bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
The “name game”: affective and hiring reactions to first names
Authors: Cotton John L. , O'Neill Bonnie S. , Griffin Andrea 
Published: February 2008

PurposeThe paper seeks to examine how the uniqueness and ethnicity of first names influence affective reactions to those names and their potential for hire.Design/methodology/approachIn study 1, respondents evaluated 48 names in terms of uniqueness and likeability, allowing us to select names viewed consistently as Common, Russian, African‐American, and Unusual. In Study 2 respondents assessed the uniqueness and likeability of the names, and whether they would hire someone with the name.FindingsResults indicated that Common names were seen as least unique, best liked, and most likely to be hired. Unusual names were seen as most unique, least liked, and least likely to be hired. Russian and African‐American names were intermediate in terms of uniqueness, likeability and being hired, significantly different from Common and Unique names, but not significantly different from each other.Research limitations/implicationsThe name an individual carries has a significant impact on how he or she is viewed, and conceivably, whether or not the individual is hired for a job.Practical implicationsHuman resource professionals need to be aware that there seems to be a clear bias in how people perceive names. When resumés are screened for hiring, names should be left off. Our findings also suggest that when selecting, parents may want to reconsider choosing something distinctive.Originality/valueThis study offers original findings in regards to names, combining diverse research from social psychology and labor economics, and offering practical implications.
Methods for dissipating heat from RF circuit boards
Authors: Wille Markus 
Published: February 2008

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to present methods for dissipating heat from RF circuit boards.Design/methodology/approachThe paper describes various models developed by RUWEL in this respect.FindingsThe integration of heat removal systems in the structure of printed circuit boards is a proven and reliable technique, and ideally suitable for RF circuit boards.Originality/valueIn addition to using conductive adhesive films to bond RF circuit boards to heat sinks, new methods have been developed to integrate local heat removal systems in the form of Cu coins. These techniques give the circuit designer flexibility in terms of board design and choice of materials. The models presented are already being used for various RF components in base stations for cellular telephone networks and WiMax services.
A wellbeing index based on an enabling environment
Authors: Cornachione Kula Maria , Panday Priniti , Parrish Brandon 
Published: February 2008

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to devise a new index of wellbeing that includes social and political in addition to economic factors. The new index seeks to assess a country's underlying “enabling environment” – the extent to which individuals are able to live as each chooses. Country rankings using this new measure (the HENX) are compared with the ranking of countries using the UN's popular indicators of development, the human development index and the HPI‐2.Design/methodology/approachThe paper describes the necessity of a new index, the subcomponents used in its construction, and the method of construction.FindingsCountry rankings are sensitive to which measure is used for the ranking. In particular, the USA and UK fare poorly when ranked by the HPI‐2 but their rankings improve dramatically when the HENX is used.Originality/valueIf a measure of the enabling environment of a country is deemed to be important as a measure of the wellbeing of citizens, and if political and social dimensions are deemed to be important to this environment, rankings of the most developed economies by the UN fail to adequately capture the countries' relative positions.
Investigating cost efficiency in the branch network of a Greek bank: an empirical study
Authors: Noulas Athanasios G. , Glaveli Niki , Kiriakopoulos Ioannis 
Published: February 2008

PurposeThe purpose of this study is to examine the cost efficiency of 58 branches of a major Greek commercial bank, in six major Greek cities, for the years 2000 and 2001.Design/methodology/approachThe efficiency is measured through the data envelopment analysis (DEA) method. Using regression analysis, the effect of size on cost efficiency is also examined.FindingsThe results indicate that there is a room for substantial efficiency improvements. The average inefficiency is about 30 per cent. It has also been observed that rural branches tend, on average, to be more efficient than urban branches.Research limitations/implicationsA direction of future research would be to extend the analysis of determinants of bank branch efficiency in order to investigate the role that the region and the characteristics of the branch play in relation to efficiency.Originality/valueThe paper provides a comparative evaluation of the efficiency of 58 branches of a major Greek commercial bank using the DEA method.
Cost efficiency impact of bank branch characteristics and location
Authors: Giokas Dimitris I. 
Published: February 2008

PurposeThe purpose of this study is to examine the operating efficiency of a set of 171 retail orientation bank branches of a large commercial bank in Greece, offering relatively homogenous products in a multimarket business environment.Design/methodology/approachFor the measurement of the indices of efficiency the internationally known method of data envelopment analysis (DEA) was used. Two semi‐parametrical statistical tests and one additional Kolmogorov–Smirnov test (non‐parametric) were conducted to choose the appropriate DEA model for the analysis. Using regression analysis, the paper also seeks to examine the effects of selected branch characteristics (profitability, size, market power) and location to variations on operating efficiency.FindingsThe results indicate the scope for substantial efficiency improvements. It is also observed that, within the branch characteristics variable, more profitable and larger branches have higher operating efficiency. Finally, holding profitability and branch size constant the analysis showed that rural branches tend on average to be more efficient than urban branches.Originality/valueThe paper examines the operating efficiency of bank branches of a large commercial bank in Greece.
Customer switching behaviour in Greek banking services using survival analysis
Authors: Mavri Maria , Ioannou George 
Published: February 2008

PurposeThis paper aims to examine customer switching behaviour in Greek banking services. More specifically it aims to investigate predictors of churn behaviour as part of customer relationship management (CRM).Design/methodology/approachThe enhancement of existing relationships is of pivotal importance to banks, since attracting new customers is known to be more expensive. The paper discusses survival analysis based on data collected from customers of a leading financial services company. It examines a number of variables, which represent characteristics of the customers and of the offered services and products. By using life tables, it estimates the contribution of each separate factor in customers' switching behaviour in different periods of time.FindingsA hazard proportional model is built to determine the risk of churn behaviour, which is the end‐result of all the examined factors.Practical implicationsBank's management team could use the findings of our study, in order to determine specific attributes in designing financial services and products, which would add in customers' satisfaction.Originality/valueThe approach and results have significant implications for enlarging the duration of the relationship among customer and bank.
Researching the role of information and communications technology (ICT) in contemporary marketing practices
Authors: Brady Mairead , Fellenz Martin R. , Brookes Richard 
Published: February 2008

PurposeThis paper aims to provide a review of how the role of information and communications technology (ICT) within marketing practice has developed over the past decade and to develop a research agenda to meet future challenges.Design/methodology/approachThe paper adopts a theoretical approach and reviews the historical and current deployment of ICT into marketing practice. It focuses on the CMP framework of marketing practice and, within that, on the original conceptions of e‐marketing within the framework and the corresponding empirical results from various CMP research projects..FindingsThe paper concludes that, regardless of the dominant focus of marketing within an organisation, marketing practitioners increasingly have an ICT requirement within their marketing practice.Practical implicationsThe paper develops the argument for academic research to focus more on ICT practice and implementation to provide a deeper understanding of ICT deployment.Originality/valueDespite the emphasis on ICT deployment in the late 1990s marketers have struggled to embrace ICT within their organisations due in part to a lack of academic clarity and study. This paper extends the Contemporary Marketing Practice framework to examine this issue.
Moral school building leadership
Authors: Easley Jacob 
Published: February 2008

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to identify and explore the factors and conditions of moral leadership that affect the potential for teacher retention among Alternative Route Certification teachers.Design/methodology/approachAlternative Route Certification teachers participated in a single focus group. Participants' dialogues were recorded and analyzed for themes. These themes were triangulated with external data from a related study.FindingsNot only are Alternative Route Certification teachers drawn to the profession due to their own moral ideals, findings reveal that they are simultaneously responsive to principals' moral leadership. The praxis of moral leadership is expressed through relationships between principals and teachers and is defined by dispositions as well as actions. Three themes from this study define moral leadership as: a respect for teachers as professionals; relationships with teachers; and focusing on the right things.Practical implicationsThis paper lays out a theoretical framework and low cost implications for the development of a leadership praxis toward sustaining teacher retention, particularly among Alternative Certification Route teachers working in urban schools.Originality/valueResearch on Alternative Route Certification teacher retention is underdeveloped, at best. This project adds to this body of research by exploring the specific traits, attitudes, dispositions, and actions that define the moral leadership needed to foster teacher retention.
Category killers and big‐box retailing: their historical impact on retailing in the USA
Authors: Sampson Susan D. 
Published: February 2008

PurposeThis study aims to examine the evolution of category killers or big‐box retailers over a 17‐year time span and the impact that this retail format has had on seven retail sectors, sales revenue, and per capita retail consumption in the USA.Design/methodology/approachSales revenue, average store size and per capita income were examined over a 17‐year period – 1988‐2004 – for the book, sporting goods, home center, electronic, toy, home furnishings and the grocery sector (warehouse stores) to determine the effect of large retail formats on sales revenue and per capita spending.FindingsThis longitudinal study demonstrates that evolving to big‐box formats had a positive impact on both sales revenue and per capita spending in each of the retail sectors.Research/limitations/implicationsIt is a starting‐point for fully understanding the impact of large retail formats on the retail industry.Originality/valueThe evolution of large format retailers has not been studied from a macro view. Most studies have focused on their impact on small markets. This study focuses on the overall trend and examines their impact on the industry and per capita spending.
Efficiency and regulation in Spanish hypermarket retail trade
Authors: de Jorge Moreno Justo 
Published: February 2008

PurposeThis study aims to present an approach for analyzing hypermarkets efficiency data envelopment analysis (DEA) in Spanish retailing. In particular, the influence of the Retail Trade Act of 1996, by means of which the Spanish state transferred authority to concede licenses for opening commercial establishments to the regions, is to be studied.Design/methodology/approachThe analysis is based on a DEA model that allows for the evaluation of categorical variables in DEA in cross‐section data.FindingsThe findings suggest the existence of three different production frontiers in relation to the markets' regulation process where the hypermarkets operate; high, medium and low regulation. In the second place, the effect of the regulatory restrictions carried out by the autonomous communities is corrected in the second stage. This correction (once managerial inefficiencies have been eliminated) allows the hypermarkets operative in areas with low restrictions to be more efficient than those located in areas of greater regulation.Research limitations/implicationsThe generalization of the conclusions of the study to the whole sector should be made with caution, because only one of the players in the distribution channel has been analyzed.Practical implicationsThe implications that can be derived from the analysis carried out could be of great interest to policy makers in Spain with regard to the influence of the Retail Trade Act of 1996.Originality/valueThe paper uses the model mentioned as evaluation of the efficiency in relation to the environment or regulation carried out in the sector. The methodology proposed to analyze the impact of this environment variable is one of the main contributions of the work.
Do small and medium‐sized hotels exploit search engine marketing?
Authors: Catherine Murphy Hilary , Kielgast Christian D. 
Published: February 2008

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to investigate how small‐ and medium‐sized hotels use search engine marketing (SEM) to make their hotels (services and products) more visible and easier to find for existing and potential customers.Design/methodology/approachA qualitative, exploratory approach is taken and eight case studies of small, independent hotels are conducted via in‐depth, semi‐structured interviews.FindingsThese interviews reveal that though all hotels have a web site they do not exploit SEM, which may be attributable to poor marketing planning and lack of control of their web site through outsourcing key web development and optimisation activities.Practical implicationsThe practical implications are that small hotels risk being marginalized, losing contact with their customers and fail to maximise their return on investment on their web site.Originality/valueThis research highlights the critical issues and explores the potential to re‐orient the small operator towards the opportunities of successful SEM and fully utilise their web site as a tactical and strategic marketing tool.
Quality convergence in airline co‐brand alliances
Authors: Tsantoulis Michael , Palmer Adrian 
Published: February 2008

PurposeThis paper aims to investigate effects on service quality where an individual airline chooses to jointly market its services with other airlines under the umbrella of a co‐brand alliance. Concept combination theory would lead to an expectation that quality performance of individual airlines would converge when their individual brands are combined to form a co‐brand alliance. This paper seeks to review the conceptual basis for quality convergence, and test this with a study of actual convergence levels among airlines that have joined alliances, and those that have not.Design/methodology/approachThe research employs a longitudinal, quantitative methodology. An index of airline service quality is constructed from a number of published sources, and this index combines technical and functional aspects of quality. The choice of components to include in the index, and their relative weighting, was informed by a panel of experts. Time series data were collected for the period 1998‐2004, and analysed using analysis of variance (ANOVA).FindingsThe study indicates that the effects of recent alliance membership on service quality for an airline are insignificant.Research limitations/implicationsOther factors such as industry‐wide trends had a greater effect on airlines' level of quality than alliance membership.Originality/valuePrevious research into co‐brand alliances has tended to emphasise technical and financial performance metrics. This study has taken a broader perspective based on operational and customer perceived aspects of service quality. The principal finding of the paper is that variations in quality levels are accounted for more by broader industry wide phenomena, rather than the presence or otherwise of a co brand alliance. Differentiation between co‐brands may be more subtle, and based on distinctive styles of service delivery which are not typically picked up through quantitative research.
Alternative measures of service quality: a review
Authors: Ladhari Riadh 
Published: February 2008

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to identify and discuss the key conceptual and empirical issues that should be considered in the development of alternative industry‐specific measurement scales of service quality (other than SERVQUAL).Design/methodology/approachA total of 30 studies are selected from two well‐known databases: Science direct and ABI inform. These studies are subjected to a comprehensive in‐depth content analysis and theoretical discussion of the key conceptual and empirical issues to be considered in the development of service‐quality measurement instruments.FindingsThe study identifies deficiencies in some of the alternative service‐quality measures; however, the identified deficiencies do not invalidate the essential usefulness of the scales. The study makes constructive suggestions for the development of future scales.Originality/valueThis is the first work to describe and contrast a large number of service‐quality measurement models, other than the well‐known SERVQUAL instrument. The findings are of value to academics and practitioners alike.
Customer‐support service in the relationship perspective
Authors: Roos Inger , Edvardsson Bo 
Published: February 2008

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to describe customers' perception of customer support service related to the core service in telecomminucations customer relationships. The customers' perceptions of the support‐service stem from their contacts with the support service and are related to the importance for the relationship with the telecommunications provider.Design/methodology/approachThe study used a modified version of Switching Path Analysis Technique (SPAT) in its analysis to create the necessary data for carrying out a dynamic analysis – in other words customers' experiences of the customer‐support service over time in their relationship with the service provider. The modification, called the SPAT mechanism, only focused on the difference between driving and non‐driving factors related to the relationship strength.FindingsFrom the service perspective it was found that some of the customers in the present study were particularly focused on the customer‐support, which made it dominate the relationships. At that special time, their telecommunications service predominantly comprised customer support, which was more important than the core service. At other times, when the support‐service focus was not as strong, the priority was likely to be different. Consequently, the composition of the telecommunications service and the core service is according to customers' expressions dynamic and only the customer perspective has the authority to define it.Research limitations/implicationsResearch on service has been going on for several decades, and thus offers a great variety of findings from cross‐sectional studies. Therefore, the present study's presentation of only one kind of service could be considered limited.Originality/valueThe paper provides useful information on customers' perception of customer support service related to the core service in telecommunications customer relationships.
Day‐to‐day leadership
Authors: Kesby David 
Published: February 2008

PurposeThis paper aims to position leadership as a relationship between leader and follower, and suggests ways that leaders can develop the relationship as a day‐to‐day activity.Design/methodology/approachUses current thinking on “followership” as a perspective, and draws on the author's practical experiences of leadership as an army officer.FindingsArgues that the leader/follower relationship requires continuous work day‐to‐day to engage and create trust to align effort towards goals. Leaders need to work hard at listening and understanding other people's desires, issues and stories, and to be clear when sharing important messages with other people, so that communication is effective. In addition, argues that effective leaders choose to follow at times, in order to deepen the level of trust and engagement within the relationship. Advances the view that to follow is, in fact, an act of leadership.Practical implicationsEmphasizes that leadership is a collective, rather than individual, phenomenon. Leaders therefore should not be seen in isolation from their followers.Originality/valueReinforces the power that the follower, as well as the leader, has in the leader/follower relationship.
Improving your interview process: five key steps
Authors: Barnett Tim 
Published: February 2008

PurposeThis paper aims to contend that the traditional interview is one of the least effective ways of recruiting for important posts and that there are at least five alternative ways to recruit more efficiently.Design/methodology/approachOutlines the five steps to more effective recruitment.FindingsHighlights the importance of reversing the interview process, capability testing, psychometrics, research tasks and recruitment centers.Practical implicationsPresents alternatives to the job interview for recruiting staff.Originality/valueArgues that, while the interview will continue to be a significant tool in the recruitment process, firms should take time to consider their current practice, to decide if they are really doing enough to make the right candidate choice. The investment they make now could be repaid tenfold in the future.
Keep your employees safe on the road
Authors: Pitt Mike 
Published: February 2008

PurposeThe paper aims to examine health and safety of employees on the road.Design/methodology/approachThe paper discusses the safety of employees on the road.FindingsEmployees have a duty to drive safely but employers also have clear duties – not only to ensure that they do not put their people under pressure, but also to take all reasonable steps to reduce the chances of an accident occurring.Originality/valueThe paper provides useful advice on the safety of employees on the road.