bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Self‐service technology adoption: comparing three technologies
Authors: Curran James M. , Meuter Matthew L. 
Published: May 2005

PurposeAdvances in technologies have allowed service providers to incorporate many different technologies into the delivery of their services. These technologies have been implemented in the service encounter for the customer to use with varying degrees of success. This research aims to focus on the examination of factors that influence consumer attitudes toward, and adoption of, self‐service technologies (SSTs).Design/methodology/approachA conceptual model of the adoption process for SSTs is developed and tested across three different technologies used in the banking industry. One of these technologies (ATMs) has been available for many years and is widely adopted, another technology (bank by phone) has been available for many years but has not been widely adopted, and the third technology (online banking) is relatively new to the marketplace. Data were collected using a random telephone survey of banking customers in a three‐state area of the northeast USA and analyzed using structural equation modeling.FindingsA comparison of the results of the model tests on the three technologies provides evidence that different factors influence attitudes toward each of these technologies and offers an explanation of the varying degrees of acceptance found among consumers. This research has demonstrated that multiple factors need to be considered when introducing technologies into the service encounter and that the salient factors may vary among technologies and their stages in the adoption process.Research limitations/implicationsThe three different technologies used were all based in the banking industry, which limits the generalizability to other industries. Also cross‐sectional data are used rather than a longitudinal study, the feasibility of which is limited by time and cost contraints.Originality/valueThe practical application of these findings may guide marketers to emphasize issues related to certain critical constructs when utilizing SSTs in their service delivery.
Inter‐organisational relationships in professional services: towards a typology of service relationships
Authors: Laing Angus W. , Lian Paul C.S. 
Published: May 2005

PurposeResearch into inter‐organisational relationships has been one of the key drivers in the development of services marketing theory. Yet the understanding of the nature of such relationships, and the management of the relationship process, remains limited. Focusing on the development of buyer‐seller relationships in an archetypal professional business service, this paper aims to critically examine the nature and format of inter‐organisational service relationships.Design/methodology/approachResearch reported in the paper is based on case study research across multiple dyads (n=7) in the occupational health sector supported by large‐scale survey data.FindingsArgues that, rather than adhering to a single format in terms of characteristics or pattern of development, relationships are diverse and complex. A typology of “ideal type” relationship formats, ranging from quasi‐transactional to internalised, is proposed. Each of these ideal types is characterised by a unique set of causal and resultant conditions.Research limitations/implicationsThe paper is based on data from a single, albeit archetypal, professional business service. Consequently future research should address the replicability of the results across other service sectors.Practical implicationsThe identification of these discrete relationship formats and their key characteristics along a continuum provides an empirical basis on which service professionals can develop targeted strategies for the management of particular inter‐organisational relationships.Originality/ValueBuilding on preceding research, the paper provides empirically based analysis of the nature and format of inter‐organisational relationships in professional service markets.
Balancing money and mission in a local church budget
Authors: Irvine Helen 
Published: May 2005

PurposeThis study of budgeting practices and attitudes to budgeting in a local church uses Booth's (1993) framework to consider the potential conflict between the “sacred” agenda of the church and the “secular” nature of accounting.Design/methodology/approachOver a six‐month period, the author conducted a series of semi‐structured interviews with key church leaders, and studied financial reports and the minutes of church meetings.FindingsClergy and lay people alike, far from viewing accounting as an unwelcome intrusion into their church's sacred agenda, integrated belief in their church's mission with the need to raise and manage the money necessary to mobilise that mission.Research limitations/implicationsReligion and religious organizations occupy a greater importance in society than academic accounting research would indicate, and this paper represents a response to that academic blind spot. Opportunities abound for further studies of the contribution accounting makes to other religious organizations, and to non‐profit organizations whose goals are not primarily wealth creation.Practical implicationsAll organizations, even those with a sacred agenda, need to confront the reality of money and accounting if they are to achieve success. If they are unable to obtain or account for the resources they need for their mission, their ability to fulfil that mission is likely to be compromised.Originality/valueBy portraying accounting as an enabling and liberating contributor to a church's fulfilment of its spiritual mission, this study demonstrates that attitudes to accounting are inextricably intertwined with religious beliefs, and that accounting can be a valuable tool in a cooperative attempt to implement a spiritual vision.
A song from the corporate woods
Authors: Roberts Diane 
Published: May 2005

PurposeReflection on financial interpretation of nature and sustainabilty.Design/methodology/approachPoetic exposition.FindingsObserves nature's freedom, despite mankind's attempts to financially define and dominate it.Research limitations/implicationsRaising awareness about issues of sustainability, financial definition of natural assets.Originality/valueOffers a reflective comparison of the world of finance and the world of nature.
Thick/thin film thermocouples as power source for autonomous microsystems – preliminary results
Authors: Markowski P. , Dziedzic A. , Prociow E. 
Published: May 2005

PurposePossible application of mixed (thick/thin film) thermopiles to supply autonomous microsystems.Design/methodology/approachPdAg/AG or PdAg/TSG thermocouples were deposited onto a circular alumina or LTCC substrates. Their thermoelectric power, resistance as well as output electrical power were characterized vs temperature gradient and chosen parameters of thermopile fabrication process.FindingsSemiconductors have high Seebeck coefficient, so investigated kind of thermopile has high output electrical powerET. It achieves 50 mV per single junction for temperature difference of about 200°C.Research limitations/implicationsThe problem is very high resistivity of germanium alloys, even after burn‐in process. Therefore output electrical powerPis seriously reduced. To improve thermocouples properties, optimization process is required. For example, thin film layers quality can be improved, semiconductive arms width can be increased or shorter arms can be used.Originality/valueApplication of mixed thick/thin film technology for fabrication of miniaturized thermoelectric generators.
A 3D miniaturised programmable transceiver
Authors: O'Flynn Brendan , Bellis S. , Mahmood K. , Morris M. , Duffy G. , Delaney K. , O'Mathuna C. 
Published: May 2005

PurposeTo describe the development of a three dimensional programmable transceiver system of modular design for use as a development tool for a variety of wireless sensor node applications.Design/methodology/approachAs a stepping‐stone towards the development of wireless nodes, sensor networks programme was put in place to develop a 25 mm cube module, which was modular in construction, programmable and miniaturised in form factor. This was to facilitate the development of wireless sensor networks for a variety of different applications. The nodes are used as a platform for sensing and actuating through various parameters, for use in scalable, reconfigurable distributed autonomous sensing networks in a number of research projects currently underway in the Tyndall Institute, as well as other institutes and in a variety of research programs in the area of wireless sensor networks.FindingsThe modular construction enables the heterogeneous implementation of a variety of technologies required in the arena of wireless sensor networks: Intelligence, numerical processing, memory, sensors, power supply and conditioning, all in a similar form factor. This enables rapid deployment of different sensor network nodes in an application specific fashion.Research limitations/implicationsCharacterisation of the transceiver module is ongoing, particularly in the field of the wireless communication platform utilized, and its capabilities.Practical implicationsA rapid prototyping and development cycle of application specific wireless sensor networks has been enabled by the development of this modular system.Originality/valueThis paper provides information about the development work and some potential application areas made available by the implementation of a miniaturised modular wireless sensor node for use in a variety of application scenarios.
Properties of PZT thick films made on LTCC
Authors: Golonka L.J. , Buczek M. , Hrovat M. , Belavič D. , Dziedzic A. , Roguszczak H. , Zawada T. 
Published: May 2005

PurposeTo find properties of screen printed PZT (PbZr0.53Ti0.47O3 with 6 per cent of PbO and 2 per cent of Pb5Ge3O11) thick films layers on LTCC substrate.Design/methodology/approachThe influence of PZT firing time and electrode materials on electrical characteristics and microstructure were examined. A scanning electron microscope (SEM) equipped with an energy‐dispersive X‐ray (EDS) analyser was used for the microstructural and compositional analysis.FindingsMicrostructural and compositional analyses have shown the diffusion of SiO2 from LTCC into PZT layers and the diffusion of PbO in the opposite direction. SiO2 presumably forms low permitivity lead based silicates in PZT layer. The new phase deteriorates the piezoelectric properties. The amount of diffused materials was dependent upon the electrode material and increased with increasing firing time. Better properties, i.e. higher remanent polarisation and dielectric constant were achieved for samples with PdAg electrodes and shorter firing time.Originality/valueNew information on electrical and microstructural properties of thick film PZT made on LTCC substrate.
An analysis of training and promotion of entrepreneurship in sustainability management
Authors: Koch Anne H. 
Published: May 2005

PurposeTo describe how the teaching and learning approach of a new MBA distance learning program helps to produce promoters and ecopreneurs of sustainable development and entrepreneurship.Design/methodology/approachThe chosen MBA program is analyzed based on the principles of time flexibility, promotion of initiative, team capability, staff development and transfer to practice.FindingsProvides information about how a study program can bring the team capability and initiative of future ecopreneurs as well as staff learning forward. Recognises the need to consider using links to industry and government to transfer sustainable ideas to practice.Research limitations/implicationsThe article illustrates concentrated knowledge on a case study and does not compare different distance‐learning programs or other educational programs in these areas.Practical implicationsA very useful source of information for target groups of MBA studies, like graduate students or employed people, as well as designers of courses of study implying sustainability management and entrepreneurship. This teaching and learning approach can be adapted to other educational settings at a postgraduate level to train sustainable leaders for the future.Originality/valueThis paper fills the gap to survey further education programs which generate and transmit knowledge to future ecopreneurs.
Some considerations for applying business sustainability practices to campus environmental challenges
Authors: Walton Steve V. , Galea Chris E. 
Published: May 2005

PurposeTo explore how universities can adopt sustainability practices that have proven to be successful in business.Design/methodology/approachDraws on several sources of theory (internationally published literatures in business, sustainability, and education) and practice (primarily US business and university practice) to develop a framework.FindingsTwo seemingly divergent trends have created a unique opportunity for universities to significantly improve their environmental performance: the increasing importance to businesses of managing the natural environment and the growing awareness that universities cannot continue to isolate themselves from the community in which they are embedded. The first of these trends has caused a previously untapped source of ideas to become energized into thinking about how to move toward a more sustainable world. The second trend has caused a previously “introspective‐to‐a‐fault” institution to look beyond itself for ways of thinking and acting.Practical implicationsThe intersection of the two trends is a powerful place, where new and successful approaches to managing the natural environment, albeit from what might be thought of as a non‐traditional source, can be absorbed by an institution that has significant environmental impact and an even more significant responsibility to future generations.Originality/valueProvides a focus on the huge opportunities for applying some of the environmental lessons learnt by business to higher education.
Web authoring tools and meta tagging of page descriptions and keywords
Authors: Craven Timothy C. 
Published: May 2005

PurposeTo determine the effect of web page editing tools on inclusion and page specificity of meta tagged descriptions and keywords.Design/methodology/approachUsing customized software with Yahoo!'s random page service, data from 2,048 URLs were logged. Generator identification was cross‐tabulated with presence and length of both descriptions and keywords. A second analysis on pages on geocities.com was performed using URLs from Altavista. Local links from a sample of the Yahoo! set were followed and linked‐to pages were examined for presence of description or keywords and whether these differed from those on the linking pages.FindingsThe Yahoo! set showed generally no significant difference in inclusion of descriptions and keywords between generator‐identifying and other pages. The geocities.com set did show a significant difference for both keywords and descriptions. Exact repetition of descriptions or keywords between pages on the same site did not generally correlate significantly with identified generators.Research limitations/implicationsVarious other tools may have been used to create both generator‐identifying and other pages. A third factor, author level, is probably influencing both choice of authoring tool and decision to include description and keywords. How well keywords and descriptions actually fit the pages was not examined. Further research might examine other differences between the two sets.Practical implicationsAssistance with keywords and descriptions varies widely among web site editing packages, but is not a major selection criterion.Originality/valueThe hypothetical relationships had not previously been tested.
Information resources on chemistry and natural sciences in general
Authors: Pankratov Alexei N. 
Published: May 2005

PurposeInformation about the former and current status of many scientific journals is summarized.Design/methodology/approachNewly‐created journals (sometimes based on old ones), cessation of issues, journals incorporated into others, merged and split journals are mentioned. Information about a large number of scientific publishers (publishing houses, scientific institutions and organizations, educational institutions, societies, associations, federations, unions and companies) which make a significant contribution to printed and electronic output are noted. The web addresses of electronic libraries, information networks, search systems, databases and catalogs of natural‐scientific literature are collected.FindingsIt behoves scientists, who profess to disseminate scientific knowledge, to avail themselves of the myriad information sources on offer.Originality/valueThis is possibly the first attempt to embrace comprehensively and in minute detail the vast field of information on the sources of contemporary sciences and their representative bodies.
Exploration for the relationship between innovation, IT and performance
Authors: Jen Huang Cheng , Ju Liu Chun 
Published: May 2005

PurposeThis study aims to ask two important research questions: “Do the investments of innovation capital and information technology (IT) capital have a non‐linear relationship with firm performance?” and “Does the interaction between innovation capital and IT capital have synergy effects on firm performance?”Design/methodology/approachThe authors employ multiple regression models and add the squared terms of research and development (R&D) intensity and IT intensity to examine the non‐linear relationship between innovation capital, IT capital and performance. The research sample includes the top 1,000 companies in Taiwan.FindingsThe main findings of the study are that: innovation capital has a non‐linear relationship (inverted U‐shape) with firm performance; and IT capital has no significant impact on firm performance. However, after considering the interaction between innovation capital and IT capital, there is a positive effect on firms' performance.Research limitations/implicationsThis study can be extended in the following ways: researchers can adopt panel data and use more representative measures to examine the dynamic relationship between intellectual capital and performance; and future research should seek to examine the interaction effects of other perspectives of intellectual capital to understand further the comprehensive influence on performance.Practical implicationsThe research results suggest that more investment in intellectual capital is not always better. Companies should coordinate different perspectives of intellectual capital to improve firm performance.Originality/valueThis paper extends prior research's viewpoint and suggests the non‐linear relationship between innovation capital and performance with empirical evidence. The results can provide the reference for further research about the relationship between intellectual capital and performance.
Building customer capital through relationship marketing activities
Authors: Chang Aihwa , Tseng Chiung‐Ni 
Published: May 2005

PurposeTo provide a theoretic framework of the development of customer capital and an empirical verification using Taiwanese multilevel firms.Design/methodology/approachThe authors used survey research to collect data from members of four Taiwanese multilevel companies. They explored the mediating roles of the drivers of customer equity in the “relationship marketing activities‐customer capita” effect. A total of 306 valid responses were analyzed using structural equation modeling analysis.FindingsFour types of relationship marketing activities – core service performances, recognition for contributions, dissemination of organization knowledge, and member interdependence enhancement – have significant influences on relationship equity. Relationship equity in turn affects customer capital. Value equity and brand equity respectively have significant effects on customer acquisition and customer retention. Customer acquisition has a significant “feedback” effect on value equity, and relationship equity affects brand equity positively.Research limitations/implicationsThe generalizability of this research is constrained due to a non‐probability sample of firms being used to verify the theoretic framework. It is also constrained due to the fact that only customer‐side data were collected and proxy measures of customer capital were used.Practical implicationsEffective and ineffective types of relationship marketing activities have been identified. The causal paths between relationship marketing and customer capital have been illustrated.Originality/valueThis paper sheds light on the approach to building customer capital for membership‐emphasized organization.
The integration between Balanced Scorecard and intellectual capital
Authors: Wu Anne 
Published: May 2005

PurposeThe paper aims to discuss how to integrate the Balanced Scorecard (BSC) with intellectual capital (IC); and handle the issues of creation, formation, measurement, reporting and even management of strategic intellectual capital (SIC).Design/methodology/approachThe paper adopts a case study to illustrate the integration between the BSC and IC, and to handle the significant issues related to SIC. The case company is a car dealership in Taiwan, which is one of the largest automobile dealerships in Taiwan. In addition, according to the firm's management philosophy, the company treats customers as the bosses and employees as the precious assets to the company. The company also treats quality as one of its important competitive advantages, hence implementing ISO 9002 in 1999.FindingsThe main findings of this study are: BSC can lead the creation, formation and measurement of SIC and strengthen the reporting for SIC; BSC's financial, customer, internal process, and growth and learning perspectives can strengthen the management of IC; and, all in all, how to integrate IC and BSC together for implementing a company's strategy effectively and maximize the value of a company deserves further discussion.Practical implicationsBased on this study, companies need to integrate BSC to IC in order to strengthen the creation, formation, measurement, reporting and management of SIC. While BSC directs IC, then the value of SIC can be improved.Originality/valueBased on the literature review, the authors note that BSC is an important tool to measure and manage IC. However, no research illustrates how BSC directs the creation, formation and management of IC. In this study the authors fill this gap and introduce a case to illustrate how BSC affects the creation, formation and measurement, and even reporting of IC.