bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
The day after neoliberal triumphalism
Authors: Wolnicki Miron 
Published: May 2010

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to analyse the causes of failure of the neoliberal model of capitalism and rise of state capitalism. The arguments that efficient market economy can thrive under autocracy are refuted.Design/methodology/approachBoth western neoliberal capitalism and state capitalism in China and Russia are juxtaposed and critically analyzed.FindingsNeoliberalism is a conceptual model of enthusiastic true believers who never succeed in developing a workable economic system but rather a travesty of its own ideal. The USA instead of an efficient, competitive market economy became a playground for lobbyists and a corporate autocracy fraught with deep imbalances. Yet due to the rule of law and inherent freedoms the post‐neoliberal USA will be capable of “self repair” which is not possible in state capitalism.Research limitations/implicationsThe connections between politics and economics are inherently complex and difficult to be presented as predicable dependences. An interdisciplinary approach is necessary and revealing but it has obvious analytical limitations because of inadequate tools.Practical implicationsThe proclamation of the end of the democratic capitalism is unfounded. The neoliberal ideologues are hardly to blame for the failures of the western market economy because they have merely created a pretext for corporate America to reduce the regulatory power of the government. The solution is in returning to the model of interventionist government mindful of the nation's long‐term wellbeing.Originality/valueThe author creates unique functional characteristics of western market capitalism and state capitalism and points out clear advantages of democratic western market capitalism often forgotten in the heat of the post‐crises debates.
Infrastructure investment and its performance in Africa over the course of the twentieth century
Authors: Luiz John 
Published: May 2010

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to analyse long‐term trends in the development of Africa's economic infrastructure.Design/methodology/approachThe importance of infrastructure was examined in social and economic processes, followed by an exploration of the changing nature of infrastructure and its implications for delivery. The paper looked at the development of infrastructure in Africa by focusing on what was inherited at independence versus what had been achieved there since and why this was the case.FindingsThe development challenges are immense because delivery of infrastructure requires much more than financial resources – it requires the capacity to deliver massive, complex projects in an efficient manner. It is clear that African states do not possess this level of capacity but this can still be delivered through innovative public‐private partnerships, global cooperation, and the support of international institutions.Practical implicationsImproving Africa's infrastructure is a necessary but not sufficient condition to promote economic development and attract investment back to the continent.Originality/valueThe author assesses what needs to be done to ensure the massive infrastructure delivery required for the continent, which is estimated at 6 percent of output, and the innovation required for such a programme.
Gender gap in Pakistan: a socio‐demographic analysis
Authors: Raza Ahmad , Sohaib Murad Hasan 
Published: May 2010

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to provide a descriptive analysis of socio‐demographic bases of gender gap in Pakistan.Design/methodology/approachThe paper analyzes various aspects of gender gap (gender inequalities) in Pakistan. The analysis is based on the secondary data drawn from reports published by several governmental, international development agencies, and local non‐governmental organizations. The analysis is descriptive in nature and interprets certain social and demographic data to ascertain the states of affairs about the prevailing social conditions relating to gender inequalities in Pakistan. Besides review of literature, the paper focuses on sectoral discussion of gender gap in population, health, education, political, and economic empowerment. In light of the secondary data analysis, suggestions to improve the current gender inequalities and possible recommendations to improve the current gender inequalities in Pakistan are also given.FindingsThe paper demonstrates that there are significant socio‐demographic and cultural factors, due to which gender gap persists in Pakistani society.Research limitations/implicationsThe current analysis is based on secondary and published data and, therefore lacks empirical reliability. However, published quantitative data reveal certain social characteristics of gender gap.Originality/valueThe paper provides a descriptive cultural analysis of gender inequalities.
The demographic profile of socially responsible investors
Authors: Junkus Joan C. , Berry Thomas C. 
Published: May 2010

PurposeGiven the size and growing importance of socially responsible (SR)‐related funds and investments, the purpose of this paper is to see if those who invest in socially responsible investments (SRIs) conform to a particular profile and if that profile is significantly different than that of a typical investor.Design/methodology/approachThis study surveyed a large group of US‐based, well‐informed, individual investors, members of the American Association of Individual Investors. The survey respondents included both those who invest according to SRI principles, and those with no interest in SRI, to determine if demographic differences exist.FindingsThe paper finds that the typical SR investor is female and more likely to be single, younger, less wealthy, and better educated than their non‐SR counterparts.Research limitations/implicationsFurther research is needed to determine if the higher risk aversion of women and their greater concern for the environment found in previous studies is responsible for the results.Practical implicationsGiven the statistically significant differences, additional efforts must be made to convince wealthier and male investors of the merits of socially responsible investing.Originality/valueThis is the first paper to use individuals who have committed resources to SR to compare their demographic characteristics to investors who have not invested in SRI products as distinct groups. Second, this is the first study to compare these groups using US investor data and to measure the statistical significance of the demographic factors.
Contemporaneous relationship between corporate reputation and return
Authors: Krueger Thomas M. , Wrolstad Mark A. , Van Dalsem Shane 
Published: May 2010

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to examine the contemporaneous relationship between changes in corporate reputations and stock prices.Design/methodology/approachThe Harris Interactive Reputation QuotientTM is used as a measure of corporate reputation. Stock return and risk measures are evaluated for each Reputation QuotientTM survey period for the years 1999‐2007.FindingsThe results provide evidence that, in the aggregate, firm reputations are procyclical. Additionally, firms with improved reputations enjoy lower volatility in their stock prices than firms with diminished reputations.Research limitations/implicationsDue to the Harris Poll Online methodology, it is not clear that the price changes occur concurrently with the change in reputation.Originality/valueThis paper contributes to the finance literature by examining the effect of a change in corporate reputation on stock price.
Performance of debt free firms
Authors: Zaher Tarek S. 
Published: May 2010

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to find out whether investors tend to reward firms that resist the urge to borrow and operated with debt free balance sheet and penalize firms that have high levels of debt.Design/methodology/approachThe performance of portfolios of debt free firms are compared to comparable portfolios of leveraged firms. Debt free firms are matched with conventional firms of the same size from the same sector. Two tests of differences in the performance are conducted for a long period and for a short period.FindingsThe results of the study indicate that investments in portfolios of debt free firms tend to generate higher returns than investments in their peers of portfolios of leveraged firms over long and short periods. The results have clear implications on investment decisions and investment performance. Investors tend to reward firms that resist the urge to borrow heavily and operate with debt free balance sheet and penalize firms that have high level of debt.Originality/valueThe results of the study can be of great interest to investors as well as firms specially during periods of financial crises. It raises again the question as to what is the optimal level of debt a firm should have in normal times and during periods of economic or financial crises.
Ukrainian financial markets: an examination of calendar anomalies
Authors: Depenchuk Iryna O. , Compton William S. , Kunkel Robert A. 
Published: May 2010

PurposeThis study aims to examine the market returns of the Ukrainian stock and bond markets to determine whether they exhibit calendar anomalies including the January effect, weekend effect, and turn‐of‐the‐month (TOM) effect. Ukraine provides an opportunity to examine the efficiency of an emerging market, adding to the extensive body of research on calendar anomalies.Design/methodology/approachRegression analysis is used to examine the relationship between January returns vs non‐January returns, Monday returns vs non‐Monday returns, and TOM returns vs non‐TOM returns. Non‐parametric t‐tests and Wilcoxon signed rank tests are also used to examine TOM returns vs the rest of the month returns.FindingsThere is no evidence of a January effect or a weekend effect in the Ukrainian stock and bond markets. However, our results support a TOM effect in the Ukrainian stock market. The mean daily TOM return is 0.35 vs 0.24 per cent for the rest of the month. Additionally, in 63 per cent of the months, the mean daily TOM return exceeds the return for the rest of the month.Research limitations/implicationsThe data are limited to five‐years of daily returns and two different Ukrainian indexes. Thus, the results could be biased by the time period analyzed. The results are important for portfolio managers and investors as they can benefit from the TOM effect, but not the January effect and weekend effect.Originality/valueThis is the first study to our knowledge that has extensively examined the calendar anomalies in the Ukrainian stock and bond markets.
Economic impact of marketing alliances on shareholders' wealth
Authors: Ho Foo‐Nin , Shocker Allan D. , Yip Yewmun 
Published: May 2010

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to examine whether marketing alliances create value for shareholders, and whether the results are robust across different business cycles.Design/methodology/approachUsing standard event study methodology, abnormal returns (AR) were computed for 402 firms which formed marketing alliances in a 12‐month period covering three business time periods, namely bull, bear and post 9/11 periods. ANOVA and regression analyses were performed on cumulative abnormal returns (CAR).FindingsSignificant and positive AR were found on announcement day for firms forming marketing alliances. When the sample is segmented by market capitalization, small cap firms were found to stand to benefit the most, particularly when partnering with a large firm. During the bear market period, marketing alliances tend to benefit small cap firms and firms with low profitability, whereas during the bull market period, marketing alliances benefit firms with low asset utilization.Research limitations/implicationsResults are limited by the accuracy of the models used to measure AR.Practical implicationsThe results seem to suggest that smaller partners tend to benefit more from marketing alliance, and the effect changes with business cycle.Originality/valueThe paper analyses how the benefits of forming a marketing alliance are shared between partnering firms and how the different phases of business cycle influence the distribution of benefits.
Mobile phone choice: technology versus marketing. The brand effect in the Italian market
Authors: Petruzzellis Luca 
Published: May 2010

PurposeThe main research question of the paper is to determine whether technology nowadays is overcome by customer preferences and needs. In particular, the role of the brand is to be analysed with respect to its influence in shifting customer preferences from the technical performances (tangible elements) to the emotional/symbolic ones (intangible elements).Design/methodology/approachConsumer behaviour was analysed by interviewing a random (but well stratified) sample of mobile phone users in order to study their consumption style and the motivations underlying the buying process in order to understand, on the one hand, the variables that influence people in the usage of mobile phones and, on the other, those that influence firms in launching new products, both from a technological point of view and from a marketing one.FindingsThe findings show various dimensions that are relevant in consumer minds when considering decisions regarding technological products. Brand attitudes do relate positively to consumer intention to use (purchase) specific mobile phones over others.Research limitations/implicationsThe study, though exploratory, has underlined the importance of brand and the dualism between marketing and technology in the adoption and diffusion of technological products. Certainly, the analysis has some limitations, but it provides an initial perspective into understanding brand issues. Future research should focus on the effects of the cooperation between mobile operators and mobile manufacturers.Originality/valueThis paper provides an analysis of the brand attitude and perception tested and viewed through user eyes.
“Living the brand”: brand orientation in the business‐to‐business sector
Authors: Baumgarth Carsten 
Published: May 2010

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to design and test a model for the internal anchorage of a business‐to‐business brand via corporate brand orientation.Design/methodology/approachData from 261 usable responses to a questionnaire distributed in the German business‐to‐business sector, were applied to model estimation by the “soft modelling” partial‐least‐squares regression technique.FindingsThe structure of the brand orientation model is supported by the results. The findings demonstrate the positive influence of brand orientation on market and economic performance. Smaller business‐to‐business companies exhibit lower levels of brand orientation than larger counterparts, to their strategic disadvantage. Line of business and management type had no influence on brand orientation in this survey.Practical implicationsBusiness‐to‐business brand managers now have empirically‐based evidence for the benefits of intensive implementation of brand orientation. The associated four‐level conceptual model of the phenomenon offers them an enhanced understanding of the process, procedures and probable outcomes. It can be used for management control as well as strategic planning and implementation.Originality/valueThe paper is the first empirical study to examine the internal aspects of branding in the business‐to‐business sector, and one of the first large‐scale surveys that is not industry‐specific to analyse the link between brand management and company performance.
Brief reflections
Authors: Lee Nick , Greenley Gordon 
Published: May 2010

PurposeThe purpose of this editorial is to explicitly recognise the first issue of EJM completely made up of submissions received under the new editorial team of Lee and Greenley, operating since January 2008. The authors also seek to make some broader points about academic review, and journal ranking.Design/methodology/approachThe authors provide some conceptual thinking regarding journal review, and academic ranking of journals.FindingsThe authors propose that it is potentially dangerous to restrict the perception of top quality work to only that published in a limited selection of journals, and that research needs to be judged on its own merits.Research limitations/implicationsThese thoughts are preliminary and intended to spark thinking and debate, not to represent editorial policy. Owing to space constraints, the coverage of many issues is necessarily brief.Practical ImplicationsMarketing researchers should find these thoughts at the very least stimulating, and may wish to investigate these issues further.Originality/valueThe editorial should provide some interesting food for thought for marketing researchers.
Towards a new model of “customer compliance” service provision
Authors: Kasabov Edward , Warlow Alex J. 
Published: May 2010

PurposeIn the last ten years, businesses taking advantage of market deregulation, call‐centre, intranet and internet technology have broken traditional marketing norms and path‐dependent customer management practices. These businesses offer substantially lower prices and good customer service. In spite of anecdotal evidence of the high level of service complaints in the press, these businesses are expanding rapidly by growing the market and by taking share from traditional suppliers. Service failure recovery and complaint management are two areas which are extensively re‐designed by such businesses. This paper aims to identify and examine such new practices. The authors suggest that the traditional “customer‐centricity” model is being replaced by a “customer‐compliance business model” (CCBM) of service provision. This new model and its propositions defy conventional thinking in the areas of service recovery and complaint management.Design/methodology/approachAvailable data and research are reviewed, in an attempt to understand CCBM. Differences with the customer‐centricity model are discussed.FindingsCCBM cannot be explained adequately by current assumptions in marketing. It breaks commonplace marketing expectations about service failure and recovery.Research limitations/implicationsThe emphasis is on explaining innovations in service recovery and complaint management.Practical implicationsCompanies which operate the CCBM model are of growing importance to developed, service‐oriented economies. The paper builds on evidence to show how CCBM businesses have abandoned or minimised costly customer centricity and have broken past norms and conventional marketing thinking and practice.Originality/valueThe scarcity of research in this area is explained by the recent, rapid evolution of these new model businesses. The study reveals and makes sense of important trends in service provision, distinct from and incompatible with normative arguments in some academic writings that advocate service recovery excellence.
Fraudulent consumer returns: exploiting retailers' return policies
Authors: Harris Lloyd C. 
Published: May 2010

PurposeAlthough dysfunctional behaviors by customers is increasingly being recognized by both scholars and practitioners, “illegitimate” complaining, in the form of fraudulent returns by customers, is under‐researched. The aim of this study is to address this gap in extant knowledge through explicitly focusing on uncovering factors which permit consumers to exploit retailers' liberal return policies when fraudulently returning products that they know they have used or damaged.Design/methodology/approachIn‐depth interviews were utilized as the main data collection method. Interviews were conducted amongst service employees and customers. A total of 87 interviews were conducted with front‐line employees and managers of 12 general retail outlets. Customer interviewing involved 96 interviews. Potential customer informants were randomly contacted with a request to participate in a study of customer service and returning goods.FindingsData analysis revealed ten main factors that appear to be related to customers' likelihood of successfully, fraudulently returning products.Research limitations/implicationsAs with other similar studies of this nature, the findings and implications are limited by the research design and methods employed. However, these limitations also indicate potentially fruitful avenues of future research. Future studies could employ different methods and explore differing contexts to gauge the generalizability of findings.Practical implicationsThe findings of the study have a range of implications for practitioners and policy makers. Insights are generated into the extent of fraudulent returning and the factors which facilitate successful fraudulent returns. As such, practitioners could use such insights to reduce the frequency of such episodes. Public policy implications centre on highlighting the issues which policy makers may wish to consider.Originality/valueThe current study is the first to explore how (rather than, why) consumers exploit firms' return policies and fraudulently defraud retailers. As such, a fundamental and stark contribution centres on the finding of widespread, recidivist fraudulent returning among those interviewed. Ten facilitators of fraudulent returning were identified, providing rich insights into how customers are able, successfully, to return used and damaged products.
How price image dimensions influence shopping intentions for different store formats
Authors: Zielke Stephan 
Published: May 2010

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to analyse how five price image dimensions influence shopping intentions for different store formats.Design/methodology/approachIn total, 306 espondents evaluated three stores from a list of 18 retailers on a multiple‐item scale, resulting in 918 price‐image measurements. Based on these data, a covariance structure analysis in Mplus analyses the direct and indirect impact of five price image dimensions on shopping intentions. A multiple group analysis identifies differences in the effects between store formats.FindingsThe impact of image dimensions differs substantially between store formats. For discount stores, value for money is by far the most important image dimension. For supermarkets, price level and value are equally important, but price perceptibility and price processibility are also relevant. For organic food stores, value is most important, followed by price processibility and evaluation certainty. For the weekly market, price perceptibility plays a key role in explaining customers' shopping intentions.Practical implicationsThe results carry several implications for retail pricing practice, as they indicate that retailers should not focus exclusively on price level competition. Depending on the store format, retailers should attach importance to the price image dimensions in varying degrees.Originality/valueThe study contributes to the literature by: advancing price‐image measurement; modelling direct effects on shopping intentions; analysing a number of different indirect effects in an integrated model; and taking the moderating effects of store format into account.