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1 – 10 of over 240000This paper aims to discuss the adequacy of restrictive measures. Providing a synopsis of a global movement toward the imposition of target restrictive measures. Questioning the…
Abstract
Purpose
This paper aims to discuss the adequacy of restrictive measures. Providing a synopsis of a global movement toward the imposition of target restrictive measures. Questioning the success of targeted restrictive measures in obtaining behavioural change. Identifying a reversion to the implementation of wide ranging sectoral restrictive measures in an attempt to encourage immediate behavioural change. Accessing the success of using restrictive measures to encourage democratic regimes in Africa.
Design/methodology/approach
This study is a desktop research that examines European Parliament and Council issued Regulations for the jurisdictions of Iran, Russia and Belarus. Academic research is also used in identifying a pendulum swing by global legislatures with respect to the imposition of targeted measures to requiring the imposition of additional wide ranging sectoral measures.
Findings
Targeted measures can be circumvented using non-hostile third countries. Academic research identifies that wide reaching sectoral sanctions encourage regime change. Therefore, where targeted measures fail to give rise to their desired persuasive objectives. The legislator moves to introduce additional measures, also comprising of sectoral sanctions. Sectoral sanctions have been applied by the European Union in Iran, Russia and Belarus. The USA has taken measures to limit Russia ability to use Turkey as a transshipment hub. The African continent case study identifies the importance of creating an architecture founded on upholding positive governance and human rights standards. Failure to do so leads to a revolving system of authoritarian regimes, sanctioned by restrictive measures.
Originality/value
This paper is a desktop review composed by the author.
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José I. Rojas-Méndez and Gary Davies
The purpose of this study is to compare two different types of measures of social desirability bias (SDB), a short form of the Marlowe–Crowne measure, a popular direct measure…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this study is to compare two different types of measures of social desirability bias (SDB), a short form of the Marlowe–Crowne measure, a popular direct measure, and an example of a projective technique where half of the respondents record the views of their “best friends”.
Design/methodology/approach
The data were collected using an online survey of members of a consumer panel. The context chosen to test the SDB measures was that of attitudes toward counterfeit products and xenocentrism in Colombia. Counterfeit proneness, attitude toward counterfeit products and consumer xenocentrism were selected as variables likely to be affected by SDB. Vertical and horizontal collectivism were included as variables likely to influence the first group of variables while not being themselves subject to SDB.
Findings
The projective technique consistently identified higher levels of SDB effects, as hypothesized. Marked differences emerged in the apparent strength of the relationships between the operational constructs depending upon which measure of SDB was used. At times, whether any such relationship might exist depended on the SDB measure used. Contrary to some prior work, no systematic gender effects were identified using either approach.
Originality/value
The first study to provide evidence of the comparative effects of different types of measures of SDB in research into ethical issues. One of the few to demonstrate how apparent relationships between variables can be created by SDB.
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Ronjini Ray and Jamshed Ahmad Siddiqui
This paper aims to highlight the lacunae in international trade law concerning unilateral economic sanctions that impact food security.
Abstract
Purpose
This paper aims to highlight the lacunae in international trade law concerning unilateral economic sanctions that impact food security.
Design/methodology/approach
This paper adopts a literature review to establish that unilateral economic sanctions impact food security and a descriptive assessment of a few such sanctions. Thereafter, it adopts doctrinal analysis of such sanctions under World Trade Organization law and identifies the gaps to address the specific situation of unilateral economic sanctions that impact food security.
Findings
Unilateral economic sanctions are not effectively regulated under international law. Unilateral economic sanctions are known to impact food security not just in the targeted country but also in third countries. Under international trade law, the security exception under Article XXI of the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade (GATT) does not currently require an assessment of necessity and proportionality of measure. However, there is scope for such an assessment in the future depending on the circumstances, particularly if a measure impacts the rights and interests of third countries by impacting global food security.
Originality/value
The paper conducts a literature review of the impact of unilateral economic sanctions on food security. It highlights the gap in the interpretation of GATT Article XXI when assessing such sanctions that adversely impact the food security of third countries. The paper may be helpful for academics, policymakers, international organizations, non-governmental organisations, etc.
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David Walton, Michael Fullerton and Seraphim Patel
This paper seeks to discuss the collaborative development and piloting of joint user outcome measures for older adults with mental health problems (OAMH) and their carers. Outcome…
Abstract
Purpose
This paper seeks to discuss the collaborative development and piloting of joint user outcome measures for older adults with mental health problems (OAMH) and their carers. Outcome measures are crucial to measuring the impact of services on people's lives and are central to the new NHS and Adult Social Care (ASC) Outcome Frameworks.
Design/methodology/approach
The paper describes the development of a joint user outcome measure based on ASC User Experience Surveys (UES) and User Outcome Measures, and NHS Patient Reported Outcome Measures (PROMS) and Patient Reported Experience Measures (PREMS).
Findings
The aim was to supplement existing clinical outcome measures (HONOS65+) with holistic measures of the impact of services on the lives of patients, easy to administer, covering a range of health and social care outcomes and meeting both health and social care outcome requirements.
Originality/value
As far as is known this is one of the first tests of a joint patient reported experience and outcome measure. Such measures may enable joint services to: measure wider outcomes as well as clinical outcomes; meet the new focus on outcomes; and enable more systematic collection of outcome and effectiveness/Value for Money (VFM) data. There are also lessons about collaborative working and development.
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The traditional cost accounting‐based business performance measures usedtoday fail to provide adequate support to allow the use of modernmanagement techniques and development of…
Abstract
The traditional cost accounting‐based business performance measures used today fail to provide adequate support to allow the use of modern management techniques and development of optimum business and functional strategies. Although these traditional techniques have a certain value they must be supported by alternative non‐financial performance measures which promote organizational integration by ensuring that all strategic and operational activities are streamlined towards common objectives. Describes, with case studies, a methodology which leads to development of an integrated set of performance measures on which measurable business and functional strategies may be developed. The methodology described has been proven through a number of industrial consultancy assignments and results in considerable benefits.
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Two general requirements for overall measures of retrieval effectiveness are proposed, namely that the measure should be as far as possible independent of generality (this is…
Abstract
Two general requirements for overall measures of retrieval effectiveness are proposed, namely that the measure should be as far as possible independent of generality (this is interpreted to mean that it can be described in terms of recall and fallout), and that it should be able to measure the effectiveness of a performance curve (it should not be restricted to a simple 2×2 table). Several measures that have been proposed are examined with these conditions in mind. It turns out that most of the satisfactory ones are directly or indirectly related to Swets' measure A, the area under the recall‐fallout curve. In particular, Brookes' measure S and Rocchio's normalized recall are versions of A.
Many practitioners and researchers believe that differences exist between service and product markets, which warrant different marketing practices. The branding literature…
Abstract
Many practitioners and researchers believe that differences exist between service and product markets, which warrant different marketing practices. The branding literature, however, remains biased towards products. This is especially true in the realm of brand equity. Brand equity, however, like many of the branding concepts, has an equally important role in the service markets. For this reason, this study applied ten existing consumer based measures of brand equity to a financial services market (credit cards). The convergent and predictive validity of these measures was assessed, which in turn helped to determine whether these measures that have typically been applied in product markets can be used to capture brand equity in a service market. The results found that most measures were convergent and correlated highly with market share in the predicted direction, where market share was used as an indicator of brand equity. Brand recall and familiarity, however, were found to be the best estimators of brand equity in the credit card market.
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Charles E. O’Mara, Paul W. Hyland and Ross L. Chapman
Performance measurement systems not only provide the data necessary for managers to control business activity, they also influence the behavior and decisions of managers. This…
Abstract
Performance measurement systems not only provide the data necessary for managers to control business activity, they also influence the behavior and decisions of managers. This being the case, a restrictive set of financial performance measures may adversely impact on an organization’s long‐term viability, so organizations should develop a broad range of performance measures. Berliner and Brimson state that “performance measurement is a key factor in ensuring the successful implementation of a company’s strategy”. Thus when organizations implement new strategies they should ensure that the appropriate set of performance measures are in place. In this paper we look at two case studies conducted in a medium‐sized manufacturing firm and a large manufacturing firm, and evaluate the managers’ perceptions of the strategy/performance measurement relationship, and the responsiveness of performance measures to changes in strategy.
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This study aims to examine performance evaluation measures across private sector companies in an Egyptian context and pinpoints obstacles that may limit the adoption of the…
Abstract
Purpose
This study aims to examine performance evaluation measures across private sector companies in an Egyptian context and pinpoints obstacles that may limit the adoption of the balanced scorecard (BSC).
Design/methodology/approach
Uses a questionnaire that was mailed to a sample of 150 companies listed in the Egyptian stock exchange market. The analysis is directed at determining managers' perceptions of performance evaluation measures within the Egyptian private sector. Descriptive statistics, frequency of use of companies' practices and possible relationships between variables provide the basis for discussion.
Findings
Companies rely on both financial and non‐financial measures of performance evaluation. The profit margin, as a financial measure, is also the most commonly used performance measure. Customer satisfaction is the most commonly used non‐financial measure of performance evaluation. The BSC has wide spread use in the Egyptian companies surveyed, but the level of use of multi‐dimensional indicators is significantly low. The survey provides considerable insight into obstacles inhibiting the adoption of the BSC. The most significant obstacle is the inadequacy of implemented information systems.
Research limitations/implication
Survey results restrict generalization, as the sampling design cannot be claimed to represent all Egyptian companies. Also a relatively low response rates must be taken into account.
Originality/value
Provides an insight into performance evaluation practices in the private sector in a developing country.
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Intangible assets are seen as critical drivers of future performance for most organizations. For this reason many managers endeavor to better measure and manage those intangible…
Abstract
Purpose
Intangible assets are seen as critical drivers of future performance for most organizations. For this reason many managers endeavor to better measure and manage those intangible value drivers. This article explores the challenges of measuring and managing intangibles.
Design/methodology/approach
Guided by practical experiences, case examples, and theory, this article systematically outlines how to tackle the problems we face when measuring aspects of organizations that are inherently difficult to measure.
Findings
There are different reasons for measuring and managing intangibles in organizations. Some require objectivity (accounting, external reporting), whereas others focus on the informative value (internal reporting, strategic decision making). It is difficult, if not impossible, to derive meaningful and objective measures for intangible assets.
Practical implications
Instead of trying to quantify the unquantifiable for accounting and objective external reporting purposes, managers should design indicators that can be used to assess performance of intangible elements in order to guide management decision‐making and strategic learning.
Originality/value
This article, based the book Strategic Performance Management, outlines why striving for objectivity can yield meaningless performance indicators and dysfunctional behavior. The real value is derived from indicators that assist our day‐to‐day decision‐making and organizational learning.
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