independent variables and had a good adjustment once was capable to classify correctly 89.8 percent of the account holders and 87.2 percent of the former account holders. The K‐S value was 79 percent with p<0.005 and value of ROC curve was 0.947. Models like this are unknown.
Too much of a good thing: curvilinear effects in the evaluation of services and the mediating role of trust
Authors: Vlachos Pavlos A. , Vrechopoulos Adam P. , Pramatari K. 
Published: September 2011

PurposeThe satisfaction‐trust paradigm has been recently criticized regarding its ability to deliver positive consumer behavioral outcomes. This study aims to argue that – amongst others – a reason for this unpleasant situation may be the failure of service managers to account for non‐linearities in the satisfaction‐trust paradigm.Design/methodology/approachThe setting for this study was the supermarket retail channel. A total of 942 respondents were “intercepted” in supermarket stores, employing a face‐to‐face personal interviewing method. For the detection of curvilinear effects the study employed the two‐step single indicant method of Ping.FindingsIt is posited that consumer trust is an important intervening variable through which non‐linear service evaluation effects translate into word‐of‐mouth. Findings imply that investing resources in satisfaction programs do not do a good job in building positive word‐of‐mouth from a point on. Economic value evaluations and trust judgments seem to be both necessary and sufficient conditions for building consumer relationships.Research limitations/implicationsTheoretically, the work extends the relationship marketing research stream suggesting that curvilinear mechanisms are likely present in the well accepted satisfaction‐trust paradigm. Limitations of the study relate to the generalization of the findings in other sectors besides grocery retailing and its cross‐sectional nature.Practical implicationsThe findings of this study suggest that relationship marketing managers would be ill‐advised in their investment decisions should they use a linear‐only terms trust model.Originality/valueThis article extends the trust literature in that it investigates whether consumer trust suffers from diminishing returns. Service providers who strive to build long‐term relationships with their customers may not do a good job if they continue to invest in trust determinants that present diminishing returns to scale.
Analysis on inter‐provincial disparities of China's rural education and convergence rate
Authors: Xie Tongwei 
Published: September 2011

PurposeThis article aims to analyze inter‐provincial disparities of rural education and the convergence rate, and to discuss the effects of compulsory education reform after 2001.Design/methodology/approachThe article estimates the rural average education years and education Gini coefficients of China's 31 provinces (municipalities) beside Hong Kong, Macao and Taiwan from 2001 to 2008, and applies the method of “economic convergence”.FindingsThe results show that after the reform of rural compulsory education, inter‐provincial rural education disparities and educational equality have been significantly improved and trend to convergence; nevertheless the convergence rate on inter‐provincial disparities of education equality declines. The defects of the education input system – “county as principle” – has been a factor that restricts the coordinated development of rural education.Practical limitationsThis paper suggests that it is necessary for China's provincial and central government to afford the expense of compulsory education. China's present investment system would also worsen inter‐provincial inequities of education.Social implicationsEducation equality is one of the basic social priorities. In China education equality has been improved; however it could be better if China's provincial and central government afforded the expenses of compulsory education.Originality/valueThis paper applies the method of “economic convergence” to analyze China's rural education disparities among its regions.
Microstructural evolution of the intermetallic compounds in the high density solder interconnects with reduced stand‐off heights
Authors: Wang Bo , Wu Fengshun , Wu Yiping , Mo Liping , Xia Weisheng 
Published: September 2011

PurposeThis paper aims to investigate the microstructural evolution rules of the intermetallic compound (IMC) layers in high‐density solder interconnects with reduced stand‐off heights (SOH).Design/methodology/approachCu/Sn/Cu solder joints with 100, 50, 20 and 10 μm SOH were prepared by the same reflow process and isothermally aged at 150°C. The IMC microstructural evolution was observed using scanning electron microscopy.FindingsThe whole IMC layer (Cu3Sn + Cu6Sn5) grew faster in the solder joints with lower SOH because of the thinner IMC layer before aging. Also, the IMC proportion increased more rapidly in solder joints with the lower SOH. In all solder joints with different SOH, the growth rates of the Cu3Sn (ϵ) layers were similar, and slowed down with increasing aging time. The Cu6Sn5(η) was consumed by the Cu3Sn (ϵ) growth at the beginning of the aging stage; while it turned to thickening after a period of aging. Finally, the Cu6Sn5thickness was similar in all the solder joints. It is inferred that the thickness ratio of Cu3Sn to Cu6Sn5would maintain a dynamic balance in the subsequent aging. Based on the diffusion flux ratio of Cu to Sn at the ϵ/η interface, a model has been established to explain the microstructural evolution of IMC layers in high‐density solder interconnects with reduced SOH. In the model, interfacial reactions are mainly supposed to occur at the ϵ/η interface.Originality/valueThe findings provide electronic packaging reliability engineers with an insight into IMC microstructural evolution in high‐density solder interconnects with reduced SOH.