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Paul T. Adalian, Irene M. Hoffman, Ilene F. Rockman and Judy Swanson
As libraries are renovated, retrofitted, or re‐engineered to accom‐ modate robust infrastructures with scaleable Ethernet connectivity, reference personnel must actively help in…
Abstract
As libraries are renovated, retrofitted, or re‐engineered to accom‐ modate robust infrastructures with scaleable Ethernet connectivity, reference personnel must actively help in the design of teaching and learning facilities supportive of technologies that add value and context to the educational experience. In this article, the authors describe the conceptualization, funding mechanisms, and creation of a Student‐centered Electronic Teaching classroom (SET) in a medium‐sized academic library. The SET is viewed as a combination of several elements: electronic classroom, information concourse, and multimedia laboratory. It is designed to foster collaborative learning among students and faculty, while teaching library users specific techniques to increase their information competency abilities.
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Courtney Nations Azzari, Natalie A. Mitchell and Charlene A. Dadzie
The purpose of this paper is to explore the role of service flexibility in addressing consumer vulnerability for chronically-traumatized consumers within the funerary context.
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to explore the role of service flexibility in addressing consumer vulnerability for chronically-traumatized consumers within the funerary context.
Design/methodology/approach
Using phenomenological philosophy and a grounded approach, data was collected and analyzed through 12 depth interviews with funeral service providers, coupled with observations and photographs of three second-line funeral processionals.
Findings
Study results include the following three primary roles of service providers in supporting chronically-traumatized consumers: the role of service fluidity in addressing trauma, mitigating vulnerability via service providers as community members and alleviating suffering through compassionate service. Service flexibility and value co-creation efforts were executed through an expansive service ecosystem of vendors.
Practical implications
When consumers experience vulnerability that demands reliance upon service industries, service providers can intentionally implement fluidity and agility in service design, adopt understanding and altruistic practices, and operate with empathy and compassion to orchestrate mutually-beneficial service outcomes.
Social implications
Rooted in transformative service research, providers are advised to consider modifying services to improve well-being and mitigate vulnerability for chronically-traumatized consumers via fluidity, community and compassion.
Originality/value
This study contributes originality to the body of service marketing literature by illustrating how service providers alleviate vulnerability for chronically-traumatized consumers through three adaptive service strategies.
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Irene M. Gordon and Jamal A. Nazari
This paper aims to examine the impact of the Sarbanes–Oxley Act of 2002 (SOX) on the academic business ethics literature with the intent of making this research more accessible to…
Abstract
Purpose
This paper aims to examine the impact of the Sarbanes–Oxley Act of 2002 (SOX) on the academic business ethics literature with the intent of making this research more accessible to those researchers and practitioners working in business ethics and other related fields. Specifically, the authors outline the types and scope of SOX-related research, examine the extent of reliance on SOX, identify which theoretical frameworks and research approaches are used and point out under-researched areas.
Design/methodology/approach
Using a descriptive approach, the authors examine the theoretical perspectives, classifying these perspectives into four groupings (economics, ethics/moral, psychological and sociological). Using counts, categorization and content analyses, the authors provide an overview of 115 articles with further analysis provided for articles relying heavily (n = 14) or moderately (n = 42) on SOX.
Findings
Whistleblowing and codes of ethics are well-researched topics. However, employment of some theories (e.g. signaling theory and stakeholder theory) and qualitative approaches are used less often. Other under-researched issues in the sample include CEO/CFO certifications, cost of compliance, auditor disclosures and empirical investigation of SOX and auditor independence (or corporate culture).
Research limitations/implications
The authors’ decision to use certain databases, search terms and research methods, and to focus on business ethics journals and English language articles are possible limitations.
Originality/value
The authors’ contributions comprise an examination of the scope of SOX topics and detailing how reliant the research is on SOX. The authors identify trends in this literature and provide evidence of the broad theoretical frameworks to better understand the breadth and depth of theories used.
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Fakhri Baghirov, Ye Zhang and Noor Hazarina Hashim
This study aims to investigate the adoption and performance of Facebook fan pages (FFPs) among global airline companies in developed, least developed and developing countries.
Abstract
Purpose
This study aims to investigate the adoption and performance of Facebook fan pages (FFPs) among global airline companies in developed, least developed and developing countries.
Design/methodology/approach
Diffusion of innovations theory has been applied as the underlying theory in this study. By using content analysis, data were collected from the official FFPs of global airlines.
Findings
Results show no significant difference in FFP adoption among global airline companies in developed, least developed and developing countries. However, there is a significant difference in performance and timing of adoption of FFP between the countries. Airlines from developed countries adopted FFP three years earlier than developing countries and performed better than airlines from developing and least developed countries.
Research limitations/implications
Because FFP is studied with limited variables, future studies can expand to other social networking sites and explore more variables to get reliable results.
Practical implications
Academically, this study adds to internet and technology implementation literature. Finding of poor performance on FFP implementation among airlines in developing and least developed countries could draw attention to increased engagement with fans and improve FFP performance in the future. To successfully use Facebook, airline companies should establish a two-way communication and respond to their fans.
Originality/value
This paper fulfils an identified need to study the difference in using FFPs among global airline companies in developed, least developed and developing countries.
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I. Hoffman and J.S. Koga
Provides a bibliography of CD‐ROM for librarians, covering casestudies, costs, product evaluation guidelines, databases, CDI,downloading/copyright and CD vs. online, for use when…
Abstract
Provides a bibliography of CD‐ROM for librarians, covering case studies, costs, product evaluation guidelines, databases, CDI, downloading/copyright and CD vs. online, for use when making decisions about the adoption of CD‐ROM.
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Francisco J. Martínez-López, Irene Esteban-Millat, Ana Argila and Francisco Rejón-Guardia
Psychological perspective has been omitted or considered a secondary issue by past studies focused on e-commerce recommendation systems (RS). However, this perspective is key to…
Abstract
Purpose
Psychological perspective has been omitted or considered a secondary issue by past studies focused on e-commerce recommendation systems (RS). However, this perspective is key to gaining a better understanding of consumer behaviours when these systems are used to support purchasing processes at online stores. The paper aims to discuss these issues.
Design/methodology/approach
The field study consisted of a simulated online shopping process undertaken by a sample of internet users with a recommender system at a real online store (Pixmania). The authors applied rigorous and detailed exploratory and confirmatory factor analyses to assess the empirical validity of the model.
Findings
The proposed sequence of psychological outcomes is valid, with the exception of one hypothesized relationship. In particular, satisfaction with an online store’s recommender has a strong influence on a consumer’s willingness to purchase one of the items related to his/her shopping goal. However, this satisfaction has no direct effect on a consumer’s intention to make add-on purchases based on the recommender’s suggestions. On the contrary, the results support the idea that add-on purchases are conditioned by a previous purchase related to the consumer’s initial shopping goal. On the other hand, a consumer’s flow state while shopping improves all his/her psychological outcomes linked to an online store’s recommender. The influence of flow state is particularly interesting when seeking to gain a better understanding of consumers’ unplanned purchases based on the recommender’s suggestions. These findings have important implications for practitioners.
Originality/value
This paper discusses in detail and empirically test a set of psychological outcomes that emerge when an e-vendor’s recommender is used to assist a consumer’s shopping process. To the best of the knowledge, this is the first attempt that empirically tests most of the hypothesized relationships within an online store’s RS context.
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Irene Gil Saura, Gloria Berenguer Contrí, Amparo Cervera Taulet and Beatriz Moliner Velázquez
The present study attempts to contribute to the knowledge of how customer orientation (CO), service orientation (SO) and job satisfaction (JS) are defined and relate to each…
Abstract
Purpose
The present study attempts to contribute to the knowledge of how customer orientation (CO), service orientation (SO) and job satisfaction (JS) are defined and relate to each other. It explores the relationships between CO and JS by analysing a company providing intermediation services to the banking sector, in its external finance division.
Design/methodology/approach
After the literature review, the method of empirical analysis consisting in quantitative intervention with an ad hoc survey using a structured questionnaire was developed. Regression analysis with mediation is used to contrast the hypotheses on the links between the constructs analysed.
Findings
Both reliability and factorial analysis of the scales used provided satisfactory results. CO was found to produce mediated effects, through SO, on overall JS. The mediator role was identified as human resources management practice, service systems practice and service leadership practice. In addition, in all cases, a direct, positive association was found between SO practices and CO.
Research limitations/implications
First, the use of just one company invites a repeat study in other companies in the sector and in other service contexts. Second, cross‐cultural approaches to the constructs analysed would be interesting. Third, it may be relevant to use longitudinal approaches for a better understanding of the dynamic behaviour of the variables analysed. Fourth, attaining all of data from employees invites to future measures of the constructs taken from different sources. Future research needs to be done on the service profit chain theory to incorporate both customer and financial performance variables.
Practical implications
The results should lead managers to consider the importance of emphasizing those organizational cues that help build a SO climate in their organizations.
Originality/value
This paper further acknowledges the links between the constructs being studied, on the basis of employees' perceptions. It was found that CO produces mediated effects, through SO, on overall JS.
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The following is an annotated list of materials dealing with orientation to library facilities and services, instruction in the use of information resources, and research and…
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The following is an annotated list of materials dealing with orientation to library facilities and services, instruction in the use of information resources, and research and computer skills related to retrieving and using information. The thirteenth annual such review in Reference Services Review, the article covers items in English published in 1986. A few items are without annotations because the compiler was unable to secure copies of them for this review.
In the past decade, increasing enrollment of international students at universities and colleges in North America has prompted the exploration and documentation of the issues…
Abstract
In the past decade, increasing enrollment of international students at universities and colleges in North America has prompted the exploration and documentation of the issues related to library use by this group. The characteristics and difficulties faced by these students have been studied by Liu and Allen.