bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Students as consumers?
Authors: Modell Sven 
Published: August 2005

PurposeTo examine the political and institutional processes surrounding the construction of consumer‐orientated performance measurement (PM) practices in the Swedish university sector.Design/methodology/approachA longitudinal case study in the Swedish university sector drawing on neo‐institutional sociology (NIS) and adopting an organisational field‐level perspective.FindingsParticular attention is paid to the political interplay between different actors competing to dominate the representation of student interests in this organisational field, the strategic discourses invoked to legitimise their actions and the unfolding (re‐)construction of PM practices, but also how this interplay is conditioned by institutionalised structures and existing power relationships. The findings suggest that the relative inertia in developing more consumer‐orientated PM is due in large part to the difficulties for an emerging challenger in constructing a legitimate power base enabling it to fully exploit institutional inconsistencies and the ability of a dominant incumbent organisation to accommodate seemingly incompatible institutional pressures.Originality/valueThe study provides deeper and more process‐orientated insights into the problems of translating consumerist notions into public sector PM practices than much prior research on the topic and explains this with reference to macro‐ rather than micro‐level (intra‐organisational) processes.
Strategy disclosure in annual reports across Europe: a study on differences between five countries
Authors: Santema Sicco , Hoekert Marijke , van de Rijt Jeroen , van Oijen Aswin 
Published: August 2005

PurposeThis article aims to focus on strategy disclosure in annual reports across Europe and to try to establish whether national culture and national corporate governance features have an influence on the extent to which companies disclose their strategy. The research was conducted to fulfil three main purposes: to build a model for measuring strategy disclosure; to find reasons for differences in strategy disclosure across countries; and to test whether there are indeed differences in the extent to which strategy is disclosed.Design/methodology/approachThe extent to which companies disclose their strategy is predicted on the basis of comparative management and corporate governance literature. This prediction is subsequently tested on ten criteria (describing corporate strategy). The empirical results were statistically analysed by using Manova and linear regression.FindingsThe main conclusion is drawn that national differences in corporate governance and culture do influence the extent to which companies disclose their corporate strategy.Research limitations/implicationsThe research sample consists of the annual reports of five European countries. Future research could be extended into a broader sample. Furthermore, possible influence of other elements on the extent to which companies disclose their strategy (besides the control variables already taken into account) could be considered.Practical implicationsPractical implications for managers from this conclusion are that, in order to keep the stakeholders satisfied, the company should look at their demands for disclosure when deciding on a strategy for disclosure.Originality/valueThe link between national differences and strategy disclosure has not been specified so clearly in the literature before, and therefore can be seen as the largest contribution of this study.
Past progress and future directions in conceptualizing customer perceived value
Authors: Lin Chien‐Hsin , Sher Peter J. , Shih Hsin‐Yu 
Published: August 2005

PurposeTo propose an alternative model specification for better conceptualizing the definition of a customer perceived value construct, and to discuss the theoretical justification of the model.Design/methodology/approachThe proposed model was elaborated based on theoretical contexts. Three models of different conceptualization specifications were estimated and compared with eTail service value survey data.FindingsBased on theory, perceived value should be conceived as a formative construct. The empirical results demonstrated different parameter estimates and thus conclusions are drawn from different conceptualization methods.Research limitations/implicationsFuture research is suggested to apply the proposed formative value model in other marketing settings, and to explore the role of consumer satisfaction in post‐purchase behavior.Practical implicationsMarketing resources allocation and communication programs may be influenced due to different conceptualization methods of value construct applied by practitioners.Originality/valueThis paper provides a theoretical rationale for conceptualizing perceived value with formative specification. It stresses that the theoretical justification is a major concern for determining conceptualization models.
Solving a continuous location‐routing problem by use of a self‐organizing map
Authors: Schwardt Martin , Dethloff Jan 
Published: August 2005

PurposeA variant of Kohonen's algorithm for the self‐organizing map (SOM) is used to solve a continuous location‐routing problem that can be applied to identify potential sites for subsequent selection by a discrete finite set model. The paper aims to show how the algorithm may be customized to fit the problem structure in a way that allows aspects of location and routing to be integrated into the solution procedure.Design/methodology/approachA set of test instances is used to compare the solutions of the neural network to those obtained by sequential approaches based on a savings procedure.FindingsCompared to the results of the sequential approaches, the neural network yields good results.Research limitations/implicationsFuture work may cover the expansion of the neural approach to multi‐depot and multi‐stage problems. Additionally, application of procedures other than the savings procedure should be evaluated with respect to their potential for further enhancing the solution quality of the sequential approaches.Practical implicationsThis paper shows that strategic location decisions in practical applications with long‐term customer relationships can be taken using simultaneously generated routing information on an operational level.Originality/valueThe paper provides a new variety of applications for SOM as well as high quality results for the specific type of problem considered.
University education and employment in Japan
Authors: Danh Nguyen Nguyen , Yoshinari Yanagawa , Shigeji Miyazaki 
Published: August 2005

PurposeThe present research aims to explore students' perceptions of the needs of employers in terms of the personal qualities of higher education graduates.Design/methodology/approachQuestionnaires were delivered to students at four universities in the Chugoku area of Japan. The students were asked to indicate how important they thought each of the personal qualities that would be needed for their future employment, and their own evaluation of their capabilities with respect to each personal quality. In addition, respondents were asked to answer other questions in relation to satisfaction with their courses, job opportunities, and sources of their personal qualities.FindingsThe key findings are that job‐seeking students tend to have a lower assessment of their own abilities than their perceived importance of those abilities. In particular, students rated their abilities significantly lower in communication and presentation skills. Although they rated themselves highly in terms of optimism, cooperation, and responsibility, they were dissatisfied with their personal traits in terms of taking initiative, having flexibility, and (especially) in demonstrating an entrepreneurial mind.Research limitations/implicationsThe sample is limited to university students in a limited geographical area of Japan. The generalizability of the results could therefore be questioned.Practical implicationsThe study represents a useful source of information and impartial advice for undergraduate students planning to find a job, and for higher‐education academic staff and administrators managing undergraduate programs.Originality/valueThis paper fulfils an identified information and resources need, and offers practical help to reform teaching and career‐development processes in Japanese higher education.
An intelligent risk assessment system for distributed construction teams
Authors: Shang Huiping , Anumba Chimay J. , Bouchlaghem Dino M. , Miles John C. , Cen Mei , Taylor Mark 
Published: August 2005

PurposeThe paper proposes addressing the design and implementation of a web‐based risk assessment system that enables remote project team members to assess the risks at the conceptual design stage.Design/methodology/approachThe prototype system is based on a client/server architecture and uses fuzzy logic and web‐based technology. A risk assessment scenario is used to demonstrate the operation and benefits of the prototype system.FindingsThe research found that the use of a web‐based risk assessment system for distributed project team members has major benefits in terms of use of linguistic terms to express risk assessment, ease of communication, ease of maintenance, and greater consistency, among others.Research limitations/implicationsThere is scope for enhancing the system through the development of a risk management module, improving the user interface and making specific provisions for different project types.Practical implicationsThe move in industry towards collaborative working practices is supported by systems such as this. Risk assessment is an important area that requires the input of all team members, if evenly distributed.Originality/valueThis paper has presented an innovative approach to risk assessment for distributed project teams. It will be of interest to all parties involved in construction projects, particularly those involved in risk assessment.
Consumer shopping value, satisfaction, and loyalty for retail apparel brands
Authors: Carpenter Jason M. , Fairhurst Ann 
Published: August 2005

PurposeTo examine the effect of utilitarian and hedonic shopping benefits on customer satisfaction, loyalty, and word of mouth communication in a retail branded context.Design/methodology/approachA sample of young adult consumers (N=276) was surveyed using a self‐administered questionnaire. Statistical techniques (confirmatory factor analysis, structural equation modeling) were used to evaluate the data.FindingsStatistical models indicate support for significant, positive relationships between utilitarian and hedonic shopping benefits, customer satisfaction, customer loyalty, and word of mouth communication.Research limitations/implicationsLimitations of this study include the use of a college student sample and confinement to the specialty apparel retail branded purchasing context. The findings are useful because links between the delivery of shopping benefits (e.g. hedonic and utilitarian) and important outcome variables (e.g. customer satisfaction, loyalty, and word of mouth communication) are demonstrated.Practical implicationsIn the increasingly competitive environment faced by today's retailers, the pursuit of customer loyalty is paramount. In order to be competitive, retailers must identify the key antecedents to customer loyalty and the relationships between the benefits delivered to the consumer and important outcomes (e.g. satisfaction, word of mouth communication). The findings of this study contribute to the development of an organizing framework for such relationships, which is exceptionally important for retailers.Originality/valueThis paper undertakes an empirical examination of the effect of shopping benefits on several outcome variables. The paper is unique because of the relative newness of the context in which the study was conducted (retail branded products).
National versus store brand effects on consumer evaluation of a garment
Authors: d'Astous Alain , Saint‐Louis Odile 
Published: August 2005

PurposeThe study reported in this article aims to examine the effects of national versus store brands on consumer evaluation of a garment, taking into account the intended product usage situation (for everyday use versus for a special occasion) as well as price (regular versus discount), type of store (department versus boutique), and store image (lower‐class versus upper‐class).Design/methodology/approachAn experiment was conducted with 127 Canadian adult consumers where the above variables were manipulated by means of short vignettes presenting a to‐be‐evaluated branded shirt.FindingsThe results of the experimental study showed that consumer evaluations of store brands and national brands were influenced by the joint effects of store image and intended usage situation.Practical implicationsRetailers in upper‐class retail clothing stores willing to promote their store brands should emphasize in their communication programs buying contexts in which an item is needed for some special event (e.g. a wedding anniversary) because this appears to correspond to situations where store brands are best valued. Retailers in lower‐class stores should rather promote their store brands by stressing the good quality of their clothes in day‐to‐day usage situations. As for national brands of clothing, emphasizing the satisfaction guarantee that comes automatically with well‐established brands would seem to be the best communication strategy.Originality/valueThe paper shows the influence of store image on consumer evaluations of garments.
Corporate entrepreneurship and innovation part 1: the missing link
Authors: McFadzean Elspeth , O'Loughlin Andrew , Shaw Elizabeth 
Published: August 2005

PurposeTo examine the literature on corporate entrepreneurship and innovation and to develop a combined definition of these two terms. Moreover, the literature is used to construct a holistic model that seeks to explain the links between corporate entrepreneurial activity and the innovation process.Design/methodology/approachA number of published works on entrepreneurship and innovation are critiqued. The findings from this literature review are used to develop a framework illustrating the relationships between the corporate entrepreneur and the innovation process.FindingsThe paper presents a combined definition of corporate entrepreneurship and innovation and, from the literature review, concludes that previous models on entrepreneurship and innovation are fragmented because there is little exploration on the relationships and dynamics between these two factors. A framework of corporate entrepreneurship and innovation is constructed by synthesising the information gathered from previous literature. This model shows that there are missing links between the entrepreneur and the innovation process. The paper discusses three factors that may explain both the dynamics and the relationships between the entrepreneur and the innovation process. These are entrepreneurial attitudes, vision and actions.Originality/valueThis paper fulfils an identified gap in the literature, namely the lack of investigation into the links between the corporate entrepreneur and the innovation process, and suggests three factors that could be used to explain this gap. Part 2 of this paper will present a new holistic model of corporate entrepreneurship and innovation that illustrates the relationships between these two areas in more detail.
A multi‐level theory of innovation implementation
Authors: McAdam Rodney 
Published: August 2005

PurposeIncreased developments in competition, globalisation and technology have led to an increased emphasis on innovation in organisations and academia. There is a substantial body of knowledge in regard to the concept of innovation. However, there is a need to make a distinction between innovation and the implementation of innovation in organisations. The study of innovation implementation is much less defined in regard to theory and practice. The aim of this paper is to develop a theoretical conception of innovation implementation primarily based on a critique of the literature. The development is intended to inform further research and enable organisations to develop pathways for effective implementation.Design/methodology/approachA conceptual and integrated framework is developed from the literature. The constructs of normalising, legitimising and conflict are used to develop the theory.FindingsIt is shown how conflict or abrasion is a key element of innovation implementation in attempting to overcome normalising and legitimising organisational forces. Moreover, it is contended that conflict can be used to assess innovation implementation.Originality/valueThere is a paucity of theory building at multiple levels within organisations in relation to innovation implementation.
The impact of performance measurement in strategic planning
Authors: Tapinos E. , Dyson R.G. , Meadows M. 
Published: August 2005

PurposeTo investigate the impact of performance measurement in strategic planning process.Design/methodology/approachA large scale survey was conducted online with Warwick Business School alumni. The questionnaire was based on the Strategic Development Process model by Dyson. The questionnaire was designed to map the current practice of strategic planning and to determine its most influential factors on the effectiveness of the process. All questions were close ended and a seven‐point Likert scale used. The independent variables were grouped into four meaningful factors by factor analysis (Varimax, coefficient of rotation 0.4). The factors produced were used to build regression models (stepwise) for the five assessments of strategic planning process. Regression models were developed for the totality of the responses, comparing SMEs and large organizations and comparing organizations operating in slowly and rapidly changing environments.FindingsThe results indicate that performance measurement stands as one of the four main factors characterising the current practice of strategic planning. This research has determined that complexity coming from organizational size and rate of change in the sector creates variation in the impact of performance measurement in strategic planning. Large organizations and organizations operating in rapidly changing environments make greater use of performance measurement.Research limitations/implicationsThis research is based on subjective data, therefore the conclusions do not concern the impact of strategic planning process' elements on the organizational performance achievements, but on the success/effectiveness of the strategic planning process itself.Practical implicationsThis research raises a series of questions about the use and potential impact of performance measurement, especially in the categories of organizations that are not significantly influenced by its utilisation. It contributes to the field of performance measurement impact.Originality/valueThis research fills in the gap literature concerning the lack of large scale surveys on strategic development processes and performance measurement. It also contributes in the literature of this field by providing empirical evidences on the impact of performance measurement upon the strategic planning process.
Distance, Turnout, and the Convenience of Voting*
Authors: Dyck Joshua J. , Gimpel James G. 
Published: August 2005

Objectives. This research examines how distance factors into the costs associated with political participation. We hypothesize that the political geography of a voter's residence affects not only the likelihood that he or she will vote, but whether the voter will choose between traditional Election Day voting or nontraditional means, such as casting an absentee ballot by mail, or going to an early‐voting site.Methods. Using a geographic information system (GIS), we calculate Manhattan‐block distances between voter residences and their respective precinct and nearest early‐voting sites in Clark County, NV for the 2002 mid‐term election. We then use these calculated distances to predict, with multinomial logistic regression, the likelihood of nonvoting, precinct voting, and nontraditional voting.Results. Our evidence suggests that the cost of traveling to reach a traditional voting site is associated with nonvoting to a point, but the relationship between distance and participation is nonlinear. Distance to traditional voting sites is also highly associated with choosing to vote by mail. Would‐be nonvoters are more inclined to use proximate election‐day sites than proximate early‐voting sites, probably because they decide to vote so late in the campaign.Conclusions. Our findings have important implications for democratic theory, ongoing efforts to reform the electoral process, and the practice of voter mobilization.
Language Provisions Under the Voting Rights Act: How Effective Are They?*
Authors: Jones‐Correa Michael 
Published: August 2005

Objectives. As the Voting Rights Act (VRA) comes up for renewal in 2007, its effects on the political incorporation of groups other than African Americans will be of key importance in any debate. Among the questions in any such discussion will be whether the language provisions of the VRA have helped enfranchise “linguistic minorities” in the United States, or whether their effect has been largely symbolic. Second, if the Voting Rights Act has had a positive impact on the participation rates of Asian Americans and Latinos, have these effects been tilted toward first‐generation immigrants—who were not the intended beneficiaries of the Act—rather than native‐born minorities?Methods. This article looks at registration and voting data from the November 1996 and 2000 Census Current Population Supplemental Voting Surveys to explore the differential impact of the Act among immigrants and the native born, and among Latinos and Asian Americans.Results. The analysis finds evidence that the language provisions of the Voting Rights Act have significant and positive effects on the voting rates of covered linguistic minorities.Conclusions. Because the voting rates of Asian and Hispanic Americans in the United States still lag behind those of the population as a whole, the effects of the VRA with respect to these groups are important considerations as Congress weighs the Act's renewal.
Race/Ethnic Differences in Nonspecific Psychological Distress: Evidence from the National Health Interview Survey*
Authors: Bratter Jenifer L. , Eschbach Karl 
Published: August 2005

Objective. This article documents the patterns of white‐nonwhite differences in nonspecific psychological distress and explores how acculturation characteristics, social class, marital status, and chronic illness mediate or moderate these differences for eight racial/ethnic populations in the United States.Methods. We analyze data from a five‐year pool of the National Health Interview Survey (NHIS) collected between 1997 and 2001 (N=162,032) and employ multivariate regression techniques to explore level of psychological distress of various ethnic groups relative to non‐Hispanic whites.Results. Nonwhite populations exhibit variable base‐line differences in psychological distress compared to non‐Hispanic whites; however, adjusted estimates show that African Americans and Mexicans have lower levels of distress while distress scores for “other Hispanics,” Asians, and Cubans exhibit statistically similar levels. The highest distress occurs for Puerto Ricans. Interaction models reveal chronic sources of stress (e.g., poverty, chronic illness, nonmarriage) are even more taxing on psychological health of high‐risk groups or have weaker relationships to stress for other groups.Conclusions. This study reveals the need for capturing ethnic variation in studies of mental health. Social class, acculturation, marital status, and chronic illness cannot fully explain white‐nonwhite differences in psychological distress.