Showing papers by "Jennifer Rowley published in 2013"
TL;DR: Positive attitudes towards knowledge sharing were found and their intentions in this area were also good, which may be related to their belief that knowledge sharing will improve and extend their relationships with colleagues.
Abstract: Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to contribute to the limited previous research on knowledge sharing in universities, by profiling the attitudes of and intentions towards knowledge sharing of UK academics, and by profiling their views of some of the factors that might be expected to impact on knowledge sharing activitiesDesign/methodology/approach – A questionnaire‐based survey was used to gather a profile of UK academics' attitudes and intentions towards knowledge sharing and related factors, including expected rewards and associations, expected contribution, normative beliefs on knowledge sharing, leadership, structure, autonomy, affiliation to institution, affiliation to discipline, and technology platform Responses were received from 230 academics in 11 universitiesFindings – Respondents had positive attitudes towards knowledge sharing and their intentions in this area were also good This may be related to their belief that knowledge sharing will improve and extend their relationships with c
329 citations
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors report empirical research into the entrepreneurial competencies reported by female entrepreneurs who are committed to the growth of their business, and identify four main clusters of competencies were identified: personal and relationship, business and management, entrepreneurial, and human relations competencies.
Abstract: Purpose – Entrepreneurial competencies have an impact on firm performance and growth. The purpose of this paper is to report empirical research into the entrepreneurial competencies reported by female entrepreneurs who are committed to the growth of their business.Design/methodology/approach – A questionnaire‐based survey of female entrepreneurs in England and Wales was conducted. The core of the questionnaire was a list of entrepreneurial competencies compiled from previous theoretical and empirical frameworks, coupled with Likert scales through which the entrepreneurs were invited to rate their ability in relation to each competency. PCA was conducted in order to identify clusters of competencies, and to identify the competencies that loaded onto those clusters.Findings – Four main clusters of competencies were identified: personal and relationship, business and management, entrepreneurial, and human relations competencies. Whilst previous research on the competencies of entrepreneurs has identified the...
300 citations
TL;DR: It is suggested that as consumers move from earlier generation mobile technologies to smartphones the frequency with which they use their phones for all functions increases significantly, Nevertheless, they remain resistant to mobile marketing communications and generally regard text messages as intrusive.
187 citations
TL;DR: In this paper, an online panel survey with a UK panel of nationally representative consumers was conducted with respect to the following products that were ranked on level of involvement on the basis of the importance and effort consumers associated with their purchase.
Abstract: Purpose – Although there is evidence that adoption of mobile shopping has been slow, the increased functionality offered by smart phones offers significant potential for the development of marketing and retailing through the mobile channel. The purpose of this paper is to add to knowledge on consumer shopping behaviour through mobile devices by exploring attitudes to the use of mobiles in shopping, the use of mobile phones at different stages in the consumer decision-making process, the impact of involvement on the mobile consumer decision-making process and mobile shopping location. Design/methodology/approach – An online panel survey was conducted with a UK panel of nationally representative consumers. The survey collected data in respect of the following products that were ranked on level of involvement on the basis of the importance and effort consumers' associated with their purchase: bread (lowest), washing powder, DVD, footwear, phone and TV (highest). Findings – Use of mobiles for shopping is sign...
142 citations
TL;DR: The challenges that shopping and other commercial transactions on the Internet pose for the retail industry are examined, including locating the shops, comparison shopping, security, and legal and marketplace control or lack of them.
Abstract: Examines the challenges that shopping and other commercial transactions on the Internet pose for the retail industry. An increasing number of shopping malls, selling an ever‐widening selection of products, are becoming available on the Internet. There are, however, still a number of challenges facing the Internet retailer and shopper. These include: locating the shops, comparison shopping, security, especially in relation to financial transactions, the customer base and profile, the nature of the shopping experience, and legal and marketplace control or lack of them. It is possible to make money on the Internet without selling, but by using the Internet to support other business processes. Currently, many retailers are exploring the potential of the Internet, but the market is still in its infancy. Retailers do, however, report increasing sales and a positive contribution to marketing from visibility on the Internet.
95 citations
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors explore the planning strategies of female entrepreneurs who have indicated a desire to grow their businesses, the time horizons of planning strategies and the relationship between planning horizons and number of employees and annual sales as measures of business performance.
Abstract: Purpose – This paper aims to explore the planning strategies of female entrepreneurs who have indicated a desire to grow their businesses, the time horizons of planning strategies and the relationship between planning horizons and number of employees and annual sales as measures of business performance.Design/methodology/approach – In order to gather data for this exploratory study, a questionnaire was sent by e‐mail to members of networks of female entrepreneurs across England and Wales. Questionnaires were selected for analysis on the basis of an indication from the respondent that they wished to grow their business. Data were entered into SPSS to generate descriptive statistics, and conduct hypothesis testing.Findings – The most preferred business growth strategies were: improving existing products or services and expanding advertising and promotion. Planning horizons are very short (often under three months), although the planning horizons associated with new products and entry into new markets were i...
84 citations
TL;DR: The authors explored strategic networks from an entrepreneurial marketing and value creation perspective in the business-to-business (B2B) context to ascertain the value generated by strategic groups of network actors.
Abstract: This study seeks to explore strategic networks from an entrepreneurial marketing and value creation perspective in the business-to-business (B2B) context to ascertain the value generated by strategic groups of network actors. This area has received little research investigation, despite the importance of network marketing in small-to-medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). The Strategic Network Marketing Model (SNMM) is generated from the study which presents a typology of six network types, together with their associated value creation opportunities. Both the typology and the focus on opportunities generated by the network types are novel. Qualitative interviews were conducted in 12 software SMEs located in two technology clusters in the UK and United States. Thematic analysis of the interview data uncovered use of six strategic networks; firms use intra-firm, social, customer, business, innovation, and marketing and sales networks to leverage additional resources that create value for the firm. Interv...
72 citations
TL;DR: In this article, the authors used a comparative study to explore entrepreneurial marketing orientation in small software technology firms, in relation to firm growth, using a qualitative framework that consists of 15 dimensions, which allow investigation of entrepreneur and employee activities, attitudes and behaviors in such firms.
Abstract: This paper uses a comparative study to explore entrepreneurial marketing orientation in small software technology firms, in relation to firm growth. Entrepreneurial Marketing (EM) acknowledges the interface between entrepreneurship, marketing and innovation and, pursuance of customer value. Researchers acknowledge that firms adopting other strategic orientations combined with a market orientation are more likely to outperform their competitors. Currently, there are few comparative studies of knowledge-intensive technology firms and no comparative cross-country studies, which consider firm growth and orientation from the EM perspective. This paper addresses these issues by using an entrepreneurial marketing orientation qualitative framework that consists of 15 dimensions, which allow investigation of entrepreneur and employee activities, attitudes and behaviors in such firms. Using a UK and US sample of firms, this research enables assessment of how and why entrepreneurial marketing orientation may lead to...
63 citations
TL;DR: An exploratory two-stage study was conducted with Master’s and undergraduate students in information studies and suggested that participants relied on a range of factors when assessing the trustworthiness of articles, including content factors such as authorship, currency and usefulness.
Abstract: This article contributes to knowledge on how users establish the trustworthiness of digital information. An exploratory two-stage study was conducted with Master's and undergraduate students in information studies. In the first phase of the study respondents commented on the factors and processes associated with trust formation. Participants commented on authorship and references, quality of writing and editing, and verification via links to external reference sources. Findings from the second phase, based on a checklist, suggested that participants relied on a range of factors when assessing the trustworthiness of articles, including content factors such as authorship, currency and usefulness together with context factors such as references, expert recommendation and triangulation with their own knowledge. These findings are discussed in the light of previous related research and recommendations for further research are offered.
58 citations
TL;DR: In this article, a semi-structured interview with place-branding practitioners working in various geographical locations (Towns, cities, regions) was conducted to test the relevance of the components of strategic place brand management and elucidate their meaning.
Abstract: As a relatively new field, research into place branding is predominately case-study based, focusing specifically on single place entities. This paper reports on an exploratory study that uses semi-structured interviews with place-branding practitioners working in various geographical locations (towns, cities, regions). The study tests the relevance of the components of strategic place brand management and elucidates their meaning and explores the relationships between these components. The research confirms the relevance of the components but suggests that relationships between components may be context dependent. The study makes both theoretical and managerial contributions by offering a refined, holistic, and new practitioner-led strategic place brand-management model along with structural meanings for each component that describe to those embarking on the process the key processes, activities, and success factors that are integral for an effective place-branding approach.
48 citations
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors demonstrate that place brand practitioners recognise the complexity of the place offering and accordingly adopt a brand management approach that places emphasis on the management of the brand experience, collaborating with a range of stakeholders to try to deliver and continue to improve a consistent brand experience.
Abstract: Place branding is a key aspect of the wider agenda for improving and promoting places and involves not only developing the image of the place, but also developing the place brand experience, which is dependent on the place's physical infrastructure and its maintenance, regeneration and development. The research presented here demonstrates that place brand practitioners recognise the complexity of the place offering and accordingly adopt a brand management approach that places emphasis on the management of the brand experience, collaborating with a range of stakeholders to try to deliver and continue to improve a consistent brand experience.
TL;DR: The approach to marketing and promotion adopted by independent libraries, with specific reference to the development of their digital presence, is investigated, which incorporated a website survey, a questionnaire, and telephone and face-to-face interviews.
Abstract: This article aims to investigate the approach to marketing and promotion adopted by independent libraries, with specific reference to the development of their digital presence. A three-phase mixed methodology approach was adopted which incorporated a website survey, a questionnaire, and telephone and face-to-face interviews. Data collection focused on the member libraries of the Association of Independent Libraries. Independent libraries are reluctant to engage fully with marketing and technology due to limited resources, fears over security and staff numbers, and a lack of familiarity with the concepts. In libraries where staff are already familiar with using digital technology, there is a greater uptake of digital applications on the library’s behalf. The libraries can benefit from viewing their offer more flexibly and communicating with patrons in ways appropriate to their targets including the use of websites, email and Web 2.0.
TL;DR: A number of challenges associated with the creation of the essential metadata for e-books arise both from internal acquisition and cataloguing processes within libraries, and from the nature and quality of vendor's e-book metadata.
Abstract: In the very near future, students are likely to expect their universities to provide seamless access to e-books through online library catalogues and virtual learning environments. A paradigm change in terms of the format of books, and especially textbooks, which could have far-reaching impact, is on the horizon. Based on interviews with a number of key informants across several universities in the UK, this paper identifies a number of challenges associated with the creation of the essential metadata to support smooth access to e-books within universities. These challenges arise both from internal acquisition and cataloguing processes within libraries, and from the nature and quality of vendor's e-book metadata, and variously impact on the location of and access to e-books. Access is further hindered by authentication controls, digital rights controls and missing links. e-Book vendors and publishers, librarians and educational technologists need to work together to resolve these issues. In addition, there is scope for further research into the issues associated with providing access to e-books. Practitioner Notes What is already known about this topic e-Books are an important and growing category of digital resource that are becoming central to learning and education., Users expect easy and convenient location of and access to e-books., What this paper adds Summarises issues associated with the selection of e-books for inclusion in academic library Online Public Access Catalogues and learning platforms., Explores the challenges associated with the creation of metadata for e-books, which arise both from internal acquisition and cataloguing processes within libraries, and from the nature and quality of vendor's e-book metadata., Reports on the challenges that users experience in locating an e-book as a result of authentication controls, digital rights controls and missing links., Implications for practice and/or policy Provision of access to e-books for learning in universities is at an early stage, so it is important to listen to users and commit to continuous improvement., Anticipating considerable growth in the use of e-books in learning, metadata and access issues, issues which currently appear to be in the realm of academic librarians are likely to impact significantly on access to e-books through virtual learning environments., While, some current problems can be easily resolved, others are embedded in the approaches adopted by libraries and vendors, and collaboration towards paradigm change is necessary., Further research should be conducted into the issues associated with metadata, cataloguing processes,and, in general, providing access to e-books. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
TL;DR: Some of the principles that need to underpin any brand strategy are reviewed and recent developments associated with the social media era are examined, in which consumers expect to have a key role in co-creating the brand.
Abstract: With the growing importance of digital spaces as arenas in which organisations and consumers interact, brand owners can no longer afford to regard digital, online, or i-branding as an optional add-on to branding through other channels. After an introduction, this article reviews some of the principles that need to underpin any brand strategy. The article then reviews the key considerations for organisations as they seek to manage their brand presence in digital spaces. Next, it examines recent developments associated with the social media era, in which consumers expect to have a key role in co-creating the brand. The article concludes with an agenda for the future development of branding in digital space.
TL;DR: In this paper, a case study analysis of the TOYOTA F1 Racing Team, focusing on brand relationships associated with different levels of sponsorship, is presented, which exemplifies existing theoretical discussions of the brand-web concept and contribute to insights towards developing understanding of the structure of the corporate brand web and brand relationships.
Abstract: Purpose – The purpose of this article is to explore the corporate brand‐web associated with the TOYOTA F1 Racing Team in order to exemplify existing theoretical discussions of the brand‐web concept and contribute to insights towards developing understanding of the structure of the corporate brand‐web and brand relationships.Design/methodology/approach – A case study analysis of the TOYOTA F1 Racing Team, focusing on brand relationships associated with different levels of sponsorship is presented. The case study analysis is based on desk research.Findings – The corporate brand‐web of the TOYOTA F1 Racing Team is presented. This portfolio of corporate brands and their relationships can be regarded as a corporate brand meta‐architecture. The study also offers taxonomy of different types of sponsorship‐based brand relationships, and identifies and discusses two key aspects of the relationships between brands, title sponsorship, and network relationships between the corporate brands in the brand‐web.Originalit...