bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
An exploration of two female principals' leadership in mainland China
Authors: Zhong Wanjuan , Catherine Ehrich Lisa 
Published: March 2010

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to explore two dimensions of leadership practices (i.e. teaching and learning and sources of power) used by two exemplary principals in mainland China against a background of education reform and to identify how broader contextual factors have shaped these two dimensions of their leadership.Design/methodology/approachAn exploratory case study was used that drew upon semi‐structured interviews, observations and document analysis. Interviews were conducted with two principals, six teachers from each of the two schools and a superintendent who was the supervisor of the two principals.FindingsThe findings reveal that there are some common elements in both of the leaders' practices but also some subtle differences. Both leaders emphasise teaching and learning. One sees herself as curriculum expert; the other delegate teaching responsibilities. While both uses a top down approach, one principal uses an adversarial approach and the other a more facilitative approach.Research limitations/implicationsThe study used a small sample size. It explored the leaders' practices in the light of broader contextual factors rather than personal factors or gender‐based factorsOriginality/valueGiven the limited empirical research conducted on female principals in mainland China, this qualitative study provides insights into two dimensions of leadership used by two exemplary principals and explains their practices in the light of critical contextual factors such as contemporary and traditional Chinese culture and the school's organisational context.
Retail format choice in the US consumer electronics market
Authors: Carpenter Jason M. , Balija Vikranth 
Published: March 2010

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to provide a general understanding of retail format choice among consumer electronics shoppers in the US market.Design/methodology/approachUS consumer electronics shoppers (n=252) were surveyed via telephone. Linear regression was used to evaluate the data.FindingsProfiles shopper groups who frequent specific retail formats (department stores, specialty stores, discounters, category killers, internet‐only retailers, and catalogs) based on demographic characteristics (gender, age, education, income) and desired retail attributes (price competitiveness, customer service, product selection, presence of new products, hours of operation, ease of access to the retailer, store atmosphere).Research limitations/implicationsAlthough general observations and predictions about the demographic variables and important retail attributes for shopper groups are possible, future studies could expand upon this exploratory work by initiating comparisons of specific retail formats and examining cross‐shopping behavior among consumer electronics shoppers.Practical implicationsThis paper provides consumer electronics retailers with specific knowledge of the attributes that consumers consider to be important when making format choices and identifies the demographic characteristics of shoppers who frequent each retail format.Originality/valueThis exploratory study uses demographics and retail attributes to profile consumer electronics shoppers of each major retail format in the USA. The paper is unique because the investigation of retail format choice among consumer electronics shoppers has been very limited.
Ethics and social responsibility in Australian grocery shopping
Authors: Williams Jasmine , Memery Juliet , Megicks Philip , Morrison Mark 
Published: March 2010

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to identify, and explore the importance of, ethical and socially responsible (ESR) factors in Australian consumers' choices of grocery products and stores.Design/methodology/approachFollowing an earlier study in the UK, an initial qualitative investigation, then a survey of grocery shoppers in New South Wales, was conducted. Factor analysis explored the structure of the choice factors for grocery products and stores in “main” and “top‐up” shopping situations. Finally, four multiple regression equations measured the effects of these factors.FindingsThis paper finds that, when “top‐up” shopping, ESR consumers are less discriminating than when “main” shopping. The provision of ethically farmed produce has most influence on store choice when “main” shopping, while retailers' fair trading and environmentally responsible policies have the greatest influence when “topping‐up”. The ethical provenance of goods is the most important factor in product choice.Research limitations/implicationsThe constructs developed need to be validated internationally.Practical implicationsThe two large Australian retail grocers may benefit by developing roles as “choice editors” on behalf of their ESR customers; whilst smaller retailers may gain advantage by concentrating on community‐based, environmentally friendly and fair trading policies. Manufacturers of grocery products may benefit by emphasizing their products' ESR provenance and their organisations' ethical policies.Originality/valueThis is the first study of its kind in Australia. It contributes to the development of an internationally relevant set of ESR shopping choice factors.
The sustainable agenda and energy efficiency
Authors: Halldórsson Árni , Kovács Gyöngyi 
Published: March 2010

PurposeThis double special issue called for logistics solutions and supply chains in times of climate change. The purpose of this editorial is to investigate the current and future implications of climate change, and in particular, energy efficiency for logistics and supply chain management (SCM).Design/methodology/approachAgainst the backdrop of climate change, a conceptual framework is constructed that reflects on the immediate and tangible effects of a sustainable agenda on logistics and SCM.FindingsEnergy efficiency has been largely neglected in logistics and SCM. At the same time, considering energy efficiency requires considerable rethinking on the operational level (from transportation emissions to the cold chain) as well as even the conceptual level. The energy agenda needs a further development of logistics theory and practice.Originality/valueThe editorial highlights the challenges of sustainability and energy in the context of logistics and SCM pertaining to their novelty, importance and interdependence. SCM needs to develop new performance measures that include measures of energy efficiency, in order to adapt to an environment where the old assumption of low fuel costs does not hold stand.
The impact of logistics uncertainty on sustainable transport operations
Authors: Sanchez‐Rodrigues Vasco , Potter Andrew , Naim Mohamed M. 
Published: March 2010

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to refine a logistics triad uncertainty model taking a supply chain perspective, to determine and assess the different causes and sources of supply chain uncertainty that impact on the sustainability of the UK road freight transport sector.Design/methodology/approachTo clarify the link between sustainability and transport uncertainty, a methodological triangulation strategy is applied combining the results of eight focus groups and an online structured questionnaire.FindingsThe findings indicate that the main drivers impacting the sustainability of transport operations are delays, variable demand/poor information, delivery constraints and insufficient supply chain integration. The consequence of these problems is to reduce the efficiency of transport operations.Research limitations/implicationsThe model has been refined based only on participants' perceptions. Therefore, the finding should also be verified through the investigation of real‐world situations. Moreover, the transport uncertainty model needs to be incorporated within a wider business process re‐engineering approach to evaluate solutions to reduce transport uncertainty within supply chains.Practical implicationsThe findings further strengthen the understanding of the main uncertainty sources within supply chains in the UK. The internal root causes of uncertainty can be mitigated while external issues have to be accommodated; therefore, mitigation techniques, methods and strategies for reducing external and internal supply chain uncertainty in transport operations need to be identified through the research.Originality/valueThis paper determines the industry perceived economic and environmental risks associated with transport operations in four UK sectors.
Sustainability and energy efficiency
Authors: van Hoek Remko , Johnson Mark 
Published: March 2010

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to attempt to answer the questions posed by the special issue editors using insights from leading academics in the field and case examples drawn from two renowned global companies. It also aims to define potential avenues for further research in the thematic areas covered.Design/methodology/approachThe paper uses a roundtable discussion with the Council for Supply Chain Management Professionals's Education Strategy Committee and case materials and presentations from Cisco Systems and Walmart to generate the insights.FindingsThe existing cost/lead‐time trade‐off model still applies yet changes in fuel prices and the importance of sustainability initiatives (also from a marketing point of view) lead to different equilibrium points.Research limitations/implicationsBased on insight from leading academics and case examples, the paper suggests that the trade‐offs are made more intricate and require the more accurate addition of new factors such as social costs as today most of the decision making tends to be traditional economic and not yet include social and environmental as much. Nuances need to be added to avoid marketing skewing the trade‐off away from sustainability over time if it turns out that sustainability is a marketing/public relations fad that might go away. And the length of time for sustainable initiatives to have an impact needs to be considered, if it turns out the marketing advantage does not have staying power as long as investment write off periods. These suggest potentially fruitful avenues for further research. The cases also offer practical guidance as to how leading companies green their supply chains.Originality/valueThis paper specifically addresses the call for papers questions of the special issue editors through the synthesis of insights from leading academics and companies.
Environmental impacts as buying criteria for third party logistical services
Authors: Wolf Christina , Seuring Stefan 
Published: March 2010

PurposeThe purpose of the paper is to analyse whether environmental issues form a supplier selection criteria of companies when sourcing third party logistics (3PL) services.Design/methodology/approachThe paper is based on a total of nine cases, where six buyers and three 3PL are analysed in depth so that data are collected for both parties involved in related dyadic relationships.FindingsWhile 3PL reports an increasing interest in environmental issues, buying decisions are still made on “traditional” performance objectives, such as price, quality and timely delivery. Environmental concerns have not been incorporated and at best form a kind of minimum requirement. Related cooperation, as asked for when taking a wider supply chain management perspective, could not be identified.Research limitations/implicationsThe paper has the limitation that only a total of nine companies are analysed. Yet, these companies can be seen as being good representatives of the overall industry. Further, detailed information is collected on all companies, it permitted the understanding of related corporate action. One implication would be conducting, e.g. a survey for collecting data on a larger number of cases.Practical implicationsBuyers of 3PL services and companies are challenged towards rethinking their strategies.Originality/valueSo far, there is very little research on how buyers and 3PL jointly manage environmental issues. The paper addresses environmental issues as a buying criteria and places this into the wider literature on logistics and sustainable supply chain management.
Quality in group service encounters
Authors: Finsterwalder Jörg , Tuzovic Sven 
Published: March 2010

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to explore the concept of service quality for settings where several customers are involved in the joint creation and consumption of a service. The approach is to provide first insights into the implications of a simultaneous multi‐customer integration on service quality.Design/methodology/approachThis conceptual paper undertakes a thorough review of the relevant literature before developing a conceptual model regarding service co‐creation and service quality in customer groups.FindingsGroup service encounters must be set up carefully to account for the dynamics (social activity) in a customer group and skill set and capabilities (task activity) of each of the individual participants involved in a group service experience.Research limitations/implicationsFuture research should undertake empirical studies to validate and/or modify the suggested model presented in this contribution.Practical implicationsManagers of service firms should be made aware of the implications and the underlying factors of group services in order to create and manage a group experience successfully. Particular attention should be given to those factors that can be influenced by service providers in managing encounters with multiple customers.Originality/valueThis article introduces a new conceptual approach for service encounters with groups of customers in a proposed service quality model. In particular, the paper focuses on integrating the impact of customers' co‐creation activities on service quality in a multiple‐actor model.
Service business development in small and medium capital goods manufacturing companies
Authors: Gebauer Heiko , Paiola Marco , Edvardsson Bo 
Published: March 2010

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to focus on how small‐ and medium‐sized enterprises (SMEs) from the capital goods manufacturing sector develop the service business. Assuming the service business development depends on contingency factors, the paper aims to explore how SMEs align external environment, strategy and organizational design.Design/methodology/approachA multi‐case study design on capital goods manufacturers from Italy, Sweden and Switzerland was employed.FindingsService strategy formation and implementation in SMEs depend on their value chain position and the business environment. Suppliers with few customers selling directly to customers increasingly offer logistic and repair services as well as R&D‐oriented services. In contrast, OEMs selling through distributors do not primarily extend the services offered, but rather reconsider service process configuration together with distributors. Altogether, the paper describes four different service responses to specific combinations of value chain position and business environment.Research limitations/implicationsThe findings are limited to the capital goods manufacturing industry.Originality/valueWhereas previous research neglects how SMEs develop the service business, this article offers key insights in the interrelationship among the value chain position and the business environment as well as the service strategy formation and implementation.
Why change programs fail
Authors: Eaton Mark 
Published: March 2010

PurposeFocuses on the reasons why the majority of improvement programs stall and fail.Design/methodology/approachExplains that many improvement programs could have been shown, before they were launched, to have a low probability of success, while others stall because of people's reactions to problems after the program has been launched. Describes six practical things that organizational leaders can do to reduce the risk of their improvement programs going wrong.FindingsHighlights the importance of: setting high standards; leading by example; giving the right managers the power to implement the change; focusing on the results rather than the process; changing quickly; and choosing to begin with the areas that matter and teams who want to participate.Practical implicationsUrges the importance of being clear about what the objectives of change are, why they need to be achieved and by when.Social implicationsReveals ways in which, through improving the performance of individual organizations, it may be possible to improve the functioning of society as a whole.Originality/valueShows that many of the issues that ultimately lead to the failure of organizational change can be predicted and even planned for.
Preparation, detection, and analysis: the diagnostic work of IT security incident response
Authors: Werlinger Rodrigo , Muldner Kasia , Hawkey Kirstie , Beznosov Konstantin 
Published: March 2010

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to examine security incident response practices of information technology (IT) security practitioners as a diagnostic work process, including the preparation phase, detection, and analysis of anomalies.Design/methodology/approachThe data set consisted of 16 semi‐structured interviews with IT security practitioners from seven organizational types (e.g. academic, government, and private). The interviews were analyzed using qualitative description with constant comparison and inductive analysis of the data to analyze diagnostic work during security incident response.FindingsThe analysis shows that security incident response is a highly collaborative activity, which may involve practitioners developing their own tools to perform specific tasks. The results also show that diagnosis during incident response is complicated by practitioners' need to rely on tacit knowledge, as well as usability issues with security tools.Research limitations/implicationsOwing to the nature of semi‐structured interviews, not all participants discussed security incident response at the same level of detail. More data are required to generalize and refine the findings.Originality/valueThe contribution of the work is twofold. First, using empirical data, the paper analyzes and describes the tasks, skills, strategies, and tools that security practitioners use to diagnose security incidents. The findings enhance the research community's understanding of the diagnostic work during security incident response. Second, the paper identifies opportunities for future research directions related to improving security tools.
SafeLine: reporting illegal internet content
Authors: Christodoulaki Meltini , Fragopoulou Paraskevi 
Published: March 2010

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to present the operational framework of SafeLine (www.safeline.gr), the Greek Internet Hotline. SafeLine's mission is to eliminate illegal internet content with emphasis on images of child sexual abuse and to combat against users who encroach on children's rights through illegal internet activities like grooming or cyberbullying.Design/methodology/approachSafeLine serves as a contact point for those individuals that wish to report illegal internet content or activities that they encounter while surfing the internet. Upon receipt of a report verified as illegal, SafeLine forwards it to the Greek police, to other governmental authorities, or to the hotline of another country.FindingsAn analysis of the reports received by SafeLine indicate a clear shift on the type of reported content. A large number of recent reports concern financial fraud and personal data violation, activity related to the newly emerged social networking sites.Practical implicationsThe resulting aim of this paper is to inform internet users about their ability to report illegal internet material.Social implicationsInteresting topics such as internet addiction, illegal activities in the emerging social networking systems and legislation regarding cyber crimes will also be analyzed while trying to give an overall view about internet risks for children. Finally, useful tips for the public are presented as a means of promoting a safer internet for children and adults.Originality/valueThe paper reports on the latest trends in illegal internet content based upon an analysis of the reports received by SafeLine. A clear shift to illegal activity in social networking sites clearly emerges.
An empirical examination of the relationship between information technology (IT) infrastructure, customer focus, and business advantages
Authors: Bhatt Ganesh D. , Emdad Ali F. 
Published: March 2010

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to present a model that tests the relationship between information technology (IT) infrastructure, customer focus, and business advantages.Design/methodology/approachCustomer focus is categorized into: customer responsiveness and product/service innovation. The data for the study are obtained from 116 executives from a number of business organizations.FindingsIT infrastructure is found to have a significant effect on customer responsiveness, but does not show any significant relationship with product/service innovation. IT infrastructure, customer responsiveness, and product/service innovation are found to be significantly related business advantages.Research limitations/implicationsThe research is useful for academic scholars and managers as the results of the study show the value of firm‐specific resources such as IT infrastructure in business advantages. The research is also useful as it finds support for the resource‐based view (RBV) of the firm.Originality/valueThe paper exemplifies how IT infrastructure can influence customer focus and thus affects directly and indirectly business advantages.
Information technology evaluation: issues and challenges
Authors: Marthandan Govindan , Meng Tang Chun 
Published: March 2010

PurposeTo justify an increase in information technology (IT) spending and to understand utilization of limited organizational resources on IT, the correlation between IT and business performance has been of great interest to business managers. However, business managers face issues and challenges in finding out how and to what extent IT is able to deliver the intended benefits. The purpose of this paper is to examine IT evaluation issues and challenges faced by information systems (IS) researchers, IS specialists, and business managers.Design/methodology/approachThis paper begins by reviewing the disparate discussions in past literature on IT evaluation issues and challenges. It then provides a synthesis of the disparate discussions by identifying eight issues and challenges in IT evaluation.FindingsThe eight issues and challenges identified are: evaluation scope, evaluation timing, unit of analysis, level of analysis, different perspectives, different dimensions, different measures, and underpinning theoretical frameworks. It concludes with some suggestions on ways to improve IT evaluation practices.Originality/valueThis paper posits that before a pragmatic IT evaluation approach can be developed, it is necessary to first understand the issues and challenges faced by IS researchers, IS specialists, and business managers in IT evaluation. Having identified the eight issues and challenges, this paper provides pointers on what needs to be considered when conducting IT evaluation.