Search results

21 – 30 of over 278000
Article
Publication date: 14 May 2018

Jony Oktavian Haryanto, Luiz Moutinho, Joaquin Aldas-Manzano and Ihsan Hadiansah

The purpose of this paper is to identify the influence of future anticipation toward the development of brand relationship which finally creates brand loyalty. Brand loyalty has…

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to identify the influence of future anticipation toward the development of brand relationship which finally creates brand loyalty. Brand loyalty has fascinated a number of researchers to conduct studies for so many years; however, its relationship with future anticipation has remained untouched by academia.

Design/methodology/approach

This study proved the proposed conceptual model using structural equation modeling. The empirical approximated for the main-effects model and model goodness of fit indexes. The results signified a good fit of the data to our conceptual model in both samples.

Findings

The research shows that the influence of future anticipation is very essential in creating a brand relationship, autobiographical memory or even market performance and all in Asia; also Europe has similar significance with regard to this matter. Thus, it is important for companies to emphasize the importance of future anticipation and also delivers or informs it well to customers to create a positive perception in customers’ mind.

Originality/value

Future anticipation concept is anchored in philosophy theory and psychology. With respect to the study objectives, the focus is on the perspective of time which refers to thought and attitude toward past, present and future. In exploring what kind of behavior is related with future, the authors views are based on the futurology, a concept from sociology that studies generalizations about the nature of prediction. Blending these two theories, the authors elaborate a conceptual framework for the study of future anticipation and brand loyalty.

Details

Marketing Intelligence & Planning, vol. 36 no. 5
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0263-4503

Keywords

Open Access
Article
Publication date: 13 April 2022

Christin Mellner, Walter Osika and Maria Niemi

Contemporary workplaces undergo frequent reorganizations in order to stay competitive in a working life characterized by globalization, digitalization, economic uncertainty, and…

2759

Abstract

Purpose

Contemporary workplaces undergo frequent reorganizations in order to stay competitive in a working life characterized by globalization, digitalization, economic uncertainty, and ever-increased complexity. Managers are in the frontline of these challenges, leading themselves, organizations and their employees in high stress environments. This raises questions on how to support managers’ work-life sustainability, which is crucial for organizational sustainability. Mindfulness has been related to enhanced capacities to cope with challenges that are associated with organizational change. The authors evaluated short- and long-term effects of an eight-week mindfulness-based intervention in a company setting, which was going through reorganization.

Design/methodology/approach

Forty managers (42.5% males), mean age 54.53 (SD 5.13), were randomized to the mindfulness intervention or a non-active wait-list control. Self-report data were provided on individual sustainability factors in a work context: job demands and resources, psychological detachment, i.e. possibilities for letting go of work-related thoughts during leisure, control over work-nonwork boundaries, work-life balance, and mindfulness at baseline, postintervention, and at 6-month follow-up.

Findings

Linear mixed models (LMMs) analysis (all ps < 0.005 to 0.05) showed that the intervention group had a larger decrease in job demands and a smaller decrease in job resources, a larger increase in psychological detachment, work-nonwork boundary control, work-life balance, and mindfulness from baseline to postintervention when compared with the reference group. These initial effects were sustained at 6-month follow-up.

Originality/value

The study provides evidence that mindfulness practice can enhance managers’ long-term capacity to cope with challenging working conditions, and increase their work-life sustainability in times of organizational change and disruption.

Details

International Journal of Workplace Health Management, vol. 15 no. 4
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1753-8351

Keywords

Book part
Publication date: 25 February 2016

Richard V. Burkhauser, Markus H. Hahn, Dean R. Lillard and Roger Wilkins

We use Cross-National Equivalent File (CNEF) data from the United States and Great Britain to investigate the association between adults’ health and the income inequality they…

Abstract

We use Cross-National Equivalent File (CNEF) data from the United States and Great Britain to investigate the association between adults’ health and the income inequality they experienced as children up to 80 years earlier. Our inequality data track shares of national income held by top income percentiles from the early 20th century. We average those data over the same early-life years and merge them to CNEF data from both countries that measure self-reported health of individuals between 1991 and 2007. Observationally, adult men and women in the United States and Great Britain less often report being in better health if inequality was higher in their first five years of life. Although the trend in inequality is similar in both countries over the past century, the empirical association between health and inequality in the United States differs substantially from the estimated relationship in Great Britain. When we control for demographic characteristics, measures of permanent income, and early-life socio-economic status, the health–inequality association remains robust only in the U.S. sample. For the British sample, the added controls drive the coefficient on inequality toward zero and statistical insignificance.

Details

Inequality: Causes and Consequences
Type: Book
ISBN: 978-1-78560-810-0

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 20 July 2012

Francisco Guzmán and Vicenta Sierra

The objective of this article is to understand how to optimize partnerships between the public and business sectors. It aims to use a reference group influence model to help…

2348

Abstract

Purpose

The objective of this article is to understand how to optimize partnerships between the public and business sectors. It aims to use a reference group influence model to help identify which kinds of public services are best suited to this type of collaboration.

Design/methodology/approach

Consumer data were collected in two stages using surveys. Data were analyzed using two‐sided paired t‐tests and a mixed factorial MANOVA. The model is validated in the two largest Hispanic consumer markets – Mexico and Spain.

Findings

The paper finds that reference group influence has a greater impact on brand decisions for publicly consumed public services, and on service decisions for public services for which consumers pay extra. Reference group influence varies between contexts/countries.

Research limitations/implications

Despite the economic, development and cultural differences between Mexico and Spain, countries with even greater differences, or additional countries, could have been included in the study. Although commonly accepted for theory testing and reference group research, the use of a student sample during the second stage of this study limits the extendibility and generalization of the results.

Originality/value

Decision‐making shortcuts have been studied for years by behavioral scientists. However, to the authors' knowledge no research has explored how reference group influence affects public service consumption, and this understanding leads to the optimization of public‐private collaborations.

Details

European Journal of Marketing, vol. 46 no. 7/8
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0309-0566

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 3 June 2020

Fábio M.R.R. Gonçalves, Carlos J.F. Cândido and Isabel Maria Pereira Luís Feliciano

The purpose is to analyse the influence of inertia and group conformity on loyalty in healthcare.

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose is to analyse the influence of inertia and group conformity on loyalty in healthcare.

Design/methodology/approach

Structural equation model developed from the literature and tested with cross-sectional data from a patient online survey.

Findings

Inertia is a significant antecedent of loyalty and has a stronger effect in healthcare than in other service sectors. Group conformity has no significant effect in healthcare.

Research Implications

The strength of the impact of inertia [group conformity] on loyalty depends on the importance of the customer need that the service industry satisfies, in Maslow's hierarchy of needs. Where inertia (stability need) is equally or more [less] important than the customer need, the influence of inertia on loyalty should be positive and strong [weak or insignificant]. In services that satisfy needs more [equally or less] important than group conformity (belonging need), there may be an insignificant [significant] influence of group conformity on customer loyalty, even [especially] in credence services.

Practical implications

Healthcare providers can exploit the stronger effect of inertia in healthcare through development of inertia-based loyalty policies. Regulatory authorities should be vigilant to ensure that these policies are not detrimental to patients. ‘Inert’ patients must become responsible for assessing their loyalties. Authorities and reference groups must stimulate customer loyalty assessments, and assist by providing impartial information.

Originality/value

This is the first study to address the influence of inertia and group conformity on loyalty in the healthcare sector and, from the perspective of Maslow's hierarchy of needs, it is the first to do so in any service sector.

Details

Journal of Service Theory and Practice, vol. 30 no. 3
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 2055-6225

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 23 November 2010

Florence Tang

The purpose of this paper is to provide an in‐depth discussion of reference tools in the virtual world of Second Life.

738

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to provide an in‐depth discussion of reference tools in the virtual world of Second Life.

Design/methodology/approach

A description is given of the scripted functions employed by the author, a community virtual library reference desk volunteer of three years.

Findings

The paper finds that each tool can meet the information needs of community virtual library patrons.

Originality/value

The paper reveals that reference desk tool programs that run in the virtual world have implications for real world reference desks of the future.

Details

New Library World, vol. 111 no. 11/12
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0307-4803

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 18 April 2016

Olga Mironova, Irina Amitan, Jelena Vendelin, Jüri Vilipõld and Merike Saar

This paper aims to present a teaching approach to achieve the most personal support for students with different backgrounds and preferences in studying an Informatics course.

Abstract

Purpose

This paper aims to present a teaching approach to achieve the most personal support for students with different backgrounds and preferences in studying an Informatics course.

Design/methodology/approach

The presented methodology is based on the main principles of flexible and blended learning. The authors considered three main aspects: student’s background, the level of knowledge and the most suitable style of learning. At the beginning of the course, students were randomly divided into reference and test group. The test group students were continuously supported by different tools within an e-learning environment. The learning process for the reference group students was held in a traditional form.

Findings

The success of the experiment presented in this paper is demonstrated by comparing the results of the test group who were taught using the new strategy with the reference group who were taught in a common way. The statistical analysis shows that the test group students had better achievements compared to the reference group.

Research Limitations/implications

This presented study was carried out with non-IT first-year university students from social sciences, economics and technical faculties. Each year the number of students varied from 150 to 300.

Originality/value

Based on developed methodology, the model of individualization of the educational process in an e-environment was created and implemented in the course of Informatics in Tallinn University of Technology.

Details

Interactive Technology and Smart Education, vol. 13 no. 1
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1741-5659

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 1 December 2005

Britt Anna Fagerheim and Sandra J. Weingart

Reports methodology and findings of focus groups conducted at Utah state university to assess students’ needs in the library’s new information commons.

3937

Abstract

Purpose

Reports methodology and findings of focus groups conducted at Utah state university to assess students’ needs in the library’s new information commons.

Design/methodology/approach

A joint committee of computer services personnel and librarians, with assistance from undergraduate library peer mentors, undertook a series of focus groups with participants from the Utah state university student population. The goals were to assess the undiscovered needs of students and students’ preferences in a new library.

Findings

After the focus group responses were organized into eleven categories, we recorded several key traits and sets of comments from our user population; our users spend a good deal of their study time in the library either working individually or as a group, participants differ in their preferences for seeking help in the library, and participants consider noise levels and adequate space to study important concerns.

Practical implications

By following a few standard procedures, focus groups can be a useful format for collecting data regarding patrons’ needs and interests in the library. Focus groups can help library staff plan for and design new intellectual and physical spaces in the library.

Originality/value

This paper will be useful to academic librarians planning an Information Commons or other services in the library, or librarians interested in assessing their users’ needs through focus groups.

Details

Library Review, vol. 54 no. 9
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0024-2535

Keywords

Book part
Publication date: 10 October 2017

Hans Mikkelsen and Jens O. Riis

One thing is to get a project organization in place. Another thing is to bring it alive. This is the subject of this chapter. Most project work is teamwork, in the core teams and…

Abstract

One thing is to get a project organization in place. Another thing is to bring it alive. This is the subject of this chapter. Most project work is teamwork, in the core teams and work groups, and also in the steering committee, reference groups, and focus groups.

Because projects are temporary, it is a challenge quickly to establish effective cooperation in the groups and teams of the project organization, internal as well as external with surrounding organizations. Five elements of cooperation in the project team will be presented, including collaboration, coordination, communication, coalition, and control. Different work patterns will be discussed, and methods for carrying out project work will be presented, e.g., coping with limited rationality and handling project complexity.

A section will deal with work patterns in the steering committee, and a section will discuss cooperation with interested parties (stakeholders). Also, the maturity of the project organization will be treated.

A final section will discuss learning in the project organization.

Details

Project Management
Type: Book
ISBN: 978-1-78714-830-7

Book part
Publication date: 30 December 2013

Pilar García-Gómez, Erik Schokkaert and Tom Van Ourti

Most politicians and ethical observers are not interested in pure health inequalities, as they want to distinguish between different causes of health differences. Measures of…

Abstract

Most politicians and ethical observers are not interested in pure health inequalities, as they want to distinguish between different causes of health differences. Measures of “unfair” inequality – direct unfairness and the fairness gap, but also the popular standardized concentration index (CI) – therefore neutralize the effects of what are considered to be “legitimate” causes of inequality. This neutralization is performed by putting a subset of the explanatory variables at reference values, for example, their means. We analyze how the inequality ranking of different policies depends on the specific choice of reference values. We show with mortality data from the Netherlands that the problem is empirically relevant and we suggest a statistical method for fixing the reference values.

21 – 30 of over 278000