bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
A review of refuse collection systems in high‐rise housings in Hong Kong
Authors: Chan Edwin H.W. , Lee Grace K.L. 
Published: July 2006

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to review the current refuse collection systems available in major conurbations such as Hong Kong and to explore better solutions to alleviate the negative impacts of local domestic waste treatment.Design/methodology/approachThis paper first reviews and evaluates current refuse collection methods in Hong Kong. Second, the social acceptability and financial viability of these alternative systems are investigated by means of a questionnaire survey. After analyzing the data, guiding solutions for local domestic waste treatment are developed.FindingsThe literature has shown the characteristics, the strength and the weakness of refuse collection systems commonly found in major conurbations. The questionnaire survey indicated that Hong Kong citizens supported or preferred an automated refuse collection system that could treat the refuse in a more hygienic way. Though the occupants were willing to make some financial contributions, they were unwilling to pay the amount money required to support the operation of the system.Research limitations/implicationThe study has not yet confirmed statistically the relationship between residents' health and refuse collection methods. Therefore, further researches should be carried out in future with more extensive data collection to pinpoint health hazard induced by refuse collection process.Originality/valueThis paper provides information about major refuse collection systems available in the territory, shows the perceptions and different preferences of the residents on those systems taking account of the costs they could bear. It proves the value reference for good building management.
Marketers with MBAs: bridging the thinking‐doing divide
Authors: Bruce Grady , Schoenfeld Gregg 
Published: July 2006

PurposeTo investigate the skills and abilities that MBAs who study marketing, those occupying marketing positions, and companies that hire marketers regard as important; the level of competency required to perform on the job; and areas that need improvement, whether through on‐the‐job training, continuing education, or changes in MBA curricula.Design/methodology/approachLarge‐scale international longitudinal and cross‐sectional surveys used to assess skill development, skill requirements, and the need for additional education provides the foundation of this paper. The data are obtained from three surveys conducted by the Graduate Management Admission Council: Global MBA Graduate Survey, MBA Alumni Perspectives Survey, and Corporate Recruiters Survey.FindingsUnderstanding the perspectives of different constituencies provides an in‐depth and comprehensive view of the skills and abilities needed by those who work in marketing. Without the assistance of a crystal ball to peer into the future, an empirical investigation is required into the relationship between skill development in the classroom, practical use of skills in the field, and the requirements of hiring companies for graduates. The paper identifies a thinking‐doing divide, discusses why it exists, and suggests how it may be corrected.Research limitations/implicationsThe research, although consisting of large international samples, is limited to students and alumni of graduate business schools and companies that hire MBAs. Even though the scope of the samples is limited to more advanced practitioners, the information is useful to faculty, students, and companies at all levels to assist in developing marketers of the future.Originality/valueThis paper presents data from three viewpoints that taken together yield a comprehensive picture of graduate education for marketers as it exists today, and clearly suggests directions for graduate education of future marketers.
Narrowing the skills gap for marketers of the future
Authors: Dacko Scott G. 
Published: July 2006

PurposeThe purpose of the research is first, to understand, explain, and evaluate the nature and extent of marketing skill development in MBA programmes relative to the needs and desires of practitioners and students, and second, to present findings and recommendations for increasing the effectiveness of skill development in MBA programmes for the benefit of both marketing practitioners and academics.Design/methodology/approachThe research design/methodology is based primarily on survey research on skill development in MBA programmes from the perspectives of both graduates and marketing practitioners.FindingsThis research suggests that six important skill weaknesses – decision making, leadership, problem formulation, persuasion, creativity, and negotiation – need to be developed among future marketers and that a marketing education framework should be based on the pillars of a project and dissertation, classroom debate and discussion, and oral presentations.Research limitations/implicationsFuture research should focus on understanding and explaining to an even greater extent how marketing education can make more effective use of interactive, hands‐on learning approaches typified by a project and dissertation, classroom debates and discussions, and oral presentations.Practical implicationsImplications for practice include the suggestion that practitioners must also assume responsibility for developing initiatives that facilitate marketing skill development as well.Originality/valueThe new and original value and contribution of the research is that it extensively characterises and quantifies the extent of a marketing skill development gap – the gap between what marketing skills are being developed in MBA programmes and what practitioners want and need in marketers of the future in addition to providing recommendations to close the marketing skills gap.
Educating practitioners to value new marketing knowledge
Authors: Pavia Teresa M. 
Published: July 2006

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to detail teaching and learning strategies designed to incorporate advances in marketing and continued interest in new marketing knowledge.Design/methodology/approachThe current debate concerning the transfer of new marketing knowledge from academics to practitioners is reviewed. Teaching and learning strategies that increase exposure to and interest in new marketing knowledge are described.FindingsCertain classroom strategies that increase the transmission of new marketing knowledge appear to increase the receptivity towards future advances. The argument is made that the use of such strategies helps move marketing academics from a push strategy for disseminating marketing knowledge to a pull strategy.Research limitation/implicationsThe strategies described here have been used with highly motivated, experienced students, such as executives.Practical implicationsThe specific classroom techniques have been refined over a number of years and offer ideas that are immediately applicable to marketing faculty.Originality/valueThe educational approach presented here derives from a firm grounding in both research and teaching and offers a practical approach to bridging the academic‐practitioner divide.
The globalisation of Chinese brands
Authors: Fan Ying 
Published: July 2006

PurposeTo examine the state of health of branding in China, focusing on the performance of major Chinese enterprises in creating brands (as distinct from brand names), sustaining them in the huge domestic market and expand them into global markets.Design/methodology/approachThe study begins with a historical review of the development of marketing in China, discusses the transition from price competition to branding in the domestic market, and explains the role of government in the process. Thereafter, case histories describe, analyse and discuss the routes to internationalisation followed by taken by six of China's biggest brands.FindingsModern Chinese companies are large and successful as manufacturers, but uncertain about the relative merits of branding and global marketing versus continuation as OEMs for established global brands. If they do have international ambitions, they seem unsure about strategy, or even about where to look for precedents and advice. Many initiatives have met with comparative failure; only one, the Lemovo‐IBM merger, seems to offer a blueprint for success, but has been in operation only since 2005. Many lessons remain to be learnt, applied and tested.Research limitations/implicationsSix case histories, however well chosen, cannot be considered a definitive picture of the Chinese approach to international brand marketing. The findings are nevertheless highly indicative.Practical implicationsInternational marketing strategists are obliged to have an interest in China, by virtue of the simple fact of its size and dynamism. Several of the companies discussed are the largest of their kind in the world. Despite the limitations noted, the actual and potential conclusions to be drawn from the findings reported here are therefore a significant contribution to the body of applicable knowledge.Originality/valueWhereas many authors have studied Western brands in China, little has been known about the potential of Chinese brands in the West.
Empirical findings on the perceived use of digital multimedia broadcasting mobile phone services
Authors: Shim J.P. , Ahn Kyungmo , Shim Julie M. 
Published: July 2006

PurposeThe purpose of this study is to present an overview of digital multimedia broadcasting (DMB) and to explore the users' perception on DMB cellular phone or “cellevision”, video‐on‐the‐go services that deliver television to cell phones.Design/methodology/approachThis two‐phase study explores users' reactions to DMB contents and services, users' perceptions on the pricing of DMB phone handsets, phone usage time, program contents, and DMB carrier services. Findings from the use of qualitative method of existential phenomenology were explored further with quantitative analyses including T‐test, ANOVA, and Duncan test.FindingsThe young generation will be a major impact on the DMB market due to their mindset and lifestyle. Thus, the DMB market strategy should be to base decisions on reaching out and focusing on the younger generation (especially, the teens) as the latest trendsetters.Research limitations/implicationsThe sample size was collected during the experimental/trial stages of satellite DMB services. This research should be continued to solidify findings with an increased sample size of respondents collected during the actual stage of satellite‐DMB and terrestrial‐DMB services.Practical implicationsThe findings from this exploratory research will be valuable for the DMB service and content providers to gain insight into various age groups and their perceptions.Originality/valueThis study is the first kind of research in this area. With the study as a forerunner, the authors examined the effect of DMB mobile phone program contents and services on users.
Maturity model for IT outsourcing relationships
Authors: Gottschalk Petter , Solli‐Sæther Hans 
Published: July 2006

PurposeThe purpose of this research paper is to present a maturity model for IT outsourcing relationships.Design/methodology/approachBased on organizational theories and outsourcing practices, this research identified cost stage, resource stage and partnership stage as maturity stages in outsourcing relationships.FindingsFirst, relationships focus on economic benefits, then there are concerns about access to competence, and finally the development of norms and alliance management are the main focus. Benchmark variables for each stage are suggested. Future research might apply this framework to empirically test the evolution of IT outsourcing relationships.Practical implicationsManaging successful IT outsourcing relationships requires a consistent understanding of maturity stage between vendor and client in the relationship.Originality/valueThis paper suggests that a long‐term IT outsourcing relationship will shift focus as it matures. The original value of the paper is the theory‐based stage model having implications for managers in understanding the current and desired situation for an outsourcing relationship.
Quality improvement oriented training and education programme and its financial accounting system
Authors: Kathiravan N. , Devadasan S.R. , Muhammed Zakkeer M. 
Published: July 2006

PurposeTo design a quality improvement oriented training and education programme (Q_TEPS) for a company manufacturing milk products and to explore its performance using a financial accounting system.Design/methodology/approachA company manufacturing milk products was visited and the processes were studied. The literature on Q_TEPS was referred to design Q_TEPS unique to the milk product manufacturing company. The feasibility of implementing Q_TEPS in the company was checked by interviewing the executives. A financial accounting system was used to evolve the income and expenditure account and the balance sheet pertaining to Q_TEPS in the company. The feedback collected using questionnaires was used to establish the validity of Q_TEPS and their financial accounting system in the company.FindingsThe implementation of Q_TEPS in the milk manufacturing company would enable the company to reap a considerable number of tangible and intangible benefits.Research limitations/implicationsIt being a government run company, test implementing Q_TEPS was not possible. The income and expenditure account and balance sheet were developed by projecting the performance of Q_TEPS in the company. However, this exercise was done with the consultation of the executives in the company and hence the values projected in the above statements may not deviate considerably from the real time performance of Q_TEPS.Practical implicationsThe feedback on Q_TEPS and their financial accounting system led to an impression that they can be implemented in practice. However, in order to enable this, the business procedures must be made simple, flexible and friendly to experiment such research programmes in the future.Originality/valueThe literature review indicates that no work has been done on implementing Q_TEPS in a milk product producing company. Also, it is discernable that the performance of Q_TEPS has not been viewed using financial values. The contribution of this paper would lead to the attainment of these research and practical imperatives.
Categorizing web features and functions to evaluate commercial web sites
Authors: Huang Wayne , Le Taowen , Li X. , Gandha S. 
Published: July 2006

PurposeTo propose an assessment framework that can be used to categorise and assess commercial web sites from the perspective of web‐technological features and functions and to demonstrate its usefulness.Design/methodology/approachDrawing on prior relevant research and successful web site design experiences of industrial experts in the field, an assessment framework that can be used to categorise and assess web features and functions is proposed, and 252 commercial web sites of listed Australian companies were randomly sampled and assessed to demonstrate the usefulness of the proposed assessment framework.FindingsThe proposed assessment framework provides valuable insights. While different companies normally use different web‐technological features and functions on their web sites, certain features and functions have been more commonly used in designing commercial web sites than others, and certain differences in the use of web features and functions on commercial web sites exist across different industries.Research limitations/implicationsThis research studied commercial web sites of Australian companies. Possible differences in the use of web features and functions on commercial web sites across different countries remain to be explored.Originality/valueAlthough various approaches have been proposed in previous studies to evaluate commercial web sites, no prior research could be found to assess commercial web sites from the perspective of web‐technological features and functions. This research proposed an assessment framework that can be used to categorise and assess commercial web sites from the perspective of web‐technological features and functions and demonstrated its usefulness. It also provided valuable insights to commercial web site owners and designers.
Contracting for implementation of standard software
Authors: Robey Michael , Coney Donald , Sommer Rainer A. 
Published: July 2006

PurposeTraditional contract vehicles do not align well with enterprise resource planning (ERP) implementation methodologies. The purpose of this paper is to identify different contract vehicles and how they map to ERP implementation methodologies. Traditional contract vehicles are more process‐oriented than outcome‐focused. Successful standard software implementations are dependent on the outcome. The misalignment of process‐oriented contract vehicles and results‐oriented implementation methodologies leads to many implementation problems with respect to scope creep and ill‐defined interfaces.Design/methodology/approachThe study is based on research from public and private sector contracting documents, interviews and a review of case studies to show that there is a misalignment between contract vehicles, implementation methods and the eventual project plan.FindingsThe research concluded that phased or life‐cycle contracting is the best approach when implementing standard (off the shelf) software in an ERP solution. This approach mimics the recognized life‐cycle approach to product/project management where a large project is broken up into several smaller stages.Research limitations/implicationsThe data analyzed are from primary and secondary sources such as direct interviews, case study and contract reviews. The primary focus is based on US Federal Agency acquisition and planning policies.Originality/valueIdentifies different contract vehicles and how they map to ERP implementation methodologies.
Using data mining to improve traffic safety programs
Authors: Solomon Scott , Nguyen Hang , Liebowitz Jay , Agresti William 
Published: July 2006

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to demonstrate how the use of data mining (DM) analysis can be used to evaluate how well cameras that monitor red‐light‐signal controlled intersections improve traffic safety by reducing fatalities.Design/methodology/approachThe paper demonstrates several different data modeling techniques – decision trees, neural networks, market‐basket analysis and K‐means models. Decision trees build rule sets that can abet future decision making. Neural networks try to predict future outcomes by looking at the effects of historical inputs. Market‐basket analysis shows the strength of the relationships between variables. K‐means models weigh the impact of homogenous clusters on target variables. All of these models are demonstrated using real data gathered by the Department of Transportation from fatal accidents at red‐light‐signal controlled intersections in Maryland and Washington, DC from the year 2000 through 2003.FindingsThe results of the DM analysis will show predictable relationships between the demographic data of drivers and fatal accidents; the type of collision and fatal accidents and between the time of day and fatal accidents.Research limitations/implicationsThe limitations of missing or incomplete data sets are addressed in this paper.Practical implicationsThis paper can act as a guide to follow for red light camera program managers or local municipalities to conduct their own analysis.Originality/valueThis paper builds upon prior research in DM and also extends the body of research that examines the effectiveness of red camera programs as they mature.
Development of a survey instrument to examine consumer adoption of broadband
Authors: Dwivedi Yogesh Kumar , Choudrie Jyoti , Brinkman Willem‐Paul 
Published: July 2006

PurposeTo describe the development of a survey instrument designed to measure consumer perceptions of the broadband adoption within the UK households.Design/methodology/approachA survey research approach was employed to achieve overall aim and following three objectives of this research: to identify initial items that may help to explain the broadband adoption behaviour and determine them employing an exploratory survey approach; to confirm the representativeness of items to a particular construct domain employing content validity approach; and finally, to test the instrument in order to confirm the reliability of items and construct validity.FindingsThe final outcome of the instrument development process that culminated from the confirmatory study was a parsimonious, 39‐item instrument, consisting of ten scales, all with acceptable levels of content validity, reliability and construct validity.Practical implicationsThe developed instrument is relevant to both academic and practitioner communities who hold a particular interest in the study and management of broadband adoption from the household consumer perspective.Originality/valueThe most conspicuous contribution of the paper is to provide a reliable instrument that is fundamental to measure the household consumer's perceptions of adopting broadband internet.
Proposed verification method for the content suitability of the customer satisfaction survey
Authors: Takala Josu , Bhufhai Amnat , Phusavat Kongkiti 
Published: July 2006

PurposeTo address multiple problems facing a company's top management with respect to the customer satisfaction survey. Is the customer satisfaction survey still suitable after many years of use? What method should be applied to help ensure better utilization of information from the customer satisfaction survey? Should the three aspects (i.e. quality, delivery, and responsiveness) representing the customer satisfaction continue to be used as part of the survey's main contents. As an ISO 9001: 2000 certified company, the customer satisfaction survey is required.Design/methodology/approachA method was proposed to help integrate the survey results with other key performance indicators (or ratios). This integration represented the verification effort on the suitability of the customer satisfaction survey. The examinations into the interrelationships between these three aspects the company's performance indicators included three perspectives. They were: no time‐factor consideration; one‐period time‐lag factor; and two‐period time‐lag factor. The set of key performance indicators was selected jointly with the company's top management.FindingsThe findings indicated that the quality and responsiveness aspects were still suitable. This was because these results were closely related to the production volumes, number of customer complaints, number of customers, and, etc. Therefore, the revision of the customer satisfaction survey needed to focus on adding other aspects such as flexibility and courtesy while doing away with the delivery aspect.Practical implicationsThe proposed method, and its findings and recommendations received positive responses from the company's top management. This method utilized and related existing performance information in an integrated manner.Originality/valueThis study generated a potential approach to understand and to help interpret the customer satisfaction survey's results, to boost the utilization of relevant performance information, and likely to assist in a target‐setting process during a planning session.