bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
A KM model for public administration: the case of Labour Ministry
Authors: Monavvarian Abbas , Kasaei Mitra 
Published: September 2007

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to investigate the effect of organizational elements and the performance of knowledge management (KM).Design/methodology/approachThe results of a research project dealing with the effect of organizational elements and the performance of KM are presented. Seven main independent variables were identified – organizational culture, organizational structure, technology, human resources, transparency of documents, flow of information and communication, and training – and these were tested against creation, dissemination and store of knowledge, together with implementation of KM (cycle of KM) using the multi‐variable regression test. As an empirical study, the Ministry of Labour of Iran was chosen for a case study. The empirical data used in this paper were collected through a questionnaire survey.FindingsThe results reveal that four of the independent variables have impact on the cycle of KM. Although only some of the independent variables have impact on the effective management of knowledge, other variables should not be ignored totally, as they are still very important for some organizations.Originality/valueThe paper presents a KM model for public administration, illustrating the case of the Ministry of Labour in Iran.
The nature of trust in brands: a psychosocial model
Authors: Elliott Richard , Yannopoulou Natalia 
Published: September 2007

PurposeThe paper seeks to explore empirically the lived experience of trust in consumer brands and to develop a model focusing on functional and symbolic brands.Design/methodology/approachThe paper presents an exploratory, grounded theory approach and the study conducted in‐depth interviews.FindingsThe findings reveal that when consumers are facing buying choices of functional brands that do not involve much risk and the price is low, familiarity is sufficient for their action. When risk and price levels increase, consumers seek a safe purchase choice regarding functional brands through confidence and dependability, while in the case of symbolic brands consumers have to trust the brand in order to make a purchase choice.Research limitations/implicationsBy exploring the concept of trust within the consumer domain and in particular in relation to functional and symbolic brands, this study offers insights into an area that has received noticeably limited research up to today. Furthermore the development of the psychosocial model of trust in brands offers opportunities to theoreticians for further research regarding the factors that influence trust in each stage, as well as ways to restore or transfer trust when needed.Practical implicationsThe study presents a tool to marketing practitioners, which will assist them in building and preserving long‐term trusting customer relationships.Originality/valueThe value of our research lies in the development of a psychosocial model of trust in brands by drawing on both social theory and on the psychology of human relationships.
Trust and reliance in business relationships
Authors: Mouzas Stefanos , Henneberg Stephan , Naudé Peter 
Published: September 2007

PurposeThe aim of the paper is to define the role of trust and reliance in business relationships.Design/methodology/approachAfter this paper identifies gaps in the literature, a conceptual model is developed, and its implications analyzed and discussed.FindingsOne of the particularities of trust is its inherent anthropocentricity. As a concept, trust appears to be more applicable at the level of inter‐personal relationships than to inter‐organizational relationships. Business relationships involve both inter‐personal and inter‐organizational relationships. The paper considers a number of other possibilities and argues that there is a need to look at reliance as an incremental intellectual lens on business relationships.Research limitations/implicationsWithin a business‐to‐business marketing context, the paper discusses the impact of such a multi‐faceted conceptualization for research in business relationships.Practical implicationsMarketing researchers often neglect the fact that relationships between organizations are based on mutual interests, and attempt to stretch the concept of trust towards inter‐organizational relationships without the necessary theoretical scrutiny.Originality/valueApplying the concept of trust to personal relationships and reliance to inter‐organizational relationships, the paper introduces a complementary, rational standard that contributes to the calculability in exchange relationships.
Trust in buyer‐seller relationships: the challenge of environmental (green) adaptation
Authors: Canning Louise , Hanmer‐Lloyd Stuart 
Published: September 2007

PurposeThe paper aims to describe and develop the constructs of trust and adaptation in supplier‐customer relationships when associated with environmental (green) issues.Design/methodology/approachThe study is based on empirical data obtained from the perspective of both supplier and customer companies involved in dyadic exchange relationships, using qualitative methods of data collection and analysis.FindingsThe paper uses an environmental context to show that, while having the potential to contribute to trust in dyadic relationships, adaptation can also undermine the trust that already exists between supplier and customer companies.Research limitations/implicationsThe findings are derived from two instances of successful environmental adaptation, one that resulted in failure and two that were ongoing. Both of the completed projects demonstrated little apparent difficulty, while the ongoing projects featured some conflict and frustration. These differences could be explained by the tendency to rationalise events after they have occurred, eliminating the “messiness” that is inherent in dealing with collaborative efforts that involve some risk and conflicting interests. Future empirical work could perform action research in which efforts to adapt are directly observed and are discussed both during and after attempts to bring about change.Practical implicationsThe paper provides recommendations of how environmental adaptations can be realised successfully even though changes might challenge the basis of an existing relationship and the trust that might already exist within it. These recommendations might equally be used to guide other forms of adaptation.Originality/valueThe paper broadens understanding of trust and adaptation by looking at a management issue that is of growing importance in supplier‐customer relationships, namely the environmental impact of business activities.
Preparation and characterisation of novel methylsulfanylpyrazolopyrimidines as heterocyclic dyes from ketene dithioacetals
Authors: Helal M.H. , Elgemeie G.H. , Masoud D.M. 
Published: September 2007

PurposeThis paper aims to synthesize some new heterocyclic disperse azo dyes and their application in dyeing of polyester and polyamide fabrics.Design/methodology/approachPyrazolopyrimidine derivatives containing arylazo function by the reaction of 3,5‐ diaminopyrazole with ketene dithioacetals were prepared. The prepared dyestuffs are established using elemental analysis, IR measurements, 1H‐NMR and Mass spectra.Findings2,5‐diamino‐3‐arylazo‐N‐aryl‐6‐carboxamide‐7‐methylthio‐pyrazolo[1,5‐a]pyrimidine have been synthesized by the simple method. The dyed fabrics have a very good (4‐5) to excellent (5) results toward washing, perspiration, and rubbing fastness properties. The dyes are superior in terms of preparation and fastness properties.Research limitations/implicationsThe disperse azo dyes used in this paper were synthesized via a step‐wise pathway leading to the new azo dyes. In addition, the variations in substituents and sites of location on the heterocyclic moiety could also be studied.Practical implicationsThe new azo dye systems based on substituted pyrazolopyrimidine provided a series of azo dyes with improved dyeing properties. The dyes are superior in terms of yield, purity, colour strength, and fastness properties and will lead to valuable achievements for commercial production.Originality/valueThe synthesized disperse azo dyes are superior in terms of preparation, yield, purity, and fastness properties.
Post‐bureaucracy and reanimating public governance
Authors: Budd Leslie 
Published: September 2007

PurposeSeeks to examine changes in the environment in which public policy and public management operate and the claim that bureaucracy has been replaced by post‐bureaucracy as a result of these changes.Design/methodology/approachThe paper proposes reanimated public governance as a concept that occupies the space between public administration and transformed public governance (including reinvented government and new public management (NPM)). Rather than accepting the existence of post‐bureaucracy,per se, the paper argues that there has been a process of extending bureaucracy that cuts across public and non‐public boundaries rather than the development of post‐bureaucracyper se.FindingsIn examining the claims for post‐bureaucracy, The paper is witnessing a discourse and practice of continuity rather than difference. The need for economies of scale and scope, standardisation and the existence of indivisibilities in public services suggest that public sector reforms and proposals for new governance models establish extended or flexible forms of bureaucracy rather than post‐bureaucratic organisational forms. Attempts to introduce ICT‐based services and the need for regulatory agencies to oversee the contracts with private and non‐profit service providers reinforce these findings.Research limitations/implicationsThe arguments in this paper are based on marshalling the literature and debates surrounding public sector reform to advance a central thesis. It draws on real world examples but does not draw on direct empirical evidence. There is scope for internationally comparative case‐studies of various public service functions and discourses and practices in different countries.Practical implicationsPolicy makers and managers should treat the clarion call of post‐bureaucracy as a way of liberating public services from a lack of creativity, innovation and accountability with healthy scepticism. In particular, the view that public sector reforms through post‐bureaucratic re‐organisation will lead to efficiencies is one to be challenged. Reforms in any service driven organisation are not zero‐cost and any implied operational cost saving should be considered against increased transaction costs.Originality/valueThere have been heroic claims made for post‐bureaucracy in many organisations enabled by developments associated with the concepts of information society and knowledge society. By locating public sector reforms under the rubric of “reanimated public governance” a deeper investigation of the implications for the discourses and practices associated with public sector reform is advanced.
Regional governance in England: past experience, future directions?
Authors: Mawson John 
Published: September 2007

PurposeTo present a paper which examine the UK's approach to devolution in respect of the English regions.Design/methodology/approachThe paper seeks to understand the policy choices facing the UK Government in redesigning governance arrangements in the English regions. This is achieved by an analysis of the evolution of regional governance arrangements in the past decade drawing on secondary and semi‐structured interviews undertaken by the author.FindingsRegional governance arrangements evolved in an ad hoc manner due to the government's focus on the establishment of elected regional assemblies. In this policy vacuum existing regional institutions succeeded in establishing effective working relationships. However, with an increasing focus on cities as the engines of regional growth and the pressures to devolve responsibilities to local government the existing institutional policy framework has increasingly been challenges.Research limitations/implicationsThe paper critically examines different policy choices for reforming regional governance.Practical implicationsDrawing on research and consultancy studies undertaken by the author for the English Regions Network, individual Regional Assemblies, the Department of the Environment, Transport and the Regions, the Cabinet Office and the Economic and Social Research Council, the paper explores issues of policy development and implementation at the regional level.Originality/valueThe paper presents a comprehensive overarching analysis in a complex field of territorial public policy.
Corporate social responsibility and the positioning of grocery brands
Authors: Anselmsson Johan , Johansson Ulf 
Published: September 2007

PurposeThis study aims to enhance the understanding of what significance consumers place on different aspects of corporate social responsibility (CSR) when evaluating and purchasing grocery brands and products.Design/methodology/approachThe paper builds on existing literature and theories on CSR and marketing, as well as literature on consumers' perceptions of CSR related issues. The Swedish empirical study has two parts; the first explorative stage based on qualitative method and in‐store face‐to‐face interviews through which important consumer attitude‐based attributes of social responsibility are identified in a grocery context. The second quantitative part is based on questionnaires that describe the grocery brand positions and performances along these attributes.FindingsResults point to three general attitude‐based dimensions for CSR positioning and that retail brands can indeed, in relation to leading national brands, build a CSR image. Further, this image is shown to have an impact on consumers' intention to buy. This is also the case for “me‐too” retail brands. The CSR dimension of greatest impact on overall CSR image is product responsibility, whereas human responsibility influences the customer purchase intentions the most. Environmental responsibility, perhaps the most commonly used CSR dimension, is in this study recognised to exert least impact on both overall CSR image and on purchase intentions.Research limitations/implicationsThis study is limited to a Swedish context and to one specific purchase situation. Future studies could involve validation of factor structure, relationship between CSR and preference, and ability to positioning in another market, perhaps in more mature markets in terms of well‐developed structures of CSR and health/organic organic products (e.g. the UK). A postal survey would allow the use of longer and evaluated measurement scales previously used in organic food research.Originality/valueThis study substantiates that retailer brands can indeed be distinctly positioned according to aspects other than price, e.g. as here exemplified, the concept of CSR. This relationship has hitherto not been identified outside the UK. The finding that CSR is less clearly connected to the expected dimension of environmental responsibility entails new added knowledge to this research field. The analysis has, moreover, resulted in more a simplified description of the basic dimensions of CSR containing three instead of, as often in the literature, six dimensions.
Truck driver turnover: what rate is good enough?
Authors: Suzuki Yoshinori 
Published: September 2007

PurposeTo develop a decision tool that may be used conveniently by motor carriers to answer the questions: “Does my company need to lower the truck driver turnover rate?” and “If so, by how much?”Design/methodology/approachCombines statistical and mathematical procedures to present a method that calculates, by considering a variety of carrier characteristics, the “desirable” truck driver turnover rate for each carrier.FindingsSimulation results imply that the model may be used by all types of motor carriers, regardless of whether their drivers exhibit homogeneous or heterogeneous job‐quitting behaviors.Research limitations/implicationsThe “desirable” turnover rate may be used as both: the critical value that determines whether a carrier needs to reduce the turnover rate or not (i.e. the upper bound of the acceptable turnover range), and the approximate target turnover rate to be attained in the short run.Originality/valueThe proposed model shall help motor carriers identify their “target” driver turnover rates to be attained in the short run. The model is available in a user‐friendly PC format from the author (Excel file with VBA), so that no technical calculations are required by the users when using the model.
Tracking changes of e‐customer preferences using multicriteria analysis
Authors: Grigoroudis Evangelos , Kyriazopoulos Panagiotis , Siskos Yannis , Spyridakos Athanasios , Yannacopoulos Denis 
Published: September 2007

PurposeInternet service providers (ISPs) constitute a highly competitive market, while the unstable market conditions directly affect customer preferences and make ISPs to develop a “mass customization” strategy, individualizing services and approaching every customer in an individual way. However, customization requires an in‐depth analysis of current customer preferences and an evaluation of future behavior. The main objective of the paper is to present a framework for analyzing changes of customer preferences.Design/methodology/approachThe paper presents detailed results of independent customer satisfaction surveys conducted in different time periods in the Greek ISP market. The analyses are based on non‐parametric statistical techniques and the multicriteria satisfaction analysis method, which is a multicriteria preference disaggregation approach.FindingsResults are mainly focused on the evaluation of potential trends of e‐customer preferences. Furthermore, results of a benchmarking analysis are also presented, based on the evolution of satisfaction levels for the quality characteristics of the provided services.Research limitations/implicationsFuture research in the context of the presented study may be focused on satisfaction benchmarking analysis, given the rapid changes of the market conditions. An extended satisfaction survey will give the ability to analyze customer preferences in comparison with the main ISP competitors.Practical implicationsThe presented study may help organizations in highly competitive markets dominated by rapid technological progresses to track short‐term changes of customer preferences.Originality/valueThe analyses presented are based on the combination of multicriteria analysis and non‐parametric statistics. The main advantage of these methods is that they respect the qualitative (ordinal) form of collected survey data.
Exploring effectiveness of team communication
Authors: den Otter Ad , Emmitt Stephen 
Published: September 2007

PurposeEffective teams use a balance of synchronous and asynchronous communication. Team communication is dependent on the communication acts of team members and the ability of managers to facilitate, stimulate and motivate them. Team members from organizations using different information systems tend to have different understanding, opinions, and rates of adoption and skills levels regarding specific IT tools. The purpose of this paper is to explore the effective use of tools for communication in design teams and the strategies for the use of specific tools.Design/methodology/approachA review of the potential effectiveness of synchronous and asynchronous communication means and tools for team communication leads to a review of research conducted into the use of two relatively new electronic tools for team communication by design teams in The Netherlands.FindingsThe research results revealed that a collective framework for team communication and collaboration using electronic tools was missing. There was also evidence of a lack of understanding by the users of the proper use of the tools, a lack of training, poor management competences to stimulate proper use. There was also evidence that the rivalry of tools tended to hinder, rather than improve, effectiveness of team communication.Research limitations/implicationsThe findings are limited to the cases investigated; however, they tend to support earlier findings into construction team communication. There is a need for a better collective understanding of team communication, which should be supported with training to develop appropriate skills, both for the use of new technologies and for the use of team rules.Originality/valueThe results provide information and advice for design and project managers concerned with improving communications in design and construction projects.
Communicating brand personality: are the web sites doing the talking for food SMEs?
Authors: Ankomah Opoku Robert , Abratt Russell , Bendixen Mike , Pitt Leyland 
Published: September 2007

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to analyse web site brand communication by small to medium‐sized enterprises (SMEs) in the restaurant franchise industry, using Aaker's brand personality dimensions. It shows how an SME can test its intended positioning against competitors.Design/methodology/approachA multistage methodology using a combination of content analysis and correspondence analysis was used. The intention was to illustrate a technique that can be used by SMEs at low cost and with ease.FindingsFood SMEs are able to communicate brand personality by way of their web sites. The brands and the personality types are presented which clearly reveals the positioning of the competitors.Practical implicationsThis paper illustrates a powerful, but simple and relatively inexpensive way for SMEs to study communicated brand personality.Originality/valueThe major contribution of this study is to alert SME scholars and retailers to the potential of computerized content analysis as a means of studying web site content, and the subsequent use of correspondence analysis to understand how to position against competitors.