bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
The practice of knowledge management processes
Authors: Devi Ramachandran Sharimllah , Choy Chong Siong , Ismail Hishamuddin 
Published: October 2009

PurposeThe objective of this paper is to investigate and compare the practices of knowledge management (KM) processes, which have been grounded in the KM literature, between public and private higher education institutions (HEIs).Design/methodology/approachData were collected from 594 academics from three public and three private HEIs in Malaysia.FindingsThe analyses suggest that all the six KM processes (knowledge creation, capture, organisation, storage, dissemination, and application) are moderately practiced by the institutions surveyed and that there are significant differences in the overall practices of KM processes between the public and private HEIs.Practical implicationsThis paper raises awareness and provides initial guidelines to the HEIs as knowledge‐intensive organisations in formulating strategies on how to properly implement and manage their KM processes.Originality/valueThis study has extended knowledge in KM for it is probably the first to provide a comparative analysis between public and private HEIs. It further opens up new lines of future research possibilities.
Collaborative knowledge building process: an activity theory analysis
Authors: Singh Gurparkash , Hawkins Louise , Whymark Greg 
Published: October 2009

PurposeCollaborative knowledge building (CKB) is seen as a means for achieving desired learning outcomes as well as facilitating sharing and distribution of knowledge among community members. However existing CKB studies do not appear to identify and account for the tools used by groups (at individual and group level) as part of the CKB process. The paper aims to address this issue.Design/methodology/approachThe paper describes a group knowledge building exercise within an educational context using activity theory as a descriptive data analysis tool. Data analysis involved conceptualising the CKB process as an activity system in which the group worked towards a shared object and identifying the ensuing contradictions in the CKB activity system.FindingsResults from the analysis illustrate participants' use of reflective thinking processes for resolving contradictions and as a tool for articulating knowledge and developing a shared understanding. Two types of contradictions are identified from the analysis resolving which helped the group to achieve their objective. The efficacy of using activity systems as a holistic and flexible unit of analysis for studying CKB is illustrated through discussion of the results.Research limitations/implicationsThe results have educational research implications in terms of developing research tools for analysing CKB, collecting data from a group context, and developing tools for improving group‐work.Practical implicationsThe results have practical implications in terms of building knowledge from experience within knowledge communities.Originality/valueOne of the outcomes of the study is the identification of developmental and reflective contradictions which highlight the issues that when addressed allow for successful achievement of the object (or to some degree of success), as well as a richer deeper experience for the participants.
Socioeconomic status, family structure and child outcomes in Brazil: health in the childhood
Authors: Hermeto Ana Maria , Junqueira Caetano André 
Published: October 2009

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to shed some light on the large differences between poor and rich Brazilian households regarding children's outcomes; that is, understanding inequality in health outcomes in the childhood in Brazil, examining the link between the health of Brazilian children and a variety of socioeconomic factors.Design/methodology/approachLogit models for some measures of child health (poor health, chronic diseases, hospitalization and visits to doctors and dentists). Individuals are grouped according to their income decile. Independent variables comprise indicators of socioeconomic status and demographic variables, primarily related to the family structure.FindingsResults suggest that the true effect of family structure is more complex than the biological relationship of parents to children. There are large effects of family income distribution on child health indicators. When control variables are included, the magnitude of these effects changes. The addition of mothers' educational attainment to the set of controls reduces the estimated income effects. Also, the gradient in the health‐income relationship is a little steeper for older children.Originality/valueAlthough there are numerous studies investigating the impact of family resources on health outcomes, whether income and family structure truly matters is still a debated issue. Brazil presents a huge level of income and until recently there has been little data with which to assess the nature and magnitude of the role, which socioeconomic factors play in the incidence and severity of health problems. The authors originally attempt to understand what it means to talk about inequality in health, and whether health inequality in Brazil is linked to income inequality.
The link between Islamic banking and microfinancing
Authors: Shahinpoor Nasrin 
Published: October 2009

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to show the link between Islamic banking and microfinancing.Design/methodology/approachThe approach used in this paper is first to describe the basic principles of Islamic banking and microfinancing and then to show the link between the two financial practices. In general, it is believed that the two practices are not compatible since microfinance allows interest payments on loans and Islamic banking prohibits interest payment based on Islamic law, sharia. Both practices, however, promote equality and fairness for all members of the society and encourage entrepreneurship by giving collateral‐free loans to the poor. The two practices, therefore, are ideologically linked. This paper shows that they are also practically linked.FindingsIslamic religious leaders usually dismiss microfinancing because microfinancing requires high‐interest rate which is against Islamic law. This paper finds that it is possible to combine the two practices and to convince Islamic religious leaders that Islamic banking could be applied to microfinancing.Originality/valueSince microfinancing has been proven to help many poor people in different countries, the findings of this paper could be beneficial to the poor in some Islamic countries that do not practice microfinancing based on religious beliefs.
Crime and economic conditions in Malaysia
Authors: Shah Habibullah Muzafar , Baharom A.H. 
Published: October 2009

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to analyze the impact of economic conditions on various categories of criminal activities in Malaysia for the period 1973‐2003.Design/methodology/approachThe autoregressive distributed lag bounds testing procedure was employed as the main tool. Dynamic ordinary least squares was also used to check the robustness of the results.FindingsThe results indicate that murder, armed robbery, rape, assault, daylight burglary, and motorcycle theft exhibit long‐run relationships with economic conditions, and the causal effect in all cases runs from economic conditions to crime rates and not vice versa. In the long‐run, strong economic performances have a positive impact on murder, rape, assault, daylight burglary, and motorcycle theft, while on the other hand, economic conditions have negative impact on armed robbery.Research limitations/implicationsFurther researches using other macroeconomic variables and also other countries are encouraged.Practical implicationsThe important implication of this result is that real gross national product per capita is an exogenous variable and it is, therefore, useful for fiscal policy variable. Government of the day should seriously consider the results of this study in any crimefighting policies that are formulated.Originality/valueAn economic viewpoint of criminal activities in Malaysia.
Clients of conventional and Islamic banks in Bahrain
Authors: Al‐Ajmi Jasim , Abo Hussain Hameeda , Al‐Saleh Nadhem 
Published: October 2009

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to report a study into: the motives that dispose customers in Bahrain to choose a specific bank; the level of familiarity of customers with the most widely used services/products offered by Islamic banks; and the extent of use of those products.Design/methodology/approachThis is the first study conducted in Bahrain to include three types of bank clients: those who bank with conventional banks, those who bank with Islamic banks, and who use both kinds of banks. The results are based on a response rate of 65.5 percent from 1,000 questionnaires distributed. Descriptive statistics and non‐parametric statistics (Mann‐Whitney and Kruskal‐Wallis tests) are reported, and factor analysis used to analyze the responses.FindingsIt is found that: Islamic religious belief and social responsibility are the two most important factors that determine bank selection. Cost benefit is the third most important factor considered in bank selection; clients of conventional and Islamic banks share a number of motives, but they differ significantly on a few motives in relation to bank selection; and clients of Islamic banks are more familiar with the products/services that conform to the sharia'a. Overall, for clients who bank exclusively with Islamic banks, and for those who bank in different kinds of banks, the most widely used product/service of Islamic banks is murabaha.Practical implicationsThe most important practical implication is for banks, conventional and Islamic, when setting and implementing their marketing strategies, which should include an awareness campaign. The results also benefit banks operating in the countries of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC). This is because of the similarities of the countries in the GCC.Originality/valueThis paper is the first attempt to identify the motives and criteria for bank selection in Bahrain among clients of conventional banks, Islamic banks, and clients who bank with both types of banks. The study goes on to determine the extent of familiarity of clients of banks in Bahrain with the products/services that comply with Islamic sharia'a.
Measuring shareholder value in asset‐based lending industries
Authors: Fiordelisi Franco , Monferrà Stefano 
Published: October 2009

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to analyse the creation of shareholder value (SHV) created by non‐depository financial institutions and, especially, by leasing and factoring (L&F) companies.Design/methodology/approachThe cost of capital of both L&F companies is estimated using an accounting procedure and, next, the economic value added (EVA) created by Italian L&F companies over the period 2002‐2004 is estimated.FindingsL&F companies display high profitability and EVA levels over the period analysed: a very large part of leasing and factoring companies achieved a positive EVA and the lowest median level of EVA created is at least 11 per cent of capital invested in the company, while at least 50 per cent of leasing companies achieved a positive EVA and the lowest median level of EVA created is almost 2 per cent of capital invested in the company.Research limitations/implicationsFuture research may try to investigate other markets. The paper's focus on Italy for data collection for L&F is problematic and data are collected from a unique data base.Practical implicationsSHV creation is the main strategic objective of L&F companies so the paper is of interest to both academics and practitioners.Originality/valueThis is the first study focusing on SHV creation by non‐depository financial institutions and, especially, L&F companies.
Marketing and corporate profitability: the case of Greek firms
Authors: Panigyrakis George , Kapareliotis Ilias , Ventoura Zoe 
Published: October 2009

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to investigate the contribution of marketing and research and development (R&D) strategies to the profitability of Greek companies.Design/methodology/approachWith the use of secondary data the current research uses variables related to advertising and branding and also R&D expenses for Greek companies.FindingsResults show that there is no significant relationship between R&D intensity and profitability. R&D is not a leading factor to profitability, despite what the literature review supports.Originality/valueDifferent variables contribute to a company's profitability. There is little research related to the impact of corporate profitability and marketing. The present study is a first attempt to measure the impact of marketing activities and the corporate profitability on the Greek business environment.
Firm‐specific and economy wide determinants of firm profitability
Authors: Asimakopoulos Ioannis , Samitas Aristeidis , Papadogonas Theodore 
Published: October 2009

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to examine the determinants of profitability for a sample of Greek non‐financial firms listed in the Athens Stock Exchange for the period 1995‐2003. This is a very important period for the Greek economy on the way to European monetary union (EMU).Design/methodology/approachThe methodologies employed include panel data estimation techniques. This research attempts to exploit the determinants of firm profitability of non‐financial Greek firms listed in Athens Exchange utilizing firm‐specific publicly available accounting variables using panel data estimation techniques rather than cross‐sectional analysis.FindingsAccording to the findings, firm profitability was positively affected by size, sales growth and investment and negatively by leverage and current assets. Additionally, we found that the EMU participation and the adoption of the euro were negatively related to firm profitability.Practical implicationsTaking into account the fact that the Greek economy has undergone significant transformation during the period under examination on its way to join EMU and to adopt the euro currency, a model has been formulated where both firm‐specific and economy wide factors determine firm profitability.Originality/valueThis paper focuses on a less developed and efficient stock market. In contrast to previous studies that did not take into account the convergence of the Greek economy to EMU averages and the subsequent adoption of the euro, this paper analyses data for the pre‐EMU and the post‐EMU periods in an attempt to quantify a potential macroeconomic effect on firm‐specific profitability.
Influence of financial innovation to the validation of operational risk
Authors: Philippas Dionisis Th. , Siriopoulos Costas 
Published: October 2009

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to show how the influence of the diffusion speed of a financial innovation (FI) increases the operational risk (OR) in any business line with different rate.Design/methodology/approachA stochastic model is considered presenting the influence of diffusion speed of FIs in order to validate the OR, without taking into consideration any external factors that create OR. Under specific hypotheses, the model presents the variance and the fluctuation of total OR in time and internal business lines of a financial institute because of the influence of an FI with a random degree of access (r).FindingsFIs and OR and, their role in various financial organizations, are examined. The model suggests that an FI is more likely to occur and spread in production lines that have a great cross‐correlation with an increasing OR, without taking into consideration the external environment.Originality/valueThe originality of the paper is the stochastic relation between FIs and OR and the way that OR increases in any business line because of the influence of the diffusion speed of an FI.
Adoption of sensory enabling technology for online apparel shopping
Authors: Kim Jiyeon , Forsythe Sandra 
Published: October 2009

PurposeThe purpose of this study is to investigate online shoppers' adoption of visual sensory enabling technologies, showing that these sensory experience enablers provide a dual role in enhancing online apparel shopping by reducing perceived product risk, and increasing the entertainment value of the online shopping process.Design/methodology/approachThe researchers conducted a focus group interview and pre‐test with a college student sample and a main test with a US national sample of online shoppers. The data were analyzed using single‐ and multiple‐group structural equation modeling.FindingsThe findings provide empirical support for perceived usefulness and perceived entertainment value as strong predictors of consumers' attitudes towards using all three of the sensory enabling technologies (SETs) – 2D larger view and alternative views, 3D rotation views, and virtual try‐on. The impact of perceived ease‐of‐use was significant only for 3D rotation views, suggesting that the impact of perceived ease‐of‐use differs by technology. Attitudes towards using sensory enabling technologies had a significant impact on the actual use of all three SETs; however, the impact of technology anxiety and innovativeness on the use of SETs also differed by technology.Originality/valueThe results provide empirical validation of the proposed SE‐TAM model. Based on the current findings, SETs may provide a valuable tool that online apparel retailers can use to increase online purchases, either by reducing the perceived risk through better online product evaluation, or by enhancing consumers' enjoyment of the shopping process on their web site.
E‐consumer behaviour
Authors: Dennis Charles , Merrilees Bill , Jayawardhena Chanaka , Tiu Wright Len 
Published: October 2009

PurposeThe primary purpose of this paper is to bring together apparently disparate and yet interconnected strands of research and present an integrated model of e‐consumer behaviour. It has a secondary objective of stimulating more research in areas identified as still being under‐explored.Design/methodology/approachThe paper is discursive, based on analysis and synthesis of e‐consumer literature.FindingsDespite a broad spectrum of disciplines that investigate e‐consumer behaviour and despite this special issue in the area of marketing, there are still areas open for research into e‐consumer behaviour in marketing, for example the role of image, trust and e‐interactivity. The paper develops a model to explain e‐consumer behaviour.Research limitations/implicationsAs a conceptual paper, the study is limited to literature and prior empirical research. It offers the benefit of new research directions for e‐retailers in understanding and satisfying e‐consumers. The paper provides researchers with a proposed integrated model of e‐consumer behaviour.Originality/valueThe paper links a significant body of literature within a unifying theoretical framework and identifies of under‐researched areas of e‐consumer behaviour in a marketing context.
Buying environment characteristics in the context of e‐service
Authors: Kim Jung‐Hwan , Kim Minjeong , Kandampully Jay 
Published: October 2009

PurposeThis study aims to examine how buying environment characteristics, which are not directly associated with price or product information, are related to overall e‐satisfaction; and how e‐satisfaction and e‐loyalty are interrelated.Design/methodology/approachA convenience sample of 366 female and male college students from three universities (East coast, Midwest and West coast) participated. Exploratory factor analysis, confirmatory factor analysis and structural equation modeling via LISREL 8.0 were conducted.FindingsThe findings showed that, of the six dimensions of buying environment characteristics, convenience, web appearance and entertainment value had a direct effect on e‐satisfaction. In addition, the study found a significant positive relationship between e‐satisfaction and e‐loyalty.Research limitations/implicationsGeneralizing the results is limited by the use of a convenience sample of college students. To generalize the findings, more diversified random samples across gender and age are suggested.Practical implicationsThe research provides useful implications to online retailers concerning which attributes should be given closer attention to improve customer satisfaction and e‐loyalty.Originality/valueThe study provides useful, practical information to online retailers by showing how customer‐centered e‐service attributes have an impact on e‐satisfaction, which in turn influences consumer e‐loyalty.
E‐retailing by banks: e‐service quality and its importance to customer satisfaction
Authors: Herington Carmel , Weaven Scott 
Published: October 2009

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to explore the measurement of e‐service quality for e‐retail banking, the importance of e‐service quality dimensions to e‐retail bank customers, and the relationship between e‐service quality and customer satisfaction.Design/methodology/approachResults are drawn from a self‐completed survey of a convenience sample of 200 Australian respondents who regularly use online banking facilities. Factor analysis and regression analysis are used to ascertain factor structure and determine the impact of e‐service quality dimensions on satisfaction.FindingsA four‐factor solution (E‐ServQual) represented by “personal needs”, “site organisation”, “user‐friendliness” and “efficiency” is found, with all factors rated as important. E‐ServQual is found to be a predictor of overall customer satisfaction with banking performance, but “efficiency” is not found to be predictive. Overall satisfaction is lower than overall e‐service quality.Research limitations/implicationsThe Australian sample limits generalisability. Future research should investigate the importance of human interaction in the provision of quality service, re‐test the developed measure with new data, explore the e‐service quality construct further, and investigate its relationship with customer satisfaction and the exposed “unknown” negative influences on customer satisfaction, in other international settings.Originality/valueThe paper informs knowledge gaps related to the measurement and structure of e‐service quality, its importance and impact on customer satisfaction. A more holistic measure of e‐service quality is supported. Good e‐service performance impacts customer satisfaction positively, but does not override unsatisfactory performance in other areas. Banks need to be mindful that online service provision is not sufficient for ensuring customer satisfaction with their overall service.