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1 – 10 of 130Sarah Keller, A.J. Otjen, Mary McNally, Timothy J. Wilkinson, Brenda Dockery, Jennifer Leonard and Hayley Southworth
The purpose of this research project was to improve public awareness to improve public awareness of the importance of energy conservation and to improve the use of simple…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this research project was to improve public awareness to improve public awareness of the importance of energy conservation and to improve the use of simple conservation strategies. A thorough evaluation of the net gain from the numerous energy campaigns rolled out to the public every year is lacking. This study conducted pre- and post-campaign surveys and focus groups to evaluate one campaign’s impact on self-reported energy behaviors.
Design/methodology/approach
The campaign used television public service announcements and a website to improve awareness of the city’s efforts to conserve energy and to increase individual energy conservation practices. Focus groups (n = 40) were used to identify common barriers to conservation, and pre- and post-surveys (n = 533, 479) were conducted to evaluate the campaign’s effectiveness.
Findings
Results indicated that the campaign increased positive changes in changing light bulbs and confidence in taking action to turn down thermostats, unplug devices and turn off lights. While follow-up research is needed on the precise mechanism of the psychological process at work, the findings are consistent with the concepts of self and response efficacy as needed components of any behavior change. The authors advocate the adoption of research-informed message design to maximize communication campaign effects.
Originality/value
This paper demonstrates how the combination of three prominent persuasion theories can be used to develop behavior change campaigns. Also, it is one of the few studies to evaluate the effectiveness of the Energy Star campaign.
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Timothy J. Wilkinson, Candice L. Correia and Michael Williams
Financial struggles affecting universities across the United States have caused debate about whether business schools are cost prohibitive or cost savvy, especially for small…
Abstract
Purpose
Financial struggles affecting universities across the United States have caused debate about whether business schools are cost prohibitive or cost savvy, especially for small liberal arts universities that lack large endowments and are highly dependent upon student enrolment. In other words, are they too expensive for small schools to operate? The presence of a business school necessitates hiring business faculty with comparatively high salary expectations.
Design/methodology/approach
This paper analyses the cost effectiveness of business schools at four small liberal arts universities.
Findings
Our results show that cost is most strongly correlated with class size and adjunct instruction as opposed to faculty salaries.
Research limitations/implications
Thus, class size and the implementation of adjunct instruction can make having a business school not only affordable but also advantageous.
Practical implications
Business schools offer a way for universities with missions centred around developing the whole person through a liberal arts education to remain a going concern in such a volatile climate.
Originality/value
This paper uses proprietary data to analyse the cost of faculty in different disciplines.
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William I. MacKenzie Jr, Robert F. Scherer, Timothy J. Wilkinson and Norman A. Solomon
The purpose of this paper is to conduct a systematic review of the research on the quality and value of AACSB International accreditation.
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to conduct a systematic review of the research on the quality and value of AACSB International accreditation.
Design/methodology/approach
Data were abstracted from published journal articles between 2003 and 2017 in which the words “AACSB” and “quality” or “value” (or both quality and value) were used in the title or the article text.
Findings
In total, 91 studies were identified that have been published on the value and/or quality of AACSB accreditation. These studies focused primarily on students and faculty and were conducted using survey research methods. Results indicate that accreditation does have some effects on stakeholder value and quality.
Research limitations/implications
While there is evidence to support the importance of accreditation to enhance the quality and value of business schools, additional research is needed to empirically support the quality and value propositions.
Practical implications
In order to effectively communicate to stakeholders how AACSB accreditation enhances the business school, the current study’s findings indicate that identification of indicators and factors that affect quality and value would be productive.
Originality/value
This study contributes insight on what is currently known about the quality and value of AACSB accreditation to both internal and external stakeholders from research conducted over an extended period of time.
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Brian D. Bergquist, Dawn L. Keig and Timothy J. Wilkinson
Schools must not necessarily have a large amount of money or advanced finance curriculum for students to get the benefits of participating in a student-managed investment program…
Abstract
Purpose
Schools must not necessarily have a large amount of money or advanced finance curriculum for students to get the benefits of participating in a student-managed investment program. Any college or university with motivated students and faculty can have a successful program if they are willing to put forth the effort. The paper aims to discuss this issue.
Design/methodology/approach
The authors use a case study approach to examine specific characteristics of a successful student investment group implementation at a small liberal arts university in the Northwest USA.
Findings
Three student investment group implementation considerations are highlighted in this analysis: establishing an inclusive, interdisciplinary focus in a long-term club vs course format; utilizing all student-led training, governance and investment methodologies; and designing group processes with an emphasis on critical thinking and community outreach.
Practical implications
This case offers encouraging insights for how even a smaller college or university might successfully create and sustain a thriving successful student-led investment group with a relatively limited amount of funding and resources by leveraging liberal arts foundations.
Originality/value
An emphasis on how student-managed investment groups are tied to broader liberal arts foundations potentially helps schools of all sizes understand certain unique underlying value aspects for the students, the business programs and the broader university community.
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Lance Eliot Brouthers, Timothy J. Wilkinson and David McCalman
The intent of EC 92 (European Community, 1992) is to unite Europe into a gigantic trading block and turn it into the dominant world trading partner. Presumably European…
Abstract
The intent of EC 92 (European Community, 1992) is to unite Europe into a gigantic trading block and turn it into the dominant world trading partner. Presumably European corporations will then be able to compete head to head with Japanese and American firms. We predict, however, that instead of being a boon to European competitiveness EC 92 will have the opposite effect. Our prediction is based on three assertions: (1) a unified Europe will become protectionist, thereby encouraging foreign direct investment and increased competition in its home markets; (2) a new, unified Europe is a far more favorable business environment for American and Japanese multinational corporations (MNCs) than for European companies; and (3) most European firms are not strategically or operationally equipped to compete in the new EC environment.
Timothy J. Wilkinson, Anna McAlister and Scott Widmier
The purpose of this paper is to offer an assessment of the international direct marketing environment.
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to offer an assessment of the international direct marketing environment.
Design/methodology/approach
This paper uses political, economic, social, and technological (PEST) analysis to investigate the business environment of international direct marketing. This framework is commonly used as a way of assessing the context of international marketing.
Findings
Globalization, technological innovation, and the spread of free‐market governance have created new and interesting opportunities for managers who decide to use direct marketing to sell their products overseas.
Practical implications
For managers considering international direct marketing, a careful assessment of market prospects and a thoughtful evaluation of the PEST environment should maximize potential opportunities while minimizing the risks associated with foreign markets.
Originality/value
This paper provides an overview of the international direct marketing environment and can, therefore, be used by practioners in their efforts to shapes direct marketing strategy.
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Jianhong Zhang, Jan P.A.M. Jacobs and Arjen van Witteloostuijn
Multinational enterprises (MNEs) play a dominant role in the international business (IB) literature. Traditionally, by far the majority of IB studies deal with issues at the micro…
Abstract
Multinational enterprises (MNEs) play a dominant role in the international business (IB) literature. Traditionally, by far the majority of IB studies deal with issues at the micro level of the individual MNE, or at the meso level of a sample of individual MNEs in industries. This paper focuses on the impact of MNE behavior through foreign direct investment (FDI) on a country’s international trade, and vice versa. In so doing, this study responds to a recent plea for more macro‐level studies in IB into the effect of MNE behavior on the macroeconomic performance of countries as a whole, particularly developing and emerging economies. In the current study, we focus on the largest developing or emerging economy of all: China. Applying sophisticated econometric techniques, we unravel the causality and direction of FDI‐trade linkages for the Chinese economy in the 1980‐2003 period.
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The aim is to review the latest management developments across the globe and pinpoints practical implications from cutting‐edge research and case studies.
Abstract
Purpose
The aim is to review the latest management developments across the globe and pinpoints practical implications from cutting‐edge research and case studies.
Design/methodology/approach
This briefing is prepared by an independent writer who adds their own impartial comments and places the articles in context.
Findings
For baseball fans, one of the modern legends that has enriched the sport was the success of the success of the Oakland Athletics team of the early 2000s. The team was one of the poorest, had little marquee talent, and yet through the genuinely radical, iconoclastic strategies adopted by the management team led by general manager Billy Beane it became on of the most successful teams of the decade.
Practical implications
The review provides strategic insights and practical thinking that have influenced some of the world's leading organizations.
Originality/value
The briefing saves busy executives and researchers hours of reading time by selecting only the very best, most pertinent information and presenting it in a condensed and easy‐to‐digest format.
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Alexandra L. Ferrentino, Meghan L. Maliga, Richard A. Bernardi and Susan M. Bosco
This research provides accounting-ethics authors and administrators with a benchmark for accounting-ethics research. While Bernardi and Bean (2010) considered publications in…
Abstract
This research provides accounting-ethics authors and administrators with a benchmark for accounting-ethics research. While Bernardi and Bean (2010) considered publications in business-ethics and accounting’s top-40 journals this study considers research in eight accounting-ethics and public-interest journals, as well as, 34 business-ethics journals. We analyzed the contents of our 42 journals for the 25-year period between 1991 through 2015. This research documents the continued growth (Bernardi & Bean, 2007) of accounting-ethics research in both accounting-ethics and business-ethics journals. We provide data on the top-10 ethics authors in each doctoral year group, the top-50 ethics authors over the most recent 10, 20, and 25 years, and a distribution among ethics scholars for these periods. For the 25-year timeframe, our data indicate that only 665 (274) of the 5,125 accounting PhDs/DBAs (13.0% and 5.4% respectively) in Canada and the United States had authored or co-authored one (more than one) ethics article.
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