bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
A social identity perspective on the job attitudes of employees in sport
Authors: Todd Samuel , Kent Aubrey 
Published: January 2009

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to provide a foundation for future research pertaining to establishing the distinctness of the sport industry from an employee psychology perspective.Design/methodology/approachThis conceptual paper is rooted in social identity theory which maintains that certain levels of self‐esteem and psychological fulfillment can be derived from one's membership in particular groups. The authors have developed a model of positive social identity in sport organizations that details the benefits and consequences of psychological fulfillment related to employment in the sport industry.FindingsWithin the proposed model, the paper outlines how particular elements of social identity derived from one's employment in sport may play an active role in particular job attitudes by enhancing the employee's self‐esteem and contributing to overall self‐evaluation. It further explains how social identity in the workplace may influence individual outcomes such as organizational citizenship, commitment, satisfaction, and job involvement, depending on the strength of the attitude. The elements of the model are explored and future research directions are given.Originality/valueA key question to be addressed is whether or not sport is a distinct context within which to apply management theory. This paper proposes a conceptual model and research agenda surrounding the idea that one critical area of distinction may be the psychology of employees.
Eating behaviours and general practices used by Taekwondo players in order to make weight before competition
Authors: Fleming Sarah , Costarelli Vassiliki 
Published: January 2009

PurposeTaekwondo (TKD) is a weight‐classified combat sport. Athletes are required to make weight in order to compete in their chosen weight division. However, the weight management strategies that are often employed are frequently at the expense of nutritional health and sporting performance. The purpose of this study is to investigate eating behaviours and general practices used by Taekwondo (TKD) athletes in order to make weight before competition.Design/methodology/approachA total of 30 male, international and national, TKD athletes (average age: 23.4 years±4.6) were recruited from a known TKD Club in London, UK. Weight management behaviours, beliefs and attitudes were investigated with the use of a specially designed questionnaire.FindingsA total of 87 per cent of the TKD athletes surveyed stated that they would try to reduce body weight before competition to make weight classification and 47 per cent of the athletes reported that, in their effort to reduce weight, they would use a combination of restricting energy and fluid intake and increasing energy expenditure. A total of 80 per cent of the athletes stated that they would attempt to make weight on average six to nine times a year.Originality/valueFood and fluid restriction in combination with increased energy expenditure were the preferred methods of weight loss employed by TKD athletes in the sample.
Effects of wheat germ on a population of hyperlipidemic patients
Authors: Reza Zakeri Hamid , Ataie Jafari Asal , Rajabi Mohammad , Hosseini Saeed 
Published: January 2009

PurposeReducing fat intake or inhibiting fat absorption is a useful solution for blood lipid reduction. It is shown that there are some proteins in wheat germ with pancreatic lipase inhibiting properties that have hypolipidemic effects. This paper aims to evaluate the possible beneficial effects of a daily intake of 30 g of raw wheat germ in a population of Iranian hyperlipidemic subjects with their special dietary habits.Design/methodology/approachThis experimental trial was conducted on 15 hyperlipidemic patients with the average age of 45.7±7 years. They were not on lipid‐lowering drugs for the previous three months. They were asked to consume 30 g of raw wheat germ each day for four weeks, and continue their normal diet (follow‐up period) for the following four weeks. Dietary records were taken for three days prior to the study and at the end of a four weeks intervention and follow‐up period. Data were analysed using repeated measurement analysis. If the statistical significance was detected, a paired‐t‐test was used.FindingsThe consumption of wheat germ for four weeks lowered the serum total cholesterol (p<0.002), triglyceride (p<0.001) and VLDL‐C (p<0.001). These levels were significantly increased after the follow‐up period, but they did not reach the baseline level. HDL‐C level was not significantly changed.Practical implicationsConsumption of wheat germ may lower the risk of CHD by reducing the serum lipids.Originality/valueThe paper evaluates the possible beneficial effects of a daily intake of 30 g of raw wheat germ in a population of Iranian hyperlipidemic subjects with their special dietary habits.
High prevalence of the risk of overweight and overweight among Qatari children ages 9 through 11
Authors: Kerkadi Abdelhamid , Hassan Abdelmonem S. , Eltayeb M. Yousef Adil 
Published: January 2009

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to estimate the prevalence of the risk of overweight and overweight in Qatari children ages 9 through 11 and to compare the prevalence using CDC and IOTF cut‐offs.Design/methodology/approachA cross‐sectional study in a randomly selected sample of 1,213 Qatari children was carried out. Weight and height were measured and BMI was calculated for all children. The risk of overweight and overweight were defined using as references both the CDC BMI percentiles for age and gender and IOTF cut‐off values.FindingsWeight, height, and BMI increased with age and differences were significant (p<0.0001). According to the CDC and IOTF references, the overall prevalence of the risk of overweight affected 15.8 and 21.1 per cent respectively, while overweight was prevalent in 21.8 and 17.7 per cent respectively. Using either reference, the prevalence of the risk of overweight was higher among girls compared with boys (22.4 per cent, 19.4 per cent respectively), while overweight was higher among boys than among girls (20.6 per cent, 15.5 per cent respectively) but the differences were not statistically significant for both.Originality/valueThis study focused on children aged 9‐11 years, which represents a transition period between childhood and adolescence. Studying overweight in childhood is important since identification of children who may become obese adults can facilitate early intervention and avoidance of the morbidity and mortality associated with adult obesity. Limited studies on the prevalence of overweight have been conducted in Qatar.
Term‐time employment and the student experience
Authors: Greenbank Paul , Hepworth Sue , Mercer John 
Published: January 2009

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to examine the extent to which term‐time employment influences two specific aspects of the student experience in higher education: working collaboratively and preparing for entry into the graduate labour market. The paper also aims to consider the extent to which the students are able to appreciate the inter‐relationships that exist between activities such as these.Design/methodology/approachThe study is based on three research projects: an ongoing piece of action research into the factors influencing student engagement in collaborative activities for examination preparation; a related study into attitudes to group work; and a study into how students make career decisions.FindingsIn all of these studies term‐time working was identified as a factor influencing student engagement in collaborative/group activities and career planning and preparation. However, the research found that term‐time is often “blamed” by the students for their failure to engage in these activities when other factors are more influential.Practical implicationsThis research argues that students should try and obtain term‐time jobs that benefit both their academic studies and their prospects in the graduate labour market. The students need to appreciate the inter‐relationships that exist between the different activities they are engage in. They should be supported in this by both higher education institutions and employers. The government ought to monitor the situation, and if necessary, introduce legislation to protect students from the negative effects of term‐time employment.Originality/valueThis research suggests that the negative effects of term‐time employment may be exaggerated by students looking for an excuse for not engaging in particular activities.
Education and training in ethical decision making: comparing context and orientation
Authors: Perri David F. , Callanan Gerard A. , Rotenberry Paul F. , Oehlers Peter F. 
Published: January 2009

PurposeThe purpose of his paper is to present a teaching methodology for improving the understanding of ethical decision making. This pedagogical approach is applicable in college courses and in corporate training programs.Design/methodology/approachParticipants are asked to analyze a set of eight ethical dilemmas with differing situational contingencies and to choose from among alternatives for handling the dilemma. Group discussion then focuses on a comparison of participants' choices relative to their personal ethical orientations as measured by a standardized self‐report instrument.FindingsThe experiences of the authors with this methodology indicates that participants are able to gain a better understanding of the factors, both individual and situational, that frame an ethical dilemma. This methodology can also show how individuals can be influenced to make unethical choices based on the presence of certain contextual factors.Originality/valueThis paper describes a novel instructional approach for improving the understanding of the factors that frame and influence ethical decision making. This approach is innovative in that it uses vignettes describing real‐life ethical dilemmas in conjunction with an assessment of individual differences in ethical orientation.
The quest for business excellence: evidence from New Zealand's award winners
Authors: Angell Linda C. , Corbett Lawrence M. 
Published: January 2009

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to study the progression of business excellence (BX) in 13 repeat applicants for the New Zealand Business Excellence award over the period 1993‐2007.Design/methodology/approachA multiple case approach analyses quantitative scoring data along with qualitative interview and secondary data.FindingsFormal, external assessments play a critical role in promoting continuous improvement toward BX. However, effective responses to feedback differ for enabler processes vs results. Achieving improved results requires a fundamental review of measurement approaches, as well as better alignment of performance measures to overall activities. Successful paths to continuous improvement vary depending on the starting point for this journey. Organisations starting with a relatively strong position can use external feedback to target improvement efforts for maximum benefit. Organisations starting at a more basic level of performance need to generalise improvement efforts across their full range of business activities. The research also identified the existence of hurdles along the road to BX.Research limitations/implicationsThe New Zealand Business Excellence Foundation, which administers the award scheme in New Zealand (NZ) had adopted the US Baldrige criteria as a whole, and no work has yet been done to validate the criteria for NZ conditions. This paper uses changes in scores between applications as a measure of progress to BX, so there is the possibility of applicants “gaming” the system (e.g. one research participant admitted they gained a large one‐off scoring improvement largely on the basis of writing a better application). Future research could extend this work by: studying the performance over time of a control group using Baldrige‐type criteria for internal assessment only; comparing one‐time applicants with repeat applicants; and studying the extent to which Baldrige criteria are appropriate within other national contexts such as NZ.Practical implicationsThis research provides insight and advice into what works and what does not in implementing the Baldrige BX criteria.Originality/valueThis paper analyses a unique data source and contributes to the literature on drivers and barriers to continuous improvement, a key literature within operations management.
Project manager‐project (PM‐P) fit and project success
Authors: Malach‐Pines Ayala , Dvir Dov , Sadeh Arik 
Published: January 2009

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to demonstrate the importance of a fit between project managers' (PMs) personalities and the “personalities” of their projects, for project success; taking a psychological rather than a project management perspective.Design/methodology/approachIn total, 289 Israeli PMs responded to a specially designed questionnaire that classified projects along three dimensions: Novelty, Complexity and Technological Uncertainty, analyses PM's personality traits that were identified as relevant to these dimensions and assessed the projects' success. It was hypothesized that the greater the PM‐P fit, the greater the projects' success.FindingsResults supported the hypothesis: PMs whose personality profile was close to the ideal PM profile for a particular project type were more successful in impact on the customers, benefit to the organization and overall success.Research limitations/implicationsA cross‐sectional design and a self report measure.Practical implicationsThe findings can be translated into recommendations for improving the fit between PMs and the projects assigned to them to increase project success.Originality/valueThe study extends Person‐Organization (P‐O) fit theory to the case of projects, viewing projects as temporary organizations. It also introduces to project management the psychological perspective on PM‐P fit and demonstrates its relevance.
Demand categorisation in a European spare parts logistics network
Authors: Syntetos A.A. , Keyes M. , Babai M.Z. 
Published: January 2009

PurposeSpare parts have become ubiquitous in modern societies and managing their requirements is an important and challenging task with tremendous cost implications for the organisations that are holding relevant inventories. An important operational issue involved in the management of spare parts is that of categorising the relevant stock keeping units (SKUs) in order to facilitate decision‐making with respect to forecasting and stock control and to enable managers to focus their attention on the most “important” SKUs. This issue has been overlooked in the academic literature although it constitutes a significant opportunity for increasing spare parts availability and/or reducing inventory costs. Moreover, and despite the huge literature developed since the 1970s on issues related to stock control for spare parts, very few studies actually consider empirical solution implementation and with few exceptions, case studies are lacking. Such a case study is described in this paper, the purpose of which is to offer insight into relevant business practices.Design/methodology/approachThe issue of demand categorisation (including forecasting and stock control) for spare parts management is addressed and details reported of a project undertaken by an international business machine manufacturer for the purpose of improving its European spare parts logistics operations. The paper describes the actual intervention within the organisation in question, as well as the empirical benefits and the lessons learned from such a project.FindingsThis paper demonstrates the considerable scope that exists for improving relevant real word practices. It shows that simple well‐informed solutions result in substantial organisational savings.Originality/valueThis paper provides insight into the empirical utilisation of demand categorisation theory for forecasting and stock control and provides some very much needed empirical evidence on pertinent issues. In that respect, it should be of interest to both academics and practitioners.
Attitudes and behaviour in everyday finance: evidence from Switzerland
Authors: Fünfgeld Brigitte , Wang Mei 
Published: January 2009

PurposeIn order to classify individuals based on their needs, this paper aims to consider both self‐stated attitudes and behaviours in a comprehensive range of daily financial affairs. Furthermore, it aims to study the impacts of socio‐demographic variables such as gender, age, and education.Design/methodology/approachA questionnaire was answered by 1,282 respondents in the German‐speaking part of Switzerland. Factor analysis revealed five components. Based on these components a two‐step cluster analysis (Ward and K‐means analyses) identified distinct subgroups. Linear regressions were used to investigate the impacts of socio‐demographic variables.FindingsFactor analysis revealed five underlying dimensions of financial attitudes and behaviour: anxiety, interests in financial issues, decision styles, need for precautionary savings, and spending tendency. Cluster analysis segmented the respondents into five subgroups based on these dimensions with an ascending order of specific needs for financial products. Gender, age, and education were found to have significant impacts.Research limitations/implicationsReal consumption behaviour cannot be observed through the survey, which limits the external validity of the study.Practical implicationsThe segmentation identifies different levels of financial competence and needs for financial products. It allows financial service providers to offer more effective advice and to meet customers on their own level to improve personal financial management.Originality/valueAttitudes and behaviours in daily financial affairs are examined to reveal individuals' financial competence and consequential product needs. A heterogeneous sample covers a variety of demographic groups.
The influence of customer perceptions on financial performance in financial services
Authors: Liang Chiung‐Ju , Wang Wen‐Hung , Dawes Farquhar Jillian 
Published: January 2009

PurposeThe purpose of this study is to develop and empirically test a model examining the relationship between customer perceptions (product attributes, benefits, customer satisfaction, trust, commitment and customer behavioral loyalty) and financial performance of a merchant bank.Design/methodology/approachBased on the SEM tool of Linear Structure Relation (LISREL), this study develops and empirically tests a model examining the relationships between customer perspectives (product attributes, benefits, customer satisfaction, trust, commitment and customer behavioral loyalty) and the financial perspective (financial performance). A cross‐department study in the financial services industry was conducted based on three consumer samples (department of Loans, Deposits, and Credit Cards) drawn from XYZ bank, one of the most famous banks providing merchant banking services in Taiwan.FindingsSEM results indicate that: customer perceptions positively affect financial performance; and customers purchase financial services with dissimilar benefits, all of which come with corresponding attributes, and hence result in different levels of customer satisfaction and behavioral sequence, which is important in reinforcing customers' trust, commitment, repurchase intentions and corporate financial performance.Practical implicationsThe findings suggest that financial service managers could consider treating consumers as partners in their provision of existing services or their quest to develop successful new services. Reciprocal behavior will foster a positive atmosphere, remove barriers arising from risk, and enable relationships to progress, ultimately improving financial performance.Originality/valueThe research proposes an empirical model of the customer perceptions in the consumption of financial services that has a positive impact on the financial performance of the company. The findings are based on data from one company across three product departments.
Redemption behavior for credit card reward programs in China
Authors: Tingchi Liu Matthew , Brock James L. 
Published: January 2009

PurposeThis paper aims to identify the factors affecting the redemption of reward points, a form of customer loyalty program used by many Chinese credit card issuers. In addition it also assesses Chinese credit card users' level of awareness about the reward‐point programs.Design/methodology/approachA total of 401 telephone surveys were conducted in five major cities in China in 2007. Regression analysis was also conducted in the exploratory study.FindingsResults show both low customer awareness about point‐based reward programs and, not surprisingly, low redemption rates. More specifically, lack of awareness about the reward points programs and the redemption procedure was shown. The important conditions positively affecting redemption of reward points were found to include awareness of the reward point program, a positive attitude about the incentives, and average frequency of credit card usage. Also, redemption rates were higher for cards that had been issued more recently.Practical implicationsThe paper suggests that credit card marketers could communicate with their customers more effectively in order to spread and reinforce awareness about point‐based reward programs and encourage them to experience their benefits.Originality/valueThe study provides an original insight into an important element of consumer behavior with credit card reward programs in the banking industry serving a lower‐middle‐income segment in a developing region such as China. Guidance is also offered for marketing managers responsible for promoting credit card usage and reward programs.
Infrastructure and core quality management practices: how do they affect quality?
Authors: Zu Xingxing 
Published: January 2009

PurposeThis empirical study seeks to resolve the conflicting findings in the quality management (QM) literature about how different QM practices, specifically, infrastructure QM practices and core QM practices, affect quality performance.Design/methodology/approachBased on the Socio‐Technical Systems theory and research related to QM implementation and performance, the study proposes a research model of the relationship between infrastructure and core QM practices and their direct and indirect effects on quality performance. The empirical data were drawn from 226 manufacturing plants in the USA. The research model was tested using structural equation modelling (SEM) technique.FindingsIn the structural model, two integrated factors were used to represent the two types of QM practices: the infrastructure QM includes top management support, customer relationship, and supplier relationship, and workforce management; and the core QM consists of quality information, product/service design, and process management. The analysis of the structure model shows that the core QM directly leads to improved quality performance, and the infrastructure QM contributes to quality performance by supporting the core QM.Research limitations/implicationsThe study examines the roles of infrastructure QM practices and core QM practices in improving quality performance. It confirms that QM should be implemented as an integrated approach of different practices.Practical implicationsThe major implication of the study is that both core and infrastructure QM practices are important in improving quality. It is important that companies allocate resources to establish both types of QM practices in order to achieve the effectiveness of the whole QM system.Originality/valueThe study utilized the SEM technique to empirically investigate the direct and indirect effects of infrastructure QM practices and core QM practices on quality performance. The SEM results help to clarify the mixed findings in the literature regarding the pattern of the QM practices‐performance relationships.