University of Nicosia

About: University of Nicosia is a education organization based out in Nicosia, Cyprus. It is known for research contribution in the topics: Population & Context (language use). The organization has 988 authors who have published 2765 publications receiving 30748 citations.

Cause Related Marketing: Developing a Tripartite Approach with BMW

Abstract: In today's fiercely competitive world, cause related marketing (CRM) plays an important role in business. It is seen as an effective way to build brands, create product awareness, revitalize corporate values and make corporate social responsibility and community involvement visible. It has proven to be an important marketing tool and offers valuable contributions in addressing corporate needs in the context of societal issues and the related needs of charities and causes. CRM is implemented by juxtaposing the strategic objectives of a business with traditional marketing communication tools in association with the needs and objectives of a specific charity or social cause. In fact, CRM is among the most popular forms of corporate giving. It provides the means to use the power of a brand to publicly demonstrate a firm's commitment in addressing some (or a) social issues of the day while simultaneously seeking to achieve marketing and corporate objectives such as new product introduction, increasing sales or building reputation within a local or national market. Each of these may be taken as a general or specific objective in implementing CRM in particular contextual circumstances. Thus, outcomes underpin CRM's application specifically in a given geographic brand associated context, while general outcomes underpin CRM's application in wider and potentially different brand or indeed geographic circumstances. This paper discusses the efforts of BMW (Cyprus) in working toward the above objectives and highlights a partnership with the Cyprus Football Association in supporting a charitable organization in the fight against drug addiction while creating product and brand awareness regarding the 320i model in the national market that is, a specific contextual applicatory analysis. The outcomes show that CRM can be a very effective way of enabling a firm and its employees to display and live up to their corporate values (Chong; Kitchen and Schultz) and communicate these to key stakeholder groups such as customers, the local community and society at large. Thus, BMW (Cyprus) successfully used CRM as a strategy and a promotional tactic to underpin brand awareness and develop a new product, while simultaneously enhancing corporate reputation by highlighting its cultural values.

Education policy for social justice in Cyprus: The role of stakeholders’ values

Abstract: This article examines (a) the official policy for social justice as developed by the Ministry of Education and Culture and its policy-makers, (b) the ways in which school leaders (head teachers) and school actors (teachers) understand education policy for social justice, and (c) the impact of this process on school leaders’ and actors’ action or inaction for social justice. Data collection was based upon the analysis of policy documents related to education and social justice. Moreover, interviews were carried out with officials working within the Cyprus Ministry of Education and Culture and head teachers and teachers from five participant schools in Cyprus. The political culture fostered an access-based social-justice orientation. Across levels, the interviewees prioritised equity of access, suggesting all children’s right to access and participation in the school community. Nonetheless, as their values were exclusive of outcome-oriented definitions of equity, they impeded action on social justice.

The efficacy of small internal networks for improving schools

Abstract: Through two school case studies in Cyprus, in this paper I explore the role of small internal collaborative networks in promoting school improvement. The analysis of the two cases revealed a series of interrelated themes which indicated issues related to school improvement, and actually, it provided evidence that small internal collaborative networks could contribute to school improvement. This contribution was related to the development of interest in the learning of children coming from vulnerable groups, to the creation of conditions for more effective leadership and management within the schools, and to changes in the culture of the schools.

A General Guide for the Optimization of Enzyme Assay Conditions Using the Design of Experiments Approach

Abstract: Many factors must be considered during the optimization of an enzyme assay. These include the choice of buffer and its composition, the type of enzyme and its concentration, as well as the type of substrate and concentrations, the reaction conditions, and the appropriate assay technology. The process of an enzyme assay optimization, in our experience, can take more than 12 weeks using the traditional one-factor-at-a-time approach. In contrast, the design of experiments (DoE) approaches have the potential to speed up the assay optimization process and provide a more detailed evaluation of tested variables. However, not all researchers are aware of DoE approaches or believe that it is easy to employ a DoE approach for the optimization of an assay. In order to facilitate enzyme assay developers to use DoE methodologies, we present in detail the steps required to identify in less than 3 days (1) the factors that significantly affect the activity of an enzyme and (2) the optimal assay conditions using a fractional factorial approach and response surface methodology. This is exemplified with the optimization of assay conditions for the human rhinovirus-3C protease, and the methodology used could be employed as a basic guide for the speedy identification of the optimum assay conditions for any enzyme.

Enterprise resource planning implementation in the retail sector: a case study on the effects of the implementation of an ERP system in Cyprus

Abstract: Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) systems have been designed to integrate the core corporate activities of organisations and to automate their entire business processes. ERP systems provide a management tool for coordinating and guiding the activities of an organisation and can help it to gain a competitive advantage. This paper examines the effect of a recently implemented ERP system in a specific business unit of a large Cypriot company on the organisation and identifies some of the factors that have been critical for successful implementation. The results of interviews with managers of the company and users of the new system, all of whom have been actively involved in the implementation process, have shown that the new system has considerably benefited all the functional areas it covers. This has been made feasible through the commitment and dedication of all the people involved and the levels of training, coordination and communication provided throughout.