bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Price or relational behaviours?
Authors: Gyau Amos , Spiller Achim , Wocken Christian 
Published: July 2011

PurposeThe aim of this paper is to determine the relative importance of actual price and behavioural factors for the quality of the business relationship between German dairies and their milk suppliers.Design/methodology/approachThe paper reports the results of field study involving 209 farmers in Lower Saxony and the northern section of North Rhine‐Westphalia regions in northwest Germany. These regions are the most important milk production centres in Germany.FindingsThe results indicate that, whereas behavioural factors, specifically relationship management practices and price satisfaction, have a positive influence on the quality of the business relationship between the farmers and the dairies, the actual price levels have no influence.Practical implicationsActual prices paid to the farmers is not the most important factor which influences the quality of their relationship with the dairies but rather behavioural norms such as milk price satisfaction and relational norms. Dairies are advised to enhance price perception through price negotiations and transparency in order to facilitate quality relationship instead of through higher price payment alone.Originality/valueThis study is the first to integrate and compare the actual prices and behavioural variables to determine their relative importance and influence on relationship quality.
Consumers' experience of spelt porridge and sea buckthorn juice
Authors: Paasovaara Rami , Luomala Harri T. 
Published: July 2011

PurposeThis paper aims to investigate how differences in message content and in need for cognition influence consumers' sensory evaluation, product attitudes and purchase intentions in terms of spelt porridge and sea buckthorn juice.Design/methodology/approachQuantitative research methods were used. Four taste experiments were carried out among Finnish female consumers (n=129).FindingsHealth‐related product information had a positive impact on attitude towards and intention to purchase spelt porridge, and safety‐related product information had a positive impact on sensory experience of sea buckthorn juice. In addition, in the examination of the need for cognition effects revealed a tendency indicating that spelt porridge and sea buckthorn juice were experienced more positively among individuals high in need for cognition than among individuals low in need for cognition.Research limitations/implicationsThe instrument of need for cognition is also applicable to investigating actual behavioural elements such as sensory evaluation.Practical implicationsThis paper has implications for novel food marketing.Originality/valueThe findings advance understanding of the roles of subtle message differences and need for cognition in consumers' food product experiences.
Dynamic performance management: how to deliver more, with less, forever
Authors: Black Octavius , Marshall‐Lee Debbie 
Published: July 2011

PurposeThe research is unequivocal: when it comes to return on equity, revenue growth, profitability and employee turnover, performance management can deliver remarkable results for next to no investment. However, in most companies, performance management has a poor reputation. It takes up valuable time and resources, yet delivers little return. The reason is simple: managers focus on forms, systems and processes. What they need to focus on is the quality of their conversations. This paper, which is a concise version of the authors' in‐depth white paper, aims to highlight the five key ingredients that lead to dynamic performance conversations.Design/methodology/approachOver 50 independent academic studies were analysed, and leaders in a dozen leading businesses were consulted. The authors also draw lessons from The Mind Gym's ten years of work with 40 per cent of FTSE 100 companies.FindingsFive vital ingredients for dynamic performance conversations are: stretching goals with fortnightly feedback; consistent differentiation; commercial coaching; job crafting; and employees taking responsibility.Practical implicationsThe authors share a “ready reckoner”, developed for organisations to discover how they fare at the five ingredients. The authors explore simple yet powerful ways that managers and individuals can put these five ingredients into practice.Originality/valueThe paper gives individuals, line managers and HR professionals clear, practical advice on where to focus their effort so that they realise the full personal and commercial benefits of dynamic performance management.
Lafarge develops employee talent through e‐learning
Authors: Martin Frédéric 
Published: July 2011

PurposeThe number of companies using remote learning solutions to develop talent and skills has witnessed an upsurge in recent years. Thanks to Web 2.0 and other types of technology, classroom learning or “traditional distance learning” offers have undergone a major transformation. E‐learning has become an indispensable tool, especially for globally dispersed companies wishing to respond to modern day management and leadership challenges. The aim of this paper is to explore e‐learning within the context of global talent management.Design/methodology/approachThe paper uses the experiences of Lafarge, an international industrial company specialising in four major products (cement, concrete, aggregates, and gypsum), as a case study.FindingsLafarge's initial experience with e‐learning solutions from provider CrossKnowledge has proved to be particularly efficient and effective. After the successful launch of 140 CrossKnowledge modules in four languages (Chinese, Spanish, English and French), which are currently used by 40,000 employees within the framework of a corporate university, Lafarge plans to develop Arabic and is currently working on a pilot of around ten modules with a view to developing more in the near future. Polish modules are available too. Additionally, the company is continuing to develop tailor‐made modules in‐house. For Lafarge, e‐learning is an ongoing project and the company intends to migrate towards its own “knowledge communities” offer, thereby departing from the formal learning offer in order to be able to manage and operate a more “informal learning” programme.Originality/valueThis ambitious venture has enabled Lafarge to create an equal skills base for managers in over 80 different countries all across the globe and ensure that the people responsible for running the operation abroad understand corporate strategy and managerial requirements in order to develop staff locally. This is a useful case study for leadership and management training and HR professionals operating within a global organisation.
Developing a system for training unemployed adults at the VTC (vocational training centres) in Greece
Authors: Brinia Vasiliki , Soundoulounakis Nicolaos 
Published: July 2011

PurposeThe educational methodology of lifelong learning and adult education ensures human employment, the progress of society and peaceful social coexistence. Programs of vocational training for unemployed people or for groups with special needs are the common ways to ensure that employment inequalities are diminished and job opportunities for a better life are provided to the members of the community. Obviously, the standards of such education are of a great importance. If high standards are ensured, better results are achieved. The purpose of this paper is to document the development of a prototype system that will ensure high quality standards in the operation of a vocational training centre (VTC).Design/methodology/approachResearch was carried out among students, teachers and staff of a specific VTC in Xanthi, aiming at specifying the key factors that influence the quality of the training provided.FindingsThe results of the research are presented and in relation to the answers given to special questionnaires there are suggestions regarding the issues of decision making, dealing with complaints, monitoring the quality of the training procedure and evaluating the vocational program in coordination with all members of the VTC (students, trainers and staff) and the companies where the trainees had practical training.Practical implicationsSome of these suggestions have already been implemented, with promising results.Originality/valueThe paper draws conclusions and makes recommendations for further research on specific topics that may improve the operational quality of the vocational training centres under discussion. Initiatives that will be taken by the state authorities are also described.
Information seeking behaviour of orphaned and vulnerable children's caregivers in Namibia
Authors: Mnubi‐Mchombu Chiku , Mostert Janneke 
Published: July 2011

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to determine how the caregivers of orphans and vulnerable children in Namibia seek information to ensure their own and the children's survival.Design/methodology/approachThe research was conducted through focus group discussions in the Ohangwena (rural) and Khomas regions (urban). Purposive sampling was used to identify key informants with the assistance of social workers and community leaders.FindingsDisparities between rural and urban areas in terms of information access and use were found. For example, the rural dwellers expressed need for information on educational support, psychological and counselling services, childcare, and job opportunities. In urban areas, educational support and the establishment of small businesses featured as prominent needs. Radio, traditional leaders, regional councillors, friends and relatives were identified as channels of information in Ohangwena, while in Khomas, friends and relatives, community leaders, and regional councillors were most popular. Various challenges were identified such as, lack of transport and funding to access it, getting information too late to respond timeously, and a lack of accessible information channels.Research limitations/implicationsOnly two regions in Namibia were covered in this paper, i.e. Ohangwena (rural) and Khomas (urban). It was assumed that the information needs of caregivers in all the other rural or urban areas would be the same as those identified in the sampled areas.Originality/valueLiterature on the topic is scarce and, therefore, the paper gives important insight into how to assist caregivers with their information needs.
External technology sourcing: evidence from design‐driven innovation
Authors: Cantarello Silvia , Nosella Anna , Petroni Giorgio , Venturini Karen 
Published: July 2011

PurposeThe purpose of the paper is to analyse the changing of governance modes for the acquisition of external technology in the context of design driven innovation.Design/methodology/approachThis is an explorative study drawing on cases of new product development (NPD) by six design‐oriented Italian firms. In analyzing the cases a longitudinal approach is taken.FindingsThe analysis of the cases shows a similar pattern for technology sourcing during the NPD process, starting with informal networks and ending with hierarchical structures. In the early stages of NPD, when market uncertainty and technological uncertainty are very high, these companies choose an informal network. However, once the product concept is defined and the companies need to become familiar with a technology, they move to strategic alliances with partners. In the final stages of NPD, more hierarchical structures seem to prevail.Research limitations/implicationsThere are two main limitations of the study. The paper investigates the influence of uncertainty on the choice of governance modes and does not consider other variables that could impact on choice such as assets specificity, frequency of transactions, product complexity, cultural distance among partners, etc. Another limitation of the study is the small set of cases.Practical implicationsFrom a managerial point of view, this study suggests that firms which develop successful design‐driven innovations follow an organizational pattern for technology sourcing during the NPD process, starting with informal networks and ending with hierarchical structures. Thus it is extremely important for these firms to have an open‐minded management that fosters the creation of a wide external network. This openness shown by the firms towards collaboration with other organizations in order to acquire ideas, new materials and knowledge must be offset by the secure protection of the results of the innovation process. Managers must foresee these needs and find ways to safeguard the results obtained through experimentation by means of patents or exclusive contracts with the supplier.Originality/valueThe paper contributes to the research on the theme of design‐driven innovation, analyzing the evolution and change in governance modes across the new product development process. It thus differentiates from the existing literature adopting a dynamic view, where multiple transactions are taken into consideration.
Graduate students' usage of and attitudes towards e‐books: experiences from Taiwan
Authors: Wu Ming‐der , Chen Shih‐chuan 
Published: July 2011

PurposeUniversity libraries are increasing their e‐book collections. The purpose of this study is to investigate graduate students' usage of and attitudes towards e‐books at National Taiwan University.Design/methodology/approachA total of 20 graduate students from the fields of humanities, social sciences, science and technology, and medicine were interviewed.FindingsThe results indicated that graduate students used e‐books mainly for the purposes of study and research. Monographs were the type of e‐book that students used most often, followed by textbooks and reference tools. While they appreciated the convenience of using e‐books, students mentioned several limitations. They liked the keyword search function of e‐books. Most of the time, graduate students browsed a few paragraphs or pages online and then printed out copies for further reading. They also borrowed the corresponding paper versions of the e‐books from the library. Students preferred that university libraries supply both the electronic and paper versions. In certain aspects, students' use behaviour was found to vary among disciplines.Originality/valueThis study highlights multiple aspects of graduate students' use behaviour with respect to e‐books. The findings could be used to enhance e‐book collection development in university libraries.
People's Collection Wales
Authors: Tedd Lucy A. 
Published: July 2011

PurposeThe People's Collection Wales aims to collect, interpret, distribute and discuss Wales' cultural heritage in an online environment. Individual users or local history societies are able to create their own digital collections, contribute relevant content, as well as access digital resources from heritage institutions. This paper aims to provide an overview of the development of the People's Collection Wales, which is being funded through CyMAL: Museums, Archives and Libraries Wales.Design/methodology/approachWork on digitising various collections in Welsh cultural heritage institutions, such as Culturenet Cymru, the National Library of Wales, the National Museum Wales, and the Royal Commission on the Ancient and Historical Monuments of Wales has been in progress since the 1990s. An overview of this work is given, along with details of how the People's Collection Wales project has developed between 2009 and 2011.FindingsMaterial available from the People's Collection Wales is available in a variety of media, including: film; images; video and audio clips; maps; photographs; and text. The web site also uses global positioning system technology to allow users to travel over the landscape of Wales, and view artefacts in three dimensions.Originality/valuePeople's Collection Wales is an example of a service resulting from a convergence of libraries, archives and museums, and which showcases user involvement in the creation of digital content. A number of innovative applications, including mobile technologies, are being implemented within the project.
A preliminary study of the synbiotic effects of konjac glucomannan hydrolysates (GMH) and lactobacilli on the growth of the oral bacterium Streptococcus mutans
Authors: Tester Richard F. , Al‐Ghazzewi Farage H. 
Published: July 2011

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to determine the effect of synbiotic combination of lactobacilli with konjac glucomannan hydrolysate (GMH) to reduce Streptococcus mutans growth in vitro with the intention of characterising its efficacy as a new approach for oral hygiene.Design/methodology/approachStrains of Lactobacillus acidophilus and S. mutans were grown individually or in combination in modified Columbia base broth supplemented with 2 per cent GMH. Following incubation, the samples were plated on De Man, Rogosa and Sharpe and Columbia blood agar and growth of both strains was assessed.FindingsThe probiotic bacteria L. acidophilus was able to “out grow” S. mutans in the presence of konjac glucomannan in the mixed cultures.Originality/valueThe results indicate that consumption of prebiotic and probiotic combinations may play a role as potential prophylactic or therapeutic agents for reducing the presence of organisms in the mouth associated with tooth decay. In order to confirm a beneficial effect of GMH further in vivo in this concept, studies involving healthy human volunteers should be considered.
Laser gas‐assisted nitriding of Ti implant
Authors: Sami Yilbas Bekir , Karataş Cihan , Ersu Bahadır , Gurgan Sevil 
Published: July 2011

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to investigate the morphological and metallurgical changes of laser gas‐assisted nitriding of titanium implants.Design/methodology/approachLaser gas‐assisted nitriding of titanium implant is carried out and the metallurgical as well as the morphological changes in the nitride layer are examined using optical microscopy, SEM, XRD, and X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy. Temperature and thermal stress fields are computed during the laser heating process adopting the finite element method. The residual stress formed in the nitride layer is measured using the XRD technique while micro‐indentation tests are carried out to determine the fracture toughness of the surface after the laser treatment process.FindingsIt is found that nitride depth layer extends to 40 μm below the surface and it is free from the cracks and micro‐voids. The residual stress formed on the surface region is higher than at some depth below the surface in the nitride layer, provided that the maximum residual stress is less than the elastic limit of the substrate material.Originality/valueThe paper contains original findings and the findings are not submitted any other journal for publication.
Construction of an instrument to measure social valuation in an emerging market context
Authors: Wasswa Katono Isaac 
Published: July 2011

PurposeThis study aims to construct a parsimonious instrument to measure social valuation in a collective setting using Uganda as an example.Design/methodology/approachA triangulation technique was used in this study. Conversations with students, parents, teaching and non‐teaching staff at Uganda Christian University (UCU) main campus were carried out, as well as a rigorous review of the literature to gather an original set of items on social valuation. Content and face validity were carried out in order to get rid of redundant and ambiguous items. The remaining items were incorporated in a questionnaire which was pretested before being distributed to a convenience sample of 650 third‐year business students on the four campuses of UCU, each located in one of the four regions of Uganda.FindingsPrincipal axis factoring by promax rotation extracted six oblique factors accounting for 56 percent of the variance, namely, teaching of entrepreneurship in schools, family, knowledge, institutions, perception of education, and culture. Confirmatory factor analysis found the measurement model to have acceptable fit statistics.Research limitations/implicationsThe study used a convenience sample of students from four campuses of one institution in the country.Practical implicationsGovernment and other stakeholders in the entrepreneurial sector should use the instrument developed in this study as a guide in a bid to enhance entrepreneurship.Originality/valueExisting measures of social valuation were designed in the West and may not be wholly applicable in a developing country setting. The instrument designed in this study in a collective setting should be a great contribution to entrepreneurial research and development in developing economies.
An evaluation of ocean container carrier selection criteria: an Indian shipper's perspective
Authors: Kannan V. , Bose S.K. , Kannan N.G. 
Published: July 2011

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to assist ocean container carriers in devising effective marketing strategies to attract and retain Indian shippers by letting them understand the list of criteria Indian shippers use in the carrier selection decisions and also the amount of importance they assign to each criterion during such decisions.Design/methodology/approachTo explore the criteria, review of transportation literature, customer satisfaction survey questionnaires of container carriers and SERVQUAL battery was undertaken. Telephonic interviews and focus group interview were also conducted for this purpose. In order to evaluate the criteria, analytic hierarchy process (AHP) was used. In the AHP, the pairwise comparisons were carried out by another focus group with the help of a questionnaire. For AHP calculations, the Expert Choice 11.5 software was used.FindingsIndian shippers use 45 criteria in the container carrier selection process and out of these, low freight is ranked as the most important criterion and pricing flexibility is the second most important one. In the list, these are the only two criteria found to be with more than 10 per cent importance. The least importance is given to five criteria: gifts and compliments, online booking, physical facilities, professional appearance and trade announcements which are weighed with 0.10 per cent importance. The paper has explored and added several new carrier selection criteria to the existing transportation literature.Practical implicationsThe paper enables container carriers to understand various criteria Indian shippers use in the container carrier selection decisions along with their relative importance in such decisions. It also helps container carriers to decide which criterion is to be given priority and which not while devising their marketing strategies for Indian market. This decision is vital to maximize shippers' satisfaction.Originality/valueThe paper is the first ever carrier selection study undertaken in India and is expected to open up enormous scope for future research.