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1 – 10 of 87Spyros E. Polykalas, George N. Prezerakos and Nikos Th. Nikolinakos
The paper aims to explore the “build or lease” dilemma that a new operator faces when it plans to enter a liberalized telecom market. The “build” decision requires the operator to…
Abstract
Purpose
The paper aims to explore the “build or lease” dilemma that a new operator faces when it plans to enter a liberalized telecom market. The “build” decision requires the operator to invest in new network infrastructure. The “lease” part involves obtaining access to the subscriber by leasing the access part of the network via local loop unbundling (LLU) and/or by implementing wholesale broadband access (WBA) (also known as bitstream access). Which are the factors that an operator should take into account when it designs a broadband strategy based on LLU and/or WBA? Are there regulatory measures that can affect the outcome of such a strategy? The paper aims to provide specific answers to both questions.
Design/methodology/approach
Initially the paper establishes the case that LLU as well as WBA can indeed be considered as a useful instrument during the initial stages of broadband development. Consequently, the paper explores the “build or lease” dilemma by using a cost model created from actual market data that, first, identifies the most crucial parameters for the provision of broadband services via LLU, and, second, analyzes the relation between the operators' cost for full/shared LLU and the relevant cost for WBA deployment. The model is used in several scenarios that examine physical vs distant collocation, number of customers, bandwidth, backhaul links and full/shared unbundling access versus WBA, among other factors.
Findings
The cost model shows that there are several factors that should be examined when new entrants design their broadband deployment strategy. In such a case, as an operator establishes market presence, LLU becomes progressively more and more attractive. The paper also discusses how this process can be further accelerated if governments, regulators and operators adopt several additional guidelines with respect to broadband deployment based on LLU and WBA.
Practical implications
The results of the paper guide an operator in the design of a successful broadband strategy based on LLU and WBA.
Originality/value
As far as the authors know, such a cost model is not publicly available in the form of a research paper or otherwise.
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Contingency and institutional theories of organizational development are used to describe and interpret the 100‐year history of a health science university and to then make a case…
Abstract
Purpose
Contingency and institutional theories of organizational development are used to describe and interpret the 100‐year history of a health science university and to then make a case for teaching organizational sociology in administrative preparation programs.
Design/methodology/approach
Primary and secondary documents were analyzed to delineate the university's history.
Findings
Results indicated that organizational development was the result of complex institutional commitments that were challenged by and reinterpreted in the face of controversial and unanticipated contingencies. Both contingency and institutional theories help explain organizational processes. Organizational sense‐making theories from Karl Weick explain conflicting findings related to the tensions between old and new, the known and unknown, and the set and novel environmental and organizational processes.
Research limitations/implications
This research shows the usefulness of organizational theory in helping administrators develop more elaborate ways of thinking about their schools. The process of theory crafting and testing encourages essential openness and curiosity in administrators.
Practical implications
Administrative candidates should be introduced to the content and processes of organizational sociology as a way of thinking about their leadership and organizational processes.
Originality/value
Organizational theory, including organizational sociology, contingency theory, institutional theory, and sense‐making remain viable in the study of educational organizations and can provide new administrators with a guide for their own meaning construction.
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Sangwon Lee and Justin S. Brown
The purpose of this paper is to explore influential factors of global broadband adoption by examining adoption factors – such as platform competition, information and…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to explore influential factors of global broadband adoption by examining adoption factors – such as platform competition, information and communication technology (ICT) use, content, broadband speed, income, population density, education, price, and local loop unbundling (LLU).
Design/methodology/approach
The paper examines influential factors of global broadband adoption; it also employs regression analysis and one‐way ANOVA (Analysis of Variance). A total of 110 observations were employed for multiple regression analysis and 159 observations were used for one‐way ANOVA.
Findings
The findings in the paper show that platform competition, LLU, broadband speed, information and communication technology use, and content contribute to global broadband adoption. The impacts of platform competition are strong when market share of dominant technology and non‐dominant technology is similar.
Originality/value
The main findings of this paper suggest policy and strategy implications to policy‐makers and broadband service providers. This is unsponsored research that adds to the growing scholarship addressing broadband deployment factors on a comparative, international level.
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The purpose of this paper is to assess the costs and benefits of local loop unbundling with an eye toward determining whether developing countries should pursue this strategy…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to assess the costs and benefits of local loop unbundling with an eye toward determining whether developing countries should pursue this strategy despite the significant controversy it has generated in the USA.
Design/methodology/approach
The paper examines arguments for and against local loop unbundling and determines which claims make economic, legal and practical sense and which claims support stakeholders' other public policy objectives.
Findings
The paper identifies legitimate reasons for favoring and opposing local loop unbundling. However, the paper also finds false justifications, unsupported by economic and legal principles, that serve incumbents' quest for further deregulation and securing greater incentives for investment in next generation infrastructure, and market entrants' interest in exploiting margins without having to invest in infrastructure. The paper provides recommendations on how developing countries can implement local loop unbundling that balances public benefits against specific downside risks and costs borne by incumbents or market entrants.
Practical implications
This paper supports conditional implementation of local loop unbundling by developing countries that concludes at a future date and incorporates desirable incumbent deregulation and liberalization.
Originality/value
The author has received no financial sponsorship from one or more of the stakeholders to prepare this paper. This paper offers an unbiased assessment of the benefits and burdens imposed by local loop unbundling.
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Lily Lee, Susanne Montgomery, Thelma Gamboa-Maldonado, Anna Nelson and Juan Carlos Belliard
The purpose of this paper is to assess perceptions of organizational readiness to integrate clinic-based community health workers (cCHWs) between traditional CHWs and potential…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to assess perceptions of organizational readiness to integrate clinic-based community health workers (cCHWs) between traditional CHWs and potential cCHW employers and their staff in order to inform training and implementation models.
Design/methodology/approach
A cross-sectional mixed-methods approach evaluated readiness to change perceptions of traditional CHWs and potential employers and their staff. Quantitative methods included a printed survey for CHWs and online surveys in Qualtrics for employers/staff. Data were analyzed using SPSS software. Qualitative data were collected via focus groups and key informant interviews. Data were analyzed with NVIVO 11 Plus software.
Findings
CHWs and employers and staff were statistically different in their perceptions on appropriateness, management support and change efficacy (p<0.0001, 0.0134 and 0.0020, respectively). Yet, their differences lay within the general range of agreement for cCHW integration (4=somewhat agree to 6=strongly agree). Three themes emerged from the interviews which provided greater insight into their differences and commonalities: perspectives on patient-centered care, organizational systems and scope of practice, and training, experiences and expectations.
Originality/value
Community health workers serve to fill the gaps in the social and health care systems. They are an innovation as an emerging workforce in health care settings. Health care organizations need to learn how to integrate paraprofessionals such as cCHWs. Understanding readiness to adopt the integration of cCHWs into clinical settings will help prepare systems through trainings and adapting organizational processes that help build capacity for successful and sustainable integration.
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Hildemar Dos Santos, Diane Han, Mayabel Perez, Summer Johnson and Razaz Shaheen
To gain a better and more comprehensive understanding, this study aims to investigate the literature to explore the two popular diets’ health benefits and concerns. Google Scholar…
Abstract
Purpose
To gain a better and more comprehensive understanding, this study aims to investigate the literature to explore the two popular diets’ health benefits and concerns. Google Scholar and PubMed were used to search for available and relevant nutrition and health articles that pertain to the benefits and concerns of plantogenic and ketogenic diets. Search terms like low carbohydrate, diet, ketogenic, vegetarian and chronic diseases were used. Information was obtained from review articles and original research articles and checked for accuracy. Ketogenic diets have been used for a long time for convulsion in children and now reappeared for weight loss purposes.
Design/methodology/approach
Ketogenic and plantogenic (plant-based) diets have been adopted today by many professionals and the public.
Findings
Ketogenic diets have been used for a long time for convulsion in children and now reappeared for weight loss purposes. Plantogenic diets also have been practiced for many years for religious, health and environmental reasons. Compared to plantogenic diets, ketogenic diets lack long-term evidence of its potential benefits and harm.
Research limitations/implications
Maybe Lacto-ovo vegetarian and pesco-vegetarian (eat fish but not meats) diets are OK. However, for strict plantogenic diets (total plantogenic/vegan diet), the risk of mineral or vitamin deficiency is present (Melina et al., 2016). Of particular concern is dietary vitamin B12, which is obtained mostly from animal sources (Melina et al., 2016). A long-term deficiency of vitamin B12 can lead to macrocytic anemia and cause neuro and psychological effects (Obeid et al., 2019). Also, omega-3 fatty acids may be deficient in such a diet and probably need to be supplemented on those who follow the total plantogenic diet (Melina et al., 2016). Other deficiencies of concern would be zinc, iron, calcium, vitamin D and iodine (Melina et al., 2016). Another disadvantage is that many junk foods could be easily classified within the plantogenic diet, such as sugar, cakes, French fries, white bread and rice, sugar-sweetened beverages and sweets in general. These items are related to higher weight gain and, consequently, to a higher incidence of diabetes and other chronic diseases (Schulze et al., 2004; Malik et al., 2006; Fung et al., 2009).
Originality/value
Plantogenic diets were concluded to have sustainable health benefits for humans and the environment over ketogenic diets, which could be used but under professional follow-up only.
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Francesco Bravo, Kim P. Huynh and David T. Jacho-Chávez
This chapter proposes a simple procedure to estimate average derivatives in nonparametric regression models with incomplete responses. The method consists of replacing the…
Abstract
This chapter proposes a simple procedure to estimate average derivatives in nonparametric regression models with incomplete responses. The method consists of replacing the responses with an appropriately weighted version and then use local polynomial estimation for the average derivatives. The resulting estimator is shown to be asymptotically normal, and an estimator of its asymptotic variance–covariance matrix is also shown to be consistent. Monte Carlo experiments show that the proposed estimator has desirable finite sample properties.
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Patrick Xavier and Dimitri Ypsilanti
The aim of this paper is to make policy makers and regulators more fully aware of the practical problems and costs involved in implementing geographically segmented regulation…
Abstract
Purpose
The aim of this paper is to make policy makers and regulators more fully aware of the practical problems and costs involved in implementing geographically segmented regulation. This awareness will be valuable in deciding whether to adopt the approach and, if so, in designing its implementation, i.e. how the scheme's problems will be addressed and costs minimized.
Design/methodology/approach
Increasingly, incumbent operators and some regulators have argued that regulatory forbearance should be adopted in geographic areas (usually the more densely populated cities) where facility‐based competition is developing. Certainly geographically segmented regulation accords with widespread agreement that regulation should be the minimum necessary. Indeed, a number of countries have implemented the scheme, including Australia, Austria, Canada, Finland, Portugal, Spain, the UK and USA. This paper examines the experience these countries have had in applying geographically segmented regulation.
Findings
The lessons from experience in applying geographically segmented regulation suggest that the processes used to determine specific relevant markets are, at present, contentious and problematic in principle, and complex and subjective in practice. The problems/costs relating to the implementation of geographic regulation could erode the stability, certainty and predictability so important in a regulatory regime. Moreover, outcomes are uncertain, especially when looking ahead into an NGN environment.
Originality/value
This is the first paper that examines the actual experience of countries that have implemented geographically segmented regulation.
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Nejc M. Jakopin and Andreas Klein
Diffusion levels of broadband internet access vary across triad countries and emerging markets alike. Major industrialised nations face criticism for allegedly “lagging behind” in…
Abstract
Purpose
Diffusion levels of broadband internet access vary across triad countries and emerging markets alike. Major industrialised nations face criticism for allegedly “lagging behind” in broadband development. This study aims to highlight drivers of broadband take‐up that help explain and properly evaluate the diffusion situation of a country.
Design/methodology/approach
The study investigates worldwide broadband internet access take‐up in terms of fixed and mobile broadband penetration and broadband launch lead time by drawing on a wide range of variables of which some have not been examined in previous studies (e.g. home office workers, service sector activities or local call prices).
Findings
Results show that broadband internet take‐up significantly benefits from economic prosperity and computer penetration. Moreover, general regulatory quality has a significant influence. The effect of other regulatory and market environment variables is declining over time with associations becoming insignificant in 2009 data.
Research limitations/implications
Further research based on findings and limitations of the present study should incorporate quality of broadband, more accurate/differentiated measurement of broadband, conditionality, moderating effects, non‐linearity, as well as broadband implications for economic development.
Originality/value
This study covers a broad set of indicators and includes time lags in multivariate analysis to generate a holistic picture of broadband development drivers and their relevance over time.
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The aim of this paper is to look at the extent to which the bandwagon effect played a part in digital subscriber line (DSL) broadband adoption combined with the regulatory…
Abstract
Purpose
The aim of this paper is to look at the extent to which the bandwagon effect played a part in digital subscriber line (DSL) broadband adoption combined with the regulatory measures, the slowdown in the cable industry and the changes within the telecommunications industry in the United Kingdom (UK). The dynamics of broadband deployment, broadband adoption against a real‐world supply‐demand equation and the factors that influenced the outcome in the UK are examined in detail.
Design/methodology/approach
This paper combines historic facts and socio‐economic analysis done from archival research and interview material to examine the outcome in which the less‐heralded copper DSL technology outpaced cable broadband adoption. The analysis delves into the influence of the bandwagon effect and the two types of outcome associated with it i.e. network externalities and the complementary bandwagon effects.
Findings
The paper argues that the deployment of broadband technologies in the UK has not taken place solely on the merits of the technology or factors such as speed, end‐user demand and costs. A combination of factors related to regulatory decisions, status of industry finances, commercial expediency, short‐term technical benefits and the bandwagon effect are argued to be at work.
Originality/value
The paper is useful for historians, policy makers, regulators and communications industry analysts given its focus on broadband deployment in the UK in correlation to the bandwagon economics.
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