bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
The introduction of information technology in the commercial banking sector of developing countries: voices from Sudan
Authors: Osman Shereif Mahdi Mohamed , Dawson Patrick 
Published: June 2007

PurposeThis article sets out to draw on new empirical research to illustrate how the process of technological change is shaped by a combination of contextual elements that relate to the political and social history of Sudan. The developments in infrastructure, relationships with economically powerful industrialized countries, and the attitudes and perceptions of key decision makers are discussedDesign/methodology/approachPrimary data were collected from fieldwork conducted in Sudan for six months, and this was combined with secondary data that were collected from several conventional sources. The design adopted a dual methodological approach that comprised a combination of quantitative and qualitative techniques. This article draws mainly on the qualitative data set, although a summary is provided of some of the main results from the questionnaire survey.FindingsThe findings highlight the need for bank general managers and IT managers to collaborate in the establishment of IT strategies and in ensuring that there are sufficient staff and budgetary resources for successful implementation. There is also a need to develop comprehensive banking policies in Sudan in order to support the replacement of traditional manual methods of banking with more advanced computer‐based systems. Managing this process is not simply a technical issue, but a complex socio‐political challenge that requires management sensitivity to the context within which change is taking place.Research limitations/implicationsFieldwork in Sudan was constrained by both time and limited financial resources, and further frustrated by a number of unanticipated access difficulties. Some of the survey findings may have been affected by missing data, and some of the interview data may have been affected by translation from Arabic into English. However, the multi‐strategy research employed in this study did prove effective in generating useful data.Originality/valueIn the case of developing countries, the data sets and literature available are in short supply, and as such the findings contribute to this limited knowledge base in presenting new empirical evidence and analysis. The study highlights the importance of three broad categories – social‐political context, business economic and technological environment, and the historical and cultural climate of Sudan and the banking industry – in shaping the uptake and introduction of new technology in the Sudanese banking industry.
How can the small to medium sized travel agents stay competitive in China's travel service sector?
Authors: Qiu Zhang Hanqin , Morrison Alison 
Published: June 2007

PurposeThis research aims to extend knowledge pertaining to SMEs in general within the context of the tourism industry, and to establish a richer understanding relative to major factors affecting the development of SME travel agents in China.Design/methodology/approachIn a pilot research project, exploratory in‐depth interviews were conducted with owner‐managers of SME travel agencies.FindingsThe findings indicate that being small in size and simple structure, short period of time in business operation, lack of management experience and market recognition have formed the major characteristics of these SMEs. Furthermore, they are facing an increasingly competitive environment and their sustainability is being threatened by a continuously decreasing market share and reducing profit levels.Research limitations/implicationsA total of nine in‐depth interviews were conducted and the results cannot be generalized to the whole travel agent sector in China.Practical implicationsThe research results also indicate that a series of internal and external factors are affecting the development of SME travel agents in China. Co‐operative and collaborative networking is recommended designed to strengthen SME travel agency business models.Originality/valueSME travel agents have a very short development history in China and very little is known about the nature of the SMEs. This study intends to provide enhanced understanding of the SMEs which can serve as the base for future study.
Measuring the cost of quality in a hotel restaurant operation
Authors: Ramdeen Collin , Santos Jocelina , Kyung Chatfield Hyun 
Published: June 2007

PurposeThe objective of this research is to apply the cost of quality (COQ) concepts in a hotel restaurant environment using the PAF (prevention, appraisal, and failure costs) model. Then use the percentage of sales approach to evaluate the significance of the COQ measures in the PAF model.Design/methodology/approachThis research involved reviewing available literature on the COQ framework. Then through the process of interviews and secondary data collection, an analysis of the COQ measures in the PAF model was accomplished.FindingsWhile researchers suggested that the COQ should be 2 to 4 percent of sales, the actual findings were 12 to 16 percent over a two‐year period. These findings help the restaurant quality management team to reevaluate the quality of food and services, and provide justification for more investment in prevention activities.Practical implicationsThe practical implication from this study was that an investment in prevention activities in the PAF model for the restaurant did lead to reduction in failure costs (internal and external) and appraisal costs.Originality/valueThis study demonstrates that the COQ measures used in the PAF model can improve the quality of food and services provided to the restaurant customers, and therefore, result in improvement in overall profitability.
Assessing lodging service down under: a case of Hamilton, New Zealand
Authors: Mohsin Asad 
Published: June 2007

PurposeThe aim of the study is to assess customer perceptions of service quality delivered by front office, room service and an in house restaurant/café in the lodgings of Hamilton, New Zealand.Design/methodology/approachThe study uses a survey and interview technique. A survey questionnaire with the help of local managers in the lodging industry was structured for this study. The study was undertaken at different lodgings in Hamilton involving face‐to‐face administration of the survey instrument. A useable sample of 645 participants resulted.FindingsThe importance–performance analysis showed that responses related to front office, room service and in‐house café/restaurant, the importance is statistically significant, higher than the performance. Gender also reflected statistical significance. Overall, the results indicate that most responses show gaps in importance and evaluations and this suggests managerial implications.Research limitations/implicationsFrom a practitioners perspective the study provides an opportunity to recognize in ranking order general features that are considered important by the guest staying in lodgings in Hamilton in New Zealand. Additionally, the study also points out the evaluation of those guests, thereby identifying the areas of gaps in service and product quality.Originality/valueThe study has been the first attempt to gauge the importance and experience from the stay of lodging guests in Hamilton, New Zealand. The research also provides an opportunity for a comparative study of service quality offered by lodgings in New Zealand with other parts of the world.
Exploring the UK hospitality industry and age discrimination
Authors: Martin Emma , Gardiner Katherine 
Published: June 2007

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to investigate the steps the hospitality sector is taking to ensure compliance with the age discrimination legislation introduced in October 2006.Design/methodology/approachA survey of the five sub sectors of the hospitality industry, hotels, restaurants, pubs and clubs, contract catering and hospitality services, was conducted during April 2006.FindingsIt was found that ageism was considered a problem by respondents from hospitality services, largely public sector organisations, and the greatest impact from the legislation was considered to be within these firms. Overall, 45 per cent of respondents reported knowing “little” or “nothing” about the incoming legislation and the overwhelming majority felt they did not know enough.Research limitations/implicationsOut of the postal survey of 950 organisations there were 112 respondents, representing a response rate of just below 12 per cent. Perhaps the most prominent issue with surveys of this type are the concerns of employers about compliance and being caught out or, in this case, it may highlight a greater level of apathy or lack of awareness than the following results show.Practical implicationsThe findings show the need to target the message about the age discrimination legislation particularly to the pub, club and hotel sector.Originality/valueThe paper highlights the desire for knowledge about the legislation across the sector and the lack of awareness of sources of information.
Improving employee dedication and pro‐social behavior
Authors: Gill Amarjit S. , Mathur Neil 
Published: June 2007

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to examine the relationship between transformational leadership and employee dedication and the relationship between transformational leadership and pro‐social behaviour. This study seeks to extend Gill et al.'s findings regarding the impact of transformational leadership on job stress and the impact of job stress on burnout.Design/methodology/approachHospitality industry employees were interviewed to find out if transformational leadership used by their managers improves employee dedication and pro‐social behaviour.FindingsResults suggest that employee dedication and pro‐social behaviour are positively related to the improvement in the level of perceived transformational leadership implementation.Practical implicationsIf employees perceive that their managers are using high‐level transformational leadership, employee dedication and pro‐social behaviour are perceived as higher level than if it is perceived as being used at lower level.Originality/valueThis paper offers useful insights for hotel managers based on empirical evidence.
Joint route planning under varying market conditions
Authors: Cruijssen Frans , Bräysy Olli , Dullaert Wout , Fleuren Hein , Salomon Marc 
Published: June 2007

PurposeTo provide empirical evidence on the level of savings that can be attained by joint route planning and how these savings depend on specific market characteristics.Design/methodology/approachJoint route planning is a measure that companies can take to decrease the costs of their distribution activities. Essentially, this can either be achieved through horizontal cooperation or through outsourcing distribution to a logistics service provider. The synergy value is defined as the difference between distribution costs in the original situation where all entities perform their orders individually, and the costs of a system where all orders are collected and route schemes are set up simultaneously to exploit economies of scale. This paper provides estimates of synergy values, both in a constructed benchmark case and in a number of real‐world cases.FindingsIt turns out that synergy values of 30 per cent are achievable. Furthermore, intuition is developed on how the synergy values depend on characteristics of the distribution problem under consideration.Practical implicationsThe developed intuition on the nature of synergy values can help practitioners to find suitable combinations of distribution systems, since synergy values can quickly be assessed based on the characteristics of the distribution problem, without solving large and difficult vehicle routing problems.Originality/valueThis paper addresses a major impediment to horizontal cooperation: estimating operational savings upfront.
Product‐process‐supply chain: an integrative approach to three‐dimensional concurrent engineering
Authors: Ellram Lisa M. , Tate Wendy L. , Carter Craig R. 
Published: June 2007

PurposeThe primary purposes of this paper are to add support to the existing three‐dimensional concurrent engineering (3DCE) theoretical framework and to identify issues that currently hinder the adoption of 3DCE.Design/methodology/approachWhile 3DCE has been suggested as a way to improve new product development success and supply chain performance, the research on 3DCE is in its infancy, largely conceptual, or based on two, rather than all three aspects of 3DCE. To help bridge the gap between concept and theory for 3DCE, this paper provides a cross‐disciplinary perspective, incorporating literature from supply chain management (SCM) and logistics, operations management, marketing channels, and general management and strategy, to help ground the theory of 3DCE. Based on this literature, testable research propositions are developed.FindingsBased on the review of the literature, there is substantial theoretical grounding for 3DCE and evidence that it should provide beneficial outcomes to organizations. 3DCE is also a very useful theoretical lens as researchers become more concerned with taking a systemic view of supply chain and organizational performance. Effectively using 3DCE as a lens may require different research approaches, such as systems dynamics and supply chain mapping.Practical implicationsThis research provides insights into the relatively low adoption rates of 3DCE in practice. Successful 3DCE requires top management support as well as functional support. It is not simply a SCM tool.Originality/valueFrom a research perspective, this paper helps provide support for using 3DCE as a theoretical lens for grounding future research. It also provides an insight into research methods that might be most useful in gaining greater understanding of 3DCE practices.
The differential value of information in industrial purchasing decisions
Authors: Bienstock Carol C. , Royne Marla B. 
Published: June 2007

PurposeThis research integrates recent work on customer information acquisition in services marketing and economics of information research with literature on industrial buying behavior for the purpose of proposing and empirically testing a model that explores information acquisition in industrial purchasing.Design/methodology/approachTo test the proposed model, an online survey was prepared using WebSurveyor and an introductory e‐mail with a link to the survey was sent to a sample of members of a professional organization of industrial purchasing managers.FindingsResults indicated a differential use of information sources across differing purchase situations. When purchasing situations were perceived to be easy to evaluate, there was a significantly greater use of impersonal information sources. In addition, we offer evidence that the use of both personal and impersonal information sources does, in fact, increase the perception of goal clarity with respect to the purchasing task among industrial purchasers.Originality/valueIf marketers can help provide key information – both personal and impersonal – to their customers, they are helping to clarify the purchasing task. These communication efforts can then contribute to that satisfying outcome which might ultimately enhance the relationship between the two parties.
Ethnicity and customer satisfaction in the financial services sector
Authors: Lopez Jose , Kozloski Hart Laura , Rampersad Alison 
Published: June 2007

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to describe research carried out to determine whether South Florida's heterogeneous retail banking customers have differing perceptions of the importance of service quality dimensions; and to ascertain whether various ethnic groups report different levels of customer satisfaction with their retail banks.Design/methodology/approachThis study examines three distinct ethnic groups vis‐à‐vis the most significant dimensions of service quality causal to customer satisfaction with retail banking institutions. Because of the ethnic diversity of its residents, South Florida was chosen for this research.FindingsAs a group, 230 banking customers rated reliability and responsiveness as having the greatest impact on their satisfaction levels. Although no statistically significant differences were apparent in the overall levels of satisfaction among the groups, respondents from the three largest regional ethnic groups (African‐Americans, Latinos, and non‐Latino Caucasians) weighted the importance of several of ten service quality dimensions quite differently.Research limitations/implicationsIn general, the results of this study offer significant implications for retail banks seeking to improve customer satisfaction and striving for better retention rates, using customer‐oriented processes and training programs within an increasingly diverse marketplace.Originality/valueAlthough significant research has been done regarding issues and factors contributing to customer satisfaction in the banking industry, very little has been published regarding individual perceptions of the dimensions that contribute to customer satisfaction in ethnically diverse marketplaces.
Thermal characterisation of rectangular cooling shapes in solids
Authors: Dirker Jaco , Malan Arnaud G. , Meyer Josua P. 
Published: June 2007

PurposeThis paper aims to investigate thermal geometric optimisation of rectangular heat conductive cooling structures within solid heat‐generating media for the purpose of minimising peak temperatures and enabling optimum use of spatial volume within integrated power electronics.Design/methodology/approachA vortex‐centred finite volume numerical solver was developed, employing a fully implicit solution algorithm to obtain 3D temperature distributions. By comparing the peak temperatures obtained for a wide range of related cases, optimised cross‐sectional shapes for particular input conditions were obtained.FindingsOptimum shapes are dependent on seven identified parameters. In cases where a low percentage of volume is occupied by cooling structures, a high tendency exists for continuous thin cooling layers, as opposed to discrete rectangular cooling inserts, to present the best thermal behaviour. At higher volume percentages, the opposite is true.Practical implicationsThe reduced dimensions of cooling inserts have caused manufacturability to be a concern. Research has shown that at small dimensional scale ranges the cross‐sectional shape of the cooling insert has little influence on its thermal performance. In such cases little or no thermal advantage or loss is incurred by making use of continuous cooling layers, which are easiest to manufacture.Originality/valueThe tendencies of optimum cooling structure shapes were obtained and described in terms of seven geometric and material property‐related parameters. Thermal performance of individual inserts is not linearly proportional to dimensional scaling and it was found that, at small‐scale ranges, optimisation from a manufacturing viewpoint would not significantly impact on thermal performance.
Numerical simulation of three‐dimensional interfacial flows
Authors: Jahanbakhsh E. , Panahi R. , Seif M.S. 
Published: June 2007

PurposeThis study aims to present compatible computational fluid dynamics procedure for calculation of incompressible three‐dimensional time‐dependent flow with complicated free surface deformation. A computer software is developed and validated using a variety of academic test cases.Design/methodology/approachTwo fluids are modeled as a single continuum with a fluid property jump at the interface by solving a scalar transport equation for volume fraction. In conjunction, the conservation equations for mass and momentum are solved using fractional step method. Here, a finite volume discretisation and colocated arrangement are used.FindingsThe developed code results in accurate simulation of interfacial flows, e.g. Rayleigh‐Taylor instability, sloshing and dambreaking problems. All results are in good concordance with experimental data especially when there are two phases with high density ratio.Research limitations/implicationsTurbulence, which has great importance in a wide variety of real world phenomena, is not considered in the present formulation and left for future researches.Originality/valueHere, an integrated numerical simulation for transient interfacial flows is presented. In this way, the pressure integral term in Navier‐Stokes equation is discretised based on a newly developed interpolation which results in non‐oscillative velocity field especially in free surface.
Hybrid solution for transient internal convection with axial diffusion
Authors: Gondim R.R. , Macedo E.N. , Cotta R.M. 
Published: June 2007

PurposeThis paper seeks to analyze transient convection‐diffusion by employing the generalized integral transform technique (GITT) combined with an arbitrary transient filtering solution, aimed at enhancing the convergence behavior of the associated eigenfunction expansions. The idea is to consider analytical approximations of the original problem as filtering solutions, defined within specific ranges of the time variable, which act diminishing the importance of the source terms in the original formulation and yielding a filtered problem for which the integral transformation procedure results in faster converging eigenfunction expansions. An analytical local instantaneous filtering is then more closely considered to offer a hybrid numerical‐analytical solution scheme for linear or nonlinear convection‐diffusion problems.Design/methodology/approachThe approach is illustrated for a test‐case related to transient laminar convection within a parallel‐plates channel with axial diffusion effects.FindingsThe developing thermal problem is solved for the fully developed flow situation and a step change in inlet temperature. An analysis is performed on the variation of Peclet number, so as to investigate the importance of the axial heat or mass diffusion on convergence rates.Originality/valueThis paper succeeds in analyzing transient convection‐diffusion via GITT, combined with an arbitrary transient filtering solution, aimed at enhancing the convergence behaviour of the associated eigenfunction expansions.
Numerical simulation of time‐dependent heat and fluid flows inside and around single rising bubbles using a moving axisymmetric boundary‐fitted mesh system
Authors: Lai Huanxin , Yan Yuying , Wu Keqi 
Published: June 2007

PurposeThis paper aims to develop a numerical method for analysing the time‐dependent conjugate heat and fluid flows inside and around single bubbles rising in a hot liquid.Design/methodology/approachThe procedure combines the moving mesh method for flows in time‐dependent geometries and the zoned calculation algorithm for conjugate viscous flows. A moving axisymmetric boundary‐fitted mesh is used to track the deformable gas‐liquid interface, while conjugate flows in both gas and liquid sides are calculated by a two‐block zoned method. The interfacial stresses are employed to calculate the velocity value and to decide the time‐dependent bubble shape simultaneously. Governing equations for the rising velocity and acceleration of the bubble are derived according to the forces acting on the bubble.FindingsA calculating procedure for time‐dependent conjugate heat and fluid flows inside and around a rising single bubble has been developed. The algorithm has been verified, and can be employed for further analysing heat, mass and momentum transfer phenomena and their relevant mechanisms.Originality/valueThe paper developed a method to obtain high fidelity results for the heat and fluid flow details in the vicinity of a time‐dependent moderately deformable rising bubble; the physically zero‐thickness of a gas‐liquid interface is guaranteed. The governing equations for the time‐dependent rising velocity and acceleration are derived.