Showing papers in "Contemporary Management Research in 2007"

The Relationship among Social Capital, Entrepreneurial Orientation, Organizational Resources and Entrepreneurial Performance for New Ventures

Abstract: This research examines empirically the relationship among social capital, entrepreneurial orientation, organizational resource, and entrepreneurial performance for new ventures. Data was collected by means of mailing questionnaire to new ventures in Taiwan, and a total of one hundred and four qualified observations were collected. The results obtained in this research indicate that there are significant relationships among social capital, entrepreneurial orientation, and organizational resources. Additionally, the influence of social capital, entrepreneurial orientation, and organizational resources on entrepreneurial performance is significant.The findings suggest that new ventures can speed up information diffusion and look for the opportunities of new technology, new product, niche market, and financial resources through expanding external business

The Impact of Human Resource Management Practices on Marketing Executive Turnover of Leasing Companies in Sri Lanka

Abstract: This study empirically evaluated six Human Resource (HR) practices (realistic job information, job analysis, work family balance, career development, compensation and supervisor support) and their likely impact on the Marketing Executive Intention to Leave (MEIL) in the Sri Lankan leasing companies. The sample consisted of hundred marketing executives working for 10 different leasing companies in Sri Lanka. The data were gathered by administering questionnaires. The results indicated job analysis, career development, compensation, realistic job information variables were negatively and significantly correlated with MEIL. The work family balance was not negatively correlated with MEIL. Results of regressing the HR practices on MEIL showed that compensation and job analysis are strong predictors of MEIL.

An Application of Activity Based Costing in Higher Learning Institution: A Local Case Study

Abstract: The widespread environmental change has forced many organizations to change and rethink their business and competitive strategies, particularly cost management system, in order to achieve the competitive edge in the marketplace. Successful organizations are those that are able to improve quality, lower costs and efficiency of operations and eliminate products and services that incur losses. This explains why some organizations are successful while others fail. An organization costing system is a system that helps the management with the strategy planning while the system plays an important role in providing accurate cost information about the products and customers. In other words, the costing management system is important to provide timely and quality information to help managers in their decision making process. To achieve this, many organizations shift their focus from conventional or traditional costing system to an increasingly popular cost methodology system that is Activity- Based Costing (ABC). This system simply collects cost in functional activity cost pools and then applies costs to products/services using individual cost drivers (Brignall, 1997). Initially when this system was introduced, it was only popular among the manufacturing context; however, now it also pulls attention of the service sectors. Kock (1995) noted that it is now more important than ever to have access good information in decision-making in the management of service firms. A number of research and studies reveal how the ABC system in the service sectors has effectively kept the operational cost at marginal level and still be able to provide better customer service at the same time. Thus, this case study analyses how an ABC costing system that improves operations and to better meet the needs of University customers in a more cost – effective manner.

An Investigation of Third Generation (3G) Mobile Technologies and Services

Abstract: The objective of this paper is to evaluate the underlying paradigms of third generation (3G) mobile services. Given the success of second generation (2G) mobile communications systems and services, the third generation mobile networks and applications are faced with a lot of expectations such as providing ubiquitous access to online services via mobile terminals. However, 3G technologies and applications have encountered obstacles that have hindered both the technology development and user acceptance. This paper reviews existing literature related to 3G and develops a framework that presents the factors that contribute to the success of 3G. The findings provide insight into the development and marketing of 3G services.

Effects of Perceived Risk, Message Types, and Reading Motives on the Acceptance and Transmission of Electronic Word-of-Mouth Communication

Abstract: Electronic word-of-mouth communication has a powerful impact on service industries. This study specifically examines negative messages on Internet forums to determine the impact of service characteristics (high versus low perceived risk), message types (affective versus instrumental), and consumer reading motives (informational versus interpersonal) on opinion acceptance, boycott intentions, and transmission intentions. Consumers have higher boycott intentions toward high perceived risk services after they read negative messages. Moreover, instrumental messages are more influential than affective messages, and consumers driven by interpersonal motives are more likely to transmit messages than are those driven by informational motives. Finally, a significant interaction effect exists between message types and reading motives.

Systemic Analysis for Inter-Relation of Identified Critical Success Factors in Enterprise Systems Projects

Abstract: While Enterprise Systems (ES) have the potential to offer benefits beyond traditional legacy systems, many organizations report that these have been less successful than originally anticipated. The difficulties of ES implementation have been widely cited in the literature but research on critical success factors (CSFs) for initial and ongoing ES implementation success is found to be fragmented. The paper presents an exploratory research study, where, particular ranked list of CSFs was first established and then used to analyze project performance in a case study of ES implementation in an airconditioning and refrigeration products industry. The CSFs identified were found to be helpful in investigating the causes for initial failure and subsequent success of the project. It was also observed that a change in attitude of top management, project management and users caused the success of the project. The study employed appropriate quantitative measures viz. statistical mean, reliability and content validity test for identification of CSFs. The case was studied using qualitative SAP-LAP (Situation-Actor-Process – Learning-Action-Performance) framework, and Causal Loop Diagramming to extend the explanatory power of CSFs in a richer framework.

The Adoption of IS/IT Investment Evaluation and Benefits Realization Methodologies in Service Organizations: IT Maturity Paths and Framework

Abstract: This research examines the relationship between the levels of IT maturity and the use of IS/IT investment evaluation and benefits realization methodologies via case studies and survey in the service sector. The findings indicate that IT maturity has a positive impact on the adoption of IS/IT investment evaluation and benefits realization approaches. A major contribution of this research is the development of an IS/IT maturity, investment evaluation and benefit realization methodologies matrix via the case studies. The matrix can assist service organizations in making and substantiating better business decisions. The relationship between the level of IT maturity and the use of IS/IT investment evaluation and benefit realization methods has been further tested and validated in the subsequent survey. (BAI2006 Paper ID: 6245)

Review and Prospect of Relationship Marketing: A Citation Analysis

Abstract: This paper examines the issue of relationship marketing (RM) in SSCI. Using citation analysis from the Web of Science, the study shows that 170 articles related to RM were published in the leading peer-review academic journals between 1999 and 2005. Our findings support Gronroos’ (1999) view that RM research has a competitive advantage in the new era. Our citation analysis finds evidence that published RM-related papers increased in 2005 as compared to 1999, and most articles were published in influential social science journals, with a higher impact factor. We also provide several implications in the discussion section.

Issues and Challenges in Academic Advising: A Multivriate Study of Students' Attitudes towards Academic Advising in United Arab Emirates (UAE)

Abstract: The contemporary pressures of Globalization arising out of new communications, Information Technology (IT) and scientific progress have a tremendous bearing on designing effective academic advising systems. The present research study investigates the UAE undergraduate students' attitude towards the issue of academic advising and tests whether a significant difference exists between the attitudes of three types of respondents chosen for this study. An instrument for measuring the attitudes of the students towards academic advising is developed. A sample of size of 482 students is chosen and a research framework is constructed to extract relevant factors affecting students' attitudes towards academic advising.

A Framework of e-based Quality Management for Distributed Manufacturing System

Abstract: Advanced manufacturing systems need to be developed for an enterprise to survive in the increasingly competitive global market. Statistical e-based quality control approach combines statistical quality analyses and reporting capabilities with web technology to deliver process optimization solutions. In this paper we develop a mathematical structured profile for statistical e-based quality to provide the capacity to access required data anywhere. It helps enterprises to develop customized quality information systems, create and distribute reports via the internet, and to provide real-time display of quality profiles for processes monitoring. Quality engineers and managers have been dependent on IS departments to secure access to such data. Statistical e-based quality profile is designed to bridge the gap between raw data and genuine quality improvement efforts by providing a powerful web-based solution for real-time quality process.

Assessing the Demand Factors for Residential Earthquake Insurance in Taiwan: Empirical Evidence on Spatial Econometrics

Abstract: The residential earthquake insurance of 2002 created additional protected residential earthquake insurance plan, under which residential earthquake insurance is available to individuals from insurance industry in Taiwan. Earthquake damages that occurrence in Taiwan remain largely uninsured losses despite the efforts of governmental and private insurance programs. Spatial Econometrics has been recognized as one of the top key issues in residential earthquake insurance demand field. The demand factors for residential earthquake insurance have been proved to be either directly or indirectly related to many interdependent environment variables, such as disposal income, government subsidized and region. Previous researches only focused on individual’s behavior issues, no different spatial research framework has been proposed before. This paper applies spatial econometrics theory together with spatial autocorrelation and panel regression models to investigate the relationship between insurance demand and disposal income, government subsidized, area/spatial in Taiwan’s conditions during the period 2002 through 2004. The results of this paper indicate that government subsidized loan is significantly negative relationship with demand for residential earthquake insurance, which was to the contrary of the hypothesis. Disposal income and spatial variables are significantly positive relationship with demand for residential earthquake insurance, which was to the accord with the hypothesis. Although region has significant effects on

A Fuzzy-Based Analytical Model of Dynamic Information Flows in e-SCM

Abstract: Electronic marketplace (EM) has been considered as an alternative coordination mechanism to coordinate supply chain activities between suppliers and buyers. In business-to-business (B2B) electronic commerce contexts, new functional relationships have been created between suppliers and buyers in an attempt to reduce lead times and stock outs and to improve the level of customer service. In this paper we develop an ebased supply chain model and an agent for designing mass- customized online services. A new model of information flows with fuzzy logic is also suggested with a goal to achieve highly improved performance for logistical management with non-quantifiable parameters. We extend our discussion to the new role of an agent and information in supply chain activities. Information reduces the level of uncertainty which both suppliers and buyers face with. It also provides reliable and dynamic activities streamlined to supply chains of high performances. We employed heuristic approach to develop a theoretical model. Future research can analyze empirical outcomes of the application of our model.

Strategies for Inbound Tourism Recovery from a Catastrophe: The Case of Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome in Taiwan

Abstract: The outbreak of Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS) was the most catastrophic disaster in Taiwan’s recent past. The aim of this study is to assist the development of recovery strategies for future events by mapping the revitalization of Taiwan tourism after the SARS impact. Fuzzy AHP (Analytic Hierarchy Process) method was applied to determine the weighting of various evaluation criteria for developing tourism recovery strategies obtained by consultation with a range of domain experts. The results indicate that highest priority should be given to development and upgrading of domestic tourism attractions and the least to establishing task forces for revitalization of the tourism industry. Conclusions are drawn concerning appropriate strategies for government officials in the event of future disasters.

Technology in the Hands of Managers: Email Use by Australian and Hong Kong Managers

Abstract: Since communication plays an important role in the work of managers they are likely to be significant users of e-mail in their daily work. Managers are also influential in technology acceptance and in policy formation. Thus investigating e-mail use by managers is particularly relevant to advance the understanding of organisational efforts to maximize benefits and to minimize problems with e-mail communication. This paper reports on the findings of a survey of managerial use of e-mail within Australian and Hong Kong. The results suggest that while the primary use of e-mail is currently for inter-organisational communication, e-mail is consuming large amounts of managerial time, particularly for more senior managers. A significant proportion of e-mail received did not appear to contribute to productivity, with both personal e-mails and marketing emails constituting a significant proportion of received e-mails. The study suggests that email use will grow as individual and organisational experience increases. We suggest that managers need to consider the time demands caused by the growing use of e-mail.

An Analysis of the Controlling Function of National Culture in Product Choice Preferences of Japanese Consumers

Abstract: The aim of this paper is to analyse the controlling function of national culture in regulating product choice behaviour of consumers. Japanese consumers showed signs of a high culture enabling remarkable economic achievements during 70’s and 80’s. Nationalistic feeling coming from this high culture initially favoured indigenous products creating a natural control of the influx of foreign products to the country. However, with the dilution of indigenous nature of culture, product preferences have begun to incline towards western products in general with marked preference toward American products. The study investigates the controlling function of national culture on consumer product preferences relating to local products and products of western origin. The paper reviews socio-economic developments that cause changes in product choice behaviour and the process of western influence on the Japanese culture. The methodology used in the study is qualitative and it includes case analyses of individuals’ purchase preferences. In-depth interviews were conducted to unearth dynamics caused by cultural change and control function of the national culture affecting product choice behaviour. The study illustrates as to how national culture controls product choice preferences of Japanese consumers relating to Western products. The main implication is that by changing core values of national culture, product preferences relating to foreign products can be regulated and controlled.

The Coordination Imperative for MNE: Empirical Evidence from Foreign Operations in Greece

Abstract: Globally, Multinational Enterprises (MNEs) are increasingly focusing on devising strategies in order to balance between the local responsiveness at the subsidiary level and the international integration of operations for global competitiveness. It is against this background, the research studies focusing on the need for evolving effective coordination functions within the multinational network are gaining importance. The present research study makes an attempt to investigate the prevalence of the specific coordination mechanisms in the management of MNEs’ activities in Greece and relates them to the underlying corporate culture, relevant information technology mechanisms and the intrinsic organizational architectures so as to serve as valuable tool for managing the interdependencies among the MNE subunits. A survey instrument (questionnaire) was administered to a sample size of 317 foreign firms in Greece to gain insights in to the various factors that determined the use of the appropriate coordination mechanisms so as to manage the interdependencies between HQs and subsidiaries. Multiple regression method was used for our empirical analysis and the results supported the hypotheses put forward in the research design. Our findings further demonstrated that MNEs in Greece manage coordination by tailoring the appropriate instruments to the specific mandates assigned to their subsidiaries thereof.

Organizational Culture and Emergency Response Actions: How Japanese Companies Behave?

Abstract: Are Japanese companies insensitive for the crisis? From our survey, it is clear that the strong top down style management is not supported but bottom up style of management is supported. Also, in connection with the organization culture, it can be surmised that companies with a cheerful family-type culture are better able to effect a coordinated response to an emergency. In this type of culture, information tends to be passed on freely, and rather than having employees carry out response actions based on orders and directives conscious of the intentions of the top management.

Applying Semantic Web Rules to Business-to-Business Negotiation

Abstract: Negotiation automation deals with business processes that frequently require the input of human knowledge to achieve their goal – that of agreement in negotiations. However, traditional business-to-business (B2B) vocabularies on the Web are limited to data exchange, and do not extend to the sharing and production of knowledge. In this paper, we explore the future of the Web: the semantic Web. This study investigates the Electronic Business using Extensible Markup Language (ebXML) platform and introduces a rule base by which negotiation parties can dynamically communicate the logic of their negotiation strategies through the definition of semantic Web rules. Using standardized semantic Web technologies for all of the negotiation parties, we present the application of negotiation automation to agendas and explanations. In particular, explanations take advantage of the technology that allows rules (or human logic) to operate in remote systems and to interface between human beings and machines.