bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Three‐dimension decision model of introduced management innovation
Authors: Su Jingqin , Lin Haifen 
Published: July 2011

PurposeThis paper aims to address why some managers in China pursue innovative opportunities by introducing new management practices while others do not and what characteristics of managers affect their decision of introducing new practices and how.Design/methodology/approachThree major activities of managers referring to innovation intention, knowledge acquirement, and risk perception are extracted, a three‐dimension decision figure is established by further combining relevant literature with decision practices. Data on 237 managers from different firms were collected to further examine the model by adopting structural equation modeling, with the purpose of showing affecting paths and internal mechanisms of complex decision making.FindingsThe results indicate that: innovation intention, knowledge acquirement, and risk perception directly affect management innovation decision levels; innovation intention, knowledge acquirement, and risk perception are influenced by entrepreneurial orientation, social networking, and cognitive biases of managers, respectively; besides, the three relevantly independent affecting paths, interrelations also exist across paths; and the three main factors produce both direct and indirect effects, simultaneously.Research limitations/implicationsThe research does not investigate other variables that may affect innovation decision, such as contextual elements like competitive intensity, internal elements like organizational structure and culture, and top management teams.Originality/valueThe findings form a basis for further research into how to explore the black box of complex‐decision processes in the specific context of China and holds important implications for management practices.
Comparative analysis of some aspects of assessment of damages for contractual breaches in England and Wales, Australia and New Zealand
Authors: Chetwin Maree 
Published: July 2011

PurposeThe paper aims to examine the judicial approach to some aspects of contract damages in England and Wales, Australia and New Zealand.Design/methodology/approachThe paper is an analysis of judgments of the three jurisdictions and academic commentary.FindingsGenerally, there is uniformity in the assessment of damages in the jurisdictions discussed as is illustrated with liquidated damages and the adherence to the judgment of the House of Lords. However, the same adherence is not evident in the case of lower court judgments in the controversial area of “consequential loss”. Although not a remedy, it is an integral part of the assessment of damages process when included in exception clauses.Originality/valueThe research highlights the need for knowledge of the legal issues to ensure that the contract covers what is intended so that a party is not without a remedy when the contract fails.
The use of mediation in preventing homelessness in England
Authors: Ng Patricia 
Published: July 2011

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to explore the appropriateness of mediation as a homelessness prevention tool for statutorily homeless people who are in need of emergency housing assistance from local authorities in England. It is argued that although mediation is potentially an effective method for facilitating communication as a homelessness prevention tool, caution needs to be exercised in its use in attempting to prevent immediate homelessness.Design/methodology/approachIn‐depth interviews were carried out with five housing law practitioners and six mediators. The paper also draws on observations made by commentators on homelessness legislation as well as ADR. Government papers, including guidance and policy papers and statutes, have been examined.FindingsMediation could potentially offer effective assistance to homeless people, although it is questionable whether immediate homelessness could genuinely be prevented. In addition, in order to prevent potentially unlawful decisions being made, local authority officers need to take into account their reactive duties under Part VII of the Housing Act 1996 as amended by the Homelessness Act 2002.Research limitations/implicationsFindings from the research address homelessness mediation, an area that requires discussion. More research is needed on the benefits of mediation to homeless people.Originality/valueThe paper contributes to discussions between a range of academics and practitioners interested in the potential benefits of mediation in the context of homelessness work.
Critical yet invisible: the “good wife” in the New Zealand small firm
Authors: Lewis Kate , Massey Claire 
Published: July 2011

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to move away from the studies that have to date only focused on “visible women” (those who are running businesses as owner‐managers or as active partners, i.e. as copreneurs) to a focus on those that are largely invisible. These are the women who are involved in small firms but who are not copreneurs, and who do not have clearly acknowledged and/or formalised roles.Design/methodology/approachThe paper is based on data collected as part of a research programme that involved 250 in‐depth interviews carried out with owner‐managers in manufacturing and service firms throughout New Zealand over a two‐year period.FindingsThe findings from the interviews suggest that there are many women playing critical roles in New Zealand small firms whose contributions are unacknowledged, and which may be also unseen and unpaid. These women (typically as wives of owner‐managers) are contributing invaluably to the futures and fortunes of those firms – albeit from “behind the scenes”.Originality/valueIn the paper, a descriptive typology of the roles that wives play in New Zealand small firms is put forward. The typology provides a starting point for those wanting to explore similar dimensions of female “invisibility” in other contexts, and will contribute to the body of knowledge related to gender in the context of small firms.
Partitioning service encounters into touchpoints to enhance quality
Authors: McKechnie Donelda S. , Grant Jim , Shabbir Golawala Fatema 
Published: July 2011

PurposeThis paper aims to discuss partitioning an air travel service encounter into touchpoints according to elements and phases, which are depth and breadth, respectively, using the conceptual framework of Le Bel. The empirical findings further the dialogue about the service encounter construct.Design/methodology/approachA total of 12 distinctive touchpoints within the joining and intensive phases of any air travel service encounter are reviewed for importance using travel purpose and nationality as segmentation variables. Respondents participated through an online questionnaire and face‐to‐face approach from a fieldworker; they were not engaged in an air travel service encounter at the time of the study. Data analysis includes descriptive statistics, independent samplet‐tests and paired samplet‐tests where the latter considered a named airline from the region.FindingsThe findings indicate touchpoints to be sufficiently distinctive that partitioning a service encounter provides opportunities for quality improvements directed at customer satisfaction outcomes. Notably, greater importance is typically given to the intensive phase touchpoints than those in the joining phases thus placing more emphasis on activities within service encounters' simultaneous production/consumption. Touchpoint preference is evident for travel purpose and passenger nationality segmentation criteria. When an airline is named, respondents appear more discriminating about touchpoint quality compared to those in generic service encounters.Originality/valueAcademically, partitioning strengthens the links between the service encounter construct and service quality and provides additional information beyond expectations‐perceptions results. Industry value is derived for practitioner marketers when distinctive touchpoints are taken from a partitioned service encounter providing opportunities for segmenting and targeting consumers accordingly.
Do bio‐fuel policies lead to speculative behavior?
Authors: Huang Chia‐Hsing , Ho Liang‐Chun 
Published: July 2011

PurposeThis paper seeks to study the impact of bio‐fuel policies on oil and food futures prices from December 6, 2004 to August 1, 2008.Design/methodology/approachThe daily closing prices of brent crude oil, light sweet crude oil, corn, wheat, soybeans, and rough rice futures from December 6, 2004 to August 1, 2008 are used in this research. The vector error correction model is applied in order to study the impact of bio‐fuel policies on oil and agricultural futures prices.FindingsUnit root and cointegration tests show that the brent crude oil, light sweet crude oil, wheat, corn, soybeans, and rough rice futures are stationary and have a long‐run equilibrium relationship. Granger causality tests of the four periods shows that the causality relationship between oil futures and food futures changes over time. The first period result shows many Granger causes on several variables at a 5 percent significance level. The second period has more Granger causes at the 5 percent significance level. However, the Granger causality relationships become fewer and fewer in the third and fourth period.Originality/valueThis is the first paper to study the impact of the four major bio‐fuel policies of Brazil, the European Union, and the USA.
Demonstrating genuine interest in students' needs and progress
Authors: Rogers John , Smith Morgan 
Published: July 2011

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to identify the best predictors of student satisfaction with teaching.Design/methodology/approachAs part of a larger survey around student satisfaction differences in overall satisfaction with the course were compared to age, gender and enrolment characteristics. In addition the relationship between overall satisfaction and other quality teaching indicators was examined to identify those areas that were the best predictors of overall student satisfaction.FindingsThe best joint predictors of overall satisfaction were genuine interest in the individual's learning needs and progress, development of understanding of concepts and principles, clear expectations, the genuine interest of staff in teaching and reasonable workload.Research limitations/implicationsThere was a relatively low response rate for the survey (7.56 percent). No data were available on students who had the opportunity but did not respond. Based on demographic data the proportions of students responding to the questionnaire were similar to the overall demographics for the cohort for age, gender, mode of study and study load.Practical implicationsGenuine interest in students' needs and progress can be demonstrated by staff demonstrating empathy, being accessible and approachable as well as encouraging and supportive.Originality/valueAt a time in higher education when the workloads of many academics are increasing this research serves as a timely reminder that students appreciate staff who demonstrate genuine interest in their individual needs.
Student confidence in using and applying research methods whilst studying within a sport and exercise discipline
Authors: Burton Francesca , Schofield Cathy 
Published: July 2011

PurposeThis paper aims to investigate the confidence of foundation degree (FdSc) and top‐up degree students in using and applying research methods within a sport and exercise discipline.Design/methodology/approachClosed questionnaires determined FdSc (n=24) and top‐up degree (n=21) students' confidence in five domains of research methods: using research literature, designing research studies, analysing data, interpreting research findings, and presenting research findings. Confidence was rated using a seven‐point Likert scale anchored by “most confident” (1) and “clueless” (7).FindingsFdSc and top‐up students were most confident in using research literature and presenting research findings, respectively. Both FdSc and top‐up students were least confident in data analysis. Compared to FdSc, top‐up students were less confident in data analysis (FdSc: 3.4±0.29 vs top‐up: 4.38±0.39, p<0.01), interpreting research findings (FdSc: 2.99±0.39 vs top‐up: 3.62±0.42, p=0.02) and presenting research findings (FdSc: 2.90±0.17 vs top‐up: 3.33±0.15, p<0.01).Research limitations/implicationsThese data outline a need to address the teaching of research methods within FdSc and top‐up degrees in order to enhance student confidence.Originality/valueResearch methods are a defining feature of higher education degrees yet remain a challenging subject for many lecturers and students. Progression through FdSc and top‐up programmes provides an interesting transition with regard to research methods due to more diverse student cohorts and different research experiences. Limited insight into the experience and confidence of students studying for sport related FdSc or top‐up programmes, with regard to research methods, is currently available.
The development of a research methods toolkit to support sport science undergraduates and lecturers
Authors: Schofield Cathy , Burton Francesca 
Published: July 2011

PurposeBased on the experiences of those delivering the dissertation module on a level 6 BSc sport top‐up year, where students progress from many further education colleges and higher education institutions, from differing foundation degrees, it was observed that there was a variable comprehension of research methods by the progressing students. It was felt that this lack of knowledge and confidence with respect to research methods had a negative impact on their ability to undertake research and to produce scientific reports for the dissertation. This paper aims to investigate this issue.Design/methodology/approachAfter investigating the levels of confidence of FdSc sport science students and lecturers with respect to their research methods knowledge and understanding, a research methods teaching toolkit was developed using sport‐specific examples and activities to increase the amount of experiential learning.FindingsThe paper finds that in the design and construction of this initial toolkit it has become apparent that there are a vast number of approaches that can be taken to encourage student engagement with research methods within a sport and exercise science discipline.Research limitations/implicationsAs the development stage of the toolkit is completed the authors aim to evaluate the toolkit during the next academic year, assessing students' progress by comparison to a matched control group. This will be supplemented by lecturers' evaluation in order to refine the toolkit and make it available in varying formats to all institutions within University of Plymouth Colleges and beyond.Originality/valueThis paper provides information on the development stage of a toolkit aimed at supporting the research methods of sport science undergraduates and lecturers.
Promoting knowledge and understanding in society
Authors: Evans Darrell J.R. 
Published: July 2011

PurposeThe ability to communicate with society is one of the key skills by which our students can help enhance knowledge and understanding of different subjects within the general population. Unfortunately, up until recently few subject areas have provided tailored training for their students in the art of communicating with different audiences, especially a non‐specialist one. This review paper aims to discuss the rationale for incorporating defined communication skills training (CST) into higher education courses, focusing on medicine, other healthcare professions and science. In addition the review aims to identify example methodologies used for the training and assessment of communication skills.Design/methodology/approachThe approach taken for this review has been to: identify and review national, subject specific and individual drivers for why higher education should be including CST in their courses and programmes; evaluate some of the published approaches and innovations used to introduce CST into higher education courses; and finally, assess the factors that curriculum designers should consider when incorporating CST into their programmes or modules.FindingsThe review shows that there are a number of important drivers for including CST in higher education curricula, especially training which is directed to communicating with non‐specialist audiences. The paper identifies a number of varied approaches for integrating training into existing and emerging HE courses and modules, aimed at developing both oral and written communication skills.Originality/valueThe paper demonstrates the need for CST in undergraduate courses and acts as a challenge to others to devise strategies to ensure their students are ready and able to communicate with society in the twenty‐first century.
Halal certification: implication for marketers in UAE
Authors: Rajagopal Shambavi , Ramanan Sitalakshmi , Visvanathan Ramanan , Satapathy Subhadra 
Published: July 2011

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to introduce Halal certification as a new marketing paradigm which marketers can use to differentiate their products and services in the current competitive environment.Design/methodology/approachIn total, 151 questionnaires were distributed to the business student population from different universities in United Arab Emirates (UAE). The self‐administered questionnaire required the respondents to answer demographics questions on emirate of residence within UAE, gender, age and nationality, followed by specific questions to determine if respondents actively seek Halal certification for various products and services and if they were aware of brands offering certification. The questionnaire concluded with an open‐ended question to find out what Halal certification meant to the respondent.FindingsThe application of statistical tools indicated that, although the concept of Halal is familiar to the students, their awareness of whether products are Halal certified and their knowledge about Halal brands is extremely low.Practical implicationsThis paper suggests a model for marketers to brand their products and services by seeking, highlighting and communicating Halal certification in the UAE and possibly extending to the world markets.Originality/valueThe paper suggests that consumers are not exposed enough to Halal certification and Halal brands through marketing communication and suggests the greater use of marketing and branding to promote and sell Halal products and services. It has immediate practical relevance to marketing practitioners and strategic planners.
Hurricane risk and coastal property owner choices
Authors: Burrus Robert T. , Dumas Christopher F. , Graham J. Edward 
Published: July 2011

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to contrast the behavior of a US homeowner exposed to hurricane risk with government policies designed to limit hurricane losses. Owners limit these losses by selecting structural improvements or mitigation and wind and flood insurance.Design/methodology/approachThe paper uses mitigation costs, hurricane probabilities, and insurance premiums to frame rational cost‐minimizing choices for the homeowner.FindingsFirst, even though nationwide hurricane damage costs are large, the cost‐minimizing response for an individual property owner may be to buy no mitigation or structural improvements, no flood insurance and minimal wind insurance, as probabilities of strong hurricanes striking particular locations are extremely low. Second, additional insurance is a less costly defense than structural improvement, even under much higher insurance premiums and hurricane strike probabilities. Third, federally subsidized flood insurance may reduce the effectiveness of government programs encouraging structural mitigation.Originality/valueThe last few years were underscored by the catastrophic damages of Hurricanes‐Katrina, Ike and Wilma. Enormous costs suffered by the public and private sectors could have been avoided with greater mitigation by homeowners. This paper examines the financial incentives for such mitigation. Those incentives are examined in a previously untested framework.
Reconnecting with poverty: new challenges of disaster management
Authors: Korstanje Maximiliano E. 
Published: July 2011

PurposeIt is clear that poverty can be a key factor to take into consideration at time of potentiating or mitigating the unexpected aftermaths of disasters. In some extent, the degree of vulnerability created by poverty leads scholars to preclude material conditions of life plays a pivotal role in disaster rebuilt. Nonetheless, the present paper aims to explore precisely the connection between the false conceptualization of poverty as pathways towards the conditions of disasters with the disaster in such.Design/methodology/approachThis thesis is that the poverty is a humanitarian disaster often intellectualized as cause of disaster in order for real liable actors not assume their faults. The conceptual contributions of this paper pave the pathways for the advent of a new debate in disaster and recovery issues.FindingsThis paper questions the classical idea that poverty plays a positive role in the process of recovery after a disaster paving the pathways for the triggering of a hot debate in disaster management.Originality/valueThe originality of this work refers to the needs of reconsidering how late‐modernity replicates the conditions for what the disaster has been feasible. Not only this accommodates all our previous belief in how dealing with victims and survivors but explores the cynicism between suffering and mass consumption.
Women and risk tolerance in an aging world
Authors: Faff Robert , Hallahan Terrence , McKenzie Michael 
Published: July 2011

PurposeUsing a very large sample of psychometrically derived risk profiles of adult Australians, the paper aims to explore the linkage between financial risk tolerance and gender.Design/methodology/approachThe key proxy of risk tolerance score (RTS) derives from a 25 question survey devised by Finametrica and used in real client situations. Using multiple regression analysis in which RTS is the dependent variable, the paper tested the importance of gender in explaining cross‐sectional variation, while controlling for a range of demographic characteristics. The impact of gender was further explored through dummy variable enhanced regression analysis constructed to test the increment in each demographic coefficient derived from being female relative to the base case of being male.FindingsThe paper documents strong evidence that women differ from men in their attitude to financial risk taking. In general, women are shown to be less risk tolerant than counterpart males, with this differential varying depending on the demographic feature considered. We also find that marital status, number of dependents, age, education, income, combined income, and net assets are significant determinants of risk tolerance in their own right.Originality/valueGiven the extent to which women have more conservative risk profiles and the extent to which this conservatism is exacerbated with age (given the longevity advantage of women), one would expect to see asset allocation decisions leading to an overall shift to less risky investment portfolios.