bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Investment incentives for single and multiple unit franchisees
Authors: Weaven Scott , Frazer Lorelle 
Published: July 2006

PurposeThis paper aims to provide a better understanding of the motivational incentives driving franchising choice from the franchisee's perspective and, in particular, to investigate a comparison of single and multiple unit franchisee incentives.Design/methodology/approachA qualitative methodology was adopted to gain a clearer picture of the salient issues influencing an individual's evaluation of franchising options. Both single and multiple unit franchisees within the McDonald's restaurant chain were interviewed.FindingsMajor contrasts were identified between single and multiple unit franchisees with regard to their motivations for entering franchising. In addition, franchisees who were previously employed were found to be different from those who were self‐employed.Research limitations/implicationsBecause it is difficult to identify potential multiple unit franchisees prior to joining a franchise, it was necessary to interview existing franchisees for this research. It is possible that their post‐hoc rationalisations may restrict the value of the research. In addition, motivational disincentives were not examined within this research. However, on balance, the reflections offered by the participants provide a rich and valuable source of information about their motivations.Practical implicationsFranchisors need to consider upfront whether they wish to recruit franchisees who remain single unit holders, or select and groom franchisees who show potential for managing multiple units. Thus, franchisors may need to redesign their selection strategies and communication methods to ensure the recruitment of suitable candidates who have the capacity to activate franchisor goals and promote a harmonious franchising relationship.Originality/valueWhereas previous research has investigated motivations for entering franchising, this paper supplements that literature by comparing single and multiple unit franchisee incentives.
Laddering in the practice of marketing research: barriers and solutions
Authors: Modesto Veludo‐de‐Oliveira Tânia , Akemi Ikeda Ana , Cortez Campomar Marcos 
Published: July 2006

PurposeThe paper seeks to present discussion on laddering application in the practice of marketing, considering both academic and market researches.Design/methodology/approachIt provides summary points of laddering as a qualitative research technique and the importance it can have in better understanding behaviour.FindingsThe paper argues that laddering is a useful and powerful technique but still underused by scholars and practitioners. The authors consider that the main apparent barriers precluding its proper use can be related to the following aspects: time‐consuming and expensive interviews; artificial set of answers; researcher biases; and simplistic analysis of the results.Originality/valueThis paper contributes to a better practice of laddering since it highlights its limitations and suggests alternatives to cope with them.
Leadership and cooperation as success factors in innovative R&D projects on electronic platforms
Authors: Heinz Ulrike , Baga Tünde , Gebert Diether , Kearney Eric 
Published: July 2006

PurposeThis study examines 56 R&D projects, in each of which several organizations cooperate via an electronic system platform. The aim was to examine the relationships among leadership, cooperation, and project success (product improvements).Design/methodology/approachThe paper investigates to what degree the relative importance of different aspects of leadership and cooperation in R&D projects on electronic platforms differs depending upon situational conditions.FindingsGiven a low level of electronic system and process integration, the frequency of personal contacts makes a significant contribution to explaining success variance. The quality of communication (team trust) is particularly important in the case of a high degree of electronic linkage. Enhancement of team spirit is more conductive to success in larger groups. Ensuring frequent personal contacts and clarifying goals, tasks, and responsibilities, respectively, contributes significantly to explaining success variance in large projects (but not in small ones). In projects with a great degree of task novelty (exploration), trustful communication becomes particularly important.Research limitations/implicationsThe sample was rather small, as is the population of interorganizational cooperative projects that was studied. Further research is needed in regard to the moderator effects that is posited.Practical implicationsKnowing what is important in a particular project configuration makes it possible to take informed action with respect to the success criterion.Originality/valueThe paper shows how, in the context of R&D projects on electronic platforms, the relative importance of different aspects of leadership and cooperation depends on the specific project characteristics.
Response to uncertainty
Authors: Rabey Gordon P. 
Published: July 2006

PurposeGlobalisation and technological developments are creating uncertainty in both the private and public sectors. There are calls on all sides for increased productivity. Measures for improving productivity involve staff retention and support and the development of an organisational culture that focuses on incentives and recognition.Design/methodology/approachIdentifies and discusses the linkages which unify an organisation and suggests ways of strengthening them and significantly raising productivity.FindingsThat optimum gain can be achieved when total organisational activity is coordinated and that the outcomes of extra effort are appropriately recognised.Originality/valueHigh potential but dependent upon interpretation and acceptance.
Anatomy of a business failure
Authors: Elenkov Detelin , Fileva Tonya 
Published: July 2006

PurposeTo investigate the innate reasons for one of the biggest business failures of a Western Multinational Corporation (WMNC) in Eastern Europe – the failure of Rover in Bulgaria. The main proposition of this study seeks to focus on the importance of gaining adequate knowledge about the prevailing economic ideology and specificity of the socio‐cultural value orientations in the host country as a critical factor to prevent a business failure in Eastern Europe.Design/methodology/approachArchival materials, including media publications, company documents, and government records (1991‐1998), along with personal interviews providing pieces of information about what actually happened with Rover in Bulgaria during the 1990s. Questionnaire‐based surveys were also used to do a cross‐cultural comparison between the UK and Bulgaria.FindingsRecognising that the failure of Rover in Bulgaria that appeared to be caused by bad luck could be actually pointed out as a case showing that the lack of adequate knowledge of the prevailing economic ideology and cultural‐value orientations would likely lead to a fiasco in Eastern Europe.Practical implicationsProactively learning from mistakes can secure successful performance of WMNC in Eastern Europe and make these companies much less vulnerable to occurrence of (unlikely) events or accidents in this part of the world.Originality/valueThe case study presents insights from an original investigation in the form of lessons for WMNC.
Cross‐cultural study of Asian and European student perception
Authors: Selvarajah Christopher 
Published: July 2006

PurposeThe paper seeks to explore educational objectives and attitudes to assessment methods between Chinese and New Zealand European students.Design/methodology/approachA conceptual framework developed from the literature and feedback from the pilot study, explains the impact of factors on curriculum development in this study. This conceptual framework was designed to give preliminary insights into the subject area and form the basis of the research. Curriculum development and teaching style are seen as the product of cultural impact. The cultural impact is made up of factor inputs from demands made on the educational system. The prime data collection method was a self‐completion questionnaire. The population group was postgraduate management students at the Albany Campus of Massey University in New Zealand.FindingsThe responses from 110 postgraduate students in management studies at the Albany Campus of Massey University in Auckland, New Zealand, suggest that there is a relationship between culture and education. The study shows that the two student groups have different educational objectives and prefer different assessment methods.Research limitations/implicationsSince this research is exploratory in nature and is restricted by sample size, the analysis of the research data was restricted to univariate analysis. In developing teaching styles and assessment methods at tertiary educational institutions where there are students from other cultural backgrounds, it is necessary to understand the reasons why these students enrol in various courses. To develop assessment methods without taking into consideration the learning styles of a changing student population will limit the extent to which expected knowledge transfer takes place.Practical implicationsThis study shows that postgraduate students in management studies from different cultural backgrounds, ethnicities and nationalities may respond to educational styles differently. To force students into an existing mould is problematic and does not serve well in a globalisation process that is now imposed on all nations.Originality/valueThe quality of postgraduate management courses rests in part on the diversity of the student population, which in turn enriches the educational contribution of students generally. It is left to the teaching staff and the tertiary institutions to decide how to harness this variation. Educational paradigm shifts in technologies, methods and perceptions are needed if changes in education styles are to take place. Re‐allocation of resources to postgraduate education, in line with a dynamic and changing environment, is equally important.
Maintenance strategies for used equipment under lease
Authors: Pongpech J. , Murthy D.N.P. , Boondiskulchock R. 
Published: July 2006

PurposeThe aim of this research is to determine the optimal upgrade and preventive maintenance actions that minimize the total expected cost (maintenance costs+penalty costs).Design/methodology/approachThe problem is a four‐parameter optimization with two parameters being k‐dimensional. The optimal solution is obtained by using a four‐stage approach where at each stage a one‐parameter optimization is solved.FindingsUpgrading action is an extra option before the lease of used equipment, in addition to preventive maintenance action. Upgrading action makes equipment younger and preventive maintenance action lowers the ROCOF.Practical implicationsThere is a growing trend towards leasing equipment rather than owning it. The lease contract contains penalties if the equipment fails often and repairs are done within reasonable time period. This implies that the lessor needs to look at optimal preventive maintenance strategies in the case of new equipment lease, and upgrade actions plus preventive maintenance in the case of used equipment lease. The paper deals with this topic and is of great significant to business involved with leasing equipment.Originality/valueNowadays many organizations are interested in leasing equipment and outsourcing maintenance. The model in this paper addresses the preventive maintenance problem for leased equipment. It provides an approach to dealing with this problem.
Physical modeling of catchment area by rapid prototyping using GIS data
Authors: Agrawal S. , Antunes J.P. , Theron E. , Truscott M. , de Beer D.J. 
Published: July 2006

PurposeThe purpose of the present work is to develop a methodology for making physical models of catchment areas and terrains by rapid prototyping (RP) using geographic information systems (GIS) data. It is also intended to reduce data loss by minimising intermediate data translations.Design/methodology/approachThe GIS data of a catchment area or a terrain were directly translated to an stereo lithography (STL) file. The STL surface was then manipulated in Magics‐RP to obtain a solid STL part, which can then be downloaded to a RP machine to obtain a physical model or representation of a terrain or catchtment area.FindingsIntricate geometries of landforms were created with ease and great accuracy in RP machines. Terrain models were created in less time and lower cost than with conventional methods.Research limitations/implicationsDEM ASCII XYZ (digital elevation model) data were used to input the required GIS data of specific terrains. Software can be developed for translation and manipulation of DEM, STL and other relevant file formats. This will eliminate any data loss associated with intermediate file transfer.Practical implicationsTerrain models were created with ease and great accuracy in RP machines. It takes less time and can be done more cost‐effectively. Terrain models have intricate geometries and for complex models, it may take months to make using conventional methods.Originality/valueSTL surfaces were obtained directly from GIS data for terrain modeling. This work fulfils the need of terrain modeling for catchment management, town‐planning, road‐transport planning, architecture, military applications, geological education, etc.
Wetting and infiltration of zirconium diboride by copper and copper/boron alloys
Authors: Stucker Brent E. , Bradley Walter L. 
Published: July 2006

PurposeThis paper investigates wetting and infiltration of zirconium diboride by copper and copper/boron alloys in order to more effectively create electrodes for electrical discharge machining.Design/methodology/approachA high temperature furnace outfitted with a video recording system was utilized to observe wetting angles between molten copper alloys and zirconium diboride at various temperatures. A parallel, investigation of the thermodynamics involved with oxidation in the system was also undertaken.FindingsThis study showed that zirconium diboride can be wet by pure copper under carefully controlled conditions where oxygen contamination is minimized, and that the wetting angle increases with increasing temperature. Thermodynamic calculations reinforce the contention that oxygen contamination is the key barrier to wetting and infiltration. The addition of boron to copper significantly improves the wetting characteristics, and enables wetting and infiltration under higher oxygen contamination conditions.Practical implicationsThis study illustrated that boron must be added to copper to achieve infiltration when surface oxides are present.Originality/valueInfiltration of porous 3D green shapes of ceramics and metals is a common method for producing metal and ceramic components using rapid prototyping. Good wetting of the porous material by the infiltrant material is necessary for successful infiltration using capillary forces. This paper illustrates the alloys and conditions under which it is possible to produce electrodes of zirconium diboride/copper using rapid prototyping.
Rapid manufacturing of patterns for investment casting: improvement of quality and success rate
Authors: Dotchev K. , Soe S. 
Published: July 2006

PurposeThe main objective of this paper is to analyse all stages of the CastForm™ polystyrene (CF) pattern fabrication process, identify the reasons leading to inferior quality, and outline techniques for its improvement and reduction of failures.Design/methodology/approachThis paper describes rapid manufacturing of patterns for shell or flask investment casting using the laser sintering (LS) technique with CF material. The process involves data preparation, LS fabrication of a “green” part, cleaning, and wax infiltration. All process stages are equally important for successful project completion in terms of pattern quality and delivery time. A failure at any stage requires a part or pattern to be produced again, which would incur additional time and cost.FindingsThe conducted experiments show how the CF material strength varies at different process stages and temperatures. Cleaning and wax infiltration are considered the main reasons for part distortion and breakage.Originality/valueThe paper proposes a new approach for wax infiltration. Deformation and breaking of unsupported features could be reduced or eliminated by introducing a supporting structure under these features.
Dynamic finite element analysis of photopolymerization in stereolithography
Authors: Jiang Cho‐Pei , Huang You‐Min , Liu Chun‐Ho 
Published: July 2006

PurposeThis paper aims to introduce the principle of the mask exposure and scanning stereolithography (MESS) and to develop a simulation code to analyze the MESS process.Design/methodology/approachPhotopolymerization is a key reaction in stereolithography. It brings about molecular linkage and releases exothermic temperature. The shrinkage effect is the major cause of prototype deformation, and the shrinkage resulting from scanning and mask exposing is different. It is important to analyze the inaccuracy of each curing layer after the mask exposing in order to optimize the scanning parameters. A simulation code, based on dynamic finite element method, to analyze the shrinkage effect in accordance with scanning path and mask exposure pattern. A benchmark model has been proposed to validate the implementation of the developed code.FindingsThe simulation results show that the developed code can analyze the deformation in laser scanning, masking exposing and the MESS process. In benchmark model study, the sharp corner shrinks faster than rounded edge in mask pattern curing. Although the profile scanning can maintain the high accuracy in the MESS process, the residual stress is easily discovered inside of the sharp corner.Originality/valueThe developed simulation code can be applied for optimizing scan path and exposing time due to the analysis process in accordance with the drawing path and fabrication parameters.
Online word‐of‐mouth: a comparison of American and Chinese discussion boards
Authors: Fong John , Burton Suzan 
Published: July 2006

PurposeThe important influence of peer recommendations on consumer purchases has been strongly established. However, the growth of electronic discussion boards has created a channel for online word‐of‐mouth (OWOM) between people who have never met. This study aims to examine and compare the frequency and content of postings on digital camera electronic discussion boards within US and China based websites.MethodologyData was collected from the “Photography” discussion boards on eBay and EachNet (a China based website). A total of 552 discussion postings from 257 participants over a three month period were analyzed and coded.FindingsThe analysis showed quantitative and qualitative differences in the content across the two sites. There were differences in the pattern of brand mentions across the two websites, and requests for information seeking behaviour also varied across the two sites; users of EachNet were more likely to request information, thus possibly increasing the likelihood of, and influence of, OWOM on this website. There were also significant differences in content, with higher country of origin (CoO) effects on EachNet. CoO effects were largely strongly negative, in particular showing high levels of negative references to brands originating from Japan.Research limitations/implicationsA limitation is the inability to ascertain the nationality of the participants on the discussion boards. Future research will also benefit from an extension of product categories.Originality/valueThe study is the first to examine word‐of‐mouth (WOM) in online discussion boards and thus provides valuable insight for marketers into this growing source of WOM.
Corporate moral branding: limits to aligning employees
Authors: Morsing Mette 
Published: July 2006

PurposeTo engage a critical discussion on the challenges raised for employees as corporate brands increasingly address moral issues.Design/methodology/approachThe paper links theories on corporate branding informed by marketing with theories on employee identification informed by critical sociology.FindingsWhile the move towards corporate branding with a strong emphasis on moral issues provides opportunities for improved employee identification, it may also lead to unintended implications in the sense of uniformity and centralisation of morals and employee demotivation.Research limitations/implicationsWhile this paper provides theoretical analysis of the potential direness of corporate moral brands in relation to employees, no empirical investigations have been carried out to illustrate and analyse such implications. It is of theoretical as well as managerial interest to provide more research to understand this relation better.Practical implicationsRather than imposing a corporate brand with moral and ethical visionary statements, managers engage employees in the corporate moral brand exercise.Originality/valueThe paper questions the immediate tendency towards integrating moral issues to the corporate brand based on an untested idea of that this will motivate external and internal stakeholders. Rather the paper suggests that the corporate moral brand may also serve counter‐productive purposes.
Competitive aesthetics, semiotics, chaos and leadership
Authors: Check Teck Foo 
Published: July 2006

PurposeTo highlight to CEOs/corporate community the emergence and rapidly rising phenomenon: e‐photography as part of corporate communication. In the process, the paper provides concepts, models, tools and techniques in coping with this fast developing, global trend.Design/methodology/approachThe paper reviews the literature of semiotics and emphasize a lack of focus amounting to neglect of research on photography. Citing Confucius, models are provided for conceptual testing in using e‐photographs for communicating. That it is the role of the CEO to emphasize on the visual as part of their competitive strategy. The paper also argues why e‐photography should become an integral part of corporate aesthetics and utilized for shaping corporate identity.FindingsFinds that the dynamic role of technology is a business driver and should assist corporate communication practices in stimulating strategic thinking.Originality/valueThe paper is a very useful resource for CEOs and corporate communicators in utilizing the emerging tool of e‐photography for shaping corporate aesthetics as part of identity building strategy.
Do South Korean companies need to obscure their country‐of‐origin image?
Authors: Kim Yungwook 
Published: July 2006

PurposeThe purpose of this study is to investigate dissimilar effects of the country image on consumers' brand image and purchase intention by differently perceived nationality groups.Design/methodology/approachOne Korean manufacturer, Samsung, is chosen to verify the proposed hypotheses. A survey was conducted with 328 participants in a Midwest City of the USA. The sampling was purposive. The participant was screened through age and the interest on buying electronic goods. The research approach was empirical.FindingsCountry image did not showcase any significant impact on brand image and purchase intention. Participants who thought Samsung a Japanese brand did not possess better brand image or purchase intention for the Samsung product compared to participants who knew the right nationality of South Korea. Also the Korea group did perform much better in purchase intention than the Taiwan group.Practical implicationsThis result indicates that positively identifying the country‐product image may be a better strategy than obscuring the country image in case of South Korea and other developing countries.Originality/valueThis paper fills the gap between country‐of‐origin image and consumers' decision making in the context of obscured country image. This result indicates that country image can work more constructively when the nationality of the product is identified accurately.