bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Idea generation through computer‐mediated communication
Authors: Pissarra João , Jesuino Jorge C. 
Published: April 2005

PurposeBrainstorming is a well‐known group process for generating new ideas and stimulating creativity. Important as well as robust findings have been achieved in determining which factors contribute most to facilitating or hindering the group's ideas productivity. Research aimed at comparing face‐to‐face (FTF) with computer‐mediated communication (CMC) led to the conclusion that this latter shared with the nominal group technique the advantages of avoiding either the blocking effect or the identification of the source. More recently, attention has turned to the possible effects of group support system (GSS) in the mediating cognitive processes of generating new ideas. The present study aims to examine the effects of the type of tool and of the anonymity condition on the quality, quantity and diversity of the generated ideas, as well as on group members' satisfaction.Design/methodology/approachUses a 2 × 2 factorial design combining two different GSS tools (topic commenter vs EBS) with anonymity versus non‐anonymity.FindingsIt was found that anonymity generated more satisfaction among the group members. A marginal effect on satisfaction was also found to be related with the type of tools. Contrary to expectations, the EBS tool was not found to generate greater diversity of ideas. An interesting finding not anticipated was the impact of technology on the flow of ideas and on the emergence of new conceptual categories, probably due to alternative strategies of task structuring.Research limitations/implicationsThe use of students as subjects, and the running of the experimental work in a scholarly context, could have contributed to the elimination of fears and to freeing the participants from any inhibition in the anonymity conditions. Within an organisational context with higher social stratification, such anonymous procedures could have significant outcomes. Future research will have to examine whether this effect is relevant to other types of topics and other populations. Another aspect that it is important to re‐examine is the effect of anonymity on the emergence of minority ideas, which could stimulate innovation.Practical implicationsThe type and characteristics of tools were shown to be a decisive factor in the participants' satisfaction, in the communication process and in the idea generation and clustering processes. Although tenuous, this set of data could mean that the characteristics of the tools interfere with the cognitive mechanisms present in the brainstorming technique.Originality/valueExamines the effect of the technology and anonymity in ideas generation within a group context on the satisfaction of the participants.
An empirical investigation of the importance of cost‐plus pricing
Authors: Guilding Chris , Drury Colin , Tayles Mike 
Published: April 2005

PurposeThis paper has two specific objectives: to appraise the relative importance of cost‐plus pricing and to develop and test hypotheses concerned with contingent factors that might affect the degree of importance attached to cost‐plus pricing.Design/methodology/approachData were collected via a mailed survey of UK and Australian companies. Tests were applied and non‐response bias was not a threat to the validity of the findings.FindingsA relatively high degree of importance attached to cost‐plus pricing is noted, although there appears to be a substantial number of companies that use cost‐plus pricing for a relatively small sub‐set of products and services. Companies confronted by high competition intensity attach relatively high degrees of importance to cost‐plus pricing and manufacturing companies attach a relatively low degree of importance to cost‐plus pricing.Originality/valueThe paper makes a contribution, given that only two empirical studies with a specific focus on cost‐plus pricing were revealed in a literature search covering the last two decades. Additionally, little has been done to investigate the contingent factors affecting the application of cost‐plus pricing. The significant role played by competition intensity in connection with accounting system design is observed to be one of the more enduring relationships uncovered by management accounting research. But a somewhat perplexing aspect of this study concerns the failure to find a statistically significant positive relationship between company size and cost‐plus pricing.
Budget practices case studies
Authors: Fruitticher Lee , Stroud Nancy , Laster Jennifer , Yakhou Mehenna 
Published: April 2005

PurposeAims to describe budgeting processes in health care, education, and insurance business.Design/methodology/approachA survey was undertaken, using an interview approach, to expose tactical budgeting matters and behaviors of some central Georgia businesses.FindingsThe study shows that budgets are used in different degrees and for different purposes across different industries.Research limitations/implicationsA more comprehensive, comparative study would be a worthwhile undertaking to provide an in‐depth analysis of issues involved in the budgeting process across industries.Practical implicationsThe study provides examples of practical steps involved in the budgeting process.Originality/valueThe study provides evidence of the extent to which theoretical concepts are applied in practice.
The use of performance measures as an integral part of an entity's strategic plan
Authors: Hass Susan , Burnaby Priscilla , Bierstaker James L. 
Published: April 2005

PurposeThe objective of this paper is to gain an understanding of the multiple ways companies are using performance measures throughout the organization in the areas of strategic planning, monitoring operations, and evaluation of employees work and satisfaction with the company and suppliers.Design/methodology/approachA survey was developed and distributed to internal auditors to gather information on how their companies used performance measures.FindingsThe results suggest that most companies tend to have an internal focus when using performance measures and place less value on benchmarking with competitors and suppliers.Originality/valueBased on the results of the survey, performance measures are used throughout the organization for numerous reasons from the determination of whether strategic goals are being met to evaluation of suppliers.
A forensic examination of the causal mechanisms of rework in a structural steel supply chain
Authors: Love Peter E.D. , Edwards David J. , Smith Jim 
Published: April 2005

PurposeThis paper aims to take a forensic approach to identify the causal mechanisms of rework in a structural steel supply chain. Rework is an area that has received limited attention, yet it is a major contributor to time and cost overruns in projects. Design/methodology/approach – The research uses an interpretative case study approach to gain an understanding about how and why rework occurred. To determine the causal variables of rework the traditional scientific concept of causality founded on the mono‐causal model in the physical and biological sciences was subject to subtle changes, and adapted to a social context as construction projects are essentially complex social systems. In this instance causality was not considered to be linear, proportional or incremental, but multi‐dimensional whereby each factor is interrelated and multi‐causal in nature. Findings – The findings reveal that the cause of rework in this case was poor information flow and the absence of a quality focus. This was exacerbated by the sequential procurement process and fixed power structure of the contract, and as a consequence poor decision‐making, communication, integration and co‐ordination were experienced. Practical implications – The research has highlighted the need to re‐design the structure of supply chains in construction projects, especially if information and communication technologies are to be effectively used. A conceptual model was developed from the case study findings to illustrate the interconnectedness of factors affecting rework. This model can be used by organisations for reducing the incidence of rework. Originality/value – The research has identified key variables that can contribute to the incidence of rework in projects. A pragmatic model for reducing the incidence of rework is proposed. The model that is propagated will be of use to practitioners and researchers working within project environments.
The unhappy shopper, a retail experience: exploring fashion, fit and affordability
Authors: Otieno Rose , Harrow Chris , Lea‐Greenwood Gaynor 
Published: April 2005

PurposeThis paper explores fashion availability, fit and affordability in the UK stores especially for those women who wear size 16 and over; and examines their satisfaction/dissatisfaction with the retail experience.Design/methodology/approachThe satisfaction of customer needs remains a fundamental tenet of marketing theory, research and application. This survey was an exploratory study into satisfaction/dissatisfaction with the fashion provision and shopping environments for women in the UK. A questionnaire solicited the views of 250 women thereby enabling the researchers to gauge consumers' views on sizing, fit and fashion availability, perception of current offers, pricing and shopping environments.FindingsA large percentage of females, particularly those who wear size 16 and over, are dissatisfied with retail environments, fashion and sizing provision among major UK market players. While most women shopped from the high street and department stores, the larger woman had great difficulty in finding well‐fitting fashionable clothing in general, and with certain categories being most problematic. Respondents' views would appear to contradict previously accepted wisdom that clothing consumption activity is leisure and pleasure orientated; many negative experiences prevailed leaving them unhappy and disenfranchised.Research limitations/implicationsThe findings presented are the views of women's experiences in one city in the UK. Future research could include a wider sample from more cities.Practical implicationsMarketers should be aware of the need for affordable fashions for larger women. Lack of appropriate sizes is a major source of dissatisfaction. This creates negative emotions in terms of: merchandise choice, visual merchandising, store environment, sales personnel attitude, pricing policies and promotional activities. These factors are the very foundations of consumer satisfaction and the evidence of consumer dissatisfaction resulting in avoidance behaviour should be particularly worrying for retailers, given that they are operating in an increasingly competitive and saturated fashion environment.Originality/valueThis paper provides an initial indication of what creates consumer satisfaction or dissatisfaction about fashion, fit, affordability and retail environments in the UK particularly among larger women. This paper shows areas of specific concern for marketers.
Over qualified and under experienced
Authors: Raybould Mike , Wilkins Hugh 
Published: April 2005

PurposeThis paper sets out to report on research that investigated hospitality managers' expectations of graduate skills and compared those expectations with student perceptions of what hospitality managers value.Design/methodology/approachThe research adopted a generic skills framework and data were collected through a sample survey of 850 Australian hospitality managers and 211 undergraduate hospitality management students.FindingsManagers rated skills associated with interpersonal, problem solving, and self‐management skill domains as most important while students appeared to have realistic perceptions of the skills that managers value when recruiting hospitality graduates. The most substantial areas of disagreement came in those skills associated with the conceptual and analytical domain. Industry managers tended to discount the skills in this domain relative to students.Research limitations/implicationsThe sample of managers used in this study were predominantly of Australian nationality and, in an increasingly global hospitality labor market, there may be some benefit in repeating this study with managers from different cultural backgrounds.Practical implicationsA number of strategies are proposed in the paper for bridging the expectation gaps and ensuring better learning outcomes for students and industry stakeholders.Originality/valueIn adopting the generic skills framework this research presents an alternative to previous studies that have used a management competencies framework. As such, it is of more immediate value to those responsible for designing undergraduate hospitality management curriculum who need to ensure that programs meet academic standards as well as industry and student expectations regarding the skill sets needed in the workplace.
Are travellers satisfied with Malaysian hotels?
Authors: Poon Wai‐Ching , Lock‐Teng Low Kevin 
Published: April 2005

PurposeThis paper aims to examine the factors that measure different satisfaction levels between the Asian and Western travellers during their stay in hotels in Malaysia. The paper also seeks to analyse the importance of the tangible and intangible factors in the hotel industry.Design/methodology/approachThe research questions are utilised to measure the differences between Asian and Western perception of hotel attributes. A questionnaire with five‐point Likert scale is applied to measure customer satisfaction. Data is analysed using SPSS software by employing factor analysis, multiple regression, and analysis of covariance (ANCOVA).FindingsResults indicate that there are significant differences between Asian and Western evaluations of hotel quality, with clear indication that satisfaction levels Malaysian hotels were higher among Western travellers than the Asian travellers. Both Asian and Western travellers perceive hospitality as an influential factor in determining the overall satisfaction level.Research limitations/implicationsThe limitation of the study is that the sample is taken only from travellers who are leaving Malaysia by plane. Future research can be carried out on the travellers arriving at and depart from Malaysia using different mode of transportations.Practical implicationsFor practitioners, it is worth noting that Asian travellers are exclusively concerned with the value for money services, while Western travellers regard security and safety, and food and beverage as important factors for them to stay in the hotels or revisit the country.Originality/valueMalaysia is an emerging market for tourism industry and the information obtained from the travellers can be utilised to enhance a much more efficient marketing strategy in the hotel industry. This paper contains material relevant to education as well as to the tourism industry, and implementable solutions are sufficiently well suggested.
Family values
Authors: Ingram Hadyn 
Published: April 2005

PurposeAims to suggest how characteristics of the idealized nuclear family may provide some lessons for the improved practice of hospitality management.Design/methodology/approachExplores the origin and nature of the family as a social unit and the benefits experienced by its members and society. Relates this background to a fictional case study, “The Halcyon Hotel”.FindingsConcludes that in a world where family values seem to be in decline, the concept of the idealized nuclear family could be readily transferred to the practice of hospitality management for improved teamworking and overall operational improvement.Originality/valueCompares the characteristics of the extended domestic family with the corporate “family” in terms of roles and responsibilities.
Towards a new interpretation of “hospitality”
Authors: O'Connor Daniel 
Published: April 2005

PurposeAims to discover a truer meaning of genuine hospitality, addressing the issue of whether or not a better understanding can help to steer the hospitality industry in the right direction in the future.Design/methodology/approachExamines “hospitableness” and the extent to which this is a human characteristic that is innate and/or can be nurtured and developed. Presents a literature review and offers recommendationsFindingsIt is suggested that the most practical way for achieving this goal is to investigate the history and origins of hospitality. Only once an understanding of hospitality's origins and its place in human nature is achieved can one expect to discover what hospitality means today, and more importantly what it will mean to those entering the industry in the future..Originality/valueMakes recommendations as to how measures of hospitableness might be used in the staff recruitment process and considers personality characteristics and linkages with service delivery.
Supply chain logistics initiatives
Authors: Cavinato Joseph L. 
Published: April 2005

PurposeIntends to provide insights from observaions of field practices and initiatives from researchers in supply chain logistics seeking contexts and inspiration for future research.Design/methodology/approachDescribes supply chain logistics practices and initiatives perceived positions and impacts (2003‐2004), based on interviews with protagonists of 19 major practices/initiatives in the field.FindingsThe 19 are divided into three groups: new, wide adoption, and traditional. New refers to strategic, high revenue/growth, wide adoption refers to the normal maturing process, whilst traditional refers to commodity, as in business impact. As companies progress in their initiatives from new to wide adoption to traditional, finds that resarch opportunities develop differently.Originality/valueAdds value to the original editorial (IJPDLM, Vol. 34 No. 1, 2004), which noted five general categories of research.
In pursuit of pleasure: health education as a means of facilitating the “health journey” of young people
Authors: Whitehead Dean 
Published: April 2005

PurposeTo highlight recently emerging issues and discussions related to the “health journey” of young people, and how health education interventions may be best applied in light of these.Design/methodology/approachA general review of the “health journey” phenomena in young people is explored.FindingsMany health education interventions involving young people target emotive issues such as illicit drug‐taking or sexual promiscuity and are often aimed at reducing the prevalence of health‐damaging behaviours primarily through the provision of health‐related information. It is well known and accepted by many, however, that “limited” health education methods are often ineffective, and may lead to more problems than they resolve. This is particularly so where the interventions seek to deny the individual the health‐related experiences that may serve as an integral part of that person's “health journey”. Recently emerging literature highlights counter‐behaviours initiated by young people, in defiance of any imposed health education intervention.Practical implicationsWhere health educators do intervene, it is recommended that this is as an adjunct to assisting the individual in their attempts to enjoy as safe a health journey as possible – and not merely to deny the journey.Originality/valueHighlights the fact that health educators need to use a range of strategies and “mind‐sets” when working with young people and dealing with “health journey” issues.
Nutrition students enhance school health education
Authors: Cotugna Nancy , Vickery Connie E. 
Published: April 2005

PurposeThe purpose of the Nutrition Education Students and Teachers (NEST) project was to develop a model of collaboration between University of Delaware dietetics students and elementary teachers to promote nutrition education in the classroom.Design/methodology/approachJunior and senior level students in a nutrition education course developed nutrition lessons with input from the school teachers on using age‐ and developmentally‐appropriate methods. Actual presentations to 55 elementary children were conducted in a health/science fair format. Written evaluations were completed by all involved in the project.FindingsThe university students developed competency in teaching skills, the elementary school pupils gained nutrition knowledge and skills, and the classroom teachers were provided with valuable curriculum materials for future use. The project was rated as successful by students, teachers, the school children, and nutrition instructors. This demonstrated an innovative method to teach nutrition education principles to university students with a threefold outcome.Practical implicationsHealthy eating behaviors need to be built in childhood, and schools are an ideal setting for nutrition education. However, resources are often limited. University professors should consider the use of live audiences for the development of teaching skills rather than the typical model of having students present to one another in their own classroom setting. Schools should consider the contribution that university students might make to their teaching programmes.Originality/valueThe paper describes an unusual, and cost‐effective, method of health education, of value to the teaching about dietetics, and to other areas of health education.
Just how far can healthy schools go?
Authors: Noble Colin , Robson Claire 
Published: April 2005

PurposeTo explore the current development of the Healthy Schools movement in England, and to suggest some ways forward.Design/methodology/approachThe editorial suggests that the Healthy Schools movement is now well established in England, and used by the UK government as the vehicle to transmit health‐related initiatives, e.g. the drive against obesity. It is intended to be in all schools by 2009.FindingsIt is important that this movement does not turn into a “one size fits all/checklist” approach, but that the whole school approach is maintained, which gives schools the ability to tailor their project to their own circumstances and achieve widespread ownership. It is also important that the health that is promoted is not just physical, but includes emotional, social and community health. In time it may make radical changes to the nature and purpose of schooling, especially if it joins with the extended school movement to bring about community change.Practical implicationsUseful reminders to those developing healthy school/health‐promoting school approaches to bear in mind the key principles of taking a whole school perspective, ensuring ownership and responsiveness to particular needs, looking at mental and social as well as physical health, and including the role of the school in its community.Originality/valueLearning some key principles from a country which has gone a long way to develop its healthy school approach.