bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Variable pricing through revenue management: a critical evaluation of affective outcomes
Authors: Palmer Adrian , McMahon‐Beattie Una 
Published: April 2008

PurposeNumerous studies have measured short‐term behavioural response to variable pricing, but affective responses have been under‐researched. Trust is a focal point for this research, which assesses the affective consequence of variable pricing as applied using revenue management techniques. This paper aims to address this issue.Design/methodology/approachA longitudinal, quantitative approach was used to measure respondents' level of trust. The sample was divided into a control group which received constant price messages, and an experimental group, which received variable price messages. In stage one, respondents were presented with hypothetical scenarios of restaurant pricing over a period of six weeks. In stage two, a hotel chain's database was used to send control and experimental messages over a period of six months.FindingsThere is mixed evidence for the proposition that variable pricing leads to distrust by consumers. While there was evidence for this in stage one, the evidence from stage two was more complex. A profile emerged of relatively young, male, highly educated frequent purchasers who were more likely to trust a company using variable pricing compared with older, female, infrequent purchasers of lower educational attainment.Research limitations/implicationsIt is probably not variable pricing itself that leads to mistrust of a company, but an individual's knowledge of the “rules” by which variable pricing operates. The high levels of trust recorded by younger, highly educated frequent purchasers suggests acceptance by them of the rules of variable pricing, and the benefits and problems associated with the practice.Practical implicationsThis research informs management strategies that seek ever‐finer price discrimination through the use of customer databases and individually targeted price offers. Some customer segments may be amenable to variable pricing and will happily play along with the company's “rules”. Other groups may not understand such rules, and in these circumstances may distrust a company that practises variable pricing.Originality/valueThis study uses a longitudinal approach to measure issues of trust and fairness perceived in companies' efforts at price discrimination. Previous studies have tended to measure the success of variable pricing/revenue management practices through short‐term measures of behavioural response (e.g. increase in sales). This study incorporates an affective measure into the assessment of consumers' response to variable pricing.
Typologies and taxonomies of operations strategy: a literature review
Authors: Luz Martín‐Peña María , Díaz‐Garrido Eloísa 
Published: April 2008

PurposeThis paper aims to review state‐of‐the‐art literature on typologies and taxonomies of operations strategy in order to propose generic operations strategies in industrial companies from a theoretical viewpoint.Design/methodology/approachTypologies and taxonomies are defined and characterised; both concepts delimit the generic configurations model. Then examine the state of the research on configuration analysis relating to operations strategy is examined. For this purpose articles published in 17 important journals in the field of production and operations management from the 1980s to the year 2006 are analysed.FindingsThis review allows one to identify three generic operations strategies commonly accepted in the literature.Research limitations/implicationsThis research deserves much more attention, both theoretical and empirical, in order to analyse the existing classifications and develop new classifications of operations strategy.Practical implicationsKnowledge of generic operations strategies may help managers to design and implement a strategy that allows their firm to exploit the full potential of its manufacturing resources, and to achieve better results. The literature review contributes to theory development and provides a means of understanding the strategic position of operations.Originality/valueDespite considerable interest in research on configurations in the study of organisation and business strategy there has not been much effort to examine the current state or even the future development of generic configurations in the operations strategy field. This paper fills this gap.
Manipulating economic data for political purposes
Authors: Sneed Cynthia , Sneed John 
Published: April 2008

PurposeDuring the 2004 presidential campaign, the Kerry campaign claimed that the federal income tax cuts passed between 2001 and 2004 shifted the burden of financing the federal government from upper‐class to middle‐class taxpayers. The purpose of this paper is to determine whether the claim made by the Kerry campaign is valid.Design/methodology/approachThe assumptions made by the Kerry campaign in analyzing the data in the report Effective Federal Tax Rates Under Current Law, 2001‐2014 prepared by the Congressional Budget Office (CBO) were analyzed. It was determined that their analysis was flawed in the way they established their comparisons. The analysis was adjusted, correcting the identified flaws.FindingsAfter adjusting for the flaws in the analysis by the Kerry campaign, it was determined that the tax cuts actually increased the percentage of taxes paid by the wealthiest taxpayers. Also, if the cuts are not extended, the percentage paid by the wealthiest taxpayers will decrease.Originality/valueThe importance of this paper is not in finding that a political party would manipulate economic data in an attempt to win an election, as this is expected in politics. The larger concern is that the CBO, a nonpartisan organization, validated the claims made by the Kerry campaign. If a nonpartisan organization is going to take a position on an issue related to politics, they need to be sure that the analysis is valid.
Compensation policies within firms: evidence from linked employer‐employee data
Authors: Rute Cardoso Ana , Monfardini Chiara 
Published: April 2008

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to introduce this special issue on compensation policies within firms while using evidence from linked employer‐employee data.Design/methodology/approachThe paper looks at the use of linked employer‐employee data over time and how this has enabled progress in the understanding of the functioning of the labour market as the arena where labour supply and demand interact, under the mediation of labour market institutions and regulations.FindingsThe example of issues that have been covered using linked employer‐employee data, generating new insights, could be extended and it is continuously being updated.Originality/valueThe articles collected in this special issue provide some fine examples of recent work on the field of linked employer‐employee data.
Who pays for performance?
Authors: Barth Erling , Bratsberg Bernt , Hægeland Torbjørn , Raaum Oddbjørn 
Published: April 2008

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to improve our understanding of why some firms tie compensation to worker performance as well as the variation in type of performance pay system across firms.Design/methodology/approachThe study first presents a theoretical framework that motivates n empirical study of performance‐related pay. The data are based on Norwegian establishment surveys from 1997 and 2003. The empirical analysis addresses determinants of adoption of performance pay systems.FindingsPerformance‐related pay is more prevalent in firms where workers of the main occupation have a high degree of autonomy in how to organise their work. Performance pay is also more widespread in large firms, but is less common in highly unionised firms and in firms where wages are determined through centralised bargaining. Results show that performance pay is on the rise in Norway, even after accounting for changes in industry structure, bargaining regime, and union density. Finally, it is found that the incidence of performance‐related pay relates positively to product‐market competition and foreign ownership.Originality/valueThe paper provides new empirical evidence on the use of performance‐related pay. The results support an interpretation of incentive pay as motivated by agency problems, and provide new evidence on the relationship between payment schemes and institutions such as unions and bargaining framework.
Market power, dismissal threat, and rent sharing
Authors: Carneiro Anabela , Portugal Pedro 
Published: April 2008

PurposeThe purpose of this study is to investigate to what extent the existence of high labor adjustment costs has some influence on the process of wage negotiation. In particular, it aims to analyse if the risk of being laid off has any impact on insiders' bargaining power and, consequently, on their wage claims.Design/methodology/approachA collective bargaining model that closely follows those developed by Nickell et al. and Bentolila and Dolado is adopted and a longitudinal panel of large Portuguese firms from all sectors over the 1993‐199 period is used.FindingsThe results reveal that firms where insider workers appear to have more bargaining power tend to pay higher wages. In particular, we found that the threat of dismissal tends to weaken insiders' bargaining power and, consequently, to depress wages.Research limitations/implicationsIn future research an attempt should be made to measure directly the labor turnover costs.Originality/valueThis paper presents robust empirical evidence using micro‐data for individual firms that support one of the predictions of the insider‐outsider theory that wages will be higher in sectors (firms) with high labor turnover costs.
Worker churning and firms' wage policies
Authors: Martins Pedro S. 
Published: April 2008

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to provide empirical evidence of a causal nature about the relationship between wages and churning (“excessive” worker turnover).Design/methodology/approachMatched employer‐employee panel data from Portugal, covering the period 1986‐2000 are used in the study. Econometric methods are also used, including random effects tobit models, fixed effects and instrumental variables.FindingsUnlike in previous research (which typically does not consider causal relationships), the paper presents evidence that wages do not necessarily decrease the amount of churning. If employers are forced to increase pay, they may respond by hiring different workers. Detailed evidence about the nature of job and worker flows and churning levels across industries is presented.Research limitations/implicationsFuture research should examine the paths of workers whose wages are affected by collective bargaining.Practical implicationsThe paper provides additional evidence that effort may not be particularly sensitive to wages in some industries/occupations. The should be a better understanding of role of wages in personnel policies.Originality/valueThis paper is probably the first that seeks to examine the causal relationship between wages and churning. The results will be of interest to labour economists and human resource management experts.
The worsening of wage expectations in Italy: a study based on administrative data
Authors: Giarda Elena 
Published: April 2008

PurposeThis paper aims to build on existing studies on the relationship between individual wages, age and experience, and provide new evidence on the determinants of wages in Italy.Design/methodology/approachWage‐age profiles, which include cohort variables to capture generational differences in wages and are characterised by a changing‐over‐time structure, are estimated by fixed and random effects panel regressions. The analysis exploits a longitudinal dataset of administrative data on wages for the period 1985‐1999.FindingsThis paper shows that wage to age profiles for different cohorts of workers are not stable over time: although younger generations of Italian workers are benefiting from higher starting wages than older generations, they face the prospect of lower growth of future earnings. It also confirms the existence of a significant supply effect: the bigger the cohort relative to the active population, the smaller the cohort's gain in terms of wage levels. Finally, it captures the dependence of individual wages on aggregate labour market conditions: individual wages are shown to be negatively related to the unemployment rate and positively related to the union wage index.Research limitations/implicationsAlthough the paper does not propose a novel theoretical approach to individual wage analysis, it demonstrates the benefits of a more integrated empirical analysis of individual wages.Practical implicationsThe empirical findings suggest that it would be possible and useful to integrate the changing age profiles of individual wages with the estimation and projections of Italian aggregate industry and service sector average wages.Originality/valueThe paper provides new evidence on the determinants of the dynamics of individual wages through the estimation of time‐varying wage to age profiles of workers in the Italian industry and service sectors.
Challenges in relating supply chain management and information and communication technology
Authors: Pieter van Donk Dirk 
Published: April 2008

PurposeThe paper's purpose is to provide a motivation for investigating the relationship between supply chain management (SCM) and information and communication technology (ICT), to describe associated theoretical and practical problems and to introduce the papers of the special issue.Design/methodology/approachThe paper is partly based upon a short literature review, including the papers of the special issue.FindingsAn important finding is that the relationship and integration of SCM and ICT in all papers of this special issue are strongly intertwined with managerial and organizational theory related issues.Research limitations/implicationsThe paper suggests three possible avenues for building theory in the joint field of SCM and ICT on the one hand and organizational theory on the other hand.Practical implicationsImplicitly the paper argues for a better use of organizational and managerial insights to increase the usage and implementation of ICT in the context of SCM.Originality/valueThe paper offers a research agenda for incorporating organizational theory to develop the integration of SCM and ICT.
Putting e‐commerce adoption in a supply chain context
Authors: Bakker Elmer , Zheng Jurong , Knight Louise , Harland Christine 
Published: April 2008

PurposeThe objective of this paper is to gain a better understanding of the impact of context on the adoption of e‐commerce in supply chains.Design/methodology/approachA literature review, 45 semi‐structured interviews in four different supply chains in the UK healthcare sector, involving 16 different organisations, and additional documentation is used in this study.FindingsThe adoption of e‐commerce in supply chains is simultaneously affected by two contextual meta‐variables: external pressure, which is influenced by supply chain structure, demand and industry characteristics; and internal readiness, which is influenced by IT, organisational and buying need characteristics. Different combinations of these two main variables lead to four different trade‐off situations affecting adoption or non‐adoption.Research limitations/implicationsThe empirical research has been undertaken in the specific context of the UK healthcare supply chains. It would be useful to test our findings in other sectors and countries.Practical implicationsThe paper helps to understand the contextual factors that affect e‐commerce adoption and concludes with a framework that differentiates four situations that can improve managers' and researchers' understanding of e‐commerce adoption in the future.Originality/valueThe contribution of this paper is the recognition that the adoption of e‐commerce is affected by factors in both an organisational and a supply chain context, which simultaneously lead to trade‐off decisions. Also, unlike most other studies which refer to supply chains and are limited to an organisational perspective or at most a dyadic perspective, this paper builds up a supply chain picture of context by including perspectives from multiple actors in a chain.
Integration between manufacturers and third party logistics providers?
Authors: Mortensen Ole , Lemoine Olga W. 
Published: April 2008

PurposeThe purpose of this study is to analyse the extent of the integration between manufacturers and third party logistics (TPL) providers at present and how the integration is expected to develop in the near future. The focus is on studying what tasks are part of the cooperation, what information and communications technology (ICT) tools are used for support, and what types of services are supplied and are expected to be supplied by TPL providers in the future.Design/methodology/approachA multiple case study of seven manufacturers and TPL providers is conducted. As the basis for the study a literature review is presented focusing on supply chain management and TPL provider integration as well as operationalisation of the integration concept. A framework is chosen for developing a detailed interview guide.FindingsCooperation is primarily found in sub‐processes of three out of the eight business processes studied. Further integration in the same processes is expected, based on ICT tools and with a focus on cost. ICT competences are primarily seen as a qualifier not a differentiator. Because the future TPL industry is expected to be characterised by more standardised services, more segmented markets for the various services and more intense competition, the manufacturers do not expect increased dependence on the TPL providers.Research limitations/implicationsManagerial and behavioural components are not part of this study and their effect on integration will require further investigation.Originality/valueFrom a supply chain management perspective, the study sheds light on a rarely explored area concerning the integration between manufacturers and TPL providers and its future development.
Set your project on the road to success
Authors: Buckley Hugh 
Published: April 2008

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to review the latest management developments across the globe and pinpoints practical implications from cutting‐edge research and case studies.Design/methodology/approachThis briefing is prepared by an independent writer who adds their own impartial comments and places the articles in context.FindingsMany projects get bogged down in the minutiae of the technology, resulting in investing more time in developing a platform at the expense of ensuring that the solution remains relevant to the needs of the business and its stakeholders. Technology solutions almost invariably have to be flexible, so they can evolve with the business. It is important to know therefore how the technology will support the business and its staff going forward, not just what it will do on day one.Practical implicationsProvides strategic insights and practical thinking that have influenced some of the world's leading organizations.Originality/valueThe briefing saves busy executives and researchers hours of reading time by selecting only the very best, most pertinent information and presenting it in a condensed and easy‐to‐digest format.
Developments in localisation sensor systems
Authors: Connolly Christine 
Published: April 2008

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to report the development trends and emerging applications of non‐GPS localisation sensors.Design/methodology/approachThe principles of gyroscopes and micro‐electro‐mechanical systems‐based inertial sensors are introduced, followed by a review of products from various companies, and their applications.FindingsHighly integrated systems in robust solid‐state materials are being packed into smaller housings, opening up new applications for inertial navigation sensors. The Kalman filter algorithm is widely used to remove noise from multi‐sensor data and provide reliable attitude and heading measurements. Applications range from stabilising cameras and detecting the motion of towed sonar arrays, to autonomous robot navigation, motion analysis in sports science, and navigating first‐response rescue workers in disaster zones.Originality/valueConcentrates on non‐GPS localisation technology, and shows that new developments are revolutionising position‐finding and position‐controlling applications.
Simultaneous sensing of location and mapping for autonomous robots
Authors: Bloss Richard 
Published: April 2008

PurposeTo describe an innovative new technology, simultaneous localization and mapping (SLAM), for creating maps and localization for autonomous robot operations.Design/methodology/approachA series of stereo cameras gather images of a 3D area. A software package then analyzes the images to create a 3D map of the area and to monitor the real‐time location of the robot in the area.FindingsThe SLAM approach will open up the range of possible autonomous mobile robot applications, especially service and non‐industrial applications.Practical implicationsThe scalable SLAM system and algorithms will enable improved performance in current as well as new mobile autonomous robot applications.Originality/valueUsers now have a totally new means for creating “maps” for autonomous mobile robotic activities.
Warehouse management technologies
Authors: Connolly Christine 
Published: April 2008

PurposeAims to discover the different technologies used in warehouse stock control.Design/methodology/approachThe paper begins with a review of optical and radio‐frequency product‐labelling technologies, and then examines various devices and systems for reading these labels and integrating stock control into back‐office databases. It then looks at techniques for finding the goods within the warehouse, from simple address labels to radar positioning and inertial navigation, considering both operator‐based and guided vehicle handling systems.FindingsLabelling technologies facilitate automatic product identification. Rugged handheld computers with wireless communications give real‐time capability and integrate stock control into wider software systems for efficient resource management. Speech synthesis provides one man‐machine interface enabling workers to order‐pick under database control. Automated readers record products entering and leaving the warehouse, theoretically removing the need for stock taking. Automatic guided vehicles are now available to stack and retrieve goods in the warehouse.Originality/valueProvides engineers with an overview of the diversity of solutions employed in warehouse stock handling.
GRAIL: a general purpose localization system
Authors: Chen Yingying , Chandrasekaran Gayathri , Elnahrawy Eiman , Francisco John‐Austen , Kleisouris Konstantinos , Li Xiaoyan , Martin Richard P. , Moore Robert S. , Turgut Begumhan 
Published: April 2008

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to describe a general purpose localization system, GRAIL. GRAIL provides real‐time, adaptable, indoor localization for wireless devices.Design/methodology/approachIn order to localize as diverse a set of devices as possible, GRAIL utilizes a centralized, anchor‐based approach. GRAIL defines an abstract data model for various system components to support different physical modalities. The scalable architecture of GRAIL provides maximum flexibility to integrate various localization algorithms.FindingsThe authors show through real deployments that GRAIL functions over a variety of physical modalities, networks, and algorithms. Further, the authors found that a centralized solution has critical advantages over distributed implementations for handling privacy concerns.Originality/valueA key contribution of this system is its universal approach: it can integrate different hardware and software capabilities within a single localization framework. The deployment of such a system in academic and research environments allows researchers to explore issues beyond algorithms and investigate effects in real deployments.