bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Consolidation in the Greek banking industry: which banks are acquired?
Authors: Pasiouras Fotios , Zopounidis Constantin 
Published: February 2008

PurposeThe present paper aims to examine the relationship between bank's characteristics and market characteristics and the probability of acquisition in the Greek banking industry.Design/methodology/approachLogistic regression is used to examine a sample of 24 banks, 9 of which were acquired between 1998 and 2002.FindingsIt is found that profit and cost efficiency, liquidity and capital strength do not seem to have an impact on the acquisition likelihood. Market share in terms of deposits, the number of branches, the annual growth of bank's total assets and the size of banks are negatively related to the acquisition likelihood. From the three market characteristics that were examined, the concentration of the five largest banks, the mean return on average assets of the industry and the average total assets growth, only the first one was found to have a negative and statistically significant impact on the acquisition likelihood.Research limitations/implicationsVariables related to management incentives and corporate governance, which may have an impact on the acquisition likelihood, were not available and therefore have not been considered. It is hoped that future research will improve upon this.Practical implicationsThe results could be of interest to bank managers of potential targets that would like to know whether their bank is developing a profile similar to the typical target. Furthermore, knowledge of bank's and market characteristics that increase the probability of acquisition can be of particular interest to policy makers.Originality/valueThe investigation of the characteristics that affect the likelihood that a bank will be acquired has been largely ignored with most studies in banks M&As using event study, operating performance or X‐efficiency methodology to examine the effect of M&As on the stock prices or the performance of banks. Furthermore, the limited studies that have examined the characteristics of acquired banks have focused on the US market. The present paper adds to the literature by examining the Greek banking sector, which is different from the US one in many aspects.
A comment on paradox and middle‐range theory: universality, synthesis and supplement
Authors: Saren Michael , Pels Jaqueline 
Published: February 2008

PurposeThis paper aims to highlight the value of adopting a middle‐range theory approach in conceptualizing and investigating marketing practices.Design/methodology/approachBuilding on the work of Merton, the paper discusses O'Driscoll's article on the role of paradoxes (both theoretical as well as methodological paradoxes).FindingsThe paper argues that it is important to rescue and stress the benefits that adopting a multi‐paradigmatic view has in providing a better understanding of current marketing practices.Originality/valueThis position allows one both to avoid the incommensurability “trap” of being “boxed” into the explanatory dimensions of the chosen paradigm and to develop a richer holistic view. The discussion is grounded on the Contemporary Marketing Practices (CMP) research project.
Research‐informed teaching and teaching‐informed research: the Contemporary Marketing Practices (CMP) living case study approach to understanding marketing practice
Authors: Little Victoria , Brookes Richard , Palmer Roger 
Published: February 2008

PurposeThis paper aims to demonstrate how a Contemporary Marketing Practices (CMP)‐based living case study approach can be used to enhance student learning, and to develop new theory about marketing practice.Design/methodology/approachThe paper compares and contrasts teaching cases and research cases to create context. It then describes two examples of the living case study approach: one project directed at understanding the impact of information technologies (IT) on marketing practice, and the other at examining managerial understandings of customer value.FindingsThe study finds that a living case approach extends insight into antecedents and consequences of marketing practice, consistent with CMP research objectives. New conceptual frameworks for the IT adoption process and conceptions of customer value are co‐created by executive students and the authors. It shows that managers are able contributors to theory development. The paper concludes that the living case approach provides a rich “zone of mutuality” between research and teaching.Research limitations/implicationsAction learning can be used in business schools to enhance theoretical and practical understanding of complex process‐based phenomena.Practical implicationsThe living case study is suited to post‐experience students rather than undergraduates. In addition to considering the nature of the student body, faculty should also consider fit with their personal competencies and the curriculum prior to taking this approach. However, it should be done so advisedly.Originality/valueThe study stimulates reflection on alternative approaches to teaching and learning in executive education, and to theory development in marketing practice.
The walls speak: the interplay of quality facilities, school climate, and student achievement
Authors: Uline Cynthia , Tschannen‐Moran Megan 
Published: February 2008

PurposeA growing body of research connecting the quality of school facilities to student performance accompanies recent efforts to improve the state of the educational infrastructure in the USA. Less is known about the mechanisms of these relationships. This paper seeks to examine the proposition that part of the explanation may be the mediating influence of school climate.Design/methodology/approachTeachers from 80 Virginia middle schools were surveyed employing measures including the School Climate Index, a seven‐item quality of school facilities scale, as well as three resource support items. Data on student SES and achievement were also gathered. Bivariate correlational analysis was used to explore the relationships between the quality of facilities, resource support, school climate, student SES, and student achievement. In addition, multiple regression was used to test school climate as a mediating variable between the quality of facilities and student achievement.FindingsResults confirmed a link between the quality of school facilities and student achievement in English and mathematics. As well, quality facilities were significantly positively related to three school climate variables. Finally, results confirmed the hypothesis that school climate plays a mediating role in the relationship between facility quality and student achievement.Originality/valueAs we face fundamental issues of equity across schools and districts, leaders struggle to convince taxpayers of the need to invest in replacing and/or renovating inadequate facilities. Deeper understandings of the complicated interplay between the physical and social environments of school, and how these dynamics influence student outcomes, may help educators build a compelling case.
The place of leadership in turnaround schools
Authors: Murphy Joseph 
Published: February 2008

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to review the literature from the organizational sciences to develop a grounded narrative of turnaround leadership.Design/methodology/approachThe paper is a review of literature, which employs a ten‐step process to explore and make sense of the turnaround literature from the organizational sciences. The paper relies on strategies appropriate for document analysis, and borrows analytic strategies (e.g. memoing, coding) employed with interview data.FindingsThe paper finds three defining themes that flow from the review of empirical and theoretical work on organizational recovery in firms, non‐educational public agencies, and not‐for‐profit organizations: leadership as the critical variable in the turnaround equation; change of leadership as a generally essential element in organizational recovery; and type of leadership, but not style, as important in organizational reintegration work.Practical implicationsThe paper posits that the literature on turning around failing organizations in sectors outside of education provides blueprints for recovery activity in failing schools. The implications for turnaround leadership are particularly strong.Originality/valueThis paper is the first systematic effort to mine research in the corporate, not‐for‐profit, and public sectors to develop insights for leadership in failing schools.
When parents choose to start up a school
Authors: Eyal Ori 
Published: February 2008

PurposeBy exploring the unique networks of parents, this paper attempts to shed light on the assumptions of social capital theory, showing the advantages of combining bonding and bridging social capital for educational entrepreneurship.Design/methodology/approachThis paper focuses on a group of Israeli parents who founded a new school. Data collection and analysis were based on the grounded theory perspective. In total, 20 in‐depth interviews were conducted. Triangulation was achieved by studying the phenomenon from different perspectives: those of the founders, school employees, and people who supported the founding of the school. The data were analyzed using categorization techniques.FindingsThe paper finds that bonding and bridging social capital complemented each other. Whereas the former was employed to take advantage of existing opportunities in the community, the latter was used to explore new opportunities that would otherwise not be available. Moreover, it was found that both strong and weak ties may be used by parents to obtain scarce resources. The study shows that parents with cultural capital know the “rules of the game” and can therefore take advantage of network opportunities to ensure the school's survival.Originality/valueThis paper reframes parental involvement, using social capital as a theoretical perspective. From this perspective, it uncovers the deeper aspects of the network dynamics and unique circumstances created when bonding and bridging social capital are combined.
Demographics and patronage motives of supercenter shoppers in the United States
Authors: Carpenter Jason M. 
Published: February 2008

PurposeThis paper seeks to provide an updated, general understanding of supercenter shopping behavior in the USA.Design/methodology/approachThe study employs a sample generated from Retail Forward panel data to assess the impact of demographic variables, including gender, age, ethnicity, education, income, marital status, and household size, on supercenter shopping frequency across four product categories (apparel, health and beauty, home furnishings, and consumer electronics). Descriptive and inferential statistical techniques (regression, ANOVA) are used to evaluate the data.FindingsThe paper identifies demographic groups who frequent supercenters and examines patronage motives as drivers of supercenter shopping behavior.Research limitations/implicationsGeneralizations of the findings of this study to markets outside the USA are limited due to the differences in consumers and retail formats available in various countries. Future research could compare shopping behavior within large formats across international markets.Practical implicationsThis research provides supercenter retailers who operate within the USA with specific knowledge of the patronage motives driving cross‐category shopping in supercenters (e.g. value, one‐stop shopping convenience, brands, product assortment) and identifies the demographic characteristics of cross‐category shoppers. The results suggest marketing strategy implications for supercenter operators in the US market. As competition in the sector continues to evolve and consumer demographics change within the US market, understanding cross‐category shopping will be critical to retailer performance in the industry.Originality/valueThis study uses demographics and patronage motives as a framework for profiling cross‐category shoppers in the US supercenters. The paper is unique because there are few similar empirical studies which focus on consumer behavior within supercenters.
An empirical analysis of the components of retailer customer loyalty programs
Authors: Gable Myron , Fiorito Susan S. , Topol Martin T. 
Published: February 2008

PurposeThis paper sets out to determine the benefits offered to customers and activities taken by retailers, whether or not they have formal customer loyalty programs, whether there are differences in the benefits/activities of retailers with and without formal loyalty programs and finally, whether specific benefits/activities of retailers can predict whether or not they have formal loyalty programs.Design/methodology/approachA questionnaire was sent to a random sample of retailers in one US state. In addition, respondents reporting that they had formal loyalty programs received a telephone call lasting less than ten minutes designed to gather further information regarding their loyalty program. χ2, Kendall's W and logistic regression analysis were used to test the purposes of this study.FindingsThe most used benefits/activities of participating retailers are: demonstrating having the customers' interests at heart, providing financial incentives to selected customers, sending thank you notes to customers, and identifying customer preferences and recording them to guide future actions. In addition, a model was developed that was used to predict those retailers that had formal loyalty programs.Research limitations/implicationsGiven the nature of the sample, there is a need for replication to corroborate these findings. A larger‐sized sample would be needed to determine the presence of moderating and mediating factors that should be taken into account, such as size, environment, and competition.Practical implicationsCustomer loyalty is one critical key to business success and retaining an existing customer costs far less than acquiring new ones. One way to do this is to create customer loyalty programs that effectively reward one's best or potentially important best customers. Further, these program participants will spend more than the non‐participants.Originality/valueThis empirical research provides support for retailers' usage of loyalty programs. Further, insights are provided into the activities that can be used to retailers' competitive advantage by identifying the types of benefits they can offer.
Shelf management of store brands: analysis of manufacturers' perceptions
Authors: Gómez Mónica , Rubio Natalia 
Published: February 2008

PurposeThis paper seeks to analyze the shelf management actions undertaken by dealers between manufacturer and store brands, from the manufacturer perspective. Particularly, to know whether there is an agreement in manufacturers' perceptions on the merchandising of the different brands on the shelf or, on the contrary, whether different groups of manufacturers can be identified – in the latter case, to characterize these groups of manufacturers.Design/methodology/approachThe data come from a survey aimed at the business units of mass commodity companies in Spain. The variables are: seven items on agreement degree regarding the shelf management carried out by distributors, manufacturer's descriptive variables and manufacturer's competitive strategy variables. The manufacturers' perceptions are analyzed by univariate and bivariate descriptive analysis techniques. Different groups of manufacturers in relation to their merchandising and shelf space perceptions are identified by multivariate techniques of cluster and hierarchical segmentation.FindingsOn average, manufacturers consider that retailers are favoring unequal competition terms between manufacturer and store brands through better merchandising management for their own brands. Nevertheless, different groups of manufacturers are identified according to their perceptions.Originality/valueThe potential contribution of this research lies in the identification and characterization of different groups of manufacturers regarding their opinions about shelf management actions undertaken by retailers. Moreover, the results evidence an increasing power of retailers and show manufacturers how they can respond.
Does national culture affect hotel managers' approach to business strategy?
Authors: Ayoun Baker , Moreo Patrick J. 
Published: February 2008

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to empirically examine the potential impact of the cultural dimension of power distance on hotel managers' approach to business strategy development.Design/methodology/approachA survey was administered to hotel top managers in four countries, namely, the USA, Thailand, Malaysia, and Turkey. The questionnaire measured several aspects of strategy‐making process that are subject to differences in culture. Four research questions were answered using analysis of variance.FindingsThe results were less supportive to the proposed relationships in each of the research questions, which predicted that managers from varied power distance cultures would exhibit varied degrees of participative style, openness to strategic change, formality of strategic control, and people‐focused orientation when setting strategic goals.Research limitations/implicationsGeneralizability of the findings is limited due to the non‐response bias that could not be assessed in the present study, and the reliance on self‐report data.Practical implicationsHotel managers engaging in international alliances, affiliations, joint ventures, and other forms of collaboration with other managers in other countries should be less concerned about their counterparts' differences in strategic behavior and philosophy.Originality/valueThis study began to fill in the gap in the literature identified by previous researchers by providing empirical support for propositions about the relationship between culture and strategic management. The study provided insights into the process, as well as directions for the progression of the research stream dealing with the behavioral aspects of the strategic management of hotel organizations.
Technological innovation supporting different food production philosophies in the food service sectors
Authors: Rodgers Svetlana 
Published: February 2008

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to identify technological challenges and innovative solutions in each of the food production philosophies in the food service sector, namely: industrial cuisine, fast food and fresh food.Design/methodology/approachThe paper reviews industry reports on cooking equipment and preparation techniques. Conceptual links are made with possible future developments as well as operational/strategic advantages they represent.FindingsInnovation in food preparation commands multi‐disciplinary approaches stemming from engineering and food science. Industrial cuisine would benefit from automation, units with intensive heating, robust food product design and shelf‐life extension; fast food from reduced oil absorption by food, better cooking oils, automation and short frying time; and fresh food from rapid cooking, visually appealing serving units and analytical instrumentation for testing raw produce. Future innovations may originate in the field of robotics, food engineering and laboratory equipment design including miniaturisation and portability of units. Sophistication in product development can be achieved through application of the principles of molecular gastronomy in combination with computer modelling.Practical implicationsManagers can conceptualise their operations in terms of the philosophies presented in the paper. Technological innovation is critical to sustain competitiveness (cost leadership and differentiation). The list of underpinning disciplines in food production can be used by educators wishing to enhance their programs with fundamentals supporting innovation.Originality/valueFood preparation philosophies are presented in the light of impacts on food sensory and microbiological quality, nutritional value and operational efficiencies. The possibilities for future innovation stemming from developments in other technologically advanced fields are identified.
Resort spas: how are they massaging hotel revenues?
Authors: Madanoglu Melih , Brezina Sherie 
Published: February 2008

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to illustrate financial benefits of spa operations in resorts by developing a spa revenue contribution technique/method.Design/methodology/approachThis purpose is achieved by utilizing current industry and academic literature in the fields of hospitality and resort management.FindingsThe results show that a hypothetical resort with 300 rooms would achieve a spa revenue per occupied room of $40.08 which translates into additional annual revenue of more than $3,500,000.Practical implicationsOne of the implications of this study is that a well‐run spa may contribute approximately US$28 per available room. Another practical implication is that spas are important generators of additional revenue as they may contribute, at times, over 20 percent to room revenue by using considerably less space than resort/hotel rooms do.Originality/valueThis paper derives its value from developing a specific technique to support the common notion that a well‐operated spa makes a significant contribution to resort revenues.
The role of trust in employee‐manager relationship
Authors: Gill Amarjit S. 
Published: February 2008

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to examine the effects of trust on an employee's job satisfaction and dedication. This study also extends Flaherty and Pappas's findings regarding the role of trust in salesperson‐sales manager relationships and Gill and Mathur's findings related to employee dedication and pro‐social behavior.Design/methodology/approachEmployees from hospitality industry were interviewed to examine if employee trust in a hospitality manager improves job satisfaction and dedication.FindingsDegree of employee job satisfaction and dedication is related to degree of employee trust in a hospitality manager.Practical implicationsIf employees perceive higher degree of trust in a hospitality manager, the degree of their job satisfaction and dedication is perceived higher and vice‐versa.Originality/valueThis paper offers useful insights for hospitality managers based on empirical evidence.
Managing human resources for service excellence and cost effectiveness at Singapore Airlines
Authors: Wirtz Jochen , Heracleous Loizos , Pangarkar Nitin 
Published: February 2008

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to explore the nature of Singapore Airline's human resource (HR) management practices that enable the company to deliver consistent service excellence in an efficient manner and achieve sustainable competitive advantage.Design/methodology/approachThe paper presents an in‐depth case study based on primary and secondary data, and especially in‐depth interviews of senior management and senior flight crew.FindingsThe study finds that Singapore Airlines' HR practices involve stringent selection and recruitment processes, extensive training and retraining, successful service delivery teams, empowerment of front‐line staff to control service quality, and motivating staff through rewards and recognition.Practical implicationsThis research has implications for organisations that aim to deliver consistent service excellence, by outlining HR practices that assist in this goal; and for senior management, particularly highlighting the importance and contribution of HR to competitive advantage, and the importance of strategic alignment between functional strategies and business‐level strategies.Originality/valueThe paper contributes to the understanding of how HR practices contribute to service excellence and competitive advantage, this being a key dimension of strategic alignment.