bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
The global retailer's strategic proposition and choice of entry mode
Authors: Park Youngsun , Sternquist Brenda 
Published: April 2008

PurposeThe main aim of this paper is to provide research propositions that explain global retailers' international expansion. Global retailers are considered to be concentralized‐standardized retail formats.Design/methodology/approachResearch literature is used to develop the concepts related to predicting international expansion. Examples from retailers are used to set the stage for proposition development.FindingsSeven propositions are provided for further examination. These propositions are related to unique retail concept, private brands, unique capability, internalization advantages, pioneering advantages, resource availability, governance resources, and growth experience.Research limitations/implicationsThis is a conceptual paper leading to development of propositions for further testing. An empirical analysis is required to determine whether the theoretical connections can be proven.Originality/valueThe major value of the paper is the melding of theory and retail examples to explain the international expansion of a particular type of retailer. Global retailers are centralized and standardized, thereby providing an expansion opportunity in the area of franchising.
Sainsbury's in Egypt: the strange case of Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde?
Authors: El‐Amir Ayman , Burt Steve 
Published: April 2008

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is first, to explore the role of institutional theory constructs in a case of international retail divestment. Second, to examine the potential of constructed metaphors as a means of analyzing and communicating the findings of managerial research.Design/methodology/approachThe data were generated from participant observations and interactions with stakeholder groups during a three‐month ethnographic study based in a Sainsbury store in Egypt. Data were analysed and presented via a constructed metaphor – namely Robert Louis Stevenson's story of Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde.FindingsThe case illustrated an apparent paradox between Sainsbury's technical superiority as a retail operator in the Egyptian market, and its social inferiority in its interactions with a variety of stakeholders, primarily customers and employees. The use of the metaphor to organize, analyse and present the findings proves to be a fruitful way to illustrate this issue, and parallels between the two “stories” provide further insights into behaviour – the denial of responsibility for (and the existence of) social inadequacies; and the implicit (and inevitable) existence of the capacity for social inadequacy in any business organization.Practical implicationsThe potential to communicate managerial lessons by telling “stories” (the case) through well‐known “stories” (the novel) is highlighted.Originality/valueThe use of the constructed metaphor to analyse a case of international retail divestment is, to the authors' knowledge, unique and enhances the understanding of the legitimisation process and the role of socio‐moral codes in this process.
Vision effects in Thai retail stores: practical implications
Authors: Kantabutra Sooksan 
Published: April 2008

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to examine the relationships between vision attributes and content, and customer and staff satisfaction in Thai retail stores, taking into account vision realization factors of vision communication, organizational alignment, motivation of staff and empowerment of staff.Design/methodology/approachVariables of vision attributes and content, vision communication, organizational alignment, motivation of staff and empowerment of staff were derived from the literature. Data were from store managers, staff and customers of 126 apparel stores in Bangkok. These variables were tested for significant relationships through regression analyses.FindingsVision attributes is an indirect predictor of improved staff and customer satisfaction. Visions containing images about leadership were positively correlated with customer satisfaction. Motivation of staff is the only direct predictor of enhanced staff satisfaction, while vision, empowerment of staff, organizational alignment, and vision communication are four indirect predictors of improved staff satisfaction. On the other hand, vision, vision communication, empowerment of staff, motivation of staff, and staff satisfaction are five indirect predictors of enhanced customer satisfaction.Practical implicationsRetail store managers should develop a store vision characterized by the vision attributes and containing reference to market leadership. They should communicate their vision, align organizational components with the vision and empower and motivate staff according to the vision.Originality/valueWhile vision is core to vision‐based leadership theories, little is known about what characterizes an effective vision. This study explains this unknown.
The popularity of prestigious hospitality journals: a Google Scholar approach
Authors: Law Rob , van der Veen Robert 
Published: April 2008

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to show that prior studies on rating hospitality journals primarily used two major assessment categories. The first category gauges experts' perceptions of a journal's quality in terms of prestige. The second category counts objective measures that reflect journal quality in terms of popularity. The purpose of this study is to introduce a new counting method that uses Google Scholar (GS) to evaluate the citation counts of the leading hospitality journals.Design/methodology/approachThe study began with the top hospitality journals in a recent study that rated journals based on perceived quality by hospitality experts. Next the paper examined the popularity, defined as the citations in Google Scholar (GS), of these leading hospitality journals. The collection of 1960 to 2006 GS citation counts was conducted from February to August 2007.FindingsThe ranking of GS citation counts for the selected journals generally followed the perceived ratings. The International Journal of Contemporary Hospitality Management and Cornell Hotel and Restaurant Administration Quarterly performed the best in average citations per year. The International Journal of Contemporary Hospitality Management and International Journal of Hospitality Management received the largest number of average citations per published article.Research limitations/implicationsThe major limitations of this study are the mere eight hospitality journals included in the study and GS's proprietary indexing algorithm. Another limitation is the dynamic aspect of GS, which generates unequal findings over time. Still, the research findings help hospitality researchers, educators, practitioners, and students to understand the popularity of the most prestigious hospitality journals.Originality/valueThis paper is a novel attempt that uses GS for ranking popularity of the most prestigious hospitality journals.
Are highly satisfied restaurant customers really different? A quality perception perspective
Authors: Namkung Young , Jang SooCheong (Shawn) 
Published: April 2008

PurposeThis study aims to identify key quality attributes that significantly distinguish highly satisfied diners from non‐highly satisfied diners.Design/methodology/approachData were collected from four mid‐to‐upper scale restaurants: two in a mid‐western city and two in an eastern city in the USA. Logistic regression was used to determine which quality attributes are critical in distinguishing highly satisfied diners from other diners.FindingsThis study shows that appealing food presentation, tasty food, spatial seating arrangement, fascinating interior design, pleasing background music, reliable service, responsive service, and competent employees are important attributes in contributing to the high satisfaction of diners.Research limitations/implicationsThe focus of this research was mid‐to‐upper scale restaurants. The research may not be generalizable to other segments of the restaurant industry because of the small sample size and limited geographic area.Practical implicationsThe findings help restaurant managers to invest their resources more efficiently, making changes to crucial quality attributes that elicit the customer's satisfaction level.Originality/valueUnlike the previous studies on the link of quality to satisfaction, this study looks at quality perception from the perspective of a highly satisfied customer. In addition, this study encompasses diverse quality factors (food, atmospherics, and service) for a more comprehensive interpretation of dining experiences.
Do Chinese cultural values affect customer satisfaction/loyalty?
Authors: Jin Hoare Rui , Butcher Ken 
Published: April 2008

PurposeThe purpose of this study is to investigate the antecedent roles of the Chinese cultural values of “face” and “harmony” in influencing customer satisfaction/loyalty, and the service quality dimensions that are most salient to the context of Chinese diners.Design/methodology/approachA self‐administered survey was conducted for a convenience sample of Chinese diners in Australia.FindingsA factor analysis revealed three service quality dimensions: interaction quality, food appeal, and performance comparison. The results of a series of regression equations showed that both cultural factors and three quality dimensions are significantly and positively correlated to both customer satisfaction and customer loyalty. “Face” was shown to have an influence on customer satisfaction, while food appeal and performance comparison were found to influence both customer satisfaction and loyalty. Gender moderated the influence of both cultural values and quality on customer satisfaction and loyalty.Research limitations/implicationsA student sample limits generalisability of the findings to a wider population.Practical implicationsIn addition to insights on restaurant market segmentation, ideas to enhance the service encounter experience for diners are offered.
Is Capital Asset Pricing Model (CAPM) the best way to estimate cost‐of‐equity for the lodging industry?
Authors: Lee Seoki , Upneja Arun 
Published: April 2008

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to compare traditional methods of estimating the cost‐of‐equity (capital asset pricing model and Fama and French three‐factor model) with a new approach, implied cost‐of‐equity method, to provide lodging analysts, investors, executives and researchers with a more reliable way to estimate cost‐of‐equity.Design/methodology/approachThe study uses data from publicly traded lodging firms in the USA that provide all necessary financial data for cost‐of‐equity estimation. The data range from 1976 to 2005.FindingsThe study finds that the price‐to‐forward earnings (PFE), using the implied cost‐of‐equity (ICE), approach, estimates cost‐of‐equity of publicly‐traded lodging firms more reliably, compared with CAPM.Practical implicationsThe study recommends that lodging industry analysts, investors, executives and researchers adopt the ICE approach, especially using the PFE model, to estimate cost‐of‐equity of publicly‐traded lodging firms.Originality/valueThe study attempts to provide a more reliable approach to estimate cost‐of‐equity for publicly‐traded lodging firms, specifically compared with the traditional approach, the CAPM.
Predictors of burnout among middle managers in the Turkish hospitality industry
Authors: Kuruüzüm Ayşe , Anafarta Nilgün , Irmak Sezgin 
Published: April 2008

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to examine the effects of job satisfaction, job characteristics and demographics on levels of burnout among middle managers in the Turkish hospitality industry.Design/methodology/approachUsing a questionnaire survey of 139 middle managers in four‐ and five‐star hotels in a major tourist destination of Turkey, data were collected on: the Turkish version of the Maslach Burnout Inventory; job satisfaction; job characteristics; and demographic characteristics. These data were then analysed for evidence of relationships among the variables.FindingsThe burnout levels of the middle managers are found to be moderate. Job satisfaction and job characteristics are found to be important predictors of burnout. Certain job characteristics (such as excessive workload, lack of support from senior management, task complexity, and role ambiguity) increase the emotional exhaustion of middle managers and decrease their performance levels. Burnout levels among managers of food and beverage and front‐office operations are found to be greater than those of other middle managers.Research limitations/implicationsThe factor of “job characteristics” was assessed according to the perceptions of the respondents, rather than by objective quantitative assessment.Practical implicationsJob satisfaction and job characteristics are clearly identified as strong predictors of burnout among middle managers in the hotel industry. The practical implication is that senior management should support middle managers by relieving them of task complexity, role ambiguity, and excessive workload.Originality/valueThe study identifies some important predictors of burnout, thus facilitating the development of strategies to reduce burnout and its adverse consequences in the hospitality industry.
Customer service, employee welfare and snowsports tourism in Australia
Authors: Dickson Tracey J. , Huyton Jeremy 
Published: April 2008

PurposeThe aim of this paper is to explore the extent to which employee welfare and human resource management impacts on customer service.Design/methodology/approachData were collected from a number of operational staff of the Mount Kosciusko ski fields in Australia. The staff was selected at random and comprised both permanent local staff and seasonal staff, and completed a self‐administered questionnaire.FindingsThe results highlight the challenging living conditions of many seasonal workers on whom the industry depends and at the organizational level this research demonstrates a need for effective management skills and employment strategies that reflect the needs of seasonal staff. As was shown, there is a relationship between staff satisfaction, camaraderie and customer satisfaction.Research limitations/implicationsTo better gauge the extent to which this research is applicable to all “front line” employees this study could be replicated in such locations as islands or isolated resorts with comparisons made with the same labor in established tourism resorts. The limitation of this study would be the specific mountain location in which it was conducted, and the size of the sample.Practical implicationsThis study clearly identifies an area of human resource management which needs to be considered. When a region relies heavily on seasonal staff their welfare should be of prime consideration, because disgruntled staff translates directly into disgruntled customers.Originality/valueThis paper adds a clearer understanding to the body of knowledge surrounding staff retention in the service industries.
Operational performance of health care foodservice systems
Authors: Assaf A. , Matawie K.M. , Blackman D. 
Published: April 2008

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to overcome the problems surrounding the operational performance of health care foodservice systems and provide a comprehensive comparison and analysis of the performance of all the different types of foodservice systems. The paper seeks to show that research addressing the operational performance of health care foodservice systems is subjective and outdated.Design/methodology/approachDiscussion with foodservice managers, coupled with a review of the literature, was undertaken to determine the variables of operational performance in the different types of foodservice systems. Statistical analysis was then used to determine the areas of difference between the systems based on a sample of 90 hospital foodservice operations.FindingsResults showed significant differences between the systems with regard to critical variables such as labor, skill level of employees and size of the production area. However, no significant differences were found for other variables such as food and energy costs.Practical implicationsHospital foodservice managers are under increased pressure to reduce the operational costs of their departments while maintaining high productivity. Findings from this study should allow foodservice directors to distinguish between the operational performance of the different foodservice systems and as result introduce the system that best suits their individual hospital.Originality/valueThe determination of critical variables and comparison of foodservice systems using all the operational variables address significant gaps in the literature. These findings should also reduce the subjectivity in the systems' comparison, and contribute to better decisions in the selection of a particular system.
Motivation and satisfaction of mega‐business event attendees
Authors: Bauer Thomas , Law Rob , Tse Tony , Weber Karin 
Published: April 2008

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to report on a study that examined the factors of motivation and satisfaction of mega‐business events, using the ITU Telecom World 2006 in Hong Kong as a case study.Design/methodology/approachThe paper takes the form of a structured questionnaire developed by the authors and distributed by the event organizer to registered attendees.FindingsEmpirical findings showed that the respondents attended the event mainly for business and networking opportunities. Overall, they were satisfied with Hong Kong as the location for the ITU Telecom World 2006. Additionally, there were no significant differences in perception between overseas and local attendees in all but two attributes.Research limitations/implicationsThe major limitations of this case study are the low response rate and the fact that the results would be limited to this sector of activity.Originality/valueThe findings should be of use to related practitioners and policy makers to set more pragmatic plans for hosting mega‐business events.
“Smart parts” supply networks as complex adaptive systems: analysis and implications
Authors: Wycisk Christine , McKelvey Bill , Hülsmann Michael 
Published: April 2008

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to critically analyze whether supply networks may be validly treated as complex adaptive systems (CAS). Finding this to be true, the paper turns into the latest concerns of complexity science like Pareto distributions to explain well‐known phenomena of extreme events in logistics, like the bullwhip effect. It aims to introduce a possible solution to handle these effects.Design/methodology/approachThe method is a comparative analysis of current literature in the fields of logistics and complexity science. The discussion of CAS in supply networks is updated to include recent complexity research on power laws, non‐linear dynamics, extreme events, Pareto distribution, and long tails.FindingsBased on recent findings of complexity science, the paper concludes that it is valid to call supply networks CAS. It then finds that supply networks are vulnerable to all the nonlinear and extreme dynamics found in CAS within the business world. These possible outcomes have to be considered in supply network management. It is found that the use of a neural network model could work to manage these new challenges.Practical implicationsSince, smart parts are the future of logistics systems, managers need to worry about the combination of human and smart parts, resulting design challenges, the learning effects of interacting smart parts, and possible exacerbation of the bullwhip effect. In doing so, the paper suggests several options concerning the design and management of supply networks.Originality/valueThe novel contribution of this paper lies in its analysis of supply networks from a new theoretical approach: complexity science, which the paper updates. It enhances and reflects on existing attempts in this field to describe supply networks as CAS through the comprehensive theoretical base of complexity science. More specifically, it suggests the likely vulnerability to extreme outcomes as the “parts” in supply networks become smarter. The paper also suggests different ways of using a neural network approach for their management – depending on how smart the logistics parts actually are.
Supply chain management: a comparison of Scandinavian and American perspectives
Authors: Halldórsson Árni , Larson Paul D. , Poist Richard F. 
Published: April 2008

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to advance understanding of international differences in supply chain management (SCM) perspectives and practices, by comparing perceptions of Scandinavian and American supply chain managers.Design/methodology/approachThe survey focused on the definition of SCM, along with facilitators of and barriers to SCM implementation. A four‐page questionnaire was designed and sent by mail. After follow‐ups, 23 Scandinavians and 104 Americans returned completed questionnaires.FindingsWhile many similarities were found between Scandinavians and Americans, several differences were also identified. Both groups have adopted broad, multiple function perspectives on SCM; and both groups perceive SCM implementation to be slower and more difficult than expected. Two differences are the Americans' greater concern about incompatible systems and implementation costs as barriers to SCM, compared to the Scandinavians.Research limitations/implicationsThe study is based on relatively small samples, of limited functional (logistics) and geographic (Scandinavia and America) scope. Future research should expand the functional focus into purchasing, operations, and marketing; and the geographic coverage to other parts of the world.Practical implicationsInternal resistance is more of a barrier than external (customer or supplier) resistance to SCM. Thus, organizations should focus first on internal (functional) integration, and then move onto inter‐organizational integration. However, employees working with customers and suppliers should use these external relationships to inspire closer internal relationships. Further, people are more critical than technology in implementing SCM. Organizations should get the right people in place first, and then think about technology.Originality/valueThere is little empirical research on SCM implementation. Practitioners and researchers should find value in this unique comparative study.