Search results
1 – 10 of 44Brendan J. Gray, Sheelagh M. Matear and Philip K. Matheson
The aim of this article is to identify company characteristics which are linked to improved performance in hospitality firms. It compares the levels of market orientation and…
Abstract
The aim of this article is to identify company characteristics which are linked to improved performance in hospitality firms. It compares the levels of market orientation and other company characteristics, including corporate culture, innovation procedures, use of information technology and ethical policies of hospitality firms with the most highly market‐oriented service firms from other sectors which took part in a large multi‐industry study in New Zealand. Suggests that hospitality managers should encourage their organisations to become more customer‐focused, to develop a corporate culture which encourages innovation, and to make greater use of Web‐based marketing to improve company performance.
Details
Keywords
Brendan J. Gray, Sheelagh Matear and Philip K. Matheson
Although there are a growing number of studies which have investigated links between market orientation and performance in service firms, there has been limited research which…
Abstract
Although there are a growing number of studies which have investigated links between market orientation and performance in service firms, there has been limited research which compares the market orientations of goods and service firms. The results of this study, based on a large multi‐industry sample of New Zealand companies, suggest that to improve business performance service firms should develop information systems to track profitable customers and products, develop a corporate culture which emphasises the needs of stakeholders, and develop policies to encourage ethical conduct. To improve marketing performance firms should improve their levels of market orientation, develop a corporate culture which emphasises the marketing concept and innovation, adopt more proficient new product development processes and explore the possibilities of electronic commerce.
Details
Keywords
Raija Komppula and Helen Reijonen
The purpose of this study was to identify those factors that are supposed to be the most important in terms of small business success in tourism industry. The empirical data is…
Abstract
The purpose of this study was to identify those factors that are supposed to be the most important in terms of small business success in tourism industry. The empirical data is collected within one region in Finland. The respondents were asked to evaluate the importance of the given factors for the firm's success and how highly the respondent evaluated the company's expertise in each factor in their operations. Questionnaires were sent by mail to a total of 214 tourism businesses. The final response rate was 43% (92 businesses). According to the analysis of the data, the respondents emphasise the importance of customer orientation, good skills in leadership, internal marketing and a good reputation of the firm and the product. The impact of external advice (incubators, consultants, research organisations) was evaluated as the least important factor of success. So, market orientation seems to play a key role in the performance of small and micro tourism firms. Customer orientation is also well mastered according to the businesses. The greatest development needs would be in the areas of price and accessibility, as well as in customer orientation. The results of this study indicate that there are no statistically significant differences in the views held by slowly or fast growing tourism businesses regarding the importance of the success factors. The same factors are considered important and less important in both slowly and fast growing businesses. Neither were there any statistically significant differences in these businesses as to the expertise in these success factors.
In the last four years, since Volume I of this Bibliography first appeared, there has been an explosion of literature in all the main functional areas of business. This wealth of…
Abstract
In the last four years, since Volume I of this Bibliography first appeared, there has been an explosion of literature in all the main functional areas of business. This wealth of material poses problems for the researcher in management studies — and, of course, for the librarian: uncovering what has been written in any one area is not an easy task. This volume aims to help the librarian and the researcher overcome some of the immediate problems of identification of material. It is an annotated bibliography of management, drawing on the wide variety of literature produced by MCB University Press. Over the last four years, MCB University Press has produced an extensive range of books and serial publications covering most of the established and many of the developing areas of management. This volume, in conjunction with Volume I, provides a guide to all the material published so far.
Details
Keywords
The purpose here is to show how the “shadow” economy has grown in scale and impetus in recent years, though even before modern times it has been present (e.g. the City of London…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose here is to show how the “shadow” economy has grown in scale and impetus in recent years, though even before modern times it has been present (e.g. the City of London, Shaxson, 2011) since at least the middle ages. The reasons for this have become complicated, but we can identify some “deep structures” that are common. Firstly, “globalisation” made it easier for multinationals to escape national regulatory regimes. Secondly, one of the ways neoliberal trading regulations allowed such actors to augment their assets was by means of what they initially called “transfer-pricing” but which now is officially known as “profit shifting” through tax havens. Thirdly, the growth in international trade in legal and illegal ways caused money laundering – even by otherwise respectable banks – to grow across borders. Conversely, from the supply-side, tax haven status was increasingly accessed by jurisdictions that sought to achieve economic growth by supplying tax haven services, both Delaware and Ireland as exemplars of a “developmental” fiscal policy.
Design/methodology/approach
This paper adopts a “pattern recognition” design, an approach that is abductive, meaning interpretive, as shown in the observation that explanation can be valid or reliable without direct observation. This is shown in the indirect observation that “rain fell because the terrace has puddles” or “ancient glaciers once carved this valley”.
Findings
Reviewing the European Union’s (EU) list of non-co-operating jurisdictions in support of the OECD’s review of base erosion and profit-shifting activity, Collin concluded the EU’s listing “moved the needle” somewhat but was only a modest success. This is because of its reluctance to sanction its own members or large economies like the USA. Data on foreign direct investment and offshore banking assets suggest listed jurisdictions did not suffer notably from being named and shamed. In all cases studied, this contribution found legally damaging, fraudulent, conflict of interest and corrupt practice activities everywhere.
Originality/value
The originality is found in three spheres. Firstly, the pattern recognition method was vindicated in yielding hard to research results. Secondly, the “assemblage-thirdspace” theory was found advantageous in demonstrating the uneven geography of tax haven clusters and their common history in turbocharging economic development. Finally, the empirics showed the ruses executed by cluster members in tax havens to circumvent the law from global management consultancies to micro-firms consisting of tax lawyers and other experts interacting in knowledge supply chains of dubious morality.
Details
Keywords
Philip J. Kitchen and Finbarr Daly
Globalisation, “glocalisation”, deregulation, privatisation, mergers, acquisitions and a movement of labour toward less expensive economic locations, coupled with revolutionary…
Abstract
Globalisation, “glocalisation”, deregulation, privatisation, mergers, acquisitions and a movement of labour toward less expensive economic locations, coupled with revolutionary advances in technology and simultaneous empowering of consumers coupled with changes in demand – are among the revolutionary forces impacting organisations around the world. In this dynamic context, organisations need to re‐evaluate their purpose and raison d’être. This evaluative process will help them to decide which changes: strategic or operational, will have to be made in order to perpetuate survival and growth. While, undoubtedly, organisations realise the importance of good communications, they often find it hard to forge the link between “what gets said” and “what gets done”. Aims, initially therefore, to explore the nature of the link between change, change management and internal communications. Ultimately aims to explore how internal communications contribute to the “successful” implementation of change management programmes. Develops as a theoretical contribution in the domains mentioned. As such, the authors would welcome comments and debate from colleagues with an interest in the fields of internal communication and change management.
Details
Keywords
WITH the passing of Easier the British librarian enters upon summer arrangements and a new financial year at the same time. There have been no severe complaints of undue financial…
Abstract
WITH the passing of Easier the British librarian enters upon summer arrangements and a new financial year at the same time. There have been no severe complaints of undue financial “cutting” from public librarians; but there has been no very lusty jubilation caused by undue amplitude in appropriations. We may be grateful that in the general Stringency matters are not worse than they are. Our time will come. As for the summer work of libraries: of late there has been a tendency for the issues, during what are usually thought to be the slacker months, to approximate to those of winter time. This is not wholly, or even largely, due to the organization of holiday literature exhibitions and similar “added” activities, but it appears to be the result of increased reading habit. At the same time it must be remembered that last summer was not an out‐door one.
Scancoat — pipe coating thickness gauge. I.T.I Anti‐Corrosion announce that they have entered into an agreement with Raines Tool Company to make available instrument which…
Abstract
Scancoat — pipe coating thickness gauge. I.T.I Anti‐Corrosion announce that they have entered into an agreement with Raines Tool Company to make available instrument which accurately measures the internal and external dry film thickness of pipe coatings. Which was shown for the first time in the U.K. at U.K. Corrosion 86.
This paper examines the particular problems faced by developing countries in providing information services. The use of CD‐ROM is considered for online searching, provision of…
Abstract
This paper examines the particular problems faced by developing countries in providing information services. The use of CD‐ROM is considered for online searching, provision of databases relevant to the Third World, as a source of bibliographic records, and to establish public access catalogues. Future developments of the technology are examined. Particular reference is made to Papua New Guinea.