bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Cognitive strategy from the Romance of the Three Kingdoms
Authors: Teck Foo Check 
Published: August 2008

PurposeThe Romance of the Three Kingdoms (RTK) is probably the most popular classical novel in Chinese literature. Of more than 1,000 characters in this extensive, three‐volume novel, Kong Ming in RTK is widely seen by the Chinese as the most remarkable strategist. This paper attempts to develop a cognitive schema of Kong Ming on strategy.Design/methodology/approachFirst, the paper reviews broadly the traditionally, four most popular novels within the Chinese classical literature: The Romance of the Three Kingdoms, Water Margin, Journey to the West and A Dream of the Red Mansions. After emphasizing the role of the RTK in influencing Chinese strategic thinking, the paper utilizes the methods of textual analyses in research. Focusing on a specific episode of global strategy making and taking (Chapter 38), the methodology is explained.FindingsFrom textual analysis, the paper presents as its finding a schematically linear, cognitive structure of the strategy process. It also presents the central role of the “Counselor of Strategy” in Chinese strategy making process. From this research, a Kong Ming‐grounded, cognitive model of strategy process is developed. If the RTK (more than say, any MBA program) continues to influence Chinese strategy processes, then fast strategic decision making (as exemplified in our analyses) may be one of the pivotal reasons for the equally fast rise of the Chinese economy in our global economic landscape.Originality/valueKong Ming (or Zhuge Liang) had been hailed by the Chinese with such lofty epithets such as the “Divine Strategist”. His exploits during the declining Han dynasty and emergence of the Three Kingdoms of Wei, Shu and Wu (220‐280 CE) are still cited by the Chinese people in their daily conversations on strategy. In this paper, we draw lessons for CEOs through a Kong Ming‐grounded model for strategy.
Core capability and competitive strategy for construction SMEs in China
Authors: Chew David A.S. , Yan Shigang , Cheah Charles Y.J. 
Published: August 2008

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to examine the relationship between a number of variables pertaining to core capability, competitive strategy and performance of construction small to medium size enterprises (SMEs) in China.Design/methodology/approachThe paper consists of a quantitative survey. It involves mainly the development of instrument and testing of the hypotheses.FindingsCore capability and competitive strategy are found to influence construction SMEs' performance. Moreover, there are positive relationships between core capability and competitive strategy. This suggests a need to align core capability and competitive strategy as a precondition for superior performance.Research limitations/implicationsThe paper has limitations as a result of data collection. A somewhat larger sample would obviously permit firmer conclusions to be drawn from the results of the statistical analysis.Originality/valueThis paper will contribute to the literature on SMEs, strategic management and resource‐based theory. This integration of scope is particularly new to the context of the Chinese construction industry. Similarly, this research will have implications for practice. The research findings help SMEs' managers to understand the impact of the unique resources of their enterprises and competitive strategy.
Analyzing work attitudes of Chinese employees
Authors: Wang Xiaohui 
Published: August 2008

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to investigate the work attitudes of native Chinese employees and to identify and resolve current problems challenging human resource management.Design/methodology/approachWith an empirical design and the data collected from 991 employees of nine companies located in Guangdong, China, this research analyzes the present status of work attitudes through job satisfaction and organizational commitment. The main analytical path bases on comparing differences among demographic groups, and particularly between employees in state‐owned enterprises (SOEs) and privately‐owned enterprises (POEs).FindingsFirst, it was found that employees overall show a higher level of job satisfaction and a lower level of organizational commitment; second, employees with older age and lower education tend to have higher levels of job satisfaction and organizational commitment; third, employees in POEs have a higher level of job satisfaction and organizational commitment than employees in SOEs.Research limitations/implicationsIn order to yield broader conclusions, further empirical research should expand sampling to other areas and other ownership‐type enterprises in China. Moreover, more work‐related attitudinal variables, such as social value and corporate culture, should be included in the future studies regarding work attitudes.Practical implicationsIn general, the management in native Chinese enterprises needs to pay more attention to the impact of employees' demographic variables on work attitudes. Specifically, SOEs have an imperative need of heightening employees' job satisfaction and organizational commitment so as to compete with POEs.Originality/valueWhile filling a gap in the existing literature of the subjects being studied, this paper provides constructive suggestions in practice.
E‐government diffusion: a comparison of adoption constructs
Authors: Carter Lemuria 
Published: August 2008

PurposeE‐government adoption is the focus of many research studies. However, few studies have compared the adoption factors to identify the most salient predictors of e‐government use. The purpose of this paper is to compare popular adoption constructs to identify the most influential.Design/methodology/approachA survey was administered to elicit citizen perceptions of e‐government services.FindingsThe results of stepwise regression indicate perceived usefulness, trust of the internet, previous use of an e‐government service and perceived ease of use all have a significant impact on one's intention to use an e‐government service. Perceived usefulness emerges as the most important factor in predicting e‐government adoption. This factor alone explains 74.8 percent of the variance in intention to use.Research limitations/implicationsIn light of these findings, researchers should still explore the role of adoption factors in e‐government diffusion. The proposed model is a robust, yet parsimonious way to explore the key factors that influence technology acceptance. This study includes the adoption perceptions of citizens from one state in the USA. Future studies should overcome this limitation by incorporating citizens from other regions and nations.Practical implicationsThis study illustrates the elements of e‐government use that are most salient to citizens. Government agencies should focus on these factors when designing and promoting e‐services.Originality/valueThis study shows that the integration of a technology acceptance model, trust and previous e‐government experience work together to explain a large percentage of variance in intention to use e‐government. In particular, perceived usefulness (aka relative advantage, aka performance expectancy) is the most salient predictor.
Examining the antecedents and consequences of online satisfaction within the public sector
Authors: Carlos Pinho José , Macedo Isabel Maria 
Published: August 2008

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to analyse the antecedents and consequences of online satisfaction within the context of e‐government, which increasingly play an important role in modern public administrative management. Specifically, this paper examines the taxation services offered through the web‐based electronic declaration system.Design/methodology/approachFollowing a quantitative methodological approach, a survey was applied to a sample of 351 certified accountants to empirically test the conceptual model. Structural equation modelling was used to test the conceptual model.FindingsThe results of this empirical study validate four out of five hypotheses. It was found that convenience is an important antecedent of both satisfaction and online service quality. Additionally, findings suggest that both the degree of satisfaction and online service quality impacts on the intention of using the taxation website. Overall, results indicate that most of the relationships examined in the private service sector can be extended to the e‐government context.Practical implicationsThis paper offers the opportunity to rethink how the Portuguese Department of Taxation web site provides online services and how it satisfies the needs of users while complying with their fiscal obligations.Originality/valueDespite the entrenched nature of governmental bureaucracy which slows down the adoption of the Internet, market pressures toward fulfilling users' needs has become an increasingly important requirement. This study revealed that the proposed research model, which derives from the private sector, is relevant to the public services context.
Service delivery innovations and governance: the Malaysian experience
Authors: Alam Siddiquee Noore 
Published: August 2008

PurposeThe paper seeks to provide an overview of the service delivery innovations and reforms introduced in Malaysia's public sector and examine and analyse their overall impacts on governance.Design/methodology/approachThe paper has adopted a combination of descriptive and analytical methods and is primarily based on secondary sources of data and information. While it provides a systematic review of general literature on service delivery innovations and those on Malaysia, the paper draws its conclusions on the basis of triangulation and careful analysis of data available in various local and international sources.FindingsAlthough lately Malaysia's service delivery system has witnessed a comprehensive set of innovative changes, public governance of the country continues to suffer from poor records and unfavourable ratings. Innovations and reforms introduced have so far produced generally positive but limited impacts. The paper demonstrates a number of key areas where the impacts of reforms have been clearly unsatisfactory.Research limitations/implicationsThe findings of the paper are not based on a comprehensive and rigorous empirical work and, therefore, can only be interpreted as indicative of the overall situation.Practical implicationsThe issues and challenges identified in the paper and the policy implications proposed should aid the formulation of strategies and measures for further improving service delivery and governance in Malaysia and other similar contexts.Originality/valueThe paper adds to the limited literature in public governance and service delivery in Malaysia. The findings of the paper are of practical significance to all those interested in this area – especially the policy makers and practitioners in Malaysia's public service.
Emerging tourism development for tourism and hospitality in Taiwan
Authors: Chen Huei‐Ju 
Published: August 2008

PurposeThe purpose of this Editorial is to introduce the current tourism and hospitality research interesting topics in Taiwan.Design/methodology/approachIntroduces the papers in this special issue.FindingsAll of these papers explore the issues concerning Taiwan tourism development. The entries cover Northern Taiwan, two from Middle Taiwan, and two from Southern Taiwan. That duly indicates tourism study, in terms of quantity and quality, comes from all over Taiwan.Originality/valueThis Taiwan special issue is a touchstone to initiate more tourism journals to be published by the Taiwan special issue in the near future.
Forecasting Japanese tourism demand in Taiwan using an intervention analysis
Authors: Min Jennifer C.H. 
Published: August 2008

PurposeThe objective of this research is to assess whether two events, the 9‐21 Earthquake in 1999 and the Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome outbreak in 2003, had a temporary or long‐term impact on the inbound tourism demand from Japan. Furthermore, a comparative study is conducted to assess whether intervention analysis produces better forecasts compared with forecasts without intervention analysis.Design/methodology/approachThe data adopted in this study consist of monthly visitor arrivals from Japan to Taiwan for the period January 1979‐September 2006. The first 321 observations ( January 1979‐September 2005) are used to develop two tentative models, with and without intervention analyses, and then compare with the known values (October 2005‐September 2006) for accuracy testing.FindingsExperimental results show that the effect of both disasters on Japanese inbound tourism presented only temporarily, and the forecasting efficiency of ARIMA with intervention is superior to that of a model without intervention.Research limitations/implicationsThe study had difficulty accurately delineating the rebound in Japanese tourist based on monthly data. There are other factors that might influence a rebound, such as people' fading memories or the purpose of visitation. The geographic proximity of Taiwan to Japan could also account for perceived risk factors.Practical implicationsThe results indicate that the Japanese inbound arrivals sharply dropped following both of the two disastrous occurrences, suggesting that the Japanese tourists are likely to be responsive to prompt marketing strategies and messages. The practical implication for tourism operators include the usefulness of reinforcing the package holiday by establishing an attractively priced travel package or offering a package with a variety of highly desirable or unique features to increase competition.Originality/valueThis study is a first attempt in the tourism literature to model Japanese demand for travel to Taiwan after these two traumatic crises.
Customer satisfaction and customer characteristic in festival activity
Authors: Lee Chin‐Tarn , Yang Szu‐Chi , Lo Henry Y. 
Published: August 2008

PurposeThis study is interested in the tourist satisfaction of Kenting Wind Chime Festival, as well as in tourist's characteristic and their revisiting commitment. The purpose is to survey customer satisfaction, which has significant implications for the economic performance of the firm, and to focus on local festival activity. Since 1994, Taiwan has continuously promoted festival activities, and the 2006 Kenting Wind Chime Festival is the first of 12 major festivals selected for promotion by Taiwan Tourism Bureau.Design/methodology/approachANOVA analysis was applicable for the inference relationships among tourist characteristics, satisfaction, and revisiting commitment. Additionally, it was supplemented by open questions interviews. The survey period was from January 21 to February 12, 2006.FindingsThree findings have been concluded in this survey. First, the 2006 Wind‐Chime Festival tourists are mostly coming with their families, and they are first‐time visitors, who have received information from television and network, and had plans in advance. Second, for festival activity, local show is more popular than theme part equipments. Finally, it must be emphasized that local damper (e.g. mountain tempest) is not passive bounded.Research limitations/implicationsOn the one hand, the 216 subjects are restricted to family, and the inference will be limited. On the other, the single item to collect data for understanding the tourists' satisfaction in Wind Chime Festival was used.Practical implicationsManagers should develop the completely understanding of media, because most tourists are influenced by television and networks.Originality/valueThe paper shows that customer‐oriented and integrative tourism programs improve tourist satisfaction.
Nature‐based tourism impacts in I‐Lan, Taiwan: business managers' perceptions
Authors: Ying Chin Yang Joe , Mei Chen Yu 
Published: August 2008

PurposeThe paper seeks to examine nature‐based tourism (NBT) impacts from business managers' perceptions in economic, cultural and environmental aspects and understands the relationship among socio‐demographic characteristics, type and level of involvement and participants' perception of impacts.Design/methodology/approachThe paper uses social exchange theory to explain costs/benefits in each aspect. Several indicators including social‐demographic characteristics, attitudes toward the government, types and level of involvement are used to analyze costs/benefits of tourism impacts.FindingsNBT has a moderate impact on participants' business – contributing approximately 30 per cent of their annual sales and 31 per cent of customers. Business managers believe benefits to the social/cultural environment are the most apparent impact in I‐Lan, followed by economic benefits. Participants believe that county government does well in tourism planning, and they believe that they could influence county government's tourism planning.Research limitations/implicationsTourism related businesses are purposely chosen for this study. Thus, the findings cannot be inferred to a larger population.Practical implicationsThe findings support the usefulness of social exchange theory in costs/benefits aspects. County government might change its role from top‐down decision‐making style to co‐partner with local business people.Originality/valueThe paper provides insights into understanding of business managers' perceived impacts. Therefore, county tourism planners and researchers can have a more efficient and holistic management of NBT in the region.
An exploratory study of types of special interest tour preferences and preference demographic variables analysis
Authors: Sheng Chieh‐Wen , Shen Ming‐Jian , Chen Ming‐Chia 
Published: August 2008

PurposeThe paper research objectives are: to investigate into the classification of special interest tour preferences in terms of their types and to compare whether consumers with different demographic attributes result in discrepancies in special interest tour preferences.Design/methodology/approachThose collected questionnaires that had incomplete answers and that had a significant response tendency or were left blank with no answers were eliminated. The required statistical methods are explained thus: this study conducts analysis on special interest tour preferences by factor analysis to distinguish between the categories of special interest tour preferences; this study adopts correlation analysis to examine the ratio scale of the study's demographic variables, including age and education level; this study adopts one‐way ANOVA to examine the variables of categorical or nominal scale, such as gender, marital status, and occupation.FindingsAfter collecting the questionnaire data, factor analysis is used to conduct classification of the types and a total of four types emerged: recreation type, nature/ecology type, physical adventure type, historical/artistic activity type. Furthermore, in the verification of the demographic variables of each type preferences: age and nature‐eco type preferences constitute a significant positive correlation, and age has also formed a significant negative correlation with physical adventure type; gender differences result in a significant difference in recreation type preferences and a significant difference in physical adventure type preferences; marital status has a significant variation regarding physical adventure preferences.Practical implicationsSpecial interest tours are gradually on the rise and the previous literature is still lacking a systematic method for investigative analysis. Accordingly, conducting a systematic categorization of special interest tour preferences and to examining the background of the consumers of each type of special interest tour preference is essential.Originality/valueThe necessity for special interest tours to conform to consumer interests, and the existence of special interests, require that those in the travel industry conduct market segmentation, prior to designing travel itineraries, so as to have an understanding of the target market. Furthermore, the types of special interest tour preference this study provides can offer the basis for discussion of relevant issues for those travel business industry operators in the industry and future researchers.
Coming from the heart (the road is long)
Authors: Bull Mike , Crompton Helen , Jayawarna Dilani 
Published: August 2008

PurposeThis paper aims to investigate the organisational development of three small‐ and medium‐sized social enterprises (SMSEs). The objectives of the paper are to highlight the critical stages of development that have led to change, growth and success for these enterprises. Although social purpose organisations have existed for some time, recent political interest in the subject has created a new and emerging field of interest where little empirical research exists. This paper examines how SMSEs evolve, utilizing the framework of organisational life cycle (OLC) models, specifically Adizes's model. Thus, drawing on the OLC field of study this paper will make a significant contribution to a deeper understanding of social enterprise development.Design/methodology/approachA qualitative methodological approach was undertaken in order to understand the stories and experiences. A semi‐structured approach enabled the researcher to gain deep insights into the life cycle stages that changed and developed each of these organisations over time – which would not have been as insightful through a quantitative methodological approach.FindingsThe key findings indicate that a host of internal and external incidents were critical to the development of these firms. The entrepreneurialism shown within these organisations was crucial. These three firms all grew from community‐based campaigns that were able to exploit financial opportunities and grow with a momentum over a number of years. The organisation structures, although different across the three cases, were critical factors in the ability to deliver, develop skills and handle growth. Through analysing these cases through the framework of the OLC model we found that the development stages were similar and that the model is a useful lens for viewing social enterprise organisation development.Originality/valueEmpirical evidence of this nature is currently lacking from the SMSE community. This research therefore contributes to the knowledge capital on this sector and is important for practitioners, business support agencies and academics in understanding the organisational development of social enterprises.
Statutory support and the implications for the employee profile of rural based Irish work integration social enterprises (WISEs)
Authors: O'Shaughnessy Mary 
Published: August 2008

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to explore the limitations of specific statutory support for the long‐term survival of rural based Irish work integration social enterprises (WISEs).Design/methodology/approachThe paper is based on empirical research derived from a combination of qualitative and qualitative research methods which entailed a national survey of Irish social enterprises, a series of in depth interviews with the management of 13‐rural based WISES and a survey of a sample of employees across these 13 WISEs.FindingsEmpirical evidence is used to provide a profile of the characteristics of the workforce of a sample of 13 rural WISEs. The paper argues that the rural location of these WISEs along with the prescriptive nature of the statutory support they receive have combined to both create and compound these challenges which in turn are argued to restrict the long‐term survival potential of these organisations.Originality/valueAs there is a lack of information on Irish WISEs in general and rural‐based WISEs in particular, this paper is of value in addressing the deficit.