bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Proposal of meta‐data in a database for identification using face images
Authors: Inaba Rieko , Aizawa Kiyoharu , Kodate Kashiko 
Published: February 2005

AbstractThis paper proposes the introduction of meta‐data for efficient retrieval of particular personal data from a large‐scale face database. The face index is calculated from the feature parameters of the face, and is defined as the meta‐data. The purpose of this approach is to structure the database and to minimize the number of database matching operations in retrieval, so that the processing efficiency is improved. In this study, (1) Garson's facial index and (2) the three‐point face index are proposed as the face indexes. For verification, an experiment on face index introduction is performed, using an already constructed optical face recognition system, and an efficiency improvement is demonstrated. © 2005 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Syst Comp Jpn, 36(3): 53–64, 2005; Published online in Wiley InterScience (www.interscience.wiley.com). DOI 10.1002/scj.10639
The nature of information in the twenty‐first century
Authors: Macgregor George 
Published: February 2005

PurposeWith the proliferation of electronic information via the web a further distension of the unique characteristics of information has been witnessed. With seismic developments occurring in such a short period of time, it seems prudent to consider the very nature of information and to assess whether this accelerated growth has implications for the work of the informatics community and the information society.Design/methodology/approachThe paper begins by revisiting and refreshing the unique characteristics of information via a reappraisal of the relevant literature. These characteristics are then contextualised within the new economy and traditional economic theory. Once these unique characteristics have been examined, the author discusses how the nature of information in the twenty‐first century presents the informatics community with new and difficult challenges.FindingsThe challenges posed by the unique nature of information demand a definite response on the part of the informatics community, including the creation of innovative new models to accommodate information's inherent characteristics. Additionally, as the nature of information evolves yet further and ICT innovations accelerate, ever more adaptable skills will be required by the end user in order that value be derived from information.Practical implicationsOutcomes and conclusions addressed in the paper may inform the informatics community generally, but will specifically inform the practice of information managers and librarians, and offer ways of assisting them in arriving at holistic decisions with respect to service provision.Originality/valueThe paper is a contribution to the debate on the precise nature of information and offers new perspectives on how the informatics community should view information in the twenty‐first century.
Customer loyalty and the effect of switching costs as a moderator variable
Authors: Aydin Serkan , Özer Gökhan , Arasil Ömer 
Published: February 2005

PurposeIn the GSM mobile telephony sector, the main condition for protecting the subscriber base is to win customer loyalty, a key necessity for the maintenance of a brand's life in the long term. To achieve this aim, customer satisfaction and trust must be measured and “switching costs” identified. The latter render subscribers' preference for rival operators more expensive. In this connection, this paper's aim is to measure the effects of customer satisfaction and trust on customer loyalty, and the direct and indirect effect of “switching cost” on customer loyalty.Design/methodology/approachThe data set covered 1,662 mobile phone users in Turkey. The data were analyzed by moderated regression analysis to test the hypotheses.FindingsThe findings of this study show that the switching cost factor directly affects loyalty, and has a moderator effect on both customer satisfaction and trust. Therefore, it plays a crucial role in winning customer loyalty. In short, it is a quasi moderator. However, switching costs was measured as a unidimensional factor, but switching costs in fact contains psychological, financial and procedural sub‐dimensions. Therefore, future research might measure the sub‐dimensions of switching costs and examine their moderating effects.Originality/valueWith respect to the findings, trust has more importance than customer satisfaction in engendering loyalty, since trust contains belief in the brand, which provides positive outcomes not only in the present but also in the future. But customer satisfaction does not contain this dimension. So, the effect of trust on loyalty becomes greater than the effect of customer satisfaction. Therefore, any GSM operator who wishes to preserve its existing subscriber base should concentrate on winning its subscribers’ trust.
Latest trends and issues in the ASP service market
Authors: Gupta Atul , Kanthi Herath Siriyama 
Published: February 2005

PurposeTo provide students and academia with an opportunity to gain an understanding of recent trends and issues regarding the application service providers (ASP) market.Design/methodology/approachA range of recently published (1999‐2003) works, which provide practical issues, is reviewed to explore the existing pricing models, selecting an ASP and risk/rewards associated with ASPs.FindingsProvides guidance to businesses in selecting an ASP in terms of key questions to be asked and discusses the importance of selecting reliable ASPs. It also recognizes key areas academia should emphasize in teaching students outsourcing of IT.Research limitations/implicationsIt is not an extensive study of the issues and trends of ASPs. The paper does not review in detail the impact of outsourcing on organizational participants, which perhaps limits its usefulness in a complex business world.Practical implicationsA very useful source of information for businesses making outsourcing decisions. The paper provides impartial advice for students and academia and for those who want to conduct research on outsourcing evaluation.Originality/valueThis paper provides important insights on recent trends and issues of ASPs, especially in evaluating the performance of ASPs.
Customer‐oriented financial service personalization
Authors: Huang Eugenia Y. , Lin Chia‐Yu 
Published: February 2005

PurposeThis paper derives a personalization framework for financial services by a literature review and examines the framework against the customer's perspective via the Delphi method.Design/methodology/approachThe framework exhibits a product‐process viewpoint, while the panelists express a cost‐benefit viewpoint.FindingsConcludes that financial firms should transform the content of relevance from product‐process dimensions to cost‐benefit dimensions. For customers to weigh benefits over costs, financial services should raise the level of service sophistication by keeping the promise of personal privacy, improving the accuracy and relevance of personalization results, and providing a convenient feedback channel that empowers customers by granting them full control over the accuracy of their personal information.Originality/valueThis paper explores why certain personalization practices are embraced by customers while others create nothing but nuisance.
New design formulas for microstrip transmission lines using high‐dielectric substrate
Authors: Lamine Tounsi Mohamed , Yagoub Mustapha C.E. , Haraoubia Brahim 
Published: February 2005

PurposeCharacterisation and use of dielectric materials with high permittivity are one of the most developed areas of research in microwave circuit simulation. This is mainly because of their various applications in VHF/UHF and microwave frequencies (correlators, instrumentation systems, …). The primary virtue of high‐dielectric substrates for microwave circuits is the reduced size. Since the high dielectric microstrip line also exhibit low loss and useful impedance range, this class of circuits will undoubtedly find wide applications in microwave integrated circuitry.Design/methodology/approachOwing to the complexity of the electromagnetic problem, numerical methods become an indispensable tool for analysis and modeling of electromagnetic structures. They are the basis to set‐up computer‐aided design (CAD) packages. These models must be accurate, reliable, easily extracted and need limited computational requirements. Since there was a demand for a model able to describe these parameters accurately, an extension of the spectral domain approach (SDA) is proposed for microstrip lines with high permittivity. The analysis is based on the solution of a system of algebraic equations, which are derived from Galerkin's technique in the spectral domain.FindingsAnalytical expressions are deduced by curve‐fitting techniques. These expressions can be easily implemented in a CAD simulation tool to design wireless communication components. In this paper, we have developed accurate and suitable general expressions for characteristic parameters for a wide range ofεrbetween 1 and 500. The computed results were compared to those available in the literature when possible. In order to validate our models for high values of dielectric constant (128 < εr<500), neural models were generated for the characteristic impedance and effective permittivity. A very good agreement is demonstrated.Originality/valueThe originality of this paper consists on the development of design formulas to characterise the microstrip lines with high dielectric constant substrate. Closed form equations are almost non‐existent in the technical literature since the available design formulas have been developed only for dielectric media valueεrnot exceed 128.
An artificial neural network model for predicting gas pipeline induced voltage caused by power lines under fault conditions
Authors: Al‐Alawi S. , Al‐Badi A. , Ellithy K. 
Published: February 2005

PurposePresents a technique based on the development of an artificial neural network (ANN) model for predicting the electromagnetic inference effects on gas pipelines shared right‐of‐way (ROW) with high voltage transmission lines.Design/methodology/approachExamines the induced pipeline voltage under different soil resistivity, fault current and separation distance.FindingsThe results indicate strong agreement between model prediction and observed values.Originality/valueDemonstrates that the ANN‐based model developed can predict the induced voltage with high accuracy. The accuracy of the predicted induced voltage is very important for designing mitigation systems that will increase overall pipeline integrity and make the pipeline and appurtenances safe for operating personnel.
Experimental investigations and numerical modelling of the melting process in the cold crucible
Authors: Umbrashko A. , Baake E. , Nacke B. , Jakovics A. 
Published: February 2005

PurposeAims to present recent activities in experimental investigations and numerical modelling of the induction cold crucible installation.Design/methodology/approachTemperature and velocity measurements using thermocouples and electromagnetic velocity probes were performed in aluminium melt which was used as a model melt. Measured temperature field and flow pattern were compared with transient 3D calculations based on large eddy simulation (LES) turbulence modelling scheme. Numerical results are in good coincidence with the experimental data.FindingsThe modelling results show that only 3D transient LES is able to model correctly these heat and mass transfer processes.Originality/valueIt is revealed that transient 3D modelling provides a universal tool for simulating convective heat and mass transfer processes in the entire melt influenced by large scale instabilities in the recirculating flows, which contain several main vortexes of the mean flow.
Retail multinational learning: a case study of Tesco
Authors: Palmer Mark 
Published: February 2005

PurposeThis article examines the internationalisation of Tesco and extracts the salient lessons learned from this process.Design/methodology/approachThis research draws on a dataset of 62 in‐depth interviews with key executives, sell‐ and buy‐side analysts and corporate advisers at the leading investment banks in the City of London to detail the experiences of Tesco's European expansion.FindingsThe case study of Tesco illuminates a number of different dimensions of the company's international experience. It offers some new insights into learning in international distribution environments such as the idea that learning is facilitated by uncertainty or “shocks” in the international retail marketplace; the size of the domestic market may inhibit change and so disable international learning; and learning is not necessarily facilitated by step‐by‐step incremental approaches to expansion.Research limitations/implicationsThe paper explores learning from a rather broad perspective, although it is hoped that these parameters can be used to raise a new set of more detailed priorities for future research on international retail learning. It is also recognised that the data gathered for this case study focus on Tesco's European operations.Practical implicationsThis paper raises a number of interesting issues such as whether the extremities of the business may be a more appropriate place for management to experiment and test new retail innovations, and the extent to which retailers take self‐reflection seriously.Originality/valueThe paper applies a new theoretical learning perspective to capture the variety of experiences during the internationalisation process, thus addressing a major gap in our understanding of the whole internationalisation process.
Auchan's entry into Russia: prospects and research implications
Authors: Roberts Graham H. 
Published: February 2005

PurposeTo evaluate the chances of success for Auchan in Russia, and draw conclusions for retail internationalisation theory.Design/methodology/approachProvides a comprehensive analysis of the Russian retail landscape and emerging patterns of consumption, especially in the capital Moscow.FindingsThe success of Auchan's Russian venture will depend on the extent to which the retailer is able to leverage its three sources of competitive advantage in its domestic market, namely the hypermarket concept, the channel mix, and the environmental context. This in turn will be a function of its ability to exploit its retail marketing skills, distribution abilities, unique retail formula, strong retail brand, or a combination of these.Research limitations/implicationsThe paper is not built on empirical data, but is speculative.Originality/valueThe paper's primary value lies in the call which it contains for a more eclectic conceptual framework underpinning retail internationalisation theory. Such a framework would reflect the importance of a firm's capital structure, and also pay greater attention to organisational dynamics. Attention to these issues would enable researchers to reflect more accurately the reality of the retail internationalisation process in emerging markets.
Web acceptance and usage model
Authors: Sánchez‐Franco Manuel J. , Roldán José L. 
Published: February 2005

PurposeTo analyse the web acceptance and usage between goal‐directed users and experiential users, incorporating intrinsic motives to improve the particular and explanatory TAM (technology acceptance model) value – traditionally related to extrinsic motives.Design/methodology/approachA survey instrument was used to gather data to test the relationships shown in the research model. Data were collected from a sample of online questionnaires filled out by subscribers located in three discussion‐mailing lists – administered by RedIris – about different topics (e.g. experimental sciences, social sciences and humanities). A structural equation modeling (SEM), specifically partial least squares (PLS), is proposed to assess the relationships between the constructs together with the predictive power of the research model.FindingsThe empirical development suggests that there is scope for further extension of TAM to adapt to the web‐based usage and its profitable consequences. The article may help to further the empirical research and to clarify and examine a web acceptance and usage model. In general, experiential and goal‐directed behaviours moderate the key relationships in the model. Experiential and goal‐directed users do not weigh extrinsic and intrinsic motives in the same way when on the web. Goal‐directed users are more driven by instrumental factors and focused on their decision‐making process while experiential users are more motivated by process..Research limitations/implicationsFirst, constructs of enjoyment and concentration are used to define flow. However, because of the flow definition's conceptual‐vagueness, operationalising the flow construct has been questioned in the previous empirical works. Second, the cross‐sectional study is also an important limitation. Since the users' perception and intention can change over time, it is important to measure these quantities at several points of time. Third, the sample sizes are relatively small. Fourth, the model needs to be tested with more objective measures to compare possible divergences. Finally, the model clearly does not include all the relevant variables.Practical implicationsThe results could be used to explain and to improve the experiential and goal‐directed users' experience of being and to return to the web.Originality/valueThe value of this study is to reveal the moderating influences of browsing‐modes on relationship between flow and TAM‐beliefs on the web, and, also, how the flow impacts the attitude and intention to use web between experiential and goal‐directed users.
Exploring the synergy between entrepreneurship and innovation
Authors: Zhao Fang 
Published: February 2005

PurposeTo contribute to an understanding of the complementary nature of entrepreneurship and innovation through an empirical study of various organisations; and to develop an integrative framework of the interaction between entrepreneurship and innovation.Design/methodology/approachThe study takes a qualitative approach in exploring the synergies between entrepreneurship and innovation and in analysing the factors that foster an interaction between the two. Case studies of six entrepreneurial and innovative organisations and in‐depth interviews with senior managers were conducted to complement a comprehensive literature review of entrepreneurship and innovation.FindingsThe study has found that: entrepreneurship and innovation are positively related to each other and interact to help an organisation to flourish; entrepreneurship and innovation are complementary, and a combination of the two is vital to organisational success and sustainability in today's dynamic and changing environment; entrepreneurship and innovation are not confined to the initial stages of a new venture; rather, they are dynamic and holistic processes in entrepreneurial and innovative organisations; and organisational culture and management style are crucial factors affecting the development of entrepreneurial and innovation behaviour in organisations.Originality/valueEntrepreneurship and innovation should be regarded as ongoing, everyday practice in organisations, and this paper has contributed to the development of such an attitude.This empirical study contributes to an understanding of the existing theories and practices of entrepreneurship and innovation in organisations.
New knowledge creation through dialectical leadership
Authors: Kodama Mitsuru 
Published: February 2005

PurposeAims to provide new practical viewpoints regarding the knowledge management and leadership theory of project management through an in‐depth case studyDesign/methodology/approachArgues that community leaders can develop a concept of a business community comprised of diverse types of business and processes to achieve business innovation. Studies a regional initiative in Japan towards electronic networking that illustrates the use of information and multimedia technologies as an instance of the latest business case of strategic community management.FindingsCommunity leaders serve an important function in creating networked strategic communities. The case study shows how community leaders have created networked strategic communities in which the central government, regional governments, universities, hospitals, private businesses and non‐profit organizations take part in the advancement of regional electronic networking.Originality/valueProvides new practical viewpoints regarding the knowledge management and leadership theory of project management.
Innovation through acquisition
Authors: Pech Robert M. , Pech Richard J. , Wei Ding , Shi Hong 
Published: February 2005

PurposeThrough a case study of the Jiangsu Little Swan Group Company in the People's Republic of China aims to describe the transition from initial attempts at imitation of products through to the realisation that innovation would need to be purchasedDesign/methodology/approachRelates the ensuing strategic alliance between the Jiangsu Little Swan Group Company and Matsushita of Japan, the acquisition of critical technology, and finally, the development of the company' own R&D culminating in over 150 technology patents by the end of the year 2002.FindingsFinds that Little Swan has demonstrated that it is possible to successfully make an extraordinary revolutionary shift from one industry into another.Originality/valueThe case of Little Swan clearly demonstrates that innovation can be successfully integrated into a firm from external sources through direct acquisition.
Methods for modeling and supporting innovation processes in SMEs
Authors: Scozzi Barbara , Garavelli Claudio , Crowston Kevin 
Published: February 2005

PurposeSets out to investigate business modeling techniques (BMTs) which can be used to support and improve innovation processes within small and medium‐sized enterprises (SMEs).Design/methodology/approachBased on a literature review, different analysis perspectives on innovation processes are identified and discussed, and some firm needs and problems are pointed out. The importance of BMTs to firms is further tested by an empirical study whose initial results are reported. Finally, by matching problems and techniques characterized by the same ontology, the BMTs most suitable to address SME needs are identified and their role within the innovation process discussed.FindingsThe main result of the paper is the identification of the problems facing SMEs in innovation processes and the possible support offered by BMTs. Though methods and models alone do not assure the success in the innovation development process (IDP), they are enabling factors and can support the creation of strategies, reasoning, insights and communication.Originality/valueThe adoption of such BMTs, facilitating the codification of the characteristics of the IDP, might be particularly useful in those environments where, due to the lack of specialized resources, it is difficult to structure all of the information related to the innovation process and to exploit the related benefits and opportunities