bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Automated service quality as a predictor of customers' commitment
Authors: Al‐Hawari Mohammad Ahmad 
Published: July 2011

PurposeThe main purpose of this paper is to highlight the significance of automated service factors, customer trust, and delight in customer commitment within the United Arab Emirates (UAE) banking context.Design/methodology/approachThe relative importance of automated service factors to customer delight, trust, and commitment was examined. The paper then proposed a conceptual model of the relationship between automated factors, customer delight, trust, and commitment within the UAE banking context. A survey was designed and data collected through the mall intercept method. AMOS 6 was used to test the hypothesized relationships.FindingsMost of the automated factors have no direct relationship with customer commitment, but an indirect one through customer trust and delight. Automated factors have a direct and positive influence on customer delight, which in turn has a direct influence on both customer trust and customer commitment. Customer trust is also related positively and directly to customer commitment.Research limitations/implicationsThis research has been applied to the financial institutions in the UAE. Further testing of the proposed conceptual model across different industries and countries is needed to determine the generalizability and consistency of this study's findings.Practical implicationsThe proposed model of commitment prediction has the potential to help UAE bank managers to strengthen the customer‐bank relationship and, ultimately, to enhance customer delight, trust, and commitment ratios especially in the light of the credit crunch that most banks in the UAE are facing.Originality/valueThis paper is a significant trial in showing the importance of automated service quality in gaining customers' commitment within the UAE retail banking context.
A macro‐prudential perspective of financial regulation
Authors: Nguyen Tristan 
Published: July 2011

PurposeIn the recent financial crisis, many observers have assigned monetary policy a central role in the crisis. Specifically, they claim that excessively easy monetary policy by the Federal Reserve in the first half of the decade helped to cause a bubble in housing prices in the USA. The purpose of this paper is to analyze the role of monetary policy within the regulatory frameworks of financial markets.Design/methodology/approachThe authors show within a macroeconomic framework a possible trade‐off between price stability and financial stability by differentiating between a technology‐driven bubble and an animal spirit bubble. In their conclusion: if there is a trade‐off between price stability and financial stability, the central bank will have to make a choice between the two objectives. In that case, the question arises of which of the two objectives should take precedence: price stability or financial stability?FindingsFrom this analysis, the authors conclude that a central bank which uses a lexicographic ordering favoring price stability over other objectives is likely to fuel the boom inadvertently (in the case of a technology‐driven bubble) or will decide to do nothing (in the case of an animal spirit bubble) allowing a process of excessive credit creation. The latter seems to be what happened between 2003 and 2008.Practical implicationsIf one wants to reduce the likelihood of future major financial busts, it must be accepted that the central banks (especially the Fed and the ECB) cannot only be responsible for price stability. Maintaining financial stability by preventing excesses in financial markets should be an equally important objective.Originality/valueThe paper gives a new perspective on the role of monetary policy within the regulatory framework. With this macroeconomic framework, the authors are able to show possible trade‐offs between price stability and financial stability. The micro‐ and macro‐prudential approach of this paper is a useful contribution to the discussion about regulatory reforms of financial markets.
Strategic illegal insider trading prior to price sensitive announcements
Authors: McInish Thomas H. , Frino Alex , Sensenbrenner Frank 
Published: July 2011

PurposeUsing data for actual insider trading cases prosecuted by the Securities and Exchange Commission, the paper aims to investigate whether insiders trade strategically to avoid detection.Design/methodology/approachThe paper analyzes actual insider trades prior to price sensitive announcements.FindingsIt is found that insiders are more likely to trade on high volume days, which indicates an effort to hide their trades. Further, insider trading raises the number of days with abnormally high trading volume only slightly, again indicating that insiders are avoiding attracting attention. No evidence is found that insider trading intensity increases on the insider trading day closest to the announcement day. The hypothesis that index returns for insider trading days and non‐trading days are the same cannot be rejected, which is consistent with insiders avoiding detection. For stocks sold by insiders, returns are higher for insider trading days than for non‐insider trading days. Hence, insiders are selling on days when the market is up, which tends to hide their trading. But for stocks bought by insiders, returns are significantly higher on insider trading days than on non‐insider‐trading days, indicating that in this case insiders may attract unwanted attention.Originality/valueThe research may be useful to those attempting to detect insider trades.
Supply chain integration and efficiency performance: a study on the interactions between customer and supplier integration
Authors: Danese Pamela , Romano Pietro 
Published: July 2011

PurposeThis research intends to investigate whether there are synergies that a firm could or should exploit by simultaneously implementing customer and supplier integration. In particular, the aim is to analyze the impact of customer integration on efficiency, and the moderating role of supplier integration.Design/methodology/approachThis study analyzes data from a sample of 200 manufacturing plants. Two hypotheses are tested through a hierarchical regression analysis. Customer and supplier integration constructs consider items related to different aspects of the integration (e.g. sharing of production plans and customers' forecasts, feedback on performance, communication on quality considerations and design changes, joint quality improvement efforts, close contact, partnerships). The focus of the integration clearly extends beyond the dyad, as it includes the integration of focal operations upstream and downstream, with both suppliers and customers.FindingsSupplier integration positively moderates the relationship between customer integration and efficiency, whereas the analyses do not support the hypothesis that in general customer integration positively impacts on efficiency. They also reveal that, when supplier integration is at a low level, customer integration can even produce a reduction in efficiency.Practical implicationsEfficiency performance optimization requires levering simultaneously on customer and supplier integration to foster their interaction, rather than investing and acting on customer integration only. In addition, before deciding whether to invest in customer integration, managers should ascertain the level of supplier integration, since it acts as a prerequisite for the successful implementation of customer integration.Originality/valueCompared with previous studies investigating the main impact of customer and supplier integration on a company's performance, this research analyzes a model that considers the interaction effect between these integration strategies. This provides a number of original implications for the interpretation of the relationship between customer and supplier integration and efficiency.
Self‐concept and the fashion behavior of women over 50
Authors: Peters Cara , Shelton Jeremy A. , Thomas Jane B. 
Published: July 2011

PurposeThe purpose of the present study is to examine the connection between the self‐concept and fashion consumer behaviors of senior females.Design/methodology/approachParticipants for the study (n=200) were recruited from 12 chapters of the Red Hat Society located in the Southeastern USA; they completed a self‐administered survey. Relational, individual and collective identities were measured via well‐established, pre‐existing scales. Statistical findings were used to examine how senior females with unique identities (i.e. relational, individual, and collective self‐concepts) differ in terms of their shopping behaviors and fashion orientation.FindingsStatistical results from this study indicate that apparel purchase decisions for senior females are complex and involve issues beyond style, fit, and price. Information on how the identity groups differed from one another in the various shopping behaviors and their interest in fashion is identified.Research limitations/implicationsThis study provides an examination into the complex self‐concept of older females and its link to fashion‐related consumer behaviors. Recommendations on how specific apparel retailers can better target senior females are presented.Originality/valueResearch regarding the complex fashion needs, and purchase decisions of senior females, is sparse. This research contributes to the literature on fashion and apparel by examining how different identities relate to various fashion consumer behaviors for women over 50.
Store attributes influencing relationship marketing: a study of department stores
Authors: Wang Chiu‐Han , Ha Sejin 
Published: July 2011

PurposeBuilt on De Wulf et al.'s relationship exchange model, the present study aims to examine store attributes as a signal for the process of customer‐retailer relationship building in the context of department store operation in the USA.Design/methodology/approachA sample of college students at a US university participated in an online self‐administered survey. Exploratory factor analysis identified store attribute factors pertaining to department stores and structural equation modeling tested hypotheses.FindingsSix store attributes relevant to department store environments were found: post‐transaction service, direct mail, interpersonal communication, merchandise, preferential treatment, and store atmosphere. Four store attributes (direct mail, interpersonal communication, merchandise, and preferential treatment) involve perceived relationship investment, while one store attribute dimension (store atmosphere) directly contributes to perceived relationship quality. Perceived relationship investment positively influences perceived relationship quality, which in turn influences behavioural and attitudinal loyalty intentions. The mediating effects of perceived relationship quality on the perceived relationship investment‐loyalty intention links were confirmed.Research limitations/implicationsThe single retail setting and student sample are limitations. Future research should examine store attribute dimensions in different retail and/or service operation settings with more diverse populations.Originality/valueThe current study demonstrated that store attributes (direct mail, interpersonal communication, merchandise, and preferential treatment) promote customer‐retailer relationship building as relationship‐inducing factors in the department store context.
The evolution of an idea
Authors: St. John Burton , Opdycke Lamme Margot 
Published: July 2011

PurposeThe aim of this work is to explore Edward L. Bernays' early evolution in thought concerning the rationale for public relations and to briefly discuss how these emergent ideological concepts have proven foundational for contemporary public relations.Design/methodology/approachBernays' ideological development in the decade after the First World War is traced through: his very early tactical work; his exposure to significant writings concerning the use of persuasion to manage the masses; and his own writings.FindingsBernays, widely considered a pioneer in the field of public relations, exhibited a somewhat halting evolution in thought concerning the role of the new public relations professional. From 1920 through 1927, he normally described the public relations counsel as using propaganda to move masses toward the acceptance of good causes. However, by the end of the decade, his concept of the public relations person shifted toward emphasizing using propaganda as a pro‐social mechanism to convey the ideas of minority voices to targeted audiences. The latter view is a precursor to modern‐day understandings of public relations as an endeavor that attempts to build mutually beneficial relationships between a client and its relevant audiences.Originality/valueThis paper offers a distinctive look at how, during a crucial decade, a pathfinder in US public relations developed rationales for the emergent field. The exploration of his evolving ideology provides a deeper view of how Bernays contributed to enduring concepts of a socially constructive practice of public relations.
Assessing new employee orientation programs
Authors: Acevedo Jose M. , Yancey George B. 
Published: July 2011

PurposeThis paper aims to examine the importance of new employee orientation (NEO) programs, the quality of typical NEOs, and how to improve NEOs.Design/methodology/approachThe paper provides a viewpoint of the importance of new employee orientation programs, the quality of typical NEOs, and how to improve NEOs.FindingsAlthough western organizations are revamping their NEO programs, western culture still seems to foster a mediocre orientation process.Originality/valueProvides a viewpoint of the importance of new employee orientation programs, the quality of typical NEOs, and how to improve NEOs.
Customer knowledge enabled innovation capability: proposing a measurement scale
Authors: Belkahla Wafa , Triki Abdelfattah 
Published: July 2011

PurposeThe present paper aims to propose a measurement scale of the customer knowledge enabled innovation (CKEI) capability.Design/methodology/approachData were generated on the basis of in‐depth interviews with managers and was analysed using the “Sphinx” software.FindingsA pool of 60 items is proposed for the eventual measurement of the CKEI capability.Research limitations/implicationsThe proposed measurement scale is still raw. Further research is needed in order to test its psychometric features as well as to validate its relevance into a general model of customer knowledge management and innovation.Practical implicationsOrganizations need to measure the degree to which they are endowed with the capability of managing effectively customer knowledge in order to foster innovation. The CKEI scale is considered as a barometer allowing organizations to evaluate to what extent they are endowed with the capacity of co‐creating value with their customers. The proposed CKEI scale is believed to provide managers with the opportunity to regularly monitor their innovative capability and be close to their customers.Originality/valueThe CKEI capability is proposed as a new construct focusing on integrating both innovation and knowledge‐based capabilities literatures. The CKEI measurement scale is believed to extend these literatures and to add knowledge to these areas of research..
Regulating Hawala: a comparison of five national approaches
Authors: Rusten Wang Jonas 
Published: July 2011

PurposeThe aim of this paper is to compare the regulatory frameworks for informal remittance systems in the UK, Germany, The Netherlands, Sweden and Norway.Design/methodology/approachThis study evaluates the effects of the different regulatory frameworks, in terms of level of control and quality of remittance services. It relies on reports from the Financial Action Task Force (FATF), law enforcement and regulatory agencies and the World Bank. It also draws heavily on academic literature and migrant household surveys.FindingsThere are major differences between the countries in how to regulate Hawala and other informal remittance systems. Even though all countries have challenges in regulating this sector, it seems that a simplified registration regime for money transfer operators is the most suitable option for improving both the level of control and the quality of remittance services. Looking at regulatory changes during the last decade, it appears that the national policies have converged towards a medium level.Originality/valueThis paper contributes to the debate on Hawala regulation by empirically evaluating how successful five different national policies have been. It also presents an updated picture of national regulations by including changes incurred by the EU Payment Services Directive (2007/64/EC), which was implemented in 2009 and 2010.
Land ownership and productivity in early twentieth‐century China: the role of incentives
Authors: Lee Ming‐Hsuan 
Published: July 2011

PurposeThis paper seeks to use data from China between 1929 and 1933 and provides new empirical evidence to the debate over the impact of land ownership and land‐renting systems on agricultural productivity.Design/methodology/approachThe authors estimate the OLS regression to determine the relationship between land ownership (and land‐renting systems) and farmers' productivity.FindingsThe findings suggest that land ownership was not a major factor in determining farmers' productivity; instead, agricultural infrastructures and institutions had the greatest influence on agricultural productivity. Furthermore, different renting systems generated different impacts on farmers' behavior: sharecropping reduced farmers' productivity while fixed rental contracts had no significant impact on farmers' productivity.Practical implicationsThis paper has two important policy implications for developing countries. First, agricultural policy that aims to raise agricultural productivity should focus more on improving agricultural infrastructures and institutions than on blindly supporting land privatization. Second, policymakers should promote fixed rental contracts over share contracts because fixed rental contracts were shown to have a smaller adverse impact on farmers' incentives.Originality/valueThis paper uses data from China and provides new evidence on the relative importance of land ownership and agricultural infrastructures/institutions in agricultural production. China is a country with a long agricultural history and a long‐standing well‐developed tenancy system. The case of China may therefore provide answers to policymakers in other developing countries.
Test of a service profit chain model in the Greek banking sector
Authors: Dimitriades Zoe S. , Papalexandris Nancy 
Published: July 2011

PurposeThis exploratory research seeks to examine the relationship between employee commitment and financial performance in the Greek retail banking sector.Design/methodology/approachA total of 331 questionnaires were completed by bank employees. Data were analyzed via confirmatory factor analysis, reliability analysis, correlation and mediation analysis.FindingsContrary to expectations, both employee attitudes (affective commitment) and perceptions (morale climate) were unrelated to business financial performance.Research limitations/implicationsBecause of the chosen research approach, results may lack generalizability. Therefore, researchers are encouraged to test the reported findings further.Practical implicationsCurrent findings might enhance understanding of the relationship between affective organizational commitment and financial performance in Greek retail banking.Originality/valueThe paper extends the existing service profit chain research, offering insights into employee commitment and its relationship with financial performance, in the relatively under‐researched Greek context.
SWFs and the global economy: the impact of the Gulf oil producers
Authors: Rios‐Morales Ruth , Ramady Mohamed , Brennan Louis 
Published: July 2011

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to analyze the role of sovereign wealth funds (SWFs) in sustaining global economies. The subject of SWFs has increasingly garnered the concerns of policymakers, market players and scholars for two main reasons: First, these funds represent the largest concentration of capital that the world has ever known, with the Arabian Gulf SWFs becoming increasingly important global players, especially during the most recent financial crises. Second, there is the dominant role of national governments in the management of these colossal funds. This paper assesses the contrasting perspectives on SWFs and analyzes the role they can play in sustaining the global economy by engaging in foreign direct investment.Design/methodology/approachBoth descriptive analysis and comparative analysis are used.FindingsSWFs are large and tend to be long‐term investors and have characteristics that are compatible with foreign direct investment (FDI). There is a role for them in sustaining the global economy via FDI. This analysis suggests that only 11 percent of SWFs' investment in FDI is needed in order to counteract the forecast decline of FDI. Initiatives such as the recently established Santiago principles can help to allay the concerns of host and investor nations. This paper concludes that SWFs should be welcomed by market players and policy makers as tools of economic growth.Practical implicationsCurrent trends indicate that SWFs are playing an important role as a source of foreign investment, and are also reducing the impact of liquidity pressures in the international banking system. The main driving force of their investing in the global market is in securing higher returns. However, there has been unease among Western countries that have concerns that governments could use SWFs to seize control of strategic companies in sensitive sectors, for their own purposes.Originality/valueThe paper assesses the potential contribution of SWFs to FDI and highlights aspects related to fostering a code of conduct that can allay concerns around areas such as transparency, and the extent to which restrictions should be imposed by host governments.
Assessing and measuring sales culture within commercial banks in Jordan
Authors: Deeb Mualla Naji 
Published: July 2011

PurposeThis study aims to assess and measure the sales culture within the commercial banks in Jordan, and to provide top management of these banks with the database which may be required for improving the banks' selling effectiveness.Design/methodology/approachThe study has been conducted on a convenience sample of 1,000 employees selected from those of all the commercial banks operating in Jordan. Sales culture was measured by using the Sales Culture Index (SCI), consisting of 65 statements. The data required for this study were collected by a self‐structured questionnaire.FindingsThe findings of the study indicate that the overall employees' perception of sales culture in the surveyed banks is moderate. However, the sales culture in the non‐Jordanian banks was stronger than that in the Jordanian banks.Research limitations/implicationsAs is the case in any study, some limitations relevant to this study cannot be abandoned. For instance, the findings of this study are based on self‐report perceptions of both the employees and the customers. Data collected by this approach may or may not be accurate to that extent, which reflects the respondents' real feelings.Practical implicationsThe results of this study would enable management in the commercial banks in Jordan to design internal marketing programs aimed at building a strong service‐minded sales culture among employees.Originality/valueThis is a first attempt to assess and measure the sales culture in the commercial banks in Jordan.