bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
A profile of Koreans: who purchases fashion goods online?
Authors: Sung Heewon , Jeon Yangjin 
Published: March 2009

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to classify internet users by fashion lifestyles, to profile the demographic and internet usage characteristics of each segment, and to examine evaluation for fashion e‐retailers' attributes.Design/methodology/approachA total of 1,211 internet users who have visited an online fashion mall at least once participated in a web survey. Lifestyles were analyzed by factor analysis, generating five factors. Five segments were obtained by k‐mean cluster analysis. Descriptive analysis, ANOVA, chi‐square tests, and radar charts were employed.FindingsInternet users were classified into Economical Shopper, Recreational Shopper, Fashion/brand Shopper, Fashion Follower, and Individualistic Shopper. Each segment presented different characteristics in demographics and internet usages. In addition, segments evaluated e‐retailers' attributes differently. Fashion/brand Shopper presented the highest levels of overall satisfaction and intention to purchase fashion goods online, while Fashion Follower showed the opposite.Research limitations/implicationsA profile of each segment explained who they are and why they buy or shop for fashion goods online. Evaluation for e‐retailers' attributes indicated how online marketers responded to potential buyers' needs and values.Originality/valueThe paper offers valuable recommendations to apparel e‐retailers based on characteristics of each segment.
Salespersons' service quality and customer loyalty in fashion chain stores
Authors: Yu Sum Cheng , Leung Hui Chi 
Published: March 2009

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to investigate which dimension of salespersons' service quality is of most importance for customer loyalty in a fashion chain stores setting. It also aims to assess the effects of two retail environmental factors (price level and customers' demographic variables) on the customer loyalty of salespersons service quality.Design/methodology/approachThe study uses the SERVQUAL service quality instrument with modification in measuring the salespersons' service quality in the Hong Kong fashion retail environment. In order to measure customer loyalty in fashion chain stores, multi‐item measures were used to collect data on repatronage intentions, word‐of‐mouth intentions, and satisfaction. A total of 232 surveys were administrated to shoppers who were leaving a fashion chain store in Hong Kong.FindingsThe results showed that the empathy dimension of salesperson service quality is the most important for customer loyalty in Hong Kong's fashion chain stores but the empathy dimension of salespersons' service quality in fashion retail stores could not be affected by these two retail environmental factors. Furthermore, the salespersons' service quality in the reliability dimension is significantly impacted by the customers' demographic characteristics, but not by price level set by fashion chain stores.Research limitations/implicationsThe study was carried out in four popular retail districts of Hong Kong and the results obtained may not be generalized to the country as a whole. The findings that are relevant in a fashion retail setting may not applicable in other retail environments.Originality/valueThe findings can direct fashion retailers to improve the specific service dimensions and work to provide customers with more value through services which will consequently improve internal and external standards of quality and performances in fashion retail settings, thus bringing about repeat customers and increased profitability.
The impact of advertising message strategy – fair labour v. sexual appeal – upon Gen Y consumers' intent to patronize an apparel retailer
Authors: Hyllegard Karen , Ogle Jennifer , Yan Ruoh‐Nan 
Published: March 2009

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to examine Gen Y consumers' responses to American Apparel's use of two advertising message strategies – fair labour and sex appeal, using the theory of reasoned action to predict intent to patronize American Apparel and comparing the utility of the classic reasoned action model with an extended model that included variables external to the theory.Design/methodology/approachA questionnaire was administered to 425 consumers, who were randomly assigned to one of four advertisement exposure groups. Group 1 evaluated an American Apparel ad (Ad No. 1) that promoted fair labour practices. Groups 2, 3, and 4 evaluated Ad No. 1 as well as one of three additional ads that featured messages employing sex appeal of varied intensities.FindingsParticipants' attitudes toward American Apparel were more positive when they were exposed to the fair labour message, only, than when they were exposed to the fair labour message in conjunction with one of the three sex appeal messages. In the classic reasoned action models, intent to patronize American Apparel was consistently predicted by attitude toward the retailer. Extending the models increased the explained variance for Groups 1, 2, and 3, with several variables adding predictive utility.Research limitations/implicationsA fair labour message may contribute to positive evaluations of apparel advertisements and may build positive attitudes toward apparel retailers. Thus, when appropriate, apparel retailers might consider using a fair labour message strategy, rather than a sex appeal message strategy.Originality/valueThe study explores consumer responses to two distinct advertising message strategies not often used simultaneously by a single company within the contemporary marketplace and examines the influence of these responses and other variables on patronage intention.
The effects of customized site features on internet apparel shopping
Authors: Yang Kiseol , Young Allison P. 
Published: March 2009

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to examine the effects of customized site features on consumers' purchasing decision aids and consumers' attitudes toward internet apparel shopping.Design/methodology/approachThe research model was developed and tested using structural equation modeling to identify the effects of customized site features on internet apparel shopping. Participants were members of an opt‐in‐e‐mail marketing company and were required to experience the customized site features at a given web site prior to the survey. A sample of 107 participants was used for the analysis, totaling a 34 percent response rate.FindingsInteractivity of customized site features indicated a significant direct effect on consumers' purchasing decision aids and an indirect effect on positive attitude toward internet apparel shopping. Virtual experience and customized alternative information offerings showed significant direct effects on positive consumer attitude toward internet apparel shopping.Research limitations/implicationsDirect measures of the effects of customized site features on consumers' apparel purchase risks on the internet are suggested for future research.Practical implicationsE‐retailers should explore and develop the easy‐to‐use web interface of customized site features to enhance site usability and they should diffuse into their own retail web sites.Originality/valueExamination of the effects of customized site features on internet apparel shopping is an area of research that has not been fully explored. The study provides e‐retailers with the insights to renegotiate the interaction with consumers regarding apparel shopping on the internet.
A framework for talent management in real estate
Authors: Phillips Deborah R. , Roper Kathy O. 
Published: March 2009

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to propose talent management, in today's competitive marketplace, is critical in organizational success. Real estate organizations are now recognizing the value in attracting and retaining the best, brightest employees in order to achieve higher than average market share and elevated profiles. In the era of the knowledge worker, “talent” – narrowly defined as a core group of leaders, technical experts and other key contributors – are quickly becoming an organization's most important asset. As real estate companies continue to compete for the top tier talent, their strategies must become more integrated.Design/methodology/approachBased on review of existing literature and expert panel interviews, a framework for integrating talent management strategies focused on multiple generations.FindingsThere is clear evidence that innovative recruiting techniques must be geared to attracting the new generation of workers. Additional attention should be given to increasing employee engagement for Generation Y, while at the same time developing strategies focused on knowledge transfer and reverse mentoring.Practical implicationsIn an effort to address the growing talent shortages in real estate, coupled with the exiting of retirement of workers, aggressive strategies must be adopted and the framework provides a holistic approach to achieving competitive market share while addressing critical talent issues.Originality/valueThis paper provides real estate practitioners with strategic systems and processes to attract and retain talent in an increasingly competitive market. Practical strategies are presented with a holistic framework.
Attachments
Authors: Inalhan Goksenin 
Published: March 2009

PurposeThe purpose of the study to explain employees' “perception of change” from the socio‐psychological and behavioural point of view, and the consequences of this for the employee's ability to adopt new environments.Design/methodology/approachThis study is implemented using a three phase‐longitudinal approach which was conducted over a one‐and‐a‐half‐year period in order to monitor the process of place attachment (and detachment), starting two months before the relocation and ending four months after relocation. Interpretative phenomenological analysis is used for analysis and interpretation of the qualitative data.FindingsThe relationship between physical environment and social and environmental psychology has been the central issue. In workplace change, while the attachments that no longer work for people are broken, there is a need to build new connections, which can support people through this transition.Research limitations/implicationsThere are pragmatic and strategic resource management implications arising from the study. Further study of affective relationships that all employees have with their workplace will aid in appropriately designing and managing facilities (services and programme).Originality/valueThe previous studies indicate that the existing literature lacks a unifying framework for understanding the relationship between people and places and the emotional significance of the physical environment for regulating the employees' work behaviours. Having exposed the inadequacy of workplace change management approaches in explaining and understanding the employees' resistance to change in their experience of the move process, considering place attachments in workplaces proposes a reappraisal of both employees' experience and evaluation of the move process. It provides a comprehensive framework for understanding the significance of employees' attachments to their workplace and offers guidance on managing workplace change from procurement, design to provision of workplaces.
The interaction of activity, space and cost variables in office workstation sharing
Authors: Fawcett William , Rigby Danny 
Published: March 2009

PurposeThe growth in flexible working by employees in many office‐based organisations means that workstation sharing at the employer's premises is increasingly attractive. However, because of peaks and troughs in demand it is difficult to decide how many workstations should be provided. The purpose of this paper is to investigate the cost‐effectiveness of alternative workstation sharing strategies.Design/methodology/approachThe study used an agent‐based simulation model with two input variables: the employees' reaction if they are blocked (i.e. they find that all workstations are already occupied), and the number of workstations at the employer's premises. The simulation was run for 56 scenarios. The results were evaluated by assigning cost penalties for workstations, blocking and displacement; there were eight cost regimes reflecting different organisational characteristics.FindingsThe simulations showed trade‐offs between the activity and space variables, in terms of utilisation, blocking and displacement. When costs were applied the output of the simulation runs, the most cost‐effective scenarios varied markedly with the different cost regimes.Research limitations/implicationsThe variation in optimum strategies with different model input values suggests that cost‐effective workstation sharing strategies must be developed on a case‐by‐case basis. The simplifying assumptions in the model must be considered when applying the findings to real organisations.Originality/valueQuantified analysis of the cost‐effectiveness of workstation sharing strategies has not been found previously in the literature.
Sustainable workplaces: improving staff health and well‐being using plants
Authors: Smith Andrew , Pitt Michael 
Published: March 2009

PurposeThe paper aims to identify and demonstrate the benefits of plants in offices in contributing to employee health and well‐being by applying the study to a working office.Design/methodology/approachVia comprehensive literature reviews, the paper identifies the importance of indoor plants in office environments, firstly through physically improving the air quality and removing pollutants and secondly in improving employee well‐being through psychological benefits.FindingsIt is argued that plants are important in removing indoor air pollutants and in increasing employee perceptions of well‐being. The paper identifies, through literature review, plants with the ability to remove common office pollutants. It shows that there is a general preference for plants in offices through a perception survey and that occupants of planted offices feel more comfortable, more productive, healthier and more creative and feel less pressure than occupants of non‐planted offices.Research limitations/implicationsThe empirical research presented was limited to one office building. Research is now continuing, with the survey currently being completed by occupants of various offices throughout the UK.Practical implicationsThe paper argues that indoor plants should become an integral part of corporate real estate strategies and that they have potential to alleviate sick building syndrome symptoms.Originality/valueThis paper provides an insight into how plants can be incorporated within corporate real estate strategies to improve employee health and well‐being and improve perceived productivity. It brings together two separate strands of research into the benefits in physically improving air quality and the psychological benefits of plants to humans.
Counting customers, subscribers and mobile phone numbers
Authors: Sutherland Ewan 
Published: March 2009

PurposeThe purpose of this article is to identify policy issues arising from discrepancies between the various sources of numbers of customers for mobile networks.Design/methodology/approachThis paper reviews and analyzes a range of statistics, and then draws out policy implications.FindingsSurvey data report much lower numbers of customers than operators, indicating delays in achieving MDGs and market distortions.Research limitations/implicationsThere is a lack of data on the reasons for ownership of multiple mobile SIM cards.Practical implicationsThere is a need for more extensive surveys to identify reasons for ownership of multiple mobile SIM cards. The analysis can be incorporated into policy and regulatory decision making.Originality/valueThe paper takes an analytic approach, suggesting areas for further work.
Market structure and penetration in the Latin American mobile sector
Authors: Mariscal Judith 
Published: March 2009

PurposeThis paper aims to offer an analysis of the market structure in the mobile telephony market in Latin America and its impact on its development. Given the importance of mobile services as a mean of ICT access to low income groups, the objective behind this analysis is to understand how the trend in market structure may impact the use of mobiles by low‐income sectors of the population in Latin America.Design/methodology/approachThe paper analyses the process of consolidation that the region experiences today in the mobile market and identifies the effect this concentration has had on mobile welfare indicators such as penetration. It examines the links between variables associated with market concentration and known to influence mobile penetration such as tariffs, pricing strategies and spectrum allocation.FindingsThe results do not identify a strong association between market concentrations and pricing, which appears to contradict standard textbook reasoning. However, there appears to be a strong correlation between prices and radio spectrum allocation; countries that have a very low spectrum allocation are the ones that have the highest prices.Originality/valueThe value of this analysis lies in the identification of a straightforward regulatory policy suggestion that supports results form other empirical studies; regulators need to allocate more spectrum in order to promote competition.
Two complementary mobile technologies for disaster warning
Authors: Samarajiva Rohan , Waidyanatha Nuwan 
Published: March 2009

PurposeOver 50 percent of the disasters occur in Asia and in the past five year disasters in the region have killed around half million people. Most of these deaths could have been prevented if reliable and effective early warning systems were in place. The purpose of this paper is to discuss the use of the emerging mobile technology for disaster risk reduction.Design/methodology/approachLIRNEasia field tested five wireless technologies, including mobile phones, in 32 tsunami affected villages in Sri Lanka; where members in the village were provided training with emergency response planning and given one or more of the technologies for receiving hazard information. Further lessons were learned by sharing knowledge, through a consultation process, on early warning systems with stakeholders in India, Bangladesh, Malaysia, and Indonesia.FindingsThe evaluation process concluded mobile phones as the reliable, effective, and affordable solutions for alerting last‐mile communities. Disaster risk reduction can be improved using mobile application and leverage the explosive diffusion of the technology even among the poor in developing countries.Practical implicationsCoordination within government, including communication to first responders responsible for evacuation and localized warnings, and communication to mass media who serve a critical function in public warning, can be achieved through the use of an SMS engine supplemented as necessary by an informative and robust website. Cell broadcasting can serve as an extremely useful addition to the conventional public warning methods, especially in countries with significant mobile penetration.Originality/valueThe paper is intended for governments, researchers and practitioners working in the field of emergency communication.
Exploring mobile phone‐sharing practices in Ghana
Authors: Sey Araba 
Published: March 2009

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to present research evidence on mobile phone sharing practices in a developing country context.Design/methodology/approachThe study adopted an exploratory approach, using a combination of in‐depth interviews, non‐random surveys and field observations of mobile phone users and mobile payphone service providers.FindingsThe paper finds that there are multiple dimensions to mobile phone sharing and that it is an important means of giving respondents the ability to communicate under different circumstances of need. However, most research respondents preferred or were aspiring to personal phone ownership and a reduction of the need to share. This preference was demonstrated in respondents' attitudes and actual behavior with respect to sharing phones with family and friends, as well as the use of payphones.Research limitations/implicationsDue to the exploratory and largely qualitative research approach, the findings may not be generalizable. The results provide evidence that could feed into the development of hypotheses about mobile phone sharing practices in similar contexts.Originality/valueThe paper investigates ideas about mobile phone sharing using mixed methods. It draws attention to the importance of research‐based evidence for a fuller understanding of user behavior.
From voice ubiquity to mobile broadband: challenges of technology transition among low‐income Jamaicans
Authors: Dunn Hopeton S. 
Published: March 2009

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to examine how the prevailing widespread and popular access to mobile phones among Jamaica's poor may be used to support the public policy goal of transitioning these users from mainly voice to more advanced applications, including m‐government, personal educational growth and teleworking, via increased connectivity to mobile internet and other forms of broadband access.Design/methodology/approachThe article analytically reports the findings of two national usage studies of low‐income mobile respondents in Jamaica.FindingsThere is a prevailing positive disposition among Jamaicans of all social classes for the use of higher levels of work‐related communications technologies, once these are priced in a manner that make them accessible. This is a strong foundation upon which to build crucial technology links to key business and economic opportunities. Mobiles are potential bridges for low‐income users from their present voice‐dominated usage to higher end applications such as further education, better access to public services and other more intensive work‐related uses.Practical implicationsIf made more accessible, mobile internet could help bridge information and education gaps experienced by the financially impoverished majority. More low‐income people could be connected through such simplified protocol platforms as .Mobi and into wider use of M‐services.Originality/valueThe empirical studies indicate for the first time that low income users of mobile phones are not just engaged in idle chatter but have a higher order economic and survival motivation in their patterns and uses of the mobile phone.
Creating engagement through employee benefits
Authors: Pegg Terry 
Published: March 2009

PurposeThe potential impact of employee benefits on individuals and their dependants is significant and growing as new products and solutions come on to the market. The aim of this paper is to investigate how benefits impact on employees and the organization as a whole, and how organizations are choosing to inform their people about the type of benefits on offer.Design/methodology/approachResearch conducted by AIG UK Benefits seeks to provide an insight into the current employee benefits environment and in particular to the areas highlighted above. The research consisted of a two‐stage study undertaken by the AIG UK corporate research and development team between November 2007 and January 2008.FindingsThe study highlights the differences between the perceptions of employers/HR professionals and employees when it comes to the awareness and understanding of the benefits on offer and asks whether employees are really to blame if they fail to appreciate the true value of their employers' voluntary employee benefits.Originality/valueThere is an opportunity for HR to improve benefits communications. The study looks at how one UK retailer has successfully implemented a strong communications program and presents steps that employers and reward professionals can take to improve their own benefits communications.