bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Proximate sources of collective teacher efficacy
Authors: Adams Curt M. , Forsyth Patrick B. 
Published: October 2006

PurposeRecent scholarship has augmented Bandura's theory underlying efficacy formation by pointing to more proximate sources of efficacy information involved in forming collective teacher efficacy. These proximate sources of efficacy information theoretically shape a teacher's perception of the teaching context, operationalizing the difficulty of the teaching task that faces the school and the faculty's collective competence to be successful under specific conditions. The purpose of this study was to examine the influence of three contextual variables: socioeconomic status, school level, and school structure on teacher perceptions of collective efficacy.Design/methodology/approachSchool level data were collected from a cross‐section of 79 schools in a Midwestern state. Data were analyzed at the school level using hierarchical multiple regression to determine the incremental variance in collective teacher efficacy beliefs attributed to contextual variables after accounting for the effect of prior academic performance.FindingsResults support the premise that contextual variables do add power to explanations of collective teacher efficacy over and above the effects of prior academic performance. Further, of the three contextual variables school structure independently accounted for the most variability in perceptions of collective teacher efficacy.Research limitations/implicationsA sample of 79 schools was considered small to accurately test a hypothesized model of collective teacher efficacy formation using structural equation modeling. That approach would have had the advantage of permitting the researchers to identify the relationships among the predictor variables and between the predictors and the criterion. Additionally, there was a concern of possible aggregation bias associated with aggregating collective teacher efficacy scores to the school level. Despite these limitations, the findings hold theoretical and practical implications in that they defend the theoretical importance of contextual factors as efficacy sources. Furthermore, formalized and centralized conditions conducive to promoting perceptions of collective efficacy in teachers are identified.Originality/valueExtant collective efficacy studies have generally not operationalized Bandura's efficacy sources to include the effects of current context. This study does.
Inside advice on educating managers for preventing employee theft
Authors: Alstete Jeffrey 
Published: October 2006

PurposeEmployee theft is a large problem for firms of all sizes, particularly small businesses where profit margins are often slim. The purpose of this paper is to examine the perceptions of current and previous employees regarding their advice for detecting and preventing employee theft.Design/methodology/approachThe study presents and analyzes the responses and ensuing discussion to questions posed to 79 individuals in three college‐level entrepreneurship courses. Using a controlled internet discussion board, an interactive dialogue developed among the study participants. The relationship of these findings to the existing literature on employee theft and how these findings support and expand the scholarship base is examined.FindingsAccording to the qualitative research findings, a majority of participants in the study recommend implementation or increase usage of video surveillance, and better control systems and record keeping. Other recommendations include better hiring, using a “ringer” on staff, raising salaries, offering free products for employees, and other advice. Some of these findings correspond to previous research on employee theft, while some results offer new and expanded advice for managers.Research limitations/implicationsLimitations of the study are stated, and recommendations are made for further qualitative and empirical research of employee theft in follow‐up to these findings.Practical implicationsThe employees surveyed in this study recommend that greater surveillance and managerial diligence in control of the operations is needed to decrease employee theft. This advice is from the “inside” by current and former employees who have inside knowledge and first‐hand experience as witnesses to employee theft in businesses today.Originality/valueThe methodology used for the research in this study is innovative and fairly recent, because it involves the use of controlled discussion groups on the internet which allow for thorough scrutiny by the research and greater freedom by participants to compose their perceptions. In addition, study participants also may have perceived a higher level of anonymity and confidentiality using this medium, which may result in more accurate findings that traditional surveys or in‐person research methods.
Golf tourism – World Cup Cricket 2007 – Guyana prospects
Authors: Sinclair Donald G. , Boger Ernest P. 
Published: October 2006

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to advance the sport of golf as a compelling enhancement of the Caribbean region tourism product and assess prospects for the development of golf tourism in Guyana, catalysed by World Cup Cricket, 2007.Design/methodology/approachDocumentation derived from leading researchers in the field certify contemporary golfing's international steep growth curve and global tourism implications. Additional theoretical issues include environmental consequences of Caribbean golf course development are explored. Attention is then directed toward analysis of golfing infrastructure/superstructure in Guyana.FindingsParticipation in the sport of golf is indeed experiencing a major global upswing, especially among non‐traditional devotees, largely due to the high international profiles of non‐traditional golf professionals exemplified by Tiger Woods and Vijay Singh. While some Caribbean destinations will profit considerably, the golf tourism carrying capacity of Guyana will require major upgrading to reap significant benefits.Research limitations/implicationsThe implications should constitute a clear wake‐up call to Guyana and other Caribbean regional tourism establishments if golf tourism is to be taken seriously as an enrichment component of the tourism product available to participants of CWC 2007.Practical implicationsTourism planners and developers will be able to utilize these findings as a road map to establishing or enhancing golf tourism in their respective destinations, particularly in the Caribbean region.Originality/valueThe authors believe that their particular conceptual approach to the challenge of exploiting the potential golf tourism windfall from CWC 2007 represents a valuable contribution to the literature of tourism development and a seminal research piece that will find its way into the Professional Golf Management degree curriculum resources of regional and international universities that have a legacy of post‐colonial national development.
Tourism agents' attitudes on internet adoption: an analysis from Greece
Authors: Vrana Vasiliki , Zafiropoulos Costas 
Published: October 2006

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to adopt a total view on the issue of usage and attitude of travel agents towards internet technology. Many aspects are being investigated, such as agents' attitudes towards internet applications, the current state of internet use, the relative maturity of the web sites, and internet marketing by Greek tourist agencies.Design/methodology/approachAn online survey was conducted. Greek Travel Pages (GTP), notified travel agents via e‐mail sent about the online questionnaire web site. Travel agents willing to participate visited a tailor made web site replied to the questionnaire and the data were recorded to a database. A total of 117 questionnaires were answered. The questionnaire used included five sections and questions were adopted from previous researches.FindingsFacilitation of global marketing and completion of online services are the most important reasons for using internet practices according to tourism agents. Travel agencies generally do not use internet practices effectively as a relatively small number of transactions are completed on line. The web pages are merely used as another means to exhibit their static information. Security difficulties and the need for social interaction are the main barriers to marketing over the internetResearch limitations/implicationsThis is an exploratory study addressed to agents on‐line. Further research and studies are needed by a broader range of travel agenciesPractical implicationsProvides suggestions for good practices to tourism agents along with an understanding of their attitudes on internet useOriginality/valueEnables travel agents to recognize the pros and cons of using internet and to make technology an essential part of the company.
Path analysis of perceived service quality, satisfaction and loyalty in Greek insurance
Authors: Tsoukatos Evangelos , Rand Graham K. 
Published: October 2006

PurposeThe purpose of this article is to investigate the path service quality → customer satisfaction → loyalty, at the level of constructs, drawing from the Greek insurance industry.Design/methodology/approachA SERVQUAL type service‐quality instrument is developed for Greek insurance. Confirmatory and exploratory factor analyses are used to determine the scale's dimensionality. Path analysis is utilized to examine a model linking service quality, customer satisfaction and loyalty at the level of constructs' individual determinants.FindingsSERVQUAL's dimensionality is not confirmed. A non‐tangibles, tangibles structure exists in Greek insurance. “Tangibles” does not affect customer satisfaction while WOM is an antecedent of repurchasing intentions. Satisfaction does not directly influence the latter.Research limitations/implicationsThis study suffers the limitation that it tests the fit of the model within the limits of a single service industry. Another limitation is availability sampling. However, the satisfactory fit of the estimated model allows for the study to be a reliable comparison basis for future research.Practical implicationsInsurance managers may use GIQUAL for measuring the quality of insurance services offered. They must improve the intangible rather than the tangible elements of service and direct their support mechanisms towards developing customers willing to engage in positive WOM. The proposed model can be used to provide comparable findings across sectors, countries and time provided that, in each case, an appropriately customized SERVQUAL type scale is used.Originality/valueThis study explores the service quality, satisfaction, and loyalty path at the level of specific dimensions drawing from Greek insurance.
The abnormal performance of UK utility privatisations
Authors: Stevenson Simon 
Published: October 2006

PurposeThis paper aims to re‐examine both the short‐ and long‐term performance of UK privatisations, with specific reference to the comparative performance of utility privatisations with non‐utility privatisations and private sector initial public offerings (IPOs).Design/methodology/approachThe paper uses conventional event study methodology to examine the short‐ and long‐run comparative performance of IPOs. The long‐run analysis also adopts a buy‐and‐hold methodological approach.FindingsThe results reveal that short‐term under‐pricing is significantly higher in privatisations than in private sector firms, and specifically with the utility firms, and thus supports the hypothesis that governments tend to underprice privatisation issues more due to concerns over reassuring investors regarding potential future intervention. The long‐term results show that privatisations not only consistently out‐perform the benchmark index, but they also tend to out‐perform private sector firms. However, as with the short‐term analysis the results for the non‐utility firms are far less conclusive.Research limitations/implicationsThe paper illustrates that IPO performance of privatisations not only can differ from private sector issues, but the type of firm and the aims and objectives of the issuing government are a major factor in both the short‐ and long‐run performance of the firm.Practical implicationsThe results highlight the practical issues involved in the relative pricing of privatisations dependent on the type of firm involved.Originality/valueThe explicit separation of privatisation issues by industry type and the comparison with a private sector sample split by both industry sector and by market size.
Recent stock price relationships between Japanese and US stock markets
Authors: Kurihara Yutaka , Nezu Eiji 
Published: October 2006

PurposeThis paper, using daily data, sets out to present an empirical analysis of the relationship between recent Japanese stock prices and macroeconomic variables under the quantitative easing policy in Japan.Design/methodology/approachThe theoretical framework of the analysis is provided followed by application of the empirical method and analysis of the deterministic elements of stock prices in Japan. Vector error correction method is applied.FindingsThe results indicate that interest rates, especially the domestic interest rate, have not impacted Japanese stock prices. Exchange rates also have not been a significant determinant of Japanese stock prices. US stock prices have significantly influenced Japanese stock prices. Moreover, there exists a long‐term stable relationship between Japanese and US stock market prices.Originality/valueThe Bank of Japan's monetary policy, especially quantitative monetary easing, has not yet been fully determined. The effect of the policy on stock prices has not been discussed at all. Analyzing this effect is important because of its impact on the Japanese economic recovery, which has prevailed for more than ten years. Moreover, little research exists on the effect of the exchange rate on stock prices. This paper uses daily data. Some past studies on this topic have used quarterly or monthly data.
Market orientation, learning orientation, and innovation capabilities in SMEs
Authors: Keskin Halit 
Published: October 2006

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to examine the nomological relations among market‐orientation, learning‐orientation and innovativeness in medium‐sized business (SMEs) of developing countries.Design/methodology/approachThe study involves a questionnaire‐based survey of managers from small‐sized‐firms operating in Turkey. A total of 157 usable questionnaires were received from managers. These were subjected to a structural equation modeling (SEM) analysis.FindingsThe results show that firm innovativeness positively affects firm performance; firm learning‐orientation positively influences firm innovativeness; firm market‐orientation positively impacts firm learning orientation; firm learning‐orientation mediates the relationship between firm market‐orientation and firm innovativeness; and firm market‐orientation indirectly impacts firm performance via firm innovativeness and learning.Practical implicationsThis study has implications for SEMs aiming at increasing their performance and innovativeness.Originality/valueThe interrelationships among a firm's market‐orientation, learning‐orientation, and innovativeness are an important research area for investigators in the literature of management, strategy, and marketing. However, most of the empirical studies were conducted in large‐scale firms in developed countries and ignored small and medium‐sized business (SMEs) in general, and in developing countries in particular. The results offer both theoretical and managerial implications.
Broadband pricing strategies
Authors: Biggs Phillippa , Kelly Tim 
Published: October 2006

PurposeThis article seeks to consider why broadband technologies have been so successful in reaching such a large number of new users so quickly, and what characteristics of its pricing have made this possible.Design/methodology/approachExamines the different pricing strategies available, and their impact on broadband markets and prices, as well as some of the issues involved in measuring broadband prices.FindingsPricing strategies have major implications for the future development of telecommunication markets, as they are dismantling the constructs on which telecommunication services have historically been priced (namely, distance, time and location). Broadband pricing strategies, especially the growing trend towards flat‐rate pricing, promise to transform the revenue streams and expansion of communication services in future.Originality/valueThe findings, based on analysis of a unique price database across 145 countries, will be of value to operators and regulators.
The role of stream ecosystems in urban planning
Authors: Yli‐Pelkonen Vesa , Pispa Karoliina , Helle Inari 
Published: October 2006

PurposeUrban stream ecosystems have often been seen as channels of water flow rather than as the valuable parts of an urban green space system providing ecosystem services. The study seeks to address the importance of urban stream ecosystems from the perspective of urban ecology, human health and social well‐being in the context of urban planning.Design/methodology/approachThe case study area is the Rekolanoja stream ecosystem in the City of Vantaa, southern Finland. The data from the case study area were gathered from existing ecological studies and by conducting semi‐structured interviews, a resident inquiry and a writing contest.FindingsThe results from the Rekolanoja case show that intense management of the streamside vegetation and treatment of the stream channel in construction projects have decreased species richness and diminished valuable streamside biotopes. However, the stream corridor can function as an important recreational and educational element within the local green space network and thereby become a symbol of local identity.Practical implicationsPlanners, decision‐makers and other interest groups can use the findings from this study in determining the values of small urban stream ecosystems in urban development.Originality/valueThe Rekolanoja case indicates that planners and residents see the value of such an aquatic element as increasingly important for urban biodiversity and ecological corridor functions, as well as for local human health and social well‐being, e.g. recreation and stress relief. Future land‐use decisions will show whether a genuine change in the values and thinking of planners and decision‐makers is taking place.
The impact and significance of ISO 14001 certification on the adoption of new technologies
Authors: Radonjič Gregor , Tominc Polona 
Published: October 2006

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to assess whether environmental management systems (EMS) according to ISO 14001 requirements have contributed to the implementation and adoption of new technologies and to the issues related to technology performance in industrial enterprises.Design/methodology/approachThe research is based on the questionnaire survey conducted on a sample of ISO 14001 certified Slovene manufacturing companies.FindingsThe results revealed that ISO 14001 certified manufacturing companies still mostly used the combination of partly adopted and partly modified technologies in order to reduce environmental impacts. ISO 14001 was considered as a very useful tool for the promotion of technological modernisation. It was shown also that ISO 14001 standard can play a significant role as a support tool for the acceleration of technological innovation activities regardless of the origin of the technology.Research limitations/implicationsThe research surveyed only industrial ISO 14001 certified enterprises in the Republic of Slovenia. Differences among industrial branches exist as well as among small, medium and large enterprises. These facts must be further studied.Practical implicationsISO 14001 certification proved to be an important driver for technological modernisation in industrial practice. Some environmental indicators are still underestimated or nonsufficiently included into firms' environmental policies and must be certainly improved. Since adoption of new technologies and EMS were rarely covered together the findings are interesting for wider community.Originality/valueThe paper covers a subject on how adoption of ISO 14001 influences technological changes and related activities. Not many information and in‐depth case studies have been available until now.
Examining waste management in San Pablo del Lago, Ecuador: a behavioral framework
Authors: Aung May , Arias Martha L. 
Published: October 2006

PurposeThe purpose of the paper is to propose and examine with evidence from Ecuador a behavioral framework that helps understand environmental practices in a small rural community.Design/methodology/approachThis research is a multidisciplinary study that integrates ethnographic, feminist, and fourth generation approaches. Qualitative and quantitative methods were applied.FindingsFindings indicate a number of relevant determinant factors (social norms, personal norms, intention to act), moderating factors (knowledge of the issues, awareness of the consequences, knowledge of the strategies and action skills, assumption of the responsibilities), and socio‐demographic factors (gender and social class) that influence solid waste (garbage) management behavior in a small rural community in the Ecuadorian Andes.Practical implicationsThis study recommends general public training for the stakeholders of this community taking into account gender and social class differences. The importance of generating role models in groups such as business owners and teachers to lead in waste management behavior is also suggested.Originality/valueThis study develops a behavioral framework with supporting empirical evidence from Ecuador that aids the understanding of environmental management practices of women and men from a small cohesive community