bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Career commitment and career success: moderating role of self‐efficacy
Authors: Ballout Hassan I. 
Published: November 2009

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to expand the literature on career success by examining the moderating role of self‐efficacy on the relationship between career commitment and career success.Design/methodology/approachManagers and non‐manager employees and surveyed in Lebanon regarding their career commitment, self‐efficacy and career success. Regression analyses are used to test the hypotheses.FindingsThe results showed that career commitment predicted both objective (i.e. salary level) and subjective (i.e. career satisfaction) career success only for employees with average to high self‐efficacy but not for those with low self‐efficacy.Research limitations/implicationsThe specific nature of the cross‐sectional sample consisting of employees working in private banking organisations may limit the generalisability of results.Practical implicationsEmployees and employers may benefit from a close examination of the motivational and cognitive dimensions that are important in career‐decision making process. Highly‐committed and efficacious employees would seek challenging tasks to master their own performance accomplishments when engaging in career goals with which they see more opportunities for personal development or career growth. Organisations too will benefit from highly committed and efficacious employees if they prepare them for long‐term engagement in activities and career opportunities that contribute to career success.Originality/valueThis paper makes a valuable contribution to both career commitment and career success literatures by being one of the first to examine the moderating effect of self‐efficacy on the relationships between these important career concepts.
Are the myths of space utilization costing you more than you know?
Authors: Knapp Curtis , Vickroy Kim , De Bruyn Luc , Kwong David 
Published: November 2009

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to illustrate the importance for real estate organizations to measure portfolio space in a meaningful way, allowing occupancy planners to make aggressive recommendations to reduce under utilized space within a portfolio.Design/methodology/approachThis paper takes the form of an office space characteristics study of nine global occupiers in four different industries, focusing on vacancy rate, density, space usage and gross versus rentable/usable square footage.FindingsThere is a disconnect between where many corporate real estate executives think they need to be on these measurements, where they think they are, and where they truly are when metrics are based on actuals, and not on targets. Also, most US occupiers are above the BOMA international density recommendation of 225 square feet per person. Per person and per seat space occupancy is lower in Europe and especially in Asia.Practical implicationsThe paper contains suggestions on how and what portfolio spaces to measure, as well as a base for comparing major space characteristics to corporate peers. This information is valuable for helping a corporation “right size” its portfolio in occupancy planning, and provides a meaningful way for real estate executives to demonstrate support for overall corporate objectives such as cost efficiency.Originality/valueThis study is possibly the first ever published detailing such a large amount of office space (almost 42 million s.f. total). It provides corporate occupiers a framework for measuring their own portfolios, and a yardstick for comparison of space characteristics to others once that has been completed.
The impact of psychological needs on office design
Authors: Oseland Nigel 
Published: November 2009

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to summarise the main psychological theories that have implications for the design and management of successful workplaces. This will support real estate professionals in advising occupiers on how to enhance the quality of their workplaces to improve the performance of its occupants.Design/methodology/approachThe paper summarises relevant psychological research and offers guidance based on the literature review.FindingsIn general, current trends in building design and selection do not fully consider psychological factors. Whilst new buildings may be space efficient they are unlikely to be as effective as those buildings that do account for basic individual and organisational needs.Originality/valueThis paper provides a review of the psychological theories in the context of office design. A fuller understanding of such theories will improve the quality of workplaces.
Evolution and performance of Chinese technology policy
Authors: Sun Wenxiang , Peng Jisheng , Ma Juelin , Zhong Weiguo 
Published: November 2009

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to analyze the evolution of Chinese technology policy, assess its technological and economic performance from the visual angle of “market in exchange for technology” strategy.Design/methodology/approachA quantified method based on policy contents from policy power, policy goals and policy means was developed to build a policy database, and analyze the evolutionary tendency of Chinese technology policy. In addition, econometric models were built to assess the performance of technology policy.FindingsThe critical goals of Chinese technology policy are introducing technology directly or indirectly by introducing foreign investment and innovation, but the critical linkage between introduction and innovation‐technology absorption was absent – almost all policy means aim at the introduction of foreign investment and innovation but not technology absorption. More unfortunately, the econometric results show that introduction of foreign investment contributes little, while technology absorption contributes much more. Institutional path‐dependence and the competition for benefits among different departments have aggravated an already unbalanced emphasis on technology policies during the reform.Research limitations/implicationsDuring the quantification of technology policy, one perhaps loses some information about policy, and it can only be used to analyze the technology policy system, not special technology policy.Practical implicationsAnalyses of the evolution of Chinese technology policy and econometric results show the blunder of “market in exchange for technology” strategy from policy formulation and execution. Also, it leads to the optimization of technology policy from policy targets, implements based on national technology and innovation strategy.Originality/valueThe paper develops the method of technology policy quantification and builds econometric models to assess the contribution of technology policy to technology progress and economy development.
Market, regulation and technology regime: implication for China mobile phones industry
Authors: Sun Wenxiang , Peng Jisheng , Ma Juelin , Wang Shihong 
Published: November 2009

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to prove that the technology that customers accept is sometimes not the most advanced, but backward, and to explain why different technologies could coexist under certain market situations and government regulations.Design/methodology/approachA general model was developed to analyze choice of technology regime under evolution of market demand and government regulation led by evolutionary economics.FindingsMarket demands and government regulations can affect the change of technology regime deeply, regardless of the level of certain technology. With the change of environment factors which affect China's mobile phones technological evolution, this paper testifies to the rationality and inevitability of PHS's market success and indicates that government regulations would impact the technological choice and lead to some technology market success, but it would lead to low efficiency of resources allocation.Originality/valueThe paper provides an instrument for analyzing the co‐evolution of market demand, government regulation and technology regime.
“As soon as you get on Bebo you just go mad”: young consumers and the discursive construction of teenagers online
Authors: Willett Rebekah 
Published: November 2009

AbstractThe purpose of this paper is to analyse how young people as consumers are using one particular social networking site (Bebo), and how these young consumers are engaging with discourses which position them variously as vulnerable to online risk and as members of the knowledgeable “net generation”.Design/methodology/approachThe article provides an in‐depth analysis of data collected from 24 Bebo participants, ages 14‐16, focusing mainly on interviews. Discourse analysis is used to uncover the ways that the participants in the study position themselves in relation to discourses surrounding teenagers as consumers on social networking sites.FindingsThe analysis demonstrates that teenagers are using Bebo in very specific ways as part of a range of modes of communication with different audiences. Often their use of Bebo is quite banal, highlighting the possibility that adults (parents, researchers, government, NGOs) over‐invest in the meaning of Bebo for young teens. However, typical of the tensions involved in people's subject positioning, the interviewees also indicate that Bebo is serving particular purposes in relation to their identities as teenagers. Therefore, the article considers dimensions of the “life stage” of adolescence as a way of understanding the significance of Bebo in teenagers' lives.Originality/valueThe article provides an in‐depth analysis of qualitative data related to a small age‐range of consumers on a specific social networking site. This focus highlights the specificity of Bebo as a social networking site, as well as the particular ways that these 14‐16 year olds engage with various technologies and discursive practices surrounding young consumers online.
Building a targeted pharmacy customer engagement approach
Authors: Hamilton John 
Published: November 2009

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to elucidate the pathways that can enhance pharmacy‐to‐customer engagements, and give capacity to build closely aligned customer interface systems.Design/methodology/approachA nationwide, pharmacy and customer, dual survey‐based service value networks (SVNs) approach, analysed using structural equation modelling (SEM), shows significant business‐customer encounter information pathways act between the pharmacy and its engaging customer.FindingsThe complex nature of the business‐customer exchange and its interacting pathways is highlighted. Six front‐end SVNs business cells engaged in this paper have significant direct (and/or indirect) impact on customer perspectives of their pharmacy. Hence, the pharmacy front‐end business model should be fully and intelligently networked.Research limitations/implicationsThe SVNs and SEM approach yields a strong robust pharmacy model, and can move pharmacy business management mechanisms to elevated customer‐engaging levels. It can offer customer‐targeted interaction solutions with enhanced perceived satisfaction. This SVNs approach is efficient, understandable, measurable and business specific. It is appropriate for market leaders, innovators or differentiators. Combined with other interface‐related toolkits it can deliver competitive advantage parameters such as understanding the key measures that improve business‐customer alignment.Originality/valueSVNs developed under SEM offer a new way to better align the business with its customers. They can be applied at the individual community pharmacy or pharmacy chain level. SVNs release the key measures from which pertinent interacting front‐end business‐to‐customer pathways may be adjusted in a quest to strategically build and align the business closely to its customer demands. This win‐win SVNs interface procedure can also be applied within other service industries.
Evaluation of sustainability schemes for international bioenergy flows
Authors: Mikkilä Mirja , Heinimö Jussi , Panapanaan Virgilio , Linnanen Lassi , Faaij Andre 
Published: November 2009

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to outline a comprehensive picture of the coverage of various certification schemes and sustainability principles relating to the entire value‐added chain of biomass and bioenergy and comparing them accordingly.Design/methodology/approachA tri‐dimensional approach (sustainability issues; technical biomass conversion routes; physical trade flows) was developed for testing the coverage of various sustainability dimensions in different phases of the value‐added chain with the chosen certification schemes and sustainability principles.FindingsUsing the tri‐dimensional approach, a comparison of the chosen schemes and principles demonstrated that the application of existing schemes and the development of new ones have placed a major emphasis on the primary production of biomass. Economic and social dimensions related to biofuels and bioenergy processing and trade were either emphasised less or they were covered inadequately. In view of this, the schemes sometimes seem to ignore that the utilisation of renewable energy as such guarantee no positive or neutral climate impact and may not be economically sustainable, especially when bioenergy can often be more expensive than energy generated from fossil energy sources.Originality/valueThe analysis showed that the tri‐dimensional model is an applicable framework that could facilitate policy makers to formulate policies that comprehensively take into consideration the various sustainability dimensions throughout the entire value‐added chain, now and in the future. It can be applied to the future outlining and completion of certification schemes and sustainability principles for biomass and bioenergy, as well as in the testing of their applicability in the implementation.
Autonomy and accountability in social services nonprofits: Japan and UK
Authors: Laratta Rosario 
Published: November 2009

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to describe two recent investigations of social services nonprofits (SSNs) in Japan and UK shed light on the subject of autonomy in relation to accountability.Design/methodology/approachThis is effected through an exploration of questions such as: to what extent can we say that SSNs operate “autonomously” in Japan and UK? How do executives in these agencies perceive their own statutory organisation (SO)? To whom exactly are the SSNs accountable? What accountability mechanisms are in effect? How much time do these agencies spend on meeting the requirements of these accountability measures? Do SSN executives consider that accountability demands enhance or inhibit the ability of their organisation to fulfill its mission?FindingsA close relationship is found between the way in which executive directors view downward accountability demands (accountability to clients or society at large) and the way they perceive SOs. From the discussion of the findings, it became apparent that Japanese executives, who approached downward accountability from its external dimension (i.e. the community at large), appeared to experience a more positive relationship with SOs than their British counterparts, who approached downward accountability almost exclusively from its internal dimension (i.e. in terms of their organisation's users), resulting in their perception of statutory accountability demands as a positive or negative influence on their organisation's mission.Originality/valueThis research makes an important contribution to the understanding of collaborative relations between government and nonprofits, as well as providing meaningful insights in the search for an alternative governance system for the provision of social services under a post welfare‐state regime.
How interpersonal conflicts influence IS‐sourcing decisions
Authors: Ulbrich Frank 
Published: November 2009

PurposeFrameworks on information systems‐sourcing (IS‐sourcing) decisions are frequently based on rational‐choice theory, neglecting such non‐quantifiable aspects as interpersonal conflicts. The purpose of this paper is to find out whether such interpersonal conflicts have a determining influence on an organization's IS‐sourcing decision.Design/methodology/approachAn illustrative case‐study strategy is applied.FindingsThe following interpersonal conflicts had a determining influence on an organization's IS‐sourcing decision: tensions between personnel in the IS department and those in the users' departments; lack of capabilities on a personal level; power in and between departments; and face‐saving in the corporate group. Based on these empirical findings, a generic model is developed to illustrate how interpersonal conflicts enmesh witheconomic, business, andtechnical factors,and influence IS‐sourcing decisions.Research limitations/implicationsThe generic model enables researchers to study IS‐sourcing decisions better. It enriches previous research on IS‐sourcing decisions and alerts researchers that they need to cope with non‐quantifiable aspects that can have an impact on IS‐sourcing decisions.Practical implicationsOnce managers understand how interpersonal conflicts can influence an organization's IS‐sourcing decision, they can assess their own organizations more accurately and estimate outcomes of particular IS‐sourcing decisions more realistically. Thus, this paper enables organizations to make better IS‐sourcing decisions, thereby – in the long run – helping them to use IS more effectively in their attempts to improve their business performances and competitive advantages.Originality/valueThis paper extends previous research on IS‐sourcing and fills a gap in traditional frameworks on IS‐sourcing decisions. It illustrates how various types of interpersonal conflicts enmesh witheconomic, business, andtechnical factors, and influence IS‐sourcing decisions.
Strategic outsourcing practices of multi‐national corporations (MNCs) in China
Authors: Kang Mingu , Wu Xiaobo , Hong Paul 
Published: November 2009

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to present a research model and case illustrations that explore strategic outsourcing practices for sustainable competitive advantages in the Chinese context.Design/methodology/approachThis study is based on in‐depth interviews of executives of three multi‐national firms (MNCs) from Switzerland, Korea and the USA that have been successfully operating in China for more than seven years.FindingsThis paper discusses how three MNC firms in China maintain clear and disciplined strategic outsourcing and achieve desired business outcomes. They race to the top by managing strategic insourcing for high risk and high profit items while outsourcing low risk and high profit leveraging items.Originality/valueThe paper presents a strategic outsourcing model and case studies of three multi‐national firms in China, which suggest both theoretical and managerial implications showing how to implement successful outsourcing practices in the global market.
Performance measurement in business process outsourcing decisions
Authors: Weimer Gero , Seuring Stefan 
Published: November 2009

PurposeOutsourcing research has identified that permanently governing and controlling the outsourcing provider is essential for a successful outsourcing engagement and has prioritised performance measurement systems as the most important tool to support governance and control. The purpose of this paper is to present four outsourcing contracts and conducts a detailed analysis of their performance measurement systems.Design/methodology/approachThe paper is based on case study analysis of four outsourcing projects. The performance measurement systems of these projects are analysed and interpreted against the balanced scorecard concept.FindingsMajor findings of the cross‐case analysis are that almost only performance measurement systems based on the business process perspective were found. This structure is primarily determined by the underlying contract and compensation model. Links to the strategic objectives of the outsourcing project are missing.Research limitations/implicationsThe research is based on four cases and presents exploratory findings. These have implications towards future research, where a wider set of outsourcing decisions needs to be analysed.Originality/valueThe paper contributes to a better understanding of performance measurement systems that are implemented at outsourcing engagements in practice.
What makes undergraduate students enroll into an elective course?
Authors: Amin Hanudin , Rahim Abdul Rahman Abdul , Ramayah T. 
Published: November 2009

PurposeThe main purpose of this paper is to investigate the acceptance level of Islamic accounting course by undergraduate students at the Universiti Malaysia Sabah (UMS). The study used theory of reasoned action (TRA) to analyze the findings.Design/methodology/approachThe primary data for the study are collected using self‐administered questionnaires. Altogether, the sample comprised of 135 respondents. Data are analyzed using statistical package for social science 13.0 and Analysis of Moment Structures 7.0 to determine the acceptance level and model fit.FindingsAttitude (ATT), subjective norm (SN), and amount of information on Islamic accounting (AIIA) are found to affect the intention of students to enroll in the Islamic accounting course. Other proposed hypotheses are also supported.Research limitations/implicationsThe study limitations are confined to three only. The first limitation is the narrow focus on one University in Malaysia as a case study. The second is about its limited relevant measures used in the model that may potentially support the acceptance. The third is about the lack of adequate sample of non‐Muslim students. Nevertheless, these limitations drive for the future research in the area of Islamic accounting.Practical implicationsDespite its limitations, this study is still of importance in providing insights on a particular issue. The findings of this study shed some light on the students' acceptance level of an Islamic course. This course is unique as it is different in orientation compared to other existing courses on offer. This paper also provides an invaluable insight, especially in the case of UMS, to consider Islamic accounting course as a core course in the future instead of only an elective course. The university's management should consider the importance of students' ATT, SN, and AIIA prior to offering the course.Originality/valueThis paper examines undergraduate students' acceptance level of an Islamic accounting course using TRA and highlights the factors affecting the acceptance of students of an Islamic accounting course in a Malaysian higher learning institution.