bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Organizational learning measurement and the effect on firm innovation
Authors: Tohidi Hamid , Mohsen Seyedaliakbar Seyed , Mandegari Maryam 
Published: April 2012

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to propose and validate a measurement scale to capture organizational learning capabilities (OLC) and examine how OLC affects innovation. There are several models in the literature that have been generated by statistical data from manufacturing firms. This paper presents a structural equation model in order to measure OLC in Iranian ceramic tile manufacturers. The proposed model has five dimensions – i.e. managerial commitment and empowerment, experimentation, risk taking, interaction with the external environment and openness and knowledge transfer and integration – and is evaluated by 23 items.Design/methodology/approachData were collected from 18 Iranian ceramic tile manufacturers. The survey was sent to employees of the business section of each factory and a total of 173 valid questionnaires were obtained and used to test the research model, employing confirmatory factor analysis (CFA), a particular analysis of structural equation modeling methods.FindingsIn the validation process, both the principal components and the confirmatory factor analyses clearly corroborate the existence of the five dimensions mentioned in the theoretical work. Likewise, the scale provides information that could be used by those managers wishing to improve learning capability in their firms. In addition, the results show that the OLC has a positive impact on innovation.Originality/valueThis research suggests that that organizational environments that facilitate learning are more innovative. In addition, the OLC literature shows that OLC has a significant impact on the effectiveness and performance of the organization. Therefore, it is essential to find a valid measurement that can evaluate OLC in an organization. The five‐factor model introduced in this paper is a practical way to measure OLC. As a result, managers can determine which organizational learning issues are strong and which are weak; this is a hint for improvement.
E‐service quality model for Indian government portals: citizens' perspective
Authors: Bhattacharya Debjani , Gulla Umesh , Gupta M.P. 
Published: April 2012

PurposeE‐government implementation evolves through different stages of maturity, enforcing changes in strategies at each level. The transitions of service maturity phases pose continuous challenges to service providers in assessing the e‐service quality of web‐based services used in government. This study is conducted to propose a multi item scale for assessing the e‐service quality of government portals involving transactions.Design/methodology/approachFactors influencing the e‐service quality of government portals were identified from an extensive review of research performed by academic scholars and practitioners. A questionnaire was designed based on a review and interviews with users of e‐government applications and was used to conduct a survey of fully operational portals. Responses were obtained and quantitative analyses were performed on the data to develop a scale. This scale can help in evaluating citizen perceived quality of e‐services.FindingsSeven constructs – i.e. citizen centricity, transaction transparency, technical adequacy, usability, complete information, privacy and security and usefulness of information – were identified from the analyses, which can be used to assess the demand side service quality of government portals.Practical implicationsDespite a well‐structured, national‐level plan on e‐government and adequate funding in India, most of the projects under the scheme are far below the expectation level of citizens. Technology‐enabled applications have promised easy access to government services with economic gain in certain cases, but they have not ensured citizens' satisfaction. Improved service quality based on citizens' need and expectation can reduce the gap between design and reality and act as positive trigger for adoption of e‐government. This study can help government portal developers get an insight into users' needs to improve the design and implementation of online services. The issues are significant and cannot be overlooked in practice.Originality/valueThe paper is original and a research study. It provides an understanding of citizens' perceived quality of e‐services and adoption behavior within the framework of the web‐based environment of government services.
An analysis of methodologies utilised in e‐government research
Authors: Irani Zahir , Weerakkody Vishanth , Kamal Muhammad , Mohammed Hindi Nitham , Osman Ibrahim H. , Latef Anouze Abdel , El‐Haddadeh Ramzi , Lee Habin , Osmani Mohamad , Al‐Ayoubi Baydaa 
Published: April 2012

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to analyse the research design, methodologies and approaches utilised in electronic government (e‐government) research studies published in the last decade (2000‐2012).Design/methodology/approachA profiling approach is employed to analyse 114 (out of 3,934 from 2000 to 2012) e‐government publications (with specific focus on user satisfaction) including examining variables such as country of research, sample size, type(s) of respondents, data collection methods, and statistical tools and techniques employed.FindingsAmong the research design, methodologies and approaches adopted in the extant e‐government research studies, the quantitative research based approach supported by statistical analysis was the most dominant approach applied by authors in the last decade. Few studies were found to use qualitative‐based approaches such as case studies and interviews.Originality/valueThe prime value and uniqueness of this research lies in presenting the type of research design, methodologies and approaches used in studies that focus on issues surrounding user satisfaction in e‐government research. This has been achieved by synthesising existing publications in Electronic Government: An International Journal (EG), Electronic Journal of Electronic Government (EJEG), International Journal of Electronic Government Research (EJEGR), Transforming Government: People, Process and Policy (TG:PPP), Government Information Quarterly (GIQ), Public Administration Review (PAR), Public Administration: An International Quarterly (PA), Journal of Public Administration Research and Theory (JPART), and Local Government Studies (LGS).
Integrating addiction and mental health networks to improve access to treatment for people with alcohol and drug‐related problems: a qualitative study
Authors: Fonseca Francina , Gilchrist Gail , Torrens Marta 
Published: April 2012

PurposeImprovement in Access to Treatment for People with Alcohol and Drug Related Problems (IATPAD) was a European study that detected barriers and facilitators to accessing treatment for patients with alcohol and drug‐related problems. This article seeks to compare the findings from a qualitative study with patients and staff in Catalunya (Spain).Design/methodology/approachThe paper describes a multi‐centre, qualitative study. A purposive sample of 47 staff, from a randomly selected sample of the three main entrance points to treatment for patients with alcohol and drug problems in Catalunya, were recruited from: Out‐patient General Psychiatry Centres (CSMA); Out‐patient Addiction Centres (CAS); and Primary Care Centres (CAP). In addition, open‐ended responses were collated from 142 additional staff on barriers and facilitators to accessing treatment for patients with alcohol and drug problems and how these barriers could be improved. A total of 25 patients from two CAS were interviewed in‐depth. The framework approach was used to interpret qualitative interviews.FindingsThe main barriers and facilitators to accessing treatment identified by staff and patients were patients' motivation, centres' opening hours, staff attitudes, the provision of information about services, and the co‐ordination and integration of different services – mainly the mental health and addiction sectors.Originality/valueThis paper describes and compares the main barriers and facilitators to accessing treatment from both staff and patients' point of view. Recommendations are made in order to improve service accessibility for patients with addiction problems and those with a dual diagnosis.
“Acute concerns”: is the mental health workforce equipped and supported to meet complex needs?
Authors: Hughes Elizabeth , Brown Yvette , Tummey Robert 
Published: April 2012

PurposeThe focus of this paper is to consider the findings of a survey, which aims to identify the types of training that acute mental health staff could access, in relation to workforce development and substance misuse issues in acute mental health care.Design/methodology/approachAn electronic survey was developed and distributed using work email lists to all clinicians who worked in acute mental health services across a region in England. Not all NHS organisations agreed to participate.FindingsA total of 89 clinicians responded to the survey, some failed to indicate their consent, therefore the results of the 77 that did are presented. The main finding was that most acute care staff had only accessed mandatory training such as risk assessment. Many staff had not been trained in the use of psychosocial approaches. Drug and alcohol specific activities were performed on the whole only “sometimes”.Research limitations/implicationsIt was not possible to determine the total number of potentially eligible staff who were sent the survey, therefore, response rates cannot be calculated. It is possible that the findings may not be generalisable to other services. There may be bias in those who choose to respond to an electronic email, in terms of those who had access to a computer or who were more IT literate. In addition, the survey did not specifically set out to examine substance misuse issues as its main focus.Practical implicationsAcute care staff work with service users with increasingly complex needs. Creative and cost effective ways of facilitating access to training and support must be found as a priority to ensure that staff have the competencies to identify and manage substance users effectively in acute mental health settings.Originality/valueThe findings reinforce previous studies highlighting the deficit in access to psychosocial interventions training for acute care staff.
Ijarah contract: a practical dilemma
Authors: Zafar Fahad 
Published: April 2012

PurposeThis purpose of this paper is to highlight the weakness in vehicle Ijarah contract.Design/methodology/approachA real life example of a vehicle Ijarah contract was studied in which a customer gets a car from an Islamic bank and then misuses the system.FindingsThe case study provides a path for more research on Ijarah contract for vehicle leasing. Islamic bankers should take into account the amount of down payment requested besides the fulfilment of other criteria. Vehicle Ijarah contract is only appropriate when the amount of deposit or down payment requested is below 40 per cent threshold, otherwise a diminishing Musharakah contract should be preferred.Research limitations/implicationsThe research is only on one case reported in one of the Islamic banks in Pakistan. The solution is also by only one Shariah scholar. The future research should be on similar contract at entire Islamic Banking Industry. Views of all top Shariah scholars should be taken to mitigate such kind of risks for Islamic banks.Practical implicationsThis paper would trigger management of all Islamic banks to alter the structure of their vehicle Ijarah contracts.Social implicationsIslamic bankers would be warned against making a vehicle Ijarah contract with individuals wanting to contribute more than a down payment, just for the sake of cheating the system.Originality/valueThis paper is of great importance to the management of Islamic banks as this would raise flag against any future losses due to loopholes in the structuring of contracts.
Peacemaking youth programmes in Northern Ireland
Authors: McKeown Shelley , Cairns Ed 
Published: April 2012

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to review psychology‐based programmes, which were developed to bring together children and young people from Protestant and Catholic backgrounds following the outbreak of the conflict in Northern Ireland.Design/methodology/approachThe authors focused on reporting findings from early research papers and reviews as well as more recent studies. They examined the role of holiday schemes and then the development and evaluation of inter‐school contact schemes.FindingsThe findings highlight the strengths and weaknesses associated with peace programmes for youth in Northern Ireland. The paper argues the importance of these programmes for conflicted societies, provided that they are based on current research.Originality/valueThe authors believe the work from Northern Ireland reviewed here has important implications for activities aimed at improving intergroup relations in other societies. These findings will be of interest to researchers, policy makers and practitioners alike.
Workplace bullying and stress within the prison service
Authors: Brewer Gayle , Whiteside Emma 
Published: April 2012

PurposeConsequences of workplace bullying include increased stress, poor physical and psychological health and low job satisfaction. Workplace bullying is particularly prevalent in professions that may involve a degree of aggression. Despite this, little information exists about the nature of workplace bullying in a prison context. The current study aims to investigate the presence of workplace bullying at one British prison.Design/methodology/approachEmployees (n=72) were invited to complete the Work Harassment Scale and the Work Stress Symptom Scale.FindingsA standard multiple regression revealed that direct experience of bullying significantly predicted stress. Factor analyses identified four types of bullying experienced and three types of bullying witnessed by prison employees. Subsequent analyses revealed that experiencing one specific bullying behavior (i.e. dismissive of individual and their work) predicted physical, psychological and behavioral symptoms of stress. Witnessing one form of bullying (i.e. dismissive, personal attack and threats) also predicted the physical and psychological symptoms of stress.Research limitations/implicationsThe study is reliant on self reported data and employs a relatively small sample.Practical implicationsDismissive behavior in particular is associated with employee stress. Interventions should prioritise this type of workplace bullying.Originality/valueFew studies have considered the nature of workplace bullying in a prison context. The current study details the prevalence of bullying amongst prison employees, the extent to which bullying impacts on employee stress, and the components of bullying that may be most harmful.
Attitudes towards victims and perpetrators of hypothetical rape scenarios involving intoxication: an application to the UK
Authors: Ferguson Kerry , Ireland Carol 
Published: April 2012

PurposeThe aim of this study is to investigate the influence of binge drinking behaviour and ambivalent sexism on attitudes towards hypothetical victims and perpetrators of acquaintance rape.Design/methodology/approachThe research sample comprised 189 students. All were provided with a fictional rape scenario, depicting varying levels of perpetrator intoxication or varying extents to which an intoxicated victim was able to recall providing consent. Participants were then asked to rate their opinions of victim and perpetrator responsibility. They also completed the Ambivalent Sexism Inventory (ASI), the Attitudes towards Rape Victim Scale (ARVS), and a measure to assess respondent binge drinking behaviour.FindingsRespondents attributed more responsibility to intoxicated victims of acquaintance rape than victims who were not intoxicated. Respondents classified as non‐sexist had more victim empathy than respondents classified as ambivalent sexists. Respondents' binge drinking behaviour did not impact on attributions of victim responsibility.Research limitations/implicationsFictional rape scenarios are utilised in the current research. The research literature highlights the difficulties posed by the presence of uncontrolled variables (such as the description of the victim) within hypothetical scenarios. The findings reported here should therefore be generalised with caution. Recommendations for future research are suggested.Practical implicationsThe study has practical implications in developing an understanding of legal decision making and factors influencing the potential secondary victimisation of victims.Originality/valueThe paper adds to the current literature in attempting to explore the influence of respondents' binge drinking behaviour on attitudes towards intoxicated victims.
Dealing with trauma as an intervention for aggression: a review of approaches and the value of reprocessing
Authors: Worthington Rachel 
Published: April 2012

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to explore the impact of trauma with specific consideration to the neurological impact this has on information processing and potential links with aggression.Design/methodology/approachThis paper provides a summary of the literature in relation to theories of aggression and trauma. The paper considers how the two may interact and overlap and considers a theoretical rationale for why addressing trauma through a treatment such as Eye Movement Desensitization Reprocessing (EMDR) may assist to reduce aggression.FindingsThe paper argues that the experience of trauma may contribute to inputs which may take a person closer towards engaging in aggression. This is consistent with information processing models and unified models of aggression such as the General Aggression Model. Factors that were specifically identified included physiological hyper‐arousal, hostile attributions of stimulus, and neurological impairments. In addition, the paper also argued that there is evidence that as a result of trauma, a person's ability to provide cognitive accounts for the function of their behaviour may also be impaired because of the reduced interactivity between the two prefrontal hemispheres.Research limitations/implicationsThe paper argues that as a result, interventions designed to reduce aggression may benefit from including additional elements which directly assist clients to process emotional information and that a reprocessing treatment such as EMDR could assist to reduce levels of emotional arousal and improve treatment effectiveness. Differences in the way in which EMDR is carried out and the variances in treatment protocols used should be attended to increase the reliability of future research.Originality/valueCurrent modes of aggression therapy have focused on exposure based and cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT). However, there is evidence that EMDR has benefits over exposure and CBT approaches because of the way in which cognitive verbal accounts of the trauma are not required and because EMDR does not require the individual to have insight into their trauma experience and the link with aggression.
Latino informal immigrant entrepreneurs in South Texas
Authors: Pisani Michael J. 
Published: April 2012

PurposeThe purpose of the paper is to shed light on Latino informal immigrant entrepreneurs within a specific border zone in South Texas. Three research questions inform this study: What is the demographic profile of the Latino informal immigrant entrepreneur? What is the occupational profile of the Latino informal immigrant entrepreneur? What is the business profile of the Latino informal immigrant entrepreneur?Design/methodology/approachIn total, 198 Latino informal entrepreneurs in South Texas were interviewed, through a purposive sampling design, between 2005 and 2008.FindingsThe major findings establish a benchmark for Latino informal immigrant entrepreneurs.Originality/valueThe value of the research is the provision of empirical insights into an otherwise understudied population.
Arab American entrepreneurship in Detroit, Michigan
Authors: Smith Ola Marie , Tang Roger Y.W , San Miguel Paul 
Published: April 2012

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to examine the pathways to success of Arab American entrepreneurs in the Detroit Metropolitan Area, and how Arab American businesses impact the local Detroit economy.Design/methodology/approachThe authors conducted extensive search of literature and in‐depth interviews with experts, entrepreneurs, CEOs and other senior executives of two large Arab and Chaldean community organizations. In addition, the authors also conducted site visits at community centers and the Seven Mile project in Detroit and Dearborn, Michigan.FindingsThe authors discovered several pathways to success important to Arab American entrepreneurship: start‐up capital provided by families and friends, training and education, support networks and support organizations in Detroit. In addition, some organizations, local churches and mosques have provided many essential services needed by new Arab American entrepreneurs. The authors found that the theory of middleman minority and the enclave economy theory provide very useful explanations for the phenomenon of Arab American entrepreneurship in Detroit. However, the natural business incubator model, first developed by Greene and Butler, best explains the success story of Arab American entrepreneurs in Detroit, Michigan.Originality/valueThe paper identifies some important pathways to the success of Arab entrepreneurship in Detroit, Michigan. The authors expand the natural business incubator model first developed by Greene and Butler by including the names of local organizations that play active roles in assisting Arab entrepreneurs in Detroit and Dearborn, Michigan.
Organizational ethnography between toolbox and world‐making
Authors: Yanow Dvora 
Published: April 2012

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to take account of organizational ethnography in its historical and methodological context, on the occasion of the inauguration of theJournal of Organizational Ethnography.Design/methodology/approachThis essay brings together some current issues and concerns in one form of “marked” ethnography.FindingsThis essay touches on the questions: what is organizational ethnography and why is it re‐emerging now?; and on related questions, on its way to engaging some of the key methodological issues in organizational ethnography that today merit attention.Originality/valueThe paper may be of value to readers who are interested in the method and in one researcher's conceptual‐methodological take on it.
Exploring small family‐owned firms’ competitive ability
Authors: Intihar Andrew , Pollack Jeffrey M. 
Published: April 2012

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to highlight points of differentiation for small family businesses, relative to larger “big box” retailers, which may provide marketing‐oriented competitive advantages.Design/methodology/approachFrom a conceptual perspective, the authors illustrate how small family‐owned businesses may be able to successfully compete against big box retailers by differentiation in three key areas.FindingsThe authors conclude that small family businesses may be able to successfully differentiate themselves from the larger big box retailers by: establishing a relationship with customers based on trust; competing on value (not price); and focusing the business on serving a specialized segment of the market.Practical implicationsThe paper offers theory‐based advice for practitioners, as well as thoughts on future directions for academic research.Originality/valueMuch of the research that has been done on family‐owned businesses has focused on the characteristics of the family operating the firm, and how they interact with one another while running the business. Less attention has been given to the exploration of points of differentiation for small family retailers, relative to big box retailers, and how these areas may provide marketing‐oriented advantages. Thus, this work offers substantial benefit for practitioners and the authors’ suggestions for future research will benefit academics.