bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
The house of reliability
Authors: Braglia M. , Fantoni G. , Frosolini M. 
Published: March 2007

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to provide a structured methodology for performing build‐in reliability (BIR) investigation during a new product development cycle.Design/methodology/approachThe methodology in this paper represents an extension of the Quality Functional Deployment/House of Quality (QFD/HoQ) concepts to reliability studies. It is able to translate the reliability requisites of customers into functional requirements for the product in a structured manner based on a Failure Mode And Effect Analysis (FMEA). Besides, it then allows it to build a completely new operative tool, named House of Reliability (HoR), that enhances standard analyses, introducing the most significant correlations among failure modes. Using the results from HoR, a cost‐worth analysis can be easily performed, making it possible to analyse and to evaluate the economical consequences of a failure.FindingsThe paper finds that the application of the proposed approach allows users to identify and control the design requisites affecting reliability. The methodology enhances the reliability analysis introducing and managing the correlations among failure modes, splitting the severity into a detailed series of basic severity aspects, performing also cost/worth assessments.Practical implicationsIt is shown that the methodology enables users to finely analyse failure modes by splitting severity according to the product typology and the importance of each Severity criterion according to laws or international standards. Moreover the methodology is able to consider the “domino effects” and so to estimate the impact of the correlation between the causes of failure. Finally a cost/worth analysis evaluates the economical consequences of a failure with respect to the incurred costs to improve the final reliability level of the product.Originality/valueThe paper proposes a completely new approach, robust, structured and useful in practice, for reliability analysis. The methodology, within an integrated approach, overcomes some of the largely known limits of standard FMECA: it takes into account multiple criteria, differently weighted, it analyses the product considering not only the direct consequence of a failure, but also the reaction chain originated by a starting failure.
The marketing challenges within the enlarged Single European Market
Authors: Paliwoda Stan , Marinova Svetla 
Published: March 2007

PurposeThe aim of the paper is to present an overview and an assessment of the challenges and opportunities for businesses that emerge from the greater diversity and complexity in doing marketing in the expanding EU.Design/methodology/approachThe paper examines how marketing issues have emerged, progressed and diversified with the process of EU enlargement.FindingsThe paper argues that marketers' perceptions of marketing in the EU have changed with the market expansion of companies in the new EU accession states. From first being seen externally as a protectionist fortress, marketing in the EU has emerged internally at least as a protector of diversity across its current member states.Originality/valueThe paper is a reflection on the changing nature of marketing and the new priorities of companies in their marketing strategies and tactics in the largest single regional integration bloc in the world.
Designing the marketing‐sales interface in B2B firms
Authors: Biemans Wim G. , Makovec Brenčič Maja 
Published: March 2007

PurposeThis paper explores the marketing‐sales interface in Dutch and Slovenian B2B firms.Design/methodology/approachThe study included 11 Dutch firms and ten Slovenian firms, with both samples as closely matched as possible. The firms were all manufacturers of physical products that operate internationally, but varied in terms of size and industry. Personal interviews with respondents from both marketing and sales were conducted, followed by interviews of a semi‐structured format.FindingsIn some firms it was difficult to identify the marketing‐sales interface. For instance, in small firms marketing and sales would frequently be combined in one individual.Research limitations/implicationsSince the paper is based on an exploratory investigation of 11 Dutch firms and ten Slovenian firms, the findings are only indicative. Follow‐up research might investigate a larger sample, different industries or different economic contexts. In addition, future research might study the relationship between marketing as an organisational capability and marketing as an organisational function or the development of scales to measure various aspects of the marketing‐sales interface.Practical implicationsThe findings emphasize the role of developing an effective marketing‐sales interface in becoming a truly market‐oriented organisation. Thus, they can help managers to evaluate their own marketing‐sales interface and look for improvements as part of becoming more market oriented.Originality/valueThe findings describe how the marketing‐sales interface is organised and managed in B2B firms operating in different contexts. It positions the marketing‐sales interface as just part of a market‐oriented organisation. The findings help academics to understand the functioning of a marketing‐sales interface and assist managers in evaluating their own marketing‐sales interface and develop ways to improve it.
Determinants and antecedents of general attitudes towards advertising
Authors: Petrovici Dan , Marinov Marin 
Published: March 2007

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to explore the relationships between determinants and primary antecedents of advertising and attitudes to advertising in the context of European Union accession countries.Design/methodology/approachDrawing on data from consumer surveys conducted in the major urban areas of Bulgaria and Romania the study conceptualises an extended version of Pollay and Mittal's model of beliefs and attitudes toward advertising. It tests a comprehensive range of attitudes toward the institution of advertising and its instruments in each country to identify similarities and differences in consumer perceptions.FindingsFindings confirm that consumers in the two countries are more positive about advertising as an institution than the instruments used to promote advertising. While product information acquisition is the main personal use of advertising which influences general attitudes to advertising in Bulgaria, the entertaining value of advertising was found the strongest personal use in Romania. No significant differences were found in the attitudes toward the institution and instruments of advertising in the two countries.Research limitations/implicationsAs data used in this study come from major urban areas in Bulgaria and Romania this might account for small research bias if the overall population of the two countries is considered. Interview bias were reduced by eliminating the verbal or non‐verbal cues to the respondents. The diverse composition of the two samples and the random selection of respondents have limited the research bias which is often a problem with other studies in Central and Eastern Europe that use predominantly convenience student samples.Practical implicationsThe paper suggests that managers should focus on and exploit the overall positive general attitudes toward advertising in Romania and Bulgaria. Marketers should prioritise the informative power of advertising and use it cautiously in view of its perceived manipulative role especially to children. Advertisers need to devote more specific attention to re‐enforce the credibility of the institution of advertising in both countries.Originality/valueThe paper is a result of an original research that has extended theoretical concepts and compared their applicability to comparable EU accession contexts. Its findings suggest that advertising should be adapted to the personal uses and attitudes to advertising in the researched contexts by putting more emphasis on image building in order to increase its persuasive power and raise public trust in the institution and instruments of advertising.
Economics and politics of advertising: evidence from the enlarging European Union
Authors: Kshetri Nir , Williamson Nicholas C. , Schiopu Andreea 
Published: March 2007

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to investigate the impacts of economic and political factors on advertising industry in the enlarging EU.Design/methodology/approachThe paper employed random effect time series cross‐section (TSCS) models and cross sectional regressions to investigate the impacts of these factors on advertising industry in the enlarging EU.FindingsIt was found that marketers' advertising spending decisions in these economies are driven by consumers' income level and FDI inflow. Civil liberty related variables, on the other hand, were found to moderate the relationship between income and advertising spending.Practical implicationsThis paper helps managers and practitioners understand the dynamics of advertising industry in the enlarging EU as well as in other parts of the world. Some fruitful avenues for future research include examination of consumers' perceptions of advertising in the rapidly changing Eastern European countries; use of qualitative methods to deepen the understanding of how consumers make sense of different forms of advertising; and in‐depth analysis of advertising industries in selected economies.Originality/valueThe value of this paper is two‐fold. First, it is one of the most comprehensive cross‐country advertising studies examining the drivers of advertising industries in 28 European countries. Second, it employs TSCS models which allow for differences in behavior over cross sectional units as well as the differences in behavior over time for a given cross section and hence are likely to be consistent with the way the data were generated.
An examination of cross‐border shopping behaviour in South‐East Europe
Authors: Dmitrovic Tanja , Vida Irena 
Published: March 2007

PurposeThis paper examines consumer motivations for shopping abroad and explores the role of demographic versus socio‐psychological factors in explaining the phenomenon of cross‐border shopping.Design/methodology/approachEmpirical data were collected via personal interviews from adult consumers living in Croatia and Serbia and Montenegro. The research instrument consisted of construct measures adapted from previous studies and open‐ended questions related to demographics and consumer motives for cross‐border shopping trips.FindingsA discriminant analysis of cross‐border out‐shoppers and domestic in‐shoppers in the two countries confirmed the unstable effect of demographic variables on out‐shopping behaviour and established the significant role of economic patriotism in consumer decision making. Differences in the results across the two countries indicate that a contextual approach should be adopted in international out‐shopping studies.Practical implicationsCountries with high level of out‐shopping activity are potentially attractive targets for international retailers and marketers. Our out‐shopper profiles suggest that market opportunities exist for international discount retailers in Croatia and for upscale retailers in Serbia.Originality/valueUnlike most research focusing on the out‐shopping phenomenon, the distinguishing feature of the study is that it examines socio‐psychological and demographic rather than macro‐economic variables as determinants of cross‐border shopping. In particular, the role of economic patriotism has rarely been investigated in this context.
The de‐marketing of smokeless tobacco for harm reduction
Authors: Capella Michael L. 
Published: March 2007

PurposeThe aim of this paper is to examine the confusion and misperceptions regarding the actual risk involved in smokeless tobacco use as an alternative nicotine delivery option for inveterate smokers.Design/methodology/approachThe paper cites published research and current government guidelines to demonstrate misinformation on the part of some in the public health community.FindingsThe paper finds that smokeless tobacco is substantially safer than smoking and is a viable choice to increase smoking cessation for those unwilling or unable to quit.Practical implicationsThe public is entitled to know the facts about nicotine and the truth about the actual risk levels involved in consuming various forms of tobacco.Originality/valueConsumers are capable of making an informed choice for themselves regarding the risks of using smokeless tobacco if the truth is communicated to them.
Trading places redux: employees as customers, customers as employees
Authors: Bowers Michael R. , Martin Charles L. 
Published: March 2007

PurposeThe purpose of this conceptual paper is to show how a company can improve the interface by treating employees as customers and customers as employees.Design/methodology/approachThis article presents a conceptual model (reinforced with a review of extant literature and numerous examples) demonstrating the desirable consequences associated with the phenomenon we refer to as “trading places,” which occurs when organizations mix the treatment and roles of employees and customers.FindingsTraditionally organizations have treated employees and customers as separate constituencies. Operations and human resource managers have developed their own approach to deal with employees (e.g. as “resources” to be utilized), while marketing managers have related to customers through somewhat different lenses (e.g. viewing customers as “prizes” to be won). Yet, in service organizations, we find that as employees assume more customer‐like roles and customers increasingly resemble employees, successful organizations are drawing from both approaches – treating employees more like customers, while treating customers more like employees.Practical implicationsAs a conceptual piece, this article presents an alternative way of thinking about organizations' relationships with their employees and customers. Particularly relevant to service environments, it shows how organizations, employees, and customers all benefit when the “trading places” phenomenon is recognized.Originality/valueThe article updates the “trading places” perspective by reviewing relevant literature, providing a conceptual model, and illustrating the application of the approach with numerous examples.
To do or not to do: the dilemma of technology‐based service improvement
Authors: Timmor Yaron , Rymon Talia 
Published: March 2007

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to suggest a conceptual framework to examine customer satisfaction with a technology‐based service improvement. Three factors are suggested that influence customers' acceptance of the improved service: internal, consistency and external (ICE).Design/methodology/approachHypotheses are constructed by reviewing literature in the areas of customer satisfaction, marketing services and diffusion of innovation. An exploratory study was conducted in an academic setting, to examine changes in learning formats, and the resulting reactions. The empirical research involves three major procedures: personal interviews, focus groups and surveys.FindingsThe findings, based on both qualitative and quantitative research, support the proposed conceptual framework. It was found that students' behavioral intentions regarding a new, technology‐based learning format, can be explained by the following factors: perceived outcome and ease of use (internal factor), technology orientation and consistency of the new with the old delivery process (consistency factor), and the perceived image of the academic institute (external factor).Originality/valueIt is suggested that when considering service improvements, more attention should be paid to the organization's image, the consistency with the traditional service and the customer technology orientation.
An old tool with potential new uses: return on investment
Authors: Nash White Larry 
Published: March 2007

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to examine potential new uses of return on investment (ROI) in alternative methods for library assessment and valuation.Design/methodology/approachUses examples of recent uses of ROI by libraries to identify potential new applications of ROI in library assessment and valuation.FindingsROI investment has historically been used by libraries for the assessment of past performance of library organizations in a reactive/defensive nature or for assessing the value of customer services. ROI has not been widely used as a proactive assessment tool, to introspectively assess administrative or other internal services, or as an offensive assessment and valuation tool, especially for intangible performance assessment and valuation.Originality/valueNew applications of the ROI assessment tool could provide library administrators with proactive means of increasing the effectiveness of library assessment, valuation, and their results.
PSALM for empowering educational stakeholders
Authors: San Antonio Diosdado M. , Gamage David T. 
Published: March 2007

PurposeThe paper aims to examine the effect of implementing participatory school administration, leadership and management (PSALM) on the levels of empowerment among the educational stakeholders.Design/methodology/approachA mixed method approach, combining the experimental design with empirical surveys, interviews and documentary analysis, was used. Survey respondents (735 for the first survey and 603 for the second survey) were school heads, teachers, students, alumni, parents and community leaders coming from 76 public secondary schools in one provincial school division in the Philippines.FindingsStakeholders who implemented PSALM reported higher levels of empowerment compared with the control group; school heads and teachers felt more empowered than the other stakeholders after one year of PSALM implementation; there was a trend for the younger and 51 years + participants to feel less empowered after implementing PSALM. The stakeholders faced challenges in implementing PSALM but they overcame them by opening communication channels and manifesting supportive behaviours.Research limitations/implicationsOnly people who indicated willingness to implement PSALM were involved, so there was no way to determine how stakeholders who are hesitant to practice the experimental intervention would react.Practical implicationsIt is suggested that the Philippine public schools should expedite the implementation of PSALM via school councils as a way to improve the school system.Originality/valueThe paper presents evidence, drawn from a management experiment, that establishes the link between PSALM and empowerment levels of stakeholders.
TQM emphasizing 5‐S principles
Authors: Withanachchi Nimnath , Handa Y. , Karandagoda K.K.W. , Pathirage P.P. , Tennakoon N.C.K. , Pullaperuma D.S.P. 
Published: March 2007

PurposeThis study aims to evaluate an organizational development programme (TQM) that was implemented at the tertiary‐care public hospital that showed the highest total factor productivity growth in Sri Lanka for the 1997‐2001 period.Design/methodology/approachBalanced score card approach is used to assess the performance of the hospital under study. Value chain analysis is conducted to identify the changes in organizational management following TQM implementation. Employee feedback is obtained by questionnaire‐based interviews.FindingsPerformance of the hospital with regard to service quality, employee‐performance, fixed‐asset‐performance, and social responsibility improved. Overall, value chain analysis shows that the differentiation was used to improve quality of services. Leadership, team‐work and continuous monitoring were the key factors that facilitated implementation of 5‐S based TQM.Practical implicationsThe 5‐S system‐based TQM appears to be a feasible and promising system to initiate management improvement of public hospitals in developing countries.Originality/valueThis paper is of value for hospital managers and policy makers of developing countries, where there are chronic resource shortage and managerial constraints, particularly in government sector health services.
Implementing change in a public agency
Authors: Stewart Jenny , O'Donnell Michael 
Published: March 2007

PurposeThe article aims to investigate implementation problems arising from the introduction of a new computer system in a public agency.Design/methodology/approachTwo analytical lenses were employed: a prescriptive model of technology‐based implementation and planned and emergent models of change.FindingsUnintended consequences tested the organisation's resilience. It was found that those parts of the organisation with enhanced resilience exhibited localised leadership.Practical implicationsSuccessful implementation of change involving new technology requires a balance between “top‐down” planning and distributed leadership. Adequate attention to organisational learning is also a significant factor.Originality/valueImplementation involving new computer systems is a commonly‐encountered problem in the public sector, yet there are few empirically‐based studies that deal with organisational and management issues in this context.
Creating business intelligence from course management systems
Authors: van Dyk Liezl , Conradie Pieter 
Published: March 2007

PurposeThis article seeks to address the interface between individual learning facilitators that use course management systems (CMS) data to support decision‐making and course design and institutional infrastructure providers that are responsible for institutional business intelligence.Design/methodology/approachThe design of a data warehouse is proposed that draw data from institutional transactional systems to provide decision support to individual action researchers. A prototype data warehouse is built to evaluate by means of a case study the usefulness validity of analyses performed.FindingsMany facilitators of learning draw manually the same type of queries from CMS data for purposes of action research. On the other hand, more and more HEI infrastructure providers create data warehouses to support many kinds of decision‐making. It is possible and valuable to follow a business intelligence approach to facilitate the queries drawn by individual action researchers from course management systems (CMSs).Practical implicationsThe expectation exists that as the technology on which CMSs, as well as business intelligence tools are built evolves, the creation of full‐scale business intelligence will become more feasible and scalable.Originality/valueThis article addresses the gap between individual action researchers that use CMS data to support decision making and course design, on the one hand, and institutional infrastructure providers that are responsible for institutional business intelligence on the other hand. Research questions are asked and addressed and processes are designed to manage business measurements consistently.