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Article
Publication date: 4 May 2012

Spyros 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.

Details

info, vol. 14 no. 3
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1463-6697

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 1 February 2005

Duane M. Covrig

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…

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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.

Details

Journal of Educational Administration, vol. 43 no. 1
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0957-8234

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 25 January 2008

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

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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.

Details

info, vol. 10 no. 1
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1463-6697

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 1 December 2005

Rob Frieden

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.

Details

info, vol. 7 no. 6
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1463-6697

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 24 June 2019

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.

Details

Journal of Health Organization and Management, vol. 33 no. 4
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1477-7266

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 12 April 2022

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.

Details

Nutrition & Food Science , vol. 53 no. 1
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0034-6659

Keywords

Book part
Publication date: 23 November 2011

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.

Details

Missing Data Methods: Cross-sectional Methods and Applications
Type: Book
ISBN: 978-1-78052-525-9

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 15 March 2011

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.

Details

info, vol. 13 no. 2
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1463-6697

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 16 August 2011

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

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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.

Details

info, vol. 13 no. 5
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1463-6697

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 18 January 2013

Advait Deshpande

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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