bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Making sense of the market
Authors: Karpova Elena , Nelson‐Hodges Nancy , Tullar William 
Published: February 2007

PurposeThe purpose of this study is to examine and interpret post‐socialist consumer experiences in relation to clothing consumption practices when consumers shop, acquire, and wear clothing and other fashion‐related products.Design/methodology/approachThe in‐depth interview was the primary data collection tool. Data collection was conducted during summer 2004 in St Petersburg, Russia. College students formed the sample for the study. In total, 17 students (four males and 13 females) were interviewed. The hermeneutic approach was used to interpret the meanings of the participant lived experiences.FindingsIn comparison to consumers in an established market‐based economy, consumers in this post‐socialist market have unique perceptions of clothing attributes (quality, brand name, country of origin, retail channel) critical for buying decisions. Overall, appearance and clothing play a special role in the emerging Russian market as they help construct and communicate new identities more than any other product category.Researchimplications/implicationsIdentified challenges of the Russian apparel market indicate opportunities for domestic and foreign apparel businesses. The meanings Russian consumers attach to clothing attributes can be used to develop product positioning and promotional strategies. Discussed implications of the research findings can be extended to other post‐socialist emerging markets.Originality/valueThis study explored how Russian consumers have adjusted to the new economic reality after almost fifteen years of transition from a socialist to a capitalist society from the perspective of the consumer. Whereas previous research findings were confirmed, the present study provides rationale for perceived importance of quality and unimportance of brand name in the Russian apparel market.
The role of focal suppliers in strategic networks for internationalisation
Authors: Johnsen Rhona E. 
Published: February 2007

PurposeThe purpose of this research paper is to examine the role of focal suppliers in strategic networks for internationalisation from the perspectives of small and medium‐sized Italian and Thai silk suppliers.Design/methodology/approachMultiple case studies of small and medium‐sized suppliers within the silk industries of Italy and Thailand were undertaken. In total, seventeen interviews and three observations were conducted with directors or managers of silk suppliers and a range of government agencies, associations and institutes involved with the silk industry, to identify significant current issues within the sector. Conceptually clustered and role ordered matrices were used as coding frameworks to reduce, structure and analyse the data.FindingsSilk suppliers' networks may be co‐ordinated by a focal supplier that assumes the role of strategic leader. The involvement of a focal and strategically‐focused supplier may strengthen and integrate the resources and capabilities of silk suppliers in their networks and enable them to improve their international network development and positioning.Research limitations/implicationsFurther investigation is needed on the details of specific roles of focal suppliers in strategic networks.Practical implicationsSilk suppliers, their customers and government agencies involved with silk suppliers should: advocate and actively support the development of focal suppliers in their networks to enhance the effectiveness of their internationalisation process and strategy.Originality/valueThere tends to be a consensus in the literature about the influence of focal customers and larger organisations in strategic networks. This study highlights how small and medium‐sized silk suppliers adopt the roles attributed to focal firms and gain positioning advantages for themselves and other suppliers in their network.
Gender differences in career perceptions in the People's Republic of China
Authors: Skromme Granrose Cherlyn 
Published: February 2007

PurposeThis paper seeks to review gender differences in career goals and career tactics of men and women in the People's Republic of China (PRC).Design/methodology/approachSurvey results were used to identify empirical differences in career beliefs of 233 managers employed in 16 organizations in the PRC.FindingsWomen and men were equally likely to value achievement, contributing to the family, and collectivism as career goals and to use loyalty to superiors, and networking as career tactics. Women were more likely than men to try to learn more and to want to get more education as career tactics.Research limitations/implicationsThe non‐random sample that does not include every province in the PRC and the low scale internal consistency limit these findings.Practical implicationsGender discrimination based on beliefs that women will be less loyal or ambitious are not justified by these results.Originality/valueThese results challenge stereotypes about Chinese women and provide information rarely examined.
Studying careers across cultures
Authors: Tams Svenja , Arthur Michael B. 
Published: February 2007

PurposeThis paper aims to study careers across cultures, distinguishing among international career, cross‐cultural and globalization perspectives.Design/methodology/approachThe conceptual development is based on a review of four empirical papers in this special issue with a focus on “Careers in cross‐cultural perspective” and other recent research in this area.FindingsWork on international careers has traditionally looked at careers that cross national boundaries, such as those involving expatriate career assignments or self‐initiated international careers. Research into cross‐cultural careers reflects the primary work of this special issue's articles, primarily by looking at differences between two or more cultures. Career research into globalization is more recent and more tentative. It covers how careers interact with the economic, political, social and environmental changes commonly associated with the term globalization.Research limitations/implicationsThe proposed framework is a reflection of current theoretical and empirical debates.Originality/valueThe framework offers new guidance for both interpreting existing and developing new research.
Public relations, the public interest and persuasion: an ethical approach
Authors: Messina Alex 
Published: February 2007

PurposeThis paper aims to consider whether ethical persuasion can be part of public relations practice.Design/methodology/approachThe paper contends that the critical issue for practitioners is not whether they engage in persuasion, but whether they do so ethically. Accordingly, a definition of ethical persuasion is derived by examining unethical propaganda. The paper then considers what standard might be used to assess the ethics of persuasion. The notion of “the public interest” – ubiquitously linked to ethical practice in public relations – is considered but found to be too elusive to guide the practice individual practitioners. Other more assessable standards are identified, as is a guiding approach to ethics. The approach to ethics adopted in this paper is rule utilitarianism. The methodology of this paper is deductive and derivative analysis, argument and synthesis, drawn from a broad body of literature.FindingsPersuasion can be ethical, and a definition of ethical persuasion is proffered. The public interest is not a standard that individual practitioners can determine, decide, know, or apply to assess the ethics of their practice. Ethical persuasion can, however, be assessed using other standards, discussed in the paper. Consequently, a set of criteria and standards to practicing ethical persuasion is developed.Research limitations/implicationsThe paper does not extend into a discussion of practical persuasive techniques. Therefore, an extension of this examination could consider a thorough assessment of the ethics of practical persuasive communication techniques.Practical implicationsDirectly relevant to the daily work of public relations practitioners, communicators, adertisers and marketers, who are interested in acting ethically. The paper provide a basis for a guide to assessing the ethics of persuasive practice.Originality/valueThis paper confronts both the question of whether practitioners can use the notion of the public interest to assess the ethics of practice, and also what constitutes ethical (and unethical) persuasion, and considers how persuation can be used ethically.
Projects of organised communication
Authors: Muneratto Guido 
Published: February 2007

PurposeThis paper aims to focus on “Projects of Organized Communication”, a result of a successful bet: the will to enrich the degree course in Public Relations with the introduction of new subjects – Displaying and Exhibit Design and Visual Design – that put together different areas of the course in a projectual dimension, then the possibility that the Course gave to check the innovations. In fact the students had realized a series of exhibitions that developed the different ways and aspects of commercial and cultural communication.Design/methodology/approachThe approach is theoretical/projectual and practical. It includes on‐field research.FindingsThe original course was transformed in an exhibition of models of commercial and cultural stands. These represented different kinds of companies. Moreover, there has been a publication edited by “Forum Editrice” (May 2005).The project was realized in an exhibition at the 2nd World Public Relations Festival (Trieste, 28‐30 June, 2005) and through the speech of Professor Guido Muneratto. There has been another exhibition called “7th Salone Imprenditorialità Giovanile (Udine November ‐ December 2005)”.Originality/valueIllustrates that the main value of the courses is not to give to the students technical notions of design or planning, but to adapt the course itself to the needs of communication. It has been necessary to find, step by step, together with the students, the most appropriate solutions to create a valuable commercial and cultural communication.
Canadian accountants: examining workplace learning
Authors: Hicks Elizabeth , Bagg Robert , Doyle Wendy , Young Jeffrey D. 
Published: February 2007

PurposeThis paper seeks to examine workplace learning strategies, learning facilitators and learning barriers of public accountants in Canada across three professional levels – trainees, managers, and partners.Design/methodology/approachVolunteer participants from public accounting firms in Nova Scotia and New Brunswick completed a demographic survey, a learning activities survey, a learning barriers survey, and a learning facilitators survey. Quantitative analysis provided total scores for key variables and compared these across the three levels.FindingsThe paper finds that accountants across different levels use a variety of formal and informal learning strategies, although informal strategies predominate. Accountants encounter numerous facilitators and barriers. There are variations in strategies, barriers and facilitators based on professional level; for example, trainees make more use of e‐learning than do either managers or partners.Research limitations/implicationsFuture research could focus on the efficacy of accountants' formal and informal learning strategies as well as how e‐learning can be appropriately managed and utilized.Practical implicationsAllocation of work and relationships with people are important to the learning process and should be considered in work assignments. One implication is to encourage informal learning and provide appropriate learning activities and feedback so that informal learning is maximized. There could also be more emphasis placed on assisting partners and managers in developing their roles as coaches and mentors.Originality/valueThe paper provides information on workplace learning for an understudied group of professionals in a Canadian context.
Mini‐muddling: learning from project plan deviations
Authors: Hällgren Markus , Wilson Timothy L. 
Published: February 2007

PurposeThis paper aims to contribute to the understanding of the informal and incidental learning that takes place in project work among individuals who must adapt to deviations from project plans.Design/methodology/approachReflections in the study are built on four power plant projects found in an integrated provider of projects of this type. The projects were followed by participative observations during ten weeks of onsite visits. Furthermore, 26 interviews were done among participants in the organisation on working practices and implications. Data included interviews, reports, minutes‐of‐meetings, observations, and e‐mail correspondence that characterised the cases.FindingsThe paper finds that learning occurred at two levels. First, there was the learning that occurred as each of the deviations was handled. The second aspect of learning involved the patterns in which remedies were handled.Research limitations/implicationsBecause research was built on case studies, one has the reservations common with that approach. Nevertheless, the learning architecture that Sense related to intra‐project learning has features that relate to the situation where learning has occurred from projects. Further, by associating observations with the background provided by Lindblom and Simon, suggestions carry inherent credibility.Practical implicationsThe organisation that was set up seemed particularly effective in handling the deviations. Also, intuition came into play. Both these items may interest consultants and trainers as well as academics.Originality/valueAlthough the need to handle project deviations is appreciated in practice, it is not clear that there is an understanding of how response occurs. The paper documents response across the stages of projects, which is original. Value is associated with the interpretation.
The corporate university landscape in Germany
Authors: Andresen Maike , Lichtenberger Bianka 
Published: February 2007

PurposeThe paper seeks first to present an overview of the corporate university landscape in Germany contrasting it with the US‐American corporate university market and, second, to outline the development in Germany during the last 15 years and to have a look at future trends such as learning alliances.Design/methodology/approachThe comparison in the paper is based on empirical data of the largest corporate universities in the USA and Germany gathered by interviews with the heads of the institutions and by evaluations of data such as homepages, brochures, and presentations by the companies. In addition, reference is made to surveys and case studies published by other researchers.FindingsThe paper works out major differences between Germany and the USA regarding the educational level, target groups, strategic directions, partnerships, alliances with external vendors, accreditation, focus on internal versus external job market, and organisation that can be led back to the stronger strategic orientation of German corporate universities. It presents the business model of a learning alliance as a potential solution to the major challenges German corporate universities are facing.Research limitations/implicationsResearch data being based on interviews and corporate data risk being biased due to marketing purposes. Future research should include internal observations and evaluations.Practical implicationsThe paper gives an example for a learning alliance in practice that could be of relevance for a larger number of institutions.Originality/valueThe comparative study helps to understand the US‐American and German corporate university markets as well as their specificities and investigates future developments.
Tacit knowledge and organisational performance: construction industry perspective
Authors: Pathirage Chaminda P. , Amaratunga Dilanthi G. , Haigh Richard P. 
Published: February 2007

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to highlight the importance of tacit knowledge in construction and to underline the significant contribution of tacit knowledge towards the organisational performance.Design/methodology/approachIncludes a review of literature on principal insights of dominant views on knowledge and organisational resources to highlight the strategic nature of tacit knowledge. Further, intrinsic characteristics of the construction industry are discussed to underline the people factor and the role of the tacit knowledge.FindingsValuable human and knowledge resources will be wasted unless organisations make better use of these prime resources. Tacit knowledge in particular is still considered to be relatively unexplored and proper understanding and management of this resource are of immense importance for better organisational performance. In this context, this paper reveals the labour and knowledge intensive nature of the construction industry and highlights the importance and the significant role of people factor and tacit knowledge in construction.Originality/valueOwing to paucity of literature and inadequate empirical research done, this paper provides the basis for more empirical research on finding importance of tacit knowledge towards organisational performance in the construction industry.
Establishing an integrated KM system in Iran Aerospace Industries Organization
Authors: Jafari Mostafa , Fesharaki Mehdi N. , Akhavan Peyman 
Published: February 2007

PurposeThe main objective of this paper is to investigate the role of knowledge management in aerospace industries and to provide a framework for knowledge management efforts specially designed for aerospace industries towards a knowledge‐based organization.Design/methodology/approachThis is a conceptual article examining current perspectives of knowledge management regarding aerospace industries requirements. It provides a general framework for knowledge management applied in Iran Aerospace Industries Organization (AIO).FindingsProviding a conceptual knowledge management framework can be applied to organizations practically. This framework has been applied in a large case study in Iran and is supported by practical implementation in AIO, one of the most important high‐tech industries in Iran.Practical implicationsThis paper provides a very helpful guideline for practitioners in implementing knowledge management throughout the organizations and especially in large scale ones.Originality/valueThe paper may be of high value to researchers in the knowledge management field and to practitioners involved with KM adoption in the organizations. This study further opens up new lines of research and highlights implications for knowledge management efforts, including change management programs through KM tools. The paper also provides a synthesis and analysis of the viewpoints and the main factors as reflected in the literature on various dimensions of knowledge management.
New product market visioning in small enterprises
Authors: Shiu Eric , Walker David 
Published: February 2007

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to explore the contexts for new product market visioning of small enterprises in the Central Technology Belt, West Midlands, England.Design/methodology/approachSeven items, which are postulated to contribute to a better understanding of the contexts encouraging or discouraging new product market visioning, were developed and incorporated in a questionnaire. Validity and reliability checks were made. A population survey on all the 3,000 firms in the Central Technology Belt was conducted in January and February 2004.FindingsCompared to the larger firms, small firms have been rated lower in the ability in and efforts on a number of possible indicators of the ripeness of the contexts for new product market visioning.Research limitations/implicationsThe survey results drawn from a population survey in the Central Technology Belt may not be very representative of the whole country.Practical implicationsThere is much room for improvement among small firms to nurture the contexts for new product market visioning. If small firms can devote greater energy for nurturing these contexts, they are hopeful to achieve a more impressive rate of conversion from opportunity product concepts to successful product concepts.Originality/valuePrevious studies on new products have centred on their development processes and after‐launch performance. New product market visioning, which is at the very front end along the continuum of new product development and launch, has received much less research attention. This study is the first one to carry out large scale investigation into the construct of new product market visioning and develop an initial pool of items to measure the construct.
Does time impact relational norms in bilateral exchange? The small business case
Authors: Samouel Phillip 
Published: February 2007

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to assess empirically the presence of relational norms and the effect of time during the “transitory” and “established” phases of bilateral exchange for small business enterprises. Relationship development has recently become a central research focus in business management literature and is currently gaining more prominence when addressing the small firm sector. To‐date conceptual work has concentrated on the development of business‐to‐business relationships through sequential time dependent stages, including empirical work on the dimensions of relational norms. However, little attention has been given to role of time in this process of relationship building.Design/methodology/approachThe commercial setting is the UK brewing industry which is characterised by a few large suppliers (breweries) and many small retail buyers (public houses). The focal dyad for the study is the brewery‐public house relationship. Data was gathered through a telephone survey to: confirm the presence and structure of relational norms between trading partners; and assess whether time impacts the development of these norms.FindingsFor longer established bilateral exchange covariance based structural equation modelling confirmed the presence of relational norms as a higher order construct reflected by three dimensions: flexibility, information exchange and solidarity. Further, regression analysis supported a positive relationship between the length of the trading partnership and relational norms.Research limitations/implicationsThe implication of this study is that trading partners should nurture relationships through its early developmental stage to ensure enduring successful partnerships. The study needs to be replicated using a longitudinal design and alternative dyadic relationships, e.g. franchising and dealership arrangements.Originality/valueThe research provides empirical evidence supporting business‐to‐business relationship conceptualisations underpinned by social exchange theory.