bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
The relationship between competitive strategies and product quality
Authors: Prajogo Daniel I. 
Published: January 2007

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to examine the underlying strategic intent of quality performance. Specifically, the study aimed to examine the individual impact of differentiation and cost leadership as well as their interaction effect on quality performance.Design/methodology/approachThis study employed a data set drawn from 102 managers of Australian manufacturing firms. Multiple regression analysis with moderating effect was used for analysing the relationship between the competitive strategies and quality performance.FindingsThe findings indicated that product quality was predicted by differentiation strategy, but not cost leadership strategy. However, the effect of differentiation on quality was moderated by cost leadership whereby the higher the cost leadership, the stronger the effect.Research limitations/implicationsThe small sample size which was dominated by small‐to‐medium sized firms (SMEs) was the major limitation of the study. The sample size and distribution also inhibited the comparison of the results between industry sectors.Practical implicationsThe results contribute to a better understanding on how quality can be effectively employed as a base for realising competitive strategy. In particular, the positive interaction between differentiation and cost leadership in predicting quality performance suggests the synergy between the two as well as supporting the cumulative view of competitive strategies.Originality/valueBy testing the interaction effect of differentiation and cost leadership in predicting quality performance, this study advances the previous works on the area which looked at the relationship between quality performance and each of the two competitive strategies separately.
The corporate stakeholder commitment and social and financial performance
Authors: Moneva Jose M. , Rivera‐Lirio Juana M. , Muñoz‐Torres María J. 
Published: January 2007

PurposeTo determine whether the strategic commitment of the company to its stakeholders is positively related to its social and financial performance.Design/methodology/approachThis paper analyses the mission statements and the sustainability reports, of a sample of 52 Spanish listed firms (70 per cent Madrid stock index capitalization). The vision, mission and values of the company will define its strategic stakeholder or shareholder orientation. In the process of evaluation of the social performance of the firm it is built a scale (strategic consistency index (SCI)) which considers the quality of the sustainability reporting using the GRI Guidelines. Some traditional financial and economic indicators are used to analyse the company's financial performance.FindingsResults show a not very high level of the stakeholder approach in Spanish companies, a high level of publication and quality of sustainability reports and, finally, a positive and not significant relationship between these variables and a positive financial performance.Research limitations/implicationsThe unavailability of a long series of sustainability reports is an obstacle for a broader analysis. This research could transmit to companies the positive relationship between social and financial performance.Originality/valueThe use of GRI sustainability reports as a component of a broader corporate sustainability index and the analysis of the strategic commitment to their stakeholders through the construction of a SCI and the relationship with their financial results.
The impact of supply chain management practices on performance of SMEs
Authors: Lenny Koh S.C. , Demirbag Mehmet , Bayraktar Erkan , Tatoglu Ekrem , Zaim Selim 
Published: January 2007

PurposeThe purpose of this study is to determine the underlying dimensions of supply chain management (SCM) practices and to empirically test a framework identifying the relationships among SCM practices, operational performance and SCM‐related organizational performance with special emphasis on small and medium size enterprises (SMEs) in Turkey.Design/methodology/approachData for the study were collected from a sample of 203 manufacturing SMEs operating in the manufacture of fabricated metal products and general purpose machinery (NACE codes 28 and 29) within the city of Istanbul in Turkey. The research framework was tested using partial least squares method, which is a variance‐based structural equation modeling approach.FindingsBased on exploratory factor analysis (EFA), SCM practices were grouped in two factors: outsourcing and multi‐suppliers (OMS), and strategic collaboration and lean practices (SCLP). The results indicate that both factors of SCLP and OMS have direct positive and significant impact on operational performance. In contrast, both SCLP and OMS do not have a significant and direct impact on SCM‐related organizational performance. Also, as the direct relationship between the two performance‐constructs was found significant, both factors of SCM practices have an indirect and significant positive effect on ORG through OPER.Research limitations/implicationsPerhaps, the most serious limitation of this study was its narrow focus on Turkish manufacturing SMEs, thus precluding the generalization of findings to other emerging countries as well as other sectors such as service and government sectors that may benefit from a sound SCM strategy.Practical implicationsBy developing and validating a multi‐dimensional construct of SCM practices and by exhibiting its value in improving operational performance of SMEs, it provides SCM managers with useful tool for evaluating the efficiency of their current SCM practices. Second, the analysis of the relationship between SCM practices and operational performance indicates that SCM practices might directly influence operational performance of SMEs.Originality/valueThis paper adds to the body of knowledge by providing new data and empirical insights into the relationship between SCM practices and performance of SMEs operating in Turkey.
Evaluating returns in the residential rental sector
Authors: Rossini Peter , Kershaw Paul , Marano Wayne , Kupke Valerie 
Published: January 2007

PurposeThis study seeks to determine an appropriate form of yield analysis as a means of improving the supply of low cost rental housing within Australia.Design/methodology/approachRental returns are quantified on a disaggregated basis based on the amalgamation of three major government property databases.FindingsMuch of the information on returns in low cost rental housing is based on erroneous assumptions. More accurate reporting of returns would put in place the appropriate risk premium for investment in low cost rental housing.Originality/valueThe study adds value by allowing policy makers to better understand the nature of returns required to increase the level of investment in the low cost end of the private rental market.
A new approach to spatial analysis in CAMA
Authors: Aurélio Stumpf González Marco , Soibelman Lucio , Torres Formoso Carlos 
Published: January 2007

PurposeAvailable literature claims that location is a key attribute in the housing market. However, the impact of this attribute is difficult to measure and the traditional hedonic approach using subjective assessments is problematic. This paper seeks to explore trend surface analysis technique, attempting to provide an alternative way to measure location values.Design/methodology/approachTSA works in a similar way to other response surface methods but it is implemented directly in regression models, using a set of combinations of the co‐ordinates of properties in several power degrees. It can also be implemented in artificial neural networks, taking advantage of the neural ability in non‐linear domains. This work presents a comparison between traditional regression approach, error modelling, response surfaces, and TSA. ANN is also used to estimate some models, comparing their results. The objective is to verify the behaviour of TSA in hedonic models. A case study was carried using data of over 30,000 sales tax data of apartments sold in Porto Alegre, a southern Brazilian town.FindingsThe results indicates that TSA is an effective tool for the spatial analysis of real estate, because TSA models are similar to other approaches, but are developed with less expert work.Originality/valueThis paper presents an application of TSA in real estate market, which is an interesting alternative to traditional measures of location attributes.
Crime prevention through environmental design (CPTED): a review and modern bibliography
Authors: Cozens Paul Michael , Saville Greg , Hillier David 
Published: January 2007

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to critically review the core findings from recently published place‐based crime prevention research. The paper aims to critically evaluate the available evidence on the contribution of crime prevention through environmental design as a crime prevention strategy.Design/methodology/approachLarge‐scale evaluations of crime prevention through environmental design (CPTED) are reviewed with a view to clarifying current knowledge on the evidence of crime prevention through environmental design.FindingsThe review concludes that there is a growing body of research that supports the assertion that crime prevention through environmental design is effective in reducing both crime and fear of crime in the community.Research limitations/implicationsAlthough the paper may not review all the evaluations of CPTED, it nonetheless provides a detailed compilation and overview of the most significant research in the area, including an extensive and modern bibliography on the subject. Research implications will be the subject of a forthcoming paper.Practical implicationsCPTED is an increasingly fashionable approach and is being implemented on a global scale. Additionally, individual components such as territoriality, surveillance, maintenance, access control, activity support and target‐hardening are being widely deployed. However, the evidence currently available is inconclusive and much criticised, which effectively prevents widespread intervention and investment by central government. The paper details the difficulties associated with demonstrating the effectiveness of CPTED.Originality/valueThe paper concludes that although empirical proof has not been definitively demonstrated, there is a large and growing body of research, which supports the assertion that crime prevention through environmental design is a pragmatic and effective crime prevention tool. This review provides an extensive bibliography of contemporary crime prevention through environmental design and a follow‐up paper will discuss the future research priorities for it.
Financial statements and corporate accounts: the conceptual framework
Authors: Eccles Timothy , Holt Andrew 
Published: January 2007

PurposeThe unique characteristics of property are being recognised by those who create accounting standards. The purpose of this paper it to discuss the process by which standards are created and the opportunities for the involvement of property professionals, owners and users within the standard‐setting regime. In particular the paper seeks to draw attention to the shift towards International Accounting Standards.Design/methodology/approachThe paper is an explanation and discussion of the UK standard‐setting regime.FindingsThe paper explains the UK standard‐setting regime, introducing the shift towards International Accounting Standards.Research limitations/implicationsThe work explains the ideologies and principles forming the theoretical foundations of the conceptual framework of UK accounting. Specific issues are not discussed, and are the subject of further work by the authors.Practical implicationsIt is imperative for the surveying profession and wider property owners to be involved with the creation of accounting standards in order to ensure that property issues are reflected within them. This paper establishes the basic framework to assist them to do this.Originality/valueProperty professionals have traditionally tended to have been overlooked or ignored the consultation processes to establish new accounting standards. The paper establishes a platform to encourage them to become more involved.
Encouraging and enabling low‐income owner‐occupiers to maintain their homes
Authors: Stewart Jill , Clayton Julie , Ruston Annmarie 
Published: January 2007

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to show that owner occupation has become the prevailing tenure in the UK with owners increasingly being seen as holding primary responsibility for the condition of their properties. The UK has had a long tradition of public sector enforcement and grant‐led intervention to help preserve the nation's private sector housing stock. Recent housing policy changes have subsumed earlier grant legislation and provided a general provision for “assistance” to help owner‐occupiers maintain and repair their own homes. Simultaneously, the role of local authorities continues to shift from provider to enabler of service, with greater discretion and an increased role for other agencies at local level.Design/methodology/approachThis paper shows the focus group discussions that were held in South London to explore what low‐income owner‐occupiers in an ethnically‐diverse area would find helpful from the local authority in carrying out maintenance and repair works to their homes.FindingsThis paper reveals that some of the wider policy options put forward by the government were not always what respondents favoured, but that many would like to carry out further maintenance and repairs, given the right resource and support opportunities.Research limitations/implicationsThe paper contains an exploratory study, limited to homeowners aged over 60.Practical implicationsThe paper suggests that a range of resource and support mechanisms are required for home‐owners to carry out works to their homes as private sector housing grants continue to decline.Originality/valueThe paper seeks to put national private sector housing renewal policy into strategic practice at local authority level in helping ensure that home‐owners receive the most appropriate means of assistance and support in carrying out works to their homes.
Research notes – power of expectations
Authors: Wong Joe T.Y. , Hui Eddie C.M. 
Published: January 2007

PurposeThe objective of this paper is to demonstrate that the Pygmalion hypothesis is supported in the housing market and the hypothesis that investors are, all too frequently, unrealistically over‐optimistic cannot be rejected.Design/methodology/approachThe methodology in the paper relies on a cross‐sectional questionnaire survey and a longitudinal telephone survey.FindingsThe findings in the paper demonstrate that self‐fulfilling prophecies occur in property markets. The effect of self‐fulfilling expectations is common and more powerful than rational real estate fundamentals. The consistent pattern of significant over‐forecasting of housing prices suggest that the hypothesis that investors are, most of the time, over‐confident cannot be rejected.Research limitations/implicationsIn the longitudinal survey in this paper, only limited samples were secured. The developmental change of attitudes and buying behaviors over time was not observed. People's price expectations might be different from those reported in the first three waves of survey, as real estate fundamentals change from time to time.Practical implicationsIn the paper a forward looking approach is used to solicit people's views on current and future housing prices, investment considerations and sentiment over time. An increase in property price being simply the outcome of self‐fulfilling expectations – the Pygmalion Effect will be signaled to housing participants. Studying people's confidence and sentiments helps understand speculative enthusiasm or ‘bubble”.Originality/valueThe longitudinal survey in the paper on people's price expectations is the first of its kind in Hong Kong. The results are beneficial to policy makers, homeowners, potential homebuyers and investors. Housing decisions of potential homebuyers can be made more rationally and Government officials can have more reliable property information and data for policy formulation.
Meta‐tags: still a matter of opinion
Authors: Alimohammadi Dariush 
Published: January 2007

PurposeThe aim of the present research is to do an overview on the concept of the meta‐tag in order to determine its applicability in indexing current documents of the world wide web.Design/methodology/approachQuantitative and qualitative aspects of the meta‐tag literature and, if necessary, the related part of the metadata literature were reviewed to explore the type and approach of the researches in these areas of studies. By using the literature review method, 30 articles were studied and categorized into three classes including theoretical, measurement and evaluative studies.FindingsA paradoxical feature was observed which reflects a disagreement among researchers.Originality/valueThe paper concludes that the meta‐tag is still a matter of opinion and more studies are needed in this area of research.
End‐user requesting – trail‐blazing, Kiwi style
Authors: Reid David , Bowden Margot , McCartin Shona 
Published: January 2007

PurposeEnd‐user requesting in New Zealand remains a relatively new phenomenon. The National Library of New Zealand has conducted two separate pilot projects with different institutions. This paper aims to consider the differences between the two projects and looks at the trends that emerged.Design/methodology/approachThe pilot projects occurred over similar timeframes, 12 months apart. Each used a different interface from which end‐users submitted their requests. The projects aimed to test workflow processes and ascertain the impacts for end‐users and library staff. System impacts and maintenance requirements, how the results would feed into best practice guidelines, and recommend future developments were also considered.FindingsThis paper details the different user responses elicited during the evaluation processes. A large proportion of end‐users in both projects confirmed that they would use this method of request creation again. The results confirm that end‐user requesting does work in a utility environment.Practical implicationsBoth projects continue in production with differing levels of involvement. The Lincoln University project continues following a redevelopment of the request screens based on what end‐users identified as important to them. The Landcare Research project continues with a more low key approach as the National Library of New Zealand considers the future developments required to enhance the end‐user experience and product up‐take in New Zealand.Originality/valueThis paper is of value to interloan librarians and especially those in an academic environment. It provides a compact case study where a national electronic utility provides the main platform for interlending and document supply in one country.
The role of technology in the emergence of the information society in India
Authors: Prabha Singh Shashi 
Published: January 2007

PurposeIndia is the largest democracy in the world with a population of 1,027 million people, of which 35 per cent are still illiterate. The paper describes the role that information and communication technologies are playing for Indian society to educate them formally or informally which is ultimately helping India to emerge as an information society.Design/methodology/approachThe basic approach has been a literature review to find the historical situation and present the prevailing scenario as well as the change that are taking place with the application of ICT to the advantage of the society in different areas including daily life.FindingsThe paper briefly describes the changes that are taking place with the application of ICT to the advantage of the society in different areas including daily life. It briefly describes the various initiatives taken in various states and union territories of India to take advantages of ICT.Originality/valueThe paper provides the clear picture of India and Indian endeavours to adopt the new technologies to become an information society.
Adoption of information and communication technology (ICT) in academic libraries
Authors: Ani Okon E. , Esin Jacob E. , Edem Nkoyo 
Published: January 2007

PurposeThis study aims to investigate the extent of adoption of information and communication technology (ICT) in university libraries in Nigeria.Design/methodology/approachPostal survey was the instrument used for data collection. Almost 60 per cent of the University Librarians out of the 29 university libraries surveyed completed their questionnaires.FindingsThe results of the survey show that only six university libraries are fully “computerized”, nine are “about to be computerized”; seven of the surveyed libraries have installed local area networks, five have online public access catalogue and only four libraries provide internet service. The major obstacles that influence effective adoption of ICT in university libraries are inadequate funds and the poor state of electricity in Nigeria.Practical implicationsThe federal government should increase the present level of funding of Nigerian university to improve the library development fund, which is the major source of funding available to university libraries. The poor state of electricity in Nigeria should also be improved by the federal government for sustainable adoption of ICT by university libraries.Originality/valueThe paper proposes that computer networking of university libraries is feasible and recommends the development of the Nigerian university libraries network and academic libraries network.
Technology, theory and learning
Authors: Herther Nancy K. 
Published: January 2007

PurposeThe purpose of this article is to advocate for a broader discussion of potential needs for better communication and theory in the areas of technological adoption, management and application in libraries and information centers.Design/methodology/approachFrom personal readings, reflection, experience and the insights of others in the field, the paper considers movements in the larger library and information science (LIS) theoretical literature and its potential application to technology issues.FindingsNumerous areas of potential future research and action in the field are identified to stimulate further discussion and efforts.Originality/valueAlthough these newer theoretical discussions have stimulated research and reflection in the few, few discussions have been made in the information technology arena, an area ripe for such consideration.
Assessing the IBSS database from a novice user perspective
Authors: Lockyer Suzanne , Creaser Claire , Eric Davies J. 
Published: January 2007

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to describe the methodology used in the 2004 user survey of the International Bibliography of the Social Sciences (IBSS).Design/methodology/approachAn online survey of users of the IBSS was combined with hands‐on sessions with novice users of the system at three UK universities. The online survey was a structured questionnaire aimed at experienced users, whilst the hands‐on sessions sought more qualitative data on the novice users' reported and observed use of the IBSS.FindingsIn addition to data specific to each part of the study, the findings from the online survey and hands‐on survey showed some convergence, strengthening the value of the overall results. In particular, the demand for full text links and the advantage of some user training were features of both parts of the study.Originality/valueThis was neither an in‐house survey nor an academic investigation, but a project undertaken for a client, and thus subject to the client's specifications and a strict time‐scale. The request for hands‐on sessions in addition to the usual online survey required design of an instrument which could elicit the maximum amount of data within the time available (about two hours at each institution).