bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Impulse buying: the role of affect, social influence, and subjective wellbeing
Authors: Silvera David H. , Lavack Anne M. , Kropp Fredric 
Published: January 2008

PurposeThe purpose of this research is to examine predictors of impulse buying. Although moderate levels of impulse buying can be pleasant and gratifying, recent theoretical work suggests that chronic, high frequency impulse buying has a compulsive element and can function as a form of escape from negative affective states, depression, and low self‐esteem.Design/methodology/approachThe present research empirically tests a theoretical model of impulse buying by examining the associations between chronic impulse buying tendencies and subjective wellbeing, affect, susceptibility to interpersonal influence, and self‐esteem.FindingsResults indicate that the cognitive facet of impulse buying, associated with a lack of planning in relation to purchase decisions, is negatively associated with subjective wellbeing. The affective facet of impulse buying, associated with feelings of excitement and an overpowering urge to buy, is linked to negative affect and susceptibility to interpersonal influence.Practical implicationsGiven the link to negative emotions and potentially harmful consequences, impulse buying may be viewed as problematic consumer behavior. Reductions in problematic impulse buying could be addressed through public policy or social marketing.Originality/valueThis study validates and extends the Verplanken et al. model by examining the relationship between impulse buying and other psychological constructs (i.e. subjective wellbeing, positive and negative affect, social influence, and self‐esteem).
Purchase decision making and the increasing significance of family types
Authors: Tinson Julie , Nancarrow Clive , Brace Ian 
Published: January 2008

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to note the growing significance of different family types in the west and explore the relationship between the complexity of family relationships typified in single parent, blended and intact families and the involvement of children in purchase decisions.Design/methodology/approachThe quantitative research is a development based on earlier qualitative research on the three family types and large‐scale piloting of the questionnaire. A random sample of mothers with children aged 10‐16 were contacted from the TNS Postal Access Panel. Questionnaires were only used where there were responses from both the mother and child. A total of 524 fully completed questionnaires were used for the analysis.FindingsThe analysis supports the idea that where familial relationships are simpler such as in single parent homes (fewer relationships) then the involvement of the child is greater and in more complex relationships such as in blended homes (where there are step‐parents and step children present) a child's involvement may be less marked. Exceptions to the “rule” are discussed as are the theoretical and practical implications.Originality/valueWhilst social trends indicate that the composition of the family will continue to change, little research has been conducted on the impact of changing family structures on consumption behaviour.
Usefulness of introductory higher education orientation units in the context of increasing student diversity
Authors: Bennett Roger , Mousley Wendy , Ali‐Choudhury Rehnuma 
Published: January 2008

PurposeThe purpose of this research is to examine the influences of certain factors that helped determine students' assessments of the usefulness of a higher education orientation unit (HEOU) in a large post‐1992 university.Design/methodology/approachAll students in a university business studies department who had completed or were near to completing a compulsory one‐semester HEOU were asked to fill in a questionnaire that explored specific personal characteristics that a review of prior academic literature had identified as potentially relevant to the explanation of how well or badly students respond to a HEOU. The outcomes were then related to the participants' views on the overall value of the unit and whether their attendance had led to improved academic performance.FindingsStudents who claimed that they had obtained the greatest advantages from the HEOU tended to be “academic” individuals who were highly committed to being a student, intrinsically motivated to study, high in academic self‐concept, academically able, and prior to their entry to the institution had been well‐prepared for university life. This was not necessarily the profile of the students that the unit had been designed to assist.Research limitations/implicationsData on key variables was (necessarily) self‐reported. The investigation took place in a single institution and in a particular subject area. Also the students who filled in the questionnaire were, ipso facto, “survivors” and as such may not have been typical of students who had dropped out.Practical implicationsThe outcomes to the study imply that “one size fits all” approaches to the design of study skills units might not be appropriate. Rather, specially constructed units may be needed to cater for the academically ill‐prepared.Originality/valueAt the time the research was conducted this was the first major empirical study to have related students' perceptions of the usefulness of an HEOU to their backgrounds, traits, and other personal characteristics.
Performance measurement in humanitarian relief chains
Authors: Beamon Benita M. , Balcik Burcu 
Published: January 2008

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to compare performance measurement in the humanitarian relief chain with performance measurement in the commercial supply chain, develop performance metrics for the humanitarian relief chain, and present a framework that can be used as a basis for a performance measurement system in the relief sector.Design/methodology/approachThe performance measurement analysis is developed through extensions on an existing performance measurement framework. Details regarding relief chain system were obtained through off‐site and on‐site interviews with relief professionals from World Vision International.FindingsThe paper finds that this work yielded: a comparison of performance measurement in the humanitarian relief chain with performance measurement in the commercial supply chain, new performance metrics for the humanitarian relief chain, and a performance measurement framework for the relief chain.Research limitations/implicationsThe paper shows that future work includes performance measurement in community involvement and empowerment, performance measurement in community development, performance measurement in the combined relief and development mission, and understanding the role and impacts of cooperation and coordination in the relief chain.Practical implicationsThis paper provides a practical procedure for developing effective performance measurement systems for relief logistics processes.Originality/valueThe paper presents to humanitarian relief professionals a new approach to performance measurement for relief logistics and to researchers in supply chain performance a comparison and contrast between performance measurement for relief and performance measurement in the commercial chain, new performance metrics for the relief chain, and implications for modern, quick‐response supply chains.
Market‐based reforms and privatization in Sri Lanka
Authors: Balasooriya Asoka F. , Alam Quamrul , Coghill Ken 
Published: January 2008

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to explore and analyse the extent to which socio‐political obstacles have influenced the successful establishment and performance of an institutional framework to implement the privatization programme in Sri Lanka.Design/methodology/approachSecondary data have been extensively used in this paper to interpret, analyse and strengthen the arguments. Further, the recent data collected through semi‐structured interviews with stakeholders in the telecommunications sector in Sri Lanka have been used. The analysis has been confined to the Sri Lankan context.FindingsThis paper finds that the institutional framework, one of the preconditions necessary for successful implementation of reforms, has not been successful in the implementation due to the unsound socio‐political milieu prevailing in the country.Research limitations/implicationsThis paper addresses only one aspect, i.e. the importance of a proper institutional framework. It emphasizes the need for further case studies to investigate the importance of other preconditions in developing countries.Practical implicationsThe paper shows that the current analysis could be of immense value to the policy makers of both Sri Lanka and countries in South Asia.Originality/valueThe findings in this paper suggest that careful consideration of the country‐specific socio‐political conditions in developing countries should be taken, and reform measures devised accordingly.
An application of Keller's brand equity model in a B2B context
Authors: Kuhn Kerri‐Ann L. , Alpert Frank , Pope Nigel K. Ll. 
Published: January 2008

PurposeThe importance of branding in industrial contexts has increased, yet a comprehensive model of business‐to‐business (B2B) branding does not exist, nor has there been a thorough empirical study of the applicability of a full brand equity model in a B2B context. This paper aims to discuss the suitability and limitations of Keller's customer‐based brand equity model and tests its applicability in a B2B market.Design/methodology/approachThe study involved the use of semi‐structured interviews with senior buyers of technology for electronic tracking of waste management.FindingsFindings suggest that amongst organisational buyers there is a much greater emphasis on the selling organisation, including its corporate brand, credibility and staff, than on individual brands and their associated dimensions.Research limitations/implicationsThe study investigates real brands with real potential buyers, so there is a risk that the results may represent industry‐specific factors that are not representative of all B2B markets. Future research that validates the importance of the Keller elements in other industrial marketing contexts would be beneficial.Practical implicationsThe findings are relevant for marketing practitioners, researchers and managers as a starting‐point for their B2B brand equity research.Originality/valueDetailed insights and key lessons from the field with regard to how B2B brand equity should be conceptualised and measured are offered. A revised brand equity model for B2B application is also presented.
A new method of direct metal prototyping: hybrid plasma deposition and milling
Authors: Xiong Xinhong , Haiou Zhang , Guilan Wang 
Published: January 2008

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to develop a novel hybrid plasma deposition and milling (HPDM). For solving the bottleneck problem of low‐surface quality in existing direct rapid metal prototyping technologies.Design/methodology/approachHPDM uses plasma deposition as an additive and conventional milling as subtractive technique, which synthesizes the advantages of both processes. Compared to other laser or electron beam deposition processes, plasma deposition used in HPDM is one of the most economic ways of depositing metals, CNC assisted to ensure the precision of the manufactured parts simultaneity.FindingsThis paper focus on the experimental investigation to find the basic process characteristics, the optimization of the process parameters such as transferred arc current, workpiece's speed, powder flow rate and feed per tooth using a statistical approach. Some metal parts, for instance, metal torsional vane, are then trial‐manufactured.Research limitations/implicationsThe manufacturing cycle of HPDM is longer than simplex direct metal rapid prototyping, and the surface accuracy should be further investigated.Practical implicationsHPDM is a very useful and effective method to manufacture metal parts with fine surface state directly.Originality/valueThis paper describes a novel process and manufacturing system for fabrication metal prototyping direct, which can improve the inside and outside quality of the metal rapid prototypes.
Factors influencing business growth: the rise of Turkish entrepreneurship in the UK
Authors: Altinay Levent , Altinay Eser 
Published: January 2008

PurposeThis paper seeks to evaluate the cultural variables which influence the growth of Turkish speaking ethnic minority businesses in London, UK.Design/methodology/approachThe paper reports and analyses the findings of 227 face‐to‐face structured interviews with Turkish small business owners.FindingsThis study illustrates that there is a relationship between fluency in English and business growth in all sectors. Education appears to be an important variable for the business growth of the firms in the catering and service sectors. Reliance on co‐ethnic market is a key contributor to growth of firms in the retailing sector.Research limitations/implicationsData collection was limited to London; and non‐Turkish small business owners were excluded. Therefore, care should be taken in making generalisations from the sample.Practical implicationsThis paper illuminates challenges ethnic minority small business owners may face in their determination to grow and highlights the options that they may consider as part of their growth strategies.Originality/valueIn terms of theoretical value, the findings of this study clearly demonstrated linkage between internal and external environments of entrepreneurship thus providing support for the “mixed embeddedness” approach to explaining ethnic minority business growth. What is distinctive in this study is that it recognises the need for ethnic minority small business owners to scan the dynamics of business growth and the survival process.
Supply strategies for build‐to‐order: managing global auto operations
Authors: Miemczyk Joe , Howard Mickey 
Published: January 2008

PurposeVehicle manufacturer “CarCo” has spent decades developing its supply strategy based on customer ordered production. Yet the combination of an over‐crowded European market and the need to grow sales poses a dilemma: what strategy does it adopt to manage its global operations? This research aims to examine the implementation of responsive operations and supply strategy to analyse how and why a firm's strategy changes over time.Design/methodology/approachBased on the observations from a two‐day workshop held for 50 managers at the firm's headquarters, the paper explores theoretical and practitioner implications for the continued development and implementation of build‐to‐order (BTO) as a cornerstone of supply strategy.FindingsDespite considerable capability at functional and business level, CarCo must address corporate and industry factors in order to raise responsiveness. Managers understand the conflict between operational and supply strategies presented here, yet are limited in the extent they can act on this knowledge due to the multi‐level aspect of strategy and difficulties over control beyond the boundary of the firm.Practical implicationsKey performance indicators need to be modified to gauge individual sale profitability, alongside new incentives and measures to overcome demand distortion and supplier game‐playing. Further, the balance between flexibility investment and better customer fulfilment should be explored through cost analysis.Originality/valuePresents a managerial perspective of supply chain strategy development, analysed through a structured academic lens. The paper illustrates the increasingly dynamic nature of supply chains and the importance of connections between retail distribution, manufacturing, and in‐bound supply as part of the global operation.
Recycling calls for revaluation
Authors: Huge Brodin Maria , Anderson Helén 
Published: January 2008

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to develop the value concept for recycling contexts.Design/methodology/approachThe paper is a conceptual discussion supported by empirical illustrations of value development for recycled paper and electric and electronics products.FindingsDemonstrates the fundamental effects of applying the economic value concept for recycling. Suggests that value can be seen as negative and decreasing, besides positive and increasing. The end customer actually and voluntarily pays in both monetary terms and own work in order to help another actor further along the supply chain to exploit the value created.Research limitations/implicationsAny supply chain analysis including recycling must also consider the consumption of value. Traditional models and concepts are based on the end customer as the endpoint. In striving for a societal development towards “closing the circles” this more holistic understanding of value development becomes crucial.Practical implicationsRecycling is traditionally seen as a cost‐adding activity, for firms and also for consumers in terms of direct and indirect costs and time consumption. As industrial firms are supposed to include recycling of their products in their total business offering (e.g. product stewardships), the value creation and consumption mechanisms regarding recycling need to be better understood.Originality/valueThe value concept has been widely researched in different settings, however the value development of products and material in supply chains including recycling has not been addressed. The inclusion of the end‐customer among industrial actors in a supply chain provides a new complexity, which this paper addresses.
Data, information and knowledge in regional innovation networks
Authors: Melkas Helinä , Harmaakorpi Vesa 
Published: January 2008

PurposeThe purpose of this article is to investigate data, information and knowledge in regional innovation networks. Emphasis has been put recently on regional innovation systems, where various actors are involved in innovative processes. The article responds to the need to study matters related to knowledge management and information quality in such environments.Design/methodology/approachRegional innovation networks and data, information and knowledge as well as research on them are discussed at a theoretical level. An existing innovation network of the Lahti region, Finland, was utilised as a pilot environment when building the knowledge management framework that is introduced. The framework is based on established knowledge management literature and practice.FindingsThe results confirm that the aspects of data, information and knowledge need to be addressed systematically in regional innovation networks. They are intertwined with knowledge management and network management. The knowledge management framework introduced incorporates, apart from information quality considerations, future‐oriented self‐transcending knowledge as well as knowledge vision and knowledge assets. Considerations of absorptive capacity and information brokerage in the regional knowledge environment are emphasised.Research limitations/implicationsThe limitations of the framework will be assessed in future studies. This will also improve understanding of practical implications. Research implications are related to data, information and knowledge quality – as well as absorptive capacity between the two subsystems of the regional innovation system.Originality/valueThe article combines in a novel way research fields that have previously barely been combined – information quality, knowledge management and regional innovation networks. It provides new insights into a societally important theme and shows possible avenues of further research.
Application of discrete‐event simulation to study the paving operation of asphalt concrete
Authors: Hassan Marwa M. , Gruber Stan 
Published: January 2008

PurposeTo evaluate and optimize asphalt paving operations taking place in the reconstruction project of Interstate 74 in the USA using simulation.Design/methodology/approachData collected during construction was used to determine useful probabilistic density functions for the activities duration and to validate a developed simulation model. Upon validation, the developed model was used to study the impact of resources on the flow of operations, and on the cost‐effectiveness of the construction process.FindingsThe developed simulation model was successful in simulating the paving operation and its accuracy was acceptable compared to field measurements. Based on the results of a sensitivity analysis of the critical resources, multiple factors were identified in the decision‐making process to ensure that all aspects of the operation were considered. For the conditions pertinent to this construction site, 30 trucks, one paver, and two rollers are recommended. Using this set of resources results in a prompt and effective execution of the construction process.Research limitations/implicationsThe developed model is applicable only to asphalt paving operations. The predictive capability of the developed model has not yet been investigated.Practical implicationsImplementation of the presented model in practical applications can be accomplished by conducting short training courses. This will provide personnel with flexibility in addressing project‐specifics conditions and limitations. If this approach is not feasible, production charts may be developed to easily determine the optimum resources that should be used given specific time constraints and quantity, issues.Originality/valueThe presented methodology has great potential to optimize resources and production rates in similar asphalt paving operations. Moreover, benefits of simulation would be maximized if it was used during the planning phase, as it will affect equipment orders and material shipments.
Molecular Characterization of Ciliate Diversity in Stream Biofilms
Authors: Dopheide Andrew , Lear Gavin , Stott Rebecca , Lewis Gillian 
Published: January 2008

ABSTRACT
Free-living protozoa are thought to be of fundamental importance in aquatic ecosystems, but there is limited understanding of their diversity and ecological role, particularly in surface-associated communities such as biofilms. Existing eukaryote-specific PCR primers were used to survey 18S rRNA gene sequence diversity in stream biofilms but poorly revealed protozoan diversity, demonstrating a need for protozoan-targeted primers. Group-specific PCR primers targeting 18S rRNA genes of the protozoan phylum Ciliophora were therefore designed and tested using DNA extracted from cultured protozoan isolates. The two most reliable primer combinations were applied to stream biofilm DNA, followed by cloning and sequencing analysis. Of 44 clones derived from primer set 384F/1147R, 86% were of probable ciliate origin, as were 25% of 44 clones detected by primer set 121F/1147R. A further 29% of 121F/1147R-detected clones matched sequences from the closely related phylum Apicomplexa. The highly ciliate-specific primer set 384F/1147R was subsequently used in PCRs on biofilm DNA from four streams exhibiting different levels of human impact, revealing differences in ciliate sequence diversity in samples from each site. Of a total of 240 clones, 73% were of probable ciliate origin; 54 different putative ciliate sequences were detected from throughout seven taxonomic ciliate classes. Sequences from Oligohymenophorea were most commonly detected in all samples, followed by either Spirotrichea or Phyllopharyngea. Restriction fragment length polymorphism profile-based analysis of clones suggested a potentially higher level of diversity than did sequencing. Nevertheless, newly designed PCR primers 384F/1147R were considered to provide an effective molecular basis for characterization of ciliate diversity in stream biofilms.