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Article
Publication date: 9 April 2018

Irene Daskalopoulou

The purpose of this paper is to investigate how different types of social capital contribute to the satisfaction with democracy (SWD) in Greece. Understanding the relationship…

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to investigate how different types of social capital contribute to the satisfaction with democracy (SWD) in Greece. Understanding the relationship between different variants of social capital and SWD allows one to situate the Greek democracy in the continuum of democracy types, from primary to modern.

Design/methodology/approach

The study uses microdata extracted from the European Values Surveys of 2002-2010 and multivariate regression analysis.

Findings

The results are compatible with a conception of the Greek political organization as a civil virtue democracy. A change in the nature of the relationship is observed after the recent economic crisis in the country.

Research limitations/implications

The study contributes to the empirical knowledge regarding the relationship between different variants of social capital and SWD.

Originality/value

Using a typology approach, the micro-relationship between democracy and social capital is analyzed as embedded in a continuum of different democracy types. In addition, this is the first study that uses microdata to analyze the effect of social capital upon SWD in Greece. The results of the study provide valuable understanding of the social and institutional arrangements that might sustain Greece’s efforts to meet its overall developmental challenges.

Details

International Journal of Social Economics, vol. 45 no. 4
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0306-8293

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 1 November 2006

Irene Daskalopoulou and Anastasia Petrou

To analyze the role of price fairness perceptions as a construct underlying individuals' transactions.

2986

Abstract

Purpose

To analyze the role of price fairness perceptions as a construct underlying individuals' transactions.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper formulates and empirically tests the hypothesis that price fairness perceptions endogenously determine consumers' expenditures decisions. Economic transactions are viewed as an allocation choice problem with fairness perceptions being an endogenous variable determining problem outcome. A treatment effects model is utilized, allowing for the analysis of the effects that price fairness perceptions exercise upon both the consumers' decision to realize a transaction as well as upon their consequent level of spending.

Findings

Consumers do patronize stores and one important variable determining their level of spending is their perceptions of fairness underlying the transaction with a specific provider.

Research limitations/implications

The small usable questionnaire sample may be considered as a limitation. However, the very satisfactory fit of the estimated model allows for the results to be a comparison basis with future findings.

Practical implications

Analysis of price fairness perceptions provides new insights regarding consumer behavior, enhancing the analytical validity of typical household demand models.

Originality/value

Analysis allows for price fairness perceptions to enter a consumer's expenditures equation usually expressed in terms of socio‐economic indicators.

Details

International Journal of Social Economics, vol. 33 no. 11
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0306-8293

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 10 August 2010

Irene Daskalopoulou and Anastasia Petrou

The paper aims to analyse entrepreneurs' expectations regarding future growth by analysing the relationship between information flows from networks and the perceived risk of…

1087

Abstract

Purpose

The paper aims to analyse entrepreneurs' expectations regarding future growth by analysing the relationship between information flows from networks and the perceived risk of decisions associated with the future size of a firm.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper's main proposition is that growth expectations might be the outcome of superior judgment stemming from the privileged information derived from networks. To provide evidence in support of this hypothesis, a sample selection model was estimated using a two‐step estimation procedure. Cross‐section questionnaire data were used in the empirical analysis.

Findings

Analysis indicates that networks are indeed information mechanisms; however, such information should be specific to problem‐solving firm processes. Better‐informed entrepreneurs are those that foresee higher growth in the future; yet, they are not blocked in only local networking.

Research limitations/implications

The small sample size might be viewed as a limitation; yet, the very satisfactory fit of the estimated model allows empirical findings to be a useful comparison with future evidence in the field.

Practical implications

Evidence is provided on the role of inter‐firm contacts and relationships as a mechanism able to assist entrepreneurs in better assessing and even reduce the risk and uncertainty associated with their present and future decisions regarding firm growth.

Originality/value

The paper provides evidence on the factors affecting expected growth rates, while it explicitly formulates and tests the hypothesis that expectations regarding growth might be the outcome of superior judgment stemming from the privileged information derived from networks.

Details

Journal of Small Business and Enterprise Development, vol. 17 no. 3
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1462-6004

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 18 January 2013

Anastasia Petrou and Irene Daskalopoulou

The aim of this paper is to analyze the role of social capital on innovation through the analysis of the selective nature of network alliances in the tourism sector which is…

2486

Abstract

Purpose

The aim of this paper is to analyze the role of social capital on innovation through the analysis of the selective nature of network alliances in the tourism sector which is subject to a complex competition – cooperation context.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper approximates social capital via active and purposeful engagement in network alliances and estimates several probit models in order to test for the effect of social capital on innovation activity using cross‐section tourism data for Greece.

Findings

Overall results indicate that a firm's knowledge base is conducive to innovation activity. Nevertheless, the explanatory power of knowledge base variables weakens once the underlying social capital generation mechanisms are taken into consideration. The selective nature of network links is also evidenced.

Research limitations/implications

The use of cross‐section data might be viewed as a limitation. Nevertheless, the robust methodological approach and the very satisfactory fit of the estimated econometric model allow for the findings to be a contribution in the field and a reliable comparison basis for future evidence.

Practical implications

The study provides us with useful insights as regards the selective nature of network alliances and their effect upon the innovative activity of tourism firms. Also, the importance of such findings to managerial decision‐making processes is evident as firms are themselves responsible for participating in successful, high impact, network alliances.

Originality/value

Innovation in tourism is a critical aspect of the sector's growth potential. Yet, research in tourism innovation and the factors that are conducive to innovation is rather limited. In that sense the paper makes a contribution to the existing body of knowledge.

Details

European Journal of Innovation Management, vol. 16 no. 1
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1460-1060

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 1 February 2005

Irene Daskalopoulou and Anastasia Petrou

To contribute to the largely unexplored issue of directly assessing the effect of service quality factors on store performance.

2989

Abstract

Purpose

To contribute to the largely unexplored issue of directly assessing the effect of service quality factors on store performance.

Design/methodology/approach

Service quality is decomposed into tangible elements, such as store size and personnel. A binary probit model is utilized in order to analyze the effect of various service quality factors on the probability that a store performs above average compared with its competitors.

Findings

Results indicate that the store size, product variety, location and belonging to chain, variables exert the largest positive effect upon the probability that a store experiences above‐average performance.

Research limitations/implications

The present study suffers the limitation of a rather small usable questionnaires sample, albeit that the very satisfactory fit of the estimated econometric model allows for the findings to be a reliable comparison basis with future findings.

Practical implications

The approach proposed here can be widely used for empirical investigation in order to provide findings that may be compared across services sectors, trading places/countries and time. On the other hand, the importance of such findings to managerial decision‐making processes is evident.

Originality/value

The paper introduces a framework for empirically investigating the direct effect of service quality elements on store performance.

Details

Managing Service Quality: An International Journal, vol. 15 no. 1
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0960-4529

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 4 May 2020

Sumardi Sumardi and Adji Achmad Rinaldo Fernandes

The effect of the quality management system on service performance. The mediating effect of service quality on the influence of the quality management system on service…

1340

Abstract

Purpose

The effect of the quality management system on service performance. The mediating effect of service quality on the influence of the quality management system on service performance. The mediating effect of product characteristics on the influence of the quality management system on service performance.

Design/methodology/approach

The analysis unit of this research were the service organizations/fields presented by each of the experts working in the consulting companies/business entities of construction planners that have Grade 4 qualification and have been the members of Inkindo registered since 2016 and located in the territory of Indonesia. The sample target were the organizations/fields of the consulting companies represented by the permanent experts or skilled manpower working accordingly with the field of construction planning services. This becomes important, considering that the position of experts is crucial to the success and quality of the management of construction planner consulting services. Determination of the use of the sample was based on the rule of thumb in SEM, which amounted to 10 × 20 indicators or 200 respondents.

Findings

There is significant influence between the variables of the quality management system to service quality and company performance, but there is no significant effect on product characteristics. The analysis also showed that mediating effects to service quality or characteristics of the product were not found on the influence of the quality management system to company performance.

Originality/value

The quality management system focuses on earning users’ satisfaction by applying basic principles to the management of good companies. The scope of a broad management system not only revolves around the quality of products making the quality management system very well applied in various types of companies or organizations, but it can also be applied to organizing-related services to customers.

Details

Property Management, vol. 38 no. 3
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0263-7472

Keywords

Content available
Article
Publication date: 10 August 2010

Harry Matlay

364

Abstract

Details

Journal of Small Business and Enterprise Development, vol. 17 no. 3
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1462-6004

Article
Publication date: 1 November 2021

Cristina Mele, Marialuisa Marzullo, Irene Di Bernardo, Tiziana Russo-Spena, Roberta Massi, Alessandra La Salandra and Stefania Cialabrini

Some population groups face precarious health, reflecting their vulnerability, in terms of lack of agency or control. Smart technologies promise to transform people's lives from…

Abstract

Purpose

Some population groups face precarious health, reflecting their vulnerability, in terms of lack of agency or control. Smart technologies promise to transform people's lives from the enhanced connectedness, greater computational processing and more complex decision-making they can achieve. This study aims to investigate how smart technology can mitigate vulnerability and improve well-being.

Design/methodology/approach

The research group, of three scholars and three managers, pursued an action research methodology with an iterative process of planning, action and learning. The authors conducted three related action studies: (1) adopting smart technologies, (2) fostering patient engagement and (3) assessing well-being.

Findings

The adoption of sensors and wearable devices had positive impacts for both patients and caregivers. Technologies highlighted their meaning as resources to support actors' (caregivers' and vulnerable patients') activities. Smart devices as resources get integrated, stimulate change and enable new practices. For caregivers, such innovative solutions help improve their knowledge of patients and their ability to act efficiently; for vulnerable patients, they fostered engagement in daily activities to improve well-being.

Originality/value

The paper delineates an overall model (SEVP) that describes how the integration of high-tech and high touch enables patient engagement to mitigate vulnerability and improve well-being.

Details

Journal of Service Theory and Practice, vol. 32 no. 1
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 2055-6225

Keywords

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