bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Wroe Alderson: father of modern marketing
Authors: Shaw Eric H. , Lazer William , Pirog Stephen F. 
Published: September 2007

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to show that Wroe Alderson's contributions to marketing thought earn him recognition as the “Father of Modern Marketing.”Design/methodology/approachAn extensive review of writings by and about Alderson, a thorough examination of the history of marketing thought literature, and the personal remembrances of one of the authors, are drawn upon to organize Alderson's numerous contributions to the marketing literature into a small number of categories. Such an organization is expected to provide a big picture overview of Alderson's significant impact on marketing thought.FindingsAlderson's contributions to the marketing discipline can be organized into three broad categories, which collectively produced a tectonic shift in academic thinking about marketing: from distribution (macro) to marketing management (micro); from economics to the behavioral sciences; and from description and classification to explanation and theory building. These epic transformations have become so embedded in the marketing literature that they are now taken for granted, but they are so significant they represent a paradigm shift in marketing thought. Because of this legacy, the authors argue Wroe Alderson has earned the honorific title: “Father of Modern Marketing.”Practical implicationsThis work provides an historical context to understand the origins of modern marketing thought by recognizing the most dynamic marketing thinker of the last half‐century.Originality/valueThis paper organizes the many and varied contributions of Wroe Alderson into broad categories in a context that is useful for researchers studying the history of marketing thought. The organization of Alderson's contributions also provides an historical foundation for scholars working on a general theory of marketing.
Placing Wroe Alderson's contributions to buyer behavior in historical perspective
Authors: Tamilia Robert D. 
Published: September 2007

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to present the contributions of Wroe Alderson to the buyer behavior literature from an historical perspective. His views of the consumer in the 1950s revolutionized the way we now teach and do research in this domain of marketing.Design/methodology/approachThis research relied heavily on Alderson's own published work and the work of others familiar with his work. The historical research tradition of document interpretation was employed and personal interviews were conducted.FindingsThe findings revealed that Alderson contributed much to buyer behavior thought than is generally believed. This eminent theorist – practitioner was ahead of his time in his conceptualization of the consumer/household purchasing agent as an information processor and a problem solver in the behavioral process of buying and consuming.Originality/valueA detailed account of Alderson's contributions to the then emerging science of consumer behavior is unique especially in the context of thought contributions originating from other sciences.
An Aldersonian explanation of twenty‐first century “mass customization”
Authors: Goodrich Kendall 
Published: September 2007

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to evaluate four of Alderson's key concepts to show how they explain mass customization and extend traditional consumer goods classifications. The four concepts are: heterogeneous markets, transvections, the principle of postponement, and routinized transactions.Design/methodology/approachIn this exploratory paper, Alderson's main concepts are compared and contrasted with today's marketing phenomena and are used for updating traditional consumer goods categorizations.FindingsThe main concepts of Aldersonian theory discussed in the paper – heterogeneous markets, transvections, postponement and routinized transactions – are a remarkably good fit with today's “mass customization” and logically lead to an enhanced of definition of consumer goods classifications.Research limitations/implicationsThis is a conceptual paper meant to emphasize the apparent explanatory power of Alderson's concepts to today's marketing phenomena. Formal propositions have not been developed and tested.Practical implicationsTraditional classifications of goods no longer accurately explain marketing phenomena arising from the growth of the internet and mass customization. Alderson's concepts provide an effective framework for explaining current phenomena and extending outmoded models.Originality/valueThe four main Alderson concepts evaluated in this paper have not been emphasized as a group before, nor have they been utilized to help explain mass customization and extend traditional consumer goods classifications.
A comment on Alderson's intellectual legacy
Authors: Fraedrich John 
Published: September 2007

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to explain how Wroe Alderson's concepts have been cited and used in the last two decades as well as the gap that still exists for researchers to answer about the grand theory of marketing.Design/methodology/approachThe paper provides a comment on Alderson's intellectual legacy.FindingsThe practical implication is that Alderson's 150 falsifiable, functionalistic propositions have not been empirically verified.Originality/valueThe paper explains why Alderson's work is still important.
Characterization of commercial clothes dryers based on energy‐efficiency analysis
Authors: To W.M. , Yu T.W. , Lai T.M. , Li S.P. 
Published: September 2007

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to investigate the effectiveness of commercial clothes dryers based on energy‐efficiency and environmental impact analyses.Design/methodology/approachThe study consisted of reviewing and examining the energy consumption of clothes dryers. It adopted the US Department of Energy's uniform test method for measuring the energy consumption of electric and gas‐fired commercial clothes dryers. Time efficiency, the cost of drying clothes and the environmental impact caused by the operation of commercial clothes dryers were studied.FindingsElectric commercial clothes dryers were found to be the most efficiency one in terms of energy per kilogram loadings. However, gas‐fired commercial clothes dryers were found to produce less environmental impact in global terms. Liquefied petroleum gas‐fired commercial clothes dryer was the most cost effective and time efficient.Research limitations/implicationsAll tests were conducted using three types of testing loads, namely towels, jeans and thermal clothing. They exhibited homogeneity in the tests but did not reflect the real‐life situations.Practical implicationsThe implications of this study include assessing the efficiency of commercial clothes dryers based on standard testing loads for product comparison and increasing the awareness of environmental performance in the laundry industry as well as the clothing industry.Originality/valueEnergy‐efficiency and environmental performance become critical factors in determining competitiveness in all industries. This paper presents a detailed investigation on these aspects and provides insights for the laundry industry and appliance manufacturers.
Application of artificial neural networks to the prediction of sewing performance of fabrics
Authors: Hui Patrick C.L. , Chan Keith C.C. , Yeung K.W. , Ng Frency S.F. 
Published: September 2007

PurposeThis paper aims to investigate the use of artificial neural networks (ANN) to predict the sewing performance of fabrics. The purpose of this study is to verify the ANN techniques that could be emulated as human decision in the prediction of sewing performance of fabrics.Design/methodology/approachIn order to verify the ANN techniques that could be emulated as human decision in the prediction of sewing performance of fabrics, 109 data sets of fabrics were tested by using fabric assurance by simple testing system and the sewing performance of each fabric's specimen was assessed by the domain experts. Of these 109 input‐output data pairs, 94 were used to train the proposed backpropagation (BP) neural network for the prediction of the unknown sewing performance of a given fabric, and 15 were used to test the proposed BP neural network.FindingsAfter 10,000 iterations of training of BP neural network, the neural network converged to the minimum error level. The experimental results reveal the great potential of the proposed approach in predicting the sewing performance of fabrics for apparel production.Originality/valueGenerally, the fabric's performance in the manufacturing process is judged subjectively by the operators and/or their supervisors. Current methodologies of acquiring fabric property information and predicting fabric sewing performance are still incapable of providing a means for efficient planning and control for the sewing operation. Further, development of techniques to predict the sewing performance of fabric is essential for the current apparel production environment. In this paper, the use of ANN to predict the sewing performance of fabrics in garment manufacturing is investigated.
Anthropometric measurement of premature infants
Authors: Kwok Yi‐lin , Wong Kar‐yin , Ying Bo‐an , Yick Kit‐lun , Yi Li , Chap‐yung Yeung 
Published: September 2007

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to present anthropometric measurements on 42 premature infants nursed in the neonatal intensive care unit of Queen Mary Hospital, Hong Kong.Design/methodology/approachBirth information, including maturity, age, gender, birth weight and present weight, were recorded. About 13 body size measurements, including stature, hand girth, armscye girth, chest girth, arm length, max girth, abdomen girth, hand length, thigh girth, shoulder width, head to nape length, inside leg to heel length and foot length, were measured for each infant. Using these data, the body size distribution, the correlation between each body size measurement, and linear regressions of present weight and stature with other body size measurement were analyzed.FindingsIt was found that present weight and stature of premature infants were the most desirable and significant size parameters for the development of a measurement chart for premature infants.Originality/valueThe paper provides anthropometric measurement details of premature infants.
Comparison of body shape between USA and Korean women
Authors: Yim Lee Jeong , Istook Cynthia L. , Ja Nam Yun , Mi Park Sun 
Published: September 2007

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to compare body shape between USA and Korean women. It aims to analyze the distribution and proportion of body shapes of two countries and compare the differences of body shape according to age.Design/methodology/approachSizeUSA and SizeKorea measurement data were evaluated using the Female Figure Identification Technique for apparel system developed at North Carolina State University. Once the samples were defined by shape, comparisons were made of the distribution according to age and country through statistical analysis.FindingsThe paper finds that the largest shape category was the rectangle shape in both countries, but the distribution within each shape category for Korean women was different from that of USA women. More body shape categories were found in the USA women than in Korean women. In addition, most body shape categories had different body proportions when comparing the USA women and Korean women. The USA women had the higher measurements in the waist, high hip, and hips height and the larger measurements in the bust, waist, high hip, and hips circumference.Research limitations/implicationsOf the over 6,300 US female subjects in this study, only five failed to be identified by the seven shapes identified. These subjects had over 50.2 in. of hip circumference, over 10 in. larger hips than bust circumference, and over 15.5 in. larger hips than waist circumference. Further refinement of the mathematical definitions or a second group of criteria may be required for sorting the women that have no shape as defined by this study.Originality/valueThe opportunity to compare the body shapes between two very different countries, using national anthropometric survey data, is very rare, indeed. This comparison allows the opportunity to discover ways to improve the sizing systems of each country, as well as impact the development of international sizing standards that could have a significant impact on brands producing product for a variety of international consumers.
The validity of the SERVQUAL and SERVPERF scales
Authors: Carrillat François A. , Jaramillo Fernando , Mulki Jay P. 
Published: September 2007

PurposeThe purpose is to investigate, the difference between SERVQUAL and SERVPERF's predictive validity of service quality.Design/methodology/approachData from 17 studies containing 42 effect sizes of the relationships between SERVQUAL or SERVPERF with overall service quality (OSQ) are meta‐analyzed.FindingsOverall, SERVQUAL and SERVPERF are equally valid predictors of OSQ. Adapting the SERVQUAL scale to the measurement context improves its predictive validity; conversely, the predictive validity of SERVPERF is not improved by context adjustments. In addition, measures of services quality gain predictive validity when used in: less individualistic cultures, non‐English speaking countries, and industries with an intermediate level of customization (hotels, rental cars, or banks).Research limitations/implicationsNo study, that were using non‐adapted scales were conducted outside of the USA making it impossible to disentangle the impact of scale adaptation vs contextual differences on the moderating effect of language and culture. More comparative studies on the usage of adapted vs non‐adapted scales outside the USA are needed before settling this issue meta‐analytically.Practical implicationsSERVQUAL scales require to be adapted to the study context more so than SERVPERF. Owing to their equivalent predictive validity the choice between SERVQUAL or SERVPERF should be dictated by diagnostic purpose (SERVQUAL) vs a shorter instrument (SERVPERF).Originality/valueBecause of the high statistical power of meta‐analysis, these findings could be considered as a major step toward ending the debate whether SERVPERF is superior to SERVQUAL as an indicator of OSQ.
Customer switching resistance (CSR)
Authors: N'Goala Gilles 
Published: September 2007

PurposeThis research attempts to understand why – or why not – customers resist switching service providers when a critical incident occurs. The paper examines how service relationship perceptions, such as perceived equity, trust (perceived reliability and benevolence) and relationship commitment (affective and calculative), enhance relationship maintenance and CSR in many critical situations.Design/methodology/approachA survey was conducted in the financial service industry on a sample of 1,999 consumers (retail banking) and then conceptualized and measured CSR in several critical situations.FindingsThe paper demonstrates that perceived equity, perceived reliability, perceived benevolence, affective commitment, and calculative commitment do not influence CSR the same way. CSR mainly depends on the type of critical incident which occurs. For instance, calculative commitment, which is an evaluation of the costs associated with leaving the service provider, enhances CSR in three critical situations (service encounter failures, employee responses to service failures, pricing problems), whereas it leads to relationship disengagement in two other critical situations (inconvenience, changes in the consumer or service provider situation).Research limitations/implicationsThis research highlights the need to better take into account the different types of critical incident discussed in the relationship marketing literature and to better consider the complementary roles of perceived equity, trust and relationship commitment in the service switching literature.Originality/valueThis research implies that service companies have to anticipate the critical incidents and to develop specific “shock absorbers” to continue doing business with their current customers.
Perception and attribution of employees' effort and abilities
Authors: Specht Nina , Fichtel Sina , Meyer Anton 
Published: September 2007

PurposeDo customers recognize the effort and abilities of employees in service encounters? If so, to what extent do their perceptions influence customer satisfaction? The paper seeks to answer these questions.Design/methodology/approachTwo empirical studies, including a critical incident study and a video‐based experiment. Theoretically, this paper builds on motivation theory, naïve psychology, and attribution theory.FindingsCustomers spontaneously and explicitly judge service encounters on the basis of service employees' effort and abilities, perceived through certain behavioral cues. The specific, direct impact of perceived effort and abilities on customer satisfaction varies for different service types.Research limitations/implicationsTaking different dependent variables into account (e.g. customer emotions, customer loyalty and brand perceptions) might offer a valuable contribution to the fields of service or brand research.Practical implicationsCompanies must examine customers' perceptions of their employees' encounter behavior in depth to evaluate and effectively and efficiently manage perceived effort and abilities as the main determinants of customer satisfaction. They should acknowledge behavioral training represents a significant satisfaction management approach.Originality/valueThe paper offers interdisciplinary theoretical foundation, brings in innovative research methods and combines content and methodology to a new scientific framework for the field of service research as well as practical application for companies.
Multi‐unit management key success factors in the casual dining restaurant industry
Authors: DiPietro Robin B. , Murphy Kevin S. , Rivera Manuel , Muller Christopher C. 
Published: September 2007

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to determine the job characteristics or key success factors of current multi‐unit managers (MUMs) in a large casual dining restaurant organization.Design/methodology/approachThe paper is a case study methodology which was used to survey a group of 71 MUMs in one organization regarding characteristics of their job. There were a total of 53 respondents for a 74.65 percent response rate. Factor analysis was used to determine whether any of the 24 characteristics could be condensed into “factors”.FindingsThe paper finds that the eight factors that emerged as key success factors were: single unit operations, standard operating procedures, multi‐unit strategic planning, interpersonal and social responsibilities, travel and visiting units, human relations, effective leadership, and unit level finances, which explained 75 percent of the variance among the individual items.Research limitations/implicationsThe paper shows that the current study is limited in its generalizeability as the case study methodology is used. The current study does give researchers a start on categorizing key success factors of MUMs in the twenty‐first century.Practical implicationsThe paper can help practitioners to develop training programs for MUMs, as well as to help them recruit people for their MUM ranks that exhibit the skills and knowledge needed to perform the key factors that emerged from the study.Originality/valueThe paper takes the topic of multi‐unit management and develops a model for the key success factors needed for successful operation at that level in an organization. This paper is important for researchers in order to help develop research questions for the future. It is valuable for top management in organizations in order to help them to create development programs and to focus recruitment efforts. MUM is underrepresented in the restaurant industry by females and younger people and this study can help to develop people in these groups.
Going international? Important factors executives should consider!
Authors: Hua Nan , Upneja Arun 
Published: September 2007

PurposeThe purpose of the paper is to explore the likely main driving forces behind the internationalization process for publicly traded restaurant firms in the USA, and to offer restaurant executives insights for successful expansions into the international arena.Design/methodology/approachThe paper uses data from publicly‐traded restaurant firms in the USA that have made the decision to expand internationally. The data spans both sides of the decision, i.e. before the international expansion and right after.FindingsThis paper finds that firms that are growing rapidly, have lots of debt, or are in an economy that is growing rapidly prefer to expand in the domestic market. In contrast, firms that have achieved a high level of market penetration tend to expand in the international markets.Practical implicationsThe paper recommends the following key factors to be considered before a decision is made to expand internationally: size, leverage, penetration, and annual market excess return.Originality/valueThis paper attempts to provide, for the first time, systematic financial evidence about the factors that executives should consider during their strategic decision making process of firm internationalization.
Towards a more comprehensive accounting framework for hotels in China
Authors: Chan Wilco , Wong Kevin 
Published: September 2007

PurposeThis purpose of this paper is to enhance the level, scope, and detail of management information under the current accounting format in hotels in China, and suggests a preliminary research framework on development of China‐based uniform hotel accounts.Design/methodology/approachFocus group interviews with industrial executives were carried out to give a deeper insight of the issue and to gather more information for a better understanding of the up‐to‐date situation.FindingsThe preliminary findings of this paper reveal that there are nine new hotel business drivers that are currently not fully reported in the financial statements.Research limitations/implicationsThe limitation of the paper is that the number of accounting professionals interviewed was of smaller proportion among the interviewees.Practical implicationsThe findings in this paper provide informative details on the existing financial performance reporting in Mainland hotels from a managerial perspective, and point out limitations of adopting the Uniform System of Accounts for the Lodging Industry in China.Originality/valueThe paper shows that identifying the current financial reporting system in Mainland hotels is important to some new expatriate managers who are unfamiliar with local business conditions. A comprehensive and meaningful accounting framework could provide enriched managerial information to managers to make decisions and reduce dispute between hotel owning company and hotel operating company arising from different views on the typical way of calculating management fee that is based on the definition of revenue stipulated in the management agreement.