bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Causal path modeling of grocery shopping in hypermarkets
Authors: Shannon Randall , Mandhachitara Rujirutana 
Published: September 2008

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to examine attitudinal and behavioral shopping patterns related to hypermarket shopping in an Asian market, which has undergone a revolutionary transition from traditional to modern trade food retailing in the past decade. The first class includes shopping enjoyment, risk aversion, price signaling, innovativeness, trust and future purchase intentions. The second group of behavioral shopping patterns includes advocacy, time, and money spent shopping.Design/methodology/approachA sample of 244 shoppers was interviewed across Bangkok using a structured questionnaire through face‐to‐face personal interviews.FindingsThe study finds that grocery shoppers tend to be more risk averse when time pressured, but less risk averse if they are innovative. Bangkok Thais score high on innovativeness and shopping enjoyment and are more frequent patrons of hypermarkets than other grocery store formats. While a particular aspect of hypermarket grocery shopping behavior is found to relate to advocacy and future loyalty intentions, it does not contribute to enhanced store trust.Research limitations/implicationsWhile Thailand is part of Southeast Asia, not all countries share the same cultures or consumer behavior. Similarly, as Bangkok is a mega city, it cannot be said to represent rural parts of the country.Practical implicationsAs the majority of modern retailers are owned and managed by western countries, the format is relatively new in most Asian markets. Their growth has not evolved naturally and may result in cross‐cultural consumer behavior conflicts, thus findings help extant or new retailers better understand consumer behavior. Because of high risk aversion, private label brands may require that stores develop greater trust among consumers, perhaps through sampling or building awareness of the concept behind private label. Thai hypermarket shoppers appear driven more by convenience than by time pressure. Because they tend to shop in groups and enjoy this experience, retailers may want to consider more of the experiential or social aspects involved in shopping, rather than purely functional offerings.Originality/valueBy applying predominantly western theories to a developing Asian market, their generalizability can be tested.
Studying Chinese generation Y consumers' involvement in fashion clothing and perceived brand status
Authors: O'Cass Aron , Choy Eric 
Published: September 2008

PurposeThe purpose of this article is to examine Chinese generation Y consumers' fashion clothing involvement effects on specific brand related consumer responses including brand status, brand attitude and willingness to pay a premium for a specific brand.Design/methodology/approachA self‐completion questionnaire survey was administered in China to university students aged between 18 and 25.FindingsA consumer's level of involvement was found to have positive effect on brand related responses such as perception of brand status and brand attitude. Further brand status and brand attitude were found to have positive impacts on consumer's willingness to pay a premium for a specific brand.Research limitations/implicationsFirst, based on the student sample used for study it may not be possible to generalize the effects found to non‐students. Second, the findings from this study focusing on fashion clothing brands are perhaps limited in their generalisability to other product categories.Practical implicationsAn important finding that is beneficial to marketing practitioners in China, especially for those in the fashion industry, is the findings that maintaining the status of a brand would be more effective with highly involved consumers leading to an overall more positive attitude. Marketing initiatives with status building objectives are therefore essential for enabling brands to command higher prices.Originality/valueThis paper expands understanding of consumer behaviour related to Chinese generation Y consumer behaviour, fashion clothing involvement and status branding.
Price fairness
Authors: Diller Herman 
Published: September 2008

PurposeThe purpose of this article is to integrate the various strands of fair price research into a concise conceptual model.Design/methodology/approachThe proposed price fairness model is based on a review of the fair pricing literature, incorporating research reported in not only English but also German.FindingsThe proposed fair price model depicts seven components of a fair price: distributive fairness, consistent behaviour, personal respect and regard for the partner, fair dealing, price honesty, price reliability, and influence/right of co‐determination.Practical implicationsSince buyers' purchase decisions are influenced by their subjective perception of price fairness, sellers need to understand what constitutes a fair price.Originality/valueThis model provides a concise representation of the multi‐dimensional concept of price fairness. It identifies aspects of a fair price which have hitherto received little research; for example, the need for personal respect for the partner and the right of co‐determination.
The effect of buyer's gender, risk‐proneness, and time remaining in an internet auction on the decision to bid or buy‐it‐now
Authors: Shehryar Omar 
Published: September 2008

PurposeThis paper aims to study how buyers' gender and risk proclivity, and the time remaining in an internet auction, influence whether buyers buy at fixed prices or bid.Design/methodology/approachThe study is based on a simulated internet auction. Participants choose between bidding in an auction and buying at a fixed price. Data are analyzed using a logistic regression model. The results from the laboratory study are validated with data from eBay.com.FindingsFemale participants’ odds of choosing the buy‐it‐now (BIN) option are higher than their odds of bidding in an auction (BID) when less time is remaining in an auction. Contrarily, for males, when less time is remaining, BID is preferred over BIN. Unexpectedly, when substantial time is remaining, males have greater odds of choosing BIN over BID except when they are high risk‐seekers. Simulation results correspond closely with eBay data.Practical implicationsThe paper shows that not only do gender differences manifest themselves in ways that are to be expected, such as females being more risk‐averse than males, but that competitiveness among males may lead to an uncharacteristic choice to buy at fixed prices if substantial time is remaining in an auction. Furthermore, the latent competitive nature of females is revealed by secondary research. Finally, the research validates laboratory results with field data to practice methodological triangulation.Originality/valueA comparison of determinants of bidding versus buying at fixed prices is missing from the extant literature. The present study fills this gap.
Assisting Bulgarian special educators with competency development online
Authors: Peterson Rob , Herrington Jan , Konza Deslea , Tzvetkova‐Arsova Mira , Stefanov Krassen 
Published: September 2008

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to discuss an expansion of the Special Education Bulgaria (SEB) internet community that is required to pilot software created by the European Union's (EU's) Sixth Framework integrated project, TENCompetence.Design/methodology/approachSEB is the product of a two‐year research project designed to create a sustainable nation‐wide community of practice (CoP) for special education in Bulgaria via the internet. This paper discusses the SEB features consistent with TENCompetence concepts of competency development, lifelong learning, and professional networking. It then describes the additional features needed to prepare a SEB pilot.FindingsSEB was developed throughout three phases of research, which included a needs assessment, formative evaluation, and effectiveness evaluation. Effectiveness evaluation results indicated that though a CoP has begun to coalesce, it remains unclear to what extent SEB helps special educators do their jobs better. In response to this finding, the implementation and testing of e‐portfolios and online courses is proposed. The implementation would employ Moodle for course management, Elgg or Mahara for e‐portfolios, and TENCompetence open‐source software for defining and organizing competencies.Research limitations/implicationsResearch outcomes regarding online communities and lifelong competency development may also apply to the professional development of special educators in neighbouring Balkan countries, especially those new to or soon to enter the EU.Originality/valueInternet‐based competency development and lifelong learning for special educators in Bulgaria, one of the EU's newest member countries, is investigated.
From an e‐portfolio model to e‐portfolio practices: some guidelines
Authors: Giuseppe Rossi Pier , Magnoler Patrizia , Giannandrea Lorella 
Published: September 2008

PurposeAn e‐portfolio is a useful tool to increase reflection and awareness in teachers and students. However, benefits of e‐portfolio use are weakened by difficulties due to the lack of motivation, the heavy weight of creation and revision of the e‐portfolios, the rigid tool structure. The paper aims to answer these emerging issues, showing how to cope with the above‐mentioned questions, by proposing a structure for an e‐portfolio able to fulfil the users' needs and to be perceived as an extremely usable and motivating tool.Design/methodology/approachIn the paper three types of e‐portfolios are described. A brief survey of how the students used them with related data is provided. The research is based upon qualitative (students' posts) and quantitative (log tracement) data.FindingsAfter five years of experimentation and over 200 e‐portfolios analysed, the paper describes lessons learned and suggests some guidelines that might be useful to plan the introduction and the implementation of an e‐portfolio in post degree courses and for adult and in‐service learning.Originality/valueIn the paper some guidelines for designing formative portfolios are shown. These guidelines might be used to design and build feasible e‐portfolios in different kinds of courses. The new perspective is about the use of formative e‐portfolios in different learning paths. The paper shows how, starting from the same structure, the model is able to fit various needs, proposing technological and pedagogical devices in order to foster reflection and to promote formal and informal recording of learning activities.
A model for new linkages for prior learning assessment
Authors: Kalz Marco , van Bruggen Jan , Giesbers Bas , Waterink Wim , Eshuis Jannes , Koper Rob 
Published: September 2008

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is twofold: first the paper aims to sketch the theoretical basis for the use of electronic portfolios for prior learning assessment; second it endeavours to introduce latent semantic analysis (LSA) as a powerful method for the computation of semantic similarity between texts and a basis for a new observation link for prior learning assessment.Design/methodology/approachA short literature review about e‐assessment was conducted with the result that none of the reviews included new and innovative methods for the assessment of open responses and narrative of learners. On a theoretical basis the connection between e‐portfolio research and research about prior learning assessment is explained based on existing literature. After that, LSA is introduced and several examples from similar educational applications are provided. A model for prior learning assessment on the basis of LSA is presented. A case study at the Open University of The Netherlands is presented and preliminary results are discussed.FindingsA first inspection of the results shows that the similarity measurement that is produced by the system can differentiate between learners who sent in different material and between the learning activities and chapters.Originality/valueThe paper is original because it combines research from natural language processing with very practical educational problems in higher education and technology‐enhanced learning. For faculty members the presented model and technology can help them in the assessment phase in an APL procedure. In addition, the presented model offers a dynamic method for reasoning about prior knowledge in adaptive e‐learning systems.
Layering networked and symphonic selves
Authors: Cambridge Darren 
Published: September 2008

PurposeE‐portfolios, which document and facilitate learning and performance, have recently attracted interest in the USA, UK, and Europe as means to increase employability and support lifelong learning. This article aims to critically examine these objectives in order to guide the future e‐portfolio practice.Design/methodology/approachSocial theory, drawing on the work of Foucault, suggests that the discourse of employability and lifelong learning shapes individuals into means to fulfill economic objectives. This theory is applied to show that many e‐portfolio projects participate in this discourse. In the USA, the discourse around integrative learning suggests an alternative.FindingsIntegrative learning has two different styles, which correspond with two different types of self, the network and symphonic. The network self suggests ways for e‐portfolios to promote employability, while representing the symphonic in e‐portfolios creates space for a broader conception of what is important in life that pushes back against an entirely economic conception of citizenship. e‐portfolio projects have made progress cultivating both kinds of selves, and two, the Nedcar project in The Netherlands, and the eFolio Minnesota project in the USA, are examined. These selves need to be woven together, layering the networked and symphonic, to create e‐portfolios that promote employability while asserting the value of their authors as whole human beings. The idea of “good work” developed to describe the professions may serve as a model for this integration.Originality/valueMuch current work developing e‐portfolio software, services, and policies uncritically embraces the problematic conceptions of employability and lifelong learning discussed. The alternative model proposed in the paper can inform future work.
Obstacles to an integrated, joint forces approach to organized crime enforcement
Authors: Schneider Stephen , Hurst Christine 
Published: September 2008

PurposeThis paper aims to explore some of the problems that arise in the execution of a joint force operation (JFO) involving various law enforcement agencies. Particular emphasis is placed on examining factors that impede inter‐agency cooperation and coordination in the context of a JFO targeting serious and major crimes.Design/methodology/approachThis paper is informed by primary research that assessed the level of satisfaction of enforcement agencies involved in a Canadian‐based multi‐agency task force mandated to combat organized crime. Research for this study entailed a questionnaire survey of, and semi‐structured interviews with, operational and supervisory personnel assigned to the JFO, as well senior management within agencies participating in the JFO.FindingsThe research uncovered significant differences in the level of satisfaction with the execution of the JFO concept between members from the lead (federal) enforcement agency and those of other participating (municipal and provincial) agencies. The majority of survey participants overwhelmingly believe that the integrated, multi‐agency approach is an essential ingredient in the effectiveness of this JFO. However, among respondents from participating agencies there was a high rate of dissatisfaction with intelligence dissemination and sharing by the JFO, communication between the JFO and member agencies, and the contribution the JFO makes to the priorities and outputs of participating agencies in their own jurisdictions.Practical implicationsThese problems strike at the very heart of a multi‐agency approach to major crimes enforcement and can be generalized to other jurisdictions and countries. Indeed, impediments to the timely sharing of criminal intelligence continue to constitute one of the most significant obstacles to inter‐agency cooperation and coordination, and, by extension, the optimal enforcement of organized crime and terrorism. The problems addressed in this study should be of concern to any manager of a multi‐agency task force, and similar research is recommended to unearth problems that may undermine inter‐agency cooperation and plague the effectiveness of a JFO.Originality/valueDespite the increased prevalence and importance of multi‐agency operations in combating major and serious crimes, little research has been conducted into the issues and problems that obstruct inter‐agency cooperation within this context. This paper represents one attempt to fill this void.
Pricing police services: theory and practice
Authors: Talaga James , Tucci Louis A. 
Published: September 2008

PurposeThe purpose of the paper is to present and test a particular theory of pricing of police services.Design/methodology/approachA theory of police pricing was developed, then tested using data collected from a mail survey of Chiefs of Police in Pennsylvania.FindingsPricing practices vary considerably among police departments. There appears to be no underlying theory in the practice of pricing of police services.Research limitations/implicationsResearch was limited to one state in the USA and for a limited number of police services.Practical implicationsIn setting prices, police departments ought to consider how the price charged is consistent or inconsistent with achieving their overall departmental goals.Originality/valueNo previous empirical studies on how police departments charge for their services have been found. This research may lead to a more complete understanding of policing operations.
Detect the unexpected: a science for surveillance
Authors: Scott‐Brown K.C. , Cronin P.D.J. 
Published: September 2008

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to outline a strategy for research development focused on addressing the neglected role of visual perception in real life tasks such as policing surveillance and command and control settings.Design/methodology/approachThe scale of surveillance task in modern control room is expanding as technology increases input capacity at an accelerating rate. The authors review recent literature highlighting the difficulties that apply to modern surveillance and give examples of how poor detection of the unexpected can be, and how surprising this deficit can be. Perceptual phenomena such as change blindness are linked to the perceptual processes undertaken by law‐enforcement personnel.FindingsA scientific programme is outlined for how detection deficits can best be addressed in the context of a multidisciplinary collaborative agenda between researchers and practitioners. The development of a cognitive research field specifically examining the occurrence of perceptual “failures” provides an opportunity for policing agencies to relate laboratory findings in psychology to their own fields of day‐to‐day enquiry.Originality/valueThe paper shows, with examples, where interdisciplinary research may best be focussed on evaluating practical solutions and on generating useable guidelines on procedure and practice. It also argues that these processes should be investigated in real and simulated context‐specific studies to confirm the validity of the findings in these new applied scenarios.
Differential perceptions of neighborhood problems by police and residents
Authors: Sun Ivan Y. , Triplett Ruth A. 
Published: September 2008

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to examine differential perceptions of neighborhood problems by the police and residents.Design/methodology/approachThis study uses interview and survey data collected from 50 neighborhoods a mid‐western city to assess whether police officers and citizens differ in their perceptions of neighborhood disorder, drug‐gang, and property crime problems. Multivariate regressions were conducted to examine the effects of neighborhood structural characteristics, social organization, perceptions of the legitimacy of local authorities, and actual crime rates on police's and citizens' perceptions of neighborhood problems.FindingsPolice officers rate neighborhood problems more seriously than do local residents. Neighborhood structural characteristics and perceptions of the legitimacy of local authorities significantly affect variation in perceptions of neighborhood problems by citizens and police. Actual property crime rates influence police perceptions of disorder and property crime problems.Research limitations/implicationsFuture research should continue to explore the factors that contribute to perceptual differences between citizens and police officers. Research should also pay more attention to variables such as informal control, social capital, and collective efficacy. More research efforts should be devoted to explore how variation in officers' perceptions of neighborhood problems affects their behavior toward local residents.Originality/valueThe study incorporates neighborhood contexts in its analysis and tests both officers' and citizens' perceptions of neighborhood problems simultaneously, which have rarely been done in previous research.
The chess master's game
Authors: O'Connell Paul E. 
Published: September 2008

PurposeThe aim of this paper is to review chess as a model for incorporating local police agencies in the fight against global terrorism.Design/methodology/approachThe paper examines the literature concerning the nature of terrorist organizations, as well as recent literature that suggests that new methods are required to design a broad protective network with a common purpose.FindingsThe paper suggests that, rather than merely relying upon the development of new technologies, greater emphasis should be placed on overcoming the social and structural barriers to complete interoperability.Practical implicationsPractitioners should thoughtfully consider this paper and work to alleviate or minimize those barriers and impediments to complete interoperability.Originality/valueThis paper will benefit both students and practitioners of counter terrorism, insofar as it defines the proper role of local police agencies and reinforces the need for a common understanding and a united effort to protect society.