bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Examining “peer‐to‐peer” (P2P) systems as consumer‐to‐consumer (C2C) exchange
Authors: Plouffe Christopher R. 
Published: October 2008

PurposeThe exchange of goods between individual consumers being facilitated by the internet and “peer‐to‐peer” (P2P) systems is severely altering the business landscape. In broader terms, P2P exchanges are a form of what has occasionally been labeled “consumer‐to‐consumer” (C2C) exchange. What little work there is in business research which has examined both C2C and P2P exchange has to‐date been largely anecdotal or conceptual. This paper aims to address these shortcomingsDesign/methodology/approachA model of antecedents germane to the P2P phenomenon is formulated and empirically tested which includes the consumer's satisfaction with, extent of usage of, and future behavioral intentions toward P2P exchanges as the focal endogenous constructs of interest.FindingsThe model is tested with perceptual and archival data from a survey of consumers active in one prevalent form of P2P exchange (i.e. the “swapping” of pirated music). The model explains significant variance in all three focal endogenous constructs.Research limitations/implicationsThe primary limitations include the study's exploratory nature and not being able to incorporate all potentially salient constructs and variables germane to the P2P phenomenon within the context of the study reported here. Additionally, and from a sampling perspective, a more heterogeneous sample may benefit future research.Practical implicationsThe key insight emerging from the work is that the wide prevalence of P2P exchanges occurring globally between consumers has more to do with unexplored aspects of the phenomenon (such as its convenience; the “connectedness” it makes consumers feel to others) and seemingly much less to do with traditional marketing mix variables.Originality/valueWhile much has been written in the practitioner ranks and popular press about the problem of P2P exchanges, this work represents one of the first empirical studies of the antecedent drivers of the phenomenon. As is articulated in the paper's concluding sections, from a more embracing frame of reference, P2P systems and “consumer‐to‐consumer” exchanges are not the dire threats many marketing managers believe them to be. Challenges remain, however, for marketers to determine how to best harness these powerful new systems.
Exploring children's understanding of television advertising – beyond the advertiser's perspective
Authors: Lawlor Margaret‐Anne , Prothero Andrea 
Published: October 2008

PurposeThe aim of this article is to explore children's understanding of television advertising intent.Design/methodology/approachA different perspective on advertising intent is offered in this paper, as evidenced in an interpretive study of Irish children, aged between seven and nine years. A qualitative approach was employed, involving a series of focus group discussions and in‐depth interviews with 52 children.FindingsThe findings indicate that the participating children view advertising as serving interests including, but not limited to, the advertiser. The existence of other interested parties is suggested by the children, namely the agendas of viewers and television channels. The authors assert that these children view advertising as being larger and more complex than the advertiser's perspective, which has been the traditional focus in the extant research.Originality/valueAdopting an advertising literacy perspective, the authors seek to explore children's “reading” and understanding of advertising. Advertising literacy is an approach to understanding advertising that has not received substantial attention in the child‐advertising literature. The literature to date has tended to focus on the following question – do children understand the persuasive intent of advertising? This question is suggestive of a “yes/no” answer. In contrast, the authors view the concept of understanding as being more complex and multi‐faceted, and accordingly, seek to develop this concept by way of a classification that suggests four different levels of understanding that children may exhibit towards advertising
Global web site standardization in the new EU member states
Authors: Okazaki Shintaro , Skapa Radoslav 
Published: October 2008

PurposeThe purpose of this study is to examine American multinational corporations' (MNC's) web site standardization in Poland and the Czech Republic. The theoretical framework was adopted from global marketing strategy (GMS) theory, which focuses on three primary strategies: strategy to create a uniform brand image; strategy to appeal to cross‐border segments; and strategy to express culturally bound meaning. To this end, MNCs are posited to pursue the standardization of corporate visual components and web site functions, and the localization of textual information.Design/methodology/approachUsing web site content analysis techniques, the similarity between the home (US) and host (Polish or Czech) sites is evaluated, and the existence of web site functions in each site is coded. As a secondary reference point, German sites are also examined. Two native coders per country are employed, and the reliability scores are deemed to be satisfactory. Multivariate analyses, including a multiple discriminant analysis and a multiple correspondence analysis, were applied to test the principal thesis of the study.FindingsThe findings suggest that American MNCs tend to apply a high level of visual components in Polish and Czech sites. However, the level of standardization in textual messages is notably low. Specifically, it appears that the textual information in Polish sites is highly localized – despite their uniform visuals, in the same manner as German sites. In addition, MNCs use web site functions in Polish sites to a similar extent to their home US sites, but to a much lesser extent in Czech sites.Originality/valueThe findings of this study make an important contribution to the literature, electronic commerce research in this region is extremely scarce. In addition, the theoretical framework, based on GMS theory, appears to be a useful stepping‐stone in this area. Along with recent findings in international advertising standardization, this study also provides unique evidence that European integration affects firms' marketing standardization strategy, not only offline, but also in the online marketing environment.
Broadening even more the internal marketing concept
Authors: Ferreira Vasconcelos Anselmo 
Published: October 2008

PurposeBased on the reasoning that work means more than just material rewards, the purpose of this paper is to propose the broadening of internal marketing concept (IMC) role through incorporation of happiness in the workplace (HWP) construct.Design/methodology/approachA conceptual approach is outlined.FindingsThis paper provides a theoretical foundation and conceptual framework – based on internal marketing (IM) variables – explaining how goals related to HWP could be achieved.Practical implicationsGiven that happiness in life is a goal that everyone pursues, and HWP is one of its dimensions, it is suggested that firms could employ it as a strategy to maintain and motivate their best assets (i.e. their employees). It also suggests that work is far beyond a simple exchange process between employers and employees. Thus, given the nature and meaning of work for human beings, it should be treated as a channel whereby people could improve their self‐esteem and could fulfill themselves through their tasks on the job and feel happy.Originality/valueRegarding IMC managerial approach and features, it is sustained that it could more aptly address the issue of HWP. To some degree, the desire of HWP brings about the need of changing the current management mindset that puts people on a secondary role.
The implementation of a market orientation
Authors: van Raaij Erik M. , Stoelhorst J.W. 
Published: October 2008

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to review the market orientation literature from a managerial perspective and to discuss and integrate the implementation lessons that can be drawn from it.Design/methodology/approachThe paper starts with a review of the managerial implications of the market orientation literature. It then provides an overview of nine implementation approaches. It draws on an integrative model of marketing orientation to organize the implementation lessons from the literature into an actionable approach to implementing a market orientation.FindingsThe paper finds that the literature offers a rich, yet fragmented, picture of what market orientation is, and how it can be improved.Research limitations/implicationsThe paper identifies a conceptual gap in the literature between market orientation and customer value generation and offers a model to bridge this gap that can serve as a guide for future theory development and empirical research.Practical implicationsThe paper identifies four design enablers and three development enablers that can guide managerial action to improve market orientation and offers practitioners a structured way to go about the implementation of a market orientation.Originality/valueDespite significant advances in the development of market orientation theory, there is still a void in the literature with respect to the implementation of a market orientation. This paper is the first to review the market orientation literature from a managerial perspective, to provide an overview of the implementation approaches published to date, and to integrate the managerial implications of the market orientation literature.
Market orientation and internationalisation in small software firms
Authors: Ruokonen Mika , Nummela Niina , Puumalainen Kaisu , Saarenketo Sami 
Published: October 2008

PurposeThis paper aims to analyse the role of market orientation in the internationalisation of small software firms.Design/methodology/approachThe study combines qualitative case studies with quantitative data from the firms in question.FindingsMarket orientation in the internationalisation of knowledge‐intensive small firms consists of three elements: customer orientation, competitor orientation and value‐network coordination. Achieving a successful balance between these elements will considerably smoothen the internationalisation process.Practical implicationsThe results of this study suggest that small companies should consider their market‐oriented behaviour in line with their value network. The role of market orientation may also vary according to market‐pull or technology‐push conditions.Originality/valueThis study is among the first empirical contributions to combine the internationalisation and market‐orientation approaches in studying SMEs. It also contributes to achieving a better understanding of the market‐orientation concept from the perspective of small high‐technology firms.
Customer‐employee relationship
Authors: Jamal Ahmad , Adelowore Adegboyega 
Published: October 2008

PurposeMany have applied the concept of congruence or fit in the context of person‐organization, person‐environment and person‐person relationships and interactions. However, despite the significance of customer‐employee interactions and relations in a services context, no research has investigated the effects of congruence between a customer's self‐concept and employee‐image on important relational outcomes such as relationship satisfaction, loyalty to employees and satisfaction towards service provider. The paper aims to fill this gap in the literature and to investigate the effects of self‐employee congruence on customer satisfaction via the mediating effects of personal interaction, relationship satisfaction and loyalty to employees. The paper also seeks to investigate the links among personal interaction, relationship satisfaction and loyalty towards employees.Design/methodology/approachThe paper uses a causal modelling approach and proposes a conceptual model after an extensive review of the literature related to consumer behaviour, organizational behaviour, relationship marketing and services marketing. The paper is based on a sample of 203 customers of bank users in Nigeria who completed a self‐administered questionnaire. The paper uses confirmatory factor analysis and SEM to analyse and confirm the conceptual model proposed in this research.FindingsThe paper demonstrates that self‐employee congruence is an important antecedent of personal interaction, relationship satisfaction and loyalty to employees each of which is in turn positively linked to customer satisfaction towards the service provider.Research limitations/implicationsThe paper discusses implications for service marketers and for retail banking sector and highlights the significance of self‐employee congruence for service design and delivery, advertising strategies and suggests future research directions.Originality/valueThe paper is first of its kind to discuss the effects of perceived similarities between customers and employees on some important relational constructs such as personal interaction, relationship satisfaction, loyalty towards employees and towards customer satisfaction.
Employees' affective commitment to change
Authors: Shum Philip , Bove Liliana , Auh Seigyoung 
Published: October 2008

PurposeAlthough organizational change is inevitable with customer relationship management (CRM) implementation, very little is known about how this change affect employees, and how their actions in turn influence the success of CRM projects. The purpose of this study is to address this void in the current CRM literature.Design/methodology/approachUsing an exploratory approach, 13 in‐depth interviews were conducted with bank managers and staff of three banks to provide preliminary support for the conceptual framework.FindingsThe three banks approached their CRM projects with very different results. Two banks achieved less success from their CRM implementation as a result of too little focus being placed on managing CRM‐induced change and people. Only one bank focused a large part of its CRM budget on change management and the organizational factors critical to the implementation. Results demonstrate a possible correlation between employees' commitment to the CRM initiative and the positive outcomes of a bank's performance.Research limitations/implicationsThis paper lays down the foundation for more thorough studies on employees' affective commitment to change in the CRM context. Empirical research will be needed to verify the conceptual model presented.Practical implicationsThe importance of identifying and securing employees' affective commitment to CRM‐induced change to ensure the successful roll out of a CRM implementation is highlighted.Originality/valueInitial evidence is gained of the importance of employee commitment to CRM induced change for successful CRM implementation. A total of six organizational drivers are identified which assist in gaining employee commitment to CRM induced change.
Market knowledge diffusion and business performance
Authors: Hughes Paul , Morgan Robert E. , Kouropalatis Yiannis 
Published: October 2008

PurposeDrawing on the burgeoning proactive market orientation literature and its role within the organizational learning‐performance thesis, the aim of this aricle is to investigate further this nomological network.Design/methodology/approachThe article adopts a market knowledge diffusion approach to examine the effect of organizational learning (a second‐order construct composed of knowledge acquisition, information distribution, information interpretation, and organizational memory) on both (reactive) market orientation and strategic proactiveness. Thereafter, it identifies both the pattern of direct relationships between these constructs and business performance and those moderated by strategic market planning capabilities. Using data generated from European high technology SBUs, the article uses structural equation modelling to test these relationships.FindingsIt is found that organizational learning does significantly effect both proactive market orientation and strategic proactiveness. However, there is no direct effect of strategic proactiveness on business performance, but rather this relationship is mediated by market orientation. It is also found that strategic market planning capabilities moderate the market orientation‐business performance relationship.Originality/valueThis study acknowledges the paradox that results from the potential conflict between two important elements of strategy: commitment and flexibility. The article contributes and expands on the existing research by adopting the strategic ambidexterity perspective, effectively considering the co‐existence of commitment and flexibility and the associated positive performance implications.
Scholars who stare at goats
Authors: Bradshaw Alan , Brown Stephen 
Published: October 2008

PurposeCollaboration is the norm in marketing and consumer research, yet the dynamics of academic cooperation are poorly understood. The aim of this paper is to probe the sociology of collaboration within marketing scholarship by means of a detailed case study of the seminal consumer odyssey.Design/methodology/approachThe paper presents a history of the consumer odyssey based on a range of secondary sources.FindingsThe consumer odyssey, one of many collaborate circles in marketing thought, was a seminal moment in the development of marketing research.Practical implicationsThis paper encourages reflection on the dynamics of collaboration and the collegial character of marketing scholarship. Also, the paper has implications for institutional policy, for example the RAE, which measures research as an individual endeavour.Originality/valueThis paper presents a rare reflection on the social dynamics of marketing scholarship. Although it focuses on the interpretive research tradition within consumer research, its findings are relevant to every marketing academic, regardless of their philosophical bent, empirical concern or methodological preference.
Mapping the context and practice of training, development and HRD in European call centres
Authors: Garavan Thomas N. , Wilson John P. , Cross Christine , Carbery Ronan , Sieben Inga , de Grip Andries , Strandberg Christer , Gubbins Claire , Shanahan Valerie , Hogan Carole , McCracken Martin , Heaton Norma 
Published: October 2008

PurposeUtilising data from 18 in‐depth case studies, this study seeks to explore training, development and human resource development (HRD) practices in European call centres. It aims to argue that the complexity and diversity of training, development and HRD practices is best understood by studying the multilayered contexts within which call centres operate. Call centres operate as open systems and training, development and HRD practices are influenced by environmental, strategic, organisational and temporal conditions.Design/methodology/approachThe study utilised a range of research methods, including in‐depth interviews with multiple stakeholders, documentary analysis and observation. The study was conducted over a two‐year period.FindingsThe results indicate that normative models of HRD are not particularly valuable and that training, development and HRD in call centres is emergent and highly complex.Originality/valueThis study represents one of the first studies to investigate training and development and HRD practices and systems in European call centres.
A new grey decision dynamic model based on cybernetics knowledge for complex system optimization analyzing and its practical application
Authors: Bai Xiaoping , Wang Hongming 
Published: October 2008

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to seek an approach to study decision making and optimization analyzing of enterprises with multi‐factors.Design/methodology/approachIn this paper, a new grey decision dynamic model was set up; it integrates with modified GM model, the transfer function and response characteristic of cybernetics, and other knowledge. The building steps of this integrated model and its application method in a certain enterprise were presented.FindingsUntil recently, there have been many references studying grey decision or grey relational analysis of factors, but it was found that dynamic affecting of multi‐factors for enterprise production and their affecting levels were not studied synthetically in these references, and by this new dynamic model, these useful conclusions can be gotten.Research limitations/implicationsThe built time response equation and dynamic model in this paper can be only used for whole regularity analysis and not suited to daily one‐to‐one analyzing; otherwise the error of the reductive values must be tested.Practical implicationsThis new grey decision dynamic model can be used widely in decision making and optimization analyzing of enterprises with multi‐factors. Practical applying results show that the proposed method can instruct effectively actual production.Originality/valueThis paper offers a new grey decision dynamic model that can be used in decision making and optimization analyzing of enterprises with multi‐factors. By applying this new dynamic model in practice, some useful conclusions are drawn; some dynamic factors affecting production capacity of enterprises and their affecting levels can be found.
Construction and analysis of contract feasible set under quantity‐discount contract
Authors: Cao Wujun , He Peiying , Wang Jinfeng 
Published: October 2008

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to look at how, in order to fit the practical environment, the scopes of the order‐quantity of a quantity discount contract are enlarged.Design/methodology/approachThe contract feasible set (CFS) is discussed to extend the order quantity from a single point to an interval.FindingsThe application of the CFS can enlarge the scope of the contracts of the supply chain. The CFS can be used in the practice.Research limitations/implicationsThe CFS of the quantity‐discount contract only is discussed. The other contracts do not be involved.Practical implicationsA very useful advice for construction the parameters of the contracts.Originality/valueThe concept of the CFS is defined. The new approach that extend the parameters of the contracts from a single point to an interval is provided.
Research on the inventory scheduling model based on agent‐oriented Petri net in supply chain
Authors: Chen Dejun , Zhou Zude , Hu Rui 
Published: October 2008

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to create the inventory scheduling model for supply chain system.Design/methodology/approachAiming at the problems of analysis and modeling of multi‐agent system, an agent‐oriented Petri net (AOPN) model is proposed by introducing the characteristics of agent based on Petri net, and formalization definition of AOPN is presented. Combined with the inventory scheduling in supply chain system, inventory scheduling model based on AOPN is constructed. On the basis of the inventory scheduling model, its program model is designed. Then the reachability of the inventory scheduling model is analyzed and its soundness is verified.FindingsThe AOPN model and inventory scheduling model based on AOPN in supply chain system are found.Research limitations/implicationsThe reasonable basic function design of various agents are main limitations.Practical implicationsA very useful tool of analysis for the modeling of inventory scheduling in supply chain system.Originality/valueThe paper presents a new modeling method of inventory scheduling in supply chain system. This paper is aimed at researchers and engineers.