bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
From demutualisation to meltdown: a tale of two wannabe banks
Authors: Klimecki Robin , Willmott Hugh 
Published: April 2009

PurposeThis paper aims to examine the influence of neoliberalist deregulation on the rash of demutualisations of the 1990s. It explores the extent to which the demutualisation of two building societies – Northern Rock and Bradford & Bingley – and their subsequent demise in the wake of the credit crunch exemplify key features of the neoliberalist experiment, with a particular focus on their post‐mutualisation business models.Design/methodology/approachThe analysis draws on literature that examines the neoliberal development of the financial sector and examines the media coverage of the financial crisis of 2007/2008 to study the discursive and material conditions of possibility for the development and implosion of the business models used by Northern Rock and Bradford & Bingley.FindingsThe paper argues that the demutualisation of Northern Rock and Bradford & Bingley was part of a broader neoliberal movement which had processes of financialisation at its centre. By converting into banks, former building societies gained greater access to wholesale borrowing, to new types of investors and to the unrestricted use of financial instruments such as securitisation. The collapse of Northern Rock and Bradford & Bingley is interpreted in the light of their access to these new sources of funding and their use of financial instruments which were either unavailable for, or antithetical to, the operation of mutual societies.Research limitations/implicationsThe paper comments on the contemporary features and current effects of the 2007/2008 crisis of liquidity, whose full long‐term consequences are uncertain. Further research and future events may offer confirmation or serve to qualify or correct its central argument. The intent of the paper is to provide a detailed analysis of the conditions and consequences of building society demutualisation in the context of the neoliberal expansion of the financial sector that resulted in a financial meltdown. It is hoped that this study will stimulate more critical analysis of the financial sector, and of the significance of financialisation more specifically.Originality/valueThe paper adopts an alternative perspective on the so‐called “subprime crisis”. The collapse of Northern Rock and Bradford & Bingley is understood in relation to the expansion, and subsequent crisis, of financialisation, in which financial instruments such as collateralized debt obligations and credit default swaps were at its explosive centre, rather than to the expansion of subprime lending per se. Demutualisation is presented as a symptom of neoliberalism, a development that, in the UK, is seen to have contributed significantly to the financial meltdown.
Building resilience to international financial crises: lessons from Brazil
Authors: Filipe Zago de Azevedo André , Renato Soares Terra Paulo 
Published: April 2009

PurposeThis paper sets out to argue that, due to a stable set of economic policies over the past decade, today Brazil is much more resilient to international financial crises than in the 1990s.Design/methodology/approachThe paper presents preliminary macroeconomic data in a country case study.FindingsThe paper concludes that the initial impact of the current international financial crisis on Brazil has been much less severe than similar crisis episodes in the past.Research limitations/implicationsGiven that the crisis is still unfolding, the paper presents only preliminary data regarding its impact on emerging markets.Practical implicationsThe paper suggests that emerging markets should adopt flexible exchange rate regimes and stable macroeconomic policies as a means to reduce their exposure to international shocks.Originality/valueThe paper makes an initial diagnosis regarding the impact of the international financial crisis on emerging markets that have adopted sensible economic policies, and is of interest to scholars, business people, and policymakers in developed and emerging countries.
Towards pervasive instant messaging and presence awareness
Authors: Zhang Xiaolei , Law Chun‐Fai , Wang Cho‐Li , Lau Francis C.M. 
Published: April 2009

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to envision the benefits of applying the Instant Messaging (IM) paradigm in pervasive computing environments. With IM in such an environment, all smart entities, human or not, can interact using IM as the unified interface. To realize this vision, the design of a Smart Instant Messaging (SIM) system is proposed, which features context‐aware presence management, user‐centric resource configuration, and adaptive grouping.Design/methodology/approachThree prototype versions of a client have been implemented and their performance in terms of memory usage and response time evaluated.FindingsThe SIM system was found to transcend current IM products by having new features including context‐aware presence management, user‐centric resource configuration, and adaptive grouping support.Originality/valueThe system described here extends the Jabber‐based IM framework and relies on an ontology‐based supporting middleware to handle the chore of retrieving and interpreting contextual information.
A survey on context‐aware web service systems
Authors: Truong Hong‐Linh , Dustdar Schahram 
Published: April 2009

PurposeThis survey aims to study and analyze current techniques and methods for context‐aware web service systems, to discuss future trends and propose further steps on making web services systems context‐aware.Design/methodology/approachThe paper analyzes and compares existing context‐aware web service‐based systems based on techniques they support, such as context information modeling, context sensing, distribution, security and privacy, and adaptation techniques. Existing systems are also examined in terms of application domains, system type, mobility support, multi‐organization support and level of web services implementation.FindingsSupporting context‐aware web service‐based systems is increasing. It is hard to find a truly context‐aware web service‐based system that is interoperable and secure, and operates on multi‐organizational environments. Various issues, such as distributed context management, context‐aware service modeling and engineering, context reasoning and quality of context, security and privacy issues have not been well addressed.Research limitations/implicationsThe number of systems analyzed is limited. Furthermore, the survey is based on published papers. Therefore, up‐to‐date information and development might not be taken into account.Originality/valueExisting surveys do not focus on context‐awareness techniques for web services. This paper helps to understand the state of the art in context‐aware techniques for web services that can be employed in the future of services which is built around, amongst others, mobile devices, web services, and pervasive environments.
Developing a conceptual framework for assessing competitiveness of India's agrifood chain
Authors: Sagheer Silpa , Yadav S.S. , Deshmukh S.G. 
Published: April 2009

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to present a conceptual framework and set of propositions to analyze competitiveness of India's agrifood chain. Nine components constitute the framework. These are identified on the basis of theoretical studies and expert consultations. Each component leads to at least one proposition.Design/methodology/approachThe framework is dependent on two major streams of management – value chain analysis (VCA) and strategic competitiveness. Porter's diamond at the industry level and Momaya's asset‐process‐performance (APP) model at the firm level provide the base for competitiveness discussions.FindingsThe framework comprises of “human” and “non‐human” components. They are more like members of a network where action of each has an impact on the other. By examining the roles of human components like national government, producers, processors, etc. and non‐human components like food quality, regulatory scenario, etc. side‐by‐side, this study breaks new grounds in exploring the synergy of VCA and competitiveness management.Research limitations/implicationsJournal papers based on Indian food industry's competitiveness or supply chain are very limited. There is also a dearth of literature on India's agrifood sector. This has reduced the scope for published references from India.Practical implicationsThe paper can serve as a reference point for researchers/students and other stakeholders interested in Indian food and retail industry. The framework has implications for developing countries like India that are exploring opportunities in global retail diffusions. It is also of use to researchers from developing economies where the role of “national government” can be significant in the development of an industry. The framework is built as a flexible and adaptable tool, which can suit other industry sectors with minor modifications.Originality/valueThe paper has attempted to create a common ground where the two theories of VCA and competitiveness are able to meet. An empirical validation of the framework can encourage more future research on this topic. This paper can also be used by researchers as a reference point for studies on Indian agrifood sector. The proposed framework can be used as an analytical tool by researchers to study similar industries from developing economies like textiles, leather, etc. that are unorganized.
Dynamic linkages among ASEAN‐5 emerging stock markets
Authors: Shabri Abd. Majid M. , Kameel Mydin Meera Ahamed , Azmi Omar Mohd. , Abdul Aziz Hassanuddeen 
Published: April 2009

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to empirically explore market integration among five selected Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) emerging markets (Malaysia, Thailand, Indonesia, the Philippines and Singapore) during the pre‐ and post‐1997 financial crisis periods.Design/methodology/approachEmploys two‐step estimation, cointegration and generalized method of moments (GMM).FindingsThe study finds that the stock markets in the ASEAN region are cointegrated both during the pre‐ and post‐1997 financial crisis. However, the markets are moving towards a greater integration, particularly during the post‐1997 financial crisis. Finally, as measured by the error correction terms, except the emerging market of Indonesia, all other ASEAN markets appear to be the important bearers of short‐run adjustment to a shock in the long‐run equilibrium relationships in the region both during the pre‐ and post‐crisis periods.Research limitations/implicationsThe study only focuses on stock markets of the five founding members of ASEAN, i.e. Malaysia, Indonesia, Thailand, Singapore and the Philippines.Practical implicationsThe paper reveals that unlike during the pre‐crisis period, the long‐run diversification benefits that can be earned by investors across the ASEAN markets in the post‐crisis period tend to diminish.Originality/valueThe study is among the first to use two‐step estimation, cointegration and GMM to re‐examine market integration either in the emerging or developed markets.
Developing country perceptions of high‐ and low‐involvement products manufactured in other countries
Authors: Saffu Kojo , Scott Don 
Published: April 2009

PurposeThe aim of this paper is to examine the quality perceptions of developing country consumers in Malaysia and Papua New Guinea (PNG), on a high‐ and low‐involvement product (personal computer and shoes) produced by the manufacturing countries of origin of the USA, Australia, Italy and Brazil.Design/methodology/approachThe country‐of‐origin (COO) effect on quality perceptions was measured by exploring interactive effect differences, using analysis of variance.FindingsThe findings from this study were first, that consumers in PNG evaluated their homemade products less favourably than foreign‐made products. Second, that COO effects influence consumers' preferences differently in the case of high‐ and low‐involvement products and third, that analyses using overall mean values instead of interaction effects can lead to incorrect interpretations. The results also supported the widely held view that consumers hold stereotypical views of products made in different foreign countries but disagreed about the nature of such stereotypical views.Practical implicationsThe main implications of this study are first, that more attention needs to be paid to a product's COO when marketing to consumers in Malaysia and PNG. Second, that in the case of high‐ and low‐involvement products, marketing managers should take special care to examine the impact of COO effects. Third, that COO research should take care to correctly evaluate and use interaction effects since the simple use of overall mean values can produce very different and incorrect interpretations.Originality/valueThis paper makes important contributions to the COO and consumer ethnocentrism research.
A cross‐cultural study of online collaborative learning
Authors: Zhu Chang , Valcke Martin , Schellens Tammy 
Published: April 2009

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to examine whether there is a cultural gap in student perceptions of online collaborative learning and to investigate to what extent student perceptions, motivation, and learning strategies change over time due to the actual involvement in a collaborative e‐learning environment (ELE).Design/methodology/approachA parallel e‐learning environment for a first‐year university course is implemented for a Flemish group (n = 217) at Ghent University and a Chinese group (n = 165) at Beijing Normal University. Student perceptions of the online collaborative learning environment and their motivation and learning strategies before and after the ELE are measured.FindingsThe findings show that the Flemish group perceive the online collaborative learning environment more positively compared to the Chinese group. However, Chinese students' motivation, and learning strategies change significantly towards a way that is more in line with a social‐constructivist learning approach after the online collaborative learning experience.Practical implicationsThe current results indicate that students from different cultural contexts perceive online collaborative learning environments differently. Specific cultural adaptations in e‐learning design could be considered when an ELE is to be implemented cross‐culturally.Originality/valueThis study can help both Chinese and Western instructors to become aware of different perceptions of online collaborative learning and to be more supportive to the students.
How did you find your physician?
Authors: Cooley Delonia O. , Madupu Vivek 
Published: April 2009

PurposeThis paper aims to investigate what sources of information consumers are utilizing when they are selecting physicians, and if there are any differences in the types of sources they evaluate when searching for information for themselves versus searching for someone else (e.g. loved ones).Design/methodology/approachFocus groups and personal interviews were conducted based on a convenience sampling approach.FindingsConsumers no longer depend on subjective sources such as word of mouth (WOM), but also look at objective internet sources. When searching for information for somebody else, consumers refer to more sources and prefer objective sources of information, such as the internet. When searching for loved ones, consumers spend more time and effort as they want to give the best possible advice.Research limitations/implicationsThe study focused only on baby‐boomers. Hence, the results may not be extended to other segments. Hospitals and other not‐for‐profit groups providing health care information should make attempts to provide information about physicians' services on the internet. Health care marketers should recognize that searching for information for self versus searching for loved ones is not similar.Originality/valueHealth care marketers can begin investigating the necessary means of how consumers are searching for information for self versus searching for loved ones. They should put in place mechanisms to identify whether a consumer is searching for information for self or for somebody else. Consumers are now referring to the internet‐based information sources and not just WOM.
Off‐label drug use – price analysis for Avastin® in ophthalmology
Authors: Michels Stephan , Kurz‐Levin Malaika , Schmitz Christian 
Published: April 2009

PurposeThe use of drugs outside the approved indication, called off‐label use, is a growing phenomenon in medical practice. Especially, when a drug approved for systemic use is used locally in small quantities, the drug price per treatment can fall far below the potential value of the drug. This paper aims to outline the potential value of off‐label Avastin® used for wet/neovascular age‐related macular degeneration (AMD), the leading cause of legal blindness in western countries.Design/methodology/approachThe van Westendorp price sensitivity measurement (PSM) method was used to find an optimal price range for an Avastin formulation potentially approved by German regulatory authorities for neovascular/wet AMD. A survey was conducted among a majority of German AMD specialists as the central part of the buying center. Germany, the largest pharmaceutical market in Europe, was selected for the study.FindingsThe effective total response rate was 25.1 percent (51 questionnaires).The price range found is clearly above the price for currently used “off‐label” Avastin and far below the price for other comparable drugs approved for the treatment of neovascular AMD. The van Westendorp PSM method found for Avastin used in the eye the optimal price at €95 ($131), the indifference price at €200 ($276) and the acceptable price range between €90 ($124) and €310 ($428). The discussion provides further implications for pricing strategies for new drugs.Originality/valueAs price sensitivity and availability of drugs have become an increasingly political and public topic, off‐label application of drugs is turning into an important challenge for the pharmaceutical industry. Taken in total, the results provide support for the view that off‐label application not only creates major threats for pharmaceutical companies, but can also offer growth opportunities.
Organizational alignment and hospitality firm performance
Authors: Crotts John C. , Ford Robert C. , Heung Vincent C.S. , Ngai E.W.T. 
Published: April 2009

PurposeHospitality organizations, whether large or small, are complex entities requiring managers to work through frontline employees to manage every guest's moment of truth and meet their firms' goals and objectives. This study aims to test propositions that firms whose staffing policies and systems are aligned with their strategic goals and objectives to outperform those firms with poorer organizational alignment.Design/methodology/approachData were collected through a survey administered in winter of 2005 to 200 hourly wage employees from each of four matched hotels. Some 479 completed surveys were returned yielding a 59 percent response rate.FindingsBetween‐group differences in organizational alignment measures were statistically significant in the directions predicted. Specifically, subjects from the high organizational alignment hotels, on average, reported significantly higher organizational support, employee service commitment and employee satisfaction as compared to low organizational alignment properties.Research limitations/implicationsThe findings of this study provide a strong indication that the workplace environment is a concept that employees are aware of which in turn influences their commitment and satisfaction.Practical implicationsThis research provides managers with an assessment tool useful for ensuring that a firm is being effectively managed.
Island tourism marketing: music and culture
Authors: Brown Keith G. 
Published: April 2009

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to provide an historical context of the growth of Celtic music on Cape Breton Island, Nova Scotia, Canada and to trace the development as a component of a cultural tourism product.Design/methodology/approachThe paper examines literature on music and cultural tourism as well as government reports. Semi‐structured interviews were done with a cross‐section of people, key to the development of musical cultural tourism on Cape Breton Island.FindingsThe paper reports on the initial investments of the federal government of Canada in tourism infrastructure on Cape Breton Island in the 1970s and the initial investments in entertainment as a component of tourism in 1986. The paper examines the growth of Celtic music in Cape Breton and the birth of the success of the Cape Breton sound.Research limitations/implicationsThe practitioners of the music industry are quite clear in their views of the importance of their sector to the broader tourism industry. However, the study is quiet on the actual perceptions and views of the tourist. Further research should examine the importance of the cultural experience in contributing to the satisfaction of the visitors' experience.Practical implicationsThe success of the Celtic Colors International Festival has clearly indicated the market for Cape Breton Celtic music and that festivals of this sort have the ability to extend the tourism season.Originality/valueThe paper chronicles the development of one of the most successful Atlantic Canadian cultural tourism products which has broad applications in comparable tourist destinations.
China's energy security situation and countermeasures
Authors: Liu Xiaoli , Jiang Xinmin 
Published: April 2009

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to put forward countermeasures to ensure China's energy security based on an analysis of the world energy security situation and challenges China faces in the future in terms of energy security.Design/methodology/approachAn induction approach is adopted to analyze the energy security situation of the world and that of China.FindingsAlthough available energy resources can meet the medium and long‐term global energy demand, the world energy security faces lots of severe challenges in the aspects of demand and supply factors, infrastructure, geopolitics and strict environmental protection requirements, etc. China's energy supply security faces many challenges in the coming 20 ∼ 30 years or even in the long term. Taking external factors into consideration, the primary challenge is to ensure a stable and sustainable oil supply with reasonable prices. Though the external conditions are of great importance to China's energy security, the influences of domestic factors also need to be well recognized. With energy resources supply being the bedrock of energy security, the establishment of domestic energy market system and energy management framework will exert momentous impact upon the energy security. In addition, while the petroleum supply security is emphasized, attentions should at the same time be paid to the supply security of other energy products, especially to the supply of China's fundamental energy resource of coal.Originality/valueThe paper provides useful and timely analysis of world energy resources, world energy security situation and world economic performances.