bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
The role of relative absorptive capacity in improving suppliers' operational performance
Authors: Nagati Haithem , Rebolledo Claudia 
Published: April 2012

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to examine the link between relative absorptive capacity and suppliers' operational performance.Design/methodology/approachThe paper uses structural equation modelling of survey data from 218 Canadian manufacturers referring to a particular relationship with one of their customers.FindingsResults suggest that only the first dimension of the relative absorptive capacity – knowledge sharing routines – influences the knowledge transferred from the customer to the supplier. Knowledge transfer acts as a mediator between knowledge sharing routines and the supplier's operational performance improvement.Research limitations/implicationsThe absence of a significant association between the second dimension of relative absorptive capacity – overlapped knowledge bases – and knowledge transfer is a surprising result that should be further investigated.Originality/valueThis appears to be the first study to operationalise and empirically test relative absorptive capacity and its consequences in the particular context of customer‐supplier relationships.
Interview with Anders Dahlvig
Authors: by Gareth Bell Interview 
Published: April 2012

PurposeThe purpose of this article is to provide an interview with the former IKEA CEO, Anders Dahlvig.Design/methodology/approachThe paper provides an interview with Anders Dahlvig, former CEO of IKEA and author of The IKEA Edge.FindingsIn the interview, Anders discusses how IKEA's business model, as outlined in his book, can be adopted by other leaders.Originality/valueThe interview highlights IKEA's four cornerstones: a strong vision and values with a social ambition; price and product differentiation through control of the entire value chain; a strong approach to global diversification; and a strong committed owner with a long term view.
Evaluating the cultural significance of historic graffiti
Authors: Forster Alan M. , Vettese‐Forster Samantha , Borland John 
Published: April 2012

PurposeGraffiti, both ancient and contemporary, could be argued to be significant and therefore worthy of protection. Attaching value is, however, subjective with no specific method being solely utilised for evaluating these items. The purpose of this paper to help those who are attempting to evaluate the merit of graffiti to do so, by determining “cultural significance”, which is a widely adopted concept for attaching value to the historic built environment. The current Scottish system utilised to assess “cultural significance” is the Scottish Historic Environment Policy (SHEP) which shares many common features with other determinants of cultural significance in different countries. The SHEP document, as with other systems, could however be criticised for being insufficiently sensitive to enable the evaluation of historic graffiti due, in part, to the subjective nature of determination of aesthetic value.Design/methodology/approachA review of literature is followed by consideration of case studies taken from a variety of historical and geographical contexts. The majority of examples of graffiti included in this paper have been selected for their relative high profile, previous academic study, and breadth of geographic spread. This selection will hopefully enable a relatively comprehensive, rational assessment to be undertaken. That being said, one example has been integrated to reflect commonly occurring graffiti that is typical to all of the built environment.FindingsThe determination of aesthetic value is particularly problematic for the evaluator and the use of additional art‐based mechanisms such as “significant form”, “self expression” and “meaning” may aid this process. Regrettably, these determinants are also in themselves subjective, enhancing complexity of evaluation. Almost all graffiti could be said to have artistic merit, using the aforementioned determinants. However, whether it is “good” art is an all together different question. The evaluation of “good” art and graffiti would have traditionally been evaluated by experts. Today, determination of graffiti should be evaluated and value attached by broader society, community groups, and experts alike.Originality/valueThis research will assist those responsible for historic building conservation with the evaluation of whether graffiti is worthy of conservation.
Rights of light: Waldram's conundrum
Authors: Defoe Peter S. , Frame Ian 
Published: April 2012

PurposeOver the last few years it has been established that there is a need to re‐evaluate the basis of assessment of the sufficiency of daylight, in rights to light cases, where the loss of daylight after obstruction might lead to injunction and/or damages. The purpose of this paper is to further examine whether the methodology used by surveyors, whereby the effect of glazing, window frames and internal reflectance are ignored, is valid and whether theoretical values can be translated into real values obtained through practical experimentation.Design/methodology/approachModern methods of assessment of daylighting, for design purposes, calculate a whole room average as a percentage of available daylight from a Commission Internationale de l’Eclairage (CIE) sky whereas Waldram's methodology, in rights to light cases, results in a contour line marking the series of points in a room where the task lighting, from a uniform sky, would be insufficient for normal use. These two methods appear incompatible and the conundrum is that whilst the courts are seeking to determine adequacy of daylighting to a room, the practitioners need to be able to measure the reduction in a way that has real meaning and can be valued.FindingsBy comparing theoretical results using the Waldram methodology with those obtained using the Building Research Establishment (BRE) methodology and with physical measurements on site and in an artificial sky dome, it can be demonstrated that results using the Waldram Diagram, or the proposed CIEL Diagram, can be translated into real values of daylighting for a room and that these values are more realistic than those obtained through the BRE methodology.Originality/valueThis research (which is ongoing) will be useful to practitioners and the courts in determining rights to light cases and is a significant contribution to the debate initiated in this journal by Michael Pitts some 12 years ago.
Understanding product lifecycle management and supporting systems
Authors: Hadaya Pierre , Marchildon Philippe 
Published: April 2012

PurposeThis study attempts to expand knowledge of product lifecycle management (PLM) and supporting systems. Its objective is threefold: first, to identify and assess the impact of two key PLM building blocks on new product performance. Second, to use the aforementioned PLM building blocks to highlight the distinctive nature of PLM and closed‐loop PLM systems. Third, to demonstrate that the closed‐loop PLM system provides more new product benefits than the PLM system and that the usage of the closed‐loop PLM system is positively related to new product development.Design/methodology/approachThe research hypotheses were tested on data collected from 87 manufacturers in the transportation equipment manufacturing industry in one Canadian province.FindingsThe findings show that only ten manufacturers have adopted a closed‐loop PLM system. As expected, the results show that the two key PLM building blocks, namely operational integration and information system (IS) usage, are positively related to new product development. Findings also show that the level of forward operational integration is similar in the closed‐loop PLM system and in the PLM system, while the level of backward operational integration, the usage of the PLM system and new product development are higher in the closed‐loop PLM system. Finally, the results demonstrate that the usage of the closed‐loop PLM system is positively related to new product development.Originality/valueThis contribution should give academics and practitioners alike a better understanding of the role and benefits of PLM and its supporting systems (the PLM system and the closed‐loop PLM system).
Determinants of suppliers' level of use of B2B e‐marketplaces
Authors: Saprikis Vaggelis , Vlachopoulou Maro 
Published: April 2012

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to investigate the influence of various factors on suppliers' level of use of business‐to‐business (B2B) e‐marketplaces by examining three basic variable domains; suppliers' internal environment, their external environment and the characteristics of the adopted B2B e‐marketplace.Design/methodology/approachA conceptual framework is developed based on extended literature review and examined on data collected from 87 suppliers that currently use Greek B2B e‐marketplaces. Factor analysis and multiple discriminant analysis are applied to test the framework and its related hypotheses.FindingsSeveral hypotheses are formulated leading to the development of the proposed “B2B e‐MarkFLU” conceptual framework. The research results show that factors from all the examined variable domains influence suppliers' level of use of B2B e‐marketplaces. However, the B2B e‐marketplace's characteristics are regarded as the most important of the three categories because of its higher impact on the involved suppliers, whereas the factors from the external environment have the lowest impact.Originality/valueThe research helps to fill an existing gap in the study of B2B e‐marketplaces' post‐adoption stage, as there have been extremely limited empirical studies after their adoption phase. To our knowledge, this paper comprises the first empirical attempt aimed to investigate thoroughly the three aforementioned variable domains by researching suppliers' active participation in B2B e‐marketplaces.
Information technology competency, knowledge processes and firm performance
Authors: Pérez‐López Susana , Alegre Joaquin 
Published: April 2012

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to analyze the impact of information technology (IT) competency on knowledge management processes and the relations among IT competency, knowledge management processes and performance outcomes.Design/methodology/approachThe study uses survey data from 162 managers and structural equation modeling to assess the links between IT competency, knowledge management processes and firm performance.FindingsFirst, this study finds that IT competency plays a critical role in knowledge management processes. Second, knowledge management processes are directly related to market performance, which, in turn, is directly related to financial performance. Third, no direct relation exists between IT competency and firm performance. Knowledge management processes mediate the relation between IT competency and market performance.Research limitations/implicationsThe research is cross‐sectional, so cause‐effect relations cannot be definitively inferred from the results.Practical implicationsThe findings indicate that managers should not only focus on allocating sufficient resources for IT investments. To achieve better performance, these technologies need to be used to support the development of the knowledge management processes.Originality/valueThis study contributes to knowledge management research, identifying a key antecedent of knowledge management processes – IT competency – and analyzing the link between knowledge management processes and performance. Moreover, this study is relevant to IT literature because it shows that IT competency, on its own, is insufficient to generate and maintain a competitive advantage. Firms need complementary strategic capabilities such as knowledge management to strengthen the effect of IT competency on firm performance.
Learning orientation in export functions: impact on export growth
Authors: Souchon Anne L. , Sy‐Changco Joseph A. , Dewsnap Belinda 
Published: April 2012

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to examine how the learning orientation of export functions affects their growth performance.Design/methodology/approachA mail survey of 354 exporters was conducted, and the data were analyzed using confirmatory factor analysis and structural equation modeling.FindingsResults show that the link between response to export information and export growth is quadratic (U‐shaped), and that this relationship is moderated by use of export memory. Export memory itself was found to be beneficial to export growth when responsiveness to export information is low, but detrimental under high levels of export information responsiveness. In turn, response to export information is driven by export information acquisition and distribution, as well as by the management of mental export models. Export memory use is also enhanced by the latter and the integration of export information within organizational systems.Research limitations/implicationsThe authors examine learning orientation in the context of export functions for the first time, and in doing so, uncover specific relationships that export learning constructs have with the growth performance of export firms. In addition, most of the organizational learning literature focuses on the information‐processing behaviors of firms (e.g. acquisition, dissemination, use), overlooking the important discipline‐based constructs such as the management of mental models. The authors show how important the challenging of mental export models is for maximizing response to export information and use of export memory.Practical implicationsHigh levels of (human and financial) investment in export information processing are important for export growth. Export memory use should be encouraged, but only to confirm or triangulate new information. In addition, export staff should be formally trained in challenging the preconceptions they may have developed about their export markets.Originality/valueThis study is the first to consider the learning orientation of export functions, and to do so from a holistic (both information processing‐ and discipline‐based) perspective.
Kirznerian and Schumpeterian entrepreneurial‐oriented behavior in turbulent export markets
Authors: Sundqvist Sanna , Kyläheiko Kalevi , Kuivalainen Olli , Cadogan John W. 
Published: April 2012

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to shed light on the mechanisms by which entrepreneurial‐oriented behaviours (EOB) enhance international business performance. In so doing, the authors demonstrate that different dimensions of EOB may need to be emphasized or dampened, depending on the environmental conditions facing the firm.Design/methodology/approachA survey of 783 Finnish exporters is undertaken, and the relationships between the dimensions of EOB and business performance are assessed.FindingsIt is found that Kirznerian manifestations of EOB have stronger positive relationships with export profits when markets are relatively stable, whereas Schumpeterian manifestations of EOB have stronger positive relationships with export profits when markets are more dynamic.Research limitations/implicationsThe study has implications for researchers studying multidimensional strategic orientations. The approach adopted is novel, in that instead of adopting a fully aggregated or fully disaggregated approach to the study of a strategic orientation, the authors use a theoretically derived partial aggregation approach. As a result, EOBs are grouped into two kinds, and the latter are shown to behave differently with respect to relationships with performance outcomes. The study limitations include single source data and its cross‐sectional design.Practical implicationsWhen markets are relatively stable, businesses need to emphasize the Kirznerian manifestations of EOB (i.e. display high levels of competitive aggressiveness and proactiveness) and downplay Schumpeterian manifestations of EOB (i.e. reduce innovativeness, risk taking and autonomy). However, in highly dynamic markets, managers should focus on Schumpeterian manifestations of EOB at the expense of Kirznerian EOB.Originality/valueThis paper introduces Schumpeterian and Kirznerian entrepreneurial behavior in an international marketing context, and analyses the effects of these activities on international performance under varying levels of environmental turbulence.
Frequency of CRM implementation activities: a customer‐centric view
Authors: Kim Molan , Eun Park Jeong , Dubinsky Alan J. , Chaiy Seoil 
Published: April 2012

PurposeCustomer relationship management (CRM) is considered a means to create competitive advantage for a company, as well as influence organizational performance. Much research has explored CRM users' point of view vis‐à‐vis successful CRM implementation, yet little concern has been shown regarding customers' viewpoints toward these same actions. This is surprising given that one of the beneficiaries of CRM is the customer. This paper aims to report the results of a study that explored the gap between actual bank CRM actions and customers' expectations of those actions in relation to CRM customers' intention to remain in the relationship.Design/methodology/approachThis study explores the gap between actual bank CRM implementation and customers' expectations of those actions in relation to customer retention using a survey method. A research model is presented to illustrate the theoretical relationships of the research.FindingsThe findings indicate that an incompatibility exists between the interval of actual CRM implementation activities and customers' expectations of the interval and that this incompatibility has an adverse effect on customers' willingness to remain in the relationship. Additionally, customers and CRM personnel hold different perceptions regarding the frequency with which CRM implementation activities should be executed.Practical implicationsImplementing CRM service efforts should be compatible with customers' expectations. Therefore, companies should pay keen attention when selecting the optimal frequency of CRM implementation so that it meets customers' expectations. Also, firms may be having too frequent CRM contact with customers, thus creating inefficient use of CRM resources.Originality/valueThis paper explores selected variables that may influence CRM performance vis‐à‐vis its implementation. The research provides the unique perspective of the customer as a major factor to consider for successful CRM implementation.
The dynamics of satisfaction and loyalty after relational transgressions
Authors: Blocker Christopher P. 
Published: April 2012

PurposeThis study aims to investigate how customer satisfaction and loyalty evolve during the initial years of a business services relationship. In addition to assessing the potential for dynamic effects, models explore how relational transgressions such as very poor sales and implementation experiences might moderate customer satisfaction dynamics and the relationship trajectory.Design/methodology/approachAnalyses utilize structural equation modeling on longitudinal data obtained over a three‐year period from customers contracting with a global provider for IT services.FindingsResults reveal significant dynamic effects for satisfaction across two successive time periods but not for loyalty intentions, suggesting prime importance for finding ways to continually satisfy customers. Customers' initial sales and implementation experiences negatively moderated the dynamic effects of satisfaction from time 1 to time 2, but not for time 2 to time 3. This result indicates that customers who experience relational transgressions strongly update their perceptions with new information in early phases of the relationship, but subsequently, customers anchor future evaluations using their existing perceptions.Originality/valueWhereas a growing amount of work explores how satisfaction and loyalty evolve for consumers, there is very little empirical knowledge to help managers understand how business customers' evaluations shift or follow certain trajectories based on initial relationship experiences. This study aims to address this important gap and finds evidence that customers do rely on their satisfaction perceptions from previous periods and, given time, can move beyond past relational transgressions when they evaluate their providers.
Gender and age as moderators in the service evaluation process
Authors: Sharma Piyush , Chen Ivy S.N. , Luk Sherriff T.K. 
Published: April 2012

PurposePrior research exploring the relationships among sacrifice, service quality, value, satisfaction, and behavioral intentions in service evaluation models did not consider customer characteristics. This study aims to test the moderating effects of two demographic variables (i.e. gender and age) on all the relationships in the “comprehensive” service evaluation model.Design/methodology/approachResponses from a diverse group of shoppers (n=2,727) in six retail categories (cosmetics, electronics, fashion, jewelry, telecom services, and department stores) were examined using structural equation modeling.FindingsThe negative relationship between sacrifice and perceived value, and the positive association of perceived value and satisfaction with behavioral intentions, is stronger for the male and older customers; whereas the positive association of service quality with satisfaction and value is stronger for female and younger customers.Research limitations/implicationsThe study examined behavioral intentions instead of actual behavior due to its cross‐sectional design. However, in the categories examined (cosmetics, fashion, department stores, etc.) where purchase frequencies range from moderate to high, behavioral intentions may highly correlate with actual behavior.Practical implicationsThe findings help retail managers understand the differences in the influence of perceived sacrifice, value, service quality, and satisfaction on the behavioral intentions of customers, based on individual characteristics such as gender and age. They should be able to plan and prioritize their marketing activities for diverse customer segments.Originality/valueThe study offers new insights on the individual differences in the service expectations and perceptions, which in turn affect customer behavior and loyalty.
The role of cause and affect in service failure
Authors: Jean Harrison‐Walker L. 
Published: April 2012

PurposeThe primary purpose of this paper is to explore the role of emotions that consumers experience as a result of assigning causal attributions to service failures. The secondary purpose is to consider the effects of each of these emotions on behavioral outcomes.Design/methodology/approachThis paper extends the work of Wetzer, Zeelenberg, and Pieters regarding emotions and draws upon the existing literature to present a series of research propositions tying attributions to emotions and emotions to behavioral outcomes.FindingsWhen a service failure occurs, customers experience any of a variety of negative emotions. The particular emotional reaction depends on the customer's perception of why the service failure occurred in the first place. Behavioral outcomes associated with service recovery therefore depend directly on the negative emotion and indirectly on the customer's perception of the cause.Practical implicationsTo the extent that marketing managers can frame the cause of the service failure in their post‐failure communications, recovery satisfaction may be increased leading, in turn, to more positive customer response outcomes. The specific managerial implications depend upon the emotional response experienced by the customer.Originality/valueResearch to date looking at causal attributions in service failure is limited to attributions based on stability and controllability and ties them to very few emotions; this paper identifies six attributions and ties each to a specific emotion. The behavioral outcomes of reconciliation and share‐of‐wallet are added to the traditional outcomes of repatronage intentions and negative word‐of‐mouth.