bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Product development in UK retail banking
Authors: Slattery David J. , Nellis Joseph G. 
Published: February 2005

PurposeThe paper examines how product innovation in the UK banking industry has been affected and is likely to be affected by changes in regulation and in government policy. It considers the issues faced by banks in pursuing a market‐oriented approach in this environment.Design/methodology/approachThe rapidly changing regulatory environment in the UK is described and analysed, primarily in the context of the market for mortgage products and medium‐ to long‐term savings products. The paper describes the main events of the last 20 years and analyse their immediate impacts. The paper examines the most recent changes, identify the direction of policy change and consider the implications.FindingsEmpirical evidence suggests that the development of mortgage and pensions products has been closely linked to changes in regulation and government policy. This has resulted in an adverse impact on the brand values and reputations of banks. An analysis of the most recent events identifies two different regulatory approaches which banks now have to manage.Research limitations/implicationsA review of the literature shows that very little detailed research has been carried out into the impact of regulation and government policy on banks and financial services companies.Practical implicationsWith this lack of systematic research and analysis, and in the absence of a theoretical framework, it is difficult for banks, regulators and government to make informed decisions.Originality/valueThe paper highlights and analyses an increasingly important issue which has not been addressed in any detail in the literature. The paper puts forward an agenda of research questions and propositions for further research.
The spherical marketing concept
Authors: Svensson Göran 
Published: February 2005

PurposeIn the marketing literature it is often argued that corporations should pay attention to the needs and wants not only of their own customers, but also to those of their customers' customers. This is often referred to as “the marketing concept”. The objective is to revitalize the marketing concept beyond the traditional levels of manufacturers, suppliers, wholesalers, retailers, customers and consumers in marketing channels.Design/methodology/approachConceptual discussion and approach are undertaken.FindingsThe term “spherical marketing concept” is coined. This term connects the distinct upstream and downstream levels of marketing channels, as well as reconnecting their indistinct subsequent and preceding levels.Research limitations/implicationsThe dilemma with the common use of the marketing concept in the literature is that it fails to acknowledge the simultaneous connection of the components and interfaces between the upstream and downstream distinct levels from the start to the end of the marketing channels with the reconnection of the components and interfaces from the subsequent and preceding indistinct levels of the marketing channels. Further research efforts should be dedicated to bridge the start and end of distinct levels of marketing channels by way of the indistinct preceding and subsequent ones. Economic, social and ecological factors should be included.Practical implicationsIt is not enough simply to match the supply and demand between the start and the end of marketing channels – a revitalization of the boundaries of the marketing concept towards a total circulation approach is necessary. Best practice tends to be more and more aware and skilful in this respect.Originality/valueThe spherical marketing concept contributes to pin‐point the importance of the seamlessness, sustainability and total circulation of components and interfaces in marketing channels. It also contributes to place current theories and practices in perspective for the future.
Measure and control of non‐response in a mail survey
Authors: Díaz de Rada Vidal 
Published: February 2005

PurposeThis paper shows several results obtained from the first investigation made in Spain using Dillman's total design method for mail surveys. In the spring of 1998 a survey was carried out on consumer behaviour in one particular Spanish region (Navarra). The response rate was 68.3 percent. One month later, a team of professional interviewers interviewed the people who did not respond to the mail survey. The objective is to compare the results obtained by these interviewers with an estimation of the non‐response after using several different methods and a group of adjustment procedures.Design/methodology/approachThe total design method (TDM) for mail surveys has produced some wonderful results in several countries in Northern and Central Europe, but as far as one can gather it has never been used in any of the countries of Southern Europe surrounding the Mediterranean. The excellent results obtained from mail surveys in the USA, and some of the findings confirmed by disciples of Dillman in several European countries, led to carrying out the first investigation in Spain using TDM through mail surveys. With the aim of resolving some of the above‐mentioned questions, it was decided to make the first‐ever investigation using TDM within Spanish society.FindingsThe results obtained by applying the total design method to a Mediterranean country do not differ greatly from data obtained by other researchers on the efficiency of mailing surveys in other countries. This fact forces one to have serious doubts about the declarations of some experts who place the response rate for mailing surveys at 40 percent in Spain. In this paper, different strategies to reduce the impact of non‐response in a mail survey are outlined. First, a second interview was carried out with a subsample of the interviewees who were non‐responders, with the aim of finding out more about the characteristics of those who do not respond. Later, a strategy of weighting was used using CHAID to identify the best predictors from among the set of variables available.Originality/valueIn the South of Europe there is very sparse use of mail surveys, while there is great use of face‐to‐face surveys: this is the opposite of the tendency in other countries, where telephone surveys are supplanting the face‐to‐face interview. This is the first research about non‐response in mail surveys in the South of Europe.
Contemporary marketing practices in Russia
Authors: Wagner Ralf 
Published: February 2005

PurposeThis study investigates the validity of the relationship paradigm in contrast with the marketing‐mix paradigm with respect to modern Russian markets. Moreover, the specifics of Russian marketing practices are outlined and a comparison with marketing practices in other countries is provided.Design/methodology/approachThe paper is rooted in the theoretical framework of the “Contemporary Marketing Practices” project. Data about marketing practices are gathered with standardised questionnaires and groups of organisations are identified using cluster analysis, the gap criterion, and canonical discriminant analysis. By comparing scores for relational marketing as well as transactional marketing, the marketing practices are described and contrasted with those in Argentina and Canada. To assess the success of different combinations of marketing activities, association rules are computed.FindingsContemporary Russian marketing practices cover only a narrow spectrum of the diversity of marketing practices observed in other nations, and the overall intensity of marketing activities is low in comparison with international benchmarks. Overall, the relevance of the traditional transactional marketing concept holds for current practices and market conditions in Russia. Relational activities are considered as merely additional rather than as alternative options of developing organisations' marketing. Practitioners can adjust their marketing to the patterns of profitable activities revealed by this investigation. In particular, the new possibilities arising from IT‐based marketing are found to be not utilised by vendors who are already established in Russian markets.Originality/valueThe paper brings Russian markets into the academic discussion. Additionally, the use of association analysis for the evaluation of patterns of marketing activities and their success is introduced.
Measuring the economic and social impacts of local authority events
Authors: Wood Emma H. 
Published: February 2005

PurposeLocal authorities use events and festivals within their region to help achieve a diverse range of economic and social objectives. However, the success of these events, which can take up a substantial amount of the tourism, leisure or arts and cultural budget is rarely assessed in a systematic and objective manner. This article describes the importance of measuring the impacts of such eventsDesign/methodology/approachThe methods for assessing the success of local authority events are trialled through the use of a case study involving two events organised by Blackburn with Darwen Borough Council.FindingsAn evaluation of the methods, after conducting the case study, indicates that the techniques produced robust data that was valuable in planning future events and in securing funding. The relative simplicity of the methods used will help to ensure that similar evaluations can be carried out in‐house for little cost for future public events.Originality/valueThis article sets out practical guidelines for undertaking the measurement and evaluation of some of the major impacts of local authority events. Similar methods can be used by other public sector organisations involved in hosting public events.
E‐commerce impact on Canadian public sector audit practice
Authors: Nikoloyuk Gerald M. , Marche Sunny , McNiven James 
Published: February 2005

PurposeThis paper reports on the research conducted into the adaptations Canadian public sector auditors have made to the emergence of e‐commerce and e‐business in the delivery of public services.Design/methodology/approachA comprehensive review of the literature was completed as a foundation for creating a semi‐structure interview questionnaire used in a series of interviews with audit executives from 20 audit organizations in Canada's public sectors.FindingsThe study found a distinct disconnect between what is reported in the literature and what has actually happened in practice. Practicing auditors do have a significant interest in the impact of e‐business on the audit profession specifically and on their client organizations generally. But there is significant disagreement about whether e‐business constitutes just another set of technologically mediated changes, not much different from the many others of the past 30 years, or whether e‐business is truly disruptive in nature. The consequence of this disagreement is difference in audit practice among constituencies and highly variable dependency on external expertise in favour of developing internal capacity.Research limitations/implicationsThe research is limited to internal auditors of public sector organizations in Canada.Practical implicationsA key area for future research is the impact on e‐business on horizontality of management practice in the public sector and the need for more holistic audit interventions.Originality/valueThe paper identifies key differences between what is said in the literature and what is done on the ground. It identifies key lessons from audit experience related to evolving e‐government, including the management of new risks. The research is valuable to both researchers and practicing public sector audit executives alike.
Organizational learning theory in schools
Authors: Fauske Janice R. , Raybould Rebecca 
Published: February 2005

PurposeThe paper's purposes are to establish organizational learning theory as evolving from the theoretical and empirical study of organizations and to build grounded theory explaining organizational learning in schools.Design/methodology/approachImplementation of instructional technology as a process of organizational learning was explored at an elementary school. Findings from qualitative data revealed determinants of organization learning discussed as grounded theory, building on the relationship between social psychology and structural systemic aspects of organizational theory.FindingsFive elements influenced organizational learning: priority of the learning in the organization, consistency and breadth of information distribution, unpredictability or uncertainty, the ease of learning new routines (how to) and the difficulty of learning new conceptual frameworks (why).Practical implicationsAssessing the type of change (routine or conceptual) and the adequacy of information distribution can predict the ease of organizational change. Identifying existing beliefs or procedures that impede new learning can explain lack of progression, and prioritizing the learning through both words and action can facilitate the process.Originality/valueThe paper develops organizational learning theory in schools as contextual indicators and conditions with theoretical roots in the structural technical and social cognitive study of organizations.
Postscript: where have we been?
Authors: Greenfield William D. 
Published: February 2005

PurposeThe paper shares observations on each article in this volume, concluding that educational administration has continued to evolve in the application of organizational theory to schools and universities. A very important but recent focus of several studies reviewed is the connections they illustrate between organizational characteristics and processes and teaching and learning. Suggestions for future inquiry conclude this article.Design/methodology/approachArticles are summarized briefly and the author offers a brief critical commentary on each.FindingsEach of the studies is an excellent example of the power and utility of organizational theory and its applicability to educational organizations. There is a real sense of theoretical pluralism represented in this collection, and a focus on studying real problems of administrative and organizational practice.Originality/valueWhile the papers discussed illustrate advances in thinking since the early days of the “theory movement”, there remains the critical task of theory development. All articles are a reminder of the importance and utility of theory, and the advantage of validated theory as a guide to practice. However, only a few are a reminder of the need for scholars to focus on theory development and, more specifically, of the need for theory development addressing real problems of educational organization and administrative practice. Such studies are vital to the future of organizational theory as a field of inquiry.
Natural convection in vertical, parallel‐plate channels with appended unheated entrances
Authors: Campo A. , Manca O. , Morrone B. 
Published: February 2005

PurposeTo address the impact of adding insulated plate extensions at the entrance of an isoflux vertical parallel‐plate channel on the thermal performances of natural convection in air for these systems.Design/methodology/approachThe model relies on the full elliptic conservation equations which are solved numerically in a composite three‐part computational domain by means of the finite‐volume method.FindingsResults are reported in terms of wall temperatures, induced mass flow rates, as well as velocity and temperature profiles of the air for various thermal and geometric parameters. The wall temperatures increase when the extensions are appended at the inlet of the channel. Wall temperature profiles strongly depend on the Rayleigh number and the dependence of the heated channel aspect ratio is weaker than the extension ratio. Velocity and temperature profiles modify inside the heated channel due to the thermal development. In addition, correlation equations for main engineering quantities, such as the induced mass flow rate, average Nusselt number and dimensionless maximum wall temperature in terms of the channel Rayleigh number, channel aspect ratio and extension ratio are presented.Research limitations/implicationsThe investigation has been carried out in the following ranges: 103‐105 for the Rayleigh number, 5.0‐15.0 for the channel aspect ratio and 1.0‐5.0 for the extension ratio. The hypotheses on which the present analysis is based are: two‐dimensional, laminar and steady‐state flow, constant thermophysical properties with the Boussinesq approximation.Practical implicationsThermal design of heating systems in manufacturing processes, evaluation of heat convective coefficients and maximum attained wall temperatures.Originality/valueEvaluation of the thermal and velocity fields and correlation equations for the Nusselt number and maximum dimensionless temperatures in natural convection in air for vertical channels. The paper is useful to thermal designers.
Using kaizen to improve graduate business school degree programs
Authors: Emiliani M.L. 
Published: February 2005

PurposeTo illustrate the applicability of kaizen in higher education.Design/methodology/approachKaizen process was used for ten courses contained in a part‐time executive MS degree program in management.FindingsKaizen was found to be an effective process for improving graduate business school courses and the value proposition for students.Research limitations/implicationsFurther opportunity to quantitatively correlate kaizen results with student satisfaction.Practical implicationsKaizen can help higher education institutions compete more effectively against both traditional non‐profit and newer for‐profit sources of higher education.Originality/valuePresents insights, lessons learned, and critical reflections from the first known application of kaizen in higher education for this purpose.
Discovering significant and viable new businesses: have faith in strategic planning basics
Authors: Campbell Andrew 
Published: February 2005

PurposeManagers need research‐based guidance on how to find sources of new growth when their core business is maturing.Design/methodology/approachAuthors shadowed managers responsible for finding and entering new businesses, interviewing them every three or four months for an average of two years. They surveyed over 100 corporate venturing units and corporate incubators and assembled a database of over 50 stories of companies that had successfully developed or acquired a significant new business. We interviewed managers in about half of these companies that had successfully diversified and we tested our emerging hypotheses against this database.FindingsAll research indicated that managers need to assess opportunities more strategically and be less activity driven. The authors concluded that managers were investing in too many projects, most of which had little chance of success.Research limitations/implicationsIf research is reported on in the paper this section must be completed and should include suggestions for future research and any identified limitations in the research process.Practical implicationsAshridge Strategic Management Centre has developed a screening tool – The New Businesses Traffic Lights to test opportunities before a business plan has been developed, alongside a business plan to assess the strategic logic for the proposal, or to an existing investment that is failing to meet its short‐term targets.Originality/valueApplying the screen to the portfolio of new business investments in most companies will result in red lights for many projects. Not only can significant money be saved from the “new businesses” budget, but also extra resources can be focused on improving the core businesses.
Integral leadership: overcoming the paradox of growth
Authors: Putz Michael , Raynor Michael E. 
Published: February 2005

PurposeTo make top management aware of the innovation paradox: their current success depends on doing and improving upon what they now do well, but their future success requires creating entirely new capabilities.Design/methodology/approachOne of the authors is director of development at Cisco, a firm that acquires disruptive technology through it's M&A program. The other author is one of the world's leading authorities on innovation.FindingsA critical element of the solution to the disruptive innovation dilemma lies in setting up an autonomous organization that can adopt radically different resources, processes and values.Research limitations/implicationsA subsequent article will detail the M&A search for firms with technology needed or disruptive innovation.Practical implicationsIn a firm with no history of innovation disruption, executives must use their personal authority to create a strategy process that is more emergent than intentional, focus on customers that appear unattractive, and develop new capabilities.Originality/valueThe authors propose that to achieve renewal via disruptive innovation that CEOs must become integral leaders, who learn to go beyond trade offs between constituencies within a set of constraints and see the necessity of changing the constraints themselves.
Analysing textual data in international marketing research
Authors: Sinkovics Rudolf R. , Penz Elfriede , Ghauri Pervez N. 
Published: February 2005

PurposeTo provide guidance for the formalised analysis of qualitative data and observations, to raise awareness about systematic analysis and illustrate promising avenues for the application of qualitative methodologies in international marketing research.Design/methodology/approachConceptually, the nature of qualitative research, globalisation and its implications for the research landscape, text‐data as a source for international research and equivalence issues in international qualitative research are discussed. The methodology section applies these concepts and analysis challenges to a real‐world example using N*Vivo software.FindingsA 14‐step analytic design is developed, introducing procedures of data analysis and interpretation which help to formalise qualitative research of textual data.Research limitations/implicationsThe use of software programs (e.g. N*Vivo) helps to substantiate the analysis and interpretation process of textual data.Practical implicationsStep‐by‐step guidance on performing qualitative analysis of textual data and documenting findings.Originality/valueThe paper is valuable for researchers and practitioners looking for guidance in analysing and interpreting textual data from interviews. Specific support is given for N*Vivo software and its application.
Integrated BOM and routing generator for variety synchronization in assembly‐to‐order production
Authors: Du Jun , Jiao Yuan‐Yuan , Jiao Jianxin 
Published: February 2005

PurposeTraditional production management systems are often designed to support manufacturing based on a limited number of product variants. With the emerging trend of producing customized products to meet diverse customer needs, the number of product variants increases exponentially in mass customization. In a situation of assembly‐to‐order production, production planning and control involve not only product variety, but also process variety. It is imperative to synchronize product and process variety in a coherent manner.Design/methodology/approachThis paper discusses integrated product and production data management for assembly‐to‐order production. An integrated BOM and routing generator is proposed for the purpose of unifying BOM and assembly‐planning data in order to accommodate a wide range of product variability and production variations.FindingsAn integrated BOM and routing generator excels in variety synchronization for assembly‐to‐order production planning.Research limitations/implicationsVariety synchronization opens many opportunities for research into mass customization production. It is important to deal with not only the results of high variety production but also the causes of process variations.Practical implicationsThe proposed methodology is applicable to manage high variety production like mass customization.Originality/valueThe paper proposes the variety synchronization issue in mass customization. An object‐oriented methodology is applied to manage variety of BOMs and variety of routings.