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1 – 10 of 175
Article
Publication date: 9 November 2015

Josh P Davis, Stacie Simmons, Lucy Sulley, Chris Solomon and Stuart Gibson

The purpose of this paper is to describe four experiments evaluating post-production enhancement techniques with facial composites mainly created using the EFIT-V holistic system…

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to describe four experiments evaluating post-production enhancement techniques with facial composites mainly created using the EFIT-V holistic system.

Design/methodology/approach

Experiments 1-4 were conducted in two stages. In Stage 1, constructors created between one and four individual composites of unfamiliar targets. These were merged to create morphs. Additionally in Experiment 3, composites were vertically stretched. In Stage 2, participants familiar with the targets named or provided target-similarity ratings to the images.

Findings

In Experiments 1-3, correct naming rates were significantly higher to between-witness 4-morphs, within-witness 4-morphs and vertically stretched composites than to individual composites. In Experiment 4, there was a positive relationship between composite-target similarity ratings and between-witness morph-size (2-, 4-, 8-, 16-morphs).

Practical implications

The likelihood of a facial composite being recognised can be improved by morphing and vertical stretch.

Originality/value

This paper improves knowledge of the theoretical underpinnings of these facial composite post-production enhancement techniques. This should encourage acceptance by the criminal justice system, and lead to better detection outcomes.

Details

Journal of Forensic Practice, vol. 17 no. 4
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 2050-8794

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 11 November 2013

Margaret Franken

The purpose of this paper is to document international scholarship students' experience as they studied and planned their research in the linguistically, academically and…

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to document international scholarship students' experience as they studied and planned their research in the linguistically, academically and culturally unfamiliar context of a New Zealand University, but conducted the research in their own culturally and professionally familiar contexts.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper uses the concept of resituation developed by Eraut and applies this to the task of appreciating the complexity of the international postgraduate student experience as such students transition from coursework to research work. The paper reports findings from a study in which the researcher worked with international scholarship students from the Pacific, Melanesia and Southeast Asia to frame up a masters research proposal over the period of a semester, and then interviewed them as their research work progressed.

Findings

Using Eraut's framework allowed the researcher to explore the ways in which these neophyte researchers needed to resituate the personal knowledge they already possessed, with new knowledge generated from coursework and the research process as it unfolded. Resituation occurred at particular points in the research trajectory and could be seen to represent significant transitions for the students.

Originality/value

Understandings gained from research such as this is crucial if higher education institutions are to engage in internationalisation at a postgraduate level in a way that acknowledges what students bring to the context, how their research experience changes them, and what they may experience when they return to their home countries.

Details

International Journal for Researcher Development, vol. 4 no. 2
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 2048-8696

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 8 August 2016

Jonathan Garnett

The purpose of this paper is to show how transdisciplinarity is woven into the key curriculum components of individually negotiated work-based learning (WBL) programmes and to…

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Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to show how transdisciplinarity is woven into the key curriculum components of individually negotiated work-based learning (WBL) programmes and to focus upon the performative value of knowledge in the work context.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper draws upon WBL academic literature and the authors 22 years operational experience of WBL.

Findings

The paper suggests that while university-level WBL can enhance the performance of organizations and individuals it is also inherently challenging and challenged by the hegemony of subject disciplines and disciplinary-based university structures. WBL is concerned with knowledge which is often unsystematic, socially constructed and is action focused in order to achieve outcomes of significance to work. This contests the supremacy of the role of the university in curriculum design, delivery and validation of knowledge and means that work-based knowledge is often seen as transdisciplinary rather than conforming to traditional subject disciplines (Boud and Solomon, 2001).

Research limitations/implications

Central to the distinctive nature of university WBL programmes is the role of the external organization as a partner with the university and the individual learner in the planning of learning activities which are intended to have significance for the workplace. For individual knowledge to become organizational knowledge, and thus fully contribute to the intellectual capital of the organization, it must be shared and accepted by others. It follows that a key concern for organizations must be the facilitation of the recognition of knowledge and this goes beyond using a transdisciplinary lens when guiding and assessing the work of individual higher education students.

Practical implications

The paper has practical implications for the design and facilitation of WBL programmes at higher education level.

Originality/value

Provides an informed and sustained examination of the concept of WBL and knowledge.

Details

Higher Education, Skills and Work-Based Learning, vol. 6 no. 3
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 2042-3896

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 7 September 2012

Charl de Villiers and Chris van Staden

The natural environment has become an increasingly important business issue over the last ten years while shareholder views on the importance of corporate environmental disclosure…

1952

Abstract

Purpose

The natural environment has become an increasingly important business issue over the last ten years while shareholder views on the importance of corporate environmental disclosure have not been extensively investigated. The purpose of this paper is to report the requirements of individual shareholders for the disclosure and regulation of environmental information and their intended use of the information.

Design/methodology/approach

Respondents were questioned using an online survey whether they want specific types of environmental information from companies and if so, where they want it disclosed, why they want it disclosed and if they feel strongly enough about it to want it made compulsory and be subject to an audit. The authors regard New Zealand as an ideal experimental setting for the investigation of shareholder views and focus on the members of an active shareholders' association in New Zealand and obtain a very high response rate.

Findings

The paper finds that most shareholders are very positive about the disclosure of a range of environmental information items and furthermore they want environmental information to be made compulsory, to be audited, and to be published in the annual report and also on the company website. The most important reason given by shareholders for requiring environmental information is that they want companies to be accountable for their environmental impacts. The results are potentially significant for company governance and management decision making and will also have policy implications for regulators.

Practical implications

The findings have important implications for the government, the accounting profession and other standard setters. The paper suggests that the time has come for legislators, regulatory bodies and standard setters to take note of the policy implications if such a large proportion (59 percent – 72 percent) of shareholders want environmental disclosure to be compulsory and prescribed and not left to the discretion of companies.

Social implications

The information needs of individual shareholders who make their own investment decisions should be of great interest to regulators, because such investors rely on publicly available information, whereas institutional investors also collect private information. Regulators need to remove information asymmetry by regulating and/or mandating disclosures and shareholder requirements for information should be an important consideration.

Originality/value

This paper is of high value. The paper addresses why the information is requested and what it would be used for, something that the studies prior to the year 2000 did not cover. In addition this study is the first to survey New Zealand investors 1996, i.e. prior to the resurgence of late in societal interest in environmental issues.

Article
Publication date: 4 May 2012

Ting‐yan Chan and Christina W.Y. Wong

The purpose of this paper is to examine the relationships between product‐ and store‐related attributes of eco‐fashion and fashion consumers’ eco‐fashion consumption decisions;…

37107

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to examine the relationships between product‐ and store‐related attributes of eco‐fashion and fashion consumers’ eco‐fashion consumption decisions; and if such relationships are subject to the price premium level of eco‐fashion.

Design/methodology/approach

A survey was conducted with consumers in Hong Kong: in total, 216 consumers participated in the survey. A confirmatory factor analysis was conducted to check the validity and reliability of the scales. Hypotheses were tested using multiple regression analysis.

Findings

The findings showed that only store‐related attributes of eco‐fashion positively influence consumers’ eco‐fashion consumption decision, yet, such relationship can be weakened by the price premium level of eco‐fashion.

Research limitations/implications

Fashion consumers’ response to product‐ and store‐related attributes of eco‐fashion is still important in predicting fashion consumers’ eco‐fashion consumption decision. Fashion consumer environmental attitudes can predict fashion consumers’ eco‐fashion consumption decision better than fashion consumers’ attitude towards eco‐fashion.

Practical implications

It is not enough for fashion companies to manufacture fashion clothing in an ethical production system and develop and design fashion clothing with sustainable and recyclable materials. They must also improve store‐related attributes of eco‐fashion to better satisfy fashion consumer needs, and should be cautious in the direct and moderating effect of price premium level of eco‐fashion when determining the price premium level of eco‐fashion.

Originality/value

The paper contributes to research by advancing understanding on how consumers make ethical consumption decisions in purchasing fashion, and provides retailers with managerial insights into devising marketing plans to promote eco‐fashion consumption, which facilitate fashion companies’ development of a sustainable fashion supply chain. Limitations and directions for future research are also presented in the paper.

Article
Publication date: 2 January 2009

Kristine Barlaup, Hanne Iren Drønen and Iris Stuart

The purpose of this paper is to encourage ethical discernment as a dimension of business decision‐making.

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Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to encourage ethical discernment as a dimension of business decision‐making.

Design/methodology/approach

Development of ethical discernment and a process of ethical evaluation in the analysis of decisions made by the auditors and management in the Adelphia accounting scandal.

Findings

The paper finds that accounting may benefit from an increased focus on ethical discernment and ethical behavior. Ethical behavior may help restore trust and confidence in the capital market system and reduce fraudulent financial reporting.

Originality/value

This paper presents an alternative to regulation for restoring trust in the financial oversight function.

Details

Managerial Auditing Journal, vol. 24 no. 2
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0268-6902

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 7 April 2015

Marna De Klerk, Charl de Villiers and Chris van Staden

The purpose of this paper is to examine the association between share prices and the level of corporate social responsibility (CSR) disclosure of large UK companies, using CSR…

5791

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to examine the association between share prices and the level of corporate social responsibility (CSR) disclosure of large UK companies, using CSR data from an independent firm and a time period and setting (the UK) that coincides with increased legislation and increased public awareness of corporate social and environmental issues. Against a background of increased interest by investors in CSR disclosure, prior mixed results on the association between CSR disclosure and share prices suggest the need for further research that overcome some of the identified limitations of the extant literature.

Design/methodology/approach

A modified Ohlson (1995) model is used to examine the relationship between CSR disclosure and share prices among the 100 largest UK companies. Three different measures of CSR disclosure are used to ensure robustness of results.

Findings

The paper finds that higher levels of CSR disclosure are associated with higher share prices. Furthermore, the paper provides evidence that CSR disclosure by companies operating in environmentally sensitive industries show a stronger association with share prices than CSR disclosure by companies operating in other industries. The paper concludes that CSR disclosure provides incremental value-relevant information to investors beyond financial accounting information.

Originality/value

To the best of our knowledge, this is the first paper to provide evidence of the incremental value of CSR disclosure to share price determination in the UK, a country where CSR disclosure is high on the agenda. Our findings provide evidence that CSR disclosures by companies and, in particular, disclosures following the global reporting initiative(GRI) guidelines, are useful to investors and shareholders, as it is related to share price information.

Article
Publication date: 1 December 2020

Chris I. Enyinda, Abdullah Promise Opute, Akinola Fadahunsi and Chris H. Mbah

The purpose of this paper is to understand marketing–sales–service (M-S-S) interface from the point of how social media marketing (SMM) platforms are prioritized and associated…

4636

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to understand marketing–sales–service (M-S-S) interface from the point of how social media marketing (SMM) platforms are prioritized and associated business-to-business (B2B) sales process influence. This study also seeks to understand whether effective triadic alignment is achieved between marketing, sales and service.

Design/methodology/approach

This study combines literature review and the analytical hierarchy process model. In total, 30 M-S-S managers of a multinational electronics firm situated in Africa and the Middle East participated in this study. The authors collected data from M-S-S managers during training sessions on marketing, sales, service alignment and SMM role in sales process.

Findings

In their drive for customer orientation and improved organizational performance, marketing, sales and service managers view understanding the customer as the most important sales process attribute. Considered second most significant sales process attribute is needs discovery, whereas approaching the customer is ranked the least important. From the ratings of sales process attributes evaluation and rankings of SMM platform alternatives, the results show a significant hierarchical influence of Facebook, LinkedIn and Twitter on sales process. The results also show an enabling influence of SMM activity on M-S-S interface alignment.

Research limitations/implications

This study has a twofold limitation. First, it explored only one major B2B firm in the electronics industry. Second, only the African and Middle East settings are considered in this study. These limitations could be addressed in future research.

Practical implications

This paper provides practical insights into how M-S-S managers may leverage social media to enhance customer orientation and boost organizational performance. The use of SMM can help M-S-S managers of the focal firm to predict purchase behavior of customers more accurately and as a result effectively manage and improve sales performance. In that drive of using SMM-based competitive intelligence to deliver superior customer experience and enhance sales performance, B2B marketing-oriented firms can also leverage the interdependence (information sharing and involvement) in the M-S-S interface during the SMM activity to enhance triadic alignment.

Originality/value

This study contributes to the literature by developing a framework for modeling SMM influence on M-S-S and B2B sales process to deliver superior customer experience and drive business performance.

Details

Journal of Business & Industrial Marketing, vol. 36 no. 6
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0885-8624

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 2 October 2017

Chrysi Alexiadou, Nikolaos Stylos, Andreas Andronikidis, Victoria Bellou and Chris A. Vassiliadis

The purpose of this paper is to discuss the need to evaluate perception-based quality in service encounters. It sets out to diagnose potential mismatches in how customers and…

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to discuss the need to evaluate perception-based quality in service encounters. It sets out to diagnose potential mismatches in how customers and front-line employees perceive quality in high-involvement service settings, based on the premise that any initiative toward quality enhancement in service encounters is advisable only when employees and customers evaluate quality utilizing common perceptual structures.

Design/methodology/approach

The study utilizes invariance analysis. The survey involved 165 bank branches and 1,522 respondents (463 front-line employees and 1,059 customers) and operationalized the same set of questions for both groups of participants. Multisample confirmatory factor analysis tested a series of measurement models.

Findings

Results revealed equivalence for tangibles, responsiveness and assurance but also mismatches between customers and front-line employees perceptions of reliability and empathy.

Practical implications

Findings add to current knowledge of how both groups of participants evaluate quality in service encounters and are discussed with reference to managerial consequences for perception-based quality mismatches.

Originality/value

So far only a few studies have simultaneously examined front-line employees’ and customers’ perceptions of service quality in service encounters. Unlike previous research designs, this study addresses the critical aspect of potential mismatches in how customers and employees perceive service quality, and presents a methodological procedure to detect them.

Details

International Journal of Quality & Reliability Management, vol. 34 no. 9
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0265-671X

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 20 February 2009

Mark S. Rosenbaum

The purpose of this paper is to investigate which types of service employees provide their customers with social support and to understand why they do so.

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Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to investigate which types of service employees provide their customers with social support and to understand why they do so.

Design/methodology/approach

The article employs a network‐based inventory method to evaluate a customer's commercial‐based social support network and grounded theory to develop a framework illustrating the interdependence between service providers and their customers regarding the exchange of intrinsic support and extrinsic financial incentives and gifts.

Findings

Indirect service employees who do not directly receive tips from customers emerge as key providers of social support. Also, commercial friendships are not marketplace niceties. Service providers and customers engage in a mutually beneficial exchange of social support, gifts, and tips under the guise of commercial friendships.

Research limitations/implications

The article is based upon service provider and customer relationships in an American diner. Researchers may want to apply the offered model to other contexts and locals. Also, researchers may want to reconsider the idea that service providers willingly provide social support to their customers.

Practical implications

The hiring and training of service employees, such as cashiers, hostesses, and “bus boys,” should be taken into consideration as they may be key providers of social support. Service providers should realize the extrinsic and intrinsic benefits or providing support.

Originality/value

The paper empirically investigates the role of indirect service employees in providing customers with social support. Also, it demonstrates that commercial friendships are mutually beneficial relationships where service providers and customers realize extrinsic and/or intrinsic benefits from these relationships.

Details

Journal of Services Marketing, vol. 23 no. 1
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0887-6045

Keywords

1 – 10 of 175