bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Framing brand management for marketing ecosystems
Authors: Singer John G. 
Published: September 2006

PurposeTo define the contours of a new marketing attuned to the information age, and to introduce the concept of marketing ecosystems as a new framework for competitive strategy.Design/methodology/approachThis paper draws on five years of research and consulting experience applying general systems theory to strategy design, backed by the author's nearly 20 years field experience in the marketing services industry.FindingsThere is a conceptual gap between thinking systems used by marketers to create novelty and demonstrate value, the “ground truth” of a saturated information environment, and the currents shaping major directional change in the world. Marketers adopt management strategies that consistently trail, rather than anticipate, technological change.Practical implicationsMaking strategic choices to compete between and within marketing ecosystems – system‐level competition – is now an increasing focus of business strategy. The paper provides new metaphors to frame brand management for system‐level competition, a new orientation to create novelty in marketing, and a new path to solve complex problems of marketing and sales performance.Originality/valueThe paper introduces marketing ecosystems as an enabling concept for transformative thinking about competitive brand strategy. It acts as a counterweight to the dominant view of marketing that says customer targeting is a sustainable business advantage. The paper has value to executives in all industries who seek new ideas and better output from their marketing operations.
A learning network framework for modern organizations
Authors: Bennet Alex , Shane Tomblin M. 
Published: September 2006

PurposeThe purpose of this article is to provide an integrated framework including knowledge management (KM), organizational learning (OL), and information and communication technologies (ICT).Design/methodology/approachA synthesis of the existing literature with preliminary supporting empirical evidence reported is presented in the article.FindingsA theoretical framework is developed.Research limitations/implicationsThe results of the article can be used to guide ongoing research in the area of KM, OL, and ICT.Originality/valueThe paper makes a contribution to understanding in the fields of KM and OL in particular and ICT secondarily.
Intermetallic compound formation and solderability for immersion tin
Authors: Chan C.M. , Tong K.H. , Kwok R.W.M. 
Published: September 2006

PurposeTo investigate the relationship between intermetallic compound (IMC) formation and solderability for immersion tin deposit under different number of reflows.Design/methodology/approachScanning Auger microscopy and X‐ray photoelectron spectrometer surface analysis techniques were used to study changes in immersion tin deposit layer when subjected to simulated solder reflow conditions.FindingsAuger analysis also showed that no three discrete uniform layers of pure tin, Cu6Sn5η‐phase and Cu3Snε‐phase can be observed after one reflow. Degradation in solderability performance after reflow was due to the formation of a Cu6Sn5IMC at the surface. This IMC has inferior solder wetting properties compared to tin. As the number of reflow cycles increases the surface contains less tin rich regions and more IMC regions. Experiments showed that longer reflow times during the assembly process or use of a thicker tin layer can improve the solderability after three reflow cycles.Research limitations/implicationsThis work has shown that longer reflow times during the assembly process or use of a thicker tin layer can improve solderability after three reflow cycles. These two approaches are thus recommended when using immersion tin finishes on PCBs that require multiple lead‐free reflow cycles.Originality/valueThis paper provides valuable data that will assist PCB assemblers to optimise their solder reflow conditions when assembling boards that require multiple solder cycles.
Can laser direct imaging (LDI) meet the needs of high density interconnect (HDI) mass‐production and packaging manufacturers?
Authors: Altmann Uwe 
Published: September 2006

PurposeTo give an overview of the main needs of PCB manufacturers and to show how these needs can be met using laser direct imaging (LDI) technology.Design/methodology/approachThis paper has been written to provide a review of current needs of PCB manufacturers in different product types. Problem areas are highlighted and methods for solving these issues using LDI technology are described.FindingsDemand for LDI machines is increasing globally. Enhancements in LDI technology capabilities are convincing more PCB companies to the technology in today's production. HDI can address the needs of different applications such as: quick turnaround and sampling jobs that require short delivery times while meeting high technological demands; high layer count jobs that require accurate layer to layer alignment; flex and rigid‐flex boards with challenging registration and exposure uniformity demands; and sequential build‐up boards that require very accurate pad to hole registration, etc.Originality/valueThe paper provides information on the type of problems and issues encountered by PCB manufacturers in different applications. It also details the current and near future developments in LDI technology that will enable PCB manufacturers to address these issues.
New technologies for a sustainable printed circuit board manufacturing process: further results
Authors: Bains Narinder , Geraghty Kate , Goosey Martin 
Published: September 2006

PurposeTo present an update and the latest results from work on a project aimed at enabling printed circuit board (PCB) manufacturing to become more sustainable.Design/methodology/approachVarious individual treatment technologies were studied individually under laboratory conditions and then combined into a pilot‐scale demonstrator line that was used to process effluent from a nickel‐gold plating line in a PCB production environment.FindingsThe use of these novel processes, including special electroplating techniques, advanced oxidation methods and a new ion exchange system can be combined to give a more sustainable treatment process for effluent emanating from PCB manufacturing. The approach also generates high quality pure water that can be recycled and reused in the manufacturing process.Research limitations/implicationsThe combined technology has been demonstrated with a nickel‐gold plating line. Further development work should be undertaken to tailor the technology for other parts of the PCB manufacturing process.Originality/valueThe paper details how individual treatment technologies can be combined to enable a much more sustainable approach to PCB manufacturing which offers the benefits of reduced effluent levels and a source of high purity recycled water.
Technology roadmapping and the supply chain
Authors: Fisher John T. (Jack) 
Published: September 2006

PurposeTo introduce the four key industry roadmaps used by the electronics industry and to illustrate which parts of the supply chain each serves.Design/methodology/approachA comparison of the coverage of the iNEMI, ITRS, Jisso and IPC roadmaps.FindingsIt is apparent that the four key industry roadmaps do serve the supply chain and their respective industries. The roadmaps do not compete but rather, they actually complement each other and give the reader who understands them, a picture of the industry and its supply chain that is not available anywhere else.Research limitations/implicationsThe four key industry roadmaps provide comprehensive coverage for the electronics industry.Originality/valueThe paper highlights the different technology areas and sections of the electronics industry value chain addressed by the four key industry roadmaps.
The wealth of some and the poverty of Sub Saharan Africa
Authors: Luiz John M. 
Published: September 2006

PurposeThe economic growth performance of Sub Saharan Africa (SSA) over the past few decades has confounded economists. The paper examines the nature and causes of the region's marginalisation.Design/methodology/approachAnalyses areas of marginalisation including: technologically, economically, socially, politically, and even intellectually. The aim here is to document all these facets in a comparative manner and to examine prospects for their reversal.FindingsThe poverty of SSA has many dimensions and causes, both internal and external. Certainly part of its underdevelopment is attributable to bad luck, initial conditions, and an unfavourable international economic environment. However, the region has to accept much of the responsibility for its plight because its present state is also largely an outcome of poor policy choice and bad governance. Thus, whilst we cannot account for every facet of the question of “why some nations are rich and others poor” we are nonetheless left with some very real certainties.Practical implicationsThe most important implication is that the principal therapy for poverty in SSA comes from within by addressing the internal obstacles to growth. However, the international community has an important role to play in addressing the uneven global trading system which is hampering development prospects and this needs to happen in the current trading round.Originality/valueThe paper provides a comprehensive account of the sources of Africa's underdevelopment in a comparative manner. It will be of interest to all social scientists and policymakers interested in development issues.
A case study in the globalization of jobs in Ireland
Authors: Jobs Charles , Butler David 
Published: September 2006

PurposeThe paper sets out to identify the challenges and potential responses Ireland has related to the potential loss of jobs due to offshoring in a key Irish employment sector. The following research question is addressed. How can Irish call centers effectively respond to offshore competition?Design/methodology/approachThis case study is a based on a field research project including interview and survey data. The project was supported by The Irish Development Agency (IDA) to obtain data about the workers, management and demographic trends of the Irish call center sector. A review of literature available on the subject and observations made during the data gathering phase of a field research project run during the summer of 2004.FindingsShows that the global market for offshoring is growing at an accelerated rate due to economic drivers, cultural perceptions and expectations of corporate managers, SMEs, and IT systems integrators. Illustrates how Ireland can turn the problems associated with offshoring into strategic advantage.Practical implicationsThe paper proposes responses to the threat of lost jobs in Ireland due to the forces of globalization may offer useful insights for other countries facing similar economic threats.Originality/valueVery few papers have been published related to Irish job migration. The value is the paper studies a significant Irish industry sector in terms of employment and very real issues related to the globalization of jobs via offshoring. This is important to the IDA and to economic development practitioners in other countries facing the loss of jobs to globalization and offshoring.
GDP per capita and its challengers as measures of happiness
Authors: Dipietro William R. , Anoruo Emmanuel 
Published: September 2006

PurposeThe paper attempts to empirically assess whether GDP per capita or the human capital index is a better measure of happiness.Design/methodology/approachCross‐country regressions are run to see how GDP per capita fairs in comparison to the human capital index in explaining happiness based on survey questionnaires.FindingsThe paper finds that GDP per capita accounts for a far greater share of the cross country variation in happiness based on survey data than the human capita index and assorted other measures of human welfare.Practical implicationsThe important implication is that the often heard criticism that GDP per capita is inappropriate for use in economic analysis, especially in the area of economic development and other international fields, because it is not specifically designed as a measure of welfare, may be unfounded.Originality/valueThe paper shows that GDP per capita is a better measure of happiness defined in surveys than the human capital index.
Knowledge‐induced technological change
Authors: Alam Choudhury Masudul , Azid Toseef , Klasra Mushtaq Ahmad 
Published: September 2006

PurposeTo apply the Tawhidi epistemology in the automobile industry as the paradigm of the Islamic socio‐scientific order in terms of its inherent knowledge‐centered worldview.Design/methodology/approachThe concepts of unity and unification of knowledge in a system‐wide sense are analytically developed in the framework of shuratic process or equivalently as the interactive, integrative and evolutionary process‐oriented methodology (IIE).FindingsThe analytical conceptualization is derived in the light of Qur'anic rules (ahkam) and recommended that policies, programs and instruments would jointly promote the development of mutual profitability and address the social milieu as well.Research limitations/implicationsTawhidi unification methodology of extensive participation and linkage can be applied widely.Originality/valueCertain policy recommendations in the light of the shari'ah precepts of this case study can be made.
Consumers' expenditures and perceived price fairness
Authors: Daskalopoulou Irene , Petrou Anastasia 
Published: September 2006

PurposeTo analyze the role of price fairness perceptions as a construct underlying individuals' transactions.Design/methodology/approachThe paper formulates and empirically tests the hypothesis that price fairness perceptions endogenously determine consumers' expenditures decisions. Economic transactions are viewed as an allocation choice problem with fairness perceptions being an endogenous variable determining problem outcome. A treatment effects model is utilized, allowing for the analysis of the effects that price fairness perceptions exercise upon both the consumers' decision to realize a transaction as well as upon their consequent level of spending.FindingsConsumers do patronize stores and one important variable determining their level of spending is their perceptions of fairness underlying the transaction with a specific provider.Research limitations/implicationsThe small usable questionnaire sample may be considered as a limitation. However, the very satisfactory fit of the estimated model allows for the results to be a comparison basis with future findings.Practical implicationsAnalysis of price fairness perceptions provides new insights regarding consumer behavior, enhancing the analytical validity of typical household demand models.Originality/valueAnalysis allows for price fairness perceptions to enter a consumer's expenditures equation usually expressed in terms of socio‐economic indicators.
Credit risk management
Authors: Freeman Mark C. , Cox Paul R. , Wright Brian 
Published: September 2006

PurposeThis paper aims to explore the possible use of credit derivatives by corporate treasurers. Corporations have, in recent years, grown comfortable with the idea of using traditional derivative products to hedge their exposure to, for example, interest rate and foreign exchange risk. Credit risk, on the other hand, has proven a more difficult animal to tame. Whilst avenues for the management of credit risk do exist, for example, by the use of traditional insurance products and letters of credit, such means are not always convenient.Design/methodology/approachIn this paper, both the academic and practitioner literature on credit derivatives and their application are reviewed. Then, by means of some simple numerical examples, the possible uses to which corporate treasurers might put credit default swaps and total return swaps are illustrated.FindingsThe credit derivatives market is, at present, dominated by large banks and insurance companies who trade credit exposure among themselves. As the credit derivatives market becomes more liquid and transparent, it is asked: “Should corporate treasurers consider using credit derivatives to manage their credit risk exposure?” A number of simple and practical ways in which corporations can use credit derivatives to manage risk are explored and the practical strengths and weaknesses of following such approaches are emphasised.Originality/valueThis paper is of particular value to corporate treasurers. This is one of the first academic papers to consider credit derivatives from a financial management perspective.
Stock bonus compensation and firm performance in Taiwan
Authors: Guo Wen‐Chung , Shiah‐Hou Shin‐Rong 
Published: September 2006

PurposeThe main purpose of this paper is to investigate the relative firms’ performances of equity‐based compensation schemes using a panel regression approach from Taiwanese experience.Design/methodology/approachPrevious theory considers executive stock options as an important input in the production process, but the empirical support for the performances of equity‐based compensation schemes is mixed in developed countries. This paper uses a panel data regression to analyze the influence of stock bonus and executive stock option on performance.FindingsThe evidences in Taiwan suggest that there exist positive associations between the amount of stock bonuses and firms’ operating performance. It is also found that firms with larger firm size or high growth opportunity tend to adopt stock bonusResearch limitations/implicationsThe first limitation is that we the dataset over our sample period 1999‐2001 is still incomplete because the executive stock options allowed by the regulation are not prevalent in Taiwan over that period. The second limitation is the unique stock bonus system in Taiwan is not observed for developed countries.Practical implicationsThe result imply a positive association between stock bonus and firm's operating performance. Companies with well‐designed bonus compensation may lead to better performance.Originality/valueThe unique stock bonus compensation schemes in Taiwan are used in general to contribute to the success of the high‐tech companies. This paper first addresses the importance of the stock bonus on compensation issue for high‐tech companies. This added knowledge is beneficial to practitioners and academics whose interest lies in equity‐based compensation and performance.
The impact of corruption on financial markets
Authors: Ng David 
Published: September 2006

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to focus specifically on the role of corruption in affecting financial markets. Recently, there are several studies that examine how one country’s level of corruption might affect asset prices in other countries. The aim of this article is to summarize how corruption may affect the bond and stock markets.Design/methodology/approachThe paper is organized as follows. Section 1 defines corruption and briefly examines the causes of corruption. Section 2 examines various measures of corruption and provides a ranking of countries. Section 3 explains how corruption may affect business and provide anecdotal evidence. Section 4 provides a summary of some empirical evidence of corruption on firm performances. Section 5 concludes.FindingsAcross international financial markets, corruption is found to be associated with higher firm’s borrowing cost, lower stock valuation, and worse corporate governance.Originality/valueThis paper provides a brief summary on research related to corruption and its impact on financial markets. Anecdotal evidence has shown the disruptive effect of corruption, and theoretical literature largely confirms this effect. Empirical studies show that the cost of corruption is highly significant in many different areas of the economy. In particular, across international financial markets, corruption is found to be associated with higher borrowing cost, lower stock valuation, and worse corporate governance.
Investment principles and strategies of faith‐based funds
Authors: Boasson Emil , Boasson Vigdis , Cheng Joseph 
Published: September 2006

PurposeTo examine the rationale for the investment principles adopted by faith‐based funds from a biblical perspective and to evaluate the performance of faith‐based ethical funds.Design/methodology/approachA multi‐factor Carhart model is applied to examine the risk‐adjusted financial performance and investment strategies of faith‐based ethical funds.FindingsThe statistical results indicate that the faith‐based funds as a group do not under‐perform the market on a risk‐adjusted basis.Practical implicationsThis suggests that investment managers may incorporate moral/ethical components into their investment decisions without unduly shortchanging their clients for whom they have fiduciary duties.Originality/valueThis is one of the very few papers which study faith‐based funds.
Pairing information with poverty: traces of development discourse in LIS
Authors: Haider Jutta , Bawden David 
Published: September 2006

PurposeThe purpose of this research is to investigate and critically assess the notions of “information poverty” in LIS by highlighting its connections with development discourse.Design/methodology/approachThe article takes a discourse analysis approach, which starts from Michel Foucault's understanding of discourse. “Information poverty” is posited as a statement and investigated in its relation to other statements. The focus is on discursive procedures that emerge from the repeated connections between statements. The article draws on the interpretative analysis of 35 English language articles published in scholarly and professional LIS journals between 1995 and 2005.Findings“Information poverty” and the “information poor” are established as being assigned specific positions in the discourse of LIS as the result of overlapping, sometimes conflicting discursive procedures. The concept emerges as a possibility in LIS by anchoring it in the dominant discourse of development. Traces of development discourse surface in LIS and contribute to the legitimisation of the concept of “information poverty” by lending it authority.Research limitations/implicationsThe material selection is linguistically biased. Results and findings are fully applicable only in an English language context.Originality/valueThe article relates the professional discourse of LIS to the dominant discourse of development and thus highlights some of the assumptions upon which the concept of “information poverty” is built. Moreover, the article is intended to contribute to the further development of discourse analysis in LIS.
Cultural entrepreneurship in libraries
Authors: Nijboer Jelke 
Published: September 2006

PurposeThe purpose of this research is to show how librarians today need to be cultural entrepreneurs in order to create and maintain thriving libraries in the Internet age.Design/methodology/approachThe “creative class” theory developed by Richard Florida (2002) has been widely and rapidly embraced by many policy makers around the world.FindingsCultural entrepreneurship in libraries is in line with a new and dominant trend seen in many countries in which cities promote themselves as centres of creativity. It is creativity, not the traditional values of trading in goods and services, that is now seen to be the force behind economic growth, especially in metropolitan areas. Growth is mainly determined by the ability to attract creative people, develop a creative atmosphere and build creative clusters.Practical implicationsThis creativity development and the interest of local authorities in the creative industry are both opportunities for librarians to promote their libraries and demonstrate their ability to act as cultural entrepreneurs.Originality/valueWhat are possible successful strategies for libraries and which competences do librarians need to be successful cultural entrepreneurs?