bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
“EVIPI”: innovation stimulant in niche market for renaissance of resist dyeing industries
Authors: Adedotun Amubode Adetoun 
Published: May 2009

PurposeTie‐dye/batik produced in Abeokuta has contributed significantly to the Nigerian economy. Unfortunately, the influx of second‐hand clothing and cheap new fabrics from Europe and Asia has had a great negative effect on the industry. Consumers no longer patronize locally produced fabrics. They prefer cheap imported fabrics, either new or second‐hand. However, this paper aims to focus on innovation (“EVIPI” – an acronym for “examine, vision, ideas, prioritize, implementation”) in niche marketing as a strategy for the renaissance of resist dyeing industries (tie‐dye/batik) in Abeokuta to compete favorably in the local market.Design/methodology/approachThe study combined qualitative interviews with tie‐dye/batik practitioners, observation data and literature from secondary sources.FindingsThe findings reveal that practitioners lack innovative ideas that can help them in the sustainable growth of their businesses.Research limitations/implicationsThe study reveals innovation in niche marketing as the strategy required for the renaissance of tie‐dye and batik in Abeokuta, Nigeria.Originality/valueThe study is the first to look into the renaissance of the resist dyeing industry in Abeokuta through “EVIPI”, an innovation‐motivating acronym in niche marketing.
Internationalisation of the Spanish fashion brand Zara
Authors: Lopez Carmen , Fan Ying 
Published: May 2009

PurposeResearch on the internationalisation of retailing has been mainly focused on market entry issues. This paper attempts to examine the internationalisation process from an international marketing perspective using Spanish fashion retailer Zara as a case study.Design/methodology/approachAn in‐depth case approach was adopted based on extensive secondary research, which includes literature published in English and Spanish as well as internal company documents.FindingsThe internationalisation of Zara seems to follow the classic “stage model” by firstly entering geographically or culturally close markets before taking opportunities in more distant markets. This global expansion was triggered by both push and pull factors. Compared with the competition, Zara has three distinctions: vertical integration to achieve a faster turnaround time; use of franchise and joint ventures for rapid expansion; and use of the store as the main tool for promotion, with low spend on advertising.Research limitations/implicationsThe main drawback in case studies is that of limited validity and representativeness, constraining the potential for making generalisations. However, this case is deemed sufficient to provide valuable insights and improve understanding in this area.Originality/valueLittle attention has been devoted to the internationalisation process from an international marketing perspective. Aiming to fill this gap in the literature, this study provides important insights into Zara's internationalisation process.
Designing and managing business communities of practice
Authors: Corso Mariano , Giacobbe Andrea , Martini Antonella 
Published: May 2009

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to put forward a model to map the evolution of a business Community of Practice (CoP) in terms of learning and knowledge management processes.Design/methodology/approachEmpirical evidence is based on seven case studies and the analyses of three best practices from secondary sources. Two of those cases are analyzed longitudinally from inception, while the others are retrospective. Cases were chosen in order to cover different kinds of industries and, especially, to analyze sharing of different kinds of knowledge (from call‐centre operators to complex new products knowledge).FindingsThe article sheds light on the different evolutionary paths that business CoPs follow and the role of the dynamics of the organizational commitment and the people involvement. It was noticed that a high level of commitment from both the organization and its members is related to the effectiveness of the Community in supporting learning and knowledge management processes.Research limitations/implicationsThe case studies and best practice examples reported are all based on the experiences of Western companies – although some, if not all, may have global operations. It is possible that some of the conclusions (e.g, levels of organizational commitment and individual participation, evolutionary stages and drivers), may not be valid for Asian‐headquartered companies.Practical implicationsThis article aims to develop actionable knowledge to support management in understanding how to manage a business CoP, in order to create value for both the organization and its members. The proposed model can be used for mapping the CoP evolution, while identifying the appropriate governance tools to cultivate, stimulate and drive the Community evolution.Originality/valueIn the model, the evolution of a Community has been assessed in terms of its vitality – i.e. its effectiveness in supporting knowledge management and learning. This vitality depends on the combination of the organization's commitment and members' involvement. Therefore, supporting a Community in its evolution means stimulating and maintaining the commitment (animation and promotions levers) of these two parties.
Leveraging informal networks in knowledge management
Authors: Nirmala Maria , Vemuri Madhava 
Published: May 2009

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to trace and understand informal knowledge sharing networks for various competencies in project teams. This will help establish a baseline and thereby enable further knowledge management interventions to be outlined.Design/methodology/approachTwo project teams were identified for this study. While one of the teams had a semi‐structured knowledge management system already in place, the other had not adopted any knowledge management practices. The knowledge network analysis was rolled out for both the teams for the competencies that they were working on. This was more of an exploratory study. The results are compared across both the teams and inferences are made on the knowledge networks for the teams.FindingsThe various measures involved in social network analysis can help from a knowledge management perspective to: identify experts; provide indicators to the extent of knowledge sharing for various competencies; and baseline current knowledge management practices in a team.Research limitations/implicationsThis methodology would not be very feasible for large teams with more than 500 people.Practical implicationsThis is a very useful diagnostic tool for managers to know more about the knowledge sharing dynamics in their teams. This may help them design interventions to build the capabilities of key team members along specific knowledge areas.Originality/valueThe paper provides indicators on the capability of the teams and their knowledge repositories based on the interactions between them.
“Lifeblood knowledge”: dynamic relational capabilities (DRC) and knowledge for firm innovativeness and competitive advantage
Authors: Weissenberger‐Eibl Marion , Schwenk Johann 
Published: May 2009

PurposeThe purpose of the underlying paper is to strengthen and develop the theory around (dynamic) relational capabilities for firm innovativeness and competitive advantage with focus on the resource knowledge. Therefore one objective is the development of a theoretical concept of DRC within the research fields of social system‐theory, relational and capability‐based view. Another goal is the evolvement of the four DRC concerning the interorganizational knowledge transfer between firms.Design/methodology/approachThe theoretical part is based on a literature analysis in strategic management research. The authors propose a theoretical framework – DRC – predicated on social system‐theory, relational and capability‐based view. The discussion concludes by providing management implications for implementation of DRC to practitioners in firms.FindingsThe outcome of this paper contributes to the underlying conceptual work for strategic and knowledge management of firms. In detail a theoretical concept – DRC – for managing knowledge to generate innovativeness and competitiveness is developed. Furthermore, the paper provides some management implications on macro‐, meso‐, and micro‐level of firms to implement them.Practical implicationsFor practitioners the paper gives implications for implementing the theoretical considerations.Originality/valueThe concept has proven to be useful in improving the interorganizational knowledge transfer and innovativeness and competitive advantage in firms.
Performance measurement in corporate real estate
Authors: Jordan Michael , McCarty Thomas , Velo Brian 
Published: May 2009

PurposeMost performance measurement systems and scorecards fall short of communicating strategic value because they do not relate the metrics of real estate to the larger objectives of an organization. This paper aims to show that choosing the right business metrics and monitoring them through effective scorecards identifies and amplifies the competitive value that corporate real estate (CRE) creates for its host company.Design/methodology/approachThis paper identifies the common failures in performance measurement systems and presents a six‐step process for effective scorecarding that is formulated solely on strategic business objectives.FindingsThe paper finds that good performance measurement systems create a direct line of sight between CRE goals and stakeholder interests founded on open, strategic dialogue; refinement to a narrow set of metrics; and commitment to consistent process governance.Practical implicationsThe business transparency of a well‐designed performance measurement system helps to prioritize work and clarifies investment and disinvestment decisions.Originality/valueLeading businesses are increasingly refining the quality of their analytics as the source of competitive advantage. CRE executives who adopt the perspective and process described in this paper can elevate real estate as an integral part of the vision and success of their organizations.
Statistical modeling and probabilistic composition in the prediction of the customer lifetime value
Authors: Parracho Sant'Anna Annibal , Otavio de Araujo Ribeiro Rodrigo 
Published: May 2009

PurposeData mining registers of transactions allows for benchmarking customer's evaluation strategies. The purpose of this paper is to provide information on the application of different approaches to explore this kind of data.Design/methodology/approachTraditionally, heuristics based on variables such as recency, frequency, and monetary (RFM) value of transactions are used to determine the best customers. In this paper, a new form of directly combining the values of these variables is compared to an approach based on fitting a stochastic model. This last model is a mixture of a model for the number of transactions and another for the value spent. The new direct form of evaluation is based on computing the joint probability of maximizing quality indicators.FindingsGood fit of the different models tested to the series of individual data as well as coherent predictions are registered. Patterns found provide empirical confirmation of results that theoretically should be expected.Research limitations/implicationsThese results are valid for a particular supermarkets network in a Brazilian city. The inner consistency of the results, nevertheless, and the coherence of the results obtained with what was expected, encourage application to other places and sectors of activity.Practical implicationsThe results obtained show clearly the effectiveness of the approach based on RFM value measurement.Originality/valueThe models studied are applied for the first time for the kind of data treated, where determination of which customers remain active is a problem of special interest.
A new advertising effectiveness model for corporate advertising web sites
Authors: Patsioura Fotini , Vlachopoulou Maro , Manthou Vicky 
Published: May 2009

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to present an effectiveness conceptual framework to evaluate the overall performance of corporate advertising web sites towards the multiple advertising, promotional and relationship marketing objectives of their establishment. Specifically, communication, feedback and customer support policies are examined in order to identify their contribution in creating or influencing advertising “effects”.Design/methodology/approachData from a questionnaire‐based survey of 160 undergraduate and postgraduate students within the department of applied informatics are used to accomplish greater understanding of their perceptions and requirements towards the factors in question.FindingsFindings reveal significant dimensions of the participants' behaviour based on their actions, activities, preferences and intentions. Also, the outcomes show a great impact of the relationship marketing qualitative factors in question on specific advertising effectiveness indicators.Research limitations/implicationsThe stimulus materials are limited to two corporate advertising web sites. Further testing to a wider sample of advertising stimulus of different product categories is required.Practical implicationsEffectiveness measures provide to practitioners a factual demonstration of consumers' use and intended use regarding functions and features incorporated by corporate advertising web sites and enable the optimisation of their execution.Originality/valueThe paper introduces a new conceptual framework to support the contribution and significance of relationship marketing factors on the overall performance of corporate advertising web sites. This should be a useful approach for both academic researcher and practitioners.
Product variety: an auto industry analysis and a benchmarking study
Authors: Felipe Scavarda Luiz , Schaffer Jens , José Scavarda Annibal , da Cunha Reis Augusto , Schleich Heinrich 
Published: May 2009

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to develop a product variety multi‐market study in the auto industry and to conduct a benchmarking analysis of the practical findings against the theoretical ones obtained in a European Community Research Project (Intelligent Logistics for Innovative Product Technologies – ILIPT) that aims to rethink the automotive supply chain.Design/methodology/approachThe authors conduct an exploratory research including an empirical multi‐market study, which embraces many significant passenger car models from a global vehicle manufacturer in relevant automotive markets. To provide a rich dataset, the authors utilize a combination of data collection techniques including interviews, contextual performance data and a detailed analysis of product offerings available from the vehicle manufacturer's regional web sites. This paper also shares the experience of a European Community Research Project benchmarking the results for the automobile industry.FindingsIn this paper, product variety in the auto industry is classified into four general categories. The empirical results suggest that the platform (most aggregated form of variety) follows the same logic worldwide while all the other product variety categories (in particular variants) are restricted in emerging markets and very refined in Europe. The benchmarking shows that the European variety offered exceeds the “appropriate” level of variety considered best in class by the ILIPT project while the emerging countries variety offered is below this level. This fact points to space for improvement in the product variety management of both supply chains.Originality/valueThis is a valuable empirical research study that examines the current behaviour of the auto product variety in significant markets and gives an overview where the variety is created world wide. A benchmarking analysis is also offered, which gives an idea of how far vehicle manufacturers are in terms of providing the “appropriate” level of variety.
Benchmarking in service marketing – a longitudinal analysis of the customer
Authors: Koller Monika , Salzberger Thomas 
Published: May 2009

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to provide insight into the temporal development of the customers' psychological state, described by a multitude of constructs, throughout the whole decision‐making process in a service context in order to derive ideas for customer‐focused benchmarking.Design/methodology/approachA combination of qualitative and quantitative data contributes to a better understanding of psychological phenomena during purchase decision making. The present longitudinal study investigates the consumers' psychological state during the decision‐making process considering services in tourism industry applying the diary method. Qualitative in‐depth investigation of individual case studies provides further information for interpreting the results of quantitative analyses which aim at measuring constructs such as perceived risk, cognitive dissonance (CD), satisfaction and arousal on a higher level of abstraction.FindingsFindings show that qualitative and quantitative data not only complement one another but also their interaction provides additional information about the individual consumer decision‐making process. As the longitudinal quantitative analysis shows that CD does not completely dissolve over time and significantly influences the level of satisfaction, complaint behaviour and word‐of‐mouth, additional qualitative data help interpret these findings and derive more effective marketing implications.Research limitations/implicationsImplications for the marketing‐mix of service companies in general and travel agencies in particular are derived. The paper underlines the potential of innovational methodological approaches in marketing research.Originality/valueThe paper introduces a longitudinal mixed‐method approach to collect customer‐focused information relevant for benchmarking purposes of service companies. It contributes to scientific knowledge of decision making in general and CD in particular.
Predicting corporate failure: some empirical evidence from the UK
Authors: Opoku Appiah Kingsley , Abor Joshua 
Published: May 2009

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to use relevant financial information of private medium‐sized failed and non‐failed manufacturing firms in the UK, during the period 1994‐2004 to determine whether corporate failure can be predicted by developing a Z‐score model.Design/methodology/approachMultiple discriminant analysis is used to develop the Z‐score to support the notion that Z‐score is an innovation to overcome the numerous difficulties associated with using single ratios to measure companies' health or risk of failure.FindingsThis paper advances the notion that the net profit margin is superior to the gross profit margin in discriminating between failed and non‐failed UK manufacturing companies in terms of its significant contribution to the Z‐score, though the latter exceeds the former slightly using the univariate analysis.Originality/valueThis research contributes to the area of benchmarking by providing a method to more accurately predict corporate failure.
Methodology for a think tank: the future of military and veterans' health
Authors: Palmer Jane , Ellis Niki 
Published: May 2009

PurposeThis paper seeks to argue that the adoption of a “critical futures” approach to management and content of a Think Tank conducted by the Centre for Military and Veterans' Health, Australia, resulted in outcomes conducive to deep level change within the organizations and professional groups involved.Design/methodology/approachThe Think Tank process focused on challenging mind‐sets and entrenched systemic barriers at all organizational levels through: engagement of leadership throughout the process; broad‐based workshops involving management, professional and operational levels; use of causal layered analysis to encourage critical thinking and ideas development; and use of scenarios to imagine the future.FindingsAt the end of the Think Tank's program, a new framework supporting health services delivery had been envisaged, its components described and the cultural and structural changes needed to make this happen had been identified.Practical implicationsThe results of the Think Tank program will provide a basis for action to achieve a preferred future over the next two decades. Such action includes research, horizon scanning, adoption of new technologies, better information collection and management, and training and education programs, and most importantly attitudinal and cultural change. A significant indicator of the impact of the Think Tank is that requests for further work using similar methodologies to move towards the preferred future were quickly received from the military and veterans' sectors.Originality/valueThe Think Tank worked alongside a military command control structure to maximize leverage for change, and to encourage critical and futures‐oriented thinking at all organizational levels. The result has been a comprehensive and strategic vision of the future that went well beyond the outcomes envisaged at the beginning of the process. We are unaware of any other such futures projects which have been conducted in the military and veterans' health sector.
Plastic promises: the disruptive potential of OLEDs and e‐paper for the European display industry
Authors: Forge Simon , Blackman Colin , Lindmark Sven 
Published: May 2009

PurposeThe paper aims to explore two developing display technologies, organic light emitting diodes (OLEDs) and e‐paper, with a view to assessing their potential to disrupt existing markets and thereby offer an opportunity for European firms to play a larger role in the Information and communication technologies (ICTs) sector.Design/methodology/approachThe paper is based on an extensive study including literature review and detailed desk research on the technologies themselves, their potential application and market analysis. Selected interviews with industry representatives were also carried out, which further informed a detailed value chain analysis and assessment of the EU position in these technologies.FindingsOLEDs and e‐paper have the potential to disrupt current displays market and in so doing they may enable EU companies to enter at selected points in the value chain to compete with the Asian ICT industry.Originality/valueAlthough there is a huge literature on the technical aspects of these technologies, speculative market analysis and journalistic assessments, this paper brings all of these facets together in a sophisticated value chain analysis that indicates opportunities for Europe's ICT sector.
Indispensable to sound strategy: trust and confidence in the planner
Authors: Richardson Jacques 
Published: May 2009

PurposeThe objective of this paper is to probe the extent of confidence and trust in oneself, in others, and in the future when devising plans and strategy.Design/methodology/approachThe paper evokes specific incidents, past and present, marking the bases of confidence sustained, abandoned, or disregarded.FindingsThis paper presents examples of outcomes that may be overlaid on readers' current exercises in planning or scenario development.Originality/valueThis is an example of the continuing value of analyses in retrostrategy: understanding how/why a future‐oriented scheme is succeeding, failing, or having indifferent effect.