bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Measuring customers' portfolio concentration for rating agencies
Authors: Gibilaro Lucia , Mattarocci Gianluca 
Published: June 2011

PurposeThe aim of the paper is to study the degree of independence of customers' portfolio concentration measure from the pricing policy adopted by rating agencies.Design/methodology/approachThe paper tests different measures of customers value (revenues or profits and customer lifetime value) and different concentration measure (top customer or Herfindahl‐Hirschman index) on the customers' portfolio of rating agencies in the time period 1999‐2008. Simulating different pricing models, the paper tests the sensitivity of these measures to discounted fees applied to best customers and identifies measures that are more and less sensitive to the discount applied.FindingsConcentration measures that consider all the customers' portfolios and look at both cost and revenues related to the service on a multi‐period time horizon (CLV) are less sensitive to the discount policy respect to the others.Research limitations/implicationsResults point out some opportunities related to apply more complete approaches defined by marketing science on the financial service industry in order to construct better measures for the economic independence. The paper works only with publicly available data and more details about the fee applied to each customer could increase the significance of the results achieved.Practical implicationsThe paper contributes to the current debate on the economic independence of rating agencies stressing the opportunity of rethinking the measures on economic independence that are currently considered by supervisory authorities.Social implicationsThe paper is the first empirical application of standard marketing concepts of customers' concentration measure to the rating industry.Originality/valueThe paper studies the pricing policies adopted by ratings agencies.
The socio‐economic determinants of maternal health care utilization in Ghana
Authors: Aseweh Abor Patience , Abekah‐Nkrumah Gordon , Sakyi Kojo , Adjasi Charles K.D. , Abor Joshua 
Published: June 2011

PurposeThe study aims to examine the socio‐economic determinants of maternal health services utilization in Ghana.Design/methodology/approachProbit and ordered probit models are employed in this study.FindingsThe results generally indicate that most women in Ghana undertake the required visits for antenatal services and also take both doses of the tetanus toxoid vaccine as required by World Health Organization. However, the results show low levels of usage in terms of the other maternal health care services (i.e. prenatal care, delivery at a health facility, and postnatal care). There is clearly an urgent need to develop innovative strategies that will help upscale intervention especially for improvement in the use of these services by women in Ghana. The regression results reveal that utilization of maternal health services and intensity of use of antenatal services are influenced by age of mother, type of birth, education of mother, ethnicity, economic status, geographic location, residence, and religious affiliation. Obviously, this suggests that more than medical factors are responsible for the differences in the use of maternal health services by women in Ghana as well as the decision on the number of visits to undertake with respect to antenatal visits.Originality/valueThe findings of this study have important implications for health policy formulation targeted at improving maternal health care service utilization.
The effects of societal culture attributes on regional disparity
Authors: Malul Miki , Shoham Amir , Zolotoy Leon 
Published: June 2011

PurposeThe main goal of this paper is to analyze the effects of societal culture attributes on regional disparity.Design/methodology/approachThis paper uses cross‐country data to identify the variables that determine the regional disparity and the gap between the richest and poorest regions in the economy.FindingsThe most interesting result of this study is that there exists a significant role played by societal cultural differences in the explanation of the regional disparity and the gap between rich and poor regions.Originality/valueAs far as we know, this paper makes the first attempt to explain inter‐regional disparity according to culture attributes. We estimate that cultural variables add about 5 percent to the explanation of the variation of the indices of inequality between regions.
Development of a regional education hub: the case of Hong Kong
Authors: Cheong Cheng Yin , Cheung Alan C.K. , Yeun Timothy W.W. 
Published: June 2011

PurposeThis paper aims to review and analyze the functions, strategies and related issues of developing a regional education hub in the trends of education development in China as well as the Asian Pacific region.Design/methodology/approachTaking Hong Kong as an emerging case, it examines through literature and international comparison the relationship between education hub development and higher education development as well as the strategic functions of an education hub to the future development of Hong Kong.FindingsThe development of an education hub was found closely linked to the demand for higher education in the Asian Pacific region as well as the internal dynamic of higher education and society in Hong Kong. The mode of education hub development in Hong Kong should be driven by soft‐power building instead of industrialization. The requirements for successful implementation include the huge demands for higher education in the region, the strengths of the higher education sector, the supporting policies and measures for international students and education service providers, and the leadership and support of central agencies.Originality/valueThis paper provides a new typology of higher education developments and a new mode of education hub development to analyze the strategic functions and requirements of developing education hub in the context of Asia‐Pacific Region. The discussion and analysis in this paper will contribute to the related literature, policy development and initiative implementation in the areas of education hub and higher education not only in Hong Kong but also other parts of the world.
Performance evaluation of knowledge management among hospital employees
Authors: Chang Ying‐Ying , Hsu Pi‐Fang , Li Min‐Hua , Chang Ching‐Ching 
Published: June 2011

PurposeThe purpose of this study is to investigate the cognition of knowledge management (KM) among hospital employees and the relationship between KM and the KM enabler activities (financial, customer, internal business processes, learning and growth) in a regional hospital in Taiwan.Design/methodology/approachBoth qualitative and quantitative research were used in this study. The instrument was conducted using in‐depth interviews of three policy‐makers as participants. The quantitative data were collected from a regional hospital in the Northern part of Taiwan with a 77 percent effective response rate (n=154).FindingsThe findings in this paper indicate that the cognition and demand for KM in subordinates is close to the expectations of policy‐makers. The policy‐makers expect subordinates working in the hospital to be brave in taking on new responsibilities and complying with hospital operation norms. KM is emphasized as a powerful and positive asset. Moreover, understanding KM predicts good performance in an organization.Research limitations/implicationsThe findings in this paper can be generalized to other regional hospitals. The findings may be applied to a wider population.Practical implicationsThis study can provide insights into the perceptions and cognitions of workers in a hospital about KM and the activities of KM enablers. The responses and perceptions observed in the interviews in this study, as well as the quantitative research results could be useful to other hospitals and individuals who engage KM as a new management trend.Originality/valueThis study suggested KM guidelines for policy‐makers who are experienced managers.
Does transactional leadership count for team innovativeness?
Authors: Liu Jun , Liu Xiaoyu , Zeng Xianju 
Published: June 2011

PurposeDrawing on the contingency perspective of leadership, the purpose of this paper is to examine the relation between transactional leadership and team innovativeness by focusing on the moderating role of emotional labor and the mediating role of team efficacy. The authors propose and empirically test the hypothesis that the relation between transactional leadership and team innovativeness is negative when the level of emotional labor is high whereas the relation is positive when the level of emotional labor is low. The authors further examine the process mechanism of this interactive effect by testing the mediating role of team efficacy.Design/methodology/approachIn total, 90 Chinese work teams, comprising 462 members and 90 team leaders, were surveyed. Hierarchical regression analyses were performed and moderated causal steps approach applied to test the authors' mediated moderation model.FindingsAs predicted, transactional leadership was negatively associated with team innovativeness when emotional labor was high whereas the association was positive when emotional labor was low. Team efficacy mediated the interactive effects of transactional leadership and emotional labor on team innovativeness.Research limitations/implicationsThe paper contributes to the contingency perspective on transactional leadership and team innovativeness by identifying emotional labor as an important moderator and team efficacy as a critical mediator, yet methodological limitations do exist in the study. Although data were collected from multiple sources to avoid common method variance, the design was cross‐sectional, which limits the authors' ability to make robust inferences of causality.Originality/valueBy examining both the moderating and mediating effects, the paper contributes to uncovering the black box in which transactional leadership exerts an influence on team innovativeness.
Bottom‐up learning, organizational formalization, and ambidextrous innovation
Authors: Wei Zelong , Yi Yaqun , Yuan Changhong 
Published: June 2011

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to address the conflicting views on the role of bottom‐up learning; this research combines the information‐processing and organizational inertia views to explore how bottom‐up learning affects both exploratory and exploitative innovations and if the effects are contingent on organizational formalization.Design/methodology/approachData for this study are obtained through an interview survey instrument from 213 firms. The questionnaire is adopted from several previous studies on organizational learning, structure and innovation with minor translation adjust. A pilot test was conducted and necessary modifications were made to the questionnaire. Tests show that the sampling validity is not biased by non‐response bias and the measure reliability and validity are acceptable. Furthermore, Harman one‐factor and CFA tests show that the results should not be biased by common method bias. The multicollinearity is also tested and controlled during regression analysis.FindingsThe findings show that bottom‐up learning has accelerated positive effect on exploitative innovation while having an inverted U‐shaped effect on explorative innovation. Furthermore, the organizational formalization strengthens the positive effect of bottom‐up learning on exploitative innovation and the U‐shaped effect on exploratory innovation.Originality/valueThe paper contributes to organizational inertia and information‐processing theories by providing a complete picture on how firms built exploitative and exploratory innovations through bottom‐up learning aligned with appropriate organizational structure.
Retail reverse logistics: a call and grounding framework for research
Authors: Bernon Michael , Rossi Silvia , Cullen John 
Published: June 2011

PurposeFrom a synthesis of empirical findings and literature, the aim of this paper is to present a conceptual framework for managing retail reverse logistics operations. The framework is designed to assist both practitioners and academics in better understanding the key management aspects involved. The paper also identifies some future research directions that are derived from this conceptual framework.Design/methodology/approachThe study was exploratory and motivated by a grounded theory approach aimed at providing a conceptual framework for managing retail reverse logistics.FindingsRetail reverse logistics operations are multi‐faceted and need to be managed as an integrated supply chain activity. Three overarching management dimensions are proposed; operational performance, organisational integration and management reporting and control.Research limitations/implicationsThis is an inductive piece of research and it is important to recognise that only analytical generalisation is claimed rather than any statistical generalisation. Also, the study was undertaken in the context of the UK retail sector and therefore further comparative work could be undertaken in different international contexts.Practical implicationsThe adoption of the framework will have impact on practitioners by assisting them in reducing the volumes of products being returned, lower their reverse logistics operational costs and increase their product asset recovery values.Originality/valueAlthough there is a growing body of literature relating to retail reverse logistics it is fragmented by multiple perspectives. There is little in terms of frameworks that embody the management aspects involved. Having reviewed the literature the authors' empirical results show that, in some areas, practice leads theory and therefore the findings will add to academic discourse.
Web site classification on information and entertainment profiles
Authors: Shukla Asmita , Sharma Narendra K. , Swami Sanjeev 
Published: June 2011

PurposeWeb sites are the first point of interaction in the virtual environment and information and entertainment aspects are the most important tenets of web sites. Thus, it becomes important to know how much information and entertainment is required, is adequate and appropriate for a web site. The purpose of this paper is to classify 43 web sites into information and entertainment profiles.Design/methodology/approachThe sites were selected from two Indian rating web sites and engineering students. From the pool of the selected web sites, the present study classified 43 web sites on information and entertainment profiles. The web site profile comprised informativeness, organisation of information elements, entertainment properties and organisation of entertainment elements. The classification was done by three independent judges.FindingsThe results revealed that out of 43 web sites, eight were high on both information and entertainment profiles, 15 were high on information and low on entertainment profiles, six were low on information and high on entertainment profiles and 14 were low on both information and entertainment profiles.Practical implicationsMarketers may take cues from the classified web sites and design their web sites to ensure that the web site content meets their goals and satisfies the users while filtering out the content which is irrelevant to their business and incorporate what is essential.Originality/valueThis study provides guidelines regarding the information and/or entertainment aspects which should be stronger in information and/or entertainment‐oriented web sites to attract users. The present study targets the marketers who should prioritise web site features depending upon the needs of their target group.
Measuring organizational renewal capability: case training service business
Authors: Junell Jaana , Ståhle Pirjo 
Published: June 2011

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to provide a quantitative measure for organizational renewal capability which would enable inter‐firm comparison and external communication. To make the tool more concrete for the reader, a case organization with the measurement results and conclusions is described.Design/methodology/approachA method of how renewal capability can be shown on an organizational level and measurement is demonstrated. The approach is based on systems thinking, but it also has boundary surfaces with the knowledge‐based theory of the firm, dynamic capability approach, and intellectual capital (IC) research. A tool for analyzing and measuring organizational renewal, called KM‐factor®, and the theoretical model behind it, is presented.FindingsThe preliminary analysis indicates that the indexes of KM‐factor®correlate strongly with the future financial success of the company. Thus, the results refer to the fact that companies with (system based and strategy connected) renewal capability have more competitive advantage than others. It is crucial for the organization to understand the required change direction in renewal capability to achieve sustainable competitive advantage.Originality/valueThe topic of renewal has been increasingly dealt with by the research traditions of IC, knowledge management and strategic management. However, even if several relatively consolidated theories about the composition of IC or competitiveness have been presented – renewal being one of the components – the operational and measurement perspectives of continuous renewal have mainly been neglected. This paper demonstrates a quantitative and practical implementation of organizational renewal capability measurement.
Channel power struggle between a manufacturer giant and a retailer giant in China
Authors: Chow Clement S.F. , Kaynak Erdener , Yang Cathy J. 
Published: June 2011

PurposeThis paper aims to investigate the balance of power between a giant manufacturer in the air conditioners market (i.e. Gree) and a giant retailer in the home appliances market (anonymity preserved). Both companies are operating in the rapidly growing Chinese home appliances market. In order to access the balance of power, the paper studies their channel power conflicts and examine's which party is influenced, as a result of the inherent conflicts, to comply with the other party's marketing and channels of distribution policy.Design/methodology/approachThis is an exploratory type of study which adopted a case research methodology. Since the focus was on channel power and power is a function of company strength, the biggest/strongest manufacturer of the air conditioner industry and the biggest/strongest retailer in the home appliances market were selected for the study. Primary data were collected through personal in‐depth interviews of senior sales and management personnel of both Gree and the giant retailer (fictitiously called Z‐retail).FindingsThe findings of the study suggest that the Chinese manufacturer possesses higher power over the Chinese retailer. While it cannot be denied that each of the giants is dependent on the other, the study results indicate that Z‐retail is more dependent on Gree than Gree is on Z‐retail. This lays out the groundwork to generate some tentative research propositions that are believed testable by future quantitative (conclusive) type of channels of distribution research.Originality/valueStudies of how channel power and/or conflict affect the relationship between suppliers and retailers and their performance level are abundant, but studies of who possesses higher power over the other are few. The few studies of the past have been conducted in the context of the Western developed country markets. It appears that even fewer studies have been conducted in a market of an emerging economy like China. The current study attempts to investigate if the suppliers, or the retailers, in the Chinese market have a higher power over the others. It is discovered that the channel power traditionally held by the suppliers would still be retained mostly on the supplier side.
Do religious differences matter? An analysis in India
Authors: Gebert Diether , Boerner Sabine , Chatterjee Debrabata 
Published: June 2011

PurposeThis paper aims to analyze the relationship between religious differences (i.e. religious diversity and tolerance diversity), on the one hand, and dysfunctional intergroup conflicts, on the other.Design/methodology/approachA quantitative research design is used, through which the paper examines 47 public schools in India.FindingsReligious diversity, that is, the distribution of heterogeneous religious affiliations in an organization, is unrelated to dysfunctional intergroup conflicts. By contrast, tolerance diversity, that is, the heterogeneity of organizational members' beliefs regarding the question of how strictly religious commandments should be followed, is positively related to dysfunctional conflicts.Research limitations/implicationsThe results of this study are limited to public organizations in the Indian context.Practical implicationsSince religious diversity is not connected to intergroup conflicts, fostering religious diversity in organizations could render the societal norm “unity in diversity” more authentic and attractive. This in turn would enhance the ability of different religions to cooperate in Indian organizations. In contrast with religious diversity, the heterogeneity of religious tolerance is significantly related to intergroup conflicts; a possible remedy could be the use of a transformational leadership style.Originality/valueThis study is the first to investigate both religious diversity and tolerance diversity in their effects on the emergence of intergroup conflicts, that is, apparent emotional tensions between organizational subgroups.
Migrant entrepreneurs and social capital: a revised perspective
Authors: Tolciu Andreia 
Published: June 2011

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to challenge the mainstream idea of “ethnically over‐socialised” migrant entrepreneurs, by embedding the concept of social capital in a framework based on economic incentives and bounded rationality. In line with previous studies which develop on the mixed embeddedness approach, this paper seeks to provide a counterbalance to models which overestimate the importance of cultural factors and ethnicity and neglect the role of economic incentives in individual behaviour.Design/methodology/approachThe study relies on 58 semi‐structured interviews with Turkish entrepreneurs, both first and second generation, conducted in Hamburg between October 2008 and January 2009.FindingsThe results present a perspective in which migrant entrepreneurs are first and foremost economic actors, who predominantly understand their ethnic social capital as a strategic, economic resource for action. The study illustrates that the phenomenon of migrant entrepreneurship can be understood only when accounting for both the external (contextual) environment and the internal limitations (search and communications costs, available information) which migrant entrepreneurs face. Within the framework of a bounded rationality approach, entrepreneurial outcomes can be viewed as a matter of optimisation under constraints.Originality/valueUntil now, a rather limited amount of studies have inquired whether and to what extent the social capital of migrant entrepreneurs can be seen as a matter of economic choice, rather than as an ethnic occurrence. By examining intergenerational changes this paper reveals the dynamic character of migrant entrepreneurship and calls for a more diversified approach when analysing this phenomenon.