bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Guanxi, knowledge and online intermediaries in China
Authors: Davison Robert M. , Xiaojuan Ou Carol 
Published: October 2008

PurposeIn China, online intermediaries have become increasingly influential in the last few years, notably in the business‐to‐business (B2B) domain. However, little research has considered the impact of these intermediaries on either the tacit knowledge or the guanxi that are so central to Chinese business processes. In this paper, authors investigate this impact, as well as the consequent shifts that are taking place on B2B platforms, focusing on the case of Alibaba, China's largest online business intermediary.Design/methodology/approachAn exploratory case‐study approach is employed in this paper. The authors have comprehensive investigated Alibaba's trading platforms and associated technologies. They have also engaged 15 Alibaba users (buyers and sellers) from seven different countries/territories in semi‐structured interviews and use the interview data to supplement the own findings.FindingsAlibaba is effectively functioning as a substitute for traditional, offline social networks. In the process, it is leveraging and disseminating explicit knowledge critical to all aspects of the purchasing/procurement process, as well as changing the role of guanxi throughout the business purchasing/procurement process. Alibaba is thus engineering radical changes in the way business can be conducted in China.Research limitations/implicationsExperienced researchers of Chinese management have traditionally been wary of ignoring cultural norms, which, in this case, would highlight the importance of both guanxi and tacit knowledge. The shift from tacit to explicit knowledge representation, coupled with a modified role for guanxi, is thus rather unexpected and should lead researchers to query previous assumptions, as well as test new ones, specifically in the area of online B2B transactions, but potentially in other domains where online communications are involved.Practical implicationsChinese business people are all too aware of the importance of tacit knowledge and guanxi. The potential for this tacit knowledge to be represented explicitly online, coupled with the shifting role that guanxi may play, should be of great interest to those who wish to explore the online marketspace. It may be particularly attractive to newcomers (notably non‐Chinese) to the Chinese market since their own tacit knowledge and guanxi may be less well developed and they may be in a better position to leverage the online platforms.Originality/valueThere is little prior work on Chinese B2B e‐commerce from a guanxi‐based or knowledge management (KM) perspective that builds on the experiences of online buyers and sellers. They chart this area and seek to integrate the two disparate streams of research on guanxi and KM in the context of B2B e‐commerce.
Managing dynamics of inter‐partner cooperation of IJVs in China
Authors: Liang Fan 
Published: October 2008

PurposeThis paper aims to investigate the dynamics of IJV inter‐partner cooperation and examines the critical determinants of maintaining ongoing cooperative intern‐partner relationship between IJV partners.Design/methodology/approachThe research is based on a dataset collected through a survey of IJVs in China. Non‐parametric statistics were used in the analyses to test a series of hypotheses.FindingsThe research finds that inter‐partner cooperation is a comprehensive process and impacted by a series of factors. Appropriate selection of local Chinese partners is critical to a cooperative relationship between IJV partners. In particular, intrinsic capabilities of local partners were found more important than their external advantageous conditions. The technology transfer coupled by the organisational learning of foreign partners also significantly facilitates a cooperative inter‐partner relationship of IJVs.Originality/valueIJV inter‐partner cooperation is examined from a comprehensive perspective to reveal the dynamics of the cooperation. Critical determinants of inter‐partner cooperation are identified, enhancing our understanding of managing inter‐partner cooperation of IJVs in China.
The Art of War : system of systems engineering perspectives
Authors: Teck Foo Check 
Published: October 2008

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to explore the ancient, 2,500 years old The Art of War by Sun Tzu from a system of systems engineering perspectives. The aim is to show that even for an emerging discipline in engineering the underlying concepts may be much more deeply rooted.Design/methodology/approachThe author approaches the subject by an in‐depth analysis of recent conceptualizations of system of systems engineering. The author relates by analysis these concepts back to business strategy. He illustrates from his own empirical work how corporate strategy is but an equivalent to “system” of systems. From original writings of Sun Tzu in The Art of War he then develops a generic model of system of systems.FindingsIdeas in system of systems engineering, an emerging multi‐discipline are far more deeply rooted in history, at least 2,500 years or even more. Using the cockpit of as an illustrative metaphor, the author argues for a research agenda to design an The Art of War boardroom information system.Practical implicationsIn this paper, the author argues why in the design of information system, it is useful to take a system of systems perspective. He draws upon the example of cockpit design of aircraft as inspirational design in modeling a futuristic The Art of War boardroom.Originality/valueIn this paper, the author illustrates how cross disciplinary researches between engineering, business and history may be so enriching. That in designing information systems for an The Art of War boardroom it is useful to use metaphorical equivalences. In this case, it is from the informational design of cockpits in fighter aircraft.
Government 2.0
Authors: Schellong Alexander R.M. 
Published: October 2008

PurposeResearchers have argued that social networks within a community have positive effects on people's behavior in disasters. The Japanese government is testing online SNS at the municipal level with the intention to improve community building, democratic processes, and disaster management. This paper seeks to explore the use of social networking services (SNSs) in government and disaster in Japan.Design/methodology/approachThis study is based on a literature review of social capital, social support, disaster, and social software. Two exploratory case studies of local government SNS in Yatsushiro city, Kumamoto prefecture and Nagaoka city, Niigata prefecture provide empirical evidence. Consequently, the role of local SNS for social capital development and disaster is discussed.FindingsYatsushiro's solution seems to be sustainable, Nagaoka's SNS is in decline. Both have to compete with popular SNS like Mixi and lack critical mass. There are some indications that government‐initiated SNS helps to build social capital and utilize it in times of a disaster.Research limitations/implicationsThe paper contributes to the research on eParticipation and Public Management by describing an internet‐based social software application and its embeddedness in the administrative organization. Any conclusions must be tentative, especially as a consequence of the non‐representative number of users and the lack of testing in a disaster.Practical implicationsThe paper provides practitioners with two real life case studies on the implementation and use of local SNS in government.Originality/valueThe paper offers theoretical and practical insights into the use of social software in government. Moreover, it connects current trends in government 2.0 to disaster research.
Evaluation of e‐health services: user's perspective criteria
Authors: Hamid Alalwany , Sarmad Alshawi 
Published: October 2008

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to explore the user's perspective in evaluating e‐health services and to present evaluation criteria that influence users' utilization and satisfaction of e‐health services.Design/methodology/approachThe paper is based on two lines of studies relating to the behaviour of users of new products or services and on broad examining and critical analysis of the existing evaluations initiatives in e‐governments services generally but also particularly in an e‐health context.FindingsThe paper argues that e‐health services evaluation frameworks should be criteria‐based, while the criteria can be grounded in, and derived from, one or more specific perspectives or theories, and cannot be entirely framed within the bounds of a single theory or perspective. The paper suggests an evaluation framework for e‐health services and provides a set of clear and useful e‐health evaluation criteria that can be accommodated by such a framework.Research limitations/implicationsThe limitation of this paper lies in the absence of empirical validation and examination of the proposed evaluation criteria that have not yet been applied in the fieldwork. Hence, the proposed criteria require an empirical validation which will be performed by the authors in the next stage of this research using a multiple case study strategy and will form the basis for further research.Practical implicationsThe proposed evaluation criteria can be used to help achieve better user services utilization, to serve as part of an e‐health evaluation framework, and to address areas that require further attention in the development of future e‐health initiatives.Originality/valueThe paper presents a well‐argued and balanced hierarchy of evaluation criteria that can contribute to an area of research which is still in its infancy in terms of development and management.
Technology acceptance toward e‐government initiative in Royal Thai Navy
Authors: Vathanophas Vichita , Krittayaphongphun Nattapon , Klomsiri Chalalai 
Published: October 2008

PurposeThis paper aims to show how the adopted technology acceptance model (TAM) is used to measure the acceptance of internet use by naval officers in the Naval Department for the e‐government initiative in Thailand.Design/methodology/approachThe study used two research methodologies for gathering data: the TAM questionnaire and interview. The TAM questionnaire was used to measure naval finance officers' perceptions on the internet and to find the relationship between the 12 external factors (independent factors) and dependent factors within the research framework of the study. The interview was used to explore internet use acceptance in a public organization, and to discover how government officers at one public organization felt about the e‐government initiative and internet usage within their organization.FindingsThe study analysis shows that the external factors influencing naval officers' perception on internet use acceptance were: prior experience, job relevance, commitment, trust, and autonomy. However, training and infrastructure problems are other important factors that can also lead to the acceptance of internet use.Originality/valueThe study outcome can provide useful information to help the organization improve its capacity for successfully implementing the e‐government initiative. Simultaneously, the study can also be used as a guideline for e‐government initiative implementation in other public organizations. As a result, this will lead to a successful e‐government initiative in Thailand.
Uncertainty, human agency and e‐government
Authors: Tony Yu Fu‐Lai 
Published: October 2008

PurposeThis paper aims to formulate an Austrian model of the governmental process and to apply the theory of human agency to discuss the problems in transforming government into a digital organization.Design/methodology/approachThe paper applies the Schutzian theory of human agency to analyse public agents' behaviour and the decision‐making process involved in adopting information technology (IT) in the public sector. The study incorporates cognitive elements such as opportunity discovery, learning, experimentation, trial and error, and revision of plans to understand problems in adopting new technology in government.FindingsFrom an Austrian perspective, the government is viewed as an institution for coordinating economic affairs. Advances in IT will facilitate the coordination. However, public agents will face structural uncertainty when they consider adopting new technology. During the process of making an adoption decision, public officials perceive new incoming events and formulate plans according to their experience and knowledge. The subjective interpretation of a problematic situation by public officials yields provisional judgements to be confirmed by subsequent experience. With new information and experience, they subsequently revise their plans in order to eliminate errors. A new problem situation requires the public planner to produce new trial solutions which are then subjected to further testing in daily operation. The revision of plans by public officials is thus seen as a continuous process and results in administrative and coordination changes.Originality/valueUnlike neoclassical public economists who act as omnipotent advisers on how the e‐government should behave, the theory of human agency analyses the operation of digital government from the “first person perspective”. It suggests that public officials, equipped with better IT, act or make decisions under uncertainty and constraints. Hence, the impact of a government action on an economic issue is not deterministic. Instead, many government policies take society by surprise and result in institutional change. It is concluded that agents in both the private and the public sectors are journeying into an unknown future.
Research note
Authors: Lee Habin , Irani Zahir , Osman Ibrahim H. , Balci Asim , Ozkan Sevgi , Medeni Tunc D. 
Published: October 2008

PurposeThis paper aims to introduce a European project CEES to develop a standard for the evaluation of Electronic Government (e‐Government) services from a citizen satisfaction perspective.Design/methodology/approachThe aim, objectives, methodology, and deliverables of the project CEES are detailed. Furthermore, the challenges of the development of a reference process model in different countries are addressed and academic and practical implications of the project for the citizen‐oriented evaluation of e‐Government services are discussed.FindingsA reference process model for the evaluation of e‐Government services from a citizens' perspective receives strong support from experiences in other similar areas such as software process and information systems governance. The reference model needs to overcome such challenges as the differences in culture, the maturity of e‐Government systems, and citizens‐government relationships.Practical implicationsThe research is expected to trigger international collaboration to develop international standards for the evaluation of e‐Government services.Originality/valueThe paper contributes to the literature by enriching the views on e‐Government services and their evaluation via introducing a reference model concept. The CEES project will be the first attempt to apply the reference model concept in the information systems evaluation domain. Despite the wide adoption of reference models in software process, software design, and business process automation, the concept is yet to be applied to the IS evaluation domain.
Shipscape influence on the leisure cruise experience
Authors: Kwortnik Robert J. 
Published: October 2008

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to examine the leisure cruise service environment – the shipscape – and its effects on cruisers' emotions, meaning‐making, and onboard behavior.Design/methodology/approachThis paper uses qualitative data from 260 cruise customers that were mined from archived online discussion boards. Data were analyzed based on grounded theory and interpretive methods to derive an understanding of shipscape meanings and influences from the cruiser's perspective.FindingsThe findings extend Bitner's servicescape framework and reveal novel atmospheric and social effects that influence cruise travelers' experience.Research limitations/implicationsGiven the exploratory research objective and interpretive methodology, generalizability beyond the cruise context is limited. However, research findings suggest not only that ambient shipscape conditions influence cruisers' pleasure, but also that ship layout, décor, size, facilities, and social factors influence the meanings cruisers attach to cruise brands and to the overall cruise experience.Originality/valueThis paper explores atmospheric effects on consumer behavior in a context as yet examined by tourism and hospitality scholars.
Cultural perspectives: Chinese perceptions of UK hotel service quality
Authors: Wang Yi , Royo Vela Marcelo , Tyler Katherine 
Published: October 2008

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to assess Chinese tourists' perceptions of the UK hotel service quality, and to analyze the role of Chinese culture in influencing their expectations and perceptions.Design/methodology/approachAn adapted SERVQUAL questionnaire for measuring hotel service quality attributes, and paired t‐test and the Mann‐Whitney test for data analysis were used in the study.FindingsThe main findings fully support the hypotheses developed, and reveal a number of shortfalls, particularly on the empathy, reliability and tangible dimensions, in UK hotel services, which have led to negative consumers' experiences.Research limitations/implicationsFuture study requires a larger sample size with more sophisticated statistical analysis, and also additional emphasis on the price/value relationship for hotels themselves, and the hotel category.Practical implicationsThese are implications for the UK hotel marketers, managers, and employees, who may use the findings to adapt services to capitalize on the potential of Chinese outbound travel to the UK.Originality/valueThis exploratory study provides fresh insights on the interrelationships of cultural influences and customers' evaluations of service quality.
Decision‐making processes of Portuguese tourist travelling to South America and Africa
Authors: Correia Antónia , Pimpão Adriano 
Published: October 2008

PurposeThis paper aims to study the decision‐making processes of Portuguese tourists traveling to South America and Africa destinations by developing a conceptual framework that focuses on information sources, motivations, perceptions, satisfactions, and behavioral intentions.Design/methodology/approachThe study applies a structural model that looks to explain the factors behind decision making and the relationships present. The relationships are observed in detail through the application of a categorical principal component analysis.FindingsThe results of the empirical study show that behavioral intentions precede emotional and cognitive satisfaction, which in turn, are explained through perceptions and motivations. Tourists perceive tourism destinations as places of leisure although little information is available on existing facilities and core attractions.Research limitations/implicationsThe study has the restriction of being limited to the Portuguese tourists. However, these findings open paths for further investigation, namely extending to other destinations and to tourists with different motivations.Originality/valueThis study contributes to the overall understanding of the decision‐making processes of tourists. Specifically, the decision processes is assess by considering two stages: the pre‐purchase stage and the post‐purchase stage. These two phases were analyzed in order to understand how people decide to travel to a certain destination.
Reading Australian colonial hospitality: a simple recipe
Authors: Robinson Richard N.S. , Arcodia Charles 
Published: October 2008

PurposeThis research paper aims to report on the findings of an innovative study to extract contemporaneous interpretations of Australian colonial domestic hospitality inMrs. Lance Rawson's Cookery Book and Household Hints.Design/methodology/approachTo dialogue with the text's original author, as free of time and space permutations as possible a hermeneutical approach is adopted. Hermeneutics has been successfully applied as an interpretative tool, to a range of tradition laden significant texts as it assists in the (constructive) deconstruction of texts so that the reader may use them as a portal into the past (its values and assumptions).FindingsThe findings of these textual analyses present a number of themes: the embedded notion of host/guest relations, especially as it transpires in “the bush”; the earliest impacts of indigenous and ethnic minorities on food production, its consumption and hence private hospitality; and evidence of a range of issues concerned with the management of a household. An Australian hospitality is also explored.Research limitations/implicationsJust as researchers have sought to identify an antipodean cuisine, this paper is a launch for understanding the origins of colonial hospitality, albeit from a private perspective.Practical implicationsThe findings might assist the Australian hospitality industry in developing a regional service culture.Originality/valueThis paper contributes to emerging studies in hospitality, by deconstructing a colonial cookbook, via the medium of textual analysis, and underpinned by a hermeneutic interpretative paradigm.
Special interest tour preferences and voluntary simplicity lifestyle
Authors: Chieh‐Wen Sheng , Shen Ming‐Jian , Chen Ming‐Chia 
Published: October 2008

PurposeThis research aims to treat voluntary simplicity lifestyle (VSL) as general lifestyle and explore the correlation between VSL and selection preference of special interest tourism (SIT).Design/methodology/approachThis research adopts a questionnaire survey. The content of the questionnaire include questions on participants' demographic variables, VSL, and selection preference of SIT. After designing the questionnaire of selection preference of SIT, this research treats the tourists in the Taiwan Guandu bird‐watching area as the targets and distributes the questionnaires. This research adopts systematic sampling for questionnaire distribution.FindingsThe following results are found: a positive correlation between selection preference of SIT and VSL; females are mostly allocated as the recreation and entertainment type people preferring SIT, the educational level of diverse interest type people preferring SIT tend to be higher, and these people have a more significant VSL; people who are the low degree of identification type with voluntary simplicity reveal almost the least scores in terms of all kinds of traveling preference, whereas complete involvement type individuals show a higher degree of preference.Research limitations/implicationsThis questionnaire is not exclusive. In other words, the respondents can provide extremely high, medium, or low scores for the preference for any kind of trips. Thus, the respondents' real preference sequence cannot be distinguished. Future studies can modify this questionnaire. The questionnaire of selection preference of SIT designed by this research mainly followed the SIT itineraries promoted on traveling websites and upon certain processes. Thus, this questionnaire content is based on the view of the supply end.Originality/valueThis research follows the suggestions of McKercher and Chan, and after internet searching, the method imitates content analysis to establish a questionnaire with 18 questions with respect to the selection preference of SIT. Through factor analysis, the researchers select four kinds of selection preference of SIT, including traveling preference of recreation and entertainment, natural ecology, physical exploration, and history and art. In addition, this research also uses confirmatory factor analysis to confirm the convergent validity of the VSL questionnaire developed by the authors (2005).