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1 – 10 of 107Fiona Leverick, Dale Littler, Dominic Wilson and Margaret Bruce
There would appear to be a view in common currency that IT is revolutionizing marketing, offering the possibilities of enhanced operational efficiency, the facilitation of the…
Abstract
There would appear to be a view in common currency that IT is revolutionizing marketing, offering the possibilities of enhanced operational efficiency, the facilitation of the development of innovative products and services as well as the potential for reconfiguring marketing in the organization. Addresses the manner in which IT has affected and may significantly affect marketing by references to an empirical study of the existing and projected impact of IT on marketing activities, as well as analysing the factors which are likely to facilitate or impede the process. IT can be the handmaiden to the erosion of marketing as a major organizational function, with many of the traditional customer oriented activities being more widely diffused throughout the organization. On the other hand, it may be that marketing retains its position by adopting the role of guardian of the customer orientation, taking responsibility for defining the form and content of information that is an acceptable basis for organizational discourse.
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The implicit distinction in the buyer behaviour literature between the contexts of consumer markets and organizational markets has lead to a bifurcated approach to the development…
Abstract
The implicit distinction in the buyer behaviour literature between the contexts of consumer markets and organizational markets has lead to a bifurcated approach to the development of buyer behaviour theory. While useful, even necessary, for teaching and planning purposes, this distinction is inhibiting the development of a generic theory of buyer behaviour and should be questioned. Once the weaknesses of distinguishing so fundamentally between organizations and individuals in terms of their buying behaviour are clarified, a number of key concepts in organizational buyer behaviour clearly require rethinking. More comprehensive empirical research is needed to develop a rigorous theory of buyer behaviour capable of generic application, with appropriate contextual adjustment. The paper explores these issues and suggests some possible conceptual starting points for an integrated classification of buyer behaviour.
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Subikash Mookherjee and Ujjal Protim Dutta
Sustainable urban development implies a process by which sustainability can be attained, emphasizing improvement, progress and positive change, incorporating both environmental…
Abstract
Sustainable urban development implies a process by which sustainability can be attained, emphasizing improvement, progress and positive change, incorporating both environmental and social dimensions. Thus, sustainable urban development highlights the need to reform the market mechanism to achieve environmental goals with the attainment of a balance with social and economic considerations. The large and emerging economies of BRICS have experienced fast-paced urbanization process in recent decades. Along with it the problem of environmental degradation occurs as fast urbanization requires more and more energy consumption as well as carbon emission. Here comes the problem of sustainable urbanization which is a matter of serious concern to deal with. In this chapter, five BRICS nations have taken up to see their respective progress in the fields of per capita energy consumption and carbon emission in their urban areas. To show this it investigates the relationship between urbanization, energy consumption, and CO2 emissions over the period 1992–2014, using a panel data model. The relative potentials of the countries to reduce respective CO2 emissions are also analyzed. The results indicate that per capita CO2 emissions are characterized by conspicuous regional imbalances during the study period. Nations are found to present a long run bidirectional positive relationship, the importance of which is found to vary between the respective regions of the countries.
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An examination is made of developments in port dynamics since 1965. Initially, this task is addressed by studying changes in past port patterns using a simple descriptive model to…
Abstract
An examination is made of developments in port dynamics since 1965. Initially, this task is addressed by studying changes in past port patterns using a simple descriptive model to accommodate shifts induced by containerization. Over time these changes have led to the reversal of the concentration and centralization of port activities. Then consideration is given to the behavior of stakeholders active in the contemporary port scene by elaborating a bipolar global-local analytical framework through an invocation of the hybrid concepts of glocalization and loglobalization. This analysis leads to an examination of emerging economies to gauge future trends in port dynamics following the dramatic emergence of China. Finally, there is a discussion of the need to go beyond inter-port competition to comprehend global production-distribution networks by exploring synergies between the supply chain and the total transport network to bring out parallels in the hub-and-spoke structure not only underpinning maritime activities but also air transport and telecommunications.
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Sarah C. Howes, Darryl Charles, Katy Pedlow, Iseult Wilson, Dominic Holmes and Suzanne McDonough
Active computer gaming (ACG) is a way for older people to participate in strength and balance exercise. Involving older adults in the development of a bespoke ACG system may…
Abstract
Purpose
Active computer gaming (ACG) is a way for older people to participate in strength and balance exercise. Involving older adults in the development of a bespoke ACG system may optimise its usability and acceptability. The purpose of this paper is to employ user-centred design to develop an ACG system to deliver strength and balance exercises, and to explore its safety, usability and acceptability in older adults.
Design/methodology/approach
This paper describes user involvement from an early stage, and its influence on the development of the system to deliver strength and balance exercise suitable for display on a flat screen or using an Oculus Rift virtual reality (VR) headset. It describes user testing of this ACG system in older adults.
Findings
Service users were involved at two points in the development process. Their feedback was used to modify the ACG system prior to user testing of a prototype of the ACG system by n=9 older adults. Results indicated the safety, usability and acceptability of the system, with a strong preference for the screen display.
Research limitations/implications
The sample size for user testing was small; however, it is considered to have provided sufficient information to inform the further development of the system.
Practical implications
Findings from user testing were used to modify the ACG system. This paper identified that future research could explore the influence of repeated use on the usability and acceptability of ACG in older adults.
Originality/value
There is limited information on the usability and acceptability VR headsets in this population.
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Dominic Pearson, Maria Merrick, Amie Dent and Shane Blampied
Fire-related offences are costly in human and financial terms. Fire education is widely used with juveniles and with adults in forensic psychiatric settings; however, with…
Abstract
Purpose
Fire-related offences are costly in human and financial terms. Fire education is widely used with juveniles and with adults in forensic psychiatric settings; however, with prison/probation clients there has been a lack of focus on its potential. This study asked participants of a structured fire education programme for adults how they experienced it and its impact on their feelings about firesetting.
Design/methodology/approach
Participants were 15 programme completers, including ten males and five females. All were adults that had attended the programme during their sentence, either in the community or whilst in custody.
Findings
Using an inductive thematic analysis this study interpreted the following themes: a supportive and responsive approach, impactful learning materials and methods, a new way of thinking, and picking up the pieces. This study proposes that the intervention may activate change through its powerful methods including fact-based arguments and support from legitimate experts.
Practical implications
Firesetters’ Integrated Responsive Educational Programme (FIRE-P) is a novel example of a specialist structured fire education programme for adult firesetters. This is the first paper to outline its structure and content. Understanding how change occurs in FIRE-P has implications for intervention design and delivery with this client group.
Originality/value
To the best of the authors’ knowledge, this is the first qualitative study of a structured fire education programme for adults and provides researchers and practitioners with insight into the ingredients of a successful fire education programme.
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Joseph M. Cheer, Dominic Lapointe, Mary Mostafanezhad and Tazim Jamal
The aims of this Editorial are twofold: (i) synthesise emergent themes from the special issue (ii) tender four theoretical frameworks toward examination of crises in tourism.
Abstract
Purpose
The aims of this Editorial are twofold: (i) synthesise emergent themes from the special issue (ii) tender four theoretical frameworks toward examination of crises in tourism.
Design/methodology/approach
The thematic analysis of papers highlights a diversity of COVID-19 related crises contexts and research approaches. The need for robust theoretical interventions is highlighted through the four proposed conceptual frameworks.
Findings
Crises provides a valuable seam from which to draw new empirical and theoretical insights. Papers in this special issue address the unfolding of crises in tourism and demonstrate how its theorization demands multi and cross-disciplinary entreaties. This special issue is an invitation to examine how global crises in tourism can be more clearly appraised and theorised. The nature of crisis, and the extent to which the global tourism community can continue to adapt remains in question, as dialogues juxtapose the contradictions between tourism growth and tourism sustainability, and between building back better and returning to normal.
Originality/value
The appraisal of four conceptual frameworks, little used in tourism research provides markers of the theoretical rigour and novelty so often sought. Beck’s risk society reconceptualises risk and the extent to which risk is manmade. Biopolitics refers to the power over the production and reproduction of life itself, where the political stake corresponds to power over society. The political ecology of crisis denaturalises “natural” disasters and their subsequent crises. Justice complements an ethic of care and values like conative empathy to advance social justice and well-being.
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Tim Gorichanaz, Jonathan Furner, Lai Ma, David Bawden, Lyn Robinson, Dominic Dixon, Ken Herold, Sille Obelitz Søe, Betsy Van der Veer Martens and Luciano Floridi
The purpose of this paper is to review and discuss Luciano Floridi’s 2019 book The Logic of Information: A Theory of Philosophy as Conceptual Design, the latest instalment in his…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to review and discuss Luciano Floridi’s 2019 book The Logic of Information: A Theory of Philosophy as Conceptual Design, the latest instalment in his philosophy of information (PI) tetralogy, particularly with respect to its implications for library and information studies (LIS).
Design/methodology/approach
Nine scholars with research interests in philosophy and LIS read and responded to the book, raising critical and heuristic questions in the spirit of scholarly dialogue. Floridi responded to these questions.
Findings
Floridi’s PI, including this latest publication, is of interest to LIS scholars, and much insight can be gained by exploring this connection. It seems also that LIS has the potential to contribute to PI’s further development in some respects.
Research limitations/implications
Floridi’s PI work is technical philosophy for which many LIS scholars do not have the training or patience to engage with, yet doing so is rewarding. This suggests a role for translational work between philosophy and LIS.
Originality/value
The book symposium format, not yet seen in LIS, provides forum for sustained, multifaceted and generative dialogue around ideas.
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Dominic Pearson, Samuel Hayward and Shane Blampied
In intervening to prevent recidivism by adult firesetters, there is a dearth of standardised interventions and relatedly of controlled outcome evaluations. Although education is a…
Abstract
Purpose
In intervening to prevent recidivism by adult firesetters, there is a dearth of standardised interventions and relatedly of controlled outcome evaluations. Although education is a common firesetter intervention, it is unclear if this changes behaviour of adults; a research situation the current study aimed to address.
Design/methodology/approach
The rate of actual fire recidivism of participants of a standardised educational programme was compared using Cooke’s (1989) equation to expected rates based on the firesetting history of 93 referrals.
Findings
Results indicated a significant large effect for the difference between the frequencies of expected and actual firesetting re-offences.
Research limitations/implications
Limitations of the one-group pretest–posttest design are discussed with respect to potential confounds.
Practical implications
This paper adds to the literature on adult firesetter interventions and lends support to the use of fire education to prevent fire recidivism. It provides the first empirically validated example of a structured education programme for adult firesetters. Of interest to services piloting new intervention programmes, it reports an operationally efficient methodology for preliminary evaluation.
Originality/value
To the best of the authors’ knowledge, this is the first reported outcome study of a fire safety education programme for adults. The methodology adopted represents a means of preliminary evaluation in safety-critical areas where traditional evaluation designs are infeasible.
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Fredrik Nilsson, Magnus Fagerlund and Jonas Körner
The purpose of this paper is to provide insights into, and guidance on, how to balance packaging standardisation and adaptation strategies in different markets in the fast moving…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to provide insights into, and guidance on, how to balance packaging standardisation and adaptation strategies in different markets in the fast moving consumer electronic goods (FMCEG) industry.
Design/methodology/approach
The research was explorative in nature and was utilised in a case study format. The main data collection methods were a literature review, interviews, and field studies.
Findings
The paper presents two models developed to: classify markets according to product/packaging visibility at the retailers; and to evaluate packaging portfolios. The use of these models provides insights and understanding for companies aiming to develop their packaging portfolios to increase their sales and make distribution more effective.
Practical implications
The models developed were valuable in the analysis of the packaging strategy. Significantly, synergies emerged when the models were combined. Professionals can apply these models to other global companies in the FMCEG industry.
Originality/value
This paper contributes to the debate on global standardisation vs local adaptation by taking a packaging perspective. This paper also demonstrates the need for global companies in the FMCEG industry to understand the value of packaging in different markets.
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