bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Multinational corporations and the challenge of global advertising
Authors: Kanso Ali M. , Nelson Richard Alan 
Published: September 2007

PurposeDespite the increasing volume of scholarly work in international advertising, media selection has received very little attention. This study seeks to address three fundamental issues in media selection for non‐domestic markets: the relative importance of cultural factors, the relationships between organization structure, and the relative weight that executives place on cultural and non‐cultural factors in their media selection, and the relationships between cultural orientations of advertising executives and their perceptions of specific non‐domestic factors of media selection.Design/methodology/approachA mail survey of executives for US consumer durable manufacturers operating internationally was conducted. The sample involved managers responsible for media selection in 106 firms listed in the Fortune directory of the 500 largest industrial multinational corporations (MNCs). Three waves of the same questionnaire were sent. Of the selected executives, 84 returned the questionnaire, making the response rate 79.25 percent.FindingsThe findings reveal that advertising executives of US MNCs place more importance on general environmental factors (type of product, target market, budget size, cost efficiency, reach and frequency, and competition) than on specific non‐ domestic factors (media availability, language diversity, legal constraints, level of economy, literacy and cultural considerations). Furthermore, managers in centralized decision firms and managers in decentralized decision firms do not differ significantly in their assessment of the relative importance of general and specific non‐domestic factors. However, non‐culturally oriented managers in contrast to their culturally oriented counterparts place greater importance on media availability when determining and executing media‐selection decisions. The surveyed executives also tend to be more involved in establishing objectives and setting budgets than in designing creative strategies and selecting specific media for international advertising campaigns.Originality/valueAlthough localized and globalized marketing campaigns have steadily increased in the last 20 years, very few studies have examined MNC advertising managers' views about media selection. The research adds new insights to the understanding of this critical‐decision process.
International advertising strategy: the standardisation question in manager studies
Authors: Fastoso Fernando , Whitelock Jeryl 
Published: September 2007

PurposeThis paper's objectives are firstly to systematically analyse patterns of research in international advertising standardisation (IAS) conducted among managers and secondly to suggest fruitful paths for future research in this area.Design/methodology/approachContent analysis of academic papers published in major marketing, advertising and international business journals.FindingsResults show that overall future research would benefit from a unified definition of and measurement procedures for advertising standardisation as only these can ensure the advancement of knowledge in the field. Additionally, more research is needed in order to further explore process issues in advertising standardisation, especially a newly proposed perspective related to the implementation process of the standardisation decision. Finally, an interesting avenue for future research relates to the study of the subjectivity involved in the standardisation decision.Research limitations/implicationsAs with all literature reviews, this paper is limited to analysing works in a selection of the top academic journals in the field. However, a careful choice of the most important journals has been made, providing a good reflection of knowledge in the area.Originality/valueThis paper appears to be the first literature review focusing on manager studies in the field of IAS.
Consumers' response to offensive advertising: a cross cultural study
Authors: Chan Kara , Li Lyann , Diehl Sandra , Terlutter Ralf 
Published: September 2007

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to examine how Chinese and German consumers react to print advertisements that are potentially offensive.Design/methodology/approachUsing culture theories about information context, individualism and feminine consciousness, the paper hypothesizes that Chinese consumers will be less accepting of the advertisements than German consumers. It also compares the dimensions of consumer perceptions for both countries and how consumer perceptions are related with intentions to reject the products and the brands because of the ads. A survey of 563 respondents aged 17‐58 from urban China (Shanghai) and Germany was conducted in October 2005 and June 2006. A questionnaire with six print advertisements containing sexism and other themes was constructed. Data were collected through five universities.FindingsFindings on perceptions of the offensive advertisements among Chinese and German respondents were mixed. Overall, as expected, Chinese respondents were less accepting of offensive advertising, as they liked the advertisements less than German respondents. However, they were also more likely than German respondents to find the advertisements convincing and informative. Results showed that Chinese respondents and German respondents had different dimensions of advertising perceptions. The two print advertisements that received the most negative perceptions both contained sexually oriented body images. The study also found that advertising perceptions had a significant impact on consumers' intentions to reject the products and the brands.Research limitations/implicationsThe city surveyed in China is highly advanced in terms of economical and advertising development when compared with all other Chinese cities. Consumer responses were derived from a student sample. Only the “manner” of offensive advertising was studied, and the “matter” as well as “media” were not covered.Practical implicationsUseful advice for marketers and advertisers to understand how far they can stretch the line for controversial advertisements and to assess the possible risk involved.Originality/valueThis paper offers insight to design communication and message strategies for consumers of very different cultural backgrounds.
The career capital of managers with global careers
Authors: Suutari Vesa , Mäkelä Kristiina 
Published: September 2007

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to address the research question of “How does a global career involving multiple international relocations influence the career capital of an individual manager?”, and to examine the typical career‐capital‐related characteristics, drivers and outcomes associated with global careers. The importance of understanding the careers of global leaders, whose work paths typically include various international positions and assignments, has increased due to the globalization of business. A particularly relevant approach for studying such careers is through a framework of career capital, which adopts an individualistic perspective to explain how actors consciously acquire portable capabilities, construct networks and identify their own motivations, applying them in their specific work contexts.Design/methodology/approachThe study adopts a qualitative design based on interviews with 20 managers on a global career path involving multiple international assignments.FindingsThe results indicate that international work experience has an extensive developmental effect on the career capital of managers. First, the interviewees reported that their global careers had strongly increased their knowing‐why career capital, referring to meaning and self‐awareness. With regard to knowing‐how career capital, their multiple international experiences had considerably enhanced several work‐related competencies. The key drivers behind this development included the broad range of responsibilities, the nature of the international environment, a high level of autonomy, and cross‐cultural differences. Finally, in terms of knowing‐whom capital, the results of the study indicate that the contact network managers acquire during their international assignments was of very high importance for their future careers. As a further outcome of their global careers, the managers were found to have a very strong career identity.Originality/valueThis paper provides a novel perspective on a topic that is of increasingly critical importance in today's global business.
Individuals' inducements and the role of personality: implications for psychological contracts
Authors: Nikolaou Ioannis , Tomprou Maria , Vakola Maria 
Published: September 2007

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to explore and identify relationships between psychological contract inducements and the five‐factor model of personality (FFM) in Greece.Design/methodology/approachA survey questionnaire that incorporated measures of intrinsic and extrinsic psychological contract inducements and a Greek personality measure of the FFM was completed by 299 respondents. Hierarchical regression analyses were used to explore the hypotheses.FindingsThe paper finds that extroversion and conscientiousness are associated with intrinsic but not extrinsic psychological contract inducements and that neuroticism is associated with extrinsic but not intrinsic inducements. The hypothesis pertaining to openness to experience was rejected, because it was not associated with intrinsic psychological contract inducements, as expected.Research limitations/implicationsThe study design was cross‐sectional and used only self‐report measures. Therefore, it should be cross‐validated with different research designs (e.g. longitudinal research) and in other countries.Practical implicationsThe findings provide further support on the significance of personality measures for the selection, development and motivation of employees.Originality/valueThe most significant contribution of the study is that it explores the relationship between personality and psychological contract inducements rather than psychological contract types. Another contributing factor is that the study is carried out in Greece.
Development of a personality biodata measure to predict ethical decision making
Authors: Manley Gregory G. , Benavidez Juan , Dunn Kristen 
Published: September 2007

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to develop and test a measure designed to assess constructs that predict ethical decision making (EDM) among employees.Design/methodology/approachThe approach was to target individual difference variables that are theoretically linked to EDM. This was done by generating biodata items/scales of the constructs of interest.FindingsTwo biodata scales were developed to measure locus of control and conscientiousness. Both of these scales had significant criterion‐related validities with EDM (rs=0.42 and 0.40, respectively) and predicted significant and unique variance of EDM beyond the variance predicted by trait‐based measures of the same constructs. Biodata scales exhibited little or no subgroup differences (less potential adverse impact). Research limitations/implications – Participants were working various jobs and a variety of settings, so results generalize to this eclectic population more so than one particular industry. Further research should attempt to examine effects in a specific applied setting.Practical implicationsThis study outlines a method of item and scale development that produces homogonous scales that predict EDM and that can be tailored for specific organizational use.Originality/valueThe paper provides a theoretical rationale for why biodata methodology is superior to trait‐based measures and practical value for the use of biodata in measuring individual difference constructs.
Emotional intelligence and board governance: leadership lessons from the public sector
Authors: Hopkins Margaret M. , O'Neil Deborah A. , Williams Helen W. 
Published: September 2007

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to examine the relationship between emotional intelligence and effective board governance.Design/methodology/approachThis study applied a model of emotional intelligence competencies to the practice domains of school boards. A board self‐assessment questionnaire measured board practice domains for the presence or absence of 18 emotional intelligence competencies defined in an emotional competence inventory. Inter‐rater reliabilities were established and confirmed. Current and former school board members in two urban areas rank‐ordered the most critical emotional intelligence competencies for effective board governance and offered explanations for their most highly‐rated competencies.FindingsEmotional intelligence is a critical factor for effective school boards. A set of six core competencies are universal across the six board practice domains: transparency; achievement; initiative; organizational awareness; conflict management; and teamwork and collaboration. Each board practice domain is also characterized by one or two key emotional intelligence competencies.Research limitations/implicationsFirst, one model of school board leadership was used. Future studies should examine additional models of effective board practice for their relationships with emotional intelligence in order to extend the generalizability of these results. Second, there has been some debate regarding the substantive nature of the emotional intelligence construct.Practical implicationsThe six practice domains in the school board effectiveness model are fundamental elements for all boards to develop in order to become more effective governing bodies.Originality/valueThis paper identifies a novel application of emotional intelligence leadership competencies to the work of effective governance boards.
The role of race and social class in compensation decisions
Authors: Weeks Kelly , Weeks Matthew , Frost Lauren 
Published: September 2007

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to examine the influence of race and social class on wage differentials between Black and White employees.Design/methodology/approachA survey with four possible conditions (white/black target who was lower/middle class) was used in the study to examine the interaction between race and social class on compensation decisions.FindingsThe paper finds that there was a significant interaction between race and social class when predicting the percentage of pay increase given to employees. Specifically, there was a significant negative correlation between perceptions of social class and percentage of increase when the target was Black, but there was no such correlation when the target was White.Research limitations/implicationsThe sample was 95.6 percent White and did not consist of managerial employees in actual compensation decisions; however, it shows evidence that people are affected by their perceptions of social class and race when making such decisions.Practical implicationsPolicy makers should not forget that perceived social class might interact with race to influence discriminatory decisions in workplaces. This research suggests that Black employees who are perceived to be middle class are discriminated against more than those who are perceived to be lower class. Businesses need to be aware of unintentional biases that may be plaguing their managers and train them to avoid such biases.Originality/valueThis paper contributes new insight into the literature on the wage gap between Black and White employees by showing the interaction between race and perceived social class when predicting pay increases.
Public libraries in the Norwegian reference market
Authors: Høivik Tord 
Published: September 2007

PurposeIn this paper, reference is treated as a market and the purpose is to argue that libraries need to refine their business strategies if they want to prosper in the digital environment.Design/methodology/approachThe paper compares Norway's national virtual reference service (Biblioteksvar) with its commercial and non‐commercial competitors – and explores possible development strategies for the near future.FindingsMost virtual reference services in the library sector are modelled on the traditional face‐to‐face encounter between user and librarian that prevails in the physical library. As traffic grows, this creates a conflict between the wish to market the service, on the one hand, and the capacity to deliver high‐value answers, on the other.Practical implicationsThe current organization of digital reference work is unable to cope with large increases in demand. To create scaleable services, libraries need to differentiate between user groups and to ease the burden on staff‐intensive person‐to‐person services by adding well‐designed self‐service resources.Originality/valueThe main value of the paper, the author believes, lies in its systematic treatment of reference as a competitive market.
Perceptions of the web as a search tool amongst researchers in biological sciences
Authors: Mansourian Yazdan , Madden Andrew D. 
Published: September 2007

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to report selective findings from a wider study of web‐based information‐seeking behaviour amongst biologists. It aims to describe: aspects of the participants' interactions with web‐based search tools; their feelings associated with these interactions, and the different types of searches that they carry out on the web.Design/methodology/approachData were collected by semi‐structured interviews, and were analysed using a grounded theory approach. A qualitative approach was adopted in order to allow deep exploration of the information‐seeking processes adopted by the target group.FindingsParticipants in this study typically categorized their web searches as either work‐related or everyday life searches. They felt more confident carrying out work‐related searches and their search strategies in this category of search were more effective: generally, their work‐related searches were well‐defined and specific. Their everyday life searches covered a wider range of topics, and were occasionally very challenging. Participants carrying out everyday life searches cited as common problems, the selection of apposite search terms, and uncertainty in selecting the most suitable database.Research limitations/implicationsThe findings are based on a small sample of academic web users, and it will be useful to carry out follow‐up research using larger samples from biology or other areas of science. Despite this limitation, the findings clearly show the value of allowing users to customise web search facilities. They will also be of value to information literacy instructors developing information skills courses.Originality/valueBiologists' information‐seeking behaviour on the web has not been investigated before and the paper contributes to the current body of knowledge about information‐seeking behaviour by providing empirical findings relating to the behaviour of this particular group of web users.
The library as place
Authors: Waxman Lisa , Clemons Stephanie , Banning Jim , McKelfresh David 
Published: September 2007

PurposeTo provide insight and practical perspectives into the needs of university students regarding places to gather, develop community, and find restoration on the college campus. This information can be used by libraries as they seek to encourage library use by students.Design/methodology/approachAbout 44 students were sent into the field to document the location and physical characteristics of the “third place.” The questionnaire and field notes recorded by the students addressed the central questions of what spaces constituted their third places, the location of those spaces, the activities in which they participated while there, the factors that contributed to their selection of those places, and the important design features of those third places. In addition, the research team observed students in library settings and interviewed library administrators.FindingsAbout 80 percent of students indicated that their favorite third place was off campus. These places were overwhelmingly coffee shops and restaurants. The major functions served by their third places included socialization and relaxation.Practical implicationsThese findings provide insight into the way students now study, research, and communicate. Libraries can use this information as they design spaces that encourage students to come to the library to study, as well as socialize, converse, find restoration, and simply “hang out.”Originality/valueThe paper brings together practical information from an interdisciplinary team that can aid libraries interested in renovating spaces to accommodate students of the twenty‐first century.
Improving visibility of public libraries in the local community
Authors: Vrana Radovan , Barbaric Ana 
Published: September 2007

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to establish whether or not promotional efforts can help public libraries to become more visible and their services more recognizable in the local community. At present, libraries employ different promotional efforts for their products and services, usually less aggressive than commercial information providers. Their final goal is to reclaim the role of the primary provider of quality information resources and accompanying services from electronic media.Design/methodology/approachThe first part of the paper offers an introduction followed by information about the actual promotional activities in public libraries. The third part of the paper was based on a user survey in five major public libraries in Zagreb, Croatia.FindingsThe predominant way of acquiring information about public libraries and their activities is by word of mouth while other means of communication, such as TV, radio and the internet, are used less. The results suggest the need for better use of other, so far inadequately used, communication channels.Research limitations/implicationsThe research is limited to five public libraries in Zagreb, Croatia, acting as centres in their respective library networks.Practical implicationsFindings will help librarians in planning new promotional campaigns in Zagreb public libraries.Originality/valueThe paper contributes to the growing body of knowledge about user perception of public libraries in the local community.
A digitization and multimedia project at Quinnipiac University, Hamden, Connecticut, USA
Authors: Ballard Terry , Donnald Edward 
Published: September 2007

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to encourage other libraries to provide access to their own original content via the web. By way of case study, the process of identifying materials, scanning them and creating web access to original content will be explored.Design/methodology/approachTo implement a book digitization project, three major things need to be present. The library must own material that was published prior to 1923, making them safely out of copyright in the USA; the library needs access to server space on the web and the library needs to own scanning equipment.FindingsThis project demonstrated that a library does not necessarily need to obtain grant funding to begin an effective and successful digitization program. It also revealed a few things that would improve the process and enhance the return on investment.Originality/valueA library meeting, the criteria will be able to enjoy the considerable benefits of a digitization project which include favourable attention from researchers when access to original content is provided, and a greater selection of source materials for their institutional community.