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1 – 10 of over 2000Lee D. Parker and Samantha Warren
The purpose of this paper is to explore the intersection of professional values and career roles in accountants’ presentations of their professional identity, in the face of…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to explore the intersection of professional values and career roles in accountants’ presentations of their professional identity, in the face of enduring stereotyping of the accounting role.
Design/methodology/approach
This study presents a qualitative investigation of accountants’ construction of their professional identities and imagery using a Goffmanian dramaturgical perspective. Viewing professional identity construction as a presentational matter of impression management, the investigation employs a reflexive photo-interviewing methodology.
Findings
Accountants use a variety of workplace dramatisation, idealisation and mystification strategies inside and outside the workplace to counter the traditional accounting stereotype. They also attempt to develop a professional identity that is a subset of their overall life values.
Research limitations/implications
Their professional orientation is found to embrace role reconstruction and revised image mystification while not necessarily aiming for upward professional mobility. This has implications for understanding the career trajectories of contemporary accountants with associated implications for continuing professional development and education.
Originality/value
The paper focusses on professional role, identity, values and image at the individual accountant level, while most prior research has focussed upon these issues at the macro association-wide level. In offering the first use of reflexive photo-interviewing method in the accounting research literature, it brings the prospect of having elicited different and possibly more reflective observations, reflections and understandings from actors not otherwise possible from more conventional methods.
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The majority of advertising agencies and brand managers of advertised brands believe their brands have human personalities. There are four areas where brand personality is…
Abstract
The majority of advertising agencies and brand managers of advertised brands believe their brands have human personalities. There are four areas where brand personality is important. You can ask whether or not people would like a brand for a friend, and what constitutes an attractive personality will differ between product fields. Understanding of a brand's personality will aid advertising professionals. Brand personality profile should help ailing brands if they are in need of personality modification.
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Evelyn Greaves, G. Tidy and R.A.S. Christie
Considers whether hypnotherapy offers a motivating supplement tomainstream dietary management, given that insufficient perseveranceundermines the response of many obese patients…
Abstract
Considers whether hypnotherapy offers a motivating supplement to mainstream dietary management, given that insufficient perseverance undermines the response of many obese patients to conventional dieting. Investigates hypnotherapy as a supplement to conventional diet therapy in eight obese patients recruited from a general practice. After instituting dietary weight reduction, hypnotherapy (post‐hypnotic suggestion, ego‐enhancing instructions and mental imagery) was carried out on a two‐to‐three weekly basis for up to 20 sessions. All patients experienced significant weight loss, but follow‐up two years later indicated partial relapse in most patients. Concludes that, while combined dietetic and hypnotherapy management are of short‐term value, this may only be sustainable by a strategy of long‐term maintenance.
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This paper seeks to spotlight some of the theoretical problems in User Studies; to suggest a strategy for selecting a method of user investigation; to illustrate possible methods…
Abstract
This paper seeks to spotlight some of the theoretical problems in User Studies; to suggest a strategy for selecting a method of user investigation; to illustrate possible methods through the results of recent research and to consider the general question of the applicability of results.
In line with rapidly developing digitalized marketing technologies, extended service quality has been actively investigated in the exhibition industry. The importance of distinct…
Abstract
Purpose
In line with rapidly developing digitalized marketing technologies, extended service quality has been actively investigated in the exhibition industry. The importance of distinct perceived value linked to service quality has also been emphasized for increasing customer satisfaction. Further, customer loyalty facilitators, such as trust, commitment, and inertia, have been actively discussed in building long-term relationships between firms and their customers. Because establishing an iterative customer loyalty journey is the key to a marketing strategy, the purpose of this study was to clarify how the trinity of extended service quality, distinct perceived value, and customer loyalty facilitators works in that journey.
Design/methodology/approach
Partial least squares-based structural equation modeling (PLS-SEM) was used to examine the model fit, composite reliability, convergent validity, and discriminant validity of the constructs. PLS-SEM was also used to assess direct and indirect (i.e. mediating) effects.
Findings
First, the conceptual framework necessary for establishing an iterative customer loyalty journey has been empirically identified. Second, service technology is a key construct of extended service quality as exhibitions transform into digitalized communication platforms. Third, both distinct perceived value and satisfaction act as significant mediators between extended service quality and customer loyalty facilitators.
Originality/value
An effective framework for the iterative customer loyalty journey is theoretically designed and empirically confirmed by drawing a complex but comprehensive map of the trinity (i.e. extended service quality, distinct perceived value, and customer loyalty facilitators).
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A building maintenance scheme introduced by the Hong Kong Housing Authority in January 2006 employed contractors and public housing owner's frontline representatives to provide…
Abstract
Purpose
A building maintenance scheme introduced by the Hong Kong Housing Authority in January 2006 employed contractors and public housing owner's frontline representatives to provide inspection in the public rental housing tenants’ units and arrange corresponding repair works. This study aims to base on the public rental housing (PRH) tenants’ perceptions to measure maintenance contractor service quality performance.
Design/methodology/approach
Questionnaire is used as the assessment tool which is derived based on the SERVQUAL approach to measure public rental housing tenants’ expectations and perceptions on maintenance contractor performance.
Findings
The findings illustrate that dimensions of “tangible” and “reliability” have the largest discrepancy between expectation level and perception level. They are mainly related to the concern of disturbance to PRH tenants brought by maintenance contractors in respect of manpower arrangement. These findings support that there is a need for maintenance contractors to impose more manpower resources to minimize the adverse impacts to PRH tenants.
Research limitations/implications
The service quality performance survey could provide a reference for conducting the survey continuously which could help develop a systematic benchmark in matching service delivery and expectation for future improvement. The SERVQUAL gap analysis would help identify any gaps between expectations and perceptions among various concerned parties, i.e. services providers (contractors) and direct customers (owner's frontline representatives).
Practical implications
The service quality gap findings could provide a reference for the frontline representatives to organize and improve services of the building maintenance scheme to be implemented in other public rental housing units.
Social implications
The paper promotes the awareness of the building maintenance contractors of the service quality to the public rental housing tenants.
Originality/value
The value of this study could serve as a framework for further study in conducting service quality performance survey in other public housings and extend the performance measurement approach to other similar tasks in construction project areas.
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Sarah Buelow, Helen Lewis and Kees Sonneveld
The purpose of this paper is to examine the extent to which consumers in Melbourne understand recycling information on packaging labels and their resulting recycling behaviour.
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to examine the extent to which consumers in Melbourne understand recycling information on packaging labels and their resulting recycling behaviour.
Design/methodology/approach
Mixed research methods were used in the study (qualitative and quantitative approaches) in the form of randomly distributed surveys and structured face‐to‐face interviews. Both methods were administered with consumers from three demographically different areas in the metropolitan Melbourne (Australia) region. The software program SPSS was used to analyze some of the results.
Findings
The research shows that despite good intentions, consumers' understanding of packaging materials and labelling for common products, and therefore resulting sorting behaviour, is often very poor. The confusion surrounding current labelling and recycling schemes can be attributed to incorrect labelling and system complexity combined with a lack of consumer understanding and care.
Practical implications
Correct sorting of recyclable and non‐recyclable packaging means materials finish in the correct waste stream and recyclable materials have the opportunity to be reprocessed and eventually reused, saving raw materials as well as reducing other environmental impacts. If consumers do not correctly sort materials, recyclable packaging will go to landfill and non‐recyclable materials will contaminate the recycling stream.
Social implications
The results of the research, when completed, could be used to design more effective labelling schemes for packaging to inform consumers about its recyclability. The social benefits potentially include increased diversion of recyclable materials from the waste stream and reduced costs of both recycling and waste disposal.
Originality/value
There has been very little research undertaken on the role and adequacy of labelling in driving consumer‐recycling behaviour, and therefore this paper fills that gap. The results in the paper may be used to further enhance environmental package labelling through policy development or commercial applications.
This monograph eschews the view that packaging is an exclusively marketing tool, or for that matter the concern of the distribution function alone. The author insists that a total…
Abstract
This monograph eschews the view that packaging is an exclusively marketing tool, or for that matter the concern of the distribution function alone. The author insists that a total systems view should be taken of the multiple purposes which the pack must meet. This poses very real problems for at least three levels—the conceptual acceptance of the proposition, its interpretation into operational terms, and implementation/control of the packaging activity. This discussion is intended for all directors of companies with a substantial recurrent expenditure in packaging as well as for members of the distribution function itself. Accordingly, it takes a managerial rather than a technical view of packaging. It stresses the critical importance of the state of goods on arrival with the customer; the aesthetics and sales power of packaging; the informative role of the pack; issues of unitisation; handling problems at all stages in the channel; and the ecological/environmental aspects in contemporary society. At each juncture, sensible plans of action are proposed.
Audrey Gordon and Stephen Wong
Within controlled environments such as prisons or forensic facilities, strong sanctions and other factors can inhibit the expression of offence-linked behaviours otherwise…
Abstract
Purpose
Within controlled environments such as prisons or forensic facilities, strong sanctions and other factors can inhibit the expression of offence-linked behaviours otherwise observable in community settings. For example, institutional restrictions may distort the offender’s habitual expression of aggressive behaviours such that the individual’s aggressive characteristics are less intense or observable. Thus, the influences of controlled settings can make it difficult for staff to capture idiosyncratic evidence of change or lack thereof over time or with treatment. The purpose of this paper is to describe an assessment and measurement framework that can be used to assist treatment and correctional staff collectively focus attention on relevant characteristics and behaviours idiosyncratically linked to offending.
Design/methodology/approach
The authors use the terms “offence analogue behaviours (OAB)” to describe proxies of offence behaviours observable in controlled settings and “offence replacement behaviours (ORB)” as the contrasting positive, pro-social skills and strategies that the individual implements to change and manage problem areas linked to aggression and criminality. This paper discusses the application and practical utility of the framework and an associated assessment and measurement tool; the Offence Analogue and Offence Replacement Behaviour Guide (Gordon and Wong, 2009-2013).
Findings
The OAB and ORB Guide has shown to be useful by directing the attention of treatment personnel to the here-and-now offence related behaviours displayed by offenders in custodial settings. In the absence of such focused attention, relevant proxy behaviours can often be masked in these highly controlled environments. The Guide is therefore a useful adjunct to identify such behaviours for treatment and for assessing treatment-related changes.
Research limitations/implications
The OAB/ORB Guide was developed based on a conceptual framework derived from the empirical literature on correctional treatment, risk assessment, psychological theories and clinical practice. While there has been some positive pilot use of the Guide’s utility and preliminary research, at this point, empirical evidence is still lacking.
Practical implications
The OAB/ORB Guide provides quantified and structured guidelines to assess offence proxy and offence replacement behaviours observable day-to-day within controlled environments, such as during custody or supervised release to the community.
Originality/value
This guide was developed to assist staff with the identification, documentation and measurement of idiosyncratic negative and positive offence-related proxy behaviours observable across custodial or supervised contexts. Accordingly, the authors suggest that OAB/ORB guide information can be used to evaluate changes in risk over treatment and/or time. Further, the authors describe how this framework may enhance the efficacy of multi-disciplinary treatment and management teams. Two cases are used to illustrate the application of the Guide.
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Belbin′s Self‐Perception Inventory (SPI) has become a standardtrainers′ tool. Interplace II has developed the original concepts,ironed out the weaknesses of the SPI and made…
Abstract
Belbin′s Self‐Perception Inventory (SPI) has become a standard trainers′ tool. Interplace II has developed the original concepts, ironed out the weaknesses of the SPI and made progress in the field of team building. Examples are given of the specific assistance that can be obtained from the program, together with useful pointers for new users.
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