bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
An analysis of operations‐oriented drivers of customer loyalty for two service channels
Authors: Prud'homme Andrea M. , Boyer Kenneth K. , Tomas M. Hult G. 
Published: June 2007

PurposeThis study examines customers of grocers who provide both online and traditional in‐store options to determine if there are substantial differences in customer's perceptions of service quality, product quality, product range, and sacrifices made when using a specific channel. By better understanding customer preferences, firms can appropriately match strategy and market expectations.Design/methodology/approachData were gathered from 271 traditional in‐store customers and 1,720 online customers from three grocers. Survey results from these two groups was analyzed using regression analysis consisting of independent variables measuring the sacrifices of using a given channel, and the quality of service, products and product range and dependent variables of behavioral intentions and percent of business given to the grocer.FindingsOnline customers have a higher level of satisfaction with their service encounters, but lower levels with the tangible aspects of product quality, range of products available and channel usage sacrifices. They also spend a larger portion of their grocery “wallet” with the grocer and are less price sensitive than their in‐store counterparts.Practical implicationsOnline customers place a premium on convenience and will spend more with firms that meet this need. Given the very low profit margins in this industry, the ability to draw and retain these customers is vitally important.Originality/valueThis study presents one of the first direct comparisons of customers who use two different channels from the same grocery provider to examine customer perceptions for improved strategic service and product delivery.
Characterization of online shoppers with navigation problems
Authors: Martínez Guerrero Mario , Manuel Ortega Egea José , Victoria Román González María 
Published: June 2007

PurposeMany internet users are not able to navigate through e‐commerce web pages and reach their targets. Navigation problems lead to customers' disappointment and, as a consequence, companies fail to provide information and offer direct sales through the internet. The purpose of this paper is to profile internet users experiencing navigation problems while shopping online using socio‐demographic indicators. The application of usability is proposed as a solution to web site navigation issues.Design/methodology/approachHierarchical segmentation and regression analysis are applied to a sample of online shoppers with navigation problems.FindingsSocio‐demographic profiles of online shoppers with navigation problems.Research limitations/implicationsThis paper focuses on customers' socio‐demographic features. Other indicators, such as attitudes or behaviours, have not been considered.Practical implicationsUnderstanding the socio‐demographic profiles of customers with higher levels of navigation problems is useful for e‐commerce companies in order to provide support to user segments experiencing more difficulties.Originality/valueThis paper highlights the importance of usability, which has been somewhat ignored in the development of e‐commerce web sites. Demographic profiles of online shoppers experiencing navigation problems are constructed.
Ethics, values, and leadership beliefs and practices
Authors: Baglione Stephen , Zimmener Tom 
Published: June 2007

PurposeEthics for many individuals is manifested daily through decisions and actions which display their commitment to personal values. Values permeate our lives, and influence our actions. Managers' decisions and actions should serve as a reflection of their ethics and a mirror for their personal values and beliefs. Therefore, the research question is: does ethics influence how a person performs at work and even where he or she works? If ethics affects where one works, would people with strong ethics gravitate to organizations that match through their policies and behaviors and their own personal, values and beliefs?Design/methodology/approachThe survey was developed through a literature review and multiple iterations among colleagues. It was pretested among faculty, staff, and students in the USA. The US version was administered at a southeastern non‐secular university. The survey was then sent to China for translation. It was administered to an MBA class in China affiliated with the same US non‐secular university. The data were analyzed in SPSS.FindingsA comparison of business executives ensconced in their communities and careers finds ethical behavior and positive values are sought and rewarded in both Chinese and American organizations. And, surprisingly, Chinese business executives believed more strongly than US business executives on all questions which linked economic benefit to organizational climate, productive workforce, and to the existence of strong and positive organizational values and beliefs. US business executives belief that positive ethical practices are rewarded in the short‐ and long‐term, while Chinese business executives believe only in long‐term rewards.Research limitations/implicationsThis survey was done at one non‐secular university.Practical implicationsShared values are critical in cementing lasting business relationships.Originality/valueThe authors believe the study is the first to compare the ethics of American and Chinese managers, or business owners who are well ensconced in their careers and the community within a cross‐section of industries and levels. These successful, highly‐educated professionals represent people who are currently, or may become, top‐level executives. As such, they are an important sample: professionals whose ethics may be guiding their decisions, and because of their work experience, unlike new college graduates, they may have a greater effect on the ethical behavior of organizations through their experience. Recent business scandals prove that the actions of a few have dramatic impact on an organization.
Analysis of political risks and opportunities in public private partnerships (PPP) in China and selected Asian countries
Authors: Sachs Tillmann , Tiong Robert , Qing Wang Shou 
Published: June 2007

PurposeThe paper aims to provide insight into the opportunities and impact of political risks in China and selected Asian countries on opportunities in infrastructure projects under public‐private partnership (PPP) schemes.Design/methodology/approachThe impact of political risks on PPPs was investigated through an international survey among senior staff of international lenders, investors, insurers, and legal and financial advisors from the public and private sector. The surveyed political risk categories base on the Multilateral Investment Guarantee Agency Convention and literature review. They comprise six categories: currency inconvertibility and transfer restriction, expropriation, breach of contract, political violence, legal, regulatory and bureaucratic risks, and non‐governmental action risks. The survey evaluation uses fuzzy sets and non‐parametric statistics.FindingsThe findings comprise rankings of political risk factors within China and Asian countries as well as rankings of these countries with respect to the risk categories and rankings of future PPP opportunities over time. Also, survey comments are discussed.Research limitations/implicationsThe survey response rate is relatively low with 29 respondents. This is attributed to the specialized nature of the survey questions and topic area. It also indicates that political risks are little understood and paid attention to, though significant in impact. Owing to the chosen evaluation methods for small sample sizes, the results are robust and show high correlations with market data.Practical implicationsThe results provide insight into the impact of political risks and the perceived magnitude of each risk category. It supports decision makers prioritizing and analyzing country risks.Originality/valueThe value and originality is in the use of a fuzzy‐coded survey scale to quantify perceptions on single political risk factors across China and Asian countries with focus on PPP infrastructure projects. The paper demonstrated that robust results from small sample sizes can be derived with the employed methods.
Debunking the optimists
Authors: Ryder George 
Published: June 2007

PurposeConventional wisdom about the digital divide maintains that per capita income, education, age and access to technology are its main causes and also the main barriers to internet access. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the validity of that claim in the case of the Isle of Man (IOM).Design/methodology/approachA nominalist ontology and positivist epistemology characterizes the underpinning research philosophy for this case study. Research data consisted of secondary census instruments and primary data derived from interviews with a sample of IOM civil servants.FindingsThe findings were that despite having better results in terms of the causes of digital divide, the IOM trailed the UK level of internet access to a significant degree. This result raises questions about the wisdom of basing digital divide and e‐government strategies on technology proliferation and economic indicators.Research limitations/implicationsThe IOM is a comparatively small entity compared to the UK. In addition, basing the primary data collected on IOM civil servants only may result in an element of bias.Practical implicationsMany governments invest considerable sums of money on their digital divide and e‐government programmes which may be misdirected if they are addressing the wrong causes of it.Originality/valueThis paper evaluates an issue which normally requires the resources of government or institutions in order to research it.
Assessing the impact of e‐government on providers and users of the IS function
Authors: Senyucel Zorlu 
Published: June 2007

PurposeThe purpose of this research is to consider empirical perspectives relative to e‐government agenda, highlighting the critical need for understanding mutual relationships between the information systems (IS) function providers (supplier of IS services) and IS function users (service departments) in UK local authorities.Design/methodology/approachThe empirical research was guided by an extensive literature search and consisted of ten randomly‐selected case studies from the sampling frame of UK local authorities. Semi‐structured interviews were carried out with ten head of IS, ten IS project managers and with ten designated e‐government managers. Interview findings were triangulated with data collected from document analysis carried out at each site. Documents included Society of Information Technology Management reports, government reports such as UK Online, ODPM, DETR, Cabinet Office reports and various other financial reports. The overall structure for each interview was provided by a standard case study protocol derived from the “active agents” framework.FindingsProvides information about local authorities, highlighting the changing relationship between users and providers of information services in delivering e‐government. Introduces the “active agents” framework as a tool to operationalise structuration theory.Research limitations/implicationsA useful research for policy makers and researchers that are interested in the changing patterns of public service delivery and provider‐user relations in IS.Originality/valueThe paper offers “active agents” framework, based on structuration theory, as a powerful tool for interpreting changing relations between users and providers of the IS function in local authorities.
Evaluative design of e‐government projects
Authors: Grimsley Mike , Meehan Anthony , Tan Anna 
Published: June 2007

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to develop a framework supporting the design and evaluation of e‐government projects, especially those involving voluntary and community organisations.Design/methodology/approachThe research adapts a socio‐economic model of community sustainability, reinterpreting it in the context of e‐government. It documents the evolution of a conceptual framework for evaluative design through study of a project in London, UK. An interpretive approach was adopted, within which research was guided by the structured‐case method.FindingsThe research provides an evaluative framework for e‐government projects featuring four forms of community capital: infrastructural, environmental, human and social. An ex post evaluation illustrates how the framework identifies design and management issues that are not considered by conventional evaluative frameworks.Research limitations/implicationsThe main sources of data reflect project management perspectives and information from monitoring the evolution of activities undertaken by participant organisations. There has been limited direct engagement with the latter and the next phase of research will apply the framework from their perspectives to identify factors promoting and inhibiting ongoing engagement with the system.Practical implicationsThe framework provides an analytic tool for designers and managers of e‐government systems, especially those which feature online community building as a strategic outcome. All project stakeholders can use the framework to structure engagement with system design and management.Originality/valueThe distinctive contribution is to reinterpret e‐government from a community development perspective. It offers a means of identifying project shortcomings ignored by methods taking a narrower approach to e‐government information systems development.
Does age matter? How age influences the winery experience
Authors: Alonso Abel D. , Fraser Rick A. , Cohen David A. 
Published: June 2007

PurposeTo investigate differences among winery visitors of different age groups in New Zealand, as well as the commercial potential of these groups.Design/methodology/approachA questionnaire was designed to obtain information of winery visitors, including demographic characteristics and their expenditure at the winery. A total of 43 wineries located in all wine regions of New Zealand accepted the invitation to participate in this study by distributing questionnaires in their facilities. In all, 609 usable responses were obtained.FindingsThe study provides information about winery visitors in New Zealand, and confirms clear differences among different age groups in several dimensions, including their winery expenditures.Research limitations/implicationsOne potential limitation is that because several participating wineries were much larger in physical size and restaurant seating, the percentage of responses obtained in this study might have been disproportionately large, or unrepresentatively small.Practical implicationsThe overall findings may have significant implications for the wine and wine tourism industries, and might be beneficial for wineries in their efforts of providing a more valuable experience for wine tourists.Originality/valueThis exploratory study provides new and practical insights of the winery experience in the New Zealand context, an area where very limited research has been conducted.
The darker side of the servicescape: investigating the Bali Syndrome
Authors: Rosenbaum Mark S. , Wong Ipkin Anthony 
Published: June 2007

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to explore whether tourists in Hawaii experience the Bali Syndrome. The Bali Syndrome suggests that tourists in Polynesian destinations experience artificial cultures. To explore the syndrome, the paper investigates whether tourists are interested in purchasing Hawaiian souvenirs and memorabilia that are based on the state's history and culture, as well as the extent to which Hawaiian history and local culture motivates their Hawaiian sojourn.Design/methodology/approachThis paper employs survey methodology in two studies. Both studies are based upon questionnaire responses from a convenience sample of approximately 700 tourists in Waikiki.FindingsAlthough tourists in Hawaii express an interest in the state's history and local culture, the majority have no intention of purchasing historic/cultural souvenirs or memorabilia.Research limitations/implicationsMarketing and tourism planners in Hawaii, Fiji, and Bali should create advertising and promotional campaigns that focus on the “escape” qualities of these destinations, rather than on Polynesian histories and cultures. Given that the study was conducted in Waikiki, researchers may want to explore the Bali Syndrome in other Polynesian destinations.Practical implicationsMarketing and tourism planners may respond to the Bali Syndrome from four different perspectives; these are, servicescape, ethics, cause‐related, and eco‐tourism.Originality/valueThe paper provides empirical evidence that the Bali Syndrome exists and then offers a range of possible responses based upon four perspectives.
Market justice, religious orientation, and entrepreneurial attitudes
Authors: De Noble Alex , Galbraith Craig S. , Singh Gangaram , Stiles Curt H. 
Published: June 2007

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to test the proposition that religious orientation has a measurable affect on individuals' definitions of market justice and attitudes toward self‐employment.Design/methodology/approachThe paper distinguishes between religious orientation and spirituality and defines religious orientation to be either intrinsic or extrinsic. It then examines the modern concept of market justice and hypothesizes that individuals with intrinsic religiosity will have negative opinions of the justice of market exchange while those with extrinsic religiosity will have positive opinions. It is expected that individuals that own their own business or have positive views of self‐employment will have positive opinions of the justice of market exchange. Finally, the paper hypothesizes that intrinsic religiosity will lead to higher levels of entrepreneurial behavior once opinion about market justice has been controlled for. The survey instrument was administered to 141 undergraduate business students.FindingsCluster analysis revealed two clusters; cluster membership was used as a binary dependent variable indicating positive or negative opinions of market justice. The intrinsic religiosity hypothesis is statistically supported. The self‐employment hypothesis is only partly supported. The entrepreneurial behavior hypothesis is also statistically supported.Originality/valueThis paper examines the concepts of religious orientation and attitudes toward market justice and entrepreneurship. It offers an empirical analysis of value‐based attitudes and their impact on entrepreneurial activity, and the importance of religious attitudes on market behaviors.
A humility‐based enterprising community: the Amish people in Lancaster County
Authors: Paul Dana Leo 
Published: June 2007

PurposeThe purpose of this study is to add to the understanding of humility‐based economic development and entrepreneurship among the Amish – a religious group – in the USA, whose culture values asceticism, frugality, thrift and work, as well as humility.Design/methodology/approachThe paper presents an ethnographic research study.FindingsAmish adults teach their young that work is pleasurable. In order to maintain their values, the Amish try to avoid close contact with people who do not hold the same traditions. Furthermore, due to religious discrimination in the past, the Amish often exhibit a mistrust of outsiders. The primary motive of self‐employment among the Amish is neither profit nor prestige, but rather the maintenance of cultural values, separately from mainstream society such as to emphasise humility over pride. Self‐employment is perceived as much a social activity as an economic activity, and very importantly, it is compatible with religious beliefs.Practical implicationsGiven the choice, the Amish prefernotto work for enterprises in mainstream society. These people prefer to be self‐employed or to work amongst themselves, as it is their belief that a community of believers is the context for life.Originality/valueThis research paper reports on an ethnographic research study that reveals the reasons why Amish people in Lancaster County choose self‐employment as a means of livelihood, the changing nature of their enterprises, and the causal variables explaining why there is a shift from farm‐based self‐employment on family farms, to non‐land‐based entrepreneurship.
Religion and entrepreneurship in New Zealand
Authors: Carswell Peter , Rolland Deborah 
Published: June 2007

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to examine the relationship between religion and entrepreneurship and whether religious practice impacts on how individuals view the individual and societal contribution of business enterprise. As ethnic diversity is increasing within the Western world, so too is the religious mix of value systems and religious belief systems that come with such diversity/religions. Paralleling increasing diversity is the decreasing participation rates in the traditional Christian churches. The paper questions the impact of this changing religious mix on entrepreneurial participation and perception.Design/methodology/approachA total of 2,000 randomly‐selected New Zealanders were telephone‐surveyed to measure their perceptions of individual and societal impacts of entrepreneurial participation and religious practice.FindingsThe findings indicate that increasing ethnic diversity and associated religious value systems are certainly not going to negatively reduce the business start‐up rate. If anything, the start‐up rate may be enhanced.Originality/valueThe paper shows that the value that New Zealand society places upon entrepreneurship is not diminished by the increasing religious diversity in the country.
The modern Weberian thesis: a short review of the literature
Authors: Ryman Joel A. , Turner Craig A. 
Published: June 2007

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to provide an overview of conceptions and misconceptions relating to Weberian thought after 100 years of synthesis.Design/methodology/approachExtensions of the theories espoused are discussed and a brief review of several relevant empirical research projects is highlighted. Weberian theory is taken as the basis for the discussion of the paper. Its fundamental assertions are discussed and current discussions elucidated. Modern (post‐1980) research directions and findings are summarized for helping the scholar understand the current state of Weberian research and the potential for future paths.FindingsThere are numerous areas for future theoretical and empirical exploration discussed. Such areas as the effects of the Protestant work ethic on social networks across multi‐cultural (of which religion and religiousity play a role) boundaries and the dynamics of cultural change within, and between cultural dimensions will provide ever‐changing opportunities for at least another century. Inter and intra‐national diversity and its dynamics will also provide munificence in this field of study.Originality/valueThis paper provides scholars a brief review of the status of Weberian research and should evoke new thought related to this theoretical base as well. With the renewal of interest in entrepreneurship and its effects on communities, this area should be a fertile field for researchers, practitioners, and the public in general.