bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Building friendships and relationships
Authors: Garzaniti Ivana , Pearce Glenn , Stanton John 
Published: November 2011

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to explore the contribution of conversation as an element of interaction that occurs in a hairdressing service encounter with the aim of seeking to understand variations in conversation between “short” and “long‐term” clients; how conversation contributes to the development of “commercial friendships”; and how relationships develop through conversation.Design/methodology/approachQuota sampling is used to select eight hairdressing service encounters in one Australian salon for recording and subsequent interviews with clients. Quotas address gender and duration of continued patronage. Conversations and interviews were analysed thematically and using conversation analysis.FindingsThe progress and evolution of conversations varied between short and long‐term customers; topics also varied by this classification as well as gender. Conversation played an important function with respect to building friendship with the service provider; conversation also assisted in the development of long‐term relationships.Research limitations/implicationsApart from the small sample, the study was highly contextualised because it investigated encounters in a single hairdressing salon and explored perceptions of the service conversation from the perspective of only one party to the conversation, the client.Practical implicationsThe findings point out the important role non‐task conversation can play in retaining customers in people‐processing services. Service providers perhaps can achieve more to improve the service experience and satisfaction of customers by placing less emphasis on the need for physical resources or promotion, instead focussing on the intangible of improving the conversation skills of their providers. More non‐task conversation and less task‐related talk may also facilitate a closer relationship between hairdresser and client. Further research on the nature and role of conversation during service encounters should offer guidance for improving the conversation skills of service providers and in improving customer retention.Originality/valueThis study specifically focuses on the role and nature of non‐task conversation as a specific aspect contributing to a customer's service encounter experience in a people processing service.
Identification of local information items needed during search and rescue following an earthquake
Authors: Guven Gursans , Ergen Esin 
Published: November 2011

PurposeThis paper aims to identify the local information items that are needed by search and rescue (S&R) teams for an effective disaster response following an earthquake. Currently, it is a challenging and time‐consuming task to collect most of this information from a disaster environment. It was envisioned that the local information identified can be stored on distributed databases that are placed in the buildings and will be used to improve S&R operations.Design/methodology/approachThe information items are obtained through a literature review and via interviews conducted with experts from disaster response organizations. The data collected were triangulated to generate a data model, which was then validated internally and externally by expert feedback.FindingsA data model including a detailed list of information items required during S&R operations was generated, along with justification of the information needs. The findings show that not only information related to buildings, but also other information related to the residents and the contents of the buildings are needed, such as residents' health information, and hazardous materials and their specific locations.Practical implicationsThe data model presented can be used by researchers to further develop systems that can be used during an earthquake.Originality/valuePrevious studies have only provided a list of some important local information groups to be stored; however, they do not include in‐depth studies on the information needs of S&R teams following an earthquake. In this paper, information needs were fully explored and elaborated, and a data model was developed covering information items required for effective earthquake S&R.
Disaster in Bangladesh and management with advanced information system
Authors: Taohidul Islam S.M. , Chik Zamri 
Published: November 2011

PurposeThis paper aims to document a case study of a disaster in Bangladesh and the role of an information management system for disaster management planning.Design/methodology/approachThe paper uses a methodology that considers perceptions or constructions – including the role of information systems – to be dependent on the social and cultural structures, which is helpful in reducing destruction in disaster‐prone areas.FindingsAdvances in information technology in the form of the internet, geographic information systems (GIS), remote sensing, satellite communication, etc. are beneficial in many aspects of the planning and implementation of hazard reduction arrangements.Research limitations/implicationsNatural disasters strike countries, both developed and developing, cause enormous destruction and create human suffering, and have negative impacts on national economies. Bangladesh suffers regularly and frequently from disasters like floods, cyclone storms, tidal surges, river bank erosion and earthquakes.Practical implicationsIncorporating knowledge of information management system is becoming increasingly important in the derivation of management solutions for disasters.Originality/valueInformation systems including GIS, communication technology, other information retrieval and information management systems should be maintained during natural disasters to reduce the cost and time for contingency. In this paper, an attempt is made to highlight the role of information technology in the management of natural disasters in Bangladesh.
Social supremacy and its role in local level disaster mitigation planning in Bangladesh
Authors: Mallick Bishawjit , Vogt Joachim 
Published: November 2011

PurposeThis paper aims to discuss issues related to disaster mitigation planning provisions in Bangladesh, one of the most disaster‐prone countries in Asia. It seeks to concentrate on the issues related to the role of local groups in establishing cyclone shelters.Design/methodology/approachIn February 2008, a field study was conducted in the Southwest coastal region of Bangladesh. Combining the most recent empirical data, the location of cyclone shelters and the social supremacy structure are explored in this paper. Vulnerability due to infrastructure is defined here on the basis of available infrastructural facilities i.e. cyclone shelters, by using catchment area analysis in the geographical information system (GIS) software ArcGIS. The paper bases its argument on the assumption that the location of an infrastructure item like a cyclone shelter is dependent on the influential and motivational power of local elites and not on the necessity of the deprived people. Vulnerability, from this perspective, is interpreted in this study as a result of socio‐political supremacy in establishing cyclone shelters in coastal regions of Bangladesh.FindingsThe results indicate that locally supreme groups are located the closest to the cyclone shelter and may control local‐level disaster mitigation planning.Research limitations/implicationsThe paper outlines the “social supremacy” concept based on one rural union and the communication rationalities of the general people. Both describe the ways of identification, the social spectrum of public interests as well as the decision‐making process in rural Bangladesh.Originality/valueThe paper contains valuable information regarding rural society and its socio‐political structure as well as planning problems in coastal Bangladesh.
The Indian Ocean tsunami in Swedish newspapers: nationalism after catastrophe
Authors: Olofsson Anna 
Published: November 2011

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to analyze how the Swedish mass media constructed Sweden and Swedes during the first days after the Indian Ocean tsunami of December 26, 2004.Design/methodology/approachA qualitative content analysis of newspaper articles from four of the largest newspapers in Sweden was conducted.FindingsThe results show that the tsunami was framed as a Swedish disaster almost exclusively focusing on Sweden, Swedish victims and Thailand, and that there was a division between “us” and “them”. Two categories of “us” and “them” were identified in the coverage: on the international level Sweden, i.e. “us”, was glorified and contrasted with “inferior” countries such as Thailand, “them”; on the national level, the distinction between “us” and “them” was not as obvious, but by including particular experiences and practices and excluding others, lines are drawn between “us” – ethnic Swedes – and “them” – everyone else. The conclusion of the paper is that mediated frames of catastrophes are influenced by stereotypes and nationalistic values.Research limitations/implicationsThe study is based on a qualitative analysis and it is not possible to generalize to other cases. Additional quantitative studies would therefore be of value.Practical implicationsThis study can be used in the education of crisis and disaster managers to make them aware of how underlying norms guide news coverage and encourage them always to consider information based on mass media reports critically.Originality/valueThis paper gives new theoretical and empirical insights into the way in which disasters contribute to recreating and maintaining the historical division between regions and people, on both a national and an international level.
Risk matrix for factors affecting time delay in road construction projects: owners' perspective
Authors: Mahamid Ibrahim 
Published: November 2011

PurposeThe aim of this study is to identify the risk matrix for factors causing time delay in road construction projects in the West Bank in Palestine from owners' viewpoint.Design/methodology/approachIn total, 43 factors that might cause delays of road construction projects were defined through a detailed literature review. The factors were tabulated in a questionnaire form, which was sent out to a total of 25 public owners asking their contribution in identifying the risk matrix for the 43 factors in terms of impact and probability of occurrence. Three zones were used in the matrix according to the degree of factors' severity on the projects' time delay; they are: green, yellow, and red.FindingsThe analysis of 43 factors considered indicates that six factors are located in the green zone, 29 factors are located in the yellow zone, and eight factors are located in the red zone.Originality/valueThe paper identifies the risk matrix for factors affecting time delay in road construction projects in the West Bank in Palestine from the owners' perspective.
The effects of country and gender differences on consumer innovativeness and decision processes in a highly globalized high‐tech product market
Authors: Kim Wooyang , Di Benedetto C. Anthony , Lancioni Richard A. 
Published: November 2011

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to focus on two objectives. First, to investigate how two consumer innovativeness measures (domain‐specific innovativeness (DSI) and general innovativeness (GI)) in a highly globalized product market (i.e. laptop computer) are related to two widely used demographics, country and gender. Second, to examine how innovativeness affects a series of consumer decisions such as information search, opinion dependency, and store choice.Design/methodology/approachThe authors build a conceptual model linking two important demographics (i.e. country and gender) and consumer innovativeness (both DSI and GI), and test it using binomial logistic regression, with a sample of 614 respondents from Korea, China, and the USA.FindingsResults are generally consistent with the authors' hypotheses. The two consumer innovativeness measures are significantly influenced by the two demographic factors, and product‐specific innovativeness shows more plausible results than GI. Furthermore, consumers' decision processes were found to have idiosyncratic patterns regarding consumer innovativeness and the two demographic moderators.Research limitations/implicationsThe study may have demographical bias for two reasons: use of only limited metropolitan samples and a somewhat unbalanced sample in gender and occupation.Practical implicationsIn the early stage of new product launch, DSI will be dominantly useful in market segmentation and targeting rather than GI. However, management should not overlook variability of countries and genders since consumers show idiosyncratic patterns in their decision processes.Originality/valueThe paper explores the field of consumer innovativeness studies using comparison of the two dimensions of consumer innovativeness measurements. Also, the study reconfirms the importance of demographics on consumers' decisions in the early stage of highly globalized product markets.
The effects of shopping aid usage on consumer purchase decision and decision satisfaction
Authors: Angela Chang Chiu‐chi , Kukar‐Kinney Monika 
Published: November 2011

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to compare and contrast two types of shopping aids, that is, research‐supporting and solution‐oriented shopping aids, and examine their effectiveness, considering both consumer and situational factors.Design/methodology/approachExpanded selection and additional detailed information are chosen to illustrate research‐supporting shopping aids, and personalized product recommendations and product ratings are used as examples of solution‐oriented shopping aids. This conceptual paper proposes that usage of shopping aids has an effect on the purchase likelihood and decision satisfaction and focuses on studying the moderating role of consumer product knowledge and time pressure. The thesis is that congruence between the type of a shopping aid and consumer characteristics, such as product knowledge, or situational characteristics, such as time pressure, should enhance the effectiveness of shopping aids.FindingsThe research propositions in this paper delineate how the use of retail shopping aids should affect the consumer's purchase likelihood, decision satisfaction, decision confidence, and evaluation costs, under the moderating influence of product knowledge and time pressure. Overall, knowledgeable consumers and less time‐pressed consumers should benefit from research‐supporting shopping aids (i.e. expanded selection and additional product information), whereas novice consumers and time‐pressed consumers should benefit from solution‐oriented shopping aids (i.e. personalized product recommendation and product ratings).Originality/valueRetail shopping aids are designed to offer sales assistance for consumers to handle the obstacles to purchase completion. However, past efforts to install retail shopping aids have seen mixed results. This conceptual paper advocates that consideration of consumer characteristics and situational factors is necessary to understand the effects of shopping aid usage. This paper thus contributes to the understanding of solutions to purchase decision deferral and the determinants of decision satisfaction, and has practical implications for retailers regarding providing retail shopping aids to facilitate purchase completion and shopping experiences.
The financial regulation of energy and environmental markets
Authors: Diaz‐Rainey Ivan , Siems Mathias , Ashton John K. 
Published: November 2011

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to examine the financial risks posed by energy and environmental markets and how these risks are addressed by current regulatory regimes and legislation. This assessment should be of interest to academics, practitioners, regulators and policymakers.Design/methodology/approachThe first half of the paper provides a theoretical conceptualisation of the financial risks energy and environmental markets pose by drawing on established academic literatures on financial regulation and energy markets. The second half of the study provides a legislative analysis of the evolving approach to the financial regulation of energy and environmental markets. Drawing on “grey” literatures, this assessment critically appraises the array of current policy initiatives that have the potential to affect the financial regulation and operation of energy and environmental markets.FindingsThe theoretical conceptualisation of financial risks identified macroeconomic and energy systemic as the principal risks posed by energy and environmental markets. The legislative analysis contains various conclusions, prominent amongst which are: that the EU will play an increasingly important role in the financial regulation of energy and environmental markets through bodies such as ACER and ESMA; and that it is essential the boundaries of regulatory responsibility between energy and financial regulators are assessed to ensure activities leading to risk do not fall between the remits of responsibility.Originality/valueThere is a dearth of academic work on the financial regulation of energy and environmental markets, while prior policy and regulatory analyses have focussed on specific markets or products. This belies the interrelationships and, in some cases, the integration of these risks and the nature of financial crises. To amend for this omission we provide a holistic assessment of these legislative and policy developments.
Chronology of banking reforms in Nigeria
Authors: Bello Dogarawa Ahmad 
Published: November 2011

PurposeGovernments of many developed and developing countries have designed and implemented various financial reforms to enable the sector to play the role of efficient financial intermediation, thereby helping to bolster economic growth and development. The purpose of this paper is to survey past and present literature on the chronology of banking reforms in Nigeria and the implications of the last reform on the Nigerian economy.Design/methodology/approachThe paper is analytical with mode of presentation based on content analysis.FindingsThe paper posits that the banking system in Nigeria has come a long way in term of regulations and reforms, number of institutions, structure of ownership, and depth and breadth of operations. However, the various reforms have not yet achieved the desired objectives, either due to poor implementation or improper institutional arrangement or sometimes due to abrupt termination of the reforms.Originality/valueThe paper suggests that henceforth, reforms should be designed according to the peculiarities of the Nigerian economy and institutional behaviour, and should be backed by adequate legislation.
Systemic surcharges and measures of systemic importance
Authors: Atle Berg Sigbjørn 
Published: November 2011

PurposeThere is an emerging consensus that systemically important banks should face stricter regulations and systemic surcharges. To make this latter principle operational the regulator will need to quantify the systemic importance of individual banks. The purpose of this paper is to review the proposed measures of systemic importance from the research community and discuss their merits relative to how a regulator would ideally wish to calibrate surcharges on systemically important banks, and to evaluate how useful proposed measures of the systemic importance of financial institutions will be to regulators.Design/methodology/approachThe author reviews the main contributions to the research literature and discusses their relevance for the problem faced by regulators.FindingsThere are five main caveats that make the proposed measures of systemic importance less useful for regulators.Practical implicationsThe proposed measures may help identify relevant aspects of systemic importance, but the regulators will need to construct their own measures for practical use.Originality/valueThe paper provides a critical review of a research literature that could potentially have large practical implications.
Legality of payment protection insurance compensation arrangements examined on judicial review
Authors: Gray Joanna 
Published: November 2011

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to discuss R (on the application of British Bankers Association) v. Financial Services Authority and another (Queens Bench Division: Administrative Court: Mr Justice Ouseley). Date of Judgment: 20 April 2011.Design/methodology/approachThe paper outlines the facts surrounding the case and comments on the decision.FindingsThis is a lengthy judgment that is dense in closely reasoned interpretative analysis of the Financial Services and Markets Act 2000 schema for regulation of the conduct of retail financial business and attendant redress mechanisms.Originality/valueThis keenly awaited decision raises several issues of wider public interest about the design and operation of the regulatory environment for retail finance in the UK. In the context of the FSA's emphasis over the past few years of its “Treating Customers Fairly” programme of work the legality of the action taken by both FSA and the Financial Ombudsman Service (FOS) to effect a broad measure and depth of consumer redress in respect of what they judged to be widespread incidence of inappropriate sales of payment protection insurance (PPI) by banks in particular came under intensive scrutiny from the Court in what is a fascinating judgment for regulatory lawyers.
Internal communication and innovation culture: developing a change framework
Authors: Linke Anne , Zerfass Ansgar 
Published: November 2011

PurposeSince employees are considered to be one of the most important sources for innovation, the purpose of this study is to create a change management framework for implementing an innovation culture by means of internal communication.Design/methodology/approachFirst, an interdisciplinary model was derived from research and existing literature. It was then tested in a case study with qualitative expert interviews and a quantitative online survey among all employees of a sample firm.FindingsInstead of a linear change, as implied by the theoretical model, different identification levels existed simultaneously within the firm's culture. A typology summed up the corresponding perceptions of the innovation culture: innovation culture, innovation pioneers, mediocrity, standstill, and refusal. Significant correlations between identification and internal media (r=0.405), as well as identification and action (r=0.158) underlined the importance of internal communication.Research limitations/implicationsThis study only explores the topic from a communication science perspective. However, examining its link to other important factors like organisational structure would provide further insight. Also, research in different countries and fields is needed, since the results of this case study cannot be considered representative.Practical implicationsThe goal of communication managers should be to lead employees through the phases of identification by specifically targeting their identification levels and using the appropriate media to address the findings.Originality/valueThe developed framework helps as a management tool for assessing how employees perceive messages of an innovation philosophy and internal media. By linking the internal, innovation, and change communication, it identifies new essential aspects for creating a communication mix and specifically communicating with the target‐group.