bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Enhancement of global business practices: lessons from the Hindu Bhagavad Gita
Authors: Chinna Natesan N. , Keeffe Michael J. , Darling John R. 
Published: February 2009

PurposeThe basis of global business operations in the twenty‐first century is knowledge. The Hindu scriptural reference, the Bhagavad Gita, interpreted as “Celestial Song” or “Song of God,” is quickly becoming a critical resource in this relatively new paradigm. This paper aims to draw lessons from this.Design/methodology/approachThe Gita is a summary of the essence of Hindu teaching and wisdom. It is a philosophical foundation from which a deeper understanding of successful solutions to management leadership issues and business practices are emerging. The paper focuses on an analysis of the primary elements found in the Gita.FindingsThe Gita's essence of Yoga, Dharma, Dhyana, Samabhava, Nishkama Karma, and Tat‐Twam‐Asi provides the keys for influencing contemporary management thought and global business practices. Yoga is the gaining of mastery over the body and mind through self‐discipline. Dharma focuses on finding a higher calling or mission in life and a calling to fulfill one's purpose or duty. Dhyana encompasses the process of identifying a higher calling by becoming rooted in one's inner strengths and potential through meditation. Samabhava is the calling to interact with the external world in achieving one's duty with equanimity. Nishkama Karma refers to developing a detached involvement by doing one's duty objectively without worrying about the consequences. And Tat‐Twam‐Asi is the recognition of the interconnectedness of nature, the human, and the spiritual. It encourages managers to look at the big picture, a holistic view, for guidance with a realization that there can be no simultaneous winners and losers. When managers change their outlook, success is enhanced.Originality/valueThe paper offers valuable insights into the lessons that can be learned from the Hindu Bhagavad Gita.
Strategy types of exporting firms: a view on the basis of competitive advantage
Authors: Salavou Helen E. , Halikias John 
Published: February 2009

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to empirically examine types of exporting firms featuring strategy orientations and profitability of differential emphasis.Design/methodology/approachTo answer the questions the paper raises, data of 82 exporting firms established in Greece are analysed with the help of factor analysis, cluster analysis and cross‐tabulation.FindingsThe findings reveal three types of firms pursuing different strategy orientations for dealing with competition in export markets (i.e. the marketing‐based strategists, the hybridists and the non‐strategists). Furthermore, they suggest that export profitability is dependent on these strategy types.Research limitations/implicationsGeneralisation of the research results should be made with caution. A fruitful direction of further research is to replicate the principal features of the study with other samples of firms in Greece or in comparable national contexts, especially within the European Union.Practical implicationsThe empirical results highlight the discussion of more vs less profitable forms of competitive advantage pursued by firms operating in foreign markets. A message of utmost importance for practitioners is that the hybrid form of competitive advantage, although dominant, does not offer the most profitable strategic choice.Originality/valueThe study focuses on strategy types of firms competing in the international arena to offer a view on the basis of competitive advantage. By excluding the well‐known pure and stuck‐in‐the‐middle alternatives, the evidence highlights either no‐strategy or combined choices of strategy orientations, which differ in terms of export profitability. As such, the study sheds some light on the relation of strategy to export performance, which is under‐researched outside the USA.
Relational factors in UK‐Chinese international joint ventures
Authors: Wilson Jonathan , Brennan Ross 
Published: February 2009

PurposeThis paper sets out to address the influence of relational variables, such as trust and commitment, on international joint venture (IJV) performance, in the empirical context of UK/Chinese joint ventures.Design/methodology/approachThe paper starts with a discussion of the importance of inter‐firm relationships in China and how there currently exists relatively little research in this area. Qualitative research was chosen to create a holistic picture of the possible impact of relational factors on IJV performance.FindingsTrust appears to be the most important of the relational factors on IJV performance, followed by commitment, cooperation and satisfaction. Chinese cultural values, such asguanxi, also need to be taken into account as an important factor of IJV relationships.Research limitations/implicationsWhen researching inter‐firm relationships, ideally data would be gathered from both parties. This was not possible owing to difficulties encountered in gaining access to the Chinese parent organisations. Nevertheless, the findings are of interest to British firms interested in the Chinese market.Practical implicationsJoint ventures in China continue to experience high failure rates. Failure to nurture relationships with joint venture partners is one reason for failure. Despite the limitations noted above, the findings make a useful contribution to the management literature on China.Originality/valueWhereas many researchers have studied financial and non‐financial measures of joint venture performance, little has been written on relational factors and performance.
Monitoring value‐in‐use of e‐service
Authors: Heinonen Kristina , Strandvik Tore 
Published: February 2009

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to develop and evaluate an approach to managerially monitoring customer‐experienced value of e‐services. The need for this study is based on a lack of models of e‐service value applying a value‐in‐use approach on the one hand, and on the other hand the increasing need for managerially viable techniques to diagnose customers' views of e‐service value.Design/methodology/approachThe approach, customized for but not limited to e‐services, employs four principal value dimensions (technical, functional, temporal and spatial) anchored in service quality and value research to capture e‐service value. The approach has two new characteristics. It focuses on relative joint evaluations of benefits and sacrifice and on the degree of customer activation. The empirical study based on a large‐scale web survey of users' evaluations of a travel agency's web service illustrates how the approach can be used.FindingsThe theoretically based approach showed in the empirical study that managerially interesting findings could be generated. As respondents in the sample were extensively positive towards the service provider the whole potential of the approach could not be effectively empirically demonstrated. Further empirical studies are needed to investigate the managerial relevance of the approach.Research limitations/implicationsThe present empirical study represents promising first results from a novel approach to determining customer‐experienced service value. These findings raise a number of questions that should be answered in further research in order to further develop the approach.Practical implicationsThe suggested approach contributes to marketing practice by offering a method to acquiring information about how strongly different service elements add value to the service experienced by the customer. It also reveals value shortcomings or dimensions and sub‐dimensions that decrease value and thus provides information of where the company does not meet customers' observations of competing offerings.Originality/valueThe paper introduces a novel way of conceptualising value as benefits and sacrifice relative to a reference point represented by the competition. Connecting this to customer action rather than only perceptions represents another new feature. The paper contributes to service marketing by introducing a new technique for capturing customers' service preferences following a value‐in‐use approach.
A consumer‐based view of multi‐channel service
Authors: Cassab Harold , MacLachlan Douglas L. 
Published: February 2009

PurposeConsumers increasingly experience multi‐channel service and a significant challenge for the service organization is to ensure that the design of the multi‐channel interface contributes to the service experience and helps to build bonds with customers. The purpose of this paper is to elucidate four features (i.e. problem‐handling, record accuracy, usability, and scalability) used by customers to evaluate multi‐channel service and investigates their impact on customer relationship and loyalty intentions.Design/methodology/approachThe study involves an online survey with customers selected randomly in two service industries. Empirical data are analyzed using structural equation models.FindingsCustomer evaluations of the multi‐channel service interface have a strong influence on customer trust in the organization but a negligible impact on customer commitment. Trust, however, has a positive effect on commitment, thus enhancing customer loyalty.Research limitations/implicationsThe measures developed in the study represent a summary account for considerations involving multi‐channel service. However, the ability to capture the hypothesized roles of the multi‐channel service interface suggests a robust foundation for future research. These consumer‐based measures provide managers with a blueprint allowing for the integrated analysis and design of customer touch points.Originality/valueThis paper provides key variables to advance the study of multi‐channel service. Ways are suggested in which firms can benefit from a view of their service channels as an interface system to inform effective service design strategies.
In and out of actor‐network theory: a necessary but insufficient journey
Authors: Mitev Nathalie 
Published: February 2009

PurposeThis paper seeks to offer a retrospective look at an intellectual journey in and out of using actor‐network theory, which the author drew on to carry out an in‐depth case study of the troubled implementation of a computerised reservation system in a major transport company. The application of some key ANT concepts, i.e. human and non‐human actors, symmetry and translation, is reflected upon, highlighting their benefits and limitations.Design/methodology/approachThe paper's aims are accomplished through a confessional account of how it was done, rather than a normative post hoc justification. Some empirical evidence is provided to illustrate the difficulties and problems encountered in travelling back and forth between theory, methodology and data.FindingsIn particular, ANT was very useful in focusing the paper on how to look at IS success and failure symmetrically and how social and technical distinctions are socially constructed, for instance in the conception and application of yield management software. Formulating a series of translations to encompass a large number of actors is shown to have provided some explanatory capacity. But a limitation is how to relate local and global actors, which is also a matter of power relations and politics.Originality/valueThe paper explains why, as a late and unplanned reaction to this, but also in contradiction with ANT principles, it ended up complementing ANT with Clegg's theory of power to bridge that gap. The paper concludes with a discussion of where the difficulties lie in using ANT and how it can be misused in IS research; the author argues that this is due to a lack of exposure to post‐structuralism in IS research, compared with other management‐related disciplines; and that recent efforts by scholars in the science and technology studies field to combine constructivist approaches such as ANT with critical social analysis should be considered.
Contextualising the IT artefact: towards a wider research agenda for IS using institutional theory
Authors: Currie Wendy 
Published: February 2009

PurposeThis paper sets out to examine the use of institutional theory in information systems research. It also seeks to consider recent debates within information systems, that the field should develop its own social theories. The purpose of the paper is to demonstrate that IS researchers need to engage more fully with the institutional theory literature as the body of work is conceptually rich and is more appropriately used to analyse and understand complex social phenomena.Design/methodology/approachReviewing the institutionalist literature from the field of IS, the paper shows that most accounts engage in empirically testing institutionalist concepts, rather than analysing the richness of these concepts to further develop and build the theory.FindingsThe paper finds that most institutionalist accounts within information systems research adopt an organisational unit of analysis as opposed to a multi‐level approach which encompasses societal and individual levels. Research further shows more studies on the “effects” of institutionalism than on the “processual” accounts.Research limitations/implicationsIt is argued that information systems researchers need to become more aware of the wider debates within the institutional theory literature, particularly as the theory is conceptually ambiguous, yet not amenable to over‐simplification as a means to achieve methodological rigour.Practical implicationsThe use of institutional theory offers practitioners conceptual tools and techniques for understanding complex change management scenarios relating to IS work.Originality/valueThe paper contributes to the IS literature through reviewing the range of studies using institutional theory. It illustrates the narrow use of the theory adopted by the IS community and suggests that a more fruitful approach is to use a wider multi‐level and multi‐method approach. The paper suggests that institutional theory offers a conceptually rich lens for analysing IS themes and issues and encourages further use of the theory for IS and management research.
The marketing and logistics efficacy of online sales channels
Authors: Rao Shashank , Goldsby Thomas J. , Iyengar Deepak 
Published: February 2009

PurposeThe purpose of this study is to investigate key differences between web‐only and multi‐channel retailers in terms of five different measures of web activity and three different forms of outsourcing behavior. Specifically, the research examines the marketing and logistics efficacy between business‐to‐consumer (B2C) retailers who sell exclusively via the web and retailers for whom the web offers one additional channel for sales. Finally, it is suggested that how this study may give rise to future research in this area.Design/methodology/approachThis empirical study using the lens of transaction cost economics (TCE) to examine hypotheses regarding customer buying behavior and the retailers' proclivity to outsource is conducted. Secondary data sources provide key metrics for the more than 250 companies found in the sample.FindingsSeveral key differences exist between the efficacy of web‐only and multi‐channel retailers, which can be explained with the TCE framework. Both web‐only and multi‐channel retailers are found to exhibit respective advantages. Multi‐channel retailers enjoy more web traffic and offer more items for the consumer, yet are disadvantaged in terms of ease of search and conversion rate (percentage of shoppers who actually buy). In addition, web‐only retailers are more likely to outsource the functions of logistics, marketing, and customer support.Practical implicationsThis study has value to researchers and practitioners in that it illustrates how two of the most common types of retailing alternatives differ from each other. Multi‐channel retailers are challenged with the broad scope and immense collection of goods they offer and, therefore, struggle to convert shoppers into buyers. Web‐only retailers, on the other hand, enjoy less web traffic, but prove more effective in conversion rates, perhaps related to their more extensive use of outsourced expertise in logistics, marketing, and customer support services.Originality/valueIn the decade since internet retailing (e‐tailing) began to be accepted as a new sales channel, e‐tailing has grown to a market size of over $160 billion within the USA alone. However, empirical examination of the functioning and performance of this sales channel is only now commencing.
Information‐based early exercise of US employee stock options
Authors: Sternberg Joel S. , Doug Witte H. 
Published: February 2009

PurposeThis paper aims to show that tax‐motivated early exercise of US employee stock options can be, in principle, rationalized for bullish executives. The paper aims to show empirical evidence consistent with private positive information guiding the timing of the exercises.Design/methodology/approachThe paper uses conventional event study methodology to examine the long‐run relative stock price performance of firms in which executives early exercise and maintain the acquired shares. The long‐run analysis adopts the cumulative abnormal return as well as the buy‐and‐hold methodological approach.FindingsTax‐motivated early exercise may be justified on the grounds that future stock appreciation can be converted to long‐term capital gains if the shares are held for over one year while, should the stock decline, shares can be sold within a year to count for short‐term losses. The empirical results reveal that executives who early exercise and continue to hold a majority of the shares acquired do so before performance in their company stock is significantly better than a benchmark.Practical implicationsInformation‐based early exercise is not a harbinger of poor firm performance, as prior research has suggested. This paper illustrates that private positive information can motivate tax‐based early exercise of employee stock options. Prior research has mostly suggested it cannot. Stock retention upon early exercise indicates the optimism of the exerciser.Originality/valueThe first modeling of an exploitable tax asymmetry upon exercise of US employee stock options. The explicit separation of exercises likely based on positive inside information from those likely based on negative information or other non‐informative reasons.
Reexamination of stock liquidity risk with a relative measure
Authors: Uddin Hamid 
Published: February 2009

PurposeNegative relationship between the return of a stock and its liquidity suggests that the illiquid stocks are riskier than liquid stocks. Thus, researchers tend to include the stock liquidity as a variable in asset pricing models, where the stock and market liquidities are usually considered as independent. The purpose of this paper is to reexamine the relationship between the return of a stock and its liquidity by using a relative measure that links the individual stock liquidity with market‐wide liquidity.Design/methodology/approachMultivariate regressions are employed to examine the effect of relative market liquidity on the stock return while controlling the effects of other factors.FindingsNegative relationship between the stock return and liquidity is confirmed, but the relationship is not linear. It is found that the relative measure of liquidity is not a substitute, but complement to other liquidity measures used in prior studies. It is also found that fluctuation in relative stock liquidity does not positively affect the return.Research limitations/implicationsThe study is conducted on New York Stock Exchange and American Stock Exchange exchanges using monthly data. The robustness tests using the daily or weekly data are not conducted.Practical implicationsFindings may suggest that investors do not seriously concern about the fluctuations of individual stock liquidity, provided that the stock liquidity is higher than the average market liquidity.Originality/valueFor the first time, the liquidity risk is tested using a relative measure instead of an absolute measure. Since fluctuation in stock liquidity does not positively affect the return, a new question arises whether the variability in liquidity can reflect the liquidity risk.
The effects of macroeconomic factors on stock returns: Istanbul Stock Market
Authors: Rjoub Husam , Türsoy Turgut , Günsel Nil 
Published: February 2009

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to investigate the performance of the arbitrage pricing theory (APT) in the Istanbul Stock Exchange (ISE) on a monthly basis, for the period January 2001 to September 2005.Design/methodology/approachThis study examines six pre‐specified macroeconomic variables which are: the term structure of interest rate, unanticipated inflation, risk premium, exchange rate and money supply. All these are the same as those used by Chen, Roll and Roll for the US market. In this study, the authors develop one more variable namely unemployment rate, which has a relation with the stock return.FindingsUsing the OLS technique, the authors observed that there are some differences among the market portfolios. Before starting to comment on the result of OLS, the serial correlation problem was discussed by using Durbin‐Watson statistics. In this study, the critical values were ranged from between 1.33 and 1.81 (T=57, K=6). Our test results confirmed that in ten out of the 13 there were no serial correlations. Our results show that there are big differences among market portfolios against macroeconomic variables through the variation of R2. In the remaining portfolios; there was no evidence to suggest.Research limitations/implicationsIn this paper, the authors face a problem that was no corporate bond in Turkey's market.Originality/valueThis analysis appears to be the first empirical test of APT using the CAPM formula for finding the risk premium point for ISE.
Strategic alignment of HRM practices in manufacturing SMEs: aGestaltsperspective
Authors: Fabi Bruno , Raymond Louis , Lacoursière Richard 
Published: February 2009

PurposeThis paper seeks to take aGestaltsperspective to analyze the alignment between the HRM practices and strategic capabilities of SMEs.Design/methodology/approachBased on Miles and Snow's adaptive cycle, this study examines the coherence of HRM practices with the strategic capabilities of manufacturing SMEs (n=176) in terms of products, markets, and networks. A principal component factor analysis was first made to reduce the HRM practices into a lesser number of factors. A clustering algorithm was then used to determine three groups of SMEs orGestalts. Finally, an a posteriori examination of the performance of each group was made.FindingsSMEs align their HRM practices with their realized strategy within three configurations, namely local, international, and world‐class SMEs. Regardless of their strategic choices, these SMEs achieve comparable levels of performance.Research limitations/implicationsTheGestaltsperspective seems effective in its capacity to describe the role of the HRM function. While the firms surveyed are fairly representative of Canadian manufacturing SMEs, there might yet exist a bias in that these are firms that have chosen to undertake a benchmarking exercise.Originality/valueThe study is one of the first to use Miles and Snow's adaptive cycle as a foundation to specify the type of activities that researchers should consider in assessing the SME's overall degree of strategic alignment. A practical implication for owner‐managers is that their strategic choices in terms of product innovation, market expansion or network extension must be inter‐linked with the development of their HRM practices.