bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Asymmetric effects of brand origin confusion
Authors: Zhuang Guijun , Wang Xuehua , Zhou Lianxi , Zhou Nan 
Published: August 2008

PurposeThe purpose of this study investigates the asymmetric effects of brand origin confusion (BOC) on consumer preference and the purchase of local versus foreign brands in China. Drawing on the general country‐of‐origin (COO) literature and recent developments in brand‐origin studies and the emerging market phenomenon globally, it proposes and test a model of the asymmetric effects of BOC on consumer preference and the purchase of local versus foreign brands in China. This study intends to help to explain from a new angle the decreasing competitiveness of foreign brands in emerging markets, such as China.Design/methodology/approachThe study pretest on nationally distributed brands across seven product categories resulted in a final set of 67 brands: 35 foreign and 32 local. Four hundred respondents evaluated measures related to brand origin, brand awareness, brand value, brand preference, and brand purchases in the previous six months. Hierarchical regression analysis was used in data analysis.FindingsThe hypotheses on the asymmetric effects of BOC between local and foreign brands in China were mostly supported. Specifically, the results showed that local brands are likely to be in an advantageous position when there is a high level of BOC. However, as the brand knowledge of consumers increases, the effects of BOC decrease.Originality/valueThis study provides evidence of the asymmetric effects of BOC between local and foreign brands and the moderating role of brand knowledge for local brands in China. It fills a gap in the international branding and marketing communication literature, and offers meaningful managerial insights for both local and international companies to formulate effective branding and marketing communication strategies in China and possibly in other emerging markets.
Does country‐of‐origin matter in the relationship between brand personality and purchase intention in emerging economies?
Authors: Wang Xuehua , Yang Zhilin 
Published: August 2008

PurposeThe purpose of this paper aims to investigate the relationship between brand personality, country‐of‐origin (COO) image and purchase intention. Specifically, it is suggested that COO image exerts both main and interaction impact on purchase intention.Design/methodology/approachA cross‐city survey of China's auto industry for the Sino‐German Joint Venture's auto brand of Bora was conducted to test hypotheses, predicted on a sample of 1,200 respondents. Another sample for Japan and the Sino‐Japanese Joint Venture's Honda auto brand was used for validation.FindingsResults reveal that both brand personality and COO image exert significant positive main effects on purchase intention. Furthermore, COO image is found to be a positive moderator in the relationship between brand personality and purchase intention. Specifically, a positive COO image could enhance brand personality's positive impact on purchase intention, whereas a negative COO image could significantly decrease the positive brand personality effect on purchase intention. Companies with both weak brand personality and a negative COO image achieve a higher purchase intention than those with weak brand personality, yet a positive COO image.Originality/valueThis study provides new theoretical insights into factors influencing consumers' purchase decision making by incorporating COO image as a moderator in the relationship between brand personality and purchase intention. It also offers joint ventures useful advice on whether to emphasize brand origin. If a company is weak in both brand personality and COO image, it is better not to emphasize brand origin.
Investigating the drivers of internet banking adoption decision
Authors: Gounaris Spiros , Koritos Christos 
Published: August 2008

PurposeThe paper seeks to compare, through empirical evidence, two widely adopted models (the Technology Acceptance Model (TAM) and the Diffusion of Innovations (DoI) model) to an underutilized one (Perceived Characteristics of the Innovation) in order to examine which is better in predicting consumer adoption of internet banking (IB), while investigating innovation attributes vis‐à‐vis other important predictors of adoption of innovations, such as consumer personal characteristics.Design/methodology/approachThe data derive from both users and non‐users of IB through a web survey. The paper assesses the psychometric properties of the measures through confirmatory factor analysis and then employs logistic regression analysis in order to assess and compare the ability of the models to accurately predict consumer adoption of IB.FindingsThe paper finds that PCI performed significantly better than TAM and DoI in predicting consumer adoption of IB, whereas the addition of consumer demographics and psychographics further improved the predictive ability of the overall logit model.Research limitations/implicationsLimitations of the study include the non‐random nature of the IB non‐users sample, and the fact that this was a study of a single shopping context (i.e. banking). Non‐usability innovation characteristics are important predictors of consumer adoption of technologically based innovations. Bank managers should reconsider their segmentation and targeting strategies in the light of more refined as well as new segmentation criteria.Originality/valueThe PCI model has never been examined within online contexts. The paper also incorporates other non‐usability types of characteristics (i.e. social, psychological) into TAM and DoI, and identifies the moderating role of shopping context, between innovation characteristics and decision to adopt.
What determines Turkish customers' acceptance of internet banking?
Authors: Çelik Hakan 
Published: August 2008

PurposeThe purpose of this article is to provide an insight into the determinants of customers' internet banking (IB) acceptance. Therefore, it attempts to address a research need for extending the technology acceptance model (TAM) by adding contextual factors for IB case.Design/methodology/approachA research model reflecting the effects of perceived risk (PR), perceived playfulness (PPL) and perceived behavioral control (PBC) on TAM constructs is proposed. The partial least squares (PLS) procedure is used to analyze 161 cases collected from individual IB users through a web‐based survey.FindingsThe results indicate that perceived usefulness (PU) and perceived ease of use (PEOU) are immediate direct determinants of customers' attitudes towards using IB (ATT). PU, PR and ATT determine the large proportion of behavioral intentions to use IB (BI). Although PPL positively influences only PEOU, PBC exerts positive direct effects on PEOU and PU and indirect effects on PU and ATT.Research limitations/implicationsThe study findings were obtained from the single snapshot research, the small data set covering only active e‐mail users and the participants' self‐reports about BI. Therefore, the future research should carry a longitudinal nature to show the temporal change effects, remedy the possibility of self‐selection bias with a broader research sample and validate the IB usage externally instead of self‐reported BI.Originality/valueThis study supplies the valuable information for researchers and practitioners about the effects of PR, PPL and PBC on IB adaptation behavior of Turkish customers. Furthermore, the study reveals that extended TAM could be used to provide a solid theoretical foundation of IB acceptance case.
A methodology for measuring the quality of deviation reporting
Authors: Nyström Birre 
Published: August 2008

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to describe a methodology based on vignettes and its application to measure the consistency of railway delay attribution, in order to report on experiences of using the methodology in this context.Design/methodology/approachA survey is used to ask personnel performing delay attribution about how they would report the delays described in the vignettes of the survey. The development, application and analysis of the survey are thoroughly described here.FindingsThe methodology proved useful for measuring the consistency of delay attribution.Research limitations/implicationsThe methodology also supports a further investigation of the accuracy of delay attribution systems.Practical implicationsA survey similar to the one presented here can be used by railways to estimate the accuracy of their delay attribution systems, as well as to continuously improve them. Changes to computer software and training will improve the delay attribution system under study.Originality/valueBy investigating current delay attribution practices using surveys based on vignettes, drawbacks of the current delay attribution system can be identified and remedied. The methodology is applicable to a wide class of deviation attribution applications.
Vectors of innovation to support quality initiatives in the framework of ISO 9001:2000
Authors: Brad Stelian 
Published: August 2008

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to investigate hidden/less tangible dimensions of ISO 9001:2000 standard for better understanding where there are potentials for designing and implementing highly mature quality management systems (QMSs).Design/methodology/approachBased on advanced quality tools, 80‐20 rule and inventive problem‐solving algorithms, a novel methodology is developed and applied for quantifying the value weight of ISO 9001:2000 requirements in the equation of business competitiveness, for identifying critical issues, conflicts and barriers within projects dealing with quality management system (QMS) design and implementation, as well as for defining in a systematic way innovative solutions to the challenges arising from these analyses.FindingsA quantitative assessment of the conformity that business processes have relative to ISO 9001:2000 requirements is possible even in the early stage of designing the QMS. A large number of conflicts and barriers could affect the performance of a QMS. Mature QMSs should consider innovative vectors of intervention from the early phases of their planning and designing processes.Research limitations/implicationsThe set of criteria and their ranks that were used to determine the value weights of the requirements within ISO 9001:2000 have been established only with a focus group of stakeholders; an extensive survey might reveal slight differences of results.Practical implicationsISO 9001:2000 provides only a generic framework for bringing quality to life. Both careful performance planning and process innovation are required to elaborate a mature QMS.Originality/valueThe paper reveals a novel tool for quantifying the gap between a given quality management system and ISO 9001:2000 requirements. A comprehensive set of innovative solutions for approaching the design and implementation of a QMS in a competitive way are also provided.
Relationship between quality management practices and the performance of small and medium size enterprises (SMEs) in Ghana
Authors: Appiah Fening Fred , Pesakovic Gordana , Amaria Pesi 
Published: August 2008

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to investigate the relationship between quality management practices and SME performance in Ghana.Design/methodology/approachBased on the literature, the paper adopted the MBNQA variables of leadership, strategic planning, human resource, customer focus, information and analysis, process management, and quality and operational results as tools of quality management practices. Seven hypotheses were postulated to examine the relationship of each of the MBNQA variables with the five SME performance indicators of profitability, customer satisfaction, sales growth, employee morale, and market share. A survey comprising 80 questions was administered to a sample of 200 small firms employing fewer than 50 workers and covering all sectors in Ghana. The questionnaire asked the participants to indicate on a five‐point Likert scale the extent to which each quality management practice was evident or was practiced of those that influence their firms' performance. Statistical analyses were conducted using SPSS to calculate descriptive statistics, reliability analysis, correlation and regression.FindingsOverall, the paper found a number of significant relationships between the quality management variables and firm performance. It also found support for the argument that quality management practices improve organizational performance in both large and small businesses and in any part of the world.Originality/valueThese findings have added to the body of knowledge that quality management practices improve organizational performance. Contrary to some studies conducted recently in Ghana to investigate the relationship between sophisticated planning and performance that did not find any significant relationship, the study reports a significant positive relationship.
Total productive maintenance: literature review and directions
Authors: Ahuja I.P.S. , Khamba J.S. 
Published: August 2008

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to review the literature on Total Productive Maintenance (TPM) and to present an overview of TPM implementation practices adopted by the manufacturing organizations. It also seeks to highlight appropriate enablers and success factors for eliminating barriers in successful TPM implementation.Design/methodology/approachThe paper systematically categorizes the published literature and then analyzes and reviews it methodically.FindingsThe paper reveals the important issues in Total Productive Maintenance ranging from maintenance techniques, framework of TPM, overall equipment effectiveness (OEE), TPM implementation practices, barriers and success factors in TPM implementation, etc. The contributions of strategic TPM programmes towards improving manufacturing competencies of the organizations have also been highlighted here.Practical implicationsThe literature on classification of Total Productive Maintenance has so far been very limited. The paper reviews a large number of papers in this field and presents the overview of various TPM implementation practices demonstrated by manufacturing organizations globally. It also highlights the approaches suggested by various researchers and practitioners and critically evaluates the reasons behind failure of TPM programmes in the organizations. Further, the enablers and success factors for TPM implementation have also been highlighted for ensuring smooth and effective TPM implementation in the organizations.Originality/valueThe paper contains a comprehensive listing of publications on the field in question and their classification according to various attributes. It will be useful to researchers, maintenance professionals and others concerned with maintenance to understand the significance of TPM.
Review of test methods for zero PPM performance
Authors: Healy Sandra , Wallace Michael , Murphy Eamonn 
Published: August 2008

PurposeMarket demands, especially within the automotive sector, are pushing towards increased product complexity and performance with zero ship parts per million (PPM) requirements. To achieve both quality and performance goals very stringent requirements are being placed on the test manufacturing solution. These requirements lead to conflicts between cost, performance and quality. The purpose of this paper is twofold: first, to investigate the conflicts that exist between quality, performance, and cost, and second, to review current practices and techniques being used in tests to minimise ship PPM.Design/methodology/approachIn the paper a test process development flow chart is presented, along with a review of current methods being used for both defect screening and performance testing. The relationship between test coverage and ship PPM is investigated using established yield models. The cost in terms of gross margin degradation of yield loss at final test to extensive screening and aggressive limits is modelled.FindingsThe paper finds that to maintain ship PPM very high levels of test coverage are required – typically test coverage needs to be > 98 per cent. The cost of yield loss to this testing typically matches on a percentage point basis gross margin degradation. Reviewing current test methods shows the need both for extensive defect‐screening techniques for the defective portion of the population, and for optimised guardbanding techniques for performance testing. Weaknesses that exist are the absence of a model to predict outgoing PPM, and the conservative nature of existing guardband techniques for performance testing.Originality/valueThis is a review paper and it serves to highlight both the weaknesses in current practices, and areas where improved models are required.
Estimation of reliability characteristics of general system configuration
Authors: Krishna Hare , Sharma Ranjeet 
Published: August 2008

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to consider a General System Configuration (GSC), whose particular cases are all the popular system configurations. In reliability engineering one comes across various system configurations, for example, series, parallel and k‐out of‐m system models, which consist of a number of components.Design/methodology/approachThe paper gives a general approach to express the reliability properties of the whole system in terms of component parameters. The reliability of a GSC is expressed as a polynomial of the component reliability. Lifetime data on components have been used to estimate the system reliability characteristics through classical and Bayes estimation procedures.FindingsThe paper finds that the underlying distribution is assumed to be Weibull and, in view of cost constraints, Type‐II censored information has been used.Practical implicationsThe paper is useful for reliability practitioners as well as theoreticians. It provides an easy method to estimate the reliability of any system configuration.Originality/valueThree types of estimation procedures for a general system configuration have been developed for the first time. The lifetimes of components are assumed to follow widely used Weibull distribution, whose particular case is the most popular exponential distribution.
The work‐family dyad: multi‐level perspectives
Authors: Heraty Noreen , Morley Michael J. , Cleveland Jeanette N. 
Published: August 2008

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to introduce a selection of papers within the issue that discuss the work‐family interface.Design/methodology/approachThe themes of the papers in the issue are outlinedFindingsThe papers address the following: conflict, facilitation and individual coping styles across the work and family domains; generational differences in work‐family conflict and work‐family synergy for Generation X, baby boomers and matures; the development and transmission of work‐related attitudes; a cross cultural comparison of female managers attitudes, experiences and career choices; the impact of individual and organisational characteristics on work‐family conflict and career outcomes, and the variation of work life integration experiences of mid‐career professional women.Originality/valueThe paper introduces the special issue which provides a varied mix of theoretical approaches and multi‐level perspectives to scope out and explain the links between work and family life.
Conflict, facilitation, and individual coping styles across the work and family domains
Authors: Rotondo Denise M. , Kincaid Joel F. 
Published: August 2008

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to explore the relationships between four general coping styles, work and family conflict, and work and family facilitation in a simultaneous equations frameworkDesign/methodology/approachData from the MIDUS study were analyzed using two‐staged least squares regression to incorporate the reciprocity between the work and family domains into the model. Hypotheses about direct action, advice seeking, positive thinking, and cognitive reappraisal as they affect work family (W‐F) and family‐work (F‐W) conflict were tested. The impact of the coping styles on work and family facilitation has not been studied before and was also included.FindingsThe efficacy of individual coping styles on conflict and the relationships between coping and facilitation were not uniform and varied depending on the source domain. Positive thinking was associated with higher W‐F and F‐W facilitation. Direct‐action was associated with lower F‐W conflict and higher F‐W facilitation. Reappraisal and advice seeking were associated with higher F‐W conflict, but advice‐seeking was related to higher W‐F facilitation. As expected, significant reciprocal effects for conflict were found; both W‐F and F‐W conflict are significant predictors of F‐W and W‐F conflict, respectively. And, an increase in F‐W conflict was predicted to have twice the impact of factors increasing W‐F conflict. W‐F facilitation was significant in predicting levels of F‐W facilitation; F‐W facilitation did not influence levels of W‐F facilitation.Originality/valueThe paper suggests the family domain should be the target for problem‐focused coping strategies, most likely because greater control can be exercised at home. Practical suggestions to help employees identify strategies to lower conflict and raise facilitation, thus promoting balance, are discussed.
The transmission of work‐related attitudes: a social learning analysis
Authors: O'Shea Deirdre , Kirrane Melrona 
Published: August 2008

PurposeThe purpose of the paper is to focus on personal and social background factors as potential channels for the transmission of work related attitudes in young adults. The paper aims to examine the extent to which gender, parental job type, job status, and education, as well as school experience, influence the development of attitudes towards work and family life.Design/methodology/approachThe study comprised a quantitative (questionnaire based) survey with a sample of 782 final year undergraduate students attending various third level institutions in Ireland and the USA.FindingsThe results indicated that individuals who had grown up in traditional mixed families had more positive attitudes towards balancing work and home roles than did those who had grown up in traditional single earner families. Father's educational level also emerged as a significant factor in the career‐family attitudes of the participants.Research limitations/implicationsThe results of this research indicate that young people have developed attitudes towards managing the work/family interface on entering the workforce, which they acquire through a social learning process. Limitations included the cross‐sectional nature of the design and future longitudinal research is needed.Practical implicationsOrganizations and managers need to be aware of the well‐developed attitudes of new entrants in order to address early issues of psychological contract and person‐organizational fit, which have an impact on career success and career management.Originality/valueThe findings of the paper break new ground on the role of social learning on the formation of attitudes towards managing the work‐family interface. Such attitudes proceed to inform behavioral patterns and decisions in the harmonious management of the two domains.