bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
E‐tail spending patterns and the importance of online store familiarity
Authors: Stranahan Harriet , Kosiel Dorota 
Published: August 2007

PurposeThis study aims to explore patterns in e‐tail spending across different demographic groups and to predict which households are the most frequent shoppers and highest spenders. Further, it aims to investigate which households are least likely to purchase from unfamiliar online stores.Design/methodology/approachUsing a random sample of Florida households, the study is the first to use probit and ordered probit models to study Internet purchasing behavior.FindingsYounger, college educated, higher income households living in suburban, rural and small towns spend and shop the most online. Caucasians purchase online more often than African Americans and Hispanics but spend about the same amount. The study also finds that male, Hispanic, college educated and younger consumers are more willing to purchase from unfamiliar online stores.Originality/valueThis study provides new evidence on factors affecting household online spending and buying decisions. Previous studies have not used an ordered probit to model different levels of spending and this new specification provides information about which demographic groups are the most (or the least) frequent buyers as well as which demographic groups are the highest (or the lowest) e‐tail spenders. This study also investigates which demographic groups are most likely to shop only at stores with whom they are already familiar.
Transformation from Internet portal to the world's largest Internet communications enterprise
Authors: Rau Karl‐Heinz 
Published: August 2007

PurposeThis paper aims to give the reader an insight into the evolution of a fast‐growing and innovative Internet company by helping to understand the web portal business in Germany and to identify and assess strategies to transform an Internet portal to an Internet communications enterprise.Design/methodology/approachThe case is based on field research accomplished together with executives of the company.FindingsThe case shows that implementing a professional management structure and a continuous strategic analysis of the competitive environment are crucial for being successful in a dynamic Internet business.Practical implicationsTeachers can use this case study in advanced management courses for applying methodologies of strategic analysis, e.g. M. Porter's five‐forces‐model, value‐chain analysis, concept of key success factors, SWOT‐analysis. Students are expected to know basics about financial analysis, and information technologies. Managers can take the case as a best practice example for successful entrepreneurship in the Internet world.Originality/valueThe paper provides insights into the strategies of an innovative Internet company.
Evolution of “Universal Business Excellence Model” incorporating Vedic philosophy
Authors: Sharma Anil K. , Talwar Balvir 
Published: August 2007

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to evolve the Universal Business Excellence Model (UBEM) with the integration of common features of business excellence models (BEMs) with universal laws of nature to facilitate multi‐dimensional business growth.Design/methodology/approachBusiness has focused on accumulation of wealth at the cost of society for decades. It has resulted in socio‐economic, political and environmental problems and led to the evolution of quality, environmental, HSE systems and BEMs, etc. Vedic philosophy emphasizes that a core function of business is to create wealth for “Well being of society”. To evolve UBEM, synthesis of BEM, e.g. the Malcolm Baldrige National Quality Award (MBNQA), the European Quality Award (EQA) and the Deming Prize has been undertaken to identify the common and unique issues. In addition, certain issues not adequately addressed in BEM but emphasized in Vedic hymns have been empirically tested to check their applicability in the current business scenario.FindingsThe paper finds that UBEM stresses that profit is not the ultimate objective of the business, but a means to achieve the sustainable success. Interestingly, professionals of various age groups, different countries and backgrounds have overwhelmingly supported the concept in empirical study.Research limitations/implicationsHymn from Rig‐Veda explains that physical as well as moral laws govern the entire universe. Vedic philosophy derives infinite creativity, actions and power from the universal laws of Nature. This paper is an attempt to integrate philosophy of the East with modern practices of the West. It is an example for researchers to explore several new areas to integrate the best of the both (East and West) and provide a new direction to the mankind.Practical implicationsThe use of the UBEM will make it easier for practicing managers to reach the right decisions for sustainable success.Originality/valueThe UBEM identifies the “values and process flow” and measurement of “multiple bottom‐lines” as the key to success. Integration of “organization vision” with “universal wellbeing” leads to sustainable success and provides an access to the infinite power of “cosmic energy” to ensure multi‐dimensional growth.
Investigating the human resources context and content on TQM, business excellence and ISO 9001:2000
Authors: Vouzas Fotis 
Published: August 2007

PurposeThe main objective of this paper is to theoretically investigate the human resources (HR) context and content on total quality management (TQM), business excellence and ISO 9000:2000.Design/methodology/approachThe HR‐quality relationship has largely been ignored or underestimated. This paper investigates the existing literature and digs into the various approaches and frameworks in order to evaluate the rhetoric and the reality of this relationship. The examination of differences, similarities and convergence is of high importance in understanding the contribution of HR issues to all of these quality approaches.FindingsBesides the “good stories” of implementation of the European Quality Award (EQA) model, the ISO 9000:2000 certification and TQM, the paper reveals a number of problematic areas in relation to effective HR utilization such as: low utilization of employees' skills and knowledge, lack of a vision and a mission for HR followed by systematic design and implementation of strategic human resource management (HRM) practices.Research limitations/implicationsThis is the first step towards an understanding of the current status of the HR context and content on TQM, business excellence and ISO 9000:2000. The paper addresses a series of issues concerning organizations worldwide in their road to quality improvement and business excellence. There is a need to further evaluate organizations by measuring their HR performance and the degree of quality implementation in the future.Practical implicationsThe paper is aiming at both Quality and HR people within the organization. Quality cannot be achieved without fully utilization of organization's HR, and the HR function needs a new vision and practices that are focused on internal customer satisfaction.Originality/valueThe paper provides a reliable and objective depiction of the current status of the HR context and content on TQM, business excellence and ISO 9000:2000 through the examination and analysis of a state‐of‐the‐art literature review studies, including all the various approaches, practices and perceptions recorded so far in the literature ‐some of them based on empirical data and some deriving from rhetoric and “good‐stories” or “how things ought to be” perspective.
Managing information flows for quality improvement of projects
Authors: Zeng S.X. , Lou G.X. , Tam Vivian W.Y. 
Published: August 2007

PurposeA quality management system based‐ISO 9001 focuses on confirming process conformance from the initial development of a product through production, test, installation and servicing. Information management has been a key factor affecting the effective implementation of the standard. The aim of this study is to explore management of information flows in quality assurance in project management. It is hoped to that it will be helpful in pursuing continuous quality improvement in the construction industry.Design/methodology/approachBased on the characteristics of the construction industry, this study designed an organizational structure with three levels, including firm, sub‐firms and project departments. The paper examined the difficulties for the multi‐level organizational structure in information transferring and feedback.FindingsIt is found that there are information asymmetries in quality management from internal and external organizations. Internally, information asymmetry exists between contractor, subcontractors and suppliers; and externally, there is no information sharing mechanism between project departments. Information feedback is more difficult than information transferring in a construction firm.Practical implicationsThe construction industry has always been bedeviled with great difficulties in sharing information among its participants. Although many construction firms have claimed to be ISO 9000‐certified, there is still missing an effective channel of information flow for quality management.Originality/valueThe paper proposes reengineering current management strategy for establishing an information network for quality management. This study could help construction firms to effectively manage information flow to achieve continuous quality improvement.
Integrating multiple manufacturing initiatives: challenge for automotive suppliers
Authors: Johnson Dana M. , Sun Jichao , Johnson Mark A. 
Published: August 2007

PurposeThe primary purpose of the research was to determine whether automotive manufacturers integrate multiple manufacturing initiatives and whether performance measures were impacted directly by these initiatives.Design/methodology/approachA mail survey questionnaire was used to gather data about the attitudinal attributes associated with implementing multiple manufacturing initiatives (i.e. ISO 9001, ISO 14001, lean manufacturing) and changes in key performance measures, both financial and nonfinancial. Descriptive statistics were utilized to gain a better understanding of the level of implementation of specific initiatives. Different forms of regression analysis were used to try to locate a statistically significant predictive model.FindingsTwo surveys of automotive suppliers were conducted during early summer 2001 and 2002 to gather information about multiple initiatives, customer mandates, and performance measurement. The results indicate that suppliers are not integrating the initiatives or linking them to financial and/or nonfinancial performance measurements. It was intended to develop a predictive model linking the implementation of multiple manufacturing initiatives and the impact on changing in performance measures. No statistically significant model was discovered. However, and not surprisingly, the level of implementation of different initiatives varies from one organization to another.Research limitations/implicationsThe size of the sample could pose a limitation in terms of generalizabiity. Also, this study was applied to specifically to the automotive supply parts industry and it could be applicable to other manufacturing supply chains.Practical implicationsAutomotive industry suppliers have been faced with multiple, mandated requirements from the original equipment manufacturers. Continuing pressures to reduce price, improve quality, while producing an environmental friendly product using lean manufacturing practices has placed a financial strain on suppliers operating with thin profit margins. Are these initiatives being integrated into the overall business strategy and what impact are they having on performance measures? Based on the research, it did not appear to be well integrated. Additionally, a comparative analysis was conducted to note differences between senior management and middle management/professional staff. It was not surprising to find that senior management has higher expectations and opinions regarding implementation levels and performance.Originality/valueThe information in this study is particularly useful to manufacturers or others implementing standards or methodologies and to understand whether there is a direct impact on performance measurements.
Assessing energy within organisations
Authors: Schiuma G. , Mason S. , Kennerley M. 
Published: August 2007

PurposeThe energy of employees is recognised as an important factor in their performance and in maximising their overall contribution to the organisation. Organisational energy is dynamic in nature; it is more than just the sum of the energy of its employees. It also includes the interaction and dynamics of teams and the organisation as a whole. This paper aims to provide an investigation of the role and relevance of energy in driving business performance.Design/methodology/approachThis paper explores the relevance of assessing energy within an organisation in order to drive business performance. It examines the sources and dynamics of energy, in order to provide insights into the nature of energetic organisations, and how they can leverage the concept of energy to improve business performance.FindingsAdopting a deductive approach, on the basis of a literature review, the paper proposes an explanatory framework for understanding the relationship between energy and performance – The Energy Performance Chain.Research limitations/implicationsThe paper proposes a novel framework and approach for understanding the link between energy and organisational performance that can form the basis for further empirical research.Practical implicationsThe paper provides a framework for practicing managers to understand the concept of energy at work and how they can leverage organisational energy to improve their organisational performance.Originality/valueThe paper provides a novel investigation of energy as a driver or organisational performance, providing a framework and approach to leveraging energy in organisations.
Bi‐negotiation integrated AHP in suppliers selection
Authors: Chen Yee‐Ming , Huang Pei‐Ni 
Published: August 2007

PurposeThis paper seeks to propose a new approach for tackling the uncertainty and imprecision of identifying suitable supplier offers, evaluating these offers and choosing the best alternatives in bi‐negotiation. In a build‐to‐order supply chain, the handling of uncertainties is addressed by a real time information sharing system and appropriate supplier selection.Design/methodology/approachA methodology integrated analytic hierarchy process (AHP) with bi‐negotiation agents based on the multi‐criteria decision‐making approach and software agent technique is then developed to take into account both qualitative and quantitative factors in supplier selection.FindingsDuring the decision‐making between buyer and suppliers, the AHP process matches product characteristics with supplier characteristics. Next, agents assist the user in the debate to negotiate a joint representation of the supplier chosen and automatically justify proposals with this joint representation.Originality/valueThis study focused on a multi‐attribute negotiation mechanism including qualitative conditions, which enables automated negotiation on multiple attributes. Finally, a fuzzy membership function represented the joint representation's cognition for each condition such as quantity, price, quality, and delivery for the outsourced component. A case study in a high‐end computer manufacturing company is given to demonstrate the potential of the methodology.
Cross‐benchmarking international competitiveness and performance in human language technologies
Authors: Kenny Brian , Meaton Julia 
Published: August 2007

PurposeCompetitive success as a nation requires balancing commercial innovativeness and social welfare, which results in a sound basis for socio‐economic development. All potential resources – including entrepreneurial activity and innovations – can be utilized as promoters of competitiveness and welfare. Thus, useful lessons for general national competitiveness can be learned from benchmarking individual innovations and perhaps even more so, from those less glamorized technologies such as human language technologies (HLT). Finnish researchers are considered to be at the leading edge of developments in a number of ICT fields. The main responsibility for the utilization of knowledge is seen, necessarily, to rest with the public sector, while the legislative framework is considered to favour entrepreneurship and innovation. Aims to discuss the issues.Design/methodology/approachNational competitiveness and HLT benchmarking pose a number of interesting questions and issues both macro and micro levels. For example: the extent to which benchmark performance in HLT is consistent with national competitiveness; link between robustness of research effort in any particular language community and effectiveness of technology transfer to market; and fostering and funding of entrepreneurial activity in HLT in the successful (benchmarked) countries and the fit with national vision and innovation policy. For the first two areas, relationships between HLT benchmark and comparative national competitiveness of top countries are examined through comparison of their respective primitive dimensions. Data sources include official and quasi‐official public documents. The final stage is explored using a case study approach and comparative assessment against extant entrepreneurship literature.FindingsThere appears to be no direct link between robustness of the HLT research effort in any particular language community and actual effectiveness of technology transfer to market. None the less, success in the Finnish HLT benchmark appears to correlate with the country's international competitiveness standing and “social innovation policy” paradigm. Its knowledge society model has clearly resulted in a sound basis for its socio‐economic development, where all potential resources – including its entrepreneurial base – and innovations, can be utilized as promoters of competitiveness and welfare. Within this entrepreneurial base, HLT SMEs tend to seek scale economies through internationalise at the early stages of development.Originality/valueThe paper shows that Finland is well placed to meet the challenges and to capitalise on the economic and social opportunities, given its strength in ICT/HLT innovation policy country's open self‐criticism of the latter.
Expanding the academic discipline of real estate valuation
Authors: Vandell Kerry D. 
Published: August 2007

PurposeThis paper aims to trace the evolution of the theory and practice of valuation of real estate interests. Using a historical perspective, especially in the context of recent events, it identifies an emerging unification of thought and application that has important implications for the future.Design/methodology/approachThe paper identifies and synthesizes the contributory literature to the philosophical underpinnings of value theory and practice as applied to real estate. From pre‐history to the present, it traces classical concepts and the way these are related to the recent innovations in economic and financial valuation theory.FindingsRecent contributions to value theory hold the promise of unifying and transforming the practice of real estate appraisal to one that is state‐of‐the‐art in terms of its contemporary relevance. However, numerous issues remain as obstacles, including insufficient recognition of the “real” nature (as opposed to “capital” nature) of real estate; a lag in educational standards to bring the profession up to date; an excessive reliance on models and data rather than judgment and common sense; and “silo‐ization” of specialties. Promising directions for future research are identified.Originality/valueThe task of valuation of interests in real property has taken on an increasingly important role, as the market for real estate has grown and become more liquid and complete. This paper provides a perspective on where it has come from and where it must go in the future in terms necessary changes in theory and practice to remain viable and relevant.
Re‐engineering a valuation degree: how did we get here and where do we go?
Authors: Baxter James S. 
Published: August 2007

PurposeThis paper aims to review property and valuation education within the university context, using the experience of program re‐development at RMIT University, Melbourne, Australia, as a case study.Design/methodology/approachThe paper utilises a literature review, comparing and contrasting the program renewal process within the university to experiences elsewhere and their inherent values. In critically examining some of the difficulties found within the program renewal process, issues symptomatic of the wider valuation profession and tertiary education system have been revealed. It provides the genesis of a wider study linking tertiary education and the valuation profession's needs in the mid‐term.FindingsValuation education is often subsumed within a generalist property curriculum. As part of their resource allocation models universities are now paying close attention to teaching quality, research output, and graduate outcomes, often favouring generalist curricula rather than discipline‐specific. There needs to be a careful analysis of the university experience of property and valuation students to ensure that graduate capabilities meet industry expectations, and that graduates themselves are able to adapt to future change. There also needs to be greater attention paid to the quality of teaching within universities and more evidence that mainstream tertiary teaching pedagogy is properly applied within the programs offered.Research limitations/implicationsAs a case study this paper chronicles the experiences at one university. It indicates a need for a wider, systematic study of how greater engagement by property and valuation academic and teaching staff can be more actively engaged in mainstream university teaching pedagogy.Originality/valueThe value of this paper lies in its chronicling of a detailed and structured renewal process. It highlights real difficulties faced by tertiary academics in a narrow discipline such as valuation during a renewal process, aimed at continuing high‐quality professional education.
Where is the world of property valuation for taxation purposes going?
Authors: Tretton David 
Published: August 2007

PurposeThe paper's purpose is to review the growth of computer supported valuation models and the increased access via information technology to property data in the world of property taxation. The paper aims to stimulate debate on what the short/medium term future may hold. Is there room for both traditional valuation surveying skills and computer mass appraisal models in the enlightened property taxation world, where transparency and access to property data is expected?Design/methodology/approachThe paper compares and contrasts developments and trends in the use of automated valuation models (AVMs) across the world to assess property for local taxation purposes. It focuses in detail on three automated property taxation valuation systems of which the author has working knowledge and experience: Valuation Office Agency – Council Tax (Dwellings) and Non Domestic Rating (Commercial); Northern Ireland Valuation and Lands Agency – Domestic (Dwellings); Hong Kong Rating and Valuation Department (Dwellings and Commercial) property. The paper also considers the progress made in access to property data and data storage/retrieval.FindingsAutomated valuation programmes assist in the production of a valuation but its quality and accuracy are data and valuer led. One size does not fit all and there is no automated replacement for the subjective professional judgement of the valuer.Originality/valueThis paper considers the challenges, opportunities and possible problems when using computer driven valuation models for property taxation purposes.